The Billionaire's Playmate

After Rozzean told me everything, he fell asleep. I got up and took a t-shirt from his closet to wear. It was a mistake to come here without meeting him as Thaliana first.

I rushed into this plan without thinking carefully. I never expected that this plan would end up hurting me. Even though I haven't told Rozzean the truth yet, I'm trembling with fear. He's been through a lot; he lost his beloved brother, the person who first believed in him and never left his side. He has suffered so much, and the pain from the past still haunts him.

I lay down next to Rozzean again, gently touching his cheek. There's nothing I can do now, even if I regret my actions. I am here.

"I'm sorry."

I leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. Then I went out of his room and quickly went to my own. I picked up my phone from the drawer and saw two messages.

Number only. I know this isn't Rozzean's or Manang's number.

"I will come back next week. Don't drag your deception with my brother, Thaliana. Don't prolong your lies to him."

"Maybe a week is enough for you to think."

Luther...

How did he find out this number?

I was surprised when my cellphone suddenly rang. I saw that it was the same number that messaged me.

Luther...

I locked my room and went to my bathroom to answer Luther's call.

"H-Hello..."

"How are you? Are you awake now?"

I squinted as I heard what he said. Of course, Luther has ways. He probably knows that something happened between Rozzean and me before they left Rozzean's house. There's no need to speak for Luther to figure out what occurred earlier. "Yeah. Why did you call?"

"I was just thinking if you saw my messages. I also checked if you're awake and can talk."

I looked at myself in the full-length mirror in my bathroom. My chest was flushed because of Rozzean's kisses. Even my arms had his marks. I saw that my thighs also had kiss marks.

He was really unstoppable earlier. Damn.

"Thaliana, are you listening?"

I jumped a bit when I heard Luther's voice again. I almost forgot that I was talking to him because of the kiss marks I saw all over my body.

"I'm still here. What do you want to talk about?"

"Leave the house next week."

After learning about Rozzean's past, it's no longer in my mind to stay in his house for another month. I won't wait for him to let me out. I don't want to stay here and deceive him any longer. From the beginning, I shouldn't have, Luther is right. But because of my stubbornness and my feelings for Rozzean, I stayed here.

But it's wrong, completely wrong.

"You don't need to tell me twice, Luther. I will leave this house next week as you said. I'll go. I can't continue staying here after what I've learned."

Until now, I feel the pain after Rozzean told me about their eldest sibling. That's why every corner of the house is important to him. He doesn't like it getting dirty, including the garden. He doesn't allow anyone to go there, and he takes care of the plants because his late brother planted them.

Also, Taki...

He fulfilled his brother's wish to be the one to act as Taki's father. Not only is he a good and responsible son, but he is also a kind brother.

My god, Thaliana, he's a walking green flag.

"What did you find out? I'm sure that's big because you are-"

"Taki is not Rozzean's real son, Luther. He's the child of your late brother-Aloncious Valleje."

A brief silence settled between us. I wiped away the tears that welled up in my eyes. Every time I remember Rozzean's brother and the pain he's going through since his death, I can't help but cry.

Even now, Rozzean blames himself for his brother's death.

"So... he told you."

"Yes, and why did you lie to me about Taki?" I asked him.

"Because I was testing your love, Thaliana. I also wanted to see your reaction, whether you would accept the reason that Cyron has a child."

Why wouldn't I?

In my eyes, Rozzean will never change, even if he has a child. He will remain a good man. After learning about his past, I am convinced that he is an amazing person.

"I know my brother, Thaliana. When he finds out that you deceived him, you'll face Cyron's intense anger."

I took a deep breath.

I know that. When I return as Thaliana, I will fix everything. I will talk to Rozzean and explain everything. I know it won't be easy, but because it's my fault and I got into this mess, I won't give up until Rozzean forgives me. "I am still hoping that he will forgive me, Luther. I will hold on to his love-"

"Do you really think that you can hold on to his love? That he will forgive you because he loves you? Let me remind you, Thaliana, it's not you he loved, but his household help, Tali..."

My tears fell, and my lips quivered. My hands trembled at Luther's words.

"Leave my brother's house next week. I will help you. When our parents come home, I'll message you right away, maybe the day after tomorrow, just wait for my message. I will help you go home. My brother has suffered enough. When I realized that he's really serious about you, I was scared. Cyron has been hurt too much because of the past, Thaliana. Don't prolong the truth any longer."

Our conversation with Luther ended with my promise to leave. I will tell him the truth when I face him as Thaliana.

The next day, I woke up at the usual time. I showered and got ready, even though my body still ached. While looking in the mirror, I thought about what happened between Rozzean and me.

The intense moment we shared inside his room. I didn't expect that our supposed conversation about Taki would lead to that. But I will never regret what happened with him. I am even happy that he's the man who took my virginity.

After the final look in the mirror, I went downstairs to prepare Rozzean's breakfast. It's only Tuesday, and Rozzean has work today. I need to cook his breakfast because he might bring it to work again. "Good morning, Manang."

She smiled at me. She had her coffee, just like what I usually see every time I come to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Tali. I didn't see you last night; sir said you were resting."

I winced while grabbing a cup. Yes, I was resting because he exhausted me. Rozzean was quite something in bed; I didn't expect that.

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"I got tired, Manang, and I'm not feeling well."

I poured a glass of milk.

"You also didn't see Sir Luther and Mr. Rozzean's son come home."

When I heard what Manang said, I looked at her.

"Do you know, Manang, that sir has a child? I mean nephew," I asked.

She didn't mention it to me. I don't remember her saying anything about Taki. The information she shared about Rozzean was limited, and I only found out about Luther when he visited the house.

It means that Manang really respects privacy. She's a good housekeeper.

"Yes, I know, but since there was no reason for me to tell you about Taki, I just kept quiet."

True...

"That's why I mentioned before that sir doesn't just need a helper here at home. He also needs someone trustworthy to take care of Taki. The helpers who applied here before couldn't be trusted, so he initially had Taki taken care of by his mother."

T-That is the reasony why...

I do remember Manang mentioning that to me.

"But now, it seems Taki will be staying here again because of you. I overheard Sir Rozzean talking about it. He told Sir Luther that next week Taki can come back here since you'll be around. Sir has a lot of trust in you, Tali. It's heartwarming." A sudden pang of pain struck my chest at Manang's words. Sir Rozzean has placed a lot of trust in me, even though I'm hiding behind the identity of Tali instead of revealing myself as Thaliana, the daughter of billionaire George Romualdo Dela Vezca.

I took a deep breath and sipped my milk. Luther called me because next week, Taki will be brought back here. That might be the reason he told me I need to leave.

"You can take care of a child, right, Tali?" Manang asked me.

I looked at her, smiled, but it was forced.

"Yes, I can," I replied.

When half of the milk was gone, I stood up and prepared three cups of coffee for the guards.

"Manang, I'll handle washing the cups for your coffee. I'll also start cooking Sir's breakfast," I told Manang.

She stood up, placed her cup in the sink, and took the tray with the three cups of coffee that I prepared. As usual, Manang would go to the guards and bring them their coffee. She would be back later because she would likely visit the guard house.

"Okay, dear, thank you."

I nodded and smiled. After Manang left, I opened the fridge and looked at what I would cook. I planned to fry chicken, hotdogs, and bacon.

I took out five chicken thighs. I marinated the chicken while I washed rice to cook.

I sighed as I remembered Rozzean's face while he narrated what happened to his brother. His expression was filled with regret. Who wouldn't be hurt by what occurred? He didn't even have the chance to face his brother again just because he wanted to maintain the company's good image.

"I really need to leave this house immediately," I whispered.

As I lifted the rice cooker, I was surprised when hands wrapped around my waist. I immediately turned to see Rozzean.

"R-Rozzean..."

He was back-hugging me, his face on the side of my neck. Again, he was sniffing me!

"Good morning, baby..."

Why did he wake up so early? It's only six in the morning.

"Good morning, why are you early?" I asked.

He still didn't let go as I walked to the side to plug in the rice cooker.

"Rozzean, I'm cooking," I told him, but he still didn't let go of his hug.

"And? What's the problem with that?" he asked, giving small kisses to my neck.

I took a deep breath, turned to face him, but as I did, he greeted me with a quick kiss.

"I like morning kisses, right?" he said, smiling.

I just looked at him. This kind of smile is what I want to see on his face all the time, not the face filled with regret and sadness.

"Let me cook properly, okay? And maybe Manang will come into the kitchen later; she might see us."

He still had his hands on my waist while I was looking at him seriously. However, even with my serious look, it seemed to have no effect on him.

"It's okay with me even if Manang or Luther sees us, Tali. My brother knows about us."

I playfully hit his arm and walked towards the island counter. He still followed me. When I picked up the cloth lying on the island counter, I was surprised when Rozzean suddenly lifted me.

"W-What are you doing?" I said to him. He sat me on the island counter while his hands were on both sides of me.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going back to your room last night?" he asked.

And damn! he was pouting! Why is he trying to be cute now?

"S-Should I have told you?" I asked him.

I'm sure my face is all red now. Rozzean looked up at me with slightly pursed lips, looking like he's really sulking.

"After taking advantage of me, you just leave like that?"

My lips dropped open at what he said. I playfully hit his shoulder for that. He laughed loudly at my reaction.

"I'm the one taking advantage? You barely wanted to let go--"

I paused in speaking when he reached my lips. I instinctively held onto Rozzean's shoulders as his kiss deepened.

When he pulled away, I took a sharp breath as he guided my right hand to his chest.

"Exactly. I don't want to let you go and then you just leave abruptly. Don't do that again, Tali. If you are going to leave me, tell me, okay? Don't just leave because my eyes are always looking for you." I was stunned by what he said.