The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 76: The Enemy's Lair

Heading to the place where we were supposed to meet the Levistes felt like an excruciatingly long time. After the talk I had with Alvarez, the two of us had gone completely quiet.

As if I wasn’t already a wreck before leaving the house, I have a feeling that I look extra stressed right now. To be completely honest, I don’t want to face them while looking like a disaster, but I have no choice.

Everything was just so sudden! Alvarez and I were just talking about how we can overturn this whole situation without making too much effort.

However, after receiving information from Vienna, Alvarez just had to be sure that the Levistes wouldn't find another way to spread their lies. It was to stall them while he took precautionary measures.

Right now, I still don’t know what I am supposed to do when I get there. I’m thinking of just leaving everything up to Alvarez, but that would be unfair to him. All he has ever done is shield me from everything, yet I haven’t even done anything in return.

I have nothing prepared for the Levistes, especially since I never thought about recording what Zenon told me during the various times the two of us crossed paths. Those would have been good evidence!

Ah, what’s the point of brooding over the past when I can’t even utilize those things right now? All I can do at this point is trust Alvarez and remain vigilant.

“Diaz,” he called as he reached for my hand that was on my thigh. “Be ready.”

“Come on, this is a serious situation! Try to be a little serious!” I scolded him because I thought he was simply going for my thighs.

“What the hell? I was about to say something serious! You know I’m not that kind of per—”

“Pervert. You’re not that kind of pervert, the one who’d pull over anywhere to f**k me. I know.”

I was kidding. I just wanted to lighten the mood a little bit, but I ended up saying that with a deadpan expression! It’s a little too late for me to take it back now, though, so I guess he will just have to suck it up.

Wait, it might have been a tad too rude to him. Damn, and he is out here helping me out with these things? I really have to work on certain things or habits that I have.

Before I could even open my mouth to apologize, Alvarez let out a hearty laugh as he pulled over to the side. I tried to stop him because I was worried that we might get a ticket for suddenly parking there, but he immediately stopped laughing.

“Why the hell did you do that?” I asked him, trying not to show him that I also laughed because of him.

He let out another chuckle, sparing me a glance as he continued driving. “And why the hell did you say that? With a straight face, too!”

“I was just telling you the truth!”

“Damn, what’s your definition of truth, woman?”

I knew what he meant, but just so I could annoy the hell out of him, I tried to explain the actual definition to him. On the contrary, he just laughed at me and then continued to drive as if he wasn’t the least bit bothered.

Anyway, he told me it would take a little while to get to where we would be conducting the meeting, but it’s just nearby. I’m not sure I understand why it would take time despite being near us, but I just said yes.

“I’m serious, Diaz,” he told me when he saw me nodding without a care.

“I heard you the first time you told me. Geez…” I rolled my eyes and just looked at the sea that I could see from the bay.

He sighed and flicked my forehead. “Try to care, mi amor. I know you’re thinking that you can simply leave everything to me, but Zenon will target you for sure.”

I raised a brow. “That doesn’t seem like much of a big deal.”

“I knew it…” he trailed off as he shook his head and then continued driving.

“What? What do you know?” I asked, my brows furrowed.

He only shook his head. “I’m simply telling you to be careful. Things won’t always go our way because we’re powerful, mi amor.”

“I know, but what did you mean when you said Zenon would target me?”

“He will try, at the very least. Just…make sure you stand your guard. Things will be fine.”

I still had no idea what he was talking about, but I simply let him be. If it all comes down to it, I’ll just heed his advice.

But right now, the thing I’m most worried about is the media. They will only side with the ones that will keep their pockets full. And since the Levistes can do that, they’ll be taking their side.

Ah, yes. That made it easier for them, especially with their family’s history in terms of politics. Meanwhile, there’s us who can’t be bothered by their flimsy nonsense. And since Alvarez and I simply laugh at their preposterousness, we ought to be their adversary.

Ha, it’s exhausting…

With the media trailing us endlessly, we can’t even conduct our investigation properly. Every meeting we have had or may have would turn into a complete mess because the media makes it look like a conspiracy between business partners.

After it happened once, Alvarez tried to avoid conferences and close meetings. He was oftentimes left with no choice but to attend, yet he would often find excuses not to do it. It was a bad thing, considering how those were necessary,

Ah, f**k.

Even I couldn't even escape. Every time I went out and met people, whether by accident or not, they would say that I am doing monkey business or something like that. The worst of them all was the rumor about me cheating on Alvarez with Vin.

I used to not care about tabloids or anything because they were simply a waste of my precious time, but now, I can’t seem to ignore them anymore. One of the many downsides of marrying Alvarez is that the media makes me conscious now.

To be honest, I hate it, but I can’t just put a stop to these ridiculous rumors if I want to…

I can’t. There was no way I’d have enough power to make these pages and companies shut down at a whim…before. But now I’m pretty sure I could easily have my way now that I am married to Gray Alvarez.

Ah. Is this abuse of power?

Perhaps it is, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters to me right now is that I get to Zenon and make him realize that he’s got to stop messing with Alvarez and me. It’s starting to get out of hand.

By out of hand, I mean that our lives really are at stake now. If we don’t get this done, we will have to deal with more life-threatening situations that I would most certainly not want to deal with. This whole ‘chase me’ situation has been getting on my nerves for a while now.

Just as I was about to ask Alvarez how much longer it would take to get there, he pulled over in a…basement. Perhaps I spaced out too much that I didn’t notice we were already here.

“Pull yourself together, mi amor,” he told me as he flashed a charming smile.

I nodded. “Yeah, sorry.”

I don’t know where we are at this point, but I’m assuming that this must be the venue for the meeting. It seems to be a really big deal, so I’m not really surprised about this entire thing.

Either way, I have a bad feeling about what is waiting for Alvarez and me upstairs. Usually, these things end with a betrayal or something like that and we will have no one on our side because we came here on our own.

Alvarez eyed me when we got out of the car, so I immediately sent a signal to Vin before entering the building. I wasn’t sure whether I had really sent it or if Vin would ever even receive it.

“Diaz, make sure you stay by my side at all costs. This place might…be a little too dangerous for us to be loitering around.”

I immediately understood what he said and stuck to his side. Even when I felt like the people we passed by were judging us, I refused to get separated from Alvarez.

“Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez, please go this way,” the woman at the reception came up to us and led the way to god-knows-where.

Even Alvarez didn’t know where she would take us, but we followed anyway. Before things got tough, we wanted to take precautionary measures. Yeah, we weren’t allowed to bring them in, though, so we only have ourselves now.

Our bodyguards weren’t allowed because of a certain policy. Little did they know, everything was being recorded through buttons from Alvarez’s coat as well as mine, which were being transmitted to where Alvarez was keeping the evidence. He briefly informed me about this earlier, so I know exactly what to do now.

“Watch out for that woman,” he told me as he pointed at the woman that was leading us to where we were supposed to go.

I did…but it felt somewhat eerie.

But they would be more careful than ever, right? Even if we somehow get the recording, there’s no guarantee that we will acquire evidence. Still, Alvarez wanted to be sure.

I agreed with the whole get-everything-in-camera plan, but we had doubts that it wouldn’t prove to be useful. This may have seemed like a farce, but I think…it was an effective decoy.

“Please stay here for the meantime,” the woman told us as she gave us seats.

I was hesitant to sit, perhaps because I was being a bit too paranoid. Alvarez noticed and sat before me. When I was sure that it was safe, that was only when I sat.

My hands were slightly trembling, and I couldn’t sit still. I would make minor movements while looking around. It was a habit that I hated!

“Relax, mi amor…” Alvarez whispered as he held my hand.

I looked at him, surprised at how calm he was. It really was quite shocking, especially considering how mad he looked earlier. In fact, he was grinning.

Oh, that grin.

I pursed my lips and stared at Alvarez, wondering what was going on in his mind. He really does have a plan in mind, something he can use to his advantage.

Alvarez has always been good when it came to scheming, so I know there’s no escape for Zenon. Now, all that’s left to worry about is whether he goes through with it or not. He’s…much too unpredictable.

“Hmm? What are you staring at me for?” he asked when he noticed.

I shook my head. “I was just thinking.”

“Of what? Penny for your thoughts, gorgeous?”

I pursed my lips and went silent, unable to compose a proper response because of what he just called me. I figured I wouldn’t be able to fish for any compliments because I sort of look terrible, but this man…

“What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned because of my silence.

“Nothing. I, uhm—I was wondering if you’re going to, you know…” I stuttered, making him smile.

“I’m going to what?”

I felt like I was shrinking because of the embarrassment I was feeling. Alvarez was having fun, though. But I couldn’t retort back because…I don’t know, either!

“Alright, love birds. Please choose a different place to be lovey-dovey. Our establishment doesn’t really promote such.”

Ah, f**k.

I immediately composed myself and looked at the person who spoke with as much contempt as I could. I didn’t think it was possible to be this annoyed because of one person only, but I guess it actually is.

I felt like my body was brimming with rage. If Alvarez hadn’t held my hand, I would have snapped at Zenon Leviste right on the spot.

“Why, hello…” I greeted him with a fake smile.