The Billionaire's Playmate

I came early today to my parents' house because later I'll cook again and go to Rozzean's house. Even though my visit last night didn't go well, it didn't diminish my desire to try again to seek his forgiveness. "What are you doing here early this morning, Tangi?"

I stood beside Daddy while he was having coffee. My hands, still reddened from the burns last night, were hidden behind me.

I didn't inform them that I'd be coming today. I didn't send a text or call my siblings, nor did I leave any messages or calls for Mommy.

"I know that look on your face, Tangi."

Mommy looked at me, smiled, and didn't say anything. I'm nervous about what I'll confess to them, including the burns on my hands and arms. They will surely worry about me.

"Dad... I just want to know about... Luther."

"Why him? Weren't you the one who told me that Rozzean would be my fiancée? How did it end up being Luther?"

Even though I knew the answer, I still asked him. I wanted to know his current thoughts about Rozzean, especially after he withdrew from the agreement. I knew that Daddy's anger towards Rozzean wouldn't easily fade due to her backing out of the deal, but I needed to clear his name.

Daddy lowered the newspaper he was holding and looked at me for a moment. Then, he took his coffee and had a sip.

"Why don't you sit so we can talk about what happened, Tangi?"

I immediately complied with Daddy's suggestion and sat on the sofa in front of him and Mommy.

I wanted to save the relationship between Rozzean and Daddy. After learning from Luther and Grecion that Daddy really liked Rozzean, the burden on my chest became even heavier.

It's my fault that Daddy got angry with him.

Rozzean did the right thing. Luther was correct when he said that Rozzean wouldn't continue meeting Thaliana because he's already in love with Tali. I was foolish not to think about it when I was at his house.

I was confident that Rozzean would still meet Thaliana, so I didn't tell him the truth. I preferred explaining everything when I returned as Thaliana, but not everyone agreed with me. My plan fell apart.

Why did I forget what kind of man I love?

He backed out because he's madly in love with Tali.

That's what should happen-to step back not because he doesn't want to marry me, but because he already loves someone else. He's brave to talk to my Dad. Why would he continue the marriage talk with my Dad if he already loves Tali so much?

He could have a happy life with Tali. He doesn't need to see Thaliana or get to know her.

But the problem is... I am also Tali.

I hurt him so much. Last night, because of what happened, I questioned his love for me. But after talking to Luther about how I wanted to get Rozzean's forgiveness, everything I did in his house came back.

I remembered how kind he is, how great he is.

It's my fault, so I have no right to complain or question what he's doing now.

I'm hurting, but I know that when he found out the truth, he suffered even more.

I looked at my father.

"You said that the man I was going to marry was Rozzean Cyron Valleje. I am sure about that, Daddy..."

Daddy nodded and then took another sip of his coffee. I am here because I want to make things right, and I am hoping that my father will listen to me.

"You gave me information about him. But why did it end up being Luther, Dad?"

"I was wrong when I said that Rozzean is good for you."

I was taken aback by Daddy's words.

"I thought he would stick to our agreement. But I found out that he already loves someone else. He knew about our arrangement, Tangi, and then he told me that the reason he can't marry you is that he loves his maid?" R-Rozzean told him that?

"D-Did he really tell you that she loves his maid?"

Daddy nodded slowly. He wasn't angry; maybe he already moved on because he knows that Luther will marry me.

But... wait, I can't get over the fact that Rozzean told my Dad that he loves his maid! I thought he only told his parents about that. Luther only told me that he talked to my Dad and said that he loves someone else. But Luther never mentioned to me that Rozzean specifically said he loves his maid.

"I am not judgmental, Tangi, but it was unexpected... I was so angry when I talked to Rozzean before, so maybe that's why I don't feel as much anger now while telling you what happened."

"It took courage for him to face me and say that he can't marry you."

Daddy sighed and shook his head.

"D-Dad..."

"I was so mad, Tangi. Who wouldn't I be? I value you so much, I thought he would be my son-in-law. I know him, he's a good young man, skilled in business, and many of his qualities are things I truly liked. I trusted him... I liked Rozzean for you, but he disappointed me. I was so disappointed."

It's my fault... even Daddy's trust is gone now.

"D-Daddy..."

I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore. Tears had been welling up, and now they were streaming down my face. Seeing this, my parents became alarmed. Mommy grabbed a tissue and came over to me.

"Why are you crying, Tangi? D-don't you like Luther? Don't you want to marry him? He's a good man. He won't hurt you. I am sure," Mommy said, trying to comfort me.

I know that Luther is a kind and good person. It's not that I dislike Luther, but I want to marry Rozzean. Rozzean is the one I love.

I looked at Daddy.

"I-I'm the one at fault for Rozzean backing out of our agreement..."

My father gave me a puzzled look.

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"What do you mean, Tangi?"

"W-We had an agreement, right? B-because I really didn't want to get married, I pretended to be a maid in Rozzean's house to see his bad side and tell you about it, Daddy..."

I heard Mommy gasp beside me.

"W-What? W-what did you do?"

"D-Dad... I'm the maid he's saying he loves, so he can't marry Thaliana."

"I'm the reason he backed out of the agreement. I a-am Tali. I pretended as Tali Dela Cruz a poor woman and enter Rozzean's house."

I saw Daddy clutching his chest. Mommy and I were alarmed. I stood up and went to Dad in fear that he might be having another attack.

"D-Dad! D-daddy!"

My father took a series of deep breaths while I held onto him.

"M-Mommy, l-let's bring him to the hospital--"

I couldn't continue what I was saying when Dad grabbed my arm. When I saw his breathing returning to normal, the fear in my chest subsided. I thought something bad had happened to him! "W-What did you say, Thaliana Tangi? W-what did you do?"

I shook my head, unable to answer out of fear that his condition might worsen.

"D-Dad... w-we shouldn't talk right now, y-you might get worse..."

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at my father. I couldn't discern any anger on his face.

"You are telling me that the maid Rozzean was talking about was... you?"

I nodded slowly to Daddy.

"Oh God... what have you done?"

I bit my lower lip upon hearing Daddy's words.

"I-I really didn't want to get married, Dad. H-haven't I told you several times? S-so, I thought of doing that. D-Dad... I'm sorry. I regret it now."

Daddy placed his hand on his forehead.

"Luther is your fiance now, Thaliana Tangi. He talked to me to save his brother's company because I told Rozzean that I would pull out my shares from his company. Rozzean didn't hesitate to tell me that if there's something or someone he's afraid to lose, it would be the woman he loves."

"Are you the woman he's talking about?"

I nodded and showed Daddy the ring I was wearing.

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"H-He proposed to me when I was Tali. I accepted because I also love Rozzean, I love him so much, and I thought he would still be my fiancé, but I was wrong. Luther explained everything to me. D-Dad... please... it's not Rozzean's fault, it's all my fault. Please don't change how you see him."

"I hurt him. I deceived him with another identity because of my selfishness. He was hurt because of me. H-He also knows the truth now. I told him last night, that's why we're in Tagaytay with Luther. He accompanied me."

"H-He was so mad at me... s-so mad that he doesn't want to see me, D-Daddy."

"But it's my fault, so I'm doing everything to make him forgive me."

My father looked at Mommy and held her hand.

"I want to be angry at what you did, Tangi, but I can't because I know you're hurting too."

I hugged Daddy and cried on his chest.

"I-I didn't know, Dad, that everything you said about Rozzean was right. H-He's a great man. I fell hard, I love him so much, and now we are both suffering because of what I did."

I felt my father's hand gently rubbing my back. What I didn't expect was that Dad would understand what I did. He's not angry. He's comforting me.

"I am so sorry, D-Daddy. S-Sorry for what I did. Y-You had a commotion at home because you thought I was missing. I-I'm sorry..."

I cried while embracing my father. When he took my hand, I pulled away from the hug. He looked at my hands with burns.

"What happened to your hands, Tangi?" Mommy asked with concern.

"Sweetheart, what happened?" Mommy asked again when I didn't answer.

"I just spilled some hot food, I-I'm okay now."

Dad brushed my hair aside. "Your hands are very important, Tangi. You use them to arrange flowers. Please be careful next time, okay?"

I nodded to Daddy and smiled.

"And about Rozzean, I understand why he's making it hard for you to talk to him. But, do you want me to help you?"

I nodded quickly.

"I'll take care of it, I don't want him to forgive me just because you said so."

Daddy kissed my forehead and gently touched my cheek.

"Okay, sweetheart, but if you need Daddy and Mommy, we're always here, okay?"

I am so blessed to have them in my life. I hugged Mommy and Dad and expressed my gratitude.

After talking to my parents that morning, I immediately went home and prepared food again for Rozzean. I won't give up on him; I'll do everything to make him forgive me.

I know I just need to endure his anger; he will eventually forgive me. His love won't easily disappear because I am still Tali. That's what I'm holding onto.