The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 3: Last Night's Memories

I couldn't find it in me to answer the question Alvarez posed. He was obviously waiting for me to say something, anything…but I didn’t. Instead, I kept staring at the pond, hoping Alvarez would soon leave.

But that was the problem. It didn’t seem like he had plans on leaving me alone until I answered him. He can't blame me, can he?

“You could have done it with anyone if it was simply an attempt to reclaim your freedom, right? So, why me? And why did you leave as if you regretted everything?”

Right.

Why him? Because he looked good back then? It could have been anyone, but why did I do it with the man that made my blood boil by just existing?

“Why are you even asking? It doesn’t mean anything, does it?” I retorted, which caught him by surprise.

This is the first time I’ve seen him make that kind of expression besides that somewhat conniving look of his. But it only lasted for a few seconds. His expression had quickly returned to the scowl he often wears, the one that made me want to punch him.

Fortunately, Vin arrived to inform us that Dad wanted to talk in private, with me included. “Sir Diaz says you both should talk about the wedding over lunch.”

I no longer wanted to butt heads with Alvarez, so I stood up and went to the kitchen. He did the same, and purposefully walked ahead of me. See? There’s no way for both of us to get along.

Anyway, it seems Dad and Alvarez have already decided to proceed with the marriage. I mean, he’s already talking about planning it over lunch. It’s honestly annoying how they just decided it on their own! I don’t even know if Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez would agree with this!

When I saw Dad sitting on his usual chair in the kitchen, seemingly relieved, I felt as though I could no longer say anything to veto the marriage proposal. A part of me felt a pang of pain at the thought of marrying a man I don’t like, but at the same time, this plan reassured me that things would be fine.

I looked down at my food as I sat beside my father. As for Alvarez, he chose to sit beside me as well. My face formed a scowl upon seeing the way he was ignoring me, but Dad was eyeing me, so I tried to be nice.

“Before anything else, may I know where Mrs. Diaz is? I think she needs to be here right now,” Alvarez said, catching everyone in the kitchen by surprise.

Dad frantically looked at the maids, who just nodded at him. “Oh, Selena? She’ll be here any minute now. It seems she had just arrived after visiting Sapphire’s grandfather.”

“I see…” Alvarez trailed off as he looked at me. “What?”

I snickered and remained still until my mother had finally arrived. She seemed to be in a panic as well, but she calmed down when she saw Alvarez sitting beside me.

“I got caught up in the traffic,” she explained as she sat on the seat in front of me after kissing our cheeks. “Anyway, have you three discussed anything yet?”

Alvarez shook his head. “We were waiting for your opinion on the matter, Mrs. Diaz.”

Mama looked at me, worried. “Did Sapphire agree?”

I pursed my lips when I saw everyone looking at me before reluctantly nodding my head. I don’t have much of a choice now that we’re all dining together!

“We decided that a grand wedding should be held, perhaps at least two months from now,” Alvarez began as he began to eat. “There are plenty of things to take care of to make this wedding successful.”

Dad nodded. “We have to watch out for the media first and foremost. The tabloids are likely to make the nastiest articles about you two if we’re not careful enough.”

The three of them talked about how Alvarez would be in charge of the damage-control necessary to make this wedding a success. As for me? I listened intently without saying anything, and it seemed like Mama had deduced what I was thinking from the way she looked at me.

Alvarez looked at me. “If Sapphire gives me her consent…”

Sapphire, huh? I prefer it when he calls me by my surname as it sounds less intimate, like we were nothing more than strangers…

“I’ll ask my team to spread pictures of us going out from years ago to make it look like we’ve been dating for a while now.”

“What pictures?” I asked, hostility was evident in my voice.

“The ones from when we worked together on a project before. Those fueled rumors that we never denied nor confirmed, so bringing them up now would be a good strategy. We can simply say that we wanted to keep it private before.”

Alvarez gave me a knowing look, so I just nodded at what he said. He left something out, and I think I know what it meant.

Last night’s pictures…

I have no idea, since I haven’t been checking social media since finding out about the company’s problem. But it would make sense if our pictures somehow made it to the hottest topics now, especially with his popularity.

“As for the wedding details, I’d like to discuss it with Sapphire. Perhaps during our dates.”

I held onto my spoon tightly. “Dates?”

“Yes, it’s one of the ways we can make this wedding more believable.”

“Alright.”

“I think it’s settled now? We’ll help hire organizers,” Dad said as he clasped his hands together.

“I appreciate the help, Mr. Diaz, but I’d like to handle that as well. We’ll announce the business partnership at a conference. My secretary will arrange it.”

Mama finally had the chance to slip into the conversation when Alvarez let go of his utensils, a sign that he was done talking. “Will Sapphire live with you from now on?”

“Oh, right…” Alvarez trailed off as he stared at me. “I’d like to ask her to come with me to my penthouse so she can get a good look at it. Perhaps there are things she’d want to add or remove. You see, I want her to be comfortable there.”

What a pretender! He could be an actor if he wanted to, and perhaps even receive an award for it. Ha! That’s just one of the many things I hate about him! Now, my parents think he’s quite the gentleman for saying such sweet things.

He says he wants me to feel comfortable, but in reality, he wants to torture me by making me stay at the place where we did it. That’s his penthouse. I knew just from the way he looked at me while saying those things!

Was he mad at me? I guess it’s valid, considering how I just left without saying anything. Oh, did I hurt his ego? Well-deserved, then.

“Are you two leaving after lunch?”

Wha-

They have no qualms about it?! At all?!

I looked at the two of them, unable to believe that they were just going to leave me in his hands! I mean, I’m perfectly aware that they still have loads of things to take care of, but I thought Mama would at least say no!

“Yes, if Sapphire’s okay with that. Besides, we still have to talk about certain things.”

Talk, my ass.

I discreetly rolled my eyes while waiting for everyone to finish their meal. The three of them just kept talking about the company, and how there wouldn’t be a prenuptial agreement.

Oh, I guess someone wants to take control of everything. What a sly bastard! Heh, this works for me, as well. Perhaps I could thwart his greedy little plan.

“Should I wait for you outside?” Alvarez asked when the two of us stood up so I could prepare to go out.

“Do what you want.”

“Then, can I follow you to your room?” he asked, smiling.

I stopped walking to face him, and then mirrored his silly grin. “For what? Are you going to watch me change?”

“If you’d allow me to.”

“Of course you’d say that, you pervert.”

“Now, am I really the pervert between us?”

God, I wish I could punch him!

I flipped my hair on his face and ran to my room, flustered. Please, can’t he just forget about what happened?! I don’t want to remember anything anymore!

I let out an exhausted sigh as I sat on the bed. How I wish I could take my time in changing just to spite Alvarez, but I’m certain Mama would come knocking anytime soon if I don’t hurry. I don’t think I can talk to her right now.

“They’re seriously acting like this marriage is the only thing that could save our company from meeting its demise…” I muttered as I took my shirt off.

Surprisingly, Alvarez didn’t barge in while I was changing. Although I found it weird as he didn’t seem to be the type to ask for consent, I must admit that it could pass as a nice quality of his. He barely has good qualities, anyway.

I wanted everything to be over as soon as possible, so I snatched my bag and ran downstairs to meet Alvarez. Usually, Mama would have arrived in my room before I could leave, but she didn’t come. Strange…

But when I got to the stairs, I realized why Mama wasn’t upstairs. Alvarez was there, leaning on the doorway, probably looking at the garden my mother had been taking care of. Meanwhile, Mama seemed to be happily telling him about the plants, it was evident in her eyes.

Right, everyone likes him. I’m the only one who doesn’t...

I slowly walked down, immediately losing all the remaining energy I had. Alvarez was the first to notice me, and that’s when Mama realized I was behind them.

“Do you want me to carry your bag?” Alvarez asked as he extended his hand.

“No, I can do it on my own.”

“Alright.”

Mama spread her arms and pulled me in for a tight embrace. “It’s okay, Sapphire, it’ll be okay.”

Sure, it will.

I followed Alvarez outside after having a little talk with Mama. I wanted to talk to Vin, but he was nowhere to be found inside the house, so I figured he’d be outside.

“Who are you looking for? Did you forget something?” Alvarez asked.

I shook my head. “I can’t find Vin.”

“Who?”

“My bodyguard— Oh, there he is! Vin!” I waved my left hand at Vin, who was laughing with the other guards.

“Take care!” he shouted back and continued to chat with the others.

When I turned to Alvarez, he was looking at me with his furrowed brows. “What?”

“Are you two that close?”

“Yeah, he’s been my bodyguard for quite some time now,” I replied and opened the door to the passenger seat.

Alvarez followed immediately. “How close are you two?”

I raised a brow at him. “Why do you care? Oh, wait. You’re not jealous, are you?” I teased.

He shrugged and started the engine. “I was just asking.”

I rolled my eyes and tried to be comfortable in his car. That’s when I realized that it seemed familiar, like I’ve been here–

Oh.

Of course, I had to remember right now, while the two of us are alone here, while I can’t run away. I’m literally defenseless if he chooses to tease me right now! f**k, I can clearly remember how I acted back then…

“Diaz?” he called. “What’s wrong?”

“Shut up and drive.”

He grinned, probably because he realized why. “Oh, do you remember what you did to me here?”

“No, I don’t.”

“It’s written all over your face,” he replied, chuckling. “What a bad actress. But I wouldn’t mind if you did it again. That’s if you can’t wait until we get there…like last night.”

“You-!”

I couldn’t even form a sentence out of embarrassment!

Alvarez laughed at the expression I made, but I couldn’t tease him back! If I did, he’d bring up literally everything I did last night just to embarrass me. I swear I’ll make him grovel on his feet!

Once again, I rolled my eyes and took my phone out. Perhaps I could use this chance to see what kind of news has spread since last night. Knowing how privy people can be, I’m pretty sure rumors about us have spread like wildfire.

True enough, we’re already a hot topic just from a few pictures…

Oh…

There were pictures of us making out in the parking lot. They were blurred, but it was easy to make our faces out. It was taken just a few meters away from us! Although it was obviously zoomed, there’s no mistaking it.

Damn. Now, people are assuming that we have been in touch somehow since two years ago. Alvarez was right, people would easily assume things just from a few pictures.

Oh, wait.

“You haven’t had any relationships for two years?” I asked, surprised.

He glanced at me, his forehead immediately forming a crease. “What? How did you…”

“I saw a tweet saying you haven’t had any dating or hooking up rumors for a few years now.”

“Yeah, and?”

“That’s so not like you. You did a great job staying hidden,” I muttered as I continued to scroll across the searches. “Did you take them to a secret property of yours to avoid the media?”

“And if I did?”

“Good for you, I guess?” I replied blankly, still busy scrolling.

He scoffed and focused on the road. “So cold.”

“What?”

“I said we’re here,” he said. “Do you need help with your seatbelt?”

“No.”

He shrugged and went out of the car, waiting for me. I could already see the press waiting for a chance to jump on us the moment I get out of the car, so I was a bit scared. But when I saw Alvarez talking to a few people who seemed to be his bodyguards, I eased up and finally got out.

That’s when the people with cameras began to run in our direction. Alvarez whispered an apology before dragging me inside by my hand. It all happened so fast that I only realized what happened when we were already inside the elevator.

Alvarez was frantically pressing the close button even when he knew some people wanted to enter, as well. And when it finally did, he heaved a sigh and took a few steps back, slowly unbuttoning the first button of his dress shirt.

“You okay?” he asked me as he ran his hands through his hair.

“The f**k was that?” I asked as I held onto my chest.

He chuckled. “Well, they probably just wanted to ask about us. There’s that picture of us making out spreading across the internet, after all.”

That again!

How could he nonchalantly say it like it’s nothing?!

“Did you see it?”

I nodded and showed my phone to him. “Do you think you can find the person who posted this?”

He leaned in to see it better, which made me step back. But he held my hand in place so I would stop backing away! This i***t! I almost smashed my phone into his face!

“Don’t do that!”

“Oh, sorry. I couldn’t see it well.”

Ah, right. He’s near-sighted…

“Anyway, I could try to find them if I wanted to. However, I have no reason to do that.”

I pursed my lips and turned my phone off, refusing to look at him. The elevator seems to be moving slowly, and it’s reminding me of what we did again! That’s it, I don’t want to live here! I don't feel comfortable at all!

“Diaz,” he called, so I hummed in response. “I’ll find that person if you ask me to. Are you uncomfortable about it?”

What’s with him…?

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. It’ll make things easier for us, anyway.”

I thought he was being thoughtful for a moment, but it only lasted for a minute. Because after that, he was back to teasing me! I know, alright! I know I begged him right here! He doesn’t have to torment me by mentioning it!

“You should shut up before I shut you up myself,” I warned him as I crossed my arms across my chest.

“Or else what?”

Is this man really in his late-thirties? Because he sure seems to still be enjoying his youth like a twenty-year-old with the way he is acting. He’s had this attitude for decades already! When will he mature?!

“You’re annoying,” I replied as I shook my head.

“Hey, tell me. How will you shut me up? I’m curious.”

“You’ve gotten more talkative after two years, Alvarez,” I muttered as I spared him a glance.

“Why don’t you make me less talkative, then? Like how you did last night-”

That broke the thin string of patience I had.

I grabbed the collar of his dress shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. He was talking too much, and I could no longer bear it. The way his lips moved to utter annoying words made me want to crash mine against them. As an attempt to shut him up, of course.

I felt like his lips curved into a grin before he kissed me back. What a cunning man…

He was waiting for me to take the bait! That much was obvious, especially with the way his hands landed on my waist just so he could pull me closer.

His tongue explored my mouth, and dear heavens, it felt so good that I found myself grabbing a handful of his hair. As I pulled away, his lips followed, not wanting to let me go.

“More…” he muttered as he tried to catch my lips, but I placed my hand in his mouth to stop him. “Diaz, why…?”

Seriously, is this the Alvarez I know?!

“We’re almost on your floor,” I replied as I tried to push him away.

He sighed as he rested his forehead on his shoulder, his arms still snaked around my waist. “No one’s gonna see us, you know.”

Oh?

“Hmm? What’s this?” I drawled as I looked down. “Bricked up already?”