The Lotus And The Billionaire

Prologue

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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We, humans, perceive the world with colors. Every hue, every shade. I, too, loved to look at the world with these wide arrays of colors. They're beautiful, after all.. But there’s one specific shade that caught my eye.

A black lotus, the beautiful flower I chose to associate the words power, authority, and elegance with. A flower whose existence was nothing more than a mere hallucination of a child, something that was made up by the elders who deemed said child worthy of such a title.

The time I had fallen on a muddy pond as the moon began to rise, an hour that slowly dimmed the surroundings, making the lotus that was drenched in mud because of my wriggling…seem like a black lotus. A simple mistake a child had made while in desperate need for help.

And for some reason, I found the courage to get out of that muddy pond and save myself alone.

As if by coincidence, my father had always compared me to a black lotus growing up. As I matured, I thought it was indeed the proper way of perceiving myself. It suited me, a woman of dignity, one who has always fought for dominance over the males within my workplace. A woman who has displayed greatness, enough to be deemed worthy of the position I am in right now within the company.

So then…why do I find myself so helpless right now? Why do I feel like I have been robbed of my entire freedom with just a few words?

"There's no other way, Sapphire. We have to marry you off to Zenon Leviste."

I couldn't understand what went wrong. A few days ago, we were still having feasts after successful joint projects. Our company had just been doing great with all these projects.

I worked hard for this. Everything we have right now, I played a part in them. We made it this far because of my hard work.

All these years of striving from the very bottom of the company to make it this far, is it really going to come crumbling down within a matter of days? I was going to prove myself useful to my father, so at long last, he'd be able to see that he made the correct decision of trusting me.

At the age of twenty-four, I was bound to reach the highest ranks within the company's business, not because I am the CEO’s daughter, but because I am a capable person. I devoted myself to this…yet why is it that I have to watch our entire business careers go down the drain like this?

My brain failed to process everything I had just heard from my father. All those words…felt like nothing more than a dream to me. I didn't want to understand everything Dad told me.

All I could do was look down and pretend I didn't hear anything. I’m sure he's going to apologize next, but I don't want to hear it.

"I'm sorry, Sapphire. All of these are happening so suddenly."

See? I knew it.

I clenched my fists as I sat on the chair in front of me, looking down. "Dad, why do I have to get married off? Can't we just find a different way? I'm sure it's not our only option!"

The way my father began to tense up in his seat is enough for me to realize that I really am helpless at this moment. Neither of us wants this, but if someone capable of saving us had offered a promising deal to him and he had accepted, I might not be able to hold it against him. Yes, even if I want to.

My mother has been sickly these days, and she needs maintenance. That's why neither Dad nor I would want to risk going bankrupt anytime soon. There’s no way I'd be able to disagree and rebel when we're in this kind of predicament.

That doesn't mean I want to get married off to any of the assholes Dad could possibly marry me off to. If anything, I wouldn't want to be in that kind of relationship with anyone.

I'm scared. I barely know anyone who was forced into that kind of marriage…looks happy. That's not the kind of expression I want to wear after marriage. f**k, I don’t even want to get married.

Dad sighed once again as he looked at me like he was about to cry. "I never hoped for any of this to happen. I swear I have been taking care of the company."

"So, that's exactly what you’re going to do, huh…" I muttered as I looked away, trying to hold my tears back.

"I know it's unreasonable to ask this of you, but I…I don't know what to do anymore. The Levistes mentioned a marriage proposal earlier when we were together. You…are going to marry Zenon Leviste."

I wanted to object to his decision.

It was as if a pit of rage was building within me.

I wanted to seek a way out of this situation.

A lot of emotions filled me with the way my father looked at me as if he was begging, and I couldn't find the right words to spit out. I simply wanted to get away for a moment and think this through. Maybe…maybe there’s still hope out there.

I wanted to hold onto something, any form of hope is fine…

Perhaps this is nothing to anyone else. Some may think that it’s nothing more than marriage, but it’s not something as simple as that to me.

I refuse to get bound onto something like that. They promised me that I should never worry about getting bound to something like that. I basked myself in the assurance that I don’t have to go through the kind of hardship most women in prominent families had to go through.

They promised…yet what’s this?

"I don’t want to…" I whispered, biting my lower lip to suppress the tears.

One more word and I might actually break down in front of my father. I refuse to let that happen. It feels like I am not allowed to have a moment of weakness right now. Everyone in this office knows I’m someone strong enough to handle such a situation, after all. I can’t let them think they were wrong…

The heavy sigh my father let out made me realize that I wouldn’t be able to get out of this situation even if I wanted to. I was able to ascertain that if I declined, I’d just be leading our entire family into a maze we’d never be able to get out of.

"Give me some time to think…" I trailed off as I looked away, pleading. "Please."

Dad tried to hold my hand, but I made sure he wouldn’t be able to. He was hurt, I know, but I am just as hurt as he is. "Alright. I’ll try to find another way. Just…please don’t do anything rash."

I nodded, still in a daze. "I'll be on my way."

During a time like this, I’d like to visit a nearby gym and throw some punches to let off some steam. Or perhaps go to a nearby burger house and pretend it’s my cheat day so I could eat a lot. Ah, none of these would suffice…

If anything, I think only alcohol could satiate this growing feeling of rage within me. I kept thinking about what to do until the one thing I always do, rebellion, had finally crossed my mind.

I wanted to rebel, even at this age. Ha, I sound really childish right now. But if I can grasp a little of the freedom I might lose soon enough, I might be able to think straight.

Perhaps that could help me reduce stress, could it not? A perfect way of savoring what little form of freedom I have left before I get married to that asshole of a Leviste.

Fuck, I sound llike I have already accepted my fate.

What my actions right now could entail…I guess I’ll leave that to the future me to deal with. I just don’t want to take this out on my father when I know that he’s simply trying to save all of us and the company.

Ah, whatever.

"Where to?" Vinchester Salvador, my bodyguard, asked when he saw me storming off the mansion.

"The usual, Vin."

He raised a brow as he tried to block my way. "Pardon?"

"You already know where, so stop pretending that you didn’t hear me."

He blinked a few times as he stared at me, seemingly surprised by my little outburst. Oh, I didn’t mean to snap at him, but I really am in a foul mood right now.

"Alright, alright. Chill out, okay?" he chuckled as he held his hands up in the air in surrender. "You could have just hooked up with me, you know."

"You’re not my type."

"Damn, that stung."

This has been our routine whenever I am upset about something. He’d try and cheer me up by joking around, as if his way of stopping me from doing what I was about to do. Too bad for him, I wasn’t really in the mood.

"Will I pick you up once you're done?" Vin asked as we got out of the car.

"Man, you know the drill already! Stop messing with me."

He laughed, raising both of his hands in surrender. "Alright, just text me in case it gets boring."

"Go away or I won’t be able to get what I want."

I smoothly fixed the hem of the side-slit black bodycon dress I was wearing as I made my way inside the club, my right hand running through my raven-black hair.

"Wherever Sapphire Diaz went, she made heads turn without doing anything." Ah, I wish they’d stop with such compliments…

Either way, whoever could have said such a thing did not lie. I could already see almost everyone turning their heads towards me, regardless of their gender. Perfect! I can see myself having fun already.

It’d be easy to snag someone nice tonight. I just hope Vin won’t do something stupid and snitch on me. The last thing I want is to cause more trouble for Dad. He’s already got too much to handle.

My only objective tonight is to relieve stress. I know that this isn’t a good way to do that, but I don’t see any other way to do so.

"If you treat me to a few drinks, I won’t snitch."

I glared at Vin. "Stop showing up out of nowhere."

He grinned and sat on the seat in front of me, taking a whole bottle of whiskey for himself and completely ignoring me. I guess this is how we’re going to roll. He’s probably planning to have some fun himself.

"Alright. Take as many drinks as you want, just don’t interfere."

"Sure, sure…"

He was surprisingly true to his word, letting me play around without any worries. Vin has always been a very cunning individual, but he’s still a man of his word. That’s why I trust he’s not going to do anything dumb.

Still, I couldn’t get drunk. I felt like hooking up with anyone in this club could put me in some sort of dilemma in the end, but I won’t be able to sleep soundly tonight if I don’t get this annoying feeling off my chest.

I turned to Vin when I heard him chuckling out of nowhere. Heh, I’m guessing he already knows why I’m still not standing up to join everyone else on the dancefloor.

"What?" I asked, irritable.

"Can’t find anyone to sate your thirst?"

"Shut up."

"Oh? Your childhood friend seems to be looking for entertainment as well…" he whispered as he pointed at a nearby table.

"I don’t have one-"

"Alvarez."

The way my forehead creased seemed like an automatic response to his presence. The last person I wanted to see today was him. Sure he looks ravishingly handsome–I mean, he sure looks good tonight, especially with the way his hair was slicked back.

Ah, his hand would make a pretty necklace–

No, what am I thinking?! I have to get a grip or I’ll end up messing up! I’d rather not get involved with an Alvarez while we’re all on edge. Who knows, they could be the ones pulling the strings regarding the sudden pulling out of investors lately. They’ve been trying to get a hold of us for a few years already, so it would make sense if I was right. Still, I’m not one to accuse without proof.

"Hey, I’m leaving you here," I told Vin as I walked towards the dancefloor.

"Going out now 'cause you found your prey?"

I stopped walking to glare at him. "I really wish you’d shut up."

"No chance."

As I turned around, my eyes met his', and that prompted me to down two glasses of whiskey. My head’s gonna hurt in the morning, but I couldn’t care less. It’d be nice if I could just get laid, though.

I danced along with my crowd, letting myself get drenched with sweat as I felt my body grind on someone else’s. I didn’t care, I just wanted to have fun. And when I turned around, a guy was holding my waist as he got ready to kiss me.

Oh. He’s not my type. Sure, he’s a looker himself, but that doesn’t mean I’ll just screw him. I don’t think he’d be good enough for me, especially with all these desires clouding my head.

"Get off me," I muttered as I pushed his face away.

He raised a brow as he tightly held my arm. Oh, I could totally knock him out with a punch right now. He’s spoiling my mood! Although, I was already annoyed when I came here, he just made me feel worse.

"What? You clearly wanted me! You were literally trying to get f****d-"

"She told you to get off."

Huh? That familiar voice? f**k, I couldn’t make his face out. I feel dizzy…

I felt a muscular arm wrap around my shoulders to support my weight, and that’s when I realized I was being taken away from the club…

"Hey!" I shouted and pushed him away as I slowly got back to my senses. I tried to see his face as I held onto my head, trying not to fall. "Who the f**k?"

"It’s me."

Ah, that annoyingly familiar voice. Gray Alvarez.

I sighed and leaned on the car behind me. Right now…I just feel the same tension that’s always been present between the two of us. It kind of feels different right now, though. Maybe it’s the alcohol, but it’s making me feel things I shouldn’t feel for someone like him.

"I’m going to take you home," he said as he tried to get near me.

I shook my head as I took a step back. "No. I don’t want to…" I trailed off as I checked him out.

He can see me looking at him like this, I know that. But I don’t care whether he thinks I’m having a change of heart about him already. I still hate his guts, that much is evident. But right now…I want him.

I want to mess his hair up, crumple his perfectly ironed shirt, and pull that necktie of his. He seems a lot hotter to me than two years ago when I last saw him in person. And this tension between us…makes me feel something down there. I'm not sure if this is alcohol's influence, but I don’t really care.

If there was anyone who could sate my thirst tonight, it’s definitely him. For some reason, I understood all the women who ached for him because I, myself, am feeling the same way right now. I hate to admit it, but he sure is hot.

Slowly, I walked towards him, making sure I wouldn’t fall. He raised a brow, hands prepared to catch me in case I fell on my feet again. Ah, that turned me on more than he already have.

I grabbed his necktie and crashed my lips against his. I wasn’t sure if it was just my imagination, but he chuckled. Oh, gosh. My knees are starting to feel weak. When his hands landed on my bare back to pull me closer, I thought I was going to lose my mind. This asshole was literally exploring my mouth without mercy!

Tongues clashing, bodies grinding each other, the sound of harsh kisses…

All of those were enough to make me lose my ground. This isn’t like me, I know. But I have decided to forfeit all my thoughts aside from these desires. s**t, I wished he’d just drive away from here and take me somewhere I wouldn’t feel all these frustrations, even as a temporary getaway.

"Let’s get away from here?" he whispered in the middle of the kisses.

I opened my eyes as I grabbed onto his suit. "Please…"

Gray doesn’t seem like he’s going to just f**k me in his car, not like I’d want to do it there either. But I’m not very good at waiting. I could swear I never was.

I stared at him, hands tightly gripping the hem of my dress. He knows I’m staring at him, I’m sure of it. Ah, I want to touch him so bad…

"Hey- Ah…"

That took Gray by surprise that he had to throw his head back slightly. Thankfully, he was neither drunk nor tipsy and still had great control over himself. He shot me a glance before looking ahead of the road again.

His face was flushed, and he looked like he wouldn’t be able to hold back any longer. It’s like he just wants to park the car and do it right here. Damn, he looks hot like that.

And I never thought I’d look at him this way in my entire life…

"Don’t do it…" he muttered as he tried to shake my hand off.

My left hand was on his thigh, occasionally reaching for his crotch. If anyone other than me saw Gray right now, they’d say he looked like he was suffering a lot, especially with the way his hands were gripping the steering wheel.

"What’s wrong, Alvarez?" I teased as I slowly stroked it, earning me a whimper from him.

He glared at me. "Wait until we get there."

"I can’t wait…" I muttered.

I swear I could go down on him right now, but I don’t want to do it unless he tells me to. That said, I can’t stop myself from touching him. His reactions are exceptional…

"Oh, for f**k’s sake…"

I think I enjoyed the teasing so much that I didn’t realize I had messed up as Gray hastily parked his car in the basement of his building. Stunned, I couldn’t bring myself to walk. But it seems Gray no longer had the patience to let me do as I please…

"Let’s go," he said as he held my hand gently, his treatment opposite to the look he gave me. "Or are you backing out? Tell me while I’m still able to stop myself."

I shook my head. All I could think of was the dog tag dangling on Gray’s neck, his bare chest that could already be seen because of his partially opened dress shirt, and the bulge poking from behind me.

"Walk towards the elevator."

It feels like this was the first time I have ever been this obedient in my entire life as I walked with my trembling legs. As we entered the elevator, Gray immediately placed his hand around my neck and started kissing me like there was no tomorrow.

"Oh, gosh…” I muttered as he placed his knee between my legs. "Don’t do that…"

"Why not?" he whispered as he pulled away a little, leaving me wanting for more.

“No-” I placed my arms around his neck to pull him in for a kiss.

He bit my lower lip, making me open my mouth wider. He took the opportunity to push his tongue inside my mouth, and I sucked on it as if I had been waiting for it my entire life.

Our tongues kept bouncing back and forth in each other’s mouths. His hands were groping my ass as he pressed his knee down on my cunt. My screams would be heard all over the place if only Gray hadn’t been shutting me up with his kisses. Just this and I already feel like I’m seeing stars.

It’s still his knees! It’s not even his hand or his d**k, just his knee! Seriously, he’s driving me crazy…

And then I realized that the elevator might have a CCTV or something, especially since this place is heavily guarded. Damn, even as I lose my inhibitions, I still managed to feel worried.

"Wait-"

"What?" Gray asked as he pulled away for a second, only for his lips to land on my jaw, making me whimper.

"Ah, what if someone sees us…" I whined, but I still found myself grabbing onto a handful of Gray’s hair to push him towards me.

"Who cares?"

"I do- Ah!"

Gray chuckled at my neck when I whimpered after he sucked into my neck, making me feel the need to hold onto him. I swear my knees keep getting weaker, especially with him biting into my neck like a vampire that’s been deprived of blood for a decade.

I’m flooding down there already. f**k, I wanted to beg him to do me already, but we’re still in the elevator!

Finally, we reached his unit. The way he didn’t even panic while kissing me like that as he opened the door made me realize that he doesn’t really care whether someone sees.

Alvarez…wants to take possession of me. At least that’s what I felt with every kiss we shared.

"Gray…"

"Hmm?"

I wanted to tell him to hurry, but I felt too flustered to tell him that! We’ve been holding back since we talked in the parking lot, after all! Gray gently pushed me towards the sofa, his left knee finding its way in between my legs to spread them.

Shit, he’s gonna realize how wet I am…

"Wait…" I whispered as I reversed our position.

Now, I’m finally getting a good look at him. He was panting as he held onto the sofa, looking at me as I came face to face with his c**k.

"What are you-"

He threw his head back when I quickly pulled his zipper down along with his pants and boxers, his d**k immediately springing up as if it has been waiting for too long.

I smiled at him as I kissed it from the tip and all over, wetting it with my saliva. f**k, how is he so big? I want to fit it in my mouth…

Finally, I took it deep until my nose came into contact with his skin. Oh, f**k. I feel like gagging, but I tried to stay strong as I bobbed my head up and down until Gray’s moans filled the living room.

Shit, I’m starting to get tired, but he’s not yet close…

Just when I started slowing down, he grabbed a handful of my hair and looked at me like he was asking for permission. I squeezed his thigh, and that prompted him to thrust in my mouth with him hitting the back of my throat.

I wanted him to c*m on my face, and I thought he was going to do so as his thrusts became harsh, but he stopped midway and pulled his c**k out of my mouth.

"Why…" I whispered, stuttering.

Without saying anything, he reversed our position. I had to place my hand on my mouth to hold a moan down when Gray swiftly pulled my dress down and grabbed my left mound, his kisses immediately going down to my left chest.

My grip on Gray’s hair became firmer the moment he licked and sucked on my breast. He threw my bra across the floor after unclasping it, and I could only watch. f**k, I wouldn’t even care if Gray ripped my clothes to bits!

I felt so wet that I couldn’t stop myself from grinding my cunt on Gray’s knee. I was about to raise my hips until my cunt came in contact with his c**k, but Gray’s right hand held me in place as he held onto my clothes, ready to fully take them off.

"Can I rip it off?" Gray asked as he prepared to do it.

Although surprised that he asked, I nodded impatiently. "I don’t care. Do what you want with my clothes. Just please…" I cried desperately.

Gray smirked. "Please what?"

"Come on!"

"Tell me what you want."

There was no way this is turning me on even more…

"Please…" I muttered.

"Hmm? Please what?"

"Please just hurry and f**k me senseless!"

Wait…

Did I actually say that…?

With that, he crashed his lips onto mine and ripped my dress open, pulling my panties down in the process. Gosh, I swear the moan I let out was so loud. I couldn’t help it! There’s no way someone could be as attractive as this. At this point, I don’t even know what’s attractive or not!

My moans echoed across the room as Gray abruptly inserted two fingers inside. f**k, I think I dug my nails onto his back so hard as I spread my own legs wider. I’m fortunate enough that I have always been flexible.

"f**k, and these are just my fingers…" Gray muttered as he thrust his fingers faster.

"Ah! I’m cumming- No!" I cried as I tried to grab Gray’s hand when he slowly pulled his fingers out. I whimpered as my grip on his arm tightened. “Why?”

Instead of answering, Gray went down on me and replaced his fingers with his tongue. f**k, I felt my legs tremble as Gray licked my folds, his tongue mimicking his hands inside me. Oh, the way he thrusted his tongue deeper made me arch my back too much.

"Don’t cover your mouth," he muttered as he pulled my hand that was covering my mouth, his breath tickling my clit with every word he uttered.

"Ah! No-!" I cried as I couldn’t help but grab Gray’s hair and push his head onto my cunt, begging. Gray grinned as he continued licking and thrusting, his fingers playing with my bud while groping my ass.

"I’m cumming!" my moans echoed across the room as I came all over his face.

Fuck, I arched my back more than I already have when Gray licked all my c*m and licked his lips, grinning. “Not a single drop was wasted.”

I was still catching my breath, but it didn’t seem like Gray had plans to let me take a rest. Well, it’s not like I’d want to rest when I haven’t even had the main course. When I noticed Gray unbuckling his belt, I tried to get up so I could unbutton his polo. Even with my trembling hands, I was able to successfully take it off.

"Hurry…" I whined as I looked up at Gray, who was looking down at me with pure lust in his eyes.

"Look at that, the oh-so-strong daughter of the Diaz family is begging me to f**k her. What a memory to remember."

Ah, s**t…

"You got wetter?" he asked as he stared at me, chuckling.

It was embarrassing, but I don’t care. I just want him…

Gray threw his belt on the floor as he hastily unzipped his pants, not even bothering to completely take them off as he put the condom on. I could swear my eyes grew wide when I finally got a full view of Gray’s fully erect d**k.

It was the biggest one I have ever seen yet, and I’m sure as hell that I’m already drooling at the sight. I slowly spread my legs for Gray, who was preparing to enter my dripping cunt, making him smile wider.

"f**k, so tight…" Gray groaned as he slowly pushed his d**k inside me, penetrating deeper than I had expected.

Wow, I actually took it…

"So…deep…" I cried so loud I had to bury my face in Gray’s neck. "Move please…"

Gray took a deep breath as his thrusts became faster and deeper inside me, making me scream more. He held my ankles and placed my legs over his shoulder, thrusting deeper.

I managed to open my eyes for a bit to get a good look at the majestic view on top of me. f**k, the way his dog tag dangled on my face made me act up, and I found myself raising my hips to meet his thrusts.

"Ah! So deep!"

"f**k, I…"

His lips crashed against mine, our tongues fighting as the sounds of our skin slapping against each other echoed across the room. Gray’s thumb suddenly played with my bud, stimulating me more than he already had.

"I’m cumming!" I cried as I dug my nails into Gray’s back.

Gray cursed as his thrusts got deeper and faster for the last time as we both reached our climax. My scream echoed across his room, my p***y tightening around Gray’s d**k as I orgasmed.

We were both catching our breath as we looked at each other as if asking for another round. Gray gave me a peck on the lips, burying his face on my neck as he asked for permission.

"You’re still hard. Alright, one more…"

I f****d up…but it feels so good.