The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 23: Pizza And Chill

I often wonder if Alvarez simply wants me to satisfy his desires as his wife. Sure, it comes with the consequence of marrying him…but I never even thought we’d be sharing the same bed and…do such things.

Truth be told, I never thought I’d see Gray Alvarez lust after me that much. He was never like that, and nor have I ever had a man act in such a peculiar manner around me, not even the ones I hooked up with for the past years.

It doesn’t really bother me, though.

“Please tell me you’ve had your fair share of fun,” I told him as I pulled a pillow close to me that I could hug.

“Yeah,” he replied, busy typing things on his laptop.

I heaved a sigh and rolled to the other side of the bed, trying to avoid him. After dinner, we…ended up doing it again. And as usual, he would take care of me after and go back to work.

Right now, he’s shirtless as he types away on his MacBook. He’s wearing his specs, looking stressed as usual. He does look frustrated over something…

“You want pizza?” he asked all of a sudden.

“Me?”

“Who else? It’s just the two of us here.”

“I don’t know. I just want to sleep,” I replied with an impassive tone as I took my phone from the bedside table to try and play online games.

“You sure you don’t want to eat? I can go grab food outside…if you’re craving something.”

See how strange this guy is? Never in a million years would I have guessed that he was the type of man to be responsible for aftercare…but here he is. He would offer food and try to help me feel comfortable…and the worst of all is that he refuses to leave the room until I’m asleep.

Fuck, I prefer arguing.

The truth is, he has always been like this since I started living with him. Sure, we argue about the pettiest things…but when it comes to these things, we don’t. It’s like a relationship that’s born of pure lust.

For some reason, I find it irritating.

As I pressed random things on my phone, I felt the space behind me sink, as if someone had just sat down. With that, Alvarez’s manly scent attacked my nose, and I had to fight the urge to turn to him.

“Diaz, are you upset or what?”

“No. Why?”

Me? Upset? Over what?

“You look like you are,” he told me as he caressed my cheek with his index finger.

My forehead creased at his gesture, wondering what that was for. This isn’t how we were supposed to be. I genuinely believed we’d be some sort of couple that never speaks to each other.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I shoved his hand away.

Alvarez looked like he snapped out of his reverie. He cleared his throat and moved away from me, as if he was trying to take his actions back.

Believe me when I say he’d begin to act distant again sooner or later.

“I was simply wondering if there was something you wanted.”

“I already told you I don’t want anything.”

“Well…”

I sighed and faced him. “You’re acting strangely tonight. What is it?”

He took a long, close look at me, as if gauging my reaction. Frankly, I don't give a damn about what he has to say. Truth be told, I couldn’t care less about what he wanted to say. I just…want him to stop acting like a sweet husband. I don’t want that from him.

Alvarez remained quiet for several seconds as he looked at the ceiling as if he was contemplating something. I gave him the liberty to think about it and waited.

“There’s an overseas trip I need to go on.”

“Okay. You should go,” I replied, and proceeded to lie on the bed.

“And I ought to take you with me.”

That got me to rise from the bed again, flustered. “What? Why?” I exclaimed, furious.

“Please calm down first…” he muttered, concerned, as he held my hand.

Once again, I scowled and pulled my hand away as if I was burned by his touch. Incredulous, I didn’t care that Alvarez suddenly had an…offended expression on his face after I did that to him.

I took a few deep breaths and thought about what Alvarez said. Although he hasn’t said any details, I’m pretty sure it will be a business trip that involves partnerships he has established over years. I’m also bewildered because Alvarez prefers to stay in his comfort zone and rarely ventures out.

As for my reaction, I just don’t understand why he has to take me when he knows I’m part of a big project here as well. Vin could guard me anyway, so he doesn’t need to worry about anything. And if there’s an opportunity that could allow me to spend time away from him…I’d take it without hesitation.

“Where is it?”

He heaved a sigh of relief as he showed me a venue. “Singapore.”

Oh.

I’ve always wanted to go there. Did I ever tell Alvarez about it…?

“What am I going to do there?”

“Nothing. Just…stay with me.”

“What? Are you bringing me as an accessory? Or are you still suspicious of me?” I asked, beginning to feel furious.

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Shut up and hear me out.”

“f*****g dumbass…” I mumbled under my breath.

“I heard that.” He glared at me as he showed me a document. “There’s a long-term project going on there that I have to oversee. It’s scheduled two weeks from now, and I don’t want to leave you here.”

“Why? I can handle myself.” I crossed my arms over my chest and raised a brow at him. He knew damn well that I didn’t like being told I can’t be left alone, so I don’t really see why he feels the need to take me with him.

“I already know what you’re thinking, Diaz,” he told me, his tone dripping with sarcasm and annoyance.

“Just say what you want to say and get this over with.”

Once again, he sighed. “My grandfather is currently staying in Singapore. He found out I’d be visiting the site soon and told me I should take you.”

Now that’s a much more reasonable explanation than him just wanting me to tag along on his trip. Knowing Grandpa Emil, he would flip everything he sees if he finds out his grandson failed to bring his wife with him.

To be honest, I would like to see such a sight unfold, but if I was not there, I wouldn’t be able to see it anyway. Either way, I’m pretty sure his grandfather would find a way to humiliate him in front of me, anyway.

Hmm, perhaps I could save Alvarez the trouble of having to deal with his grandfather in exchange for something? Having him in my debt gives me the right to demand obedience. Or, even better, I can postpone granting my desire until I actually need it.

“And if I refuse?”

“Then, I’m not going.”

I blinked twice at him. “What? Just because I’m not going to accompany you?”

“Diaz, stop acting like you don’t know what the old man’s like,” Alvarez replied, emphasizing every word as he shot me a glare. “I’d rather not deal with him and postpone the site visit if you’re not going to help me out.”

“Fine…” I breathed. “But you owe me.”

“Since we never agreed that you should accompany me wherever I go, then alright. That’s fine with me. What do you want?”

“I won’t tell you yet. I can’t think of anything to ask.”

“Sure. Just tell me if you’d like something from me. I’ll do anything as long as I have the means.” Alvarez sighed and offered his hand. “Do we have an agreement, then? I can make a written agreement if you want to, but that’s a hassle. I know you’ll remember this anyway.”

“This is fine,” I replied as I shook his hand.

“Great!” he exclaimed as he stood up. “I’ll go get pizza for a little celebration.”

“There’s no need for that, dumbass. It’s not even worth celebrating.”

He grinned at me as he wore his flip-flops. “It is. At least for me.”

“Do what you want.”

I don’t really want to eat pizza after the dinner we had earlier, but perhaps one slice wouldn’t hurt. Alvarez seemed really giddy after getting me to agree, so I’ll let him do as he pleases for the meantime. That way, the weight of my wish wouldn’t bring me as much karma. Or at least that’s what I’m praying for.

A sigh escaped from my lips as I looked at his MacBook. That thing contains plenty of things that I need, but I’m not yet capable of finding the contents there. Alvarez would never let me see what’s in there. I can remember when I tried to peek at what he was doing there. I wasn’t able to see as he quickly closed it and looked at me as if he was warning me.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll just have to find other chances to see what he wants to hide from me. But damn, why would he hide things in his MacBook instead of a drive or something? I could easily snatch that thing and run with it!

I decided to behave and wait for Alvarez and the pizza. He’d probably eat everything all by himself, though. Ah, whatever.

“Do you like pineapple on pizza?” he asked when he came in with a big box.

“I don’t mind. Whatever, just bring it here.”

“Oh, that’s good. I didn’t know. I just pressed whatever I could order. How about coffee?”

I shot him a ridiculed look. “Are you serious?”

“Actually, no…” he muttered as he placed a little table on the bed before putting the box of pizza on top of it. “Wanna watch a movie?”

“Another one of your favorite adult movies?”

“Probably.”

“Then, I don’t want to.”

He raised a brow at me. “Ridiculous.”

“Stop talking to yourself, idiot.”

“Is your insult vocabulary limited to that or what?”

“Do you want me to call you stupid in seven different languages, then?”

Alvarez stared at me as if he was challenging me, but when he realized I could probably do it, he backed down and proceeded to take one slice of pizza. Ha! I’m sure he remembers the time I was being taught different languages by our grandfathers when we were younger. Yeah, I called him stupid in English, Italian, and Spanish.

I chuckled upon seeing the regretful look on his face. “See?”

“Just eat.”

More than two years ago, when I first worked with him, I remember his face always looking devoid of emotion all the time. He always spoke in such a dull manner that I would often feel sleepy listening to him. He had this…strange demeanor back then.

For the first few days of our relationship, I held that belief. There was an unpleasant vibe that made everything feel dull, even when we were practically talking trash about one another. I figured it would make our marriage one of those where the husband and wife stay away from each other most of the time.

And then, all of a sudden, it felt amusing. The lust, the bickering…it all felt different at some point. Perhaps because we are bound together by this stupid ring? But the idea of the two of us being complete enemies…has dissipated and turned into something I can’t name.

“Hey,” I called as I was busy munching on the pizza slice I took.

“What?”

“Did you really have to marry me?”

Alvarez went quiet after that question, probably to think about how he would respond to me without creating trouble. Up until now, I still don’t know why he chose this when he could have been free. So…why did he choose to help us?

I c****d my head to the side as I waited for his response, curious. There was no reason for him to marry me. Damn, he could easily take everything from us without going through this hassle.

So, why…?

“I…owe your Dad and grandfather. That’s all there is to it.”