The Billionaire's Playmate

We went to the VIP room of the restaurant for our dinner.

I was quiet the whole time. I could see from the corner of my eye that Luther, my supposed fiance, was looking at me.

What happened?

Dad told me that the man who would be my fiance is Rozzean. He clearly stated Rozzean's name as the man I would marry. But why is Luther here now?

"I heard about what happened to Thaliana; it reached me because you reported it to the police. It's a relief that nothing bad happened to her."

I raised my gaze to Royce Valleje when he spoke. Luther and I were sitting side by side. The Valleje couple was in front of us, and my Mommy and Daddy were on my side.

"We were so worried, but thank God that she came home fine, Royce. We searched the whole of Palawan, but we couldn't find her. Thankfully, a friend of Maki recognized her. We thought Tangi got involved in the threats against Grand's life, so I was really scared," Daddy replied.

That was just a lie from Maki to cover me. Even if they went door-to-door throughout Palawan, they wouldn't really find me because I was in Tagaytay at Rozzean's house.

I just ate quietly and listened to them. When I felt Luther move closer to me, I looked at him.

"We will talk later."

I nodded in response to his whispered words. It seemed like he noticed my mood. I knew Luther wouldn't overlook my surprise upon learning that he is now my fiance. We should really talk later.

He knows that I and Tali are one, he knows why I was at Rozzean's house. But I'm sure he also knows that this will happen-that he will be my fiance, not Rozzean.

Is this the reason why he was so eager for me to go home? Was the concern for Rozzean that he told me just a cover for his real intention?

I am confused and have many questions in my mind. The nervousness of seeing and talking to Rozzean has been replaced by surprise, wonder, and many questions. When Dad and Mr. Royce Valleje talked about leaving us alone, I was truly grateful.

"Get to know each other well, okay?"

I looked at my Dad. I also wanted to talk to him. He mentioned Rozzean Cyron Valleje when we talked. He told me that I would meet Rozzean and his parents. That's why I pretended to be a maid and executed my plan - I didn't want the marriage he wanted to push through.

But, what is this? Dad didn't mention any changes.

He told me I was going to meet The Vallejes and of course I am expecting Rozzean, not Luther. I want to know why Luther is in front of me, and he's now my fiance.

"We'll go ahead, Tangi," Dad said to me.

I stood up and kissed my parents on the cheek. Then, I bowed and bid farewell to Luther's parents. They've been smiling at me since earlier, and I've heard their compliments multiple times. Especially when they found out that I have my own business and live on my own.

Cynthia Valleje also invited me to their house, saying we could have a chat. I don't remember some of the things she said because my mind was preoccupied with Rozzean.

Why is he not here? And why did Luther replace him?

"Next time, Thaliana, I would buy from your flower shop. I would also recommend it to my friends."

I smiled at Luther's mother.

"Thank you, ma'am--"

"Oh, no, call me Mama... we are going to be family soon. Why do you need to be formal?" she laughed and looked at my Mommy.

"She's a beautiful woman, Thatiana. I'm eager for her to marry Luther and become part of our family."

I bowed my head, but when I noticed Luther looking at me, I glanced back at him. He was seriously looking at me. How could I hide my feelings tonight?

I was really expecting Rozzean because I needed to explain everything and apologize for what I did.

When our parents left, Luther spoke.

"Do you want us to talk here?"

I sat back down. There was no time to move to another place. We were already in a VIP room, similar to where his father sat earlier. Luther sat in front of me. I looked at him. "How did this happen? You know I was expecting Rozzean, not you, right?"

I saw something in his eyes after I said that. A moment of pain passed, but why? My eyes heated and after a few seconds tears fell because of frustrations.

"Do you really think he would appear and introduce himself as your fiance, Thaliana?"

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I wiped my tears. Yes... that's why I prepared myself for the explanation. I prepared myself for his anger.

"I thought you already knew what kind of person my brother is, Thaliana. And that ring on your finger, he gave it to you, didn't he?" Luther lowered his gaze to my finger where the ring was.

"I assumed he proposed to Tali..."

"Why didn't you consider that he might not show up? He loves Tali so much. He even had a fight with our Dad because of her. Cyron told our parents that he wanted to marry his maid-Tali Dela Cruz. He really said 'maid', Thaliana. My brother was so brave and proud to tell my parents about his love for Tali."

I couldn't help but sob at what Luther said. I didn't expect things to take this turn. I had no idea it would go this far. I never thought he would talk to his parents about it so soon.

I didn't know that Rozzean was planning a life with Tali... he's really sure about Tali.

You surprised me again, Rozzean. Y-You always surprise me, baby.

"Thaliana, my brother told our parents that he would marry his maid. Do you really think he would still meet Thaliana Tangi Dela Vezca?"

I wiped the tears from my cheeks because of what Luther said. For a moment, I forgot what kind of man I love.

Rozzean will never fool anyone. He's so honest with his feelings. He's honest with everyone. Especially with his feelings for Tali.

"Dad was furious because they had an agreement with George Dela Vezca about the engagement. Cyron agreed, but he backed out because of his love for Tali. That was the first time my brother fell for someone, and I can't blame him for what he did, Thaliana. Even though we're not super close, I know him very well."

"When he's sure about something, he doesn't let it slip away from his grasp. That's why when he was so sure of his feelings and his future with Tali, he talked to my father and apologized because he couldn't continue to be Thaliana Tangi's fiance. Cyron bravely accepted our father's painful words. I understand Dad because they had an agreement with your parents, Thaliana. Our father might be embarrassed."

"But I was stunned when Cyron kneeled. Our mother was also crying at that time, but she couldn't do anything to ease our Dad's anger."

I was shocked by what I heard about Rozzean kneeling.

"K-Kneeled?" I asked.

My vision became blurry as tears kept flowing while I looked at Luther. I didn't know where to put my hands due to the intense emotions I was feeling.

"He kneeled to plead with our parents to accept Tali. I didn't know he would do that because when I talked to him, he said he didn't care if we didn't accept Tali." R-Rozzean... why do you need to go this far? Why do you have to kneel?

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I lowered my head while biting my lip. I cannot believe what's happening. This is all my fault due to my selfishness and impulsiveness.

"But, I guess.... that's really love. You would do everything for the person you love."

I couldn't say anything. I was so hurt that the only thing I could do was cry.

"And George Romualdo Dela Vezca was furious, Thaliana."

I quickly looked at Luther when I heard what he said next. My heart raced when he mentioned my father.

"D-Daddy?"

Luther nodded and then took out his cellphone. He showed me Rozzean's message to him. The message was almost a month old! I would have been in Rozzean's house for three weeks by now!

"He told me that he was going to talk to George Dela Vezca personally to apologize because he will back out as your fiance. Thaliana, Cyron fell hard for Tali that he was this sure of everything. Before I even arrived at Cyron's house, he had already planned everything."

"He was so sure of his feelings that's why he settled everything. He bravely talked to our father and to your Dad. Of course, if our father got angry, your father would surely be angry too. You are a lovely woman, your father adores and loves you so much."

I suddenly became concerned about the conversation between Rozzean and my father. I know Daddy, and he can be quite fierce when angry.

"W-What happened? Did he tell you what happened when he talked to Dad?"

My anxiety increased with what I learned. Daddy can be scary when he's angry, even my brothers, who are all males, never went against Daddy because they know his temperament whenever they did something wrong or broke an agreement. It's just me who softens Daddy... and then I did this. I put Rozzean in this difficult situation.

"No. But I was also there with him when he talked to your father, so I heard everything."

"I got worried about Cyron, so when I found out that he was planning to visit George Dela Vezca to talk about the wedding, I immediately followed. Somehow, I know how dangerous your father can be, Thaliana. He might shoot Cyron, so I followed."

I knew that the last part was a joke, but my father could indeed pose a threat to Rozzean.

"Cyron apologized to your father. He said that he couldn't marry you anymore because he has someone he loves-Tali. Your father was furious. Do you know what he said?"

My hands went cold, and I didn't know if I could handle what he was about to tell me. I really went too far. Many people were affected.

"He said that he would withdraw his shares from my brother's company. He also mentioned taking the other investors. Your father has an important stake in RCV, Thaliana. He also convinced many friends to invest in Cyron's company before. He liked my brother a lot because of his hard work, but all of that changed because of you."

O-Oh God...