The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 26: Grandpa's Rage

“We’ll visit the old man after today’s site visit,” Alvarez told me as he held my hand tightly, looking around the site.

“Alright— Ouch.”

He looked back at me. “Are you okay?” he asked as his hand traveled to my waist to assist me.

“Obviously, I’m not.”

“Why did you wear heels anyway? Know what, come here. I’ll carry you.”

My eyes widened. “No! That would be embarrassing!”

“But you’re too slow!”

Alvarez had no choice but to deal with me on our way to the office. He told me I should stay there and see through the reports passed by the workers during the past month. He had entrusted it to me because he had to see the actual progress.

There’s an office for the architects and engineers to stay in whenever they’re here. And since Alvarez personally comes to visit every once in a while, it seemed like they made sure he’d have a squeaky-clean office to stay in.

This is perfect! He has a separate office from the others, so I can have some time for myself before Alvarez is done with his job!

“Slowpoke,” he complained as he flicked my forehead.

“Hey! That hurt!”

“Wear flats next time or I’ll have to carry you.”

“Geez, okay…” I murmured as I went straight to the office chair to relax. It felt great to finally be able to sit down after that long walk. “My feet hurt…”

“Are you okay? Should I massage your feet or something?” Alvarez asked as he approached me, concerned.

“No. Go do your job. Make sure to come back on time for lunch,” I replied as I waved my hand in dismissal.

“Alright. Make sure to call me if there’s something you need. Or just go to my bodyguards. They’re stationed outside this office.”

I blinked twice at him, weirded out. “You’re being awfully caring. It’s giving me the creeps…”

“Shut up. I’m simply doing this because I owe you.”

Ah, I see what this is about…

“Mm-hmm. Because you want me to deal with Grandpa later.”

Alvarez shrugged as he wore the hard hat that was on the table. “Perhaps.”

“Wow, you didn’t even deny it.”

“I’ll be back by lunch,” he replied, ignoring my teasing on purpose.

He can be quite grumpy when his grandfather gets involved in the conversation. I understand that he loathes him, though. He’s had quite a terrible childhood, after all.

Anyway, I have to get to work now because we’ve got a long day ahead of us. Besides visiting his grandfather, it seems Alvarez has plans to meet a certain someone. He didn’t tell me who, but he told me I couldn’t leave his side until we got home. I have no qualms since it’d be a perfect chance to go outside!

———————

I’m exhausted…

After all that work, I feel like I’m in dire need of a few drinks while I take a dip in the jacuzzi. But unfortunately for me, that will have to wait because this is not where this day ends.

“Where’s the old man?” Alvarez asked the maid that greeted us.

“Señor Emiliano is currently in the cabin by the horse ranch. Please follow me,” the maid replied, looking down.

I looked at Alvarez, curious. “You look tense.”

“No, I don’t,” he denied.

I figured he didn’t really want to deal with his grandfather when he held my waist tightly, as if he didn’t want me to leave his side at all costs. Well, I’m afraid I can’t divert Grandpa Emil’s attention if he refuses to let me go.

I let out an exhausted sigh as I looked ahead of me. As we neared the cabin, I immediately saw Grandpa sitting on a wooden chair with a glass of wine in his hands. He seemed to be in deep thought, but his face immediately brightened up when he noticed us. Or me, at the very least.

“Sapphire!” Grandpa Emil yelled as soon as he saw me. He pulled me into a hug, which made me chuckle. “I never got the chance to speak with you during your wedding! I’m glad you could come.”

“You mean you didn’t because you were busy drinking.”

I looked back at Alvarez, surprised that he casually talked to his grandfather like that. As far as I remember, he was never like that and was always trying his best to be polite. How come…?

After what he said, the atmosphere between all of us became heavy. Even then, Alvarez didn’t care and went straight to the wooden chair in front of the one his grandfather was sitting on when we entered.

Grandpa ordered the maid to bring us a bottle of wine and food, to which the maid immediately complied. How I wish I could accompany the maid and leave these two, but I promised Alvarez.

“So, Sapphire…” Grandpa Emil trailed off as he poured himself another glass of wine. “How has marrying my foolish grandson been faring out for you?”

I smiled sweetly. “Things have been great so far. He’s been taking care of me pretty well.”

“Oh? I’m actually surprised neither of you two has pointed a knife at each other yet,” he replied, smiling despite his eyes being devoid of emotion.

What…

My mouth went agape as I looked at him, surprised. Well, I never intended to do such a thing anyway, but it was strange that Grandpa Emil seemed to be aware of how messed up my relationship with his grandson was. It was as if he never believed our marriage was real in the first place.

I looked at Alvarez, asking for help, as I didn’t know how to respond. But the i***t was just staring at the horses, avoiding both of us! I mean, I get that I made a promise to deal with this, but it wouldn’t hurt to help me out a little!

“No need to conceal the reason for the marriage, Sapphire. Your grandfather has told me everything already.”

“Well, I…”

Grandpa Emil smiled and held my hand. “I did not wish for you to be tied to someone as foolish as him, but everyone seemed to be overjoyed by your union. My son, Gilbert, has long been anticipating this. Perhaps this is why this foolish boy has chosen to marry you.”

I had no idea what I was supposed to say to Grandpa Emil. He seemed to be very hostile towards his grandson, so I couldn’t say anything to defend Alvarez. Besides, neither of the two is doing anything to cause trouble, so I figured it’d be fine to leave it as it is.

However, I’d say I’m quite shocked to find out that Uncle Gilbert wished for this to happen. I never saw them look “overjoyed” as Grandpa Emil described their feelings towards this marriage. In fact, they always seemed uninterested when they visited.

I pursed my lips as I looked at Alvarez, hoping he’d have some balls and somehow stand up for himself. Grandpa Emil has been calling him foolish nonstop, and he hasn’t said anything! Perhaps it doesn’t bother him…but it does for me!

“Once this sham of a marriage has come to an end, I pray that you may find someone better than this–”

“She had already married the best, and you can’t do anything about that,” Alvarez spoke all of a sudden.

Grandpa stood up and pointed his cane at his grandson. “You dare talk back–”

“You’re no longer the head of this family, remember? That means you have absolutely no say in this. But more than that, it just means not even you can make me give her up.”

I stared at Alvarez as he spoke up for himself against his grandfather, confused. Didn’t he say that we’d get a divorce once we’d made sure that things would be fine? What does that mean…?

Just as I was about to drag Alvarez out to talk to him, Grandpa Emil approached him and slapped him. I was surprised, but I had no time to space out! I stood between the two of them to make sure Grandpa Emil wouldn’t be able to do it again.

“You dare disrespect me on my property?!” Grandpa’s voice roared across the cabin, alerting everyone within proximity.

“I came here out of politeness as my father had instructed me to bring my wife here,” Alvarez replied calmly as he held my waist to pull me closer to him. “I’ve had enough of this. We’re leaving.”

Grandpa Emil huffed and pointed at the way out with his cane. “Go! Go and make sure you never step foot anywhere near me again!”

His voice was so loud that I could not help but let out a low sob. I always disliked it when people raise their voices. Unfortunately, with the silence that enveloped all of us, the two of them heard me…

Grandpa Emil’s expression softened as he reached for my hand to apologize. However, Alvarez pulled me away from him. His hostility towards the old man was heightened once more, and I don’t think anything can mend their relationship at this point.

“Don’t touch my wife,” he warned before pulling me away from the cabin. “Let’s go.”

No one led us out, but Alvarez seemed to know his way out. I only stared at him from the back as he walked with such big steps. He’s in a really foul mood, so I don’t want to call him and tell him to slow down.

He’s…furious. More than he’s ever been since I lived with him, and I can’t help but feel worried. Knowing Alvarez, he’s not going to take it out on me even if I tell him to. And that’s exactly what’s bothering me.

I almost tripped while we were walking, and finally, he looked at me. He held my waist tightly as he apologized for not paying attention to me.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice seemingly gentle.

“Yeah. I am. Just please…walk a little slower.”

He nodded and continued to walk, not taking his hand off my waist. As usual, he’d act all sweet around me despite being mad. Right now…he’s doing that exact thing. I wish he’d take his anger out on something, even if it’s not me…

It genuinely scares me when he’s like this. This is not the first time I’ve seen him so mad, and I don’t like it. The first was a few years ago, when his employees messed up and almost caused a site to crumble into the dust. We were together…and I swear he was so close to exploding. I saw how he tried to hold it in, but when he found out plenty of workers got injured, he lashed out at the engineer.

He was absolutely frightening that day…

“Alvarez…” I called when we entered the car.

“Not now, Diaz. I’m sorry.”

Oh, he apologized.

“It’s fine. Just don’t bottle it up.”

He shook his head and started the engine. “I never should have brought you there. Sorry about all that drama. I was just agitated because the old man was… Ah, f**k it.”

I leaned closer to Alvarez and ruffled his hair. “It’s fine.”

Alvarez sighed and drove away from that place, shaking his head. I figured we’d be heading straight to the place where we were supposed to meet that person he was talking about earlier and expected a fancy restaurant.

Instead, he pulled up in front of a huge gate. Behind it stands a modern mansion, one that screams power and authority. It looked pretty, but for some reason, it felt eerie.

“This is not haunted, right?” I whispered to Alvarez as I clung to his shoulders.

He flashed a soft smile. “No. It’s not.”

Slowly, he walked towards a woman that was sleeping near the gate. She seemed like she was in a deep slumber, but Alvarez nonchalantly woke her up.

“Hey…!”

Alvarez only raised a brow at me before speaking to the lady. “Is Gino here, by any chance?”

“Oh, Sir Gray!” the lady exclaimed and stood up. “Actually, your brother hasn’t been home for three days…”

Brother? But isn’t he an only child…?