Maki had already left, but I remained motionless in my spot. I couldn't help but replay his words in my mind. I often heard Maki saying silly things, but this was the first time he spoke with such seriousness.
"Ahhh, what now? Should I leave? But it's only been a week..."
But I couldn't ignore what Maki had told me and be stubborn about my decision. He was right. Once Rozzean found out about my plan and that Thaliana his fiancee and Tali, his maid was the same person, he would surely get angry with me.
What I did was nad, it was deceitful. I entered his home as Tali, lied a lot about myself to carry out my desperate plan to prevent my father's wishes. I can't even picture Rozzean's face being mad at me.
"I don't know now..."
Part of me was awakened by Maki's words, but the other also didn't want to leave. I didn't know if it was because I wanted to find a reason to tarnish Rozzean's image in my father's eyes or if it was for another reason.
I let out a deep sigh. I looked at the table and began clearing the dishes. I noticed Rozzean's plate. He claimed that seafood was his favorite, but he didn't take any. Plus, he hardly ate anything. He didn't even have breakfast earlier. Is he in a badmood? or the food was not delicious?
It was a little bit disappointing on my part.
He said seafood was his favorite, but he didn't eat any. Not even a single shrimp or mussel.
"I'm eating mussels, Tali."
What was that? he was happy when he said that to me.
I sadly cleared the dishes in the gazebo and took them inside to the kitchen. I stored the leftovers in the refrigerator to prevent them from spoiling. We could have them for dinner tonight. It might be just Manang and me; I'll just reheat them. If Rozzean wants something else, I'll cook it for him. But to be honest, I lost my mood.
"Oh, Tali? Where are they, sir?"
Manang had just entered the kitchen, carrying a basket of oranges. That's too many. Where did she get those?
"They're on the rooftop, Manang. They went there after eating in the gazebo. Where did you get those oranges, by the way?" I asked, tilting my head at the basket she was carrying.
She placed it on the table and then grabbed a fruit container.
"From the neighbor's farm. They have an orange orchard. They often send us freshly harvested oranges," she replied, she was even smiling.
Manang left half of them in the basket. She went to the fridge to store the remaining oranges, and then returned to take the ones she had placed in the fruit container.
"Is the neighbor close to Sir, Manang?" I inquired. Because that's a lot.
She shook her head, "No, but she is kind. It's a young lady, and I think she has a crush on Sir because she frequently sends over their latest orange harvest."
My eyebrows rose.
A lady... and has a crush on Rozzean?
Manang walked over to the sink and began washing the oranges. Haaa... that explains it. A single young lady who sends over oranges every harvest. I can't handle this; he's losing maids because they develop feelings for him, and now he has a neighbor who sends him oranges every time they harvest.
You're handsome, Rozzean, but you're so annoying because a lot of women likes you.
But isn't this the reason? to see proof that he is not good for me?
"That lady is wealthy, Tali, smart, sexy, and very beautiful. She also has a good reputation, and many admirers. But it seems she really fancies Sir because as far as I know, she's still single. She is waiting for our boss, oh I hope sir would take an action."
I blinked.
Suddenly, I wanted to see the face of the woman Manang was telling me about.
"Does Sir notice her, Manang?" I asked.
"No, he doesn't. But Rozzean knows that Klari is the source of the oranges."
So, Klari is the name.
"It's quite fitting because he loves oranges. You'll see later when he spots these oranges, he'll take some."
Is that so?
"Sometimes, I'm asked to peel the oranges for hiim and take them to his room."
Her name is Klari. Well, in fairness, the name is beautiful. But Thaliana Tangi is still more beautiful.
"A basket gets consumed quickly. Once Klari finds out her supply is gone, she sends more."
It seems that I don't need to think about the model anymore, given what Manang just told me. It's the "orange girl" I should be concerned about because Rozzean loves to eat oranges.
"Ah, she seems nice, Manang," I said, forcing a smile.
She smiled back at me. After she finished washing the oranges, she dried each one and neatly placed them in the fruit container on the table. Now, it wasn't pleasant to hear that there's a woman in this village who likes Rozzean. And this is because of what I feel about him.
Just when I was having second thoughts about whether to go home or not to continue our marriage, there's a sexy, wealthy, intelligent, and beautiful woman waiting for him.
I suddenly looked at Manang.
"Manang, what should I say to Sir if I decide to resign? I mean, what's a good reason to give him?"
"Why? Why, my dear?" She suddenly stopped what she was doing.
Her reaction caught me off guard. She was probably wondering why I was suddenly asking about leaving.
"I-I was just asking."
She continued with her work.
"You should talk to Sir about it, dear. But please think it over, okay? It would be quite sad if you leave for good."
I scratched my neck. I hadn't said anything about leaving yet. Maybe I'd wait three or four days before talking to Rozzean. He would definitely be puzzled, and he might even think it's because of Maki.
Maki had even mentioned that if Rozzean ever fired me, he would hire me as his maid.
Maybe Rozzean would think differently if I made a sudden decision to leave.
"Okay, Manang."
She smiled faintly at me and set the cloth she was holding down. Then, she reached into the pocket of her uniform and retrieved her cellphone. I heard it vibrating. She answered it, and I stood up to open the fridge and get some water.
"Hello, sir?"
I suddenly turned to Manang when I heard what she said. She was talking to Rozzean?
"Five cans of beer, sir?"
"No problem, sir. Anything else?"
I approached Manang and whispered, "Manang, I'll take care of it!"
She smiled at me and gave an okay sign.
"Okay, sir. Just the five cans, right? Tali will handle it."
I turned around and got three cans of beer from a fridge. However, I only managed to grab three when I heard Manang's voice again.
"Ahh... I'll take care of it, sir. Sure."
I approached Manang and set down the three cans of beer I had grabbed.
"Tali, sir said I should do it," Manang said, going to the fridge to get two more beer cans.
I was left pondering. Why didn't he want me to take the beers for him?
I sat down and waited until Manang left the kitchen to bring the beer to Rozzean on the rooftop. Since I arrived here, I had always volunteered for these tasks, and he never objected, letting Manang handle them instead.
Until now.
"What's going on?"
I got up, walked to the living room, and turned on the TV, but after a few minutes, I was still fidgeting around, changing channels. Finally, I switched it off and gazed at the flower arrangement in front of me.
"Maybe it's because he's annoyed, that's why he didn't let me bring the beer cans. Manang had to do it even though I offered."
I looked up at the ceiling.
"What did I do, anyway? I followed all his orders."
I spent my time in the living room thinking about it. When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I stood up and looked at the staircase. It was Rozzean and Maki, followed by Manang.
"Thanks for this day, buddy. I'll come back when you're not so busy. And, join us next time when Revo invites us for drinks. I miss those drinking sessions with friends," Maki said.
The world is really small for rich people. I didn't expect that my talkative cousin is friends with Rozzean.
"I'll try. You know I'm rarely free, always busy with work," Rozzean replied.
He glanced at me, but quickly turned away. He faced Maki.
Did he avoid looking at me? what's wrong with him?
"But, if you want to have a drink again, call me, maybe at your house?" Maki asked my cousin.
"Huh? That's a first! You never liked leaving your house, especially when you're on leave. But, fine, because this is a rare occasion, next time we'll have drinks at my place."
Maki said his goodbyes to Rozzean, and when he saw me, he walked towards me.
You better behave, you rascal.
"I'm leaving, Tali. Thank you for the delicious meal. I ate a lot. I hope I can taste your cooking again next time," he said with a smile.
I nodded and, before I could respond, I glanced at my serious boss. When our eyes met again, he looked away.
What's with that avoidance, Rozzean? It's the second time.
I shifted my gaze back to Maki and replied, "O-Of course, Sir Maki."
Maki looked at Rozzean, "Alright, bud, I'm going."
Before my cousin could leave or pass by me, he went so close and then whispered something to me.
"Think about what I said earlier, Thaliana. Trust me. You will not regret leaving this house."
I looked at him. His words had weight in it. It seems like a warning. But leaving wouldn't be easy. Rozzean would definitely wonder why I'd leave suddenly.
But How can I leave?
After Maki left I was left there thinking until I heard Rozzean's baritone voice.
"Manang Selya, bring me three cans of beer to my room now."
But as I turned to look at him, he was already heading upstairs.
Is he going to drink again?