I swallow hard. I had been so focused on arranging the flowers that I forgot Rozzean might know about different flower arrangements. And, as a maid, these arrangements weren't as basic as he thought. Thaliana, you forgot you're not wealthy, and you didn't even finish a college degree!
"W-What, sir?"
Pretending not to understand what he said.
"That's a tussie-mussie. Suitable for my room. I like it."
My nervouseness disappeared because of what I heard from Rozzean. H-He's right. The other flower arrangement that I did is a tussie-mussie. And wow. I was a little surprised that he knows the name.
But did he say that he likes it?
"H-Huh? What is that, sir?" I asked. He got up and took the tussie-mussie. My heart started beating fast. It felt unusual. His knowledge about flowers and how he carefully picked them earlier made me feel warm inside.
"Take one to the gazebo and the other to the living room. I'll bring this one to my room," Rozzean said.
I observed him as he walked away. It surprised me that he knew various flower arrangements. I glanced around at his beautifully maintained garden. I used to think he just liked having one here, but the more I looked, the more I realized that he genuinely enjoys caring for this place.
I wondered about how he developed his love for plants.
"He touches them with care..." I whispered. I couldn't help but smile.
"And the tussie... he said he likes it..." I get a lot of compliments from customers in my flowershop whenever I arranged their ordered flowers but, with those words from Rozzean, I felt like I really did something great as a florist.
I walked to the gazebo with a smile on my face. I couldn't wipe off my smile until I saw Manang.
"Oh, you're done?" she asked me.
"Yes, sir went up right away to place one vase in his room," I replied and set one vase of flowers in the middle of the table. I was moving it, looking for the perfect angle.
"That's beautiful..." Manang commented. I licked my lips and nodded, I remembered Rozzean again. Wait, that's enough.
"Thank you, Manang! by the way, are all the dishes here? what do I need to do now?"
She shook her head and touched the vase. "Yes, dear, I've set out all the plates and drinks; everything is set, just take a rest," she said to me.
The food was neatly arranged on the table. So, the only thing missing now was Rozzean's guest. I wonder who's his guest is. Is it a woman? He even had the flowers arranged. But thinking that if it is really a woman, my heart reacted a bit. And I felt wrong for feeling this way.
"Manang, I'll just bring these two flowers inside," I informed.
"Oh, let me do it. You stay here and wait for sir; I'm going to the gate to inform the guards about the incoming guest."
As I was about to leave, Manang took carefully the flowers from me.
"Alright, Manang."
I was left alone, gazing at the flowers I had arranged. When I saw Rozzean taking the one I had made earlier and saying he'd bring it to his room, I felt something unusual.
"What's happening to me?"
The smile that Rozzean had brought to my face disappeared when I thought about his guest. Before coming here in this house, I was excited to see a woman with him, hoping for some evidence of a close relationship. But now, I have this heavy feeling as I contemplate these thoughts.
"He is pestering my mind, and what the hell am I smiling for earlier... he just said that he likes it."
And he even said he liked it. I felt it's true. Now my heart is beating a little bit fast again.
"Oh, Thaliana Tangi. Your heartbeat is not normal again."
I placed my hand on my chest and took a deep breath. My heart was indeed not beating normally. I wasn't happy anymore. It had only been a week, and I was losing sight of the real reason I came here.
It appears that I might be returning home earlier than I thought. Based on what Manang mentioned and what I've observed about Rozzean, it seems like he doesn't have any negative qualities that I could use to escape our marriage.
I let out a deep breath.
"Miss maid?"
Suddenly, someone called me--a man. But the voice is familiar? I turned to the person but I almost took a step back when I saw his face.
W-What...
"Miss maid, where is your boss-"
My heart leaped in my chest, and my eyes widened as I saw who was in front of me. Damn it. W-What is this ugly person doing here?!
"What..." he scanned my face.
The man in front of me is actually my cousin, Maki Lincoln Dela Vezca Roman! We used to have a lot of fights when we were kids. He's 32 years old, single, and known for being popular with the ladies.
I turned my back immediately, my one hand covered my mouth. Sht. Did he recognize me?! I looked back so fast and saw his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at me, seemingly trying to recognize me.
"You..."
It looked like he had figured it out.
"Hey, you look like-oh my fcking sht."
I closed my eyes tightly as I felt like he had recognized me. Sometimes, luck just isn't on your side. Out of all the places in the world and all the people, why did I have to run into this cousin jerk here?!
"What the hell, Thaliana?"
I am dead!
"Thaliana, is that you?"
He approached me, tilting my head to get a better look at me. He removed his sunglasses and stared intensely at me. I can't escape this idiot. He knows me very well! we grew up together!
"The height, the body, the hair color. Even with bangs, that fake mole, and..." he raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what you put on your face, but I recognize you. You can't fool me."
I was caught. I smiled at him and waved my hand.
"H-Hello?"
I turned to him. He is now seriously looking at me!
"Don't give me that smile and say hello like we just bumped into a public place. This isn't just anywere."
My throat went dry, I breathed hard and lowered my head for a moment. It never came in my mind that someone close to me--so close would find out about my plan this early.
"Now, Thaliana Tangi, what are you doing in Rozzean's house?"
Chapter 20 Part II.
The moment I heard that, I raised to looked back at him.
What?! Damn, he's Rozzean's friend?! h-he is the guest?
I take back what I said earlier! Maki is a playboy, and he's friends with Rozzean! Their intentions might be connected!
"You are the guest Rozzean was waiting and not a woman?" There was no disappointment in me, but I felt even more relieved. What's really going on, Thaliana?
"I am! but, explain to me first. What are you doing here in my friend's house, huh? did Tita George knows about this? the last time I heard from them, you were in Palawan, Grand said that you are engaged and you wanted a vacation first and they--" when he processed everything his eyes widened at me.
"Holysht, Thaliana. You lied to your parents--hmmpp!" I immediately went to his side and covered his mouth. This is a mess, if Dad found out, he will get mad at me.
"Fck shut up right now and listen to me..." I whispered.
I glanced around, no one in sight, and I quickly pinched Maki on his arm before I let him go.
"Ouch, Thaliana, what are you... that hurt."
I glared at him.
"I am engaged yes, and I am on a vacation, that's true--"
"You call this a vacation? you are wearing a maid's uniform! here! in my friend's house! what joke is this? you, a daughter of a billionaire is a maid in someonelse house? my friend should know--"
I hit his arm that made him groaned.
"If you tell Rozzean who I am, you'll regret it, Maki. I'm telling you," I warned him.
"That hurts!" he complained.
"Okay! I won't tell him!" I know he is a afraid of me.
"But, what on earth are you doing here?" he asked.
"You seem to be in a bad mood today, huh? That's why when I visited your parents' house to check on you, they mentioned that you were on vacation. I almost went to your place to have flowers arranged for my girlfriend. But it turns out this is what they meant by 'vacation.'"
He had a teasing tone in his voice. When I tried to hit him again, he dodged.
"Just don't tell your friend about me, Maki Lincoln. I'm here because my father wants me to get married yes that''s true. He told me that if I don't agree, I have to leave the country and live in the States."
He nodded. "I know you don't want to get married."
"Yeah, and now I'm here to see if the man I'm going to marry is deserving. I'm here to gather proof that he's someone who dates many women so that our marriage won't happen."
I crossed my arms and stared at him. His thick eyebrows furrowed. He looks confused.
"What does your marriage have to do with being at my friend's house-"
Maki stopped mid-sentence, and I nodded, indicating he had understood what I said. And who is his friend in my life.
"Oh fcker, Rozzean is the man uncle wants you to marry?!"
"Exactly. That's why I asked for a two-month vacation to investigate your friend because Dad and I made a deal. If I can prove to him that Rozzean is a womanizer or if I find any records I don't like, I'll have the freedom to make my own choices in life, which includes not marrying anyone."
When I saw Rozzean coming, I quickly stood properly. He was still a distance away, but I needed to silence my cousin.
"You... are... crazy..." Maki said, shaking his head slowly. Looking at me in disbelief.
"I am and I am warning you, Maki, if you tell this to my family and to Rozzean, I will hunt you down to hell."
The corner of my lips lifted when I saw him swallow hard. Even when we were kids, he was scared of me. I know that he still is.
"Thaliana, you're scary, you know? You give me the creeps."
I smiled. I pretended to entertain him so that my boss wouldn't become suspicious.
"You know me, Maki. Also, if you help me with this plan, I will give you a lifetime supply of bouquets. You can have flowers for your b/tches for free."
From the corner of my eye, I saw that Rozzean was just a few steps away from us.
"Okay, deal."
When I heard what Maki said, I turned to face my boss and I saw his serious eyes staring at us.
"Hey, Bud! How's it going?" Maki greeted him.
But instead of responding to my cousin's question, he said something else.
"What are you two talking about? You were so close with each other."