MASKED SAVIOUR.

"OH my gosh! Not now, please!"

I slammed the steering wheel in frustration when my car abruptly veered off to one side of the road. I knew my car wasn't in good condition before I even left the restaurant, but I didn't expect that it would actually give up on the road.

"What a fool you are, Clari!" I muttered, almost hitting myself..

I rolled down the window next to the driver's seat where I was sitting. I stuck my head out of the window and looked around.

I almost fainted from fear when I noticed those tall trees surroundings me. If it isn't the headlights of my car that give light to one part of the road, it's totally dark around!

"Damn!" I can't count how many times I swallowed hard in fear. I'm afraid of the dark. Even the chirping of crickets and night birds is slowly freaking me out!

"Oh my gosh, this place drives me insane!" I quickly shut the windows and locked myself inside the car, but I could still hear that creepy sound!

"Can someone help me get out of here?!" I searched my bag for my phone, only to almost lose myself after I found out that the battery was already drained!

"Damn—" I paused as I was dazzled by the headlights of an oncoming motorcycle. It's heading in my direction, which gives me hope.

I leaned forward to the windshield, trying to see the person who was driving, but I couldn't. I couldn't look at it straight because the light from the headlight was too bright. It's hurting my eyes.

Meanwhile, the noise coming from the motorcycle's engine that's getting closer and closer to where my car is...was like music to my ears.

It was as if a gray and stylish motorcycle stopped next to my car in slow motion.

I jolted as I heard the knock on the car's window. In my trembling hands, I slowly rolled down the window to take a glimpse of the person outside.

"Miss, are you okay? It looks like your car broke down."

The baritone voice of the well-built man standing next to the window greeted me.

Half of the man's face is covered by his facemask. Wearing this black T-shirt, the name TREVOR is written where his left chest is. It's a glow-in-the-dark print, so it's really noticeable.

I stuck my head out of the window again just to see the man walking and leaned on his motorcycle that's about a meter away from my car.

"Don't worry, I'm not a bad person. Get down, let me fix your car." The man folded his arms as if he's waiting for what I would do next.

"H-How..." I gulped when I tried to look at the stranger's face. "How can I be sure you're not a bad person?"

The man grinned at me—as if it's the most attractive grin I'd ever seen. "If you're still skeptical about me, I can show you my NBI Clearance." The man briefly cocked his head to the side and pointed at the motorcycle's compartment, making me notice his long hair tied with a black rubber band.

My forehead wrinkled. I have a negative impression of men with long hair. For me, it demonstrates poor hygiene.

"I told you. I'm not a bad person, Miss...if that's what you're thinking. I'm just here to offer you help." The stranger stepped away from his motorcycle and strode towards the window where I was looking. "I'm pure—I mean, I'm a good man..." he slyly said.

I pursed my lips as my eyes darted to his gleaming eyes. I felt something come back to me when our eyes met.

I was the one who first avoided our contact. I looked down, particularly to his tattered pants, which revealed those strong and lean knees. It was only then that I noticed the stranger had long legs. I estimated his height to be around 6'1. If I stood in front of him, I'd only be up to his shoulders.

"But it appears you really don't want me to help you..." The stranger put his one arm on the roof of my car. He even bowed down to me, bringing his face closer to mine.

I was forced to back off a little from there.

"So I'll just leave," the stranger continued. "It seems like you can really handle yourself here."

I parted my mouth, but immediately closed it when the stranger stood straight and glanced at his wristwatch.

"It's getting late. I have to go home. I gotta go, Miss. Thanks for the chat." He quickly turned his back on me and walked back to his motorcycle.

"W-Wait! Don't leave me here, Mister!" My voice became frantic. I'm starting to panic. "Hey! Mister!" I desperately followed my eyes after the stranger, but he didn't bother to look back.

"Please, don't leave me here..." I bit my lower lip when I saw him get on his motorcycle. Please…"

My head, as well as my hope, just dropped in front of the steering wheel as the stranger started his motorcycle's engine. My heavy heart thumped along with the loud sound of the engine.

"Just get out of your car. We'll fix it so you can go home."

I immediately raised my head when I heard his voice. I didn't realize he came back and was already standing in front of the window.

"I'm not heartless to leave you here alone. I'd never turn my back and begrudge helping those in need. Even if you think badly of me...you're not an exception."

"I-I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm really sorry for what I just said." I stammered.

"It's okay. What's with the red nose? You cried because you thought I was going to leave?" He gazed at my eyes while I just tightened my lips.

"Get down, I'll fix your car. Don't worry, it's a free service." The man opened the car's door for me. He then removed his facemask, revealing his perfectly sculpted nose, his reddish and moist lips that appeared to have been molded by a skilled sculptor.

This man is dangerously handsome!

I swallowed hard when I felt my throat getting dry. "T-Thanks." I carefully exited the car, trying not to look up at him because I felt like my cheeks right now were red as tomatoes!

"You're welcome, but I didn't know you had such lovely legs."

My eyes widened. "W-What did you say?" I glared at him, but he just chuckled.

"At least I got a unique reaction." He shrugged before taking off the hoodie he's wearing and placed it on the motorcycle's seat.

Meanwhile, I just pressed my lips together. I can't fight the person who's helping me tonight. Besides, I'm exhausted from walking around the farm all day. I'm too tired to get into a petty argument.

I just pulled down the hem of my dress. It wasn't that short though since it's only an inch shorter from my knees.

Quietly, I marched towards the side of the bridge rail and sat down on a huge rock near it. I yawned as the cold wind hit my face. I gathered some stray hair that had been blown across my face by the wind and brought it to the right side of my neck. While doing that, I yawned once more. I can't wait to get home and sleep.

From afar, I glanced at the stranger. He seems already busy, so I just stayed still in my seat.

A few minutes later, the stranger called me.

"Hey!"

I gave him a blank expression. "You may call me, Clari!"

The stranger's shoulders moved up and down as his hands rested on the hood of the car. "I fixed your car. You can now go home and sleep...Clari."

After he called me by my name, I felt a slight electric travel in my system. I shrugged it off and quickly rose. I walked towards the stranger while he was returning the tools to the compartment.

"Thank you...ahm...what is your name?" I asked.

"You're always welcome, Clari." The stranger removed the gloves from his hands, then extended his hand to me and beamed. "Call me Kade, Kade Montalvo." 

I was stunned a bit when I finally noticed his perfectly aligned white teeth. Not to mention the beads of sweat on his forehead that sparkled like diamonds when the light from the headlights of his motorcycle illuminated his face.

"T-Thanks for the help, K-Kade." I'm still debating whether to accept his hand. This is the first time a man has intimidated me.

In the end, I accepted his hand as a gesture of respect and gratitude to him for helping me.

"It's a good thing I passed by here. It's dangerous for someone like you to stop in a place like this. Be careful next time. Avoid staying late on the road as much as possible."

I nodded like a child being reminded. "I'll be more careful next time. Thanks again for helping."

Somehow, I'm amused by how Kade sounded like a concerned brother to me.

I slowly walked back to my Audi. I was about to go inside when I heard Kade's voice behind me, giving me a little goosebump.

"Wait a minute, I forgot something. I just realized that 'Thank you' won't be enough for me tonight."

With a dropped jaw, I turned to face him. "Wait...what do you mean? Didn't you say it's free—" I couldn't finish what I was about to say when Kade quickly bent down and kissed me on the cheek.

"There. And I called it a night, angel on Earth." Kade chuckled before turning his back on me like he did nothing and walked away.

I was left dumbfounded from where I'm standing. It seems like my brain couldn't process what Kade did. A stranger stole a kiss from me!

I stared at his back. If it happened earlier...I might have thrown my shoe on him, but I didn't. Did I just like what he did?

"See you again, Clari." Kade waved at me before driving his motorcycle away.

I was left there alone in the middle of the dark road. However, this time I didn't have to worry because I can already leave the place thanks to that stranger.

***

A LOUD crash outside my room jolted me awake.

"Sis Ains, please be careful. You'll wake Sister Clari up."

"Sorry. I didn't mean it. You're just so slow to open the door." 

I creased my forehead as I heard rustling and murmuring from the outside my room.

"Shhh...don't be too loud..."

"Okay...here it is..."

I slowly got off my bed. I know the owner of those voices.

With a silly thing on my mind, I carefully walked towards the door. I didn't want them to know I was already awake. I held the doorknob carefully so they wouldn't open it.

"Oh, what happened?" It's Aina.

"I couldn't open it. It's like there's something inside preventing us." It's Raki's low voice.

I covered my mouth with my one hand, preventing myself from bursting out into laughter. I'm still gripping the doorknob, restraining them from moving it.

"Surprise!" I exclaimed as I opened the door, leaving the two dumbfounded.

Aina, who recovered first, rolled her eyes. "I knew it. For the eighth time, we're the ones who got surprised again."

I gave Aina a satisfied smile before turning to Raki, who had just recovered from the shock.

"Happy 25th birthday, Sister Clari!" Raki pressed herself into me with a warm, tight hug.

I flashed a wide smile and caressed Raki's back. "Thanks for the warm greeting and hug, baby girl."

I pulled myself away from Raki and turned back to Aina. "Thank you for being here even though I know you're busy…" I approached Aina and was about to kiss her cheek when her palm blocked my mouth.

"I love you bestfriend and you're welcome, but you should gargle first before kissing me."

I chuckled at her reaction.

"I'll take a bath and just get dressed." I smiled before I left the two outside and went back inside my room. 

 * * *

        "HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY, Miss Clari!"

I covered my mouth as I stepped back in surprise after the entire staff welcomed me into the lobby area. They're all complete, along with interns.

"You've aged a year, Clari. You should have a boyfriend by then." It's Mrs. Gallon, the HR Manager of the Casa de Gallego, who approached me. She's holding a small cake with a lighted candle in it.

"Anyway, make a wish before you blow out the candle." 

I genuinely smiled. "Okay, I'll make a wish." I shut my eyes for a second and blew out the candle.

Everyone in the lobby applauded me. Not only that, but most of the staff had their own gifts for me.

I stared at them in disbelief, but they just shrugged their shoulders.

"We know you'd say that, Ms Clari, but give it to us. We'll only give you gifts once, and they're not too expensive if you're concerned about the price."

I laughed in defeat. "Birthday greeting is more than enough for me, guys. You shouldn't bother yourself by giving me a gift. But anyhow, thanks to all of you for doing this to me, even though I'm strict and snubbed you guys sometimes."

Everyone laughed.

"We all understand, Ms. Clari...that's why we've been eagerly looking for you for something..."

I frowned. I already know what she's trying to say.

I sincerely thanked them all. These people really made me feel special once more. These simple gestures and efforts made me happy. A happiness that could slightly overcome my deep sadness every year. A brief happiness that reminds me I'm free—free from something that prevents me from moving forward.