“I FOUND OUT that the man was a cheater ever since he started living with the woman,” Franco said and gave Thaddeus an envelope. “The other documents that will prove that he’s broke are in this envelope, Thaddeus.”
Thaddeus took the envelope and took out its content. “I don’t think I’ll be needing these photos,” he said, pointing at the stolen shots of Wil flirting with another woman. “I saw that Tamara already knew about it. She has photos like this.”
Franco knotted his forehead. “Maybe she has found out about her husband’s infidelity—”
“They’re not married,” Thaddeus corrected. “He just urged Tamara to live together because he wanted her to serve him.” He shook his head. “Such an asshole.”
“I’ve already done what you told me,” he said. “Maybe that’s why the man suddenly appeared on the woman’s doorstep. He doesn’t know where to go now that he’s fired from the engineering firm.”
Thaddeus smirked. “Served him well.” He leaned from his seat. “How about Mark?”
“I didn’t find any foul information about him,” Franco replied. “An outstanding nurse that is always willing to help Tamara. They met in the hospital and have been best friends for almost four years. Based on what I noticed to him, he’s interested in Tamara.”
“Just what I thought.” He caught his head. “Why they’ve all wanted that woman? She’s not brushing her teeth after lunch.”
Franco snorted but controlled his laugh. “Why are you so curious about Tamara Carpio?”
“Because I live with her,” he said, then focused his wavy gaze on the envelope. “She’s a good woman. I just wanted what’s best for her.”
“Did he receive the email of a job offer?” Franco asked. “I already contacted the director, and in exchange for giving you a favor, they wanted to have a talk with you on Friday.”
Thaddeus groaned. “What did you tell them?” he asked, brows drawn together. “If I meet with them, my father will know where am I.”
“That’s why I told them that they can only reach you via online video call.” Franco took out from his coat a new smartphone. “This is the number that I gave them. It’s VPN is already set to Malaysia.”
“Good job, Franco,” he said and checked the phone. He then remembered Tamara, and if she has come home. He took his phone in his pocket and checked his messages, but Tamara wasn’t texting her, even Mark.
When will you go back to China?” Franco asked him. “They’re all looking for you, Thaddeus—”
“I know, I know,” he said, looking at his phone. “But I still don’t have plans on going back to China. I won’t go back until my father understands what I really wanted.”
“Is Tamara knew who you are, Thaddeus?” Franco narrowed his eyes at him when he didn’t reply.
“I didn’t tell her, and I don’t think that it’s necessary,” he said sadly. “I have a feeling that I won’t stay long in her house…” He thought about her being with Wil. “They must’ve reconciled now…”
“Do you like Tamara, Thaddeus?” Franco asked bluntly. He didn’t even blink while asking him the most challenging question he has heard in his life. “Ah, you better not answer it, Thaddeus. I don’t want to add another worry while thinking about how I will get you home.”
Thaddeus’s chest tightened as he thinks about Franco’s question and his time leaving Tamara’s apartment. Thinking that he’ll live in the place where he witnessed how Tamara transformed from a sad and unconfident woman made his heart ache. He doesn’t want to leave Tamara, especially now that he found out how weak she is towards her ex-boyfriend. Thaddeus wanted to be Tamara. If possible, he wanted to stay with her as long as he was breathing. He knotted his forehead. Why am I thinking like this?
“Thaddeus, you knew that you can just hide here in the Philippines forever,” Franco told him. “Especially if you’re that noticeable,” he said, then pointed to Thaddeus’s side. “Those teenagers kept on taking stolen shots of you. Then they will post it on social media, it will get viral then reached—”
“I really don’t care, Franco,” Thaddeus cut off. “After I saw the other men in Sky Ranch, I knew that they were hunting me. But as long as they don’t where am I, I’ll be safe.” He then stared at Franco. “As long as I’m with you, I’ll remain low-key.”
Franco shook his head. “If you have plans on staying longer here, you’ll be needing a lot of money to survive.” He took a gold card inside his suit and placed on the table the envelope. “Use this, then pay me after—”
Thaddeus took the credit card and smiled at Franco. “I am so lucky that you’re my butler and not any other robot-like butler.”
“But, Thaddeus, you’ve got to promise me that after with all your business here, you’ll come with me back to China,” Franco told him. The desperation in his voice amused Thaddeus.
“Why are you so eager to bring me home?” Thaddeus asked him with a laugh. “Does the palace ghost needs my shamanism skills?”
Instead of answering, Franco just laughed at him.
________________________
Tamara heaved a sigh. She can’t believe that she’s here again on the streets and walking with no definite direction. She regretted meeting Wil again and thinking if she could give him another chance. Wil hasn’t changed. He’s still the man that only thinks about himself.
“When will he grow up?” she asked and crossed the road without even looking sideways. The streetlight says stop, so she just crossed with other people. “Talking to him was just a waste of time.”
She looked on her screen and saw Thaddeus’s message. She doubted if she replied to his text message, the bastard might think that she’s talking to him in the middle of her date and start assuming that she was into him. Well, isn’t it true?
Tamara found herself looking at the waves of the sea in Baywalk. Every time her mind is in chaos, her feet bring her here to calm her thoughts. But could the waves calm her heart too?
“Because it keeps on beating while thinking about the man that I shouldn’t love,” she took a deep breath. “What am I saying?” she took her phone and think who’s going to call. “Mark’s not contacting me since yesterday…” She scrolled and found Thaddeus’s number. “I don’t want to see him.”
But her phone suddenly rang, and Thaddeus’s name flashed on the screen. Tamara’s heart almost leaped from his chest. On the fourth ring, she answered his call. And, as soon as she heard the man’s voice, Tamara knew it…
***