II. THE NIGHT SHINING RIDER

"Delilah, who are you waiting for?" Betty asked, my close friend and coworker as a household helper here in the mansion. I didn't immediately respond to her question because I couldn't tell her the truth. It had been three days since I met that handsome man, and after that day, I hadn't seen him again. I admit that I'm a bit worried about him because he seemed like a stranger in this place.

"Did he get back home safely?" I muttered softly, and Betty looked at me with raised eyebrows and a hint of curiosity on her face.

"Who are you referring to? And why do you seem so worried about someone? Are you hiding something from me?" she asked, but I didn't answer her because I didn't want to tell her about the guy I met just the other day, and I also didn't want her to know that someone had trespassed on the mansion grounds. I know that Betty is trustworthy, and I also know that she wouldn't report it to our head maid, but I also know my friend very well - she can't help but talk when she sees a handsome guy. So I decided to keep it a secret.

It was almost dusk, but I still hadn't seen him, not even his shadow. My mind was restless, thinking about him, wondering where he was or if he was okay. I kept glancing out the window while arranging the pillowcases, hoping to see him standing outside and waving at me. But night fell, and I still hadn't seen him.

"Delilah, are you okay?" Betty asked me while we were lying in bed together. "Yeah, I'm fine." My response was melancholic as I stared at the ceiling.

"Are you sure? You've been spaced out all afternoon, and it seems like you're deep in thought. Do you have a problem? Or do you need money? Is your grandma sick again?" she asked concernedly, and I let out a deep sigh before turning my back on her.

"There's nothing wrong. I'm really fine. Let's just sleep because we have to wake up early tomorrow to go to the market." I replied to her, and that night, I forced myself to clear my mind and rest.

As early as 5:00 am, Betty and I woke up, had breakfast, and washed our faces to go to the market, which we usually do every Saturday and Sunday. The town is not too far from us, so we just walk there carrying two bags. While walking, we chatted, and suddenly, someone snatched my wallet while riding a black motorcycle.

With the suddenness of the event, I was stunned for a few seconds before shouting, "Thief! Help me catch the thief! They stole my wallet." People around us looked at me, but they just stared and whispered to each other, seemingly indifferent. I bit my lip in frustration and tried to hold back my tears.

The money in the wallet wasn't even mine; we were just instructed to buy ingredients for the Montenegro family's arrival today. Now that the money is gone, how will I explain everything to them? Or how will we go back there without even a single vegetable? The wallet contained almost five thousand pesos, an amount I couldn't afford to pay back in just a month, considering my low salary as a household helper.

"What will we do now, Delilah? We'll surely get in trouble if they find out we lost the market money," Betty said anxiously. I took a deep breath, clenched my fists, and handed Betty the bag I was holding.

"Don't worry, Betty, I'll teach those thieves a lesson." My response startled her.

"Huh? Wait, where are you going? What are you planning to do? You're not going to chase those thieves, are you?" she asked, concern etched on her face as she grasped my arm.

"I won't let all our hard work go to waste. I'll make sure we get back to the estate without them knowing what happened." I said, about to leave, but she stopped me again, firmly holding my arm.

"Please, just stay here, Delilah. Let them go, it's just money." Despite what she said, I couldn't help but think that if I let the thieves get away, Betty and I would surely lose our jobs.

Moreover, I didn't want Betty to be affected by my carelessness, especially since she's the only one supporting her seven siblings and ailing mother.

So, despite knowing that what I was about to do was dangerous, I had to save my friend's future. "Don't worry, Betty. Nothing bad will happen to me. Have you forgotten who I am? I'm your fearless friend who's not afraid of anything. Just stay here, and I'll chase those thieves." After saying that, I quickly ran to catch the two men who stole my wallet.

However, I couldn't catch up to them immediately because they were on a motorcycle, while I was just running. But since I was born and raised in this area, I knew all the shortcuts.

Nevertheless, it still wasn't enough to catch up to them and retrieve my wallet. Until a man on a motorcycle suddenly appeared in front of me.

He was wearing a black leather jacket, black pants, black boots, and a helmet that covered his face. I stopped for a moment, panting and sweating. I raised an eyebrow, looking at him suspiciously.

Who was this guy? And why did he suddenly block my path? Was he in cahoots with the thieves and trying to stop me from chasing them? I thought to myself, judging him. "What are you doing there? Aren't you going to chase those thieves?" he said, and my expression suddenly changed to one of surprise. What did he just say? Wasn't he friends with those guys? If not, what did he want from me?

"What are you planning to do? It's better if we just leave and let them have my wallet." I said in a trembling voice. But he didn't seem intimidated by the thieves' malicious intentions. Instead, he took my hands and said, "I've got your back, just hold on tight to me." He said, and before I could even respond, he sped off on his motorcycle towards the thieves.

Out of fear, I closed my eyes, held on tight to him, and prayed repeatedly, thinking that this was the worst decision I'd ever made in my life. Until I felt him hand me something.

I was shocked to see that it was my wallet, and it seemed like he had retrieved it from the thieves effortlessly, like a scene from a movie. However, that wasn't the end of it, as the thieves tried to chase us again to get my wallet back. But because of his skilled driving, they had a hard time catching up to us, and he seemed to know the roads well, managing to lose them.

He dropped me off again at the market where we first met. My heart was still racing from fear and anxiety, but I knew I was safe now. "Thank you so much for helping me. I don't know how I can repay you for your kindness. May I know your name?" I asked him shyly.

"Why do you want to know my name? Do you like me?" As soon as I heard what he said, both of my eyebrows rose in curiosity. He slowly removed his helmet and face mask, then extended his left hand to me.

"We meet again, beautiful. My name is Raphael, and you are?" he added, which surprised me even more, especially when I saw his real face. I took a step back when I realized who the man in front of me was. He was the guy who trespassed on the Montenegro's mansion, and he was also the guy who helped me from those thieves. Was this just a coincidence or fate?.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I looked up at hin, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw Raphael standing in front of me, a concerned look on his face.

I nodded, trying to play it cool, but my voice came out in a barely audible whisper. "Y-yes, I'm fine."

Raphael raised an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Really? Because you look like you've lost your last marble."

I felt my face heat up, and I looked down, trying to hide my blush. "I-I'm just...tired, that's all."

Raphael chuckled, his voice low and husky. "Tired? From what? Chasing the thieves earlier?"

I glared at him, trying to muster up some indignation, but my voice came out in a squeak. "N-no, I was just...in a hurry."

Raphael laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "In a hurry? To get away from me?"

I felt my face grow even hotter, and I looked down, trying to escape his teasing gaze. "S-stop it, Raphael."

Raphael's laughter grew louder, and he reached out, gently lifting my chin with his finger. "I'm just trying to make conversation, beautiful. Don't be so shy."

I jerked my chin away, trying to play it cool, but my heart was racing, and my palms were sweating. Why did he have to be so...so...infuriatingly charming?

Raphael chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think I'm starting to scare you, aren't I?"

I shook my head, trying to deny it, but my voice came out in a whisper. "N-no, you're not scaring me."

Raphael's grin grew wider, and he leaned in, his voice low and husky. "Really? Because I think I'm just getting started."

As Raphael leaned in, his voice low and husky, I felt my heart skip a beat. I thought he was going to kiss me, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for that.

But instead of kissing me, Raphael suddenly shook me playfully and looked up at me with a mischievous grin. "Gotcha!" he said, laughing.

I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little silly for overreacting. "You're such a jerk," I said, laughing.

Raphael chuckled and held up his hands in mock defense. "Hey, I'm just keeping things interesting."

We stood there for a moment, grinning at each other like idiots. Then Raphael's expression turned serious, and he said, "Listen, I should probably get going. But it was great running into you again."

I nodded, feeling a little disappointed that our encounter was coming to an end. "Yeah, same to you."

Raphael smiled and leaned in, his voice low and husky once more. "I'll see you around, beautiful. And next time, I won't be so easy on you."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "I'm shaking in my boots."

Raphael grinned and winked at me. "You should be."

With that, he turned and ride his motorcycle, leaving me feeling a little dazed and confused. But as I watched him go, I couldn't help but smile. I had a feeling that I would be seeing Raphael again soon, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for that.

I couldn't help but feel a little flutter in my chest. I had to admit, I was intrigued by him. He was charming, confident, and had a sense of humor that I found endearing.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. What was wrong with me? I had just met the guy, and already I was swooning over him.

I took a deep breath and tried to focus on my errands. I had to finish shopping for the Montenegros' dinner party, and I still had a few more things to pick up.

As I walked through the market, I couldn't help but feel a little distracted. I kept thinking about Raphael and our conversation. I wondered what he did for a living, and what his interests were.

I was so lost in thought that I almost collided with one of the vendors. "Sorry," I muttered, as I quickly sidestepped him.

The vendor smiled and winked at me. "No worries, miss. You look like you're a million miles away."

I laughed and smiled back at him. "Just a little distracted, that's all."

The vendor nodded knowingly. "I see. Well, maybe you'll run into that handsome young man again. He seemed quite taken with you."

I felt my face heat up, and I quickly looked away. "Oh, no, it's nothing like that. We just...met, that's all."

The vendor chuckled. "Whatever you say, miss. But I think you'll be seeing more of him soon."

I smiled and thanked the vendor, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was right. I had a feeling that Raphael and I would be running into each other again soon.