The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 6: Not So Horrible

We were nowhere near dinner yet, so I decided to just browse through the catalogs while Alvarez worked on certain things on the countertop. I have nothing better to do, anyway.

“Diaz!” he called.

“What?”

“Do you want coffee?”

I shook my head. “Do you?”

“Yeah.”

I smiled sweetly. “Make it yourself.”

“Damn, you’re cruel…” he replied before standing up to make one for himself.

This is why I didn’t want to be alone with him! He destroys my inner peace without fail the moment he utters even a single word!

But then again, this is his house, so I guess there’s no reason for him to not be here. It’s just that I didn’t want to deal with him at all costs. I already spent half of the day with him, and now I have to put up with him for the rest of the day, too?!

I just let out an exhausted sigh as I tried to imagine how my wedding dress would look. I’ve been stressing out about this since I met up with the coordinators and stylist!

The theme of the wedding is vintage, and everything they’ve shown me so far seems to fit my tastes well. This was the only thing I wanted after they had discussed all about grandiose and public weddings, which made my head hurt.

Truth is, I’ve never once imagined my own wedding. I have seen several weddings transpire before me, most of which are my friends’ weddings. I learned one thing upon seeing them.

It’s that a real wedding is an amalgamation of all the memories, feelings, and experiences of the couples. That’s the only thing that made weddings interesting for me. Still, I never wondered how mine would look.

But now that I can no longer decide who I’m going to marry, I have to force myself to imagine it, regardless of my feelings. And when we first started, I could not envision that I had to pick out random things the coordinators recommended.

“Vintage, huh…” I muttered as I ran my index finger across the pretty satin wedding dress that had embroideries that seemed like flowers on the torso and laces on the hemline.

I remember how I came to choose that theme vividly, like it just happened yesterday…

Tanya, one of the three coordinators, told me that we can choose from several types of weddings that she had arranged based on the things that I liked, such as traditional, vintage, and beach weddings.

I thought a traditional wedding would do it, but I don’t think Alvarez would settle for that kind of wedding. Besides, if I nonchalantly chose that, the three would notice that I don’t really care. That’s why I tried to think hard about what would be the best wedding for me.

Beach and vintage were the only choices left, and I thought about the former being a really pretty scene, especially if it happened during the sunset. However, I remembered that Alvarez and I weren’t a real couple. I thought there would be no magic if we got wedded there.

Besides, it’s not like I won’t get married again after we divorce! I figured it would be nice to save that kind of wedding for a person I really like, so I settled with the vintage type.

And so far, I’ve never regretted anything with regards to my choices. In fact, I think I made the best decision I could ever make in this entire life! Vintage somehow fits my tastes so well that I’m starting to have fun picking out stuff.

“Alvarez,” I called as I decided to lay on my back.

“Hmm?” he hummed in response without looking at me.

“Is it really okay for the wedding to be held in your great grandfather’s mansion?”

“Yeah, I’m having it cleaned as of the moment.”

“Mm-hmm. I see…” I muttered as I continued to turn the pages.

“Why do you ask?” he asked.

I glanced at him before answering, but he was still staring at the screen of his laptop. “Nothing, I was just curious. I thought you didn’t like that place.”

“Yeah, I hate it. That’s why I chose it.”

I halted from what I was doing upon hearing what he said, surprised. Alright, I never thought I’d hear him say something like that right in my face after everything that happened.

But I’m glad that he feels that way! At least I’m not the only one who hates the thought of getting married to each other. If we’re on the same boat and I’m not the only one who’s miserable, then that makes me feel so much better.

I smiled. “Good to know.”

I didn’t like it when Alvarez acted like a softie around me because where’s the spice in that?! Well, it’s not like I like being treated badly in a relationship outside…the bedroom.

Anyway, I’ve been given five days to choose a wedding dress that I like. I’ve always found it difficult to choose clothes and would often take a lot of time browsing through clothes at a boutique.

And this…is an event that will determine the fate of our family. Lots of media agencies will be there to record it, so I can’t just half-ass my choices. If I do, then it might make things difficult for me.

I sighed and closed the catalog, still worried. Everything has been going well so far except for this one. I have no real friends that I can ask about this as well. Maybe it’s my arrogance, but I never tried to reach out to them, especially after the thing with Alvarez.

The only person I could ask is probably my mother, but we have different tastes. Maybe I should ask my oh-so amazing fiancé for advice when I get the chance to. Alvarez seems to have great taste, anyway.

“Diaz, are you bored?”

I rolled my eyes. “No, I’m not. Why?”

He’s been calling me a few times now for silly questions, and it’s driving me crazy! I thought he’d remain quiet while working, but he was not! He keeps bugging me about the silliest things, and I try not to answer.

The last thing I want right now is to start a fight with him as it’s not productive at all. I’d rather not fight with him as well…lest we’ll end up arguing in bed if we do.

“Wanna make out?”

“No.”

“Why?”

Before I could retort back, my phone rang. When I looked at my phone’s screen, I saw a familiar name that I’ve been trying to avoid for two weeks already. I’ve been dragging this out for quite some time now, so maybe I should try hearing him out.

Zenon Leviste calling…

I guess he really thought he was going to marry me, and threw tantrums after finding out that I had snagged someone better than him. Ha! I bet that shattered this man's ego to bits!

“Sapphire, you finally answered,” he said when I picked up.

“What do you need?” I replied as I looked at Alvarez, who was staring at me like a hawk that was ready to bite.

Damn, is he jealous? It would be amusing if he was.

“Are you really marrying Gray Alvarez? You chose him over me?”

I had to fight the urge to laugh at him. I guess this has been bothering him for the past two weeks. Ha! Serves him right! He really thinks he can treat me as some sort of possession?! Screw him, even Alvarez didn’t see me that way.

And then I thought of something that could crush him to bits. This would likely cause a rift between our families, but I don’t give two f***s. I currently have Alvarez’s protection, so I’m not really worried.

“Oh, was I supposed to marry you?” I asked, trying to sound innocent.

That piqued a certain someone’s curiosity. I could clearly see how he stopped typing to listen to me. The way he tried not to crack a smile didn’t go unnoticed as well!

“Don’t f**k with me, Sapphire. You know that was what was supposed to happen if it wasn’t for that guy’s interference.”

I chuckled. “Zenon, what do you mean? I had no idea at all!”

“You–!” He’s probably gritting his teeth so hard by now. “You’re going to regret this.”

And then he hung up. Wow, I feel like he broke his phone after hanging up like that! It seems I really hammered his pride into thin powder after that conversation, but I don’t give a rat’s ass.

“So…” Alvarez trailed off as he took a sip on his coffee. “What was that about? Who is this ‘Zenon’ guy you were talking to?”

I shrugged. “Just a random guy who offered my Dad a marriage proposal in exchange for the salvation of the company.”

He raised a brow before standing up to place his coffee on the sink. “Oh? I’m surprised you didn’t agree to marry him? I doubt you’d prefer me over him.”

“That Zenon Leviste? You think I’d choose to marry that asshole over you?”

Oh, that sounded wrong.

I massaged the temples of my head when I saw Alvarez smiling from ear-to-ear. “No, I meant that he’s a bigger asshole than you.”

If I could help it, I never would have told him about that part. I mean, it’s absolutely unnecessary! Alvarez would let it get to his head and become more arrogant than he already is! That wouldn’t make him any better than Zenon.

“What the f**k are you looking at me like that for?” I asked, raising a brow.

“You think I’m better than him?”

Knew it.

“Yes, sure. Whatever you want to believe…” I replied and continued to browse through the designs in the catalog.

Alvarez let out a hearty laugh before continuing his work. Honestly, I didn’t think his reaction would be so simple. On the contrary, I figured he would keep on mentioning it for at least an hour before finally shutting up.

But I guess I’m not the only one that’s trying to avoid any arguments. I still have to cook dinner, and I’m saving my entire energy for it. Worst-case scenario is that I’d end up spitting my food in his face out of annoyance.

I was done checking the dresses out, and I'd marked the ones that I liked already, so I quietly placed the catalog on the table. I feel bored, and I kinda want to mess with Alvarez before I start cooking.

He has a pool here in his penthouse, so I thought I should try to take a dip to get refreshed. It’s been a while since I last swam and I already miss the beach!

“Is your pool clean?” I asked as I stood up to take a peek.

“Yes, they clean it on a regular– Wait, why?”

I grinned. “I see. Thanks,” I replied before running to the second floor to try and find a change of clothes.

Oh, it seems the pair of clothes I left here the last time we did it is still here. I thought he’d throw them out after that day. Now, that’s quite a surprise.

I doubted Alvarez would suddenly barge in as he was still busy, so I quickly took my clothes and neatly placed them on the bed. And then I went to the toilet to get a robe.

“Diaz, where are you going?” Alvarez asked when he saw me walking down the stairs.

“I wanna swim.”

Well, that’s the truth. I really wanted to swim besides wanting to torment him. It’d be nice to get refreshed every once in a while. We have a pool back at home, but I never got the chance to take a dip.

I only thought about it when I came here, and when I saw his mini pool outside. I bet it’d be nice to go for a swim when the entire city can be seen from up here. The only downside is that it’s probably cold.

I removed my slippers and tried to dip my toes in the water. My, it really is cold. But I’d like to go for a swim anyway. I wish Alvarez would give me a bottle of wine, then I could enjoy the view perfectly.

“Your pool’s nice,” I told Alvarez before slowly removing the robe I stole from him.

Despite the pool being cold, I felt good as I submerged my whole body in the water. The water wasn’t that deep, so I just sat on the stairs and leaned my elbows on the wall as I looked out at the sky.

It feels nice. A lot better than when I was at home.

I strangely felt all fuzzy despite the water being cold to the point that I could fall asleep. Well, it’s been a while since the last time I was able to get a good night’s sleep!

Maybe it’s because I feel peaceful here. It’s like no one’s out to bother me besides Alvarez, but I don’t really care about him, so he doesn’t count.

Either way…

It really does feel good.

“Maybe I should come over often…” I muttered as I slowly removed my ponytail.

“Diaz!” Alvarez called, so I looked at him with dead eyes. “I’ll join you.”

“Hell no.”

“I’m done with work. I think I need to get refreshed,” he reasoned out as he carelessly took his shirt off.

I’ve seen it already. Mm-hmm, at least twice. I had touched it before as well, so I don’t have to be ashamed about staring at his abs.

Yes, this is perfectly normal. I don’t have to panic.

Fuck, he’s doing this on purpose.

“If you want to touch me, just say so,” he told me as he jumped in the pool, splashing water on me.

“f**k you! I came here for peace of mind, okay?!” I exclaimed as I tried to splash water on his face.

He placed his hands in front of his face to block me off. “Hey! My eyes!”

“How dare you!”

I kept splashing water on him, so he tried to get closer. When I noticed, I tried to get out of the pool, but he grabbed my wrists and pulled me in to lock me in his arms.

Oops.

“I thought I was gonna go blind,” he muttered as he wiped the water off his face.

“You splashed water on me first!”

How the hell does his reasoning work? He literally jumped in the pool and destroyed the peace I built! I almost got water in my eyes, too! Damn, this guy is nuts.

I rolled my eyes and tried to wriggle my way out of his hold. I thought it would work because we’re in the water, and it’d be easy to slip in. But damn, this guy’s grip is on another level.

“Let me go, asshole,” I warned as I glared at him.

“No. Shut up.”

“Excuse me?”

When he was finally able to see well, he looked down at me and raised a brow. His indecent thoughts were already leaking with the way he looked at me, but I’m not going to give in.

Sure, I knew this was going to happen sooner or later, but I don’t really want to do it today. He initiated this cooking competition out of nowhere, so I’m not about to let him have the win by draining my energy out.

“No,” I told him as I smiled sweetly. “I have to cook and win.”

“What for?” He groaned as he tried to kiss me, but I evaded. “There are no judges, anyway.”

“You’ll admit defeat when you taste my cooking. I trust you have the ingredients?” I asked as I took a step back when he loosened his hold.

He nodded, looking like he was about to start sulking. “Yeah. Just check the drawers and the fridge.”

I flicked his forehead before leaving the pool to go upstairs. Heh, I could have given him a head to satisfy him, but I’m not in the mood to gag on his massive d**k.

Oh, wait.

“I’ll do whatever you want if you win,” I told him as I wore my robe. His face immediately brightened, but when he realized that I was grinning like a devil, his smile dropped. “But if I win, you’ll be my pet for a week.”

“What kind of deal is that?” he asked as he got out of the pool to follow me.

“Stay there, you’re dripping.”

He scoffed and watched me walk away like I didn’t just leave him like that. Well, I didn’t mean to do him like that. It’s just that I can’t let myself lose to him, especially when he puts it like that.

We’re really that petty. Even a simple thing could turn into a stupid competition if we’re the ones involved. I could bear losing to him in bed, but not in any other aspect.

I figured I should cook a beef stew since it’s quite cold today, especially since we just finished swimming. Oh, he’s not done swimming yet. Anyway, I have to start working on the stew so it'll be ready when—

Fuck. If anyone saw us, they’d say we’re so domestic. I’d rather die than let word about this get out to the public. But then again, it’s just the two of us here. If I sent a spatula flying in his direction, no one would know. Not unless he decides to publicize that.

I shrugged and continued cooking as he splashed away back there. “Two years. I’ll have to be in this situation for two years.”

Perhaps this stage play won’t be so bad once I get used to it. Maybe, just maybe, I’d find it in me to think that this marriage wasn’t that horrible for me. Alvarez can be nice even if he hates me, and I can give him the same treatment. It wouldn’t be like any other married couple’s story, but I’m hoping that at some point, we will no longer be at each other’s throats.