Chapter 2

“Hey, Lory!” I got stunned and raised my head to check who he was calling. A woman who had just come out of the door of a coffee shop not far from where I stood stopped and searched around to see who was calling her name.

“Lory!” The guy, who introduced himself as Adam shouted a name again. The woman saw him at this time, and she stepped forward after recognizing who was inside the truck. 

A sweet bright smile formed on his lips. “Yes, Adam? What can I do for you, sweetheart?” the woman asked sweetly.

“Can you answer this woman’s question for me?” he politely requested as he pointed his finger toward me.

“What is it she's asking?” the woman inquired. The smile on her lips became wider, and it seemed she had something silly on her mind.

“Well, she’s asking me if I am a serial killer,” he replied, and he couldn’t contain his laughter, making his face turn red while he chuckled.

The woman, whom she called Lory, laughed along with him. I bowed my head out of shame because I was the one they were laughing at.

“Oh, lady. Believe me, that guy couldn’t even kill a fly. He’s a good boy,” I heard her say.

I raised my head and looked at the guy inside the truck. “See?” the man proudly uttered when he caught my eyes.

“He won’t harm you, but be careful; he knows how to bite. Rawr!” she later added before proceeding with her job.

“Hey! I won’t try doing that. Take that back, Lory!”

“Haha! I’m just kidding. By the way, he’s single!” Lory teasingly said, winking at me before going back inside the coffee shop after taking the cup the customer left on the table.

“Come on, let me help you before the rain starts pouring,” the guy uttered, and he got out of the vehicle. 

I felt I had no choice at that time, but to come with him. When he was right before me asking me to give him the carton box, I saw his shirt and pants were covered with paint. Even rubber shoes had dried cement. 

I suddenly remember my father who used to be a regular construction worker in our country. He mostly came home like how Adam looked that day, but it was Sunday and that guy still went to work. 

I gave him the carton box and put it behind his truck. He went back and helped me with the shopping bags afterward by putting them in the passenger seat. Once done, Adam opened the door for me like a gentleman.

"Oh, sorry!" He stopped me from getting in when he saw the seat was dusty. He immediately grabbed a shirt lying on the dashboard and wiped it using it. "There, it's clean now," he said when he was done.

"Thank you!" It was quite impressive because I had been believing in these modern days, there were no such things anymore. Just like what they said, chivalry was d*ad.

"Seatbelt, please," and I did what he said right before he closed the door on my side. 

“Where are we heading, madam?” he asked when he was already in the driver’s seat while putting on his seatbelt.

“A-at Mr. Martin’s residence,” I answered. He turned his head to look at me like he heard something unbelievable.

“You mean at William Scott-Martin’s mansion?" he inquired with so much disbelief written on his face. "Are you working there?" 

“Y-yes... and yes.” I wasn’t surprised at all by his reaction. My boss was well-known, but what he said next made me think of jumping out of the vehicle.

“You know what? Mr. William’s son is my mortal enemy.” I saw a grin on the side of his lips. Noticeable enough for me to feel uncomfortable in my seat.

He started the engine. “But don’t worry, that won’t make us enemies."

That didn’t even help. The fear he made me feel didn’t decrease at all. I want to believe he won’t ask me to pay for Sir Lennon’s sin because I have nothing to do with their problems.

As the vehicle started moving, Adam's eyes got fixed on the road, but he never stopped talking, telling me stories, even though I didn’t give him any feedback.

I would admit that the way he talked was entertaining. He made me listen, even though those stories were random, and he kept jumping from one story to another as he remembered them.

My eyes were on the road, but I was observing him through my periphery. I couldn't keep up with the amount of energy he had. He was such a jolly and energetic person. Quite a good combination for a good-looking man like him and I couldn't help but feel sorry because I misjudged him.

His voice was changing, and there were times he tried mimicking the voices of cartoon characters. My inner child was delighted to hear familiar voices in my childhood memories especially when I heard Doramon's voice.

When he got tired, he opened the radio. A familiar song played and he started singing along. His voice was calming and I didn't notice I was already smiling as I listened to him.

The car stopped. I thought something was wrong with his truck, but when I looked outside through the window, I saw the entrance gate of the Martin's Mansion. I didn’t even notice we had already reached it because of all the entertainment he provided throughout our journey. 

“Here, take this.” I handed him a twenty-dollar bill, but he refused to take it.

“Just keep that money. You might need it more than I do,” he insisted. 

He went out of the vehicle and I followed through. He took the carton box behind the truck and placed it near the gate. I opened the door of the passenger seat and took all the shopping bags, but when he saw me struggling, he immediately rushed to help me. 

I followed him on the side of the road and I pulled another bill. I thought maybe it was too small for him. I wasn't being arrogant. I used his time and gasoline so it's not bad to repay those that way.

"Here, please take this."

"No! You don't have to." He stepped backward when I was about to put the bills I folded in his hand.

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes. I didn’t help you get paid. Just keep that money,” he replied while smiling sweetly at me.

He was tall, so I needed to look up when talking to him. “Thank you then. I owe you one.”

“N-No really, it’s fine... but who knows, maybe we could see each other again, and I might need your help by that time.”

“You’re right. That’s a fair deal.” He finally convinced me. I put the bills back inside my sling bag before picking up the shopping bags.

“You’re cute.” My eyes widened when I heard this compliment. He pats my head before turning his back on me. I felt like a dog getting a pat that way, and all I could do was narrow my eyes as I watched him walk away.