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Chapter 4

       In the year 1950, I was a teacher in St. Anderson California. I was an elementary art teacher and adviser, teaching young children is a great opportunity to give them knowledge in art and I love how my students also teach me about their selves. In that year, everything is great except when I met an arrogant man. This man loves women and is a player. But one day he suddenly approaches me and just always ruins my days acting like a small child. He pranks me, messes with me, and always tries to move on me but that doesn't work. His attention towards me always irritates me, so after his so many pranks, I decided to act like he was nothing. 

      I never look at him, never respond to him, I begin to act as he was nothing. After that, he suddenly stops, he just banished and that is good. I never saw him again in the campus or outside waiting to prank me, then I realize he was not socializing with his friends, he completely just banished like a ghost. So, I ask his friends where he might be. "Excuse me, but can I ask you something?" the girl answer me, "Sure, what is it?" "Well, I don't mean to pry but have you seen Mr. Gideon these past few days?" I asked, but their expression suddenly change like they don't want to talk about him. But the girl replied, "actually we don't know but his family got bankrupt and we never contact him again." Hearing her answer, they are not really his friends, they are just using him for money.

       After that talk, I went home and I decided to walk rather than drive so I can see what people do tonight. Then, to my surprise, I saw Samuel, Samuel Gideon. He was walking on the streets looking very sad and silent. I know he is having a hard time, but I still need to comfort him. So, I shout his name and he look in my direction, his eyes were sad and he just wave his hand to say hi. Then, he walks away but I don't like seeing him like that so run toward him, he was surprised to see me beside him, so he said, "Hi, Annie, what are you doing here?" "Well, I got tired driving my car and I decided to walk until I saw you. But can I ask if that is alright, why I haven't seen you in the last few days?" 

       Hearing my question, he bows his head, sighed, and replied, "well, my parents invest in something and all of a sudden everything we've got has vanished it was all gone. Their interaction is a scam and runs with our money so in order for us to live we have to sell all our assets and find a new place to live." After listening to his story, I just found myself smiling, then Samuel saw that and ask me, "why are you smiling? Are you happy that I deserved this life because of what I did to you if that is it then...?" "No." I interrupted him, then I continued, "I was smiling not because of what happened to your family, but because I got to know the real you, not the bully one but the real you." I smiled then I continued again, "seeing you telling me something about yourself makes me feel that we are friends and I like who you are now not because of your wealth or clothes, but your attitude so, I would like to thank you for talking to me and trusting me in your family's secret." After my answer to him, he looks into my eyes and he smiled, "Oh," he stops but then said, "thank you for talking to me, even though I did something immature to you, and thank you for letting me tell my stories to you." Then I smiled.

      That day, Samuel and I became friends. He changed himself into a good man and work hard to help his family, he started working at the bottom and became a carpenter, then he became an engineer, and until he owns a construction company. His life turns around and he change, then one day, while we are walking on the beach, he decided to kneel his one knee and hold my hand and said, "Annie, I know you for a very long time but I never ask you about our relationship or what but this time, I would like to tell you how I feel, I..." I know what he is going to say so I interrupted him by putting my finger in his mouth. 

     "Wait, Sam, I know what you are going to say but..." I asked him to stand and look into my eyes, "but, I can't do this Sam, I know you love me and I also love you but, I can't be with you, I have to leave on Thursday early in the morning because the school asks my attendance to go to Singapore. I..." I started to cry but I still continued, "I am sorry for not telling you about this plan and I am sorry for rejecting your offer, I am very sorry for everything." After I explain everything to Sam, he never said anything, I know I hurt him, but I have to do this, I have to only live by myself for a very long time.

      After that incident on the beach, I pack my things on Wednesday night, Sam and I did not meet in Monday and Tuesday but in my surprise, he knocks in my bedroom tonight. He looks at me and said, "Hi" I also replied, "Hi" then he scratches his forehead with his finger and said, "well you are really packing your things" I smirked and he smiled, he then continues, "I hope to see you again at the end of the road even for a short period of time." "Well, if you'd like to see me just say a word and I will meet you." I smiled then he asks me, "what time is your flight, can I drive you there?" 

      I stop packing my things and walk towards him, he holds my hand and I kiss him, I kiss him for a moment and then I put my forehead to his and I said, "no, I am fine, just stay here and never contact me before I left tomorrow because I know I might hold you and never leave." "Then don't leave, stay with me, let's create a family together, you and me, I—" then I look into his eyes and I said, "that will never happen, Sam, you should find someone more than me, someone who will make you happy until the last of your breathe and you know it isn't me" he interrupted me by saying, "no, I love you Annie, you changed me and I changed you, so please..." his eyes started to cry and I wipe it with my hands, "I am really sorry Sam, but let's end it here." In the end, he looked into my eyes and kiss me for the last time, after that he walk away touching his beard, and left. I close my bedroom door and sit down crying.

       The next morning, I am prepared to leave, I pack my things, I pack my emotions, and I find a cab to bring me to the airport. Inside the airport, I had already checked my things and I am just waiting for the plane to call the passenger while waiting I sit in the chair and saw two children playing with their ball, then the ball accidentally rolls towards me and I get it, they run towards me and I give it to them, "here you go." I smiled at them and they left. After they left, I look again from the distance and I saw someone familiar when the plane suddenly called all passengers to get on board, I stand up and walk towards him, "What are you doing here? I already told you that you don't need to come here" I said, then while walking he also said, "I know but, I just want to see you for the last time again." Then when we meet face to face, I just look into his eyes and said, "I am really sorry for everything Sam, I..." I was about to say I love you to him but he suddenly kisses me and stop and then look into my eyes again, "I love you too, Annie, I really hope to see you again." He smiled, but in my response, I unconsciously walk backward and look into his eyes for the last time and I left.