The Billionaire's Playmate

"H-Hello, Mr. Dela Vezca?"

"Rozzean. I heard what happened in the bar. I talked to my daughter."

Shoot.

"I-I am sorry if I lose my--"

"Thank you for saving my daughter."

I paused in speaking because of what he said to me. Honestly, I've wanted several times to approach his daughter. I really want to hug Thaliana, talk to her, and tell her I'm not angry anymore. I want to apologize for what I said, but I can't do it because I want to stick to the agreement.

"She's here at home, and she's safe. Thank you, Rozzean."

"That's the only thing I can do for her, Mr. Dela Vezca. B-But I didn't approach or talk to her. When I heard her call my name, I went out of the bar immediately. I will still fulfill our agreement."

Until now, there's no discussion about Luther and Thaliana's engagement. Neither of them is backing out. I don't know how long I can wait.

"George, is that Rozzean?"

I heard another voice.

"Please tell him I already placed the chocolates in Tangi's room!"

I smiled. I bought the chocolates early in the morning, even before Thaliana and her friend left the house. I was going to hand them to the guard, but Mrs. Dela Vezca saw me. She told me she would take care of it.

I asked for forgiveness, but she told me that both her child and I made mistakes. She said that soon, things will get better.

I am also hoping...

"My wife really likes you, and she wants things to get better, but you need to wait, Rozzean. We had an agreement."

I know... this is the consequence of my actions, and I understand his anger as a father.

After the call ended, I took a deep breath. I paced back and forth while still looking at Thaliana's number.

"I just want to hear her voice... that's all."

I pressed the call button. It didn't take long to ring. When she answered, I held my breath for a moment.

"Hello?"

Baby...

I bit my lower lip when I heard her voice.

"Hello? Who is this?"

I miss you so much... I miss you a lot.

"Thaliana..."

After saying her name, I heard nothing on the other end. I thought the call dropped, so I was about to check my phone screen when I heard her call my name. "R-Rozzean?"

"I know this goes against what we agreed on, but I really can't resist it anymore. Even just for a moment, even just a moment to hear her voice. I just want to know that she's okay after what happened earlier. "R-Rozzean? Hello--"

"Thaliana... are you... okay?"

I was so worried. I was really concerned.

"I-I am okay, thank you. Thank you for saving me earlier. Are you... where are you? Are you home already?"

I smiled upon hearing her consecutive questions. I could also sense the concern in her voice. I know my baby will not lose her love that fast. That's what I'm holding on to.

"I am okay, don't worry about me. I'm already home. I'm more concerned about you. Are you sure that you are okay?"

But I didn't get a response. She disappeared from the line. I tried calling again, but her cellphone could not be reached. I suddenly remembered our conversation with her father.

"You said, Rozzean, just listen to the voice. You talked a lot, and if the call didn't end, the conversation might have gone on for a long time."

I think about her father. He shouldn't be angry with me now, especially since this is my second chance to get closer to Thaliana.

"I removed my sim card and changed it to a new one. I was sure I couldn't stop myself from calling her, so I decided to change my sim card.

The next day, I left my house early. I went to TC Bar and asked if they knew the guy who got beaten up last night. The bouncers told me that the man was Patrick Friando, a frequent customer at the bar. It turns out it wasn't the first time he got involved in a fight.

I heard that Patrick Friando was in the hospital. I also asked where because I planned to visit.

"Is he your friend, sir? It's really unfortunate what happened," the bouncer said to me.

I took three thousand from my wallet and handed it to him.

"No. I was the one who beat him."

I saw the bouncer's surprise before leaving the bar to go to the hospital he mentioned.

A Friando? I sighed.

I went to the hospital where the guy who harassed Thaliana was. I asked for the room number and went there. When I entered the room, I saw the jerk lying in the hospital bed. One eye closed, and the area around it was bruised.

His father and brother were in the room also and looked at me. I recognized them immediately. Guzman Friando has a company, but it's not as big as RCV. Their company has been in crisis, and that's been the news for the past few months. I invested, but I might reconsider continuing with it because of what happened last night."

"How are you, Patrick Friando?" I asked.

"Him! H-He's the one who beat me up!"

I shrugged, looked at him, smiled, and then turned my eyes to the two others in the room-his father and sibling.

"Dad! Have him arrested! I almost died! Look at my face!"

His father and sibling couldn't believe they were looking at me. As the two approached me and apologize, I heard Patrick Friando's surprise.

"W-What are you doing?! He's the one who hurt me! I will sue him!" he shouted at me. His father quickly went to him, restraining his son from speaking.

"I am very sorry for my son's actions, Mr. Valleje. I apologize for what he did."

"Why are you apologizing, Dad?! I almost got killed by that--" his sibling slapped him, cutting him off.

"Stop talking! You are putting our lives at risk, Patrick!" they yelled.

I walked closer. I saw fear in Patrick Friando's face. He recoiled even though he was still lying in the hospital bed.

"Your son touched my woman in the bar, Mr. Friando."

Each of my words carried a threat. I saw fear in the faces of the two who knew me.

"I am sorry, I am very sorry, Mr. Valleje--"

"Tie up your son. He should be grateful that's all I did to him."

After saying that, I left the hospital. I received a call from my secretary about my company. She was desperate because my workload was piling up.

"M-Mr. Valleje, your signature is urgently needed for the documents that arrived. There's chaos in the departments because their work has stopped. The new product scheduled for release next month has encountered issues, but the production team can't proceed due to changes that require your approval."

I quickly walked to my office. I didn't think about my company because all my attention and thoughts were focused on Thaliana.

"I will finish everything, Miss. Salas. Set the meeting with the production team now."

I spent my whole day working. I got home late because with the amount of reading and signing I had to do, I couldn't finish it all in one day. The next day, I went to Batangas because Mr. Barios called my secretary and said he wanted to talk to

me.

"I can't contact you, Rozzean. I thought something bad happened to you."

We're at a restaurant in Batangas.

"I am sorry, I was busy these past few days, Mr. Barios. What do you want to discuss? Is it about business?"

I'm running out of time because I still need to go to my company to finish the pending work.

"Oh, no, I just wanted to set this meeting to ask what happened to you. Klari is worried because she couldn't reach you."

My eyebrows furrowed at that. Before I could speak, I saw Klari walking towards us. She held onto her father's shoulder. When Mr. Barios stood up and Klari took his seat, I distanced myself by looking away.

"I'll leave you two alone, Rozzean!" Mr. Barios said with a smile and then left.

"Klari-"

"Oh, the food is here! Let's eat first, Rozz!" Klari said, smiling, as she placed the food in front of me.

"We will talk after this," I said seriously.

She nodded at me. I started eating, and so did she. I knew Klari had feelings for me, and up until now, she's still trying to win me over. But she needs to understand that it's enough. She won't gain anything from me. "Klari."

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"I love you, Rozz... for a long time, you know that, right? Can't it be me instead? That girl cheated on you. She doesn't deserve your love. She will only deceive you again."

I closed my eyes tightly because of what she said.

"Klari, even before Thaliana came, you already knew my answer, right?"

"E-Even so! That's why I waited, hoping that maybe you'll like me too! That's also why I moved to the village where you live to get closer to you!"

"That's your decision, Klari. I never asked you to do that for me. I never led you on because when you told me you liked me, I was direct with you. I only see you as a friend. I also respect your father. Even after you tried to get my attention using him, I'm still talking to you."

I stood up, and she didn't look at me.

"Stop this, Klari. I love Thaliana so much-"

"Even if she made a fool out of you? Even if you were played?"

"I don't care about what happened between us. I don't care, Klari."

I saw her wipe away her tears. As I walked away, I heard her say,

"I will not stop. You will love me too, Rozzean. I will win you over."

After that conversation in the restaurant, I headed to my company. My head was throbbing because of everything that happened. I started working, and once again, I lost track of time. I felt that my body was on the verge of collapsing-perhaps from exhaustion and lack of sleep.

"Miss. Salas, I'll go home early today to get some rest. If there are any issues, call me."

"Okay, sir. Take care!"

By two in the afternoon, I was already at home. When I arrived, I sat on the sofa.

"Manang, can I have a glass of water, please?"

My body and mind were exhausted. In times like this, only Tali could ease it. Just seeing her could make me feel better.

"Here you go, sir."

I took the glass and drank it immediately. I lowered the glass and loosened my tie. I leaned back on the sofa. I rested my head and closed my eyes. It's been two days since I last visited Thaliana.

I wonder how she's doing?

I opened my eyes when I heard the doorbell. I raised my head and saw Manang approaching the door.

I sighed when I saw Klari.

She's so stubborn. I don't know what to do with her.

"R-Rozz..."

She approached me, holding a paper bag.

"I cooked something for you."

I stood up and walked towards her. As I was about to speak, my attention was diverted by a new arrival.

"Mama?"

"Darling, when will you visit us at home? My birthday is approaching."

She came closer and kissed my cheek. When her gaze landed on Klari, she smiled.

"Oh, Klari, did you also visit Rozzean?" my mother asked.

"Ma-"

"Yes, auntie! I cooked for him."

I don't like where this is going.

"You are so sweet, dear. My birthday is near. I planned a dinner with my family tomorrow night. Join Rozzean, okay?"

"Ma, you know that-"

"Darling, my birthday is near. Are you really going to refuse me?" I heard a hint of displeasure in her voice.

I didn't forget about her birthday. I just didn't want Klari to be included with us.

"I love that, auntie! Expect us to arrive together tomorrow!"

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I couldn't do anything else because I also didn't want Mama to be mad at me. When she left and Klari and I were alone, I wearily returned to the sofa and sat down.

"I told you, Rozzean."

I lifted my gaze to her and saw the determination in her eyes.

"I won't stop until I have your love."

She left what she cooked and then left my house. I sighed as the situation became more complicated for me. Klari shouldn't be with me. It would disrupt my plan to win back Thaliana.

The next morning, I woke up. I left early because I wanted to visit Thaliana at her flower shop. I was excited to see her. I arrived at eight in the morning. I parked my car from a distance. I went to the restaurant in front of her shop and waited for

her.

I was holding a newspaper to cover my face. I never thought I would do this. I found myself smiling at what I was doing. It never crossed my mind before that I would become a stalker of the woman I love.

"What would you like to order, sir?" the waiter asked.

"Black coffee," I said while still looking out the window.

When I saw her car, I smiled. Because her flower shop had glass walls, I could see her on the other side of the road. I noticed her greeting her employees. She started working, arranging flowers in front of her shop.

Damn... I wanted to go to her.

It's good to see her smile often.

"Sir, would you like to buy a cigarette?"

I turned to the young girl beside me. She was holding a box filled with different kinds of cigarettes.

"Hey, kid! It's not allowed to sell those here!"

I raised my hand to the waiter, signaling that it's okay.

"How old are you?" I asked her.

"Sixteen. Buy some, handsome sir, even just three pieces," she replied.

I looked at the cigarettes.

"I don't smoke, but I will buy all of that if you do what I am going to say."

I thought she might not understand me since I spoke in English, but she nodded at me.

"Okay, handsome sir! I'm in, what do you want me to do?" she asked.

I smiled and lowered the newspaper I was holding.

"Do you see that beautiful woman in front of the flower shop?"

She nodded, "The one in white arranging flowers? Yes, she's pretty. I always see her there. Is she your girlfriend?"

"She will become my wife."

"Will become, huh? Girlfriend already!" she teased.

I took one thousand peso bill from my wallet and handed it to the girl.

"Wow, that's a lot!"

"Buy three red roses from that shop and give them to the beautiful woman I just pointed out."

I called the waiter and asked if they accepted cards. When they confirmed, I borrowed one and a pen. After writing 'I miss you' on the card, I handed it to the girl.

"Then, give it to her."

"Well, how much is mine for this, handsome sir?" she asked while looking at the five hundred in her hand.

"Just buy three red roses, and all the money is yours. Once you've given it to her, don't come back to this restaurant."

"Also, tell her not to be sad."

"Wow! Thanks! Sure thing!" she said to me and left the restaurant. I called the waiter again and retrieved the cigarettes I left behind.

When I looked back at Thaliana's flower shop, I saw the girl handing her the card I wanted to give. After they talked, I saw Thaliana pause. After the girl left, she didn't return to the restaurant where I was. She went in a different direction, just as I instructed.

Thaliana went out, and I saw her looking around... trying to find the person who gave the flowers.

Does she know?

Does she have any idea that it was me who gave it?