The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 64: Devastating Call

It seems he’s not wearing anything based on what I’m seeing on my cellphone’s screen! He was literally shirtless as he was eating his…dinner, I presume. Well, I’d say he looks really good despite having such a gloomy demeanor.

“Are you tired?” I asked as I snuggled into the pillows.

“Yeah. Is it that obvious?”

“Mm-hmm.”

To tell you the truth, I didn't even need to ask whether he was exhausted because it's obvious from just looking at him that he was. Since his arrival in Singapore, he doesn't appear to have had much of a chance to relax, as if he hasn't been able to take a break at any point.

Looking at him now, I almost completely forgot about what I did earlier. Guilt didn’t creep up on me, but fear sure did. I had the impression that he was aware of what I had done and that he had phoned me to confront me about it.

Even while it appears that Alvarez dislikes insignificant things like confrontations, that does not necessarily mean that I will be able to avoid them. He has access to technology that is far superior to anything I could ever dream of having! I won't even be surprised if he gets a notification about what I did.

Even so, I still feel afraid. He might kick me out or something! Or, what's even worse, he may take back the things that we have already received from him. That is something that I cannot allow because if he did that, we would get into a lot of trouble...

“Hey, Diaz,” he called, rousing me from the trance in which I was immersed. “How are things going over there?”

“Just…fine. Nothing bad has happened so far,” I replied as I tightly hugged the pillow I was holding.

“That’s good. Where’s your bodyguard?”

“Outside. He says he’ll stay up in case there’ll be attacks or something.”

He simply nodded and continued eating, as if he was not bothered by anything. Well, if this is the case, then I should just stop worrying, shouldn’t I?

“Are you going to sleep after eating?”

“Sleep?” He chuckled as he looked at me. Or his phone screen. “I can’t just sleep, Diaz. There are matters I need to tend to.”

“Wait, are you in your hotel or…”

“I am in my hotel, not the office. Don’t worry. It’s just that I must hurry up and deal with several things.”

Oh.

He really isn’t just fooling around. I’ve done what I needed to do, so I just have to make things easier for all of us. I can’t have him acting all suspiciously towards me right now.

As Alvarez ate, I told him most of the things that happened here, except the parts where we literally took private information from his devices. Meanwhile, he intently listened as if he really did understand everything.

“It seems things are okay there, so I won’t worry anymore. I have to leave immediately after I get ready.”

“Oh…” I raised my phone and sat upright as I watched him clean up. “I see. Take care, Alvarez.”

Darn it. My tone sounded so damned sweet just now, and I hated it. I never thought I was capable of using such a…

Oh, gosh.

Alvarez halted for a few seconds as he looked back at me as if he couldn’t believe what he’d heard. As he sat back down to gaze at me, a grin gradually formed on his lips as he took his seat.

“Well, well. Miss me already? You sound like you’re yearning for me, Diaz.”

The smirk he wore made me revert back to how I normally am when talking to him. I despise how with just one comment, his ego has already ballooned out of all proportion!

I mean, I hated how mellow my voice sounded as well, but that’s just because I’m worried! That’s not a common feeling occurring between us, but I can’t help it.

“I’m going to f*****g end this call now. Goodnight,” I told him.

He chuckled. “Alright, mi amor. Have a good night’s sleep. Don’t let anyone bite—”

“f**k you,” I said and ended the call.

I placed my phone on the bedside table and snuggled in my pillows. To be honest, I’m not sleepy yet, but I’m afraid I’d want Alvarez to come back if I didn’t end the call.

Because of him, I no longer like lying here alone by myself in this bed. It just doesn't feel right. Even though he frequently sleeps at his office, he always winds up coming back here. And now that it's only me, I can't help but...yearn for his presence.

Ah, f**k.

Maybe I really should just go back to sleep…

“Sha?! Sha, wake up! It’s time for breakfast! His Highness told me to wake you up, so you have to wake the f**k up!” Vin shouted from outside.

“Shut up!” I yelled back at him.

Vin was screaming outside, telling me to wake up. Honestly, I’m glad he woke me up because I wouldn’t have gotten up if he just let me be. However, the sound of his voice makes me want to shut him up.

“I can’t shut up unless you come out of your room!”

I let out a grunt of irritation before burying my body deeper into the blankets. Now, I don’t want to get up! How the hell is it possible for anybody to be so effing irritating so early in the morning?

“Sha! Hurry or the food will get cold!”

I sighed and walked towards the bathroom. “I will go out, you fucker! Just shut up and wait!”

“Alright! I’ll wait for you at the dinner table, so hurry up!”

Another sigh escaped from my lips as I hurriedly did my morning routine. As soon as I got out of the room, I was greeted by Vin, who was looking at me with his furrowed brows.

“What?”

He raised a brow at me, furious. “You took five minutes. What’s wrong with you?”

“Oh, for f**k’s sake…” I muttered as I walked past him.

“I was kidding,” he told me, chuckling. “Here’s your breakfast, Your Highness.”

“Thanks, my servant.”

He shook his head in dismay as he sat down. “You used to be so independent.”

“I know, i***t. You don’t have to rub it in my face.”

This time, though, he had a more subdued smile on his face. Oh. It's been a long time since I've seen him smile like that. It seems like a lifetime has passed since the last time I caught a glimpse of that grin...

“What?” I asked as I took my phone out to see if Alvarez had left a message.

Oh, he did.

“You know, Sha, I think I ought to thank your husband,” Vin told me all of a sudden.

I looked up at him for a moment. “Huh? What for?”

He did not respond to the question, but rather shook his head and began to eat. Vin will occasionally say things that are completely beyond my comprehension. He has always been so vague about several things...

Anyway, I have to respond to Alvarez. I received the message about an hour and a half ago. It says he’s out to meet several people to negotiate with, then he has to hunt Zenon Leviste down again.

Gray Alvarez:

Make sure you eat a proper breakfast. Send me a photo or something so I can be sure.

Me:

Okay. Take care.

And then I took a selfie so that I could send it to him. I suddenly heard Vin's chortling, but as soon as I shot him a glare, he stopped laughing.

“Alright, just do your thing or whatever…” he mumbled as he continued to eat.

I rolled my eyes and sent the picture to Alvarez. Surprisingly, he immediately read my messages and responded. I think he’s negotiating with several people right now…

Gray Alvarez:

You look gorgeous, mi amor.

Damn it…

I simply left him on read and continued to eat. I’ve already told him to take care, so I’m not repeating it anymore. Besides, I need him to focus on the more pressing matters.

“Do I need to take care of this, as well?” Vin asked as he pointed to the dishes.

I glared at him. “I’m not even done eating.”

“Why are you so mad? It’s too early for you to look like a witch.”

“I thought I’d be free from wanting to murder someone because Alvarez isn’t here, but you’re really testing my patience.”

He chuckled. “Come on, I was just trying to lighten the mood because you seemed so gloomy.”

“I’m not gloomy!”

“It’s okay, I know you just miss– whoa!” He jumped away from the dinner table when he saw me holding my fork up, laughing. “Easy, girl…”

“f**k you. Shut up.”

After eating, I left him with the dishes as I was annoyed. I thought he’d complain, but surprisingly, he didn’t say anything and just did the chores.

As for me, I decided to just stay in the living room and watch movies. Alvarez told me he’s going to call when he gets free time, so I’ll just go ahead and wait for him.

And right there and then, my phone began to ring.

Should I answer…?

But I feel like I shouldn’t really talk to him.

“Just answer, Sha! I’ll go to the balcony so you don’t have to worry about me hearing anything.”

I rolled my eyes and answered the phone call, and then went to the bedroom. I already know what Alvarez is going to tell me, and I don’t really want to hear anything…

“Hey, Diaz…” he greeted me as soon as I answered the phone call.

“Hey. Good news or…?”

“Bad news, mi amor. But I’m going to fix this, I promise.”

My jaw was hanging open as I clutched the pillow that was next to me. I didn't want to hear the news that he had to tell me, and I was aching to get him to hang up so I could get away.

As I lowered my head and shut my eyes, a sigh escaped my mouth. There was simply something about Alvarez's gaze that made me feel as though he was trying to express his regret over something.

“There’s nothing wrong here in Singapore. If anything, the real problem is right there…”

I felt as though my hands had gone cold. “What?”

“Just…just stay right there, Diaz. I’ll go back there right this instant.”

Ah, that explains the rushed footsteps I’ve been hearing from the other line. Still, I don’t understand. What could possibly be going on back there? It does not appear that he has any plans to elaborate on the matter.

“Alvarez, I don’t understand.”

He looked away from the camera as if he was really trying to avoid looking me in the eye. “I really was tricked into coming here, so please stay there and don’t let your bodyguard leave at all costs.”

“Tricked?” As I listened to him, I felt my entire body start to shake, and I was unable to think clearly. "What on earth are you…"

“Diaz, I’m sorry. There was a minor problem here, but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle. And the Levites...they had returned on the very day that I arrived here.”

Fuck.

“Am I in danger?”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry, Diaz. You’ll be fine. Just call your bodyguard to stay with you in that room.”

I nodded and called Vin as soon as Alvarez had ended the call. I explained everything to him, and he immediately stood up and took his devices out.

“Make sure you stay there until Sir Alvarez comes back, Sha. I’ll get everything you need.”

I simply nodded and stayed put. Alvarez has assured me that there isn’t anything I need to worry about as long as Vin’s here. And besides, he told me he was coming back already.

I just…have to listen, right?