The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 28: Sweet Night Above

“To be honest, I’m quite annoyed about what you did earlier,” I told Alvarez while the two of us were eating dinner.

“Why? What did I do again?” he asked, raising a brow. “I thought you felt good. What’s the issue now?”

I sighed and placed my utensils down. “You know what? Forget it.”

”You’re being difficult again.” He sighed and smiled at me without humor. “The hotel staff won’t come in unless we allow them to. Does that make you feel any better?”

Actually, he’s got a point...while I don’t. The thing is, I was worried that the staff would suddenly come in and find me in that...state. It would have been way too humiliating for me! And besides all that, I hate that the thrill of it makes me feel good. Somehow, it felt new...and exhilarating. Alvarez probably knew, and that was why he did that.

I shook my head and tried to finish the meal in silence. We still have a long night ahead of us, so I thought I should make my night worthwhile by taking a dip in the jacuzzi. Fortunately, I prepared a few bikinis ahead of time! After we’re done with dinner, I’ll finally be able to relax.

Alvarez told me I should go ahead and do what I want while he cleans everything up. He was probably worried that he went rough on me earlier, and is trying to make it up to me. That was why I went ahead and changed into a bikini so I could enjoy the jacuzzi! There was a bottle of wine in the kitchen as well, so everything was perfect for me.

“Diaz?” he called out to me as I was taking a dip

“What?”

He approached me on the balcony, leaning on the door frame without a shirt on. “Can I join you?”

“Why are you even asking? You paid for this room, so of course, you can.”

One more thing I find strange about Alvarez is that he never fails to ask for permission to be near me. I assume it’s because we truly hated each other and openly expressed such hatred. However, now that we have been forced to stay within each others’ boundaries, I have almost forgotten that I never liked being anywhere near him. Sure, I still shut him down often, but not as much as I did before.

I guess Alvarez is really trying to make this marriage work for as much as he can. Even if he regularly gets annoyed with me, he’s undoubtedly acting like a good husband. His insufferable arrogance...hasn’t shown so far. Of course, he still acts that way plenty of times, but it’s as if he’s toning it down. He can be quite annoying, yet not as much as he was years ago. And the one thing I find most surprising is that he doesn’t force himself on me.

A smile crept upon my lips as I looked down at the city that was illuminated by the city lights. “It really does look pretty from up here...”

“You really like gazing at things from a high altitude, don’t you?” Alvarez asked out of the blue. He was sitting down by the small stairs in the jacuzzi with a glass of wine in his right hand, the other supporting his weight.

“Mm-hmm...” I hummed in response as I finished my first glass.

Silence filled the air for quite some time, and the only thing I could hear was the sound of the wind passing by along with the incoherent noises it brought from below this building. Despite that, it felt peaceful up here. It’s just me and this guy right here, sipping on wine as we savor the feeling of being away from everything and everyone.

At least until Alvarez broke the silence.

“You know, I’ve been thinking...maybe you should drink less.”

“Excuse me?” I raised a brow, prepared to roast him.

“Well, you emptied that bottle of Hennessy earlier. And I saw that you already finished two bottles from the wine cellar back home,” he replied, smiling, as he stared back at me. “You look like you want to break that glass and stab me with it.”

I smiled sarcastically as I finished the glass. “Bingo, asshole.”

“Yeah, maybe you really should drink less–”

“Why don't you breathe less air, instead?” I rolled my eyes at him while he chuckled. “As if you’re one to talk when you’ve been drinking more than me.”

“Alright, allow me to rephrase it, mi amor...” he trailed off as he gently spun the glass, making the ice clink. “Perhaps we should drink less. How’s that?”

I pretended to think as I gently tapped on my lips. “I think you should talk less, too.”

Alvarez only chuckled at my sarcastic statements as he tried to move closer to me. I didn’t mind because, at this point, I had already gotten used to it. Instead, I continued to admire the city. Ah, it would be a huge waste to not take a stroll, at the very least. If our situation even permits it, I sure would love to go on a shopping spree and brag on social media as I have no friends to joke around with about it. Ha, what a dull life I have.

I felt Alvarez’s arm snake around my waste, and I just know he’s begging for my attention. I presume that was why he posed that question earlier, as well. He’s so stubborn that it makes me want to laugh at his face. If I didn't know him, I would say he had fallen for me, but I had already known him as a clingy person. He has always been like that since we were mere children, after all.

And then a brilliant idea came to me while he was drawing tiny circles on my waist with his thumb. I poured myself another glass of wine as I scooted closer to Alvarez, my right hand falling on his thigh. When I looked up at his face, I noticed him tensing up as if he didn't know what to do. Well, that’s quite funny considering he is just as touchy and mischievous as I am when tipsy.

“What are you doing, hmm?” he asked as his free hound found its way to mine that was on his thigh.

“We haven’t posted any pictures on social media yet. Damn, I didn’t even get a chance to take one while we were on the plane...” I replied as I opened my i********:.

“What for?”

“I just like pissing people off.”

Alvarez didn't understand, but he allowed me to do whatever I wanted. He was awkward in front of the camera, something I didn’t expect with that attitude of his! He just looked at the camera with a bored expression, looking dull! How am I supposed to brag when he looks so unhappy while I am smiling like a happy wife!

I smacked his arm. “At least smile! What the f**k was that look?”

He caught my wrist, annoyed. “I didn’t know how to pose or whatever! I couldn't even see your phone screen!”

“Boomer!” I insulted him as I saved the picture so I could take a few more. “We’ll take another one! At least try to look happy!”

“Alright,” he replied as he pulled me closer and smiled.

“Oh, this one’s quite nice. One more.”

I thought Alvarez was just going to smile at the camera like what he did earlier, but instead, he closed his eyes and planted a kiss on my temple. My hands trembled, but I was still able to catch the moment. Wow. I knew he could be quite charming and sweet, but I had no idea he could act that way towards me.

Just as I thought, the pictures came out well! My lips curved up into a mischievous grin as I posted it. This way, Alvarez’s exes, along with the people who don’t believe in our marriage! I mean, it is indeed a farce, but it annoys me that after all our effort, they still try to find ways to prove that Alvarez and I are nothing. And since I enjoy watching people scream like idiots, trying to prove that they’re right while I relish my luxurious life, I would love to do anything that may irritate them.

“You look like the devil herself,” Alvarez teased as he poked my cheek.

“Who knows, I might actually be the devil.”

He chuckled. “I think you’d make for a hot devil, then.”

“Oh, shut up. That was so corny.”

“Come on, I was being honest...” he replied with that sultry voice of his again.

I shivered when he whispered in my ear, but I tried to act as if it was nothing. It was very cold up here, so I was prepared to reason out that it was just the wind if Alvarez noticed. As for my obviously flushed face, it was just because of the wine. Alvarez would never buy such lame excuses, but it doesn’t matter.

“Take pictures on my phone, too,” he said out of the blue as he handed me his iPhone.

“Boomer,” I teased.

“I just don’t know how to take pretty pictures like you do.”

“Sure, boom–”

He cut me off with a kiss. “This better be the last time you call me a boomer because I’m not.”

I pursed my lips and took his phone to take plenty of pictures with him. Maybe he wants to post some as well. To support mine, perhaps? I don’t know. But his phone had a great camera anyway, so I also took selfies after taking pictures of the two of us. I sent it to my i********: account immediately so I could post more pictures of myself!

Just as I was about to hand him his phone back, a great idea popped inside my head! This is Alvarez’s account, so I’m quite certain that he wouldn’t post it. I mean, it doesn’t matter to me if he does. However, I think it would make for a good memory!

I pretended that I was taking a video of myself so Alvarez would lower his guard. And when he did, I leaned towards him while holding the cellphone properly. His hands landed on my waist, and he immediately made me sit on his lap to kiss him. Damn, I didn't even have to make an effort to get him to kiss me.

And I caught everything on the video!

I smiled and saved the video before handing it to him. “You’re welcome.”

He tried to follow my lips, but I immediately went back to my seat and then looked up at the sky. I heard him exhale loudly, as if he had enough of me already. He can’t blame me, alright! It was quite fun, after all.

Finally, I looked back at him. That was when I found him uploading that video to his i********: stories, along with the pictures I took! I gaped at him, surprised that he didn’t choose to keep it to himself. Well, at least now everyone knows how hungry he is for me. A win for me!

I smiled and checked it myself using my account. As expected, people are already picking fights and sending me death threats. But I ignored everything and went straight to Alvarez’s account. He trimmed the video! It was only the part where he pulled me and started to kiss me. Well, damn. It feels a lot weirder now that I can actually see it.

“Diaz,” he called as he leaned towards my face.

“Hmm? What—”

He nuzzled his face in my neck, breathing heavily. “God, you’re so...sexy. I would have hidden you from everyone else if I could...” he mumbled as he started to plant soft kisses on my cheek.

My hands landed on his chest as I struggled to think straight. “What are you even going about?”

“Nothing,” he replied after a long stretch of silence. “I just think you’re breathtaking, that’s all.”