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! that maybe Rozzean is a good guy because hell, Maki is a playboy, and they are friends! Their intentions might be connected! womanizer! playboy!
"What's wrong, Thaliana? and what is this?" he asked.
I massaged my temple.
"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?
"I am! but, explain to me first. What are you doing here in my friend's house, huh? did Uncle 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 you--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.
"Fcking 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.
"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. It's not even a secret."
The whole family was aware that's why Dad made a decison by himself and arranged me to marry Rozzean.
"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. Dang! he is watching 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."
My cousin and I exchanged glances. I immediately thought of what to say to Rozzean, but I was surprised when Maki suddenly put his arm around me. What the? this idiot!
"You know I'm friendly with everyone, Rozz, even with the maids. I was just asking this lovely lady where you were," Maki said, and I felt him squeeze my shoulder.
I saw Rozzean glance over there. Before I could say anything, he walked past us and headed towards the gazebo. I looked at Maki, gave him an annoyed look, and removed his hand from my shoulder. This guy, he's always so annoying, and he doesn't even need to touch me for pete's sake!
"Tali, come here," Rozzean called to me. I immediately obeyed, and Maki followed me. He sat in front of my boss, and I sat on the side.
"What's that, sir?" I asked.
I really didn't expect to be caught so quickly, and what's even worse is that my talkative cousin caught me. We used to call him "Daldalito" because he talks too much when we were kids. He's a very chatty guy.
I was also a bit scared and nervous because Maki is the kind of person who can't keep a secret. He's not good at hiding things.
"Nothing. Just stay there, so if I need anything, I can tell you right away."
"Okay, sir."
When I noticed Maki looking at me with a smile, I shot him a stern look. He is teasing me!
"Maki, stop looking at my maid. Have you changed? I didn't know you had this kind of taste now."
But suddenly that words made me gasped. I felt insulted by what Rozzean said. The goodness I saw in him fading. It's early to say he is kind, Thaliana.
"You are so mean, Rozz! she's cute! What's her name? I only saw her in your house now. I was here last month, right? Where are your other maids?" Maki asked.
Rozzean started to get some food. I stood beside them quietly even though I wanted to pull out my cousin's tongue.
"I've let them go. They are not real maids. They just want to jump on my bed."
Maki laughed when he heard Rozzean's answer. Then, he suddenly raised his eyebrows at my boss. I quickly turned my head to see where he was looking and realized he was looking at Rozzean's forehead, so I straightened up.
I suddenly remembered throwing a shoe at him.
"What happened to your forehead, bud? Did you get into a fight?"
My boss looked at me, and I quickly averted my gaze. Guilty.
"Do you know what happened, Miss maid?" Maki asked me.
I bit my lower lip. I didn't mean it. When I looked at my cousin, I was ready to say that I was the one responsible, but I didn't expect his response.
"A cat fell on me and scratched my forehead."
I quickly shifted my gaze to him. Why did he cover for me? Why didn't he tell the truth? I just threw the shoe at him without saying a word.
"A cat? Do you have a cat in your house? You hate cats. How would a cat scratch you?"
It's not the lie that caught me this time, it's that Rozzean hates cats.
That's not okay for me and when Maki knows I love animals, especially cats.
"I don't believe that's because of an animal. Hmm, Rozz, you are hiding something from me," Maki said, his tone indicating that he wanted Rozzean to confess something. When he got no answer, he scooped up some rice and grabbed some sisig and seafood. He had a mischievous grin on his face.
Once I get home, I will get back to this evil cousin of mine!
"Stop it, Maki. This is just a small bruise," finally Rozzean spoke.
"If you say so..." the evil fcker cousin answered and glanced at me.
Just wait, Maki. You'll see the devil once I'm home.
Rozzean started eating. The first thing he tasted was the spicy chicken barbecue. I watched and waited for any instructions from him. But Maki was acting like a fool. He kept looking at me with a grin. I felt like he was up to something.
If he dared... he knew how to make me angry.
"By the way, Rozz, did you meet the model again? The one we met at the bar? Didn't you drive her home?"
My lips dropped open, a little surprised when I heard what Maki said. I looked at Rozzean and suddenly something inside of me wanted him to say that it was a lie.
"Is she the cat that scratched you? Is she wild?" my devil of a cousin laughed heartily.
Maki is enjoying this! He knows I'm here to see if Rozzean is a good guy, and now he's spilling things about their nights out! I wanted to smack him! he is doing this because of me! He knows now that his friend is my fiance and--
W-Wait, why am I getting annoyed?
"That woman is sexy as hell. I told you that night that I would take her home, but she chose you. Lucky ass," then he turned his eyes at me.
I should be happy because I found out he's dating a model...
"Does your boss bring women here, Miss Maid?"
My lips parted. It's so easy to be honest, but I didn't know why... and what is this heavy feeling in my chest?
I swallowed hard. "S-Sir--" But before I could finish my words, he cut me off.
"Oh, for sure you will not throw bad things at your boss. Later when we're alone, you can tell me."
He was smiling at me, and he even winked! But what I didn't expect was when Rozzean put down his utensils, creating a loud sound.
"Maki Lincoln..." he said, and I heard the danger in his tone. His eyes were sharply focused on Maki.