Chapter 54: Within The Alvarez Household
1476 Words
The dining table…
It was hell.
The tension within the Alvarez family was too much for me to bear and I had to pretend that I needed to go to the bathroom. It was just a simple dinner, nothing different from what families may have from time to time. I swear it was that simple…
Even then, I felt like things just kept getting heated with every passing second. Mrs. Alvarez kept glancing at me and her son, while Mr. Alvarez would often look at Gray with contempt.
Meanwhile, my husband just kept taking the unpleasant looks he got from everyone and acted as if they didn't bother him the least bit. It was nice that he was not doing anything rash, but it felt off to me as well.
Gray Alvarez would step on anyone who looks at him like that, regardless of who they are. That’s why I swore to never shoot him that kind of look.
But here he is, ignoring everything…
“Diaz?”
“Wait for a second!” I yelled for him to be able to hear me.
That’s Gray. I know his voice…
I immediately opened the door. His face fell to my shoulder, but he wasn’t speaking at all. It took him a little while before he lifted his face, only enough for me to be able to see that there was a bruise near his temple.
Oh, f**k! And there’s also blood coming out of the wound! And I’ve only been gone for a few minutes! I was panicking because of the blood, but Alvarez wouldn’t let me leave his side.
“I need to treat your wound!” I told him and tried to stand up.
Instead, he pulled me towards the bed. Oh, right. I tried to find his room because I thought I’d feel uncomfortable using their restrooms.
“Hey…” I muttered as I tried to get him to let go of me.
“Stay there for a while, Diaz.”
His tone wasn’t commanding for once. It’s not the one he uses when he tells me to shut up. Instead, it was pleading. It feels like this is the first time he’s ever used this kind of tone with me…
It was different from anything before. He sounded so exhausted that I couldn’t bear it anymore. I just allowed him to stay there while I caressed his hair.
Why…
Just why am I comforting Gray Alvarez?
What am I doing with the man I loathe?
Damned it…
“Alvarez,” I called when I felt like he was taking too long.
“The old hag threw a f*****g spoon at me,” he told me using a tone that sounded alike with how a child would complain that someone made them cry.
“Does it hurt?”
“No. It could be worse, honestly.”
I pursed my lips as I gave him the liberty to be able to say whatever he wanted. I’m pretty sure something bad occurred while I was taking my sweet time trying to find this damned room.
Truth be told, I was here for two reasons. One, I wanted to find any information I could use. Two, I simply wanted to get away from that scene earlier.
I’m not really surprised that things got even more heated when I left because they already looked like they were ready to throw a knife at each other while I was there. I left because I didn’t want to be involved in the bloodshed that could occur between the Alvarezes.
But right now, I feel like I really need to do something about Alvarez…
“Why did you want to come here if you knew things wouldn’t go well?” I asked after a long stretch of silence.
“You allowed me to pay your house a visit. I’ve also been there a few times already. That’s why I wanted you to be able to do the same.”
Is he…misunderstanding something here?
“Before you get mad…” he trailed off as he placed his hands in front of himself, trying to calm me down. “At the time, I didn’t know how I could repay you without directly saying anything. That’s how this idea came to life.”
“What the hell…” was the only thing I managed to say as I tried to process what he was saying.
“I know, I know. It’s stupid, but it’s the only way I knew to make things fair. And besides, I know you want to come here.”
I stiffened upon hearing what he said. Does he already know I’m here to take some of his important files? Did he find out that I’ve already tried checking certain places?
All of those questions ran across my mind as if trying to drive me insane. Even then, I held my ground and tried to think of a way I could get out of the situation without having to drag anyone…
“Diaz,” he called, almost making me jump from my seat. “You know, you can just go get what you want. I don’t care.”
Is he..saying this so I would back off? Or is he telling the truth?
But Alvarez wouldn’t play fair. He’d always try to pull some dirty trick from his sleeve, and if he does that, I wouldn’t be able to survive.
Damn, I have to do something…
Why wouldn’t he care about me taking important information, anyway? There’s just no way he would be able to act all calm and composed about something like that! I could wind up creating some sort of trouble that he might not be able to deal with!
“What now?” he asked when he noticed that I’d gone silent.
“Nothing, I was just wondering about stuff…”
Alvarez proceeded to bury his face in my chest further, as if it was already enough for him. But I have to make sure he doesn’t do anything weird. Damn, I really don’t want to deal with his bullshit more than I already have…
Time progressed and the two of us simply remained like that. He wasn’t moving at all! I know he’s not yet asleep because I can feel his breathing, but he’s not saying anything!
At this point, I feel like he’s just trying to waste my time more than he already has. Or perhaps he’s trying to pass time before the Alvarez clan becomes complete or something.
Right now, I just found out there’d be a party tomorrow, and that’s why he brought me. Several of his cousins might come tonight and sleep in the mansion, so that’s why he hurriedly came here.
I don’t really understand what’s going on, but Alvarez told me that there was an expensive dress in the room. I’m already assuming it’s mine because he’d never buy a dress for just anyone.
“Diaz,” he called. Finally.
“What? Can I get off you now?”
“No.”
I sighed. “Then, what?”
“If they manage to piss me off more than they already have, and then I end up lashing out…” he trailed off as he looked up at me. “Would you try to get me out of the place?”
Alright, this might be too tough for a decision here. Alvarez would never let up when he’s mad, and I’m also afraid to see him like that. This man…
He’s the scariest being I’ve been paired up with in my entire life. That’s why I’m trying not to anger him. But knowing we’re going to spend hours with the type of people he despises…
Damned it.
Fuck everything, I’ll just go with the flow. It’ll be tomorrow anyway, so I’m sure it will be fine. I just want to play for the team right now. That should be what I’ve been doing for the past few days. Work, break, play, and keep the cycle going…
“I can’t promise anything, Alvarez…” I replied as I stared at him.
“That’s fine.”
I remained silent for a short while, waiting for him to finally let go of me. His grip on my waist was too strong for me to be able to do anything against it. But I really, really want to…
“Alvarez,” I called as I cupped his cheeks. “Are you okay?”
Alvarez’s face brightened as he looked up at me, almost like he was trying to fake it. “Diaz…”
“You know what…” I trailed off as I grabbed his chin and made him focus on me.
“Hmm?”
I smiled and tapped his cheek gently. “You always, always…stress about things you don’t even need to think about.”
- Writer
