I sat in front of Manang after I finished what I was doing. We were just waiting for what Sir would say about where to prepare the food. He's still upstairs. Maybe he's preparing? I looked at the clock and saw that there were only ten minutes left before one o'clock. Who is his visitor? I wanted it to be a woman but then there's a strange feeling inside of me opposing what I want.
I glanced at the seafood, particularly at the mussels. Suddenly, I got carried away, remembering what Rozzean said earlier and how he licked his lips. I am not a dirty minded person, but his gesture was like he is seducing me. d
That ass. I knew what he meant by that. I'm already 29 years old and yes even his d/ck was the first one I saw in my lifemeans I am innocent but that doesn't mean I cannot understand his smile.
I haven't even had a boyfriend yet, and those "firsts" in relationships haven't happened to me, but I know those kinds of lines also.
"I'm eating mussels, Tali."
The question is, what's his favorite seafood?
Mussels?
Oh, darn.
"Tali? Why are you smiling over there?" Manang asked.
She noticed me maybe? I closed my eyes for a moment and scratched the back of my ear before I spoke. I'm irritated; all I can think about are images of Rozzean. I'm not enjoying this at all. Who knows where this might lead.
"Oh, your face is turning red now, are you okay?" Manang asked, looking at me, "even your ears are red."
This is Rozzean's fault.
"I-I'm okay, Manang. Don't worry. This is normal."
Darn it.
I changed the subject to keep that ass out of my mind. His image and even his voice keeps on pestering me. I didn't know he has this kind of effect! no wonder maids fall for him. But not me! never!
"Manang, where do you think Sir will have us set up these food? By the pool? In the gazebo? In the garden? Or on the rooftop?" I asked.
Before she answered, Manang took a drink of water. She had finished the chicken thigh I put on her plate. Manang must have been hungry, huh? she needs to eat more because cleaning this huge house will consume a lot of energy. Good thing I am used to these kind of house chores, I am able to help her.
But honestly? Rozzean should hire more maid. Manang cannot do all of this alone after I left this house.
Suddenly that idea of mine leaving this house made me stopped thinking. Is it because of Manang? or because...
"I'm not sure, sir rarely has visitors. Whenever he does, they dine outside with his guest--"
"Is it a lady, Manang?" I suddenly asked. This sudden reaction from me surprise me sometimes. I am eager to find evidence that my fiance is a womanizer but there is a part of me that makes me feel strange.
"O-Oh," Manang seemed surprised when I interjected while she was speaking.
"Sorry, Manang, I was just gossiping. It's just hard to believe that sir has a woman--a partner rather because he's so grumpy. I felt like no person can't stand his attitude," I raised both of my hands. "I am just being honest."
She laughed a little and nodded at me.
"You are really something, Tali. But I told you, Rozzean is kind. Despite being strict and gruff, he's a good person. He helped people without hesitation. I can prove you that. I don't say this because I am staying here, okay? but I really felt that he is a good person. I even got benefits that I never thought I'd get in a job. I have health insurance, and my future is secured if I ever decide to leave this house."
I licked my lips upon hearing manang. I wanted to hear bad things but Manang has been filling my note about Rozzean's life that he is not as bad as what I think he is.
"That kid... he took care of all my documents, so that somehow when I get old and can't work anymore, I won't go back to how I used to be."
I swallowed hard. Back then... Manang was probably referring to when she was in a dire situation, as Rozzean mentioned to me. I will not also let her go back in that kind of life, never.
"Because of your kindness manang, if ever you decide to leave, a lot would be happy to accept you and treat as their own family," like me...
She smiled and lowered her head.
"But, Tali, I won't leave this house until Rozzean gets married," after she said that she looked back at me.
"I will serve him until all my hair turns white. Our boss is a good person, and, no one is perfect. He gets mad, he throw hurtful words like humans do. You won't find only goodness in a person after all, right?"
I pressed my lips together before nodding slowly.
Actually, what Rozzean did is admirable. She changed Manang's life. But then the other part of me still wanted to see bad things that would change my father's decision for me to marry Rozzean.
"Maybe I just got scared when he's shouting manang," I said.
But, you're going a bit overboard in trying to find something to use against him to prevent your wedding, Thaliana. You are ignoring the goodness in him, you are closing your eyes and ears.
Am I being unfair? is this a bad idea? coming here in his house?
"Manang, please prepare the food in the gazebo."
I quickly stood up and turned my head when I heard Rozzean's voice. I saw him putting on his watch. I looked at him up and down. He was wearing khaki shorts and a black polo shirt, with white slides on his feet. His hair was a bit messy.
He's just wearing simple clothes, but he looks so expensive. I suddenly want to get closer because his appearance tells me he smells good too. Damn, Thaliana!
"Okay, what else do you want me to do?" manang asked.
"Nothing," he answered. When he looked at me, I immediately lowered my gaze. I stared for quite a while.
"Tali, come with me to the garden."
I felt surprised when he said that. At first, I thought he would ask me to help Manang, and I also remembered that he had told us not to go to the garden.
"Sir?" I asked, glancing at Manang.
"The flowers need to be cut, they're wilting," Rozzean said, then turned away. On my side, I saw Manang grab the basket from under the cabinet and hand it to me.
"Go ahead, dear, I'll take care of the food," she told me. I was hesitant at first but then I took the basket.
"Uhm, okay, Manang, I'll help you in the gazebo as soon as I'm done with--"
I stopped when I heard Rozzean's baritone voice echoed.
"Tali."
"Go ahead," manang smiled at me and tapped my shoulder.
"Later, manang!" I said. I hurriedly left and went to the garden. In my one week here in Rozzean's house, this is the first time I've entered his garden. I haven't entered yet but the pathway made my lips parted.
So beautiful. Is he the one who choose this? the color combination of the tiles connects with the trees and There are so many flowers here. Different kinds too.
I went inside and while I am admiring the place, I stopped when he speak.
"Do you know how to arrange flowers in a vase?" Rozzean asked me. He was walking while looking at the flowers. He was also picking the ones that had already bloomed and those that were about to wilt.
My heart suddenly beat a little bit fast. I love arranging flowers!
"Y-Yes, sir," I replied.
I'm really good at it. It's my job, after all. I'm a florist and studied abroad about different flower arrangements.
Rozzean raised his hand, holding a bunch of flowers. I quickly took them and placed them in the basket. I smiled as I saw the colorful flowers. They were just right for picking. I suddenly missed my shop.
"Beautiful flowers," I whispered.
I looked at Rozzean again as he continued to pick. I am surprised. He knew exactly what the flowers should look like when they needed to be picked.
"Tali."
I approached him immediately when he called. His hands were now full of flowers. I took them and put them in the basket. It's quite delightful that someone like him, a man who has more important things to do, would do this.
"We have plenty now, sir," I said as I looked at the basket.
"I'll place them in the living room and in my room."
I nodded. After he finished picking the flowers, the two of us sat on the side where there was a table and three chairs. There were already four vases to put the flowers in, each of different sizes.
Hmm, the flowers are so beautiful. I couldn't help but look and smile. I glanced up and saw my boss in front of me. As I started arranging the flowers in the vase, he just watched me, observing what I was doing. Can he stop watching me?!
I'm used to having customers in my shop who watch me arrange flowers, but Rozzean is different. He made me a bit uncomfortable. Stay focused, Tangi. Don't let your mind wander.
I cut the flower stems. The first arrangement I created had an oval shape. When I was happy with it, I smiled. I placed it to the side and began working on the second one. Oh, it made me realize how much I missed arranging flowers!
I didn't realize that I had been smiling the whole time I was arranging the flowers. I was enjoying it so much that I forgot Rozzean was right in front of me. When I looked at him, I was surprised when our eyes met.
My throat suddenly went dry.
"S-Sir, is there a problem?"
"Where did you learn to arrange flowers, Tali?" he asked. His eyebrows forming a line.
"Those are not basic flower arrangements."
Oh no. I-I got carried away.