After the incident in the business room, I didn't hear any news from Rozzean about the old man threatening to sue me. To be honest, I couldn't relax for a few days, thinking that my actions might affect Rozzean's situation in the company.
Especially since I heard that Mr. Vidar would tell Rozzean's father about what happened. I can't remember if my dad had mentioned anything about Rozzean's father – whether he was a good person or strict – and that made me even more anxious.
"Haahh..." I sighed deeply.
I'm here now on the rooftop, cleaning. I glanced down at the pool and saw my boss sitting in front of his laptop, typing working his ass again.
"Is that the only thing he does all of his time?"
Even on a Saturday, he's still working.
Technically, I could already go home. It seems like Daddy was right. Rozzean is really nice and there's no reason not to get to know him.
When my father speaks, we all believe him, but when it comes to marriage, because I really don't want it, I'll find a way to prove that there's a valid reason not to get to know the man he wants me to marry. And that man is Rozzean.
However, I've been here for three weeks now, and I've noticed his kindness. He doesn't get angry easily with his staff. I threw a shoe at his head, making him bleed, and I even punched and choked his investor, but he still defended me. I also see how well he treats Manang.
I sighed again.
Why am I even staying here after what Maki told me?
He's right; what I'm doing is dangerous. Rozzean might get angry when he finds out that Tali and Tangi, the woman he's supposed to marry, are one and the same.
I was so desperate to see the man Daddy wants me to marry. My initial plan was to find a way to prevent the wedding. But, I'm slowly proving that Rozzean isn't a bad person and my feelings changed... I felt... strange.
Suddenly, regret and fear consumed me.
I need to go back.
"The only way to leave this house is to say that I like him."
But thinking about what I feel when he is around... I don't think it is a way, but rather telling him... what I truly feel.
My eyes widened with the though.
"Oh my goodness, Thaliana! Are you telling yourself that you actually like him?"
I shook my head to wiped off the thought but when I gazed at him down below a sigh escaped me.
He's a serious person. He likes everything in his house to be in order, but I've also noticed that he appreciates the things done for him.
"Do you regret pretending now, Thaliana?"
I continued cleaning and glancing down. I didn't realize that I'd been on the rooftop, watching Rozzean work for over an hour. I noticed he hadn't even taken a break for a sip of water. He's like my Dad in that regard. When it comes to work, he doesn't stop until it's done.
"Tali, do you want to come with me to the grocery store?"
I turned to Manang, who had just come up to the rooftop. I approached her and set aside the cleaning cloth.
"Are there no food supplies left, Manang?" I asked.
"Yes, I just noticed that."
"Okay, but Manang, isn't there something Sir needs you to do? I overheard him mention sending some papers to City Hall. I'm not sure what it's for."
"Oh, right!"
"I'll do the groceries, Manang. Just give me a list of what I need to buy."
We went down to the kitchen together. Even I hadn't noticed that we were running low on food supplies. When we got to the kitchen, I opened the fridge. There was very little left, and the vegetables were running low too.
"Wait, what time is it?" Manang asked.
I looked at the clock. "It's 3 o'clock, Manang, and City Hall closes at 5. Should you go now? You might get stuck there if the offices close."
She nodded, but before leaving me in the kitchen, she handed me ₱5,000 and the long list of things I needed to buy. It looked quite extensive. It seemed like it would take a while, and the grocery trip might take an hour or two, depending on how crowded it was.
"It's about a 30-minute trip to the market. Are you sure you can handle it on your own?" she asked.
I gave her a thumbs up. "Of course!"
Once Manang had left, I went back to my room, changed my clothes, and fixed my face in front of the mirror. I checked the time and it seemed like I'd be able to get back home before 6 PM. If not, I was pretty sure that Manang would be the one preparing dinner.
"Tali?" I looked at the door when I heard Manang's voice.
I quickly approached and opened it.
"Let me have your number so you can call me if you have any questions."
Number?
My eyes dropped to the cellphone she was holding.
Ahhh...
I turned away for a moment and took the cellphone where Rozzean had called earlier.
"Here, Manang, when I arrived here, this cellphone was already in the room. Can I use it?" I asked. "Is it really for the housemaids, Manang?" I inquired.
"Oh, yes, it's really meant for the house helpers."
I searched for the SIM card's number on the cellphone and entered it into Manang's cellphone.
"All the housemaids here have their own cellphones for quick communication with Sir. This house is quite large, so if he needs something, and the helper is in another part of the house, he won't be able to get their attention right away. That's why he calls them. Did you see that, right? When Sir Maki was here? He called me using this," Manang explained as she raised her cellphone, which had just come within my reach.
"Oh, I see, Manang. I've also taken your number. If I have any questions, I'll call you. Also, if I happen to be late, you can prepare dinner."
"Alright, take care, okay?"
After Manang had left, I spent a moment making myself ready. I put the 5,000 pesos and the cellphone in my back pocket and left my room. I had to walk to the corner to hail a tricycle, so I quickly went down the stairs.
But, as soon as I reached the entrance, I saw Rozzean talking to someone in the living room.
Who's that?
A woman.
"If you are not busy, join us, okay? It's Saturday today, and it's Sunday tomorrow. No work. You should enjoy yourself sometimes, Rozz."
I raised my eyebrows. Rozz, nickname basis. Who is this?
I walked toward them. When I spotted a basket of oranges on the coffee table, I already had an idea of who the woman talking to Rozzean in the living room was.
It's the orange girl.Okay... She was indeed pretty, as Manang had said, fair-skinned with a small face.
"I'll try, Klari. I have a lot of work to finish today."
The woman focused her gaze on me, smiled, and as a housemaid, I politely bowed to her. I noticed Rozzean looking at me, and he furrowed his eyebrows, probably because of what I was wearing.
"Where are you going?"
The woman stood up as well. "Okay, Rozz, I'll go now. I'll count on you later, alright? Even if you drop by for a short while, it's my birthday."
"I'll try, Klari."
I just stared at Klari. She was tall, had a good figure, and seemed to be kind. She wasn't the type Rozzean liked? I found it hard to believe. What kind of woman did he prefer?
"Where are you going?"