The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 57: Code Red

From the moment I stepped here, I knew there wouldn’t be any way for me to be able to enjoy the party, especially with how terrible I am when it comes to trying to socialize. I’m so bad at making conversations unless they start it first!

That’s why, even with Alvarez getting to talk to others from time to time, I couldn’t really join in. I was worried they’d look at me like I was an intruder.

I mean…I am an intruder. But the thing is, I hate getting those kinds of looks. It just makes me want to leave even more! I promised I’d try to last in this space because Auntie asked me to, but this is getting more intolerable as time passes.

“Hey, are you okay?” Alvarez asked when he noticed my discomfort. “I told you not to look anyone in the eye. It’ll make you feel worse.”

“I didn’t,” I replied and grabbed a drink from the waiter that passed by.

“Then, what’s wrong?”

I shook my head and just continued to try and enjoy whatever was going on at the party. I mean, I pretended to…because this is all for Auntie.

A few more minutes and I was able to spot Red approaching the two of us. His expression screamed arrogance and his scent reeked of ill intent. That…is how I perceive him.

And now, as he approaches, all I could think of is wanting to get away. He seemed so intimidating that I felt like the tension could crush me. He’s even worse than Gray!

Wait, no.

I’m not sure if I have just gotten used to Alvarez’s presence that he doesn’t intimidate me anymore, but either way, Red seemed so scary! Alvarez was right when he said that he was worse than him.

“Hey, man,” Red greeted Alvarez, grinning.

“What do you want?”

Red chuckled as he smiled at a woman that passed by, then turned to us again. “Why are you being so hostile? Come on, I only came to talk to you both.”

“We did not ask you to.” Alvarez snickered at him, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“You can’t wait to get rid of me, can you?”

Does this guy not know when to stop? He already knows we don’t want to be anywhere near him, and he’s absolutely not going to leave unless he gets a rise out of us. But the thing is, he already has!

He continued to talk to us, mostly Alvarez, even when the two of us refused to respond. Ah, f**k. I’m starting to want to punch him.

“Do it,” Alvarez whispered, smiling.

I looked at Red first to see if he was looking before responding. “Do what?”

He pointed at my fist with his lips, chuckling. “It would probably feel nice to do it. Just saying.”

I shook my head, trying to suppress a laugh. “Shut up.”

Red looked back at us, raising a brow. “Is something funny? Care to let me in?”

“No,” we answered in unison, grinning sarcastically.

He raised a brow at us, and just as he was about to say something, he was called by someone. And s**t, that seems like one of the elders. Alvarez told me he’d rather die than interact with those…weirdos.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nudged Alvarez’s elbow, but when I looked at him, he looked calmer than ever. I’m not sure if it’s just him acting tough or if this is simply how he feels at this point.

Either way, I’m just glad I don’t have to worry about him being all gloomy and s**t. Now, I am simply going to act normal, as if I’m not bothered by the fact that Red is out here trying to play with us.

“Ah, excuse me…” Red muttered as he greeted the man, his gaze being torn off of us. “I’ve got to go.”

Alvarez smiled sarcastically as he looked at the stage. “Alright. Don’t come back anymore.”

“Oh, I will be back in a while…” he replied, smiling.

The two of us had finally broken out of the weird atmosphere that almost choked us both, the one Red created. As he waved at us, an intrusive thought to wave my middle finger at him formed inside my head.

But then again, we are in a place where I’d be condoned for all eternity by the Alvarez clan if I did so. I don’t want to drag Alvarez down with me.

I mean, I want to…

Not right now, though.

A sigh escaped from my lips as I watched Red walk off. It just feels quite refreshing to have him out of my sight right now. I think it’ll be fine to breathe now.

“Hey, there…”

Or not.

It’s one of those elderly men. Ah, they really do have that unique arrogant walk and posture that is distinctive to the Alvarezes.

Ah, what does this guy want? I’m starting to get annoyed about people like him approaching only to ridicule my husband. If this was a normal day, I’d say “serves him right,” but I can’t.

“You having fun, little one?”

“The f**k are you on?” Alvarez asked, his tone remaining calm despite his face looking so pissed.

Wow, he can control his temper now…

“Whoa, calm down…” the old man told him as he flashed a smile. “I was simply asking.”

“Well, I am enjoying the night,” Alvarez replied with another sarcastic tone.

Damn, he’s overflowing with sarcasm right now, and I don’t want him to stop. It sort of feels satisfying when he’s talking back to them. I don’t know. I kind of feel proud.

Anyway, the old man left after a while, probably because he wasn’t amused anymore. We weren’t either, but we didn’t leave just like that.

Damn, people are weird…

“You okay?” Alvarez asked.

I nodded. “You?”

He shrugged. “I can handle it.”

Oh, this night is simply one I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I somehow feel like this might actually pave the way for something good. It’s nothing more than a delusion, but it’s fine.

Perhaps things will be a lot nicer once we’re out of this place. That’s if we’re even getting out, of course. But putting everything aside, I’m pretty sure it will be.

As the party progressed, Auntie and some members of the family began to utter their speeches in front, their oh-so-sweet messages somehow coming off as sarcastic.

Wow.

Is this really how the Alvarez family runs? I’m not saying it’s very weird, but well…it is. I just can’t get over the fact that there’s this whole event, but everyone seems…

Ah, I can’t explain it enough with words.

But yes, they seem preoccupied, as if there’s something they’re trying to get from this whole thing. What is that, though? Is there, perhaps, something valuable hidden here?

“Don’t get curious, Diaz…” Alvarez whispered as he gently placed his hand on my waist, helping me snap out of my reverie.

“What?”

“I already know that look…” he muttered as he shook his head as if he was telling me I should get rid of such thoughts.

I tilted my head to the side as I stared at his face. “I don’t understand…”

“You don’t have to, mi amor. Trust me.”

I wanted him to explain things thoroughly, but I also wanted to know. However, when he’s looking at me like he’s telling me I’m making the biggest mistake by wanting to know, then I’d rather not.

A sigh escaped from my lips as I listened to the speeches instead. To be honest, I felt like they were all just talking crap, but I intently listened anyway.

Ah…

They somehow found all the perfect opportunities to diss Gray for things I don’t know about. He doesn’t seem bothered, though. No matter how much they talked s**t about him, he just smiled knowingly.

It didn’t sit right with me, of course.

Fuck.

There’s something within me that’s urging me to defend him, but I don’t think I can stand up to all those big figures. I’d put myself down along with Gray if I did that, and we’d both be living in this place with our heads down.

Wait, no.

I’d be the only one walking with my head down because he wouldn’t care. Perhaps I should just do what he’s doing…? Just sit up straight and take it in…no matter how annoying it gets.

Suddenly, Auntie approached us. She was smiling, but as soon as she turned her back to everyone else, her smile dropped.

Wow…

“Gray, you have to give a speech, as well,” she said as soon as she was in front of us.

“For what?”

“Did you forget? You’re the head of the clan now.”

Gray chuckled as he looked at the stage, his expression showing how annoyed he was. “Yeah, ‘cause the old man wanted to spite me.”

“And? That’s not an excuse for not giving a speech. We’ve done this so many times over the past years already, what are you being such a chicken for?”

“I was just asking a question,” Gray replied as he placed his hands in his pockets. “I never said I wasn’t going to do it.”

“Then, go there and stop being a pussy.”

I blinked twice as I stared at the two of them, wondering why they had to converse in such an aggressive way. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Alvarez did it just to provoke Auntie.

Anyway, Alvarez wanted me to be up on the stage with him. I linked my arm to his as he downed three glasses of alcohol from a waiter that passed us.

“Hey…!” I tried to stop him from emptying another glass, but he already did.

Fuck…

He’s going to make a mess!

I was nervous as we both walked to the platform. Alvarez isn’t drunk, that’s for sure. I’ve never seen him get drunk for real because he’s always so calm whenever he drinks!

“Good evening,” he greeted as he got the mic. “I know you assholes have been waiting for this so you could make fun of me because that’s just how pathetic you all are.”

Loud gasps were evoked from the crowd, with Auntie standing in the middle while glaring at Gray. “What—!”

“Shh. I’m still speaking.”

My eyes widened as I looked at him. He’s definitely not drunk, but he’s furious. He was…made into the head of the Alvarez clan just because his grandfather wanted to make his life difficult.

He was set up so he would make mistakes and get ridiculed by his family. It just wasn’t obvious because he’s always handled things perfectly. Even so, he was condemned just because he took the spot everyone wanted.

Even when he’s proved that he deserved the title during the first few months of receiving it, he’s still looked down on. Ah, these insecure assholes…

And now, Gray Alvarez is finally speaking up.

“I want you all to know that none of you are ever going to get to where I am and I’ll do whatever it takes to fulfill this. Lowly pieces of s**t…” he said, the arrogance in his face being more blatant than ever.

Silence filled the place as everyone stared at Alvarez, unsure of how to react to everything he had just said. But well, that doesn’t seem to be everything.

“You scumbags are probably cursing me in your heads right now, but guess what? I don’t give a s**t. I have everything, and I have a gorgeous wife. Meanwhile, you all are nothing compared to me—”

“Gray!” Auntie yelled and gestured to him to come down the stage, furious. His parents were red as a tomato as they kept telling us to get off of the platform.

Alvarez smiled and dropped the mic as he pulled me away from the crowd, a triumphant smile plastered on his face. I couldn’t suppress a smile as I ran away with him as well.

Well…

That was a blast.