The Billionaire's Playmate

I couldn't immediately recover after hearing what Luther said. The way he looked at me made it clear that he wasn't joking. My heart suddenly raced as I stared at him. I couldn't think of anything to say except to call his name. "L-Luther-"

"Here's your food, ma'am and sir. We have a free parfait for couples. Enjoy your meal!"

I just thanked the waiter as he brought our food and placed it in front of us.

"Thank you," I said to the waiter and smiled. After he left, leaving us alone again, I looked at Luther as he picked up the two plates of steak.

"Forget about what I said, Thaliana. I don't want you to feel awkward around me because of what I told you."

I took a deep breath. That might be the plan, but does he really think I can just forget about it so easily? What he said about why not him?

I love Rozzean, I love him dearly. Am I just a pity case for Luther now because he witnessed his sister's anger? I have no intention of giving up; I already told him that. Even if I have to work hard to win Rozzean's heart, even if I have to kneel down next time, I will do everything just to reconcile with him.

"You don't really mean that..." he paused in cutting the steak and looked at me, "you're serious about what you said, right?"

Many thoughts are running through my mind right now, but what I want from Luther is for him to just be joking about what he told me earlier. He's my fiancé now, and the decision of whether the wedding will proceed or not is out of my hands because I've agreed to Daddy's wishes.

The problem is, the entire time I thought I was going to marry a man named Rozzean, not Luther. Daddy didn't inform me of the changes that occurred. But it's my fault. I was too confident that when I returned, I would still face Rozzean. Little did I know that while I was still at his house, he was already doing a lot for Tali. He was already making plans with Tali.

"Do you think I am kidding?"

Luther placed the plate with neatly sliced steak in front of me. He set down the cutlery and then gave his full attention to me. I felt a bit awkward under his gaze, so I lowered my eyes to the steak he had cut for me. "I- I don't know..."

"Just eat, don't think too much about what I said."

I nodded at Luther's words and began to eat. Neither of us spoke after he made that statement. When we finished eating, we headed to his car. I didn't notice the passage of time.

It was already four in the morning when we left the restaurant. Luther told me earlier not to dwell on what he said, but even after two hours, it still lingered in my mind.

I glanced at him while he was driving. He had a serious expression as he focused on the road. If he's serious about what he said, I feel sorry now because there will never be a chance for us to be together.

Luther is kind, responsible, and shares some qualities with Rozzean. But in my eyes, he's just a friend. He was one of the people who helped me when I was still at Rozzean's house and continues to assist me in finding a way to be forgiven by him.

I witnessed Luther's kindness, but it's Rozzean whom I truly love. There's no one else on my mind to love but Rozzean.

"Thank you, Luther."

I unlocked the seatbelt and glanced at him. Lost in thought, I almost didn't realize that we were already in front of my house.

"Are you going to his house later?" he asked.

I smiled slightly. I will cook for Rozzean. I found out that he hasn't been eating, so I plan to cook for him later and bring it to him. "Yes, I'll go there, but you don't need to take me. I'll use my car," I replied.

Luther just nodded. I opened the door of his car, about to get out when he called my name.

"Thaliana..."

"Hmm?"

His lips parted, but no words came out. When Luther shrugged, I raised my eyebrows. I wondered what he wanted to say. "Nothing, go inside. I'll leave once you're inside your house."

I nodded at him and thanked him again. As I descended, I took the key to my gate from my bag and then entered the house.

Just as Luther mentioned, he would leave once I was inside.

"A lot of things happened, but this is because of your impulsive decisions, Thaliana."

I took a deep breath and headed to my room. Quickly, I grabbed a change of clothes and went to the bathroom, taking a quick shower. After bathing, I checked the time. It's almost 6:00 am.

I remembered Luther; he has work, and he'll probably be sleepy at his job.

What can I do to make up for his kindness?

"Why not me, Thaliana?"

I put down the hairdryer, recalling Luther's words. He didn't say it as a joke, which means it could be true...

"I don't like what I'm thinking."

Does he have feelings for me? Is that why he suggested it should just be him? Oh God... I hope not. He knows how much I love Rozzean; he saw how I begged to stay at his house last night. But after witnessing everything, he still asked me that.

I set down my wireless blower and went to my bed, letting my body collapse. That's when I truly felt exhausted. I glanced at my cellphone.

When it vibrated, I immediately saw Luther's name on the screen. I opened his message.

"Take a rest. I will talk to Cyron for you. I will explain everything to him."

Luther...

He's doing a lot for me.

I quickly typed a response.

"Thank you so much, Luther. Please, take a rest too. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you and your family."

After putting down my cellphone, drowsiness suddenly overwhelmed me. I wasn't sure if Luther replied again; in my exhaustion, I didn't notice.

I woke up because of the continuous vibration of my cellphone. Struggling to open my eyes, I groped for it and immediately checked the caller. I saw my brother Grecion's name on my cellphone screen. "Hello... brother?"

"Hey, Thaliana Tangi, I heard from Maki that you went to Tagaytay with Luther Valleje. Daddy said you just met him last night. I'm just telling you, Tangi, marriage first, okay?! And please, let us meet the man first instead of going everywhere with him."

I scratched my head and slowly sat up. I headed to the kitchen and grabbed some water from the fridge.

"Brother... it's early--"

"What early?! What time did you come home? It's already 1:00 pm, Tangi. Is this early for you?"

I almost spat out the water at what Grecion said. I glanced at the kitchen clock, and indeed, it was already one in the afternoon! What the hell! My plan to cook lunch for Rozzean suddenly vanished! "Grecion, don't lecture me; your mind is in another planet again--"

"And why shouldn't I think about things, Tangi? Dad has nothing to say, he's calm, because he likes Luther Valleje for you. But not me. Even though I also know Luther, I prefer to meet him first not just as a businessman but as your brother. Come on, Tangi, even if you're already twenty-nine, you can't just do whatever comes to your mind. Marriage first. Marriage."

I wonder how they'll react when they find out that something happened between Rozzean and me? And not just once?

"Brother, as you said, I'm already twenty-nine, I'm old. Please, stop it. Also, I don't have any feelings for Luther. We're just friends."

There was sudden silence on the other end.

"Grecion?"

I sat up and leaned back, waiting for my brother's response. When I checked the time, I wondered what time I would arrive in Tagaytay after cooking.

"If you don't like him, why did you agree to the marriage, Tangi?"

My brother's voice turned serious. Griz, Grand, and Grecion-my brothers don't like the idea of arranged marriages, especially for me. But they can't do anything because I haven't introduced anyone to Dad, so he took matters into his own hands.

"You can tell Dad that you don't like the man, Tangi."

Suddenly, Luther's face came to my mind. There's nothing wrong with Luther; I just don't have feelings for him. It's just that I love Rozzean. As I said, if I had met Luther first, and if he was the one I was supposed to marry, I might have developed feelings for him.

"I think he will not force you to marry someone you do not like. We will help you talk to Dad, Tangi."

I sighed. If, in case... if Rozzean can't forgive me and his love for me completely fades away, why not Luther?