Melissa felt restless while walking with Ark on the sidewalk.
"Um... do you have a name?" she asked.
"Aris" he answered right away.
When she didn't speak more, he did.
"Tell me how did you get that photo? What are you doing in that hospital at the middle of the night?" he asked.
"I was walking home from a party when I saw a rampage in a vacant lot. I knew it was dangerous, but I was desperate that time. I sneaked in and found the abandoned hospital. I saw people running to get in. I climbed up the metal staircase on the building's wall to get a nice view of what was happening inside. When I reached the doorway, I heard gunshots. I panicked, but I forced myself not to run. I dropped my body down the floor and from the small whole I found, I took the shot. I really didn't know you were there. I was also stunned by the photo I got." she recalled.
"You're a crazy young lady. You heard gunshots and you didn't run?" he asked in a sarcastic tone.
"I told you, I was desperate." she repeated.
"Why do you love photography so much anyway?" he asked in a curious tone.
"My late dad is one of the best photographers of TDT, the biggest newspaper company here in Australia. I want to be like him someday. You know, capturing both beauties and wilds of the world." she answered.
Ark saw wonders in her eyes. He could tell she really wanted to follow her father's footsteps.
"How is it so far?" he asked.
"Truth is, I used your photo to get a position in that newspaper company. I did. I got the job." she answered.
"I'm sorry, but whatever reason you got there, I still can't go without clearing my exposure." he said.
"You don't have to apologize. I know what I did. I shouldn't have disturbed whatever thing you're doing." she replied.
"Alright, let's just get a perfect replacement for that photo. You still have a day and a half." he cheered, but Melissa felt he was only teasing her.
Ark let her roamed around the town square the whole afternoon. He was in a short distance watching her kneeled, bent, climbed and ran all over the place.
After three hours, she returned looking very exhausted.
"You looked totally burned out." he told her.
"Being a photographer is not easy." she replied.
"Come on, let me get you some drink." he invited.
He took her in a nearby dessert shop.
"Go on. Get whatever you like. I'll treat you since I enjoyed watching you." he said while gesturing at the menu on the table.
"Are you making fun of me?" she asked.
Ark tittered.
"No, that's not what I mean. You actually looked pretty cute running around like a child." he answered with a smile.
After hearing that, Melissa felt a little shy.
While they're eating, Ark examined her appearance. She has a long brown wavy hair, a pair of green eyes and thick eyelashes. The freckles on her nose and cheeks suits her. She was wearing a red checkered long sleeves and a white shirt inside. For him, she's a typical kind of woman.
"How old are you?" he asked while slicing his pancake.
"Twenty two. I guess I'm older than you." she answered.
"Just three years and a half." he replied.
"What else do you do aside from hanging with your camera?" he asked.
"Sleep and eat." she answered.
"Don't you have a boyfriend?" he asked.
"I don't need one. I don't really like boys around me." she answered without looking.
"Oh, that hurts." he replied in a calm tone.
"I mean, not you. Your case with me is different. I just don't feel like I'm going to fall in love with someone right now. Maybe because I'm pretty focused with my dream that's why I can't get myself a man, but I'm totally fine with that." she explained.
"I see. I guess, people have different perspective in life, huh?" he commented.
"How about you?"
She returned the question to him.
"Me? ...Well, I already have two beautiful girls with me. I guess I'm pretty satisfied with that." he answered.
Melissa quickly gave him a shocked look.
"Two girls with you? Seriously?" she asked.
He nodded.
"You're more than I expected." she told him.
He smiled.
《••○••••••◇••••••○••》
At night, Ark accompanied Melissa until she gets home.
"Are you still going to show up tomorrow?" she asked.
"You're deadline is tomorrow. Of course you'll see me." he answered.
"Are you not really going to give me an extension?" she asked while pouting.
"Tomorrow... deadline... Now, get in... I also have to leave now." he said in a firm tone.
That night, Melissa felt hard to sleep thinking about what's going to happen to her if she will not get another convincing photo for the replacement.
That moment as well, she thought about her little time with Aris. Though she's bothered, she smiled when she recalled his gentle approach with her.
《••○••••••◇••••••○••》
The next day, Melissa felt a little disappointed when Aris didn't show up. She was sitting on a swing in a nearby park staring at the ground.
That day, she found no good photo. She began to imagine the mess she will have to face the next day. With that in mind, she felt dispirited.
While in deep thoughts, sounds coming from sirens filled the air. She quickly stood up thinking it was an opportunity.
She didn't waste time and ran. She took a cab and instructed the driver to follow the police cars.
In few minutes, they arrived at commotion. It was a bank robbery and the bandits were holding hostages inside.
Melissa immediately hopped off the car and ran near the scene. It was nearly night.
She held her camera ready and looked for a good position. When she realized there's no chance waiting for her in a far spot, she decided to find a closer angle, but before she could move her feet, gunshots rose in the air.
She quickly ducked and crawled behind a car. When the shooting stopped, she lifted her body slowly and peeped through the car's hood. She saw one of the robbers holding a hostage in front of him while pointing his gun at the person's head.
Melissa took that chance and went closer. When she reached the police's perimeter, she placed herself behind a white van and began to take pictures.
When she felt unsatisfied, she looked for a higher position. She was tensed, but she could feel strong kick of desperation inside her. With that, she climbed up the van and crawled on its roof.
She positioned her camera and took more shots. She was too focused with what she was doing, she lost knowledge about the situation.
The robber swayed his gun again while pressing the trigger. Bullets flew in different directions. Melissa heard a loud clang near her arm. She was frightened, she quickly ducked and covered her head.
Then all of a sudden, a grip came on her legs and pulled her down.
"Ahh!" she screamed.
While breathing heavy, she opened her eyes.
"You're one crazy, stubborn woman, aren't you?" Ark told her while carrying her in his arms.
"Aris..." she mumbled while looking straight at him.
Ark put her down gently.
"How did know I'm here?" she asked.
"That's not important. You could have killed yourself, didn't you realize that?" he scolded her.
He looked both pissed and anxious.
"This is my last chance before you erase my memories. I cannot miss this." she insisted.
Ark sighed.
"Alright then, since I'm involved here I'll help you." he told her.
"Really?" she asked with a smile.
She seemed had already forgotten she almost died few minutes ago.
Ark gave her a nod.
"That's great, be my look out." she told him.
She then lifted her one foot attempting to climb back up the van's roof, but Ark held on her waist and pulled her down.
"Are you kidding me? You're not going back in there. Come on, let's find another spot."
He grabbed her hand and took her in a dark alley.
To be continued...
(Don't forget to tap the STAR/VOTE icon after you read, might as well leave a COMMENT of your reactions, questions, suggestions or compliments about this part of the story.)
*****THANK YOU FOR READING*****