II. Delilah's Pov (We met again)

“Delilah, who are you waiting for there? And why do you seem to be looking for someone?” the one who spoke was Betty, my best friend and co-worker as a maid here at the mansion. I didn't respond immediately to what she asked, so I couldn't tell her the truth either. It's been almost three days since I saw that aggressive man, and after that day I didn't see him again. I must admit that I was a little worried about him because he still looks like a stranger in this place.

“Did he get back to their house safely?” I said softly as Betty turned to me with one eyebrow raised and a look of curiosity on her face.

“Who are you talking about? And why do you seem concerned about someone? Is there something you're not telling me?” She was curious, but I didn't answer her because I would rather not let her know about the pretty man I met the other day, besides that, I didn't want her to know that there was another time when someone trespassed in this mansion. I know that Betty can be trusted, and I also know that she won't report to our head maid about it, but I also know this friend of mine very well that she can't stop her mouth every time she sees a handsome man. That's why I chose to keep it a secret about him.

It's almost dusk, but I still can't see him, nor can I catch his shadow. I even keep thinking about him, where is he now or if he's okay? I also kept staring out the window while arranging the pillow cases, hoping to see him standing outside and waving at me. But the night came and I still did not see him.

“Delilah, are you okay?” Betty asked me as we both lay on the bed next to each other.

“Yes, I'm fine.” I replied sadly to her while staring at the ceiling.

“Are you sure? I've been noticing you for most of the day, stunned and like you're deep in thought. Do you have a problem? Or maybe you need money? Is your Grandma sick again?” she worriedly said to me at the same time I let out a deep breath, and then I turned my back on her.

“It's nothing. I'm really fine. Let's go to sleep because we'll wake up early tomorrow to go shopping.” I responded to her, and that night I just forced myself to clear my mind and rest.

Just after five o'clock in the morning, we immediately got up from bed, ate breakfast and then washed our faces to go to the market, which we also often do every Saturday. The town is not too far from us, so we just walked to it with two bags. While walking, the two of us were talking when suddenly someone grabbed my wallet while riding a black motorcycle. At the speed of the incident, I was stunned for a few seconds, and then I screamed, “Thief! Help me stop that thief! They stole my wallet.” I shouted to the people around us, but they just looked at me and whispered as if they didn't care about me. I was biting my lip in annoyance, and I wanted to stop the tears from falling from my eyes. Because I don't own the money inside that wallet, we were only ordered to buy ingredients that we will use to prepare for the Montenegro family's arrival tonight. Now that I don't have the money, how can I explain everything to them? Or how can we go back there without bringing even one vegetable? The contents of that wallet are still almost five thousand pesos and with such a large amount, I cannot pay it in just one month because my salary is so low from my job as a maid.

“What are we going to do, Delilah? Surely, we will be fired at work now if they find out that we lost the shopping money?” Betty's voice sounded worried. I took a deep breath for a moment and then folded my two fists together and handed the bag I was holding to her.

“Don't worry, Betty because I'm going to teach those thieves a lesson.” I said that startled her.

“Huh? Wait, where are you going? What are you planning to do? Don't say you're going after those thieves?” she said with a trace of worry on her face as she held me on my left arm.

“I can't let all our hard work go to waste. I'll make sure we get back to the hacienda without them knowing about what happened here.” I said, and I was about to leave, but she stopped me again and held my arm tightly.

“Please, stay here, Delilah. Let them go, there's nothing we can do there besides it's just money. What if they do something bad to you? What about me? How about your grandmother?” despite what she said, it made me think, but if I just let those thieves get away we will definitely lose our jobs. Besides that, I don't want Betty to suffer because of my negligence, especially since her seven siblings and her mother, who is seriously ill, depend on her alone. So even though I know what I'm going to do is dangerous, I still have to save my friend's future.

“Don't worry, Betty. Nothing bad will happen to me, and have you forgotten who I am? I'm your brave friend who fears nothing. So you stay here and I'll chase those thieves.” After I told her that, I immediately ran to chase the two men who took my wallet. However, I didn't catch up with them right away because they were riding a motorcycle while I was just running with my two legs. But because I was born in this place, I have memorized every shortcut in this place. But that still wasn't enough for me to catch up with them and get my wallet back. Until a man on a motorcycle suddenly appeared in front of me. He was wearing a black leather jacket, black pants, black boots shoes and his face was covered by a helmet. I was stunned for a moment while I was panting and sweating profusely. I raised an eyebrow as I stared at him. Who is this man? And why did he suddenly block my path? Couldn't he be an accomplice of those thieves and want to stop me from what I was planning to do to them? I whispered in my mind as I looked at him judgmentally.

“What are you still doing there? Aren't you going to chase those thieves?” when he spoke, my face suddenly changed to surprise.

What did he say? Aren't those two men his colleagues? Then what does he mean to me?

“If you just stand there, you might not be able to get your wallet back from them.” He added that it surprised me because I realized that he was not an enemy but an ordinary person with a good heart and wanted to help me teach those two a lesson.

Without a word, I immediately got on his motorcycle, even though I had no idea how to ride it. This was the first time I rode behind the rider, besides that, I had no experience riding that kind of motorcycle. That's why when he started it quickly, I grabbed his waist tightly while my eyes were still closed. I heard him smirk, and he must have been laughing at me in his mind because I was obviously an innocent girl who knew nothing about motorcycles. I could barely speak because of how fast he was driving, I couldn't even let go of my hug, and I didn't even know where the two thieves we were chasing were because my eyes were closed. The only thing I feel is the cold breeze hitting my face and then my bangs separating from my forehead because of the speed of his driving. Until my whole face fell behind him because of his sudden braking. Only then did I slowly open my eyes, where I realized that the two thieves were right in front of us. But instead of apologizing and paying back what they stole, it seems they had more evil plans, especially when the man started his engine, and then he pointed his motorcycle in our direction as if they wanted to hit us. Therefore, I suddenly felt fear and extreme nervousness. I looked up at the man in front of me with an astonishment.

“What are you planning to do? We better just get out of here and let them have my wallet.” I said in a trembling voice. But he didn't seem to be afraid of the evil plans of the two men, instead he took both of my hands and then said, “I'll take care of you as long as you hug me tightly.” He said, and I was about to speak, but suddenly, he quickly pulled his motorcycle towards the direction of the thieves as if he were planning to meet them. In my fear, I just closed my eyes and hugged him tightly while I prayed over and over again because I think that was the worst decision I ever made in my life. Until I felt that he was giving me something. I was surprised to see that he already had my wallet in his hand, and it was like a movie show that he effortlessly recovered my wallet from the thieves. However, it didn't end there because the thieves still tried to chase us to get my wallet back. But because of the speed with which he drove, it was difficult for them to chase him, besides that, he also seemed to have memorized the way to this place where he was able to mislead the two men so they were no longer able to follow us. He dropped me off again at the market where we first met. My heart is still beating fast because of fear and nervousness, but I know I'm safe now.

“Thank you very much for helping me. I don't know how I can repay you for the good you have done. May I know your name?” I shyly told him.

“Why do you want to know my name? Do you like me?” When I heard what he said, my eyebrows suddenly raised with a trace of curiosity on my face. He slowly took off his helmet and face mask as he extended his left hand to me. “We met again. Nice to see you again, by the way, I'm Raphael, and you? What's your name?” he added, which surprised me even more when I saw his true appearance. I took a step back when I realized who the man was in front of me now. He was the man who trespassed in the mansion before, and he was also the man who helped me from those thieves. Was it just a coincidence, or was it destiny?