Requited Love: Rise Like A Phoenix

As the night fell, the sound of cicadas echoed endlessly under the starry skies. In a villa sat a lonely figure as she stared at the beautiful scenery ahead of her. "Don't look for me anymore. I won't go!"

Louise Gu refused the caller. She was wearing a silky night gown that left almost nothing to the imagination. She placed her phone on the table and looked out of the window, sighing. Why hadn't he come back yet?

Bang!

Just then, the door of her room flew open.

She staggered right up, eyes widening in fright.

A man dressed in a black suit came walking in. He was tall with a well-built figure. He was also extraordinarily handsome with dark eyebrows and almost luminous eyes. However, there was something about him that made her tremble in fear.

Before she could react, he threw a folder at her.

"That's the divorce agreement. Sign it," he snarled.

The distinct smell of alcohol made her nauseous.

Louisa Gu felt cold all over as she stared at the document in her hands. She trembled, refusing to look at him in the eye.

"Why?" she bit out.

Jacob Gu snorted, sneering at her. "Why? You have the nerve to ask me why? If you hadn't climbed into my bed and forced me into sleeping with you a year ago, do you think my grandma would allow me to marry you? If she doesn't love you that much, we would never be together. Now that she's going abroad, it's your time to leave me. Sign your name here and get the hell out of my house!"

Tears slid down her cheeks. The document was already shaking in her hands as she took a deep breath.

Her bottom lip was trembling.

"I–I didn't mean to... please..." she stuttered out. However, the man showed no signs of mercy.

"You didn't mean to? Haven't you dreamed of sleeping with me ever since you were younger?"

Jacob Gu grabbed her slender wrists, pulling her closer towards him. His nails dug into her skin, causing her to wince.

"I love–"

"Shut up!" he roared.

The last thing he wanted was to hear her voice.

Jacob Gu picked up the divorce agreement and shoved it into the woman's arms. "I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense! Just sign it." He gritted his teeth.

She scowled. "Not until you tell me why!"

"Why? You want to know why?" he yelled out. "I hate you. That's why! If you're smart enough, you'll sign it right now. I'll even make it easy for you. Otherwise, I'll make sure you don't even get a penny."

Jacob Gu didn't care what would happen at the end. All he wanted was for her to get out of his sight.

The position of being his wife was never meant for her.

Different emotions ran through her as she processed his words. It felt as if her entire body had grown numb from his painful grip. Plucking up the little courage she had, she forced herself to look him in the eye.

"No! I won't divorce you till the day that I die. You can't do this to me, Jacob!"

His face darkened at her refusal.

"Fine. Do you really want to be my woman?" He brought her body close to his chest as his arm wrapped around her waist. "You want to sleep with me, don't you?" Jacob Gu snarled.

Louisa Gu wrinkled her nose as the strong stench of alcohol invaded her nostrils. "No, it's not like that."

Her eyes were already tinged red from crying.

"Not like that? Aren't you trying to seduce me by dressing like this? Since you don't want a divorce, then you might as well do your job as a wife! Let's see..." He stepped towards her, looking like a predator leering at his prey.

"What are you doing?" she stuttered out.

She had never seen Jacob Gu like this.

The fire in his eyes was blazing. If looks could kill, she'd be taken into a shortcut to hell.

She took a step back.

"What? Pretending to be innocent now, aren't you? You've been waiting for this a whole year, haven't you? Now, you've succeeded. If you don't want to divorce me, then be my wife."

He shoved her onto the table.

"Ah! No!"

she yelled out, tears welling up in her eyes.

However, her screams fell deaf to Jacob as he bunched up her skirt around her waist. Her screams of help did nothing to appease him.

Her heart felt as if it was being smashed into a thousand pieces.

"Jacob," she gasped out.

"Please... I beg of you. No! Help!" she screamed as he went inside her. Tears continuously streamed down her face as she took in the pain.

He snarled, "How dare you call for help? Isn't that what you want? Shouldn't you be happy? Just take it!"

He pushed into her once again and she yelled out. Her fingernails were clawing down his back as she tried to kick him on the stomach. However, her continued resistance only seemed to have encouraged him even more. "Why are you doing this to me? Is my love that worthless?" She sobbed, pounding on his arms, but he didn't stop.

In his eyes, she was worthless.

"I hate you," she whispered, cursing him in her heart.

The whole night rendered her in a daze. It was as if she had awoken from a nightmare.

It was as if the world was paying her for all of the sins she committed in the past life, endlessly drowning her with hatred and disgust. She clenched her fists.

"I've never loved you, Louisa. And I will never love you," he whispered.

"I will only ever love Ellie."

'Ellie?

Is that another woman?

So he did all of this for a woman named Ellie?' Louisa gritted her teeth.

After everything she had done to him, this was what he had given her, a life filled with torment and pain.

Her pillow was already drenched with her tears.

It had never occurred to her that the man she promised to love would hurt her in this way.

It was horrible, even despicable!

It was a far cry from the love that she'd imagined herself in.

Louisa sneered.

He hadn't touched her for a whole year since they got married, and now he took her virginity on the same night he gave her the divorce papers. The man was horrible as he was monstrous.

'Jacob, I hate you!

I won't forgive you for the rest of my life!'

Louisa clenched her fists. She would never fall in love with him ever again!

The silver moonlight shone through the windowsill, highlighting her pale and shaken face.

-----

As soon as sunlight broke out, Louisa slowly got out of bed. Despite her aching body, she continued to pick up the clothes that were scattered across the floor before heading inside the bathroom.

When Jacob woke up, memories of last night flashed into his mind.

He glanced around only to see that Louisa was already on the sofa, waiting for him.

Seeing that he was awake, she glanced at the divorce agreement on the table. "I'll sign it," she said, her voice trembling.

As soon as the words came out of her lips, she sobbed.

Louisa was exhausted. After months of trying to get him to love her, she finally came to the realization that it was time to give up.

"You want to sign it? And I thought you would be so loyal to me after what happened last night." Jacob sneered, not regretting what he had done.

They had been married for a year, and he tried his best to stay away from her. This was the only time he had ever touched her. He was just so angry that...

Fortunately, she agreed to sign the divorce papers.

She bit her lips and said nothing.

Her love was a just joke to him.

Her hand was shaking violently as she lowered her pen onto the paper.

Jacob turned his head, pretending not to notice it.

Gritting her teeth, she tried to steady her hand.

Without another word, she signed the agreement.

"Louisa Gu."

It was time she ended her union with the Gu Family.

Once she had signed, Jacob took the papers away.

He stared at her indifferently.

"I'll ask my lawyer to transfer the alimony payment into your account. From now on, you have nothing to do with the Gu Family. You have three days to move out."

"One day's enough," she said. Her voice was hoarse from screaming all night.

The man chuckled bitterly. "Turns out you're smart after all. Take the alimony and get the hell out of my sight."

Jacob turned and walked away,

not even bothering to look back.

He was heartless.

She gritted her teeth.

Even if he didn't love her, why did he hate her so much? Louisa quickly dialed a number, bringing it to her ear. "Look, I agree," she snapped. "I just want to get out of here as soon as possible."

Two years later, at an airport,

the man in a black suit briskly walked out of exit T4. He had a clear face and a sharp nose. A single smile threading across his lips was enough to turn the world upside down.

"Mr. Jacob, you're finally back!"

Barry Lu took his luggage and gazed at him happily.

He nodded stiffly.

"There will be a charity banquet at nine later in the evening. I've already prepared for everything. Will your luggage be sent to the Gu Family or your villa, Mr. Jacob?"

He frowned. "The villa."

"You got it, sir."

Ever since Jacob moved out of the Gu Family two years ago, he had never gone back. However, this time was different.

Someone was coming back.

"When will my grandma arrive?" Jacob squinted his eyes as the sunlight glared through the high windows.

"In one week, sir. She'll stay in Switzerland for a week before returning from Australia."

'I can't hide it anymore,' Jacob thought bitterly, shaking his head.

"Go back to the company first before attending the charity banquet."

"Yes, sir."

Just as Jacob and Barry Lu walked out of the airport gates to get onto their car, a cheer erupted from the crowd behind them. The entire airport was thrown into chaos as people rushed towards one of the opening gates. Chatter exploded from the crowd.

"Wow! Lola's so amazing!" one screamed. "I love you, Lola!"

"We wish you more successes!"

"We will love you forever!"

Hearing Lola's name, Jacob couldn't help but let his thoughts drift to one person. He shook his head, coughing. "What's happening?" he demanded.

Barry Lu craned his head. "You don't know? She's a famous star, and she's finally coming back to her hometown. It's the first time since she's been back from abroad, and the entire airport's paralyzed."

Jacob pursed his lips. "Who the hell are you talking about?"

"Lola Ming! The superstar. She made a name for herself when she went abroad. In fact, I've heard she won numerous awards in the first year alone. When she was under twenty years old, her records had topped the charts worldwide. She surprises her fans more and more each year. I don't know which company would sign her in but..."

Knowing where Barry Lu was getting at, Jacob sneered. "Don't even think about signing her. The woman would likely lose our investment in a dot."

Having been in the entertainment business for years, Barry Lu knew a thing or two on what people liked. He was actually planning on signing a contract with her, but after knowing Jacob's thoughts about the proposal, he shrugged.

"It's your call, sir."

Without saying any more, Jacob got into the car.

At the same time, Lola, who was surrounded by the crowd, looked up to see a familiar figure passing by. Her eyes widened momentarily. It was him!

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

It was fine. It wasn't as if he knew who she was.

Lola restrained herself and smiled brightly at the crowd. Her bright face was enough to cause a cheer from her fans.

Even if Jacob did recognize her, it wouldn't matter. They were over, and she didn't like him anymore.

She was Lola Ming, a star who had lived under the spotlight with countless fans and numerous awards. She was no longer the girl who relied on the Gu Family.

"Lola! Please don't go back. We can't watch you leave."

Seeing their enthusiasm, Lola placed a hand on her hips, flashing a grin at the crowd. "Of course not. This is my home, and it's time I finally return."

At seven o'clock in the evening, at the site of the SH Event.

The SH Event was a prestigious event, and it was the first thing Lola needed to attend after returning home. She especially came early to rehearse the songs she was about to sing. However, a certain acquaintance interrupted her proposal.

"Who the hell is Lola Ming? Who let you on that stage! I'm the one who's supposed to sing on the grand finale of tonight's event! Me! Fiona Gu! Who the hell do you think you are?" Although Fiona Gu looked gorgeous, her face was scarred with disgust and contempt for the woman on the stage.

Lola placed a hand on her hips as she walked over to Fiona Gu, staring her down condescendingly. "Even if you're the daughter of the Gu Family, do you think I care? In the entertainment business, it's your popularity and talent that matter, not your family ties. So, Miss Fiona, if you have any complaints, then you can go talk to the organizers. No one should suffer listening to you for too long."

Fiona Gu's face turned red. It was not until she got closer was she able to see Lola's face much clearly. Although Fiona'd seen her face on the magazines in the past, it was only then when she finally recognized her.

"You're..." She blinked. "It's you!"

Lola smiled. "It's me. Lola Ming. I'll be singing for the finale."

"When the hell did you come back and now, you've decided to change your identity? You really are something!" Fiona sneered.

Back then, Louisa had just been a timid girl from the Gu family. Now, she had the nerve of speaking to Fiona in that manner!

"My name's Lola. Is there a problem? I think you've greatly misunderstood me." It was her turn to sneer. "All my life, I've relied on my own determination and talent to help me soar through the ranks. Not everyone has a good backer like you, Miss Fiona."

"You!" Fiona gaped. "How dare you to think you can look down on me! You'll never be able to compare yourself with me. You wish you're the last one on that stage! Let's wait and see, bitch."

Fiona didn't even give Lola time to respond when she stomped off, her bright heels clicking across the tiles.

Lily, Lola's assistant, stared warily at Fiona's retreating figure. "Miss Lola, I don't think it's a good idea to piss her off like that." She sighed. "You've just offended the daughter of the Gu Family. They're one of the biggest families in the country."

Of course Lola knew that!

The Gu Family's industrial chain included a coal mine, jewelry, supermarkets, tourism sectors, hotels, and so forth. They were omnipotent when it came to the business sector. Even when it came to the entertainment business, they also had connections.

Then again, Lola already offended Jacob, so how could Fiona make her situation more dangerous?

"If you're that afraid of the Gu Family, then you might as well ask her to hire you." Lola snorted, walking away.

At nine o'clock, the event finally began.

Lola had already put on a white lacy dress for the main show. Lily brought her pair of crystal shoes decorated with real diamonds. "Please put them on, Miss Lola. It's your turn."

Lola nodded, putting on her shoes as she waited for the wire stunt to descend. Under the flickering light, mist poured into the stage as a 'fairy' floated across the stage.

The spectators were so immersed by her beauty as she landed onto the stage.

Lola was like a goddess falling from the heavens. However, the moment she stepped onto the platform, she felt a sharp pain on the soles of her feet. She gritted her teeth before plastering a smile on her face.

The light and music were already ready.

Right now, she had no way back.

She stepped forward.

No matter how many hurdles were ahead of her, she was prepared to jump over them.

She didn't notice that there was a person sitting among the audience with his eyes wide open as he gaped at the 'fairy' on the stage. His jaw dropped.

'Louisa Gu?

What the hell?

Why is she here?'

Jacob narrowed his eyes at the woman who stepped onto the stage. She was like a different person, a far cry from the Louisa he always hated.

Under all the make-up and the jewelry, Lola looked so much charming and alluring than Louisa that Jacob suspected he had made a mistake.

Ever since Louisa left the Gu Family two years ago, he heard no news from her. It was as if she had disappeared from the face of the earth.

He blinked, shaking his head. Maybe it wasn't her.

Maybe they weren't the same person at all.

With these thoughts in mind, Jacob glanced at Barry who was enchanted by the 'fairy' on the stage. "Boss, I want to sign her in," he announced, still in a daze.

"Who?" Jacob raised his eyebrow.

"Lola! Didn't you see how she was at the airport this morning! She was amazing. Plus, she's smart and gorgeous. I'm sure she'd succeed. Our TV Station needs more young actresses like her for millennial to relate to. It will be a pity if we didn't get her on our team."

"Lola?" Jacob repeated the name, letting it roll on his tongue.

Her name was so similar to Louisa's name as well.

Jacob couldn't help but raise his head and stare at the woman again. She debuted two years ago... She was great at both singing and dancing, plus it didn't hurt the fact that she had a beautiful face and a great figure to match. Moreover, her fans absolutely adored her.

Those were the qualities he had never seen from Louisa.

Suddenly, he noticed something was off. The moment she step onto the stage, her face was drained of all color. Although she tried to keep herself cool, he noticed a subtle change in her eyes.

He didn't know why he noticed it.

Gritting her teeth, Lola turned at the crowd only to stop when she saw a familiar man at the front row. Her eyes widened.

Jacob!

The tension in the room escalated. Soon, it felt as if they were the only ones in the room as they stared at each other.

Her pale face flushed red. She tried to move but it felt as if her body was frozen into place.

Her fingernails dug into her palm as she tried to get the words out of her throat.

For the first time in two years,

Lola was nervous as hell.

One glimpse of him at the airport was enough, but having him here to watch her, she felt as if she wanted to vomit. Lola took a deep breath, trying to keep her thoughts at bay.

Without another word, she strutted across the catwalk, posing at the very end of the stage. The crowd cheered and clapped as the gorgeous woman flashed a smile on her way.

She was as beautiful as she was graceful.

However, as soon as she got off the stage, she hurried into the lounge. Seeing the urgency flashing in her eyes, Lily quickly followed suit.

"Close the door!" Lola ordered. Lily immediately followed. She turned to see her boss attempting to remove her heels.

Lola winced, groaning once she removed one of her heels. At the sight, Lily widened her eyes. "What's going on?"

Lola poured out the shards of broken glass from her shoes, sneering. Her feet were battered and bloodied from the numerous cuts that she had gotten from walking the runway. "Obviously someone wants to humiliate me. Damn that guy to hell!"

Lily stared at Lola in bewilderment. It was only then when she realized how strong her boss was when walking out the stage. If it had been her, she wouldn't have been able to do that.

"Let's get you to the hospital," she said urgently, but Lola waved her off.

"It's no need. It's not a big deal, and besides, we have a banquet to attend later on."

"How can you attend at this state? I'll call Flora right now." Lola grabbed Lily's arm before she could make the call. "Look, if you don't want to help me, then leave. I could bind it up myself."

Seeing that she couldn't persuade Lola, Lily decided to help her tend to her wounds with a sigh.

"Aren't you hurt? Why are you insisting on doing the show? We could easily delay it," Lily insisted. "Your health's more important than this."

Lola shrugged, wincing just a bit when Lily took out a small shard embedded in her foot. "It's just a wound. Besides, when I went abroad, I've faced far worse pain than this. What's the harm?"

"What did you experience?" Lily's eyes widened in confusion.

Knowing that she had spoken too much, Lola's gaze darkened. Some of the memories she had with Jacob rushed back to her. She avoided her assistant's questioning gaze. "Nothing... I meant in the two months when I was just a trainee, I didn't get enough sleep. I practiced dancing every day till my ankles twist itself. Even if my voice became hoarse, I continued singing. Back then, it was a luxury to sleep for even two hours a day. In fact, I had always come up with a fever and a cold around once a week, but I had dealt with them. Plus in order to join the 101 Talent Show, I had to practice even more. In the end, I finally became a member of a group, and I guess that is what started my career. Everything's a piece of cake if you compared it to my past."

Lily frowned as she listened to her boss's past. She couldn't help but admire her more for it. If it had been her, she would've quit halfway through. No wonder Lola was popular now. She deserved it.

"From all the pain that I've suffered, I've grown numb to it." Lola shook her head. "Whatever. Why am I telling you all of this? Just get my clothes ready for the next event and please don't tell Flora about this. The next events are also crucial to my return, so don't mess that up too."

"Okay. You got it, Miss Lola." Lily nodded firmly.

"You don't have to call me that. Lola's fine. Besides, I'm a year younger than you," she teased. The bright smile on her face only made Lily pity her more.

At the same time, there was someone standing outside of the door, looking straight through the small crack of the door frame. He could hear their entire conversation.

His hands clenched. Her voice was the same as Louisa's!

He knew he heard it right. In fact, he knew it was her the moment they made eye contact on that stage. Her eyes were shining with so much obscurity that he knew that she remembered him well enough.

She was back as a superstar, but why would she return? What was her purpose?

Suddenly, Jacob dodged and hid himself in the corner when Lily walked out of the lounge alone. Without another thought, he strode into her dressing room.

"You brought the shoes that fast?" As soon as Lola looked up, she froze into place.

The man that had haunted her every nightmare was right in front of her. His dark eyebrows and slender figure were enough to lead every girl astray, but not her...not anymore.

She stayed where she was.

"Why didn't you tell me you were back, Louisa?" He stalked over to her, his gaze darkening.

Lola quickly regained her composure. "I'm sorry. I'm not Louisa. Mr. Jacob, I'm afraid you've entered the wrong room."

He sneered. "If you don't know me, then how do you know my name?"

"You are the president of the Gu Consortium. Who doesn't know you?" With these words, Lola stood up with one foot. "If there's nothing else, please get out. I need to rest."

He smirked. "When have you become so cold, Louisa? Where's the girl who chased me all her life? Where's the girl who insisted to fuck me?"