Art of War, Art of Love

In the middle of summer in the state of California, USA, I stood at a rest stop along the highway. After noon, the lazy sunlight spilled over the place, giving it the desolate, Western-cowboy vibe of Texas. The stop was far from downtown Los Angeles, no trucks passing by, nothing but emptiness and heat hot enough to make anyone irritable. It was late afternoon, and on the highway, even the shadow of a single car was hard to spot. The sun stretched my silhouette endlessly across the ground…I, a man was standing right at the edge of Highway 800 like a human roadblock. My left hand waved a Texas cowboy hat to cool down, my right hand raised in the international hitchhiking gesture. I knew I was handsome, my face already good-looking, but with that wicked grin that made it impossible for people to ignore me. Every feature of mine was flawless, the kind of face that screamed privilege at first glance.But… I was dressed ridiculously.All I had on was a pair of shorts. Not even a scrap of fabric on my upper body.Well, technically I still had the hat.The sunlight hit my firm, wheat-colored skin, making me look… dangerously sexy.That man was me, Nicolas! CEO of the William financial empire, yes, that William.Two hours earlier, I had been happily driving my Porsche, sightseeing with a beautiful, big-breasted girl I'd met just yesterday in glamorous California. Who could've guessed that because of one displeasing comment, that hateful woman took all my clothes, stole my car, and drove off. My money and phone disappeared with her, too!"Sigh…"I had been standing there trying to stop a car for nearly two hours, helplessly sighing over and over. Finally, I plopped down in the middle of the highway, stretched my legs out, using my hat both as shade and fan. Thankfully, the woman had enough conscience to leave me something a hat.I looked down at my current state…"If Edward and the others see me like this, they'll laugh themselves to death!"I imagined Edward's, Joseph's, and Logan's faces, my three partners-in-crime and wanted to bury myself underground. I prank others; it's never the other way around!Damn it.Why did I decide to go out like this in the first place?I couldn't even stop a car properly.While I was still wondering how long it would take me to crawl back to Los Angeles, I suddenly heard the faint sound of an engine in the distance. I jumped up immediately. When I saw a car approaching, I waved my hat like crazy.The car screeched to a stop right in front of me, the sharp sound echoing across the empty road."Wow, buddy, your brakes need fixing!" I rubbed my ears as I opened the passenger door like it was my own car."Hey! Are you trying to die? Why are you blocking my car?"The driver was a chubby, bearded middle-aged American with tightly curled hair.I looked at him and sincerely said,"Isn't it obvious? I stopped your car to hitch a ride!"He frowned, scanning me from head to toe before scoffing,"Why should I? You panning for gold or something? You're practically naked!"Clearly, in his eyes, I was suspicious.I pouted."I'll give you one million dollars. Just drive me back to Los Angeles.""One million?" He yelled, then gave me another full head-to-toe glance."Well? Yes or no?" I asked with a wicked smile."Yes! Of course yes!"I cheered inwardly…But he just stood there, unmoving.I grew awkward."Uh… I mean… once we reach Los Angeles, I'll give you the million."I swear I meant it! Anyone who could get me out of here would be handsomely rewarded.But to him, it sounded like the Big Bad Wolf sweet-talking Little Red Riding Hood…His mustache twitched, then he climbed back into the driver's seat."A million dollars? You think the sun fried my brain? Come back when you actually have money!"And the car shot off like a rocket.I wanted to throw a bomb into the exhaust trail.Damn it!Was there no way out of this forsaken wasteland?I lay down on the road, face up to the sky, feeling the asphalt heat trying to roast my back. Eventually, I stood up, yawned, and kept walking.I didn't know how long I had been walking until... I saw a blazing pink Ferrari. Like an angel descending!I swear, if I get out of this hellhole alive, I will worship God forever.I ran over, ready to flash my "charming" smile but… the owner wasn't there.Strange. A Ferrari with no driver?My lips curled, eyes brightening. I had just figured out my escape. The sun glinted off the hot-pink Ferrari.To me, it was survival itself.The window reflected my eyes gleaming with mischief and a devilish grin."Hello... anyone here?" I knocked on the window, pretending to check. If no one answered, breaking in would be far less embarrassing.Clearly, no one was around."You can't blame me for this," I said, rubbing my hands together.I looked for something sturdy to pry the lock.I, Nicolas Williams, wasn't just the CEO of the William family. I was also the genius behind countless advanced weapons, a martial arts expert, a machinery specialist, a designer of ammunition, and a master at lockpicking and driving.So unlocking a Ferrari without its key?Child's play.In no time, the lock popped open.But the moment I stepped inside."Ah...!"I screamed in horror.The car was filled with plushies dolls, stuffed animals I couldn't even name! I felt a whole flock of crows flying over my head.What kind of bizarre taste was this?Why collect things that clearly lower one's IQ?I scratched my head, then immediately got to work: I tossed all the plushies out of the car.Clean and neat, much better.But… the color of the car still bothered me.Someone of my status, sitting in a girly pink Ferrari?Never mind.I just needed to get out of here.Once I did, I would "renovate" this thing.I was a vehicle-modification expert, after all!Feeling satisfied, I relaxed into the driver's seat and started the engine.Soon, the Ferrari purred obediently accepting me as its new master.Perfect.I could finally leave this place!Overjoyed, I opened the convertible top, blasted the music, and merged myself into the burning California atmosphere.Night sparkled brilliantly; the moon was clear as water."Wind like sand, moon like a bow" Every corner of the pure-white mansion shone with a cold, aristocratic arrogance. The architecture blended romance and solemn grandeur. The main doors towered sky-high; round windows framed with marble veins radiated elegance. The mansion was vast, with countless rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and simple curtains. Moonlight filtered through the glass, falling onto my thick, ink-black hair.Every feature of my face looked as if meticulously carved; every curve sharply beautiful, exuding nobility. My deep eyes held a rebellious glint, alluring and lethargic, carrying a dangerous charm no one could resist. My straight nose matched the face and temperament of someone born extraordinary. My entire being radiated an irresistible, dangerous aura…"Nicolas…"A voice called out.A tall, slender girl appeared; she had a seductive, witch-like figure, long lashes hiding eyes full of smoldering affection so beautiful it bordered on sinful. Her body swayed with coy allure, looking even more enchanting than before."You're here?"