The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 38: Jealousy? Jealousy?

It has been a week since we had that encounter with Raven, and seriously, it’s way too unpleasant for me to remember. Alvarez totally acted like an asshole. I really hated every second of it. Putting the night after that aside, of course.

This man’s superiority complex is unlike anyone I’ve ever spent time with, and lately, it either makes me want to kiss him or look down on him to piss him off. That’s the best way to counter whatever bullshit he says.

Anyway…

“I hate you!” I yelled at Alvarez as I threw a spoon in his direction, deeply annoyed.

“What the f**k did I do?!”

It’s lunch and we’re both in his office. We had agreed to talk about the progress of the project I’m working on with Raven, so I promised to eat here instead of staying in my office. After dismissing everyone, I hurried to his office because I was excited to talk about the changes.

However, my excitement had immediately vanished into thin air when he told me to remain quiet because he was not done with his work. I came here a little later than the time we agreed on as I was worried he wouldn’t be done with his work yet.

And the asshole has been making me wait for twenty minutes already! I thought he was still working because he was on his phone while his computer was open, plus there were tons of paper piled up on his desk. And then I tried to look over what he was doing, but he turned all the devices off as if he didn’t want me to see anything.

That really pissed me off! He normally lets me see if he’s working, and often allows me to watch him without any qualms. It was strange, so I tried to persuade him into telling me what was going on.

Of course, I was excited so I tried to be as nice as I could! And then when I tried to push him into telling me a little more, he got defensive and told me I should pipe it down! I know I was wrong about being too pushy, but I couldn’t help it!

“Just eat if you want to and don’t mind me,” he told me, annoyed, as he continued to scroll on his phone.

Oh, is this how he wants to play?

I smiled sarcastically and took my lunch. “Alright. I’ll eat with Raven, instead. We’ll talk about the project next time.”

He immediately looked up at me upon hearing Raven’s name, but before he could run after me, I immediately went out and slammed the door on him. Of course, everyone that was nearby heard how loud it was. Within an instant, everyone’s attention shifted to me!

“Please ignore that,” I told them as I smiled while making my way to an empty room that’s always been used by employees as their canteen.

As far as I know, Vin also often eats in the canteen during this time because he knows I’ll be eating with Alvarez. He doesn’t like eating alone in my office because it’s too quiet and he gets scared by the atmosphere there. Also, the team told me they’d be there for lunch.

I pursed my lips as I walked around the place like a lost child. Alvarez didn’t even go after me anymore! He should know that we’re supposed to talk about the project. Yes, it was the one he assigned me to despite me not wanting to do it!

It’s just annoying that I have to deal with that kind of attitude when we had both agreed on meeting up for that. He didn’t want to schedule a conference for minor progress, and I chose to respect that.

Fuck that i***t.

“Oh, Saph. What’re you doing here?” Raven asked when I entered the room, surprised.

I blinked twice. “Am I…not welcome here?”

“No, no. I’m just curious. You told us you’d be eating with your husband, right?”

“Ah, that i***t…”

I could no longer help but say it out loud because of how annoyed I was. Alvarez knew I was very excited to tell him about that! He even pointed it out this morning when I told him I’d be showing him the progress the team has made! How could he…!

Although they kept on asking about what happened, I couldn’t just casually admit how I just lashed out at him because they might judge me for it. I’m not sure if I can trust anyone in the team yet, so I’m trying to keep my cool.

“Mr. Alvarez doesn’t seem to be the type to just ditch you like that, though…” Gil, a woman from the team, said after a moment of silence.

I finished telling them the necessary details and it seems like they’re very convinced that I didn’t leave important stuff out. I was just worried that they’d notice something was off between Alvarez and I if I mentioned those. Besides, I wanted the story to make the two of us seem like an average couple that would often fight over things that aren’t serious.

I began to eat while they argued about what I should do now, especially since Alvarez didn’t even try to follow me here. It’s not that it would make a difference if he did because I’m really not in the mood to deal with him.

Ah, perhaps it’s the hormones acting up again…

I have already finished eating and they’re still wondering what I should do to resolve this whole thing. I have no plans on doing whatever they tell me to do, though. The truth is, I just came here to have people to eat lunch with and rant to them about how stupid my husband is.

“But I don’t like the way he treated Sapphire here as well…” Yanna, another member of the team, said as she cleaned her things up. “They clearly had an agreement. She shouldn’t do anything because it’s not her fault.”

That’s right! I did nothing wrong this time! The problem is Alvarez and his personality…

I pursed my lips and also began to clean up the part of the table that I used. They were still talking about what happened, but this time, they’re wondering why Alvarez refused to hear me out despite the agreement that we had. Besides that, it’s the thing he didn’t want me to see. They told me if I should be bothered by something, it’s that part!

Hmm, that’s a good point. After everything they said, I finally realized why I was actually upset. It’s not about him refusing to join me for lunch or ditching our plan. It’s the fact that he’s openly showing me that there’s something he doesn’t want me to see. f**k, I feel so stupid.

“You should be jealous by now! Who knows if he could be doing something behind your back?!”

“What if he’s already found another woman to bed?!”

No, I’m giving him satisfaction for as far as I can remember.

Anyway, I’m not jealous. That’s not the issue here!

I’m not sure how we’ve strayed so far from the main point of this whole thing, but I really don’t think it’s jealousy. It’s just that I knew Alvarez to be a punctual man, and then all of a sudden, he’s backing out. He didn’t even reason out! He just went ahead and acted like an asshole. Again!

To be honest, I want to storm out of the building and just go home without him! Vin is here, so I’ll be fine on my own. Sure, I’m really afraid of what may happen to me if I go without him, but my anger is unquenchable as of now.

I’m certain Alvarez knows that much because we’ve been here so many times before. I figured this would be our setup because I’m full of pride, and so is he. Neither of us will go after the other if it’s not a dire situation. And obviously, this one isn’t.

We’re not lovers. Unlike people who will normally talk things out with their partner, we have no such obligation in this relationship. It’s simply an act to convince each other to stay. We never had written agreements, after all.

What everyone in this room has told me isn't convincing at all. It’s like their words are simply falling on deaf ears because no matter how much they reiterate their point, it won’t shake my resolve to not hear Alvarez out—

“Sapphire, are you really not going to think about the possibility?”

“What?”

Raven looked at me as if he wanted to tell me something, but couldn't bring himself to do so. He contemplated it for a few seconds, but I encouraged him to tell me up front. Everyone’s busy cleaning up, so it’s unlikely that they will hear.

“It’s not like you to get upset over canceled plans. Are you sure you’re not just jealous of who the boss is talking to?”

No, I don’t want to…

I refused to think about everything they’d told me. Those words were simply meant to confuse me. Sure, I’d be pissed if I found out Alvarez was screwing someone behind my back, but I wouldn’t be this annoyed. We’re not in a real relationship, after all.

Everyone in the room talked too much about things I couldn’t quite wrap my head around. It’s as if they were simply talking gibberish to me. Or perhaps it’s simply because I refused to understand.

I chuckled awkwardly to dismiss the unpleasant atmosphere I’d brought. “I’ll go back to my office. Please continue to work on what we’ve talked about earlier. If you have questions, you know where to find me.”

Raven wanted to follow me, perhaps to ask if I really was okay, but I politely told him that I’d be fine on my own. I wanted to stop Vin from following me as well, but given that his job is to stay close to me, I couldn’t.

On my way to my office, I was on edge. I was afraid I’d run into Alvarez if I wasn’t careful enough, but as lucky as I am, he was nowhere to be found!

I let out an exhausted sigh as I lazily sat on my office chair. “Lock the door, then close the blinds,” I told Vin as I closed my eyes.

“What? I thought you wouldn’t do that ‘cause you were afraid people would make rumors about us?”

“I don’t care anymore. I’m so annoyed right now…”

Vin went silent after what I said and immediately went over to close the blinds and the door. This way, I’d be sure Alvarez wouldn’t pester me with his antics. I’m too tired to think about what happened earlier.

Later, I’ll leave him behind and celebrate the team’s progress later. We agreed to eat outside together, and I haven’t told Alvarez yet. I’m not planning to tell him anyway, so it’s better that he doesn’t know anything. I don’t want him there.

As for Vin, I have already bribed him to remain quiet for me. With a little alcohol, he’d be bowing before me. I’m certain I’ll be free from Alvarez’s grasp tonight…unless the guards snitch on me, of course.

I never see them around, so I’m not too sure about them…

Anyway, I’ll try to have fun with the team tonight. I’m pretty sure some of them would ask about Alvarez when they get drunk, but it’ll be fine. I just have to make sure I don’t drink too much alcohol if it all comes down to it.

Oh, maybe I should tell them Vin’s joining us first. They’ve never gotten the chance to talk to him for as far as I can remember. If I’m lucky enough, I’d have them interrogate him instead of me! He’s quite the looker, so it’ll be easy for him to get everyone’s attention.

“Sha, I’m scared. You look like you’re up to no good…” Vin muttered as he took a sip of my coffee.

I smiled sheepishly. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”