The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 60: Bright And Dark

“Hey, Sapphire!”

Just…

“Mrs. Alvarez, hello?!”

Fuck, what now?

“I know you can hear me!”

What the hell is Red Alvarez doing here in the office, and why is he looking for me?! This was nowhere near the things I expected to come back to after what happened in the Alvarez manor!

After everything, I figured I’d never get to meet an Alvarez again besides the one I have. He’s an exception because I’m forced to see his face every day.

“Hey!” He grabbed my arm and made me face him, looking annoyed. “You know I’ve been calling you since earlier. Stop playing dumb.”

“Oh, I didn’t know you were referring to me, so I didn’t look back,” I replied, my face and tone remaining impassive.

He grinned, one so sinister that I almost shivered in fear. “What the hell are you—”

“Sha—I mean, Mrs. Alvarez…”

“Vin…!” I exclaimed as I ran over to his side.

“Is he…”

I shook my head. “He’s Red Alvarez. Gray’s cousin,” I replied as I faked a smile.

Vin smiled and introduced himself as he offered his hand to Red. The latter reintroduced himself and took his hand in like, the mischievous smile still remaining on his face.

Of all the times people have interrupted something important in my life, now really is the time they refuse to cooperate. God knows how many times I’ve called for Gray Alvarez’s name, hoping he’d miraculously appear and drive his cousin away from me.

I don’t like this…

Red’s aura makes me feel uncomfortable…as if it’s not going to be safe for me at all. To be fair, he isn’t really bothering me, but I can’t help it. Being around an Alvarez feels terrifying.

The other night, I was pretty fine because I had Gray by my side the entire time. But now that it’s just me, I’m chickening out. Red has an aura that makes me want to run away!

“I simply came here to have a little talk with you, Sapphire,” he told me as he took a step closer.

As if by instinct, my feet took a step backward, wanting to get away from the man in front of me. Vin was just right beside me, waiting for the right moment to interfere. s**t, I can’t let him do anything that would put him in jeopardy.

Red is a crazy man, at least based on Gray’s stories. I can’t let him do anything to Vin. He doesn’t seem like he would simply forgive whoever interfered while he was doing business, but I can’t simply sit back and relax as well.

“Vin, you should go gather the guards. You have to get their reports, right?” I asked as I stood properly.

His brows furrowed, c*****g his head to the side as if he was asking me what I was doing. I simply smiled at him and tapped his shoulder, signaling him to just go.

As soon as he had left, I turned to look at Red, who was smiling at me. Ah, there is that annoyingly cocky grin that almost every Alvarez sports. I must say, it suits him.

But if there’s anyone who can wear that grin the best, it’s my husband. He has every right to be as arrogant as he wants, anyway.

“Perhaps you would like to talk in a more secluded place?”

I was brought back from my thoughts when I heard Red’s voice. Oh, we were already walking away from the previous spot we were in, and it seemed like he was already taking advantage of the situation.

Before he could sway me to follow him somewhere else, I stopped in my tracks and looked at the empty conference room by the hallway. As far as I remember, no one wants to come here because it hasn’t been renovated yet. The air conditioner does not seem to be working either.

I told him we weren’t leaving the building and led him inside the conference room. Before entering, I looked back and noticed that Alvarez had just gotten out of his office. Perfect timing!

I wasn’t sure if he saw me, but Vin was there to inform him, so I’m pretty much at ease now. I let Red go ahead so that I could close the door, making sure that it wasn’t locked.

“So…” he trailed off as he sat on a swivel chair and crossed his legs together. “I came here to check up on you.”

I raised a brow. “I appreciate your concern, but there is no need to do that.”

“I see, I see. Is Azrael taking good care of you?”

What…

I know for sure that I have heard that name before, but is he talking about Gray? Was that his real name or is that another one of the codenames that he uses? Didn’t Sky and Alistair call him by that name?

“Azrael…?”

Red chuckled. “You haven’t heard anyone call him by that name, have you?”

My brows furrowed as I looked at him in confusion. “Is that his real name?”

“I think you should be asking him that yourself.”

“Then, why did you even mention—”

“Nuh-uh. You’re starting to get lost, Sapphire.”

I couldn’t understand him or the things he was trying to say. Everything he has told me since we entered this room keeps on misleading me! And I don’t think he has even told me anything relevant!

Annoyed, I sat on one of the chairs in an attempt to get myself to relax. He smiled at what I did, as if he was truly amused by me. Well, I do not feel the same way!

“You know, you really are interesting…” he trailed off as he tapped on the table with his fingers. “Years ago, Azrael declared that he would not marry anyone, even if it meant relinquishing his title. But look at him now, head over heels for a woman!”

“What do you mean?”

I still couldn’t understand, nor could I process his words…

“Azrael, or Gray as you may know him, earned his title as an unworthy teenager who was not ready for any responsibility. At a young age, everyone was forcing him to get married to be able to be a proper head of the clan.”

“He refused, didn’t he?”

Red nodded and then, all of a sudden, his face turned serious. “He refused. And so, Grandpa Emil tried to forfeit his plan to make Azrael miserable. I was there, though, and he saw me. But just as everything was within reach, that asshole stepped into the light. Again.”

Ah. I think I already know this part.

Grandpa Emil showed interest in Gray again after he had plenty of achievements and breakthroughs. I don’t know why he chose to showcase his natural-born abilities back then when he was always quiet because he didn’t want to be seen by Grandpa Emil.

It was a memory I had tried to forget because that was the first time marriage was offered to me. I was a child, but I was asked to marry the new head of the clan at the time. It was unbearable for someone as young as me, but I went ahead and said it anyway.

Ah, and it did come true. Now that I am finally remembering it, I feel somewhat annoyed and pleased. Being chosen by the Alvarezes is the biggest compliment I could ever receive. It was years ago, though. If it was now, I doubt they still would have chosen me.

But…why am I only finding out about these now? It doesn’t really matter to me anymore, though. I simply find it strange that he’s telling me this all of a sudden.

“Sapphire Diaz,” Red called as he moved his swivel chair closer to mine. “I need your help.”

“What?”

“Let’s take that asshole down. Once he’s gone, you won’t have to deal with Zenon Leviste or any other enemy you may have.”

My brows furrowed. I’m not sure how he found out about Zenon, but there’s no way I can trust him. Has he been stalking us? Or did he keep us in check?

I shook my head and stood up. I wanted to get away as soon as possible. This man…is serious about what he said. By the way he looked, I could already see and taste his greed. It tasted like…bloodlust.

I swallowed the lump in my throat when he stood up and tried to force me to keep on backing away until my back hit the wall. He won’t try to kill me here, that’s for sure, but…I’m feeling fear.

“Come one. I’m sure you want to do the same? What’s stopping you, hmm?”

“Get away from me or you’ll regret it,” I threatened him.

Red chuckled and took a step back. “This is far from what I had imagined.”

“Look, I don’t have much time to spare for you. I’m leaving—”

“You lovebirds are stupid,” he said all of a sudden as he laughed.

I gripped the doorknob tightly, trying to calm down. “Shut up.”

“I can’t believe this!” he exclaimed as he slammed his hand on the table, still wearing that annoying grin. “I expected more from you, Sapphire Diaz. Ah, I guess I was wrong for doing so. You really have gotten soft.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…” I muttered as I got out of the conference room.

I was…shivering. Is this fear?

There was barely anyone in the hallway now, probably because it was everyone’s break time. I seized the opportunity and ran towards my office.

My throat had gone dry after that talk I had with Red. With my trembling hands, I got water from the dispenser in my office. Luckily, there was still clean water.

I quickly downed the glass and sat down on the couch, trying to relax. Fortunately, I was the only one inside the office. Alvarez is probably still at a conference or meeting with someone in his office.

Ah, where’s Vin?

“Sha!”

There he is.

I looked at him when he opened the door with an impassive expression. He seemed genuinely worried. I’ve got to hand it to him.

I already noticed that he was just right by the door earlier, but he didn’t stop me from running back here to my office. He must have known that I needed a little time to collect my thoughts.

“Hey,” I said as I moved and gave him space on the couch.

“Are you okay?” he asked and sat beside me. “What happened back there? Did he do anything to you?”

I shook my head and smiled at him. “He didn’t do anything.”

“Then, why do you look frustrated?”

“Because he told me things I don’t think I should have known.”

He smiled and gave me a pat on the head. “What are you going to do about it, though?”

I shook my head. “Keep it to myself.”

“Alright. I think you should rest now,” he told me as he gave me two of the cushions on the couch.

“I still have work to do…” I muttered as I took the cushions from him.

“Then, I’ll stay right here with you.”

I smiled and ruffled his hair. “Thanks, Vin.”

I wanted to hug him because I really needed one, but just as I was about to do it, Alvarez barged inside. He looked worried, but when he saw me with Vin, his expression turned impassive.

Vin coughed and stood up. “I’ll go check if Red is still there.”

“Red?” Alvarez asked as he watched Vin leave.

I nodded. “He was the one I was talking to in the conference room.”

“Ah, so it was him…” he drawled as he sat beside me and placed a paper bag down. “Here, food.”

“Can I skip the details for now?” I asked as I took the food out.

He nodded. “I only came here to have lunch with you, anyway.”

“Thanks…”

Now that I’m looking at Gray, I’m starting to realize that I actually know nothing about him as an Alvarez. I’m well aware that they keep a ton of secrets within their family, but am I still an outsider?

It kind of feels strange because I am literally an open book. It’s as if I shine so brightly that there’s nothing about me that you can’t see. Meanwhile, he’s in the dark…

I can barely see him despite being right beside me…