The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 61: Deep Trouble

“Red has always been an overbearing man, one you’d find scary…” Alvarez told me as he tapped on the steering wheel.

I sighed. “That’s not surprising anymore.”

Remembering what happened earlier had me thinking several things about the man. He’s definitely one of the most promiscuous and irritating Alvarezes to ever live. He’s so much like Gray, but with an attitude that’s a lot worse.

I didn’t want to think of such a condescending person, but I can’t just shrug him off when he makes me feel so off. It’s just that his presence screamed so much danger that my mind automatically revoked the idea of trying to befriend him.

Before, I had the idea that I should try and win the Alvarezes over in my favor so that I wouldn’t end up on the losing side. I believed it would be a practical move! But after meeting them, I realized it was the most horrifying idea I have ever come up with.

“By the way, how’s meeting Red a second time?” he asked as he slowly sped up.

I rolled my eyes, disgusted at the thought. “Horrible. I hope it never happens again.”

Alvarez laughed. “Sorry to break it to you, but…it’s bound to happen again. Especially now that he’s in the mood to mess with us.”

“Well, f**k! I’m not in the mood to deal with him!”

“So am I. But I’m not about to let the guy win.”

Oh, the Alvarezes and their obsession with competitions…

“I don’t think he’s going to keep bothering us, though.”

Alvarez shot me a glance because of my response. It didn’t seem to please him the least bit. Well, even I wouldn’t be amused! I was already having thoughts regarding how I would get away from him when the two of us were talking earlier. And when I say get away, I mean permanently away that I would never see him again.

A sigh escaped from my lips upon remembering what we were talking about earlier. Honestly speaking, I wasn’t that surprised to hear that story. It really sounded like something that would happen within the Alvarez manor.

However, that’s not really my primary concern. He really sounded like he wanted to take Alvarez down no matter how grave the consequences might be. And that’s why I’m scared right now.

“Azrael…” I unconsciously uttered.

Alvarez suddenly stepped on the brakes and turned to me upon hearing what I said. I was about to yell at him for suddenly doing that, but I saw how mad he looked.

“Is that what you talked about with Red?” he asked, furious.

I shook my head. “Sorry. He mentioned that name, but I couldn’t ask any questions.”

Alvarez looked like he was relieved, but it didn’t wipe the frown off his face. The thing about “Azrael” must have been pretty deep-rooted for him to act this way towards that name.

I was afraid that he was mad at me, so instead of asking him every curious question that I had, I remained quiet. Alvarez can get really scary when it comes to issues within the clan, so I’m in no position to be mad or upset.

Even if I want to know about that thing, I can’t impose on him. He may be my husband on paper, but there is nothing more to it. Neither of us has the right to pry into each other’s business. Basically, we are not tied to each other.

I can’t let my curiosity get the better of me...

“Azrael...is my real name. Azrael Shan Alvarez. I was named after a demon.”

Oh.

I pursed my lips and stared at him, waiting for him to keep going. Perhaps he just wanted someone to ask, but since I could not muster the courage to ask, he went ahead and told me.

But I sort of expected the part where he was named after a demon already. I don’t know. Perhaps it just felt like something that would happen within the Alvarez clan. Alvarez seems to dislike it very much, though.

“I chose the name Gray for myself. I despised that name…” he trailed off as he shot me a glance. “The old man chose it. It was petty of me to choose a name for myself as soon as I found out, so no one really called me that.”

“Then, how…?”

“You were the first to call me Gray, Diaz.”

I blinked twice as I stared at him. “What?”

“Do you remember the very first day we met? When the old man introduced me to you as nothing more than a boy that was living with him?”

“Uh-huh. I will never forget.” I let out a chuckle as I shook my head. “I was wondering if you didn’t have a name.”

“So you followed me when I ran away just to know what my name was.”

I glared at him when I remembered that part. “But you got annoyed and shouted your name at me.”

“So you threw your shoes at me.”

The frown on Alvarez’s face was replaced by a nostalgic smile. Ah, there it is. He rarely smiles like this, but when he does…I simply find myself captivated.

Ah, no. I must shrug these thoughts off…

“You’ve always had that sass. I really found it annoying when we were kids,” he added as he let out another chuckle.

“Yeah, f**k you. I was trying to be nice because of Papa, but you were seriously getting on my nerves.”

He shook his head as he sped up. “Mm-hmm. But either way, when you called me by the name I picked out for myself, the old man did as well. And everyone followed eventually.”

“You owe me, then,” I joked as I removed my shoes. They were beginning to hurt.

“I definitely do…” he trailed off as he parked the car in a place I was unaware of.

Wait.

Where are we…?

“My cabin. You’ve never seen this place, have you?”

I shook my head. “Where is this? Damn, I didn’t even notice you were driving on a different road.”

“You were busy ogling me,” he teased and pinched my cheek.

“f**k you.”

He grinned and ruffled my hair, so I shoved his arm off. “You’ll have to wait until later.”

I could only glare at his back as I followed him inside the cabin. It looks ordinary to me, but it seems like it was well-maintained. Has someone been taking care of this?

Someone was just here. There was a half-empty cup of coffee on the table. It doesn’t seem like Alvarez would just send someone here to clean, though. It has to be someone he deeply trusts.

“Nana has been taking care of this place.”

“You mean Grandma Na? The one who used to babysit you back in Grandpa Emil’s mansion?”

He nodded and sat on the hammock. “Come here,” he said as he tapped his lap.

I obediently did as told and stared out into the forest. This place seems quite scary because it’s in the middle of a forest. Even so, I would love to stay here. I have only been here for a few minutes, but I am already cozy.

“You know…at the end of the day, I am still a kid. Am I not?” he asked as he rested his chin on my shoulder.

I smiled and ruffled his hair. “You sure are.”

Silence came over the two of us. Strangely, I found it comfortable. All of the thoughts that were previously running in my head vanished as if they were never there at all.

Even when I was worried about the Levistes doing something that would put us in grave danger, I found myself sinking into Alvarez’s arms without a care in the world.

I have no idea which is genuine among the things he does, but one thing is for sure, he’s turning into a child whenever he is in my presence. And I have no complaints.

“Diaz?” he called, his tone soft.

“Hmm?”

“I’m guessing Red has already told you plenty of things.”

I nodded. “He definitely did.”

“Will you come with him?”

I went silent as I looked back at him, wondering why he was even asking such a question. At this point, I thought he would have figured out that I wouldn’t be able to stand anyone else from the Alvarez clan besides him.

Alvarez looked afraid of what my answer would be. Boy, this is the first time I have ever seen that look on his face! To be honest, I feel thrilled to see him like this, but I refuse to let him think that I would choose any other Alvarez over him when he is literally better than everyone.

I chuckled and shook my head. “No, definitely not.”

He heaved a sigh, perhaps of relief. “You had me scared for a second.”

“Why? Would it destroy your ego if I said that I would come with him?”

“Not my ego, Diaz…” he trailed off as he buried his face in my neck. “Definitely not my ego.”

I didn’t understand, so I just let him be. Everything feels comfortable and I refuse to trade this moment with anything that would only lead to the destruction of my peace.

Still, I wonder why he has this cabin. Perhaps he comes here when he needs to clear his mind? He has been stressing out a lot these past few days, after all.

Just as I was about to ask him, I felt him planting soft kisses on my shoulder. I looked back at him, but I found him looking at me with adoration in his eyes. He…is simply admiring my looks. That’s it. Right?

“Do you want to, uhm, go inside?” he asked as he looked back at the door to the cabin. “You know, for a tour before we go home?”

He looked innocent asking that question, but I knew damn well that there was no taint of innocence in his mind. With the thing poking me from beneath?

I let out a chuckle and nodded. With that, he carried me and took me upstairs. I thought he would be touring me across the house, but he went straight for the room on the second floor.

Damn this guy…

I shook my head and chuckled when I landed on the bed, with him on top of me. I smiled and reached for his face, caressing his cheeks as he hovered over me.

“Gorgeous…” he whispered as he leaned in for a kiss.

His left hand landed on my waist while the other remained on my neck, cupping my face as he devoured my mouth. He’s always so hungry for me…

“Mmph—!”

“f**k, I want you so bad…” He groaned as he separated my legs using his knee.

Oh, gosh. I am going so weak for him with all the slightest things he does…

His lips traveled down to my jaw, slowly going down. I craned my neck to give him access to my entirety. Alvarez never misses. He would kiss me everywhere as his way of saying I am beautiful.

If there’s one thing he does I would always want him to do, it’s that he would tell me I’m gorgeous while also doing it without words. But at the same time, I’ll hate it when it ends.

“Ah, Sapphire…” he called as he pressed his bulge against me.

I whimpered as I hid my face in his neck. “Don’t look at me like that.”

He moved his neck away so he could see my face. “Hmm? Why not?”

I tried to cover my face with my arms because of how shy I was, but he kept on peeking. But to make me look at him, he slid his hands inside my skirt.

“Hey!” I scolded him as I held his arm.

He then found the chance to lock my hands above my head so he could stare at my face. No, I’m getting lost in his eyes already. I can’t…

A gentle smile appeared on Alvarez’s lips. “Breathtaking…” he muttered as he planted a kiss on my forehead.

Oh, I’m in deep trouble…