Chapter 21 He Hates Liars

So... a model, huh?

Rozzean quickly glanced at me before answering my cousin.

"Maki, I didn't drive that girl home, Colver did. I can't stand her. I don't like her smell," Rozzean replied.

My cousin laughed again at what my boss said. Then, Maki looked at me for a moment before taking a bite. Fck this ass.

But to be honest, I suddenly felt relieved when I heard my boss's response.

O-Okay... this is weird.

Earlier when I heard what Maki said, I was surprised. I felt annoyed upon learning that Rozzean drove a girl home, and she's a model.

And now, I felt even better when Rozzean said he didn't drive her and that he didn't like her smell.

I don't like this feeling...

"Wow, that's delicious!" Maki exclaimed.

Doesn't he know my cooking? He used to eat at our place often, and I'm always the one who cooks the food. I remembered he was a chubby high school kid back then.

"Who cooked this? Do you have a chef at your house, Rozz?"

Rozzean shook his head, "She cooked it," pointing me.

"Really?" Maki looked at me. What I understood from Maki's "really" was like saying, 'I knew it,' because he used to hang out at our house and eat, so he knew the taste of my cooking. But why pretend he didn't know? Hmp.

"I don't usually praise someone because of delicious food. But, you are a great cook, Miss maid!" he said to me.

I rolled my eyes. It seemed like Maki was messing with me. From the way he was talking and the looks he was giving, I knew what he meant. He's lucky I'm in maid mode right now.

If I were Thaliana, you'd have received a slap by now.

"The food are delicious," he said after a few bite. "You are a great cook, Miss maid!"

"Thank you, sir," I replied.

I gave him a warning look when Rozzean was not watching and I even bit my lower lip to remind him to stop what he was doing.

"What's your name again, Miss maid?"

But darn. He really won't stop with the attention!

"W-Well, Sir Maki--"

"Why do you need to know? Just keep on eating, Maki. Don't give me the impression that you're interested in my maid," Rozzean cut me off, his eyebrows furrowed.

'My maid.' Seriously, Rozzean? Are you claiming me now?

"Bud... why do you look so pissed? You know among us friends, I'm the friendliest."

Maki laughed again. I didn't know what my annoying cousin was up to. When they fell silent, I just watched them eat.

I glanced at Rozzean, who drank some water and wiped his mouth with a tissue. I remembered the model girl Maki mentioned earlier. It meant that Rozzean was sensitive to smells. Suddenly, I smelled myself. I'm not really a fan of perfumes. I got concious.

"I'm full! Wow, it's been a while since I ate this much. Thanks to you, Miss maid, you cook so well. Do you know that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach? You've already got my heart!" my devilish cousin said.

Disgusting.

I saw Rozzean frown at Maki's comment. He took another sip of water and drained his glass. Then he refilled it and drank again. Was he really that thirsty?

"Rozz, can I borrow your maid for three days? It seems like I want to--"

"No."

My patience for this ass is running out!

"Even for a day, bud? I'll just cook at home--"

"I said no, Maki. Why are you being so persistent?" he asked, clearly annoyed.

"I need Tali here in my house."

Maki showed a mischievous smile.

"So her name is Tali," he said, turning to me, "Tali, if Rozzean ever fires you, make sure to tell me right away, okay? I'm willing to take on a maid even if I'm not looking. I wanted a cute maid who can cook delicious food. A maid like you--"

"Maki."

I winced when I heard Rozzean's serious tone. He had run out of patience when he sounded like that.

But why is he so irritated? Maki was just asking about me – his maid. Why is he frowning and crossing his arms?

This is not a normal reaction from a boss.

"Ohh... Rozz, isn't it that your maids usually last only a week, and then you start looking for new ones again? You're lucky if they last a month because you fire them all. If, by any chance, you let Tali go--"

"I will never fire her, Maki."

Maki leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

"You have one rule, Rozz, even if Tali breaks that one rule?"

I took a step closer to see Rozzean's reaction. I really wanted to see his response!

But when he turned to look at me, I quickly looked away into the distance. Darn it!

"Don't be annoying, Maki Lincoln."

He didn't answer my cousin's question! And what's with "I will never fire her"? We had an agreement, as Maki mentioned. If I ever develop feelings for Rozzean, I need to leave this house. That's his only rule.

Now, what does he mean by he will never fire me? Does it mean that even if I develop feelings, I can stay in his house?

And from the tone of his voice, his annoyance was evident, while my cousin had a triumphant grin. Was that his intention? To irritate Rozzean? Does he feel something I don't?

Clearly, my boss doesn't want to let go of me. That's what his words and actions convey.

Suddenly, I wanted to talk to Maki!

I took a deep breath. I didn't want to name what came to mind after this realization. I've only been in the mansion for a week; there's no way Rozzean is interested in me – his maid. No way.

With a lousy maid like me? I don't think so.

"Let's go to the rooftop, Maki. We'll discuss your purpose in my house there," Rozzean said, standing up and walking away.

I was about to follow, but he hadn't gone far when he turned and looked at me.

"Don't follow me, just stay here, or go to the garden and arrange some flowers."

My boss turned away again and walked off.

"Okay, okay..." I looked at Maki.

"Rozzean never let anyone in his garden; why would he..." then he suddenly smiled.

"Whoa... it seems like I'll be visiting more often, Thaliana. I think I need to clarify some things," he said meaningfully to me.

I raised an eyebrow. What does he mean by that?

He approached me and patted my shoulder, then tousled my hair.

"I know Rozzean isn't a violent person, but I don't like the idea of this, Thaliana. My advice to you is to go home," he said seriously.

I paused.

"Maki..."

"This is not good, Thaliana. What you did wasn't right if you want to get to know Rozzean. What are you going to do after you find out what you want to know?"

"You will still meet him. You'll face each other, and what will he think when he finds out that his fiancee and Tali, his maid, are the same person?"

"Thaliana, Rozzean hates liars. He gets angry in a different way, I'm telling you. I'm saying this to you because you're my cousin, and I'm concerned about your decision. It's still early; go back home. Don't prolong your stay here at the house and deceive Rozzean and introduce yourself as someone else."

"He hasn't seen you in person yet, and you should be grateful for that. But our world is small, Thaliana, and he might find out about you tomorrow or the day after. You're not that hard to notice. There have been few changes in your appearance."

"Go home; don't wait for Rozzean to find out the truth. He'll surely get angry and kick you out."

I can't imagine that.

My lips parted. I couldn't find any words to respond to Maki because everything he said made sense.

"Maki Lincoln!" my serious boss shouted. We both turned to look at him.

"Yes, baby! I'm coming!" Maki teased.

Before he turned away, he tapped my shoulder again.

"Think about what I said, Thaliana."