The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 13: The Bodyguard

I was told that I’ll be given a design team to work with soon when I get accustomed to the workload here. Alvarez’s secretary said that I’ll just do what I used to do in our company, so it’ll be a cinch for me. At least that’s what he said.

In reality, work was never a cinch for me, regardless of who I worked with. It’s always very tiring to the point that I end up breaking down when there’s too much to handle. Right now, I’m hoping I’ll have it a little easier here, even if it wasn’t that much.

Right now, I’m still encoding stuff. I already had to wear my glasses because my eyes were starting to hurt. I’m not even halfway done with all these, and it’s already lunch! Oh, I don’t think I’ll be able to go out.

Just as I was about to complain, I heard the door open, and Alvarez appeared with a plastic bag full of food in his two hands. He looked at me and pointed at the couch and the table in front of it.

“Oh, are we eating together?” I asked as I stood up.

“Yeah, I’m hungry already.”

This guy looks like he’s taking things easy, even though he probably has the worst workload out of everyone here. How does he look so good after all those conferences so early in the morning?

Anyway, I’m glad I can still eat despite all of that. I wasn’t planning to leave because that'd take too much time. I never liked starving myself, so I’ve got to thank Alvarez for this. And he’s the one preparing everything for me right here.

“Sit here,” he said as he tapped the space beside him, still busy taking everything out of the plastic.

“Thanks,” I muttered as I did as he told me to. “How was the conference?”

He shrugged. “It was fine. The proposal wasn’t that bad, but the geezers had a lot to say as usual.”

I nodded and slowly removed my shoes because my feet were starting to hurt. “Are you staying here until late at night?”

“Probably. I delayed a lot of stuff, after all.”

“My bad,” I replied as I smiled sheepishly at him, but he just shook his head while chuckling a little.

“Yeah, yeah. Are you going to wait for me?”

“I think so. I don’t think I’ll be able to finish all of the paperwork on my desk before work hours finish anyway.”

“Alright. Just come to my office once everyone leaves, so you won’t be alone here.”

Maybe it’s because we’re both busy and tired, but no one’s trying to insult the other. Or perhaps it’s because the blinds are up and everyone would be able to see us if we argued. Still, Alvarez was being awfully sweet as we ate lunch together.

Wow, what a surprise. He was never like this when we ate meals alone. In fact, he’d just let me get my own utensils and food. That’s why seeing him act like a gentleman is very amusing!

Should I tease him right now? It’d be fun if he lost his cool and all these people saw him like that. Well, I doubt he’d lower his guard, but wouldn’t it…be interesting? The blinds are still up, after all.

“Diaz, your evil thoughts are leaking,” he muttered as he started eating.

“Darn it…” I muttered as I continued to eat.

He chuckled as he loosened his tie. “If you want to put on a show, just say so. I wouldn’t mind making out with you in front of everyone.”

“You know what, we should just eat. I’d rather do such things with you when no one’s looking,” I replied as I tapped his cheeks.

“Oh? Getting braver, are we?”

“Take a guess.”

That left Alvarez amused, that’s for sure. He tilted his head to the side as he stared at me, grinning. Oh, hell no. He looks like he has plans to devour me whole. Is that why he told me to go to his office when everyone leaves…?

But I don’t want to get carried away and do it in our workplace! Instead, I rolled my eyes and tried to finish my meal. Alvarez only shook his head, grinning, as he did the same.

After lunch, both of us cleaned up together. I had expected him to leave, but he was still sitting on the couch after I retouched my makeup. My brows furrowed as I asked him why he was still there.

“I have another conference in five minutes. Won’t I get a kiss for good luck?” he asked, teasing.

“f**k off,” I replied as I sat on my office chair.

“How cold…” he muttered as he approached me. “Just one, mi amor?”

I wasn’t surprised at all when Alvarez placed both of his hands on the arm rests, slowly turning my chair towards him. He leaned his face closer, waiting for me to pull him in as a way of giving consent.

Oh, this guy…

“So demanding,” I told him as I snaked my arms around his neck to pull him close, but not enough for our lips to touch.

“Come on, stop being such a tease.”

I smiled as I caressed his cheek with my fingers. “How do you ask for favors again?”

“Please kiss me…” he whispered as he tried to get closer.

Finally, I gave him the sweet kiss he was asking for. I bet he’s late for his conference already, but he just continued to devour my mouth like there was no tomorrow. He can be quite adorable when I can get him to be obedient to me. I wonder how I was able to turn him into this…

I was already enjoying it, especially when Alvarez placed his left knee between my legs. Oh, f**k. Then I remembered that everyone could be watching us right at this very moment…

“Hey, stop now…” I muttered as I pushed him away.

“Wait–”

“The blinds are up, remember?”

“Who cares?” he asked, irritated, as he tried to kiss me again.

“You have a conference, dumbass,” I told him as I covered his lips with my hand.

Alvarez sighed as he placed his forehead against my shoulder. “We’ll have to continue this later.”

Instead of answering, I just laughed and raised his head so I could see if there were smudges of lipstick on his face. As far as I remember, the lipstick I chose today wasn’t smudge-proof.

Oh, his mouth looks so damn red. I sighed and got a few wipes on my table so I could wipe his mouth. Alvarez protested a few times, saying he’d like to show off to the geezers in the conference, but I glared at him.

“Stingy…” he muttered as he allowed me to wipe his mouth.

“What a child.”

After I bickered with him a little, his secretary came barging into my office, looking for Alvarez. I saw how this guy glared at poor Mr. Smith, so I smacked his arm. Thankfully, I was able to convince him to go to the conference room immediately. Only then did Mr. Smith looked like he’d felt a sense of relief.

Oh, poor guy. He must have been very stressed about his boss since he came here. Alvarez has always been difficult to handle, I know that much. I know exactly how he feels!

“Thank you, Mrs. Alvarez,” he told me before following his boss.

I smiled at him as I checked where I left off. Damn, it doesn’t seem like I’ll finish this anytime soon. I feel like drinking coffee right now, but I don’t want to go out. Maybe I should order…?

Well, I don’t have my own secretary here, and there’s no way I could bother any of the workers here, so I should just order and have it delivered, right? Oh, all that hassle for one cup of coffee…

As I was contemplating my possible decision, I saw a familiar face walking around like he was looking for someone. Isn’t that Vin…? There’s no way I’d mistake him for someone else when I literally have him memorized.

Vin finished talking to the lady and looked around. Finally, his eyes landed on my office. It seems like he recognized me and quickly made his way here. I saw how the people exchanged glances when they saw him enter my office, but they quickly stopped when they noticed that I was looking at them.

“Hey,” I greeted him as I removed my glasses.

He smiled as he sat on the chair in front of my desk. “Ooh, you seem busy. I bet you need coffee.”

Nice! Vin brought two cups of coffee, which were probably for both of us. He already knew what coffee I needed and wanted, so I have no complaints at all. If anything, I’m glad he’s already here.

I took a sip of the coffee, and I already felt like I was in heaven! Oh, that’s exactly what I needed. I smiled and thanked him as I wore my glasses again so I could continue to work.

“Yeah, I’ve got a lot of paperwork piled up,” I said as I let out an exhausted sigh. “What are you doing here, by the way?”

“Your father sent me here. He said you still need your personal bodyguard when you’re out. Your husband agreed to this as well.”

“Well, that’s quite a surprise…”

I guess I won’t have to move to Alvarez’s office later, since I won’t be alone anymore. That’d probably upset him, but I doubt we’ll be able to finish stuff together anyway. Maybe I’ll go when I’ve finished everything instead.

Actually, I could have Vin drive me home instead, but Alvarez would be all by himself here if I did that. That won’t be fair considering I’m the reason his work piled up like this, right?

Ah, there’s no way I can be selfish…

“Hey, Vin,” I called, and he hummed in response as he played games on his phone. “What’s the real reason Dad sent you here?”

He pursed his lips as he looked at me, grinning. “Still as perceptive as ever.”

Dad wouldn’t have sent this guy here if he fully trusted Alvarez. With all those hidden bodyguards all over the place, I wouldn’t really need a personal bodyguard. Besides, Alvarez is a proud man. He’d feel offended if my father sent his bodyguard for me instead of trusting his men.

That’s why this is strange. Why would he agree to this, anyway? I’m not sure if I’m overthinking this, but it just seems quite peculiar when I think about it. I’m so lost right now, and it doesn’t seem like Vin wanted to tell me everything. He’d tell me certain things, but he’d definitely leave important stuff out.

“Just tell me.”

Vin sighed. “Alright…”

“Don’t leave anything out.”

“I can’t promise you that, Sapphire…” he trailed off as he showed me the ring that symbolized his loyalty to my father. I just nodded and allowed him to talk. “Your Dad’s worried about…several things. He wanted me to make sure your life wouldn’t be at risk at all costs.”

For some reason, I understood what he said pretty well. Vin was never good at explanations, so I’m not going to hold it against him. If anything, I’m just glad that he was able to explain that in two sentences.

A sigh escaped from my lips. Vin didn’t have to accompany me for that reason, because Alvarez would only become more wary about me! I need him to put even a little trust in me, and I’ll be able to build it. But I guess this can serve as a bit of a warning for me. I can’t act too complacent around Alvarez or I’ll lose sight of my real goal.

“Vin, here’s a piece of advice, since we can’t mess this up.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t even try to meddle. Trust me with this.”

It’s not like Alvarez could be the only one plotting…well, several schemes.