Rozzean quickly went upstairs without looking at me again. What the hell is happening? He ran when he saw me. He hugged me and whispered unexpected words. And! the police was here because they're searching for me as per Rozzean's command.
W-What am I again to this house?
Not his wife! but a maid!
"I thought something bad happened to you."
His breathing was also fast. I felt it because of he was hugging me so tight. The surprise and concern on his face when he saw me entering the house couldn't escape my mind.
"T-Tali? Is there a problem, dear? Why are you holding your chest?"
I looked at Manang.
I wanted to tell her that my heart was beating so fast, and that I couldn't breathe because of the feeling Rozzean left in me.
"I'm fine, Manang."
I reassured her and immediately looked at her, holding her hands and smiling. She cried because she was so worried about me. I didn't realize that the reason the police were outside was because of their concern for me.
"I'm sorry, Manang, I didn't know my cellphone was stolen. It was in the back pocket of my pants. I was busy buying the things on the list and I didn't realize my phone was taken," I explained.
She nodded and held my arms. "The important thing is you're home now, and nothing bad happened to you. Oh, we were so worried, both Sir and I. When I told him that you hadn't come home and someone else answered your phone, he immediately came down. He left and even used the car, it seems he went to the market to look for you."
H-He did... that?
"But maybe you already left, so he didn't see you. The police arrived about ten minutes before you did. Sir arrived just a few minutes before them."
He also went out... to look for me? my heart beat started to beat fast again.
"D-Did I heard it right? Sir go out to look for me, Manang?" I asked to make sure my ears are not fooling me.
She nodded.
This is the first time I've felt this way. It's like my heart is pounding so hard that it might burst from my chest. Why would Rozzean go out to look for a maid like me? And why did he hug me like he was so worried?
"Tali, your groceries."
I turned to what Manang was looking at, and I saw the guards bringing in the groceries. I slapped my forehead because I was in such a rush earlier when I saw the police car that I ran inside the house, forgetting the groceries in the tricycle.
"Let's start cooking, Tali. You sure you are okay, huh?"
I was surprised by what Manang said.
"W-What? Haven't you had dinner yet?" I glanced at the clock. It was already 9:30 pm! it's late!
Manang shook her head and started picking up the groceries. I approached to help her.
"No, dear, I'm not hungry yet. I had some cake earlier, so I'm not hungry. Sir, on the other hand, wants caldereta, which you're going to cook, so I didn't prepare anything. Now, he's definitely starving because he hasn't eaten anything."
He was waiting for me. Rozzean's not yet eating. I quickly complied, gathered the necessary ingredients, and started cooking.
"I'm sorry, Manang. I was careless earlier. That will not going to happen again! I promised!"
She started putting away the groceries in the refrigerator and cabinets while I focused on cooking. The strange feeling in my chest still lingered. Rozzean's face when he saw me entering the house earlier still couldn't leave my mind.
"It's not your fault, dear. I should have warned you that there are many thieves in the market, and you went there in the afternoon. I'm sorry, too."
I gave Manang a slight smile. Time passed quickly, and I finished cooking. I prepared a tray to serve the food. Manang had started eating; I had asked her to eat first since it was quite late, and she hadn't had dinner yet.
"Manang, I'll take care of cleaning up in the kitchen, okay? You should rest after this. I'm really sorry for causing you so much worry."
She placed her plate in the sink and approached me. She held my cheeks.
"We're family here, Tali, don't worry about it. It's normal for me to be concerned about you."
But Rozzean?
Is it normal for a boss like him to be worried about me? To be the one who went searching for me?
After leaving Manang, I headed to Rozzean's room. As I climbed the stairs, countless thoughts swirled in my mind.
He's a good man, just as my father said.
He values his employees and genuinely cares for them, as I've learned from Manang Selya's story. Rozzean helped her and gave her a new lease on life.
"I only have 5 days left this month. After that, I'll confess my feelings to Rozzean, just so he'll let me go."
I stopped in my thoughts as I neared Rozzean's room. I bit my lower lip as I came to a realization.
"Confess... and tell Rozzean that I like him."
I took a deep breath and looked up.
Thaliana, the reason for needing to leave this house is true.
The reason why I hesitated to leave these past few days, and why I've been waiting for him, why I was hurt when I found out he was just trying to use me for a week, is because...
"B-Because I have feelings for him."
I closed my eyes tightly. The plan was to find a way to ruin his image to my dad, but I fell for him.
I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. I walked to Rozzean's door and called out to him.
"S-Sir."
I knocked on the door three times. When there was no response, I was about to knock again when the door opened. I glanced at him briefly, and his image became etched in my mind.
He had a towel on his head. It seemed like he had just showered. He was wearing a gray t-shirt and black sweatpants.
"I-I am sorry, sir. Your food is ready. I'm sorry... I came home late," I said to him.
I kept my head down and didn't look at him. I was nervous, overwhelmed by mixed emotions, and the realization that I liked him made it difficult for me to meet his gaze.
Rozzean widened the open door, "Come in."
I followed his instructions and entered the room. I placed the tray on the coffee table and began arranging his food. When I heard the door close, I glanced at him. He was busy drying his hair.
"What happened to your cellphone?"
I stood beside the tray, and when our eyes met, I instinctively looked away.
"It got stolen, sir. I didn't realize there were so many thieves in the market. I had it in the back pocket while I was shopping."
I heard him sigh. I looked at him for a moment, but quickly turned away. I couldn't meet his eyes right now.
"Sir? Where are you going? Aren't you going to eat?" I asked as he entered his room.
"Wait for me here."
I didn't say anything more when I heard his words. Just as Rozzean had instructed, I waited for him there. I took a deep breath and held my chest. My eyes drifted to the food on the coffee table, hoping he would finish it all.
After a few moments, he returned. I heard the door close to his room and quickly straightened up.
"Use this."
He's in front of me. I glanced at his hand. A cellphone?
"Sir?"
Rozzean took one of my hands and placed the cellphone in it.
"That's my phone. I'll buy a new one tomorrow. You'll be using this from now on. Do you understand me?"
I couldn't speak, or react. He's giving me his phone? and this is his personal phone!
"S-Sir, I don't think it's right to—"
"Don't bother returning it, Tali. I don't want this to happen again in the future."
His expression made it clear that he wouldn't take back his phone. I just nodded slowly. My heart is clenching, I swallow hard when I realized more what I felt for him.
"Thank you for this, sir."
I like Rozzean.