The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 19: Ex-boyfriend

Awkward would be an understatement if one were to describe the atmosphere between Alvarez and I, and I hate it. Everyone would spare us several gazes and give me a look of concern, as if telling me I should watch it.

It’s always like this when there’s something going on between Alvarez and I! When I say everyone, I mean literally everyone we meet would tell us that we should make up…or something of the sort.

Well, this one is nothing more than a misunderstanding that I ought to clean up once this conference is over. Well, I had no idea this guy would be here and be my future teammate, of all things!

More importantly, I can’t understand why Alvarez’s temper was already going off with just a few exchanges of glances! Although I knew he was a jealous man, I had no idea he would be this territorial, and with me of all people!

“You better be listening…” he whispered to me when I looked at him.

I rolled my eyes. “I am. And you should be telling yourself that, not me.”

And he has the guts to be sassy to me! He hasn’t even confirmed whether this man in front of us has anything to do with me! He can be really insecure when it comes to my previous relationships. Ha, I can use that against him.

Anyway, I chose to just listen to the project the team was discussing as I will also be participating depending on Alvarez’s judgment…which is currently clouded. With his jealousy, of course.

Ha, what is he even being like that for? He has already confirmed that he owns me…for at least two years only, of course. It’s not like I’ll run to another man right this instant or something. Besides, he’s not one to fear competition! He was never like that before!

I was already getting a few ideas regarding the feedback the people around the table could give the team regarding this hotel project. It’s a large-scale project, and a lot of things are lacking. They could really use some help on a lot of details and designs.

Either way, I don’t think I’d want to hear the comments from the geezers as they say the dumbest things. I was only interested in what Alvarez would say.

After the team was done presenting, Alvarez instantly took the initiative to comment on it, despite his words being sharper than a knife. They weren’t taking it so well, but they probably understood that Alvarez meant no harm.

“There are plenty of things to improve. You all know that this project means a lot to the company, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t f**k this up. My wife will be greatly involved, so I am expecting major changes by the time you present this again in the future.”

Everyone went silent as I stood up. “I’ll be doing my best to help.”

Alvarez nodded and sat back down. “If anyone wants to say something, kindly step up right this instant. Time is ticking.”

That’s when several professional architects and engineers stood up to share their insights in a way that could hurt them less, totally different to how Alvarez told them his opinion.

Sure, he was harsh, but that’s how anyone who worked under him became so good at their job eventually. That’s just how he is. Although I hate how he operates, there’s no way I can deny the fact that he is indeed good at whatever he does.

There were more talks and…a few arguments, which Alvarez didn’t tolerate, everything was settled. As everyone left, the team remained inside the conference room, looking devastated. Well, I can’t blame them for looking like that. They must have worked on the project for far too long, only for their boss to destroy the hopes they placed on it. Oh, well. That’s how it works here.

“To my office,” Alvarez whispered right into my ear as I was looking at the team. “You can talk to them later. Office. Now.”

I pursed my lips and followed him, nervous. “What do you want this time?”

Alvarez sighed and looked me in the eye. “You tell me.”

“Is it about me looking at that guy earlier?”

“Yes. Don’t try to tell me that I’m wrong, Diaz, but I know him as your college…boyfriend or whatever. I only recognized him when I saw him enter the conference room, but there’s no way you are going to work with him.”

I groaned as I sat on the couch. “What are you on?! That was years ago, when I was dumb! I’m not that much of an i***t now!”

“Well, f**k that! You had some sort of relationship with him years ago, and I can’t trust him with you!”

“First of all…” I trailed off as I glared at him. “How did you even know he was my ex-boyfriend?”

“How would I not?! You were always posting pictures of you two! Your parents would talk about you two nonstop when I visited the old man all the time, saying I should talk to you and stop you from doing anything foolish!”

What…?

Everything he said was like a bomb to me. I did introduce Raven to them and even had him sleep over plenty of times, yet they never said anything about not liking him! They…they dined with us with smiles on their faces!

Well, damn. Little did I know, they were talking about us behind our backs. I always thought they liked him because they acted so nice in front of us. But I’m finding out they would talk s**t about us in front of The Alvarezes! And to them, of all people!

I let out a loud exhale as I shot Alvarez a glare. “So…that’s how you knew about Raven and me.”

“Yes. And that’s why you’re not going to work with him.”

“You’ve already given your word, Alvarez. You told them that your wife would be helping out with the project,” I told him, emphasizing the word ‘wife’ just to spite him.

“I know, but I can always do something about that–”

“Stop being unprofessional, you dumbass,” I cut him off, rolling my eyes. “I can work with him just fine. We were civil with each other after breaking up.”

“That doesn’t change the fact…that you…” his words got muffled into heavy breaths as I slowly approached him and pushed his office chair back. “What are you–”

He couldn’t finish his sentence as I sat on his lap, my hands immediately landing on his air. “My sweet, jealous husband…”

Oh, how I love teasing the hell out of him!

I smiled as Alvarez looked at me with those hooded eyes of his, his face morphing into the expression he has when we’re doing it. He surely wants me, that’s one thing he can never hope to deny.

“Diaz, why are you doing this…?” he whispered as his hands fell on my waist.

“Hmm? Nothing, really. I’m just…reminding you that you own me.”

He c****d his head to the side. “But you don’t like it when I say that…” he drawled as he gripped my waist.

It can really be easy to manipulate the hell out of Alvarez when I seduce him. That’s one of the very few weaknesses I might be able to use against him. The only downside is that I’m not sure this will always work against him. Who knows, he might even be able to use that against me…

A smirk crept upon my lips as I cupped his cheeks with my hands. “Just let me work with them, alright? I’ve gotten bored with the papers. So, so bored…” I drawled as I traced his lips with my fingers.

“You’re torturing me. Again,” he muttered as he shut his eyes tightly, throwing his head back lightly.

“Am I?”

“You know you are, you damned vixen…”

I chuckled as I played with his hair. “Your answer?”

“Fine. Work with him. It’s not like he can brand you like I do, anyway…” he muttered as he nuzzled his face on my neck.

“Good. Now, I shall take my leave–”

“No, you don’t…” he whispered into my ear as he firmly held my waist.

I could feel him smirk against my neck, and it made me very uncomfortable. Here comes the responsibility I shall carry with the power to make him submit. Damn, maybe I shouldn’t have. My legs are not yet ready for him…

Although I have to admit that I…do want him as well, we both have a lot to do. Besides, we’re in his office! Alvarez never locks his office, and I don’t recall ever clicking the lock when we came here.

“This is dangerous,” I told him as I shoved him away from my neck.

“You’re leaving me like this?” he asked, annoyed, as he looked down.

Well, he’s…very hard.

“You’re insatiable.”

He sighed, almost like he was sick and tired of my antics. He probably is, though. “Whose fault do you think it is that I am?” he asked with a lazy tone.

“Yes, it’s my fault. I’ll…make it up to you later. Your door is unlocked, and Smith could come in any–”

“Sir!”

I f*****g knew it.

I quickly stood up and turned my back on Smith so I could fix myself. Luckily, we didn’t kiss or do anything, so there wasn't any evidence that we fooled around…except Alvarez’s messed-up hair.

“Oh, I apologize for…interrupting the two of you,” Smith said with an apologetic tone. “This is urgent, Mr. Alvarez.”

Alvarez sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked at me with a bored expression on his face. “You can go back to your office now. I’ll stop by when I have time.”

“Right!” I exclaimed as I composed myself. “You don’t have to come by. We can just meet in the basement.”

I could tell Mr. Smith was already having a tough time dealing with the atmosphere, so I hurried outside. I caught a glimpse of Alvarez smirking as he watched me frantically make my way out. What an annoying piece of s**t!

Although it was my fault for seducing him… Yeah, whatever.

I hurriedly went back to my office, and to my surprise, Vin wasn’t there. Oh, he couldn’t have gone too far away, so I guess I’ll just get to work. I was told that the team would come to my office after they finish their meal, so I’ll just do the remaining paperwork while waiting.

As I was trying to finish it, Vin came running inside the office and plopped on the couch, looking like he had just finished a marathon. Well, that’s certainly strange.

“What happened?” I asked as I c****d my head to the side, curious.

“Well…” he trailed off as he looked at me. “You wouldn’t believe me, Sha!”

I rolled my eyes. “Out with it.”

“I saw your ex-boyfriend around here! You remember that asshole, Raven Lopez?” He shook his head in dismay as he sat up.

“Yeah, I already saw him.”

“Yes, him! He was here– Wait, what?” he asked, blinking.

“I already saw him,” I told him while keeping an impassive face.

Vin immediately stood up and slammed his hands on my table. “Was he bothering you? Tell me so I can beat him up.”

“No, you i***t. He’s a member of the team that I’m supposed to work with.”

The look on Vin’s face was priceless, so I secretly took a photo. Just as he was about to talk s**t about him, the door opened, revealing the very person we were talking about. And for some reason, I find it amusing that they’re all so worried about him entering my life again.

Ah, this is amusing…

I smiled as I stood up to greet all of them while Vin stood beside me, looking stupid. “Hi, we already met earlier, but I’d like to formally introduce myself. I’m Sapphire Alvarez,” I said as I shook their hands one by one.

Raven Lopez looked me in the eye, grinning. “It’s nice to see you again, madam…”