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Chapter 8

      I have been remembering my past while looking at the people on the rooftop of the building. When someone touches me and I get surprised. I shout and grab the hand that touches me. Then, I hear a man's voice yelp in pain, I released it and look at his face, "Arthur? What are you doing here?" I ask, then Arthur, I mean Mr. King compose himself and said, "Well, I ask your colleagues, where I can find you and they say you are up here. So, I take my chances but I don't think that my hand will be broken just by touching you." "But why are you looking for me? I already told my boss, that I won't be doing your article and I already ask someone to do it." "Yes, I know but, I just want to ask how are you? Your father died in your lap and yet you still go to work." He said, I remember what happened last night, but I dodge it by asking him, "I am alright, but why are you really doing this? Why are you always following me? Don't you have a job to work on as an artist?" "Well, I..." he scratches the back of his head and continues, "I am on a break and I just want to focus on doing the article." "I don't believe you, just please leave me alone. I have important things to do than talk to you." I left him there and walk down the stairs.

       While walking down the stairs, I heard loud footstep following me, "Hey, wait up, why are you using stairs when, you can use the elevator?" Arthur said. "I have nothing to explain to you. Mind your own business?" Then I continue walking down. The floor is up to 75 floors but I don't mind walking the stairs, while Arthur is still following me, "Please wait up, can we at least have a break?" "You wanted to follow me here so I think you are the only one who might need it." "Aren't you tired?" "Nope." "Hungry?" "No, I am not!" He keeps on following me down then he said, "Why are you doing this to me? Why don't you let me love you?" 

      I stop walking the stairs and he walks immediately to stand beside me. He sits down on the stairs breathes then he grabs my arm and said, "Sit down for a second, will you?" I have no choice but to give mercy on him. "Thank you," he said, he catches his breath first then breathes out. "Well, why aren't you tired walking down in these long stairs?" he asked, "It is because I have always done this." "What do you mean, always?" "By that, I mean every day." His face is really surprised that I smirk, "What, you don't believe me?" "No, it's just, how are your bones so strong and... just how?" His expression really is funny so I decided to tease him, "Well, instead of drinking water every day, I just drink milk." "Wait, are you serious? Just milk?" He curiously said, then I laugh. "Wait you're kidding me? Wait... you did?" Then I burst into laughter I stand up and walk down again, "Wait up, please!" I look back at him and his face is really pleading, "Alright" then he grinned like he was a child.

     We walk down the stairs, not talking to each other when Arthur suddenly speaks. "Well, I know you don't want to talk about us, but can I at least know your name?" "It's Alice Button." I interrupted, but he said, "No, not that, I know it is not your real name. Why can't you tell me one thing that is true about yourself?" I stop walking again and he looked back, "I am sorry." he said and walk back to me, he touches my shoulder and said, "I know you don't like talking about yourself, but does it really help you not to open up to anyone? Or at least did you tell even one person who really you are?" "No, I haven't" "wh--?" I put my finger to his mouth, "I know you are going to ask why, but it is because, I am dangerous and you won't believe who really I am." "Then try me! Let me know something about you and I will decide, whether to believe or not." he declared, I bowed my head and said, "You want to know something?" "Yes, I do!" 

      I got irritated by his response and I said, "I am so much older than you!" I said it walking to him and cornering him. Then, he suddenly laughs, "Why are you laughing?" I asked and he replied, "It is because it is not a big deal. If you are an older woman, then it is fine with me, I like you and—" "Stop, please..." I begged. "You don't understand what I mean and it better be that way, this way." "Then, let me understand. Why won't you let me?" "Because you have nothing to do with it." "And, why is that? Because I am younger than you and I won't understand? How old are you exactly, tell me?" I don't know what to say to him, so I dragged him out the stairs and pull him into the elevator. 

      "Wait, are you also gonna ride?" "No, I am not, but I will make you understand that I am impossible. Go to the ground floor waiting for me there and you'll see." The elevator door is closed and I run to the stairs, I jump down from the 19th floor to the ground floor. I never got scratched and I walk out to the door. I waited for him outside for at least 5 minutes and he walk out. He saw me outside and walk towards me, "Wait? How? We are on the 19th floor and you got here first just walking on the stairs?" I can't tell him how but I said, "I did, I just walk there." "Unbelievable!" he walks right and left and walks to me, "How?" "I told you, I am impossible and you will never get me, Mr. King." I walk away from him. "No, I won't stop pursuing you Ms. Button, I won't!" he shouted. "Yes, you will, Arthur, you will. And you will never see me again." I whisper to myself.