âLet go of me, Sonny!â
Luisaâs face burned a bright red, yet her strength paled in comparison to Sonnyâs.
To Sonny, her resistance seemed nothing more than playful defiance.
Visibly annoyed, Luisa demanded, âPut me down.
My skirt is too short.
Itâs not safeâ¦â
With a stern look, Sonny responded, âYou know the skirt is too short, yet you chose to wear it to dance at the bar.
Are you even concerned about your safety?â
Despite speaking in a low, monotonous tone that mirrored a paternal lecture, Sonny thoughtfully placed his coat over her legs to cover her, as she was hoisted over his shoulder, ensuring the short skirt didnât reveal her underwear.
A few disc jockeys and bar staff gazed in disbelief as the deputy director of the National Security Bureau openly flirted with his young girlfriend.
Some female staff murmured among themselves.
âSonny is so assertive and commanding.
Plus, as the adopted son of the Payne family, heâs wealthy and attractive.
Being his girlfriend must be fantastic.
â
Luisa overheard this and silently fumed.
How could it be fantastic?
He was simply a man lacking emotional depth, oblivious to the needs of others.
The more she dwelled on it, the more wronged she felt.
She alone understood the exhaustion of loving such a man.
âYou jerk, Sonny! Iâm your girlfriend, not one of your subordinates.
Stop treating me this way!â
Without pausing, Sonny sighed and carried on.
He effortlessly kept Luisa on his broad shoulder.
He secured the legs of the restlessly kicking Luisa with one hand and softly patted her with the other, trying to contain his frustration.
âDonât act up.
Iâm not forcing you; youâve just been particularly defiant tonight.
Itâs late.
Weâll discuss this later.
â
Sonny noted that she had put on a noticeable amount of weight since he began caring for her nearly a year ago.
When he had first rescued her from the dungeon in Eurfrica, she was severely undernourished.
Now, her body felt significantly heavier and more supple in his grasp.
Sonny recalled the first time he saw her, noticing her clear and beautiful eyes that revealed her past hardshipsâ-abuse and severe malnutrition.
He softened his tone, reasoning with her sincerely.
âLuisa, when I rescued you from Eurfricaâs dungeon, you were so frail, barely weighing 8@ pounds.
Over the year Iâve taken care of you, youâve gained 15 pounds and look much healthier.
Who do you think you should thank for that? I even asked my brother to enroll you in a university of your choice, without interfering with your major or school.
I respect your decisions.
The only rule I set is not staying out late at night.
When have I ever forced you? Iâve done my best this year, taking care of you, even giving you my salary card.
I know Iâm not the best at understanding what young women think.
Besides you, I have my career to manage.
If not for my efforts, weâd both be out on the streets.
Canât you try to be a bit more cooperative?â
Sonny was on the verge of getting engaged.
He had been saving diligently, aiming to provide Luisa with a life where she wouldnât have to envy the luxurious items that Lucinda owned.
He had a long and busy day; he hardly had a moment to rest.
Coming home from work, he didnât even have the chance to sit before he rushed to the bar to take Luisa home.
Despite his exhaustion, both physical and mental, he bore it silently, like the mature man he was.