The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 32: Surprise In The Office

It was…awkward.

The whole time we shopped, Alvarez was trying a little too hard to look like a good husband. Unfortunately, it didn’t come out naturally, unlike how he acts when he does it randomly.

Right now, he just seemed like he had practiced everything in his mind. He looked so calm and composed, and the way he talked to me seemed so rehearsed. Has he been planning this inside his head? Well, he failed miserably. Perhaps he could fool the media with such simple gestures, but not me.

I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes at him as we were still outside, and I was pretty sure we were being watched. Ha! Now that the news about him not attending that annoying party has spread across the media, I’m not really surprised.

Even if this guy is being annoying beside me, I felt as though I should be proud that he chose to be with me instead of those people. Besides, I got to piss a lot of people off without even doing anything special. I think that’s another feat I should be bragging about.

“Love, do you want this?” he asked as he pulled me towards a dress.

Damn, did he call me love?

“Yeah…” I muttered as I stared at what he pointed at.

It was a black lace-up bodycon dress. If I wore that, I’d be exposing not only my back but also my chest and legs. Huh, it’s a surprise that Alvarez thought he’d buy me this. Perhaps it’s for his personal interest, but I still find it surprising.

I pursed my lips as I c****d my head to the side, looking at it. Honestly, I could have bought this back at the boutiques I frequented, but I didn’t think this guy would want me to try it out.

“You want me to wear this?” I asked, trying to make sure.

He nodded. “Only if you want to.”

“You won’t get mad? Like, if someone approached me wearing this?”

“I won’t. Probably.”

“Huh, I thought you wouldn’t want me to wear these kinds of clothes.”

“Why would I not?” he asked as he bit his lip, looking at the dress once more. “You’d look great in this.”

“So, it doesn’t bother you that others can see my exposed skin pretty well…” I muttered as I told him to follow me so we could find more clothes. It wasn’t the only thing I wanted to get! I’ve got plenty on my list.

Alvarez chuckled and draped his arm over my shoulder. “I’d love to see others drool over you, knowing full well they don’t stand a chance as long as you’re with me.”

Oh.

Is it just so he could brag to others? Damn. As expected of the biggest asshole I know.

But at least he’s acting more like himself now…

I could only shake my head in dismay as I got a few more clothes. Alvarez tried to show me more clothes that he wanted me to try on, but I declined. Well, they look good, but not enough for me to want to wear them. I feel like I’d only feel embarrassed if I did.

A sigh escaped from my lips after paying for the clothes I wanted. Alvarez knew I didn’t like it when he paid for my things, so he just stood quietly beside me, looking excited.

“Can’t wait to get home.”

“No.”

He groaned as he slid his hands on my waist. “Why?”

“You’re going to destroy my clothes.”

“What? I’m not going to do that. What the hell are you talking about?”

I narrowed my eyes at him as he defended himself. “You got a little too defensive right there.”

He sighed and scratched the back of his nape. “Maybe I should go back inside the car.”

“Stop fantasizing, i***t. I want to buy you some clothes.”

“I have a lot, you know.”

“Who cares? I want to get you less formal clothes. Besides, this is probably the only time you’d ever get to shop for yourself.”

“I do shop, though.”

“You don’t. You have everything tailored for you.”

Alvarez couldn’t say anything more, so he tried to pull himself together. He stood beside me while I held his wrist to make sure he wouldn’t suddenly run off outside. I need him to carry my things.

“Hey, are you sure we can’t just go eat? Clothes aren’t really important to me…” he whispered to me while I paid.

“Why? Are you hungry?”

“No, not really.”

“Sure?”

“Yes.”

I smiled and tapped his cheek. “Then, no. You always wear those boring sweaters and shirts. Very basic.”

“I still look good, though.”

“f**k off.”

“What…?”

I told him to stay quiet as I waited for everything to be packed. Meanwhile, Alvarez remained miserable beside me. Is he still thinking about that dress he picked out earlier?

I’m thinking of wearing it if I get invited to some sort of party, which is close to impossible. Alvarez wouldn’t host a party, he told me that. He also told me the last time he did that, he was in college.

“Diaz,” he whispered while we were getting out of the store.

“What?”

“What are you going to buy for me?”

I smiled at him as I dragged him to the store that sells men’s clothing. Not that I’m bragging, but I am quite well-versed in this as I often buy clothes for my Dad and Vin. Those two would never go to malls to buy what they needed, so I often did it for them with my mom.

Anyway, Alvarez followed me around as I showed him clothes of different types and designs. He truly didn’t care about them! He simply nodded at whatever I showed him as if he didn’t mind if I chose something that wouldn’t suit him.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Are you sure you liked the ones I showed you or were you just nodding because you thought I’d get mad if you disagreed?”

“I liked those. But yeah, I knew you’d argue with me—”

“No, I won’t.”

“Oh, Diaz, you know you will.”

Okay, maybe I will. A little. I’m not going to admit it, though.

We shopped for quite some time when I was finally able to pique Alvarez’s interest. He somehow enjoyed talking about clothes with me after some time as well. Slowly, it began to look like a real date.

Of course, since he never really got to take me to restaurants with all that work, he volunteered to decide where we should eat. It’ll be his treat, though.

Time passed by like a flash, almost like a mirage that occurred right before my eyes. It was like one moment I was walking around the streets with Alvarez and lying on the bed the next. Everything felt strangely too quick for me. Or perhaps I just didn’t want my time in Singapore to end.

Ha, who am I kidding?

I know. It’s because I didn’t want things to go back to normal…

Oh, what do I want? To keep that kind of relationship with Alvarez. It felt comfortable and peaceful that way, after all. I didn’t have to worry too much, and nor did I have to try my best to get along with him. Everything felt normal because we acted like an actual married couple that truly loved each other.

Unfortunately, that kind of thing didn’t really suit us…

I liked it chaotic, and I’m sure he felt the same way as well. Chaos seems so enticing that you’ll end up craving it once you’ve had a taste. I want it. But only when you’ve savored the pain…

At least that’s what I thought until this thing happened to us. Now, I just want comfort. I want what we had back when we were in Singapore. God, it was peaceful. I was right about not wanting that time to end.

“Diaz, look at me!” Alvarez exclaimed as he grabbed my wrist.

I pulled my arm from his hold. “What?! You told me you were loyal! Don’t tell me you’re all talk?!” I replied sarcastically as I glared at him.

“Please. Just hear me out…” he told me as he tightened his hold on my wrist, begging.

“Leave me alone and give me some time to think about it.”

“It’s not what it looked like. Let me explain. Please, Diaz…!”

“Not now, Alvarez. Please. My head’s clouded…”

He slowly let my wrist go as he looked me in the eye, trying to communicate through them. “Will you let me explain once you’ve cooled down?”

“I don’t know.”

Fuck, I don’t even know why I’m mad right now. We’re not in a real relationship, are we? I’m probably just upset that he failed to fulfill his promise to me. Even if this is a misunderstanding, I just…

What’s he doing with Stella in his office, anyway? I thought her model ex-girlfriend was staying in Singapore! Ah, that b***h.

All of these happened in such a short span of time that I didn’t even have time to think and allow Alvarez to explain…

“f*****g i***t. I should have listened…” I muttered to myself as I buried my face in the pillow.

My head was clouded with fury when I walked in on Stella and Alvarez close to each other in his office. The two of them were sitting on his couch, with Stella’s face leaning closer to Alvarez’s. I caught the two of them like that when I went to eat lunch with my husband.

I get it. This marriage wasn’t conjured out of love, but convenience and benefits. Perhaps he did fall in love with Stella or Tiara. I don’t know, and I don’t really care. But to meet with one of these two while being tied with me? I don’t know. And he has the guts to let her into his office?

Fuck. And it’s only been more than a week since we returned after he promised not to do anything that would tarnish this marriage. What a f*****g hypocrite.

I’ve always been annoyed with Stella, so I’m not surprised about her doing this. But Alvarez? What the hell was that i***t thinking?!

“No dinner, I guess…” I muttered as I stared at the ceiling. I’m not getting out unless

Just as I was about to get food delivered, I saw my phone lit up. There was a message from Alvarez. Oh, there are actually a lot. I guess he’s not home yet…

Gray Alvarez:

Diaz, please talk to me once you’re okay. I’ll be waiting. :)

Gray Alvarez:

I’m not forcing you or anything, though. Please take your time.

Gray Alvarez:

Oh, by the way, call me if you need me. I’ll be waiting.

Where the hell is he waiting? I don’t think he’d go back to his parents’ house or mine. And of course, he would never step into his grandfather’s home.

If that was the case, then he could only be outside the door or in his other properties. Alvarez doesn’t like moving to his other places because it’s more convenient here, but I guess I’ll see.

Since he wasn’t here, I just went ahead and cooked my own dinner. He can eat at a restaurant or get food delivered if he wants. I know, it’s cruel. But seeing him so close to his ex-girlfriend irritated the hell out of me!

I guess it’s not just him who’s territorial…

Oh, right! There’s a gym in this building! Perhaps I should go there and release my anger or something. I don’t want to face Alvarez like this. I might say something we’d both hate, or worse, destroy what little foundation we’ve built for this relationship.

Jokes on me, though.

The moment I opened the door, I found him sitting beside the doorway. He looked miserable, just sitting and staring at his phone screen as if he was waiting for something. Oh, no.

“Diaz…” he muttered as he stood up to face me.

“Why are you outside?” I asked, my brows furrowed.

He shook his head as he looked around. “Can we talk?”