Chapter 23 Jealous

Immediately, Manang followed the order. I, on the other hand, was unsure about the feelings I was experiencing. I felt like Rozzean was avoiding me, but why? is he mad at me?

When I checked the time, it was already five o'clock, and I hadn't noticed the hours passing due to deep th. I trailed behind Manang into the kitchen.

"Manang, should I prepare our dinner? There's still plenty of food left from what I cooked earlier."

I gazed at Manang with a puzzled expression, wondering why I felt like I had done something wrong because of the way Rozzean had looked at me.

"No need, dear. I already asked Sir about it, and he said we shouldn't bother."

I nodded in agreement. When Manang set down the three beers on the table, I thought about offering to take them to Rozzean's room myself. Trying, I need to see if he really is avoiding me of it's just my imagination.

"Manang, may I bring those to Sir's room?" I asked with a hopeful smile.

But before Manang could respond, we heard our master's voice through the intercom.

"Manang Selya, please take the beers to my room. And don't forget the ice and a glass."

What on earth? did he heard us?

But one thing is for sure. Rozzean really didn't want me to do it! When Manang Selya looked at me, she gave me a questionable expression.

"Did you do something at the gazebo earlier, Tali? Why does it seem like Sir doesn't want to ask give you things to do? Earlier, when I was on the rooftop and brought some beers, he told me to bring sisig for them to snack on. When I said I'd have you take it up, he didn't agree."

What the hell? he really is avoiding me.

My eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this from Manang. With my thoughts deep earlier, I hadn't noticed that she went downstairs to get snacks.

"Now you're offering again, but it seems like Sir sensed it and immediately told you to bring the beers into his room. Did you do something earlier to annoy Sir, Tali?"

I was thinking the same thing. Since Maki arrived Rozzean acted a little strange.

"No, Manang, my cooking seemed delicious, according to Sir Maki. He wasn't embarrassed in front of his guest. But our boss... he didn't eat a lot."

"Is that so? but Sir likes the food you cook. Well, why, I wonder what happened," Manang said, arching her eyebrow.

I am, too. Did Maki say anything to him? but I trust my cousin, even if he is an asshole, Maki will never break our agreement. That's not him.

"Then Sir will drink again, and he has work tomorrow. He doesn't usually drink at night when he has work the next day."

I glanced at Mannang, she looked puzzled. She knows Rozzean better than anyone, but here she is, baffled by his actions. As she walked away holding the can of beers from the kitchen, she shook her head.

Then, I was left there, lost in thought.

From what happened since Maki arrived until he left this afternoon, I tried to distance the reason from my mind for Rozzean's reaction. Why he didn't want me to bring up drinks and snacks earlier.

Does he not want Maki to see me?

But why?

Is he... jealous?

I cringed at that part. I'm just one of his maids.

Damn. I don't want to think about this. It's impossible.

It's highly unlikely that she's jealous of my cousin!

Time passed by quickly and it is already evening. I was in my room, resting before taking a shower. Rozzean didn't come down when Manang brought him something to drink. I waited for him until nine o'clock downstairs, hoping he would, but he didn't.

He really didn't come down. He didn't give any orders either.

"This is difficult for me, and I'm feeling frustrated. I'm not sure if I did something wrong because he's not talking to me, and he doesn't even want to meet with me.."

I was under the shower, still thinking about what happened all day. Or maybe he is mad?

I hadn't even eaten dinner. After Manang and I closed all the windows and doors and checked the entire house, I waited for Rozzean until nine o'clock in the living room. But he didn't come down, and he didn't give any instructions either.

"I don't want to go to his room. What would I even say?"

I sighed and finished my shower. I decided to sleep off what happened today. Maybe tomorrow Rozzean will be back to his usual self, acknowledging and giving orders again.

To be honest, I'd prefer dealing with his grumpy mood instead of this silence where he won't even tell me what to do. It feels like he really doesn't want to be around me.

I picked up the hairdryer and started drying my hair. While doing that, I felt my stomach growl. I tried to ignore it and continued drying my hair. But when it growled again and I felt a strong hunger, I attached my fake bangs and mole.

"I didn't eat lunch and dinner... I'm really hungry."

Before I went out, I glanced at the clock in my room.

"It's already eleven, time flew by so quickly."

Maybe because I was in deep thoughts since Maki left the house. I sighed and started to combed my hair. I was wearing an oversized gray shirt and Hello Kitty pajama bottoms. When I saw in the mirror that I looked okay and my disguise are set on my face, I went downstairs to the kitchen.

"It's dark."

The lights were off downstairs. I didn't bother to turn them on because there was light under the kitchen cabinet.

I walked on, but when I heard a sound, I suddenly stopped. I got nervous; was it a burglar? oh gosh!

But the security in this village is tight, and there are guards at the front and back of Rozzean's mansion. It's impossible for a burglar to get in.

I thought about Manang; maybe she couldn't sleep either. I peeked to see who it was, but I was surprised to see Rozzean standing in front of the refrigerator, as if searching for something.

He's shirtless again. He's wearing plain black sweatpants as bottoms. His hair was messy.

When I noticed that he had been standing in front of the fridge for a while, I went out and approached him. It seemed like he noticed me because he turned to look at me.

"Sir, are you looking for something?"

He didn't even turn to face me or say anything. That's why I wanted to understand what's bothering him. I don't like this feeling; it's burdensome. The idea that he may not want to see me, which is why he's not giving me any instructions, hurts a bit.

"Sir, do you have a prob--"

"Where's the seafood you cooked? I want to eat," he said without looking at me.

I paused. That actually surprised me but slowly, a smile formed on my face. He didn't touch it earlier when they were eating at the gazebo. But now he wanted to it?

I approached him in front of the fridge.

"I'll get it, sir," I said. He stepped back a little so I could get it. I bent down to reach the Tupperware of seafood. Once I had it, I looked to my left.

His abs greeted me with like, "Hello, Thaliana," then my gaze dropped down to his...

I swallowed hard and quickly stood properly. I moved the seafood to the side and started to heat up the rice.

"Just a moment, sir, I'll heat it up," I told him.

He nodded and sat at the island counter where he often ate. I could feel his eyes on me. It was unsettling, especially after what happened earlier. This is bothering me. What's running on his head?

"Sir, should I turn on the light?" I asked.

"No need. The light under the cabinet is okay."

I nodded. The kitchen was still slightly lit, although it was dim.

"Why did you come down?" suddenly, he asked.

I didn't look at him because I was transferring the seafood to a plate.

"I was hungry, sir. I didn't eat lunch and dinner. I thought I wouldn't get hungry that's why I prepare to sleep but my stomach growled a few times."

But I was actually... waiting for you that I forgot about the food.

I grabbed a plate. When I faced Rozzean, I saw him walking around. Was he going to eat at the dining table? He usually ate at the island counter.

I walked over and set the seafood on the table, then I scooped rice onto a plate.

"Why didn't you eat earlier?"

He seemed to have a lot of questions. It was like he had been avoiding me earlier, not wanting me to serve him. Maybe I was just overthinking that I did something wrong? Rozzean's talking to me again, like the usual.

"U-uh... I wasn't hungry earlier, sir."

I placed his plate in front of him, and I also served rice. Then, I got some juice from the fridge and poured it into a glass. When his meal was ready, I just stood by, waiting for his orders.

When I noticed he hadn't touched his food yet, I spoke up.

"Uhh, do you want me to cook another dish--"

"What are you doing?"

My eyebrows shot up at what he said.

"W-What? Why, sir?" I asked.

He turned to me, "Where's your food? I thought you were hungry. Why am I the only one sitting here with food in front of me?"

I paused, trying to process what he said.

Waiit... is he telling me to eat with him?

"Get your food and join me."

My lips parted when I heard that. He had just invited me to eat with him. But, isn't this unusual? A boss and his maid, eating together at this late hour?

"Tali."

When he called my name again, I quickly picked up my plate.

"Y-Yes, sir."

And after turning around, I couldn't help but to smile.

At least I know that we're okay, and he's not angry with me.