"S-Sir—"
I was startled when Rozzean grabbed my hand and placed me behind him. I saw Luther glance at my hand held by his brother.
"You can wait inside my house, Luther."
He said it with a cold tone. I couldn't shake off the nervousness in my chest, even though Luther assured me earlier that he wouldn't tell Rozzean the truth. From what he said before we approached Rozzean, I heard that we would talk again.
This means I can't be too confident.
"You came back quickly, Cyron. It's been only ten minutes since I messaged that I'm here at your house. What happened to your plans?" Luther asked.
I looked at Rozzean. Oh, right! He left with Klari. He also mentioned that he wouldn't have dinner at home, so what is he doing here now?
My gaze dropped to his hand still holding my arm. I winced; Luther had looked at that spot several times. So, I took my arm back from Rozzean.
He glanced at me.
"It's not important. Let's go inside my house."
Luther nodded, and I thought he would walk and enter the house, but he went back to the table and took the coffee I had prepared for him.
"She made this for me. It's good that you finally saw a decent maid, Cyron."
I saw Rozzean give his brother a disapproving look. What am I feeling about the two of them? It seems like they have a strained relationship.
"You don't drink coffee, Luther."
My lips dropped in surprise at what I heard.
This man! It seems like he did that just to leave the house and confront me about my true identity. He knows that there's no CCTV in the gazebo.
When I looked at Luther, he was smiling at me. He took a sip of the coffee and then started walking ahead.
But before he could get too far, he spoke again.
"Now, I do."
What is this man doing? Even though he said earlier that he wouldn't tell Rozzean the truth, I still feel uneasy. It feels like he's planning something not good.
"Why didn't you call me right away when a visitor arrived?"
I glanced at Rozzean when he spoke. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he had his hand on his temple as if I did something wrong. Why does it feel like it's my fault? I didn't even think of calling him because he seemed happy to leave with Klari.
"Sir, you were on a date earlier. It would be embarrassing to disturb you on your date with Miss Klari."
I want to slap you.
"It was not a date, Tali."
It was not a date.
What's that? They just went out as friends? They ate as friends? He knows that Klari likes him, and then he even had his arm around her waist.
"Sir, I was not born yesterday to not know that it was a date. Please don't deny it. And what's wrong with that? Miss Klari is beautiful, sexy, smart, has her own business, and according to Manang, many are interested in her, but she's waiting for you because she likes you. Oh, please, Sir Rozzean—"
I paused in my speech when the corner of his lips lifted. He stepped forward, and I took a step back.
"O-Oh? there you go again, sir."
"You are jealous."
What?
He was smiling. His eyes were fixed on me. Was I jealous? W-Well, maybe a little. I mean, why did he have to put his arm around her waist? Is that necessary, huh, Rozzean?
But I should deny it. I won't give in to him!
"I'm not jealous, sir! In fact, you and Miss Klari looked good together before. Should I repeat her good qualities to refresh your memory?"
Rozzean smiled at me, and before I could speak again, he quickly kissed me on the lips. My eyes widened as I looked at him. I covered my mouth and looked around to make sure no one saw us.
So, Rozzean is a covert flirt. I've also proven that he's indeed a thief.
A thief of kisses.
"Tali, you have nothing to be jealous about. Klari and I weren't alone. Klari's dad invited me to join them. Her father is one of the investors in my company. I also didn't expect Klari to come to the house earlier."
"I'm not jealous!" I shouted at him.
I heard his laugh. I looked at him while he was laughing. I was stunned for a moment. Since when did someone's laughter sound this soothing to my ears?
"You are jealous, baby."
B-Baby?!
"You are jealous. I should be thankful to Klari for coming to my house. If Klari didn't come to the house earlier, I might not have known that you were jealous."
Rozzean moved closer and snaked his arm around my waist.
"Don't worry, Tali, no matter how beautiful the woman in front of me is, no matter how sexy or intelligent, I will still choose you."
My lips parted, and I couldn't speak. I'm sure my face is completely red now because of what he said.
Is he giving me assurance that he won't look at other women?
"I-I'm not—"
"If you continue saying that you're not jealous when you actually are, I'll kiss you again, a longer kiss than you think."
I covered my mouth again because of what he said. When he released me, he took my hand and pulled me inside the house.
"S-Sir, let go of my hand; someone might see us! Your brother is still here!" I told him.
But he didn't listen; in fact, I felt him tighten his grip on my hand. As we entered the house, I saw Luther in the living room, looking at his cellphone.
I gulped when I remembered the picture he showed me earlier. It was a close-up picture of me wearing a red swimsuit. He's crazy; that's the picture he has of me.
"Are you going to stay here tonight, Luther?"
When Luther looked up and saw us, his gaze dropped to the hand Rozzean was holding. I saw him smile at me. His smile... it was the same smile he had before he revealed to me that I am Thaliana.
I took my hand back from Rozzean and excused myself, leaving the two brothers behind.
"S-Sir, I'll go to the kitchen first; I'll help Manang prepare dinner," I said.
Rozzean looked at me, about to say something, but I quickly escaped and left the two of them. My heart was pounding fast. Luther saw twice already that Rozzean was holding my hand. Judging by the smile and look he gave me earlier, I'm sure something different is running through his mind.
"Oh, Tali? Why is your face so red? Did something happen to you? Are you feeling unwell?" Manang asked when I entered the kitchen.
"I-I'm okay, Manang. It's just hot," I replied and headed to the sink to wash my hands.
I took a deep breath. So much happened today; I didn't expect that in just one day, I would experience various emotions.
I told Luther that I would leave Rozzean's house. I pleaded, and he agreed to let me go until I explain my reasons to Rozzean. But the truth is...
I know it will be difficult for me to leave this house.
Just thinking about leaving Rozzean makes my chest tighten. I don't want to. But I have no other choice.
"Manang, what are we going to cook?" I asked her.
But as I mentioned to Luther earlier, I will leave this house. I need to fulfill my promise.
Manang and I cooked dinner. When I went out of the kitchen and passed by the living room, the two brothers were no longer there. As it got dark, I checked all the appliances in the house and also gave food to the guards at the front and back of the house.
By seven o'clock, Manang and I served dinner.
"Manang, are Sir Luther and Sir Rozzean already in their rooms?" I asked.
I was sitting on the island counter while leaning back. I noticed something in the way Rozzean talked to his brother earlier. It wasn't the usual interaction I'd expect between siblings.
"I'm not sure, Tali. I rarely see those two together. Since Sir moved out and started living here, he seldom goes back to their house. His family doesn't visit either."
"Sir Luther has only been here a few times. So, I'm not quite sure if they're close as siblings. Why do you ask?"
I shook my head, "No reason, Manang."
When I heard some noises, I quickly stood up. I approached Manang and pretended to attend to something.
"Why don't you just find a hotel to stay in?" Rozzean asked. I poured myself a glass of water and took a sip.
"Why would I stay in a hotel when my brother has a house here? Come on, Cyron. It makes me wonder if you're hiding something from me."
I almost choked when Luther's eyes shifted to me.
Damn. He's enjoying this. I told you, there's more to his words. We really need to talk again later.
"What would I be hiding from you, Luther?" Rozzean asked as he took a seat.
The food was already served. Luther also sat down but kept glancing at me. His smile was irritating, actually. Is he teasing me?
"Maybe you're hiding something from me, or maybe someone is hiding here in your house that—"
I coughed because of what Luther said. He's testing my patience!
"Tali, are you okay? Oh no, you might be getting sick. Earlier, your whole face turned red when you entered the kitchen, and now you're coughing."
Rozzean looked at me, stood up, and approached. From the corner of my eye, I saw Manang's reaction, as if she didn't expect Rozzean to come near me.
"Are you okay?" he asked in a soft tone.
Instead of answering, I looked at Luther, who had already started eating but had a constant smile on his face. Damn. You're really enjoying yourself, huh?
"Tali."
When I heard Rozzean's voice again, I looked at him. His face was serious as he stared at me. I swallowed hard because when he looks like this, there's definitely going to be a confrontation.
"I'm okay, sir, just tired," I said.
"Oh, that's what I've been saying, Tali. Maybe you overworked yourself. This morning, you did so much—you even went around the whole house alone tonight," Manang said.
I looked at Manang, about to speak, but Luther beat me to it.
"Oh, really? Your maid, Cyron, is quite impressive. Your house is so big and a lot of places needs cleaning, she did everything alone this morning, I heard."
Won't this guy ever stop?!
"Sir Luther, it's my job, and--"
"I wish I had a maid like you, Tali. Hardworking and dedicated. How much do you pay her Cyron? Maybe I can match it."
I knew he was just joking, but suddenly, I felt uneasy.
I didn't say anything more. I didn't know what Luther was trying to achieve now. Whether he was testing my patience or planning to reveal the truth to Rozzean in this way.
"Tali, go to your room and rest."
I looked up at Rozzean. I winced when I saw his serious expression. Oh, God.
"But, sir--"
"Right now."
I walked away. When our eyes met, Luther gave me a smirk.
Ugh! Annoying asshole!