Kayla's POV 

"Hey, Miss Kayla. Here for the rooftop? It's a cold night, make sure he gets you warm." Bill greeted, smiling with his perfect white set of teeth and the flirty wink he always gives when he tapped his card on the scanner for the lift. "You know, he should have given you a card by now. But I am more than delighted to activate the card key for you to visit him."

"I will let him know about the key. Catch you later, Bill. "

I waved him bye just as the elevator door closes.

It was a dark late evening, as I stared at the grey sky that illuminated from the artificial lighting on every building, it lighted up brighter than how my day been so far. And being above and away from the cold repetitive society system pacify my spirits that been ruined the entire day.

The system in our little society assumes all woman of my age with education should be able to meet someone on par and get married; lived happily as a trophy wife and bear children for our husband. Maybe that's why I am single, grumpy and mad at how these things should work out. I haven't met anyone yet!

I sighed a long tired breath as the cold wind blew towards me, it was getting late, cold and dark as all the lights on every building switches off one by one, what was left was the bright moonshine.

"How I wish you are here with me, Joseph," I muttered under my breath.

It was an absurd hope that my older brother, who passed on for a year, would be here to cheer me up. I took another swig of my beer and gulped it down at one go.

"Jo, if you can hear me, I wished you'll come back, not that Cal is an asshole, but you were always the best older brother for advice." I foolishly spoke out loud again and smiled to myself.

I forget to mention at where I am, Saint Ryle Apartments, you pretty much need to sell your soul to own an apartment here, the tallest skyscraper of South Lace is the most sought-after apartment and why? For a start: every floor of these building could accommodate two apartments of 470 sqm, their interior of the studio almost looks as if it's a hotel room, professional security guards and butlers for every floor is a given; you wouldn't have to worry about laundry or groceries!

As for how this little adventures of entering illegally here, I kept with an image of being a resident's girlfriend. A medical scrub, grey parka, and messy bun always do the trick with the security guard, Bill. He was swoon with me since the first evening I came by here. No one question if you wear your job out in the open and it was pure luck that he lets me in.

Well, that's how usually I get on the lift of this classy-i sell my soul-apartment building. I took the last swig of my beer and stood upright at the end of the ledge, I gave myself a long stretched and smile, "Happy Birthday to me, thirty at it's finest, Kayla." I looked down at the highest floor I am on the thirty-fifth floor, and that includes the rooftop, "What did those suicides victim feel? Did they regret as soon as they step over and realize they can't stop mid-air?" I questioned myself out of curiosity, and it sends cold shivers down to my spine.

"Hey." A man's gruff voice caught me by surprise. I realized that I wasn't alone anymore, and that bothers me. I quickly turned and looked at him, "Hey." I replied him with a half-smile, with my hands fisted in the parka pockets. "I may not know you, but jumping wouldn't help, you see?" This mysterious man came forward slowly with his left arm extending to me. This man must have worked here as the security team or one of the residents. I did a quick scanned on his appearance: Loose black shirts, jogger pants and converse sneakers with a plastic bag hanging from his wrist.

He tilted his head and grinned, "Are you okay?" He questioned again.

I jumped off the ledge and walk towards him, "I am here for a quiet evening and not to commit suicide. Don't worry." I looked up, and his scents similar to vanilla and a pulse of familiarities hit me, but I couldn't recognize where have I seen him. His eyes were blue, and it was bright as a Siberian Husky, pale skin that covered both of his with full arm tattoos and a ring piercing on his lower lip. I know I've seen those tattoos before, as I noticed a visible, familiar design on one of his arm.

"I am Derek, what's your name?" He inquired calmly. There's something intimate about this refined vibe "I am Kayla." I glance at him, but this time, his eyes were glassy under the effulgence evening, and the quietness was not stiff, it was more of some emotions that I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Er, I was here to celebrate my birthday alone. It's mandatory actually. But you are welcome to stay." Derek spoke while flaunting a plastic bag full of beer. "Oh? It's mine too." I stare at him quizzically.

"Well, shall we?" He stretches his arms again, but this time was not towards the ledge. "On the ground? If that's okay with you?" Derek stated. I swear I have recognized that smile before. "Sure."

Derek offered me a can of beer and grin, "Well, Happy Birthday, Kayla." His voice sounds pure, and somehow, I felt relaxed and safe around this stranger. "Happy birthday, Derek."

As our beer cans clanged together, after a long cold gulp of the alcohol that seems an aeon, we untangled ourselves from the box and let out a sound of satisfaction. "Tell me about this mandatory rule of celebrating alone?" I peered and broke the awkward silence.

"Well, I have been waiting for this girl. She was involved in an accident, and she lost her memories. She couldn't remember who I was to her, and it was like I never existed in her life at all. It's been a few years that I have lost my best friend and the love of my life. And we made a promise that the three of us will celebrate our birthdays here. And losing them even before we accomplished our agreement, this is somewhat to honour them, and ironically, I have met someone who shares the same name as her." He stared at me while beaming before looking away.

Even if they weren't here, he still honours the promises. They must've been the luckiest people.

Somewhere behind the intricate tattoos, he has those stories, I run my finger unknowingly on his skin, a sense of intimacy sent a shiver straight down my spine. "It's okay to feel them. Every one of these has a story, but it'll bore you so tell me about yourself, why this building among the rest building?" Derek held a gaze on me and scooted nearer to me.

"I am not sure myself, but it feels like I've been here before, I pretended that someone I know resides here. And Bill, the security guy, believes my story, he always let me in. Nonetheless, I like the view here, and the breeze calms me after a long day at work." I let a small laugh, and he quietly nods. Somehow, this felt familiar again.

After finishing my can of beer, my phone suddenly rang, vibrating to the song of Fall Out Boy, Immortal. "Ah, work calls for Kayla? Excellent choice of song by the way." Derek said. "It's been my ringtone since forever, can't remember why… sorry, I have to take this." I stood up and walked a few steps away and answered the call. "Kayla Lincoln," I replied while rolling my eyes.

"Hey Derek, I got to go, it seems none of the doctors is available." Derek nodded and smiled, "Let me walk you out."

As we exit out of the elevator, Bill stood up straight and kept quiet. Weird, he is always chirpy every time I leave. "Miss Kayla, have a safe trip back and see you soon." Bill smiled as he held the door for us.

Derek held a gaze towards Bill, weird. Bill didn't greet him.

"So, it was nice seeing you, Kayla. Do you maybe want to hang out for breakfast later on?"

My heart raced as I conveniently took out my phone inside my parka pocket, "Sure, it'll be nice to have a birthday meal together, punched in your number."

I strutted towards the traffic lights and looked behind.

"Nice to see you, Kayla!" He shouted over, and I waved him bye as I crossed the road.

Derek's POV

"Mr Ryle, there's a medical doctor keep requesting for the roof access, do you know her?" Bill asked as I walk past him by the security counter. He showed me a print in a black and white paper of a figure in a medical scrubs, sneakers and wore parkas — someone so familiar.

"I know her, don't worry," I assured Bill with a lie. There's a more important thing to give a shit than some doctor coming for the rooftop.

God, I miss Joseph, and whatever happens to Kayla and her family. I ran my hair twice and stared out of the windows of my apartment; I guess rooftop do have a better view. As I grabbed my black coat and punched a few codes to the lift, I breathe in and out; It'll be okay and alright.

I've moved here after the accident and built this building and to find Kayla was the plan. Hell if she's married because I am too. It's a corporate wedding and me playing house.

God, I wish I hadn't made all of these tough choices.

As I pushed the door, I heard a girl giggling while standing on the rooftop ledge. I called out to her, "Hey". Her shoulders jerked, and she turned towards me. I know that face. I cleared my throat and asked her to get down and said about don't lose her life over something.

She jumps off the ledge (My heart stops) and paces towards me. It's Kayla, and she's all grown up. Fuck, she's pretty: her light brown eyes glowed under the moonlight, her bared face was smooth as baby skin, her hair is still messy in a bun, and her round frame spectacles makes her incredibly cute. Oh my god, My Kayla Lincoln.

If this were a joke from all the Gods in this world, I would thank them.

A while ago, I wished Kayla was here, and now, we are sharing a moment over a beer, and I like how she had changed so much. She used to be timid. Joseph would be proud of you, Kays. I am so sure he is.

As I was walking down towards the door, I could only hope Bill didn't say anything. Maybe I should ask her out.

"Sure, it'll be nice to have a birthday meal together, punched in your number," she replied, and I looked up to her and noticed, how she had grown taller. She has learned to trust her surrounding (my heart stops). My Kayla, you have become the survivor you hoped for.

She turned back, and I waved her goodbyes, as soon her figures disappear, I took out my phone and quickly dialled the head security.

"Hey Frank, can you help me look for someone? ASAP."

"She is the girl, am I right to say, Sir?" Bill asked as I walked past him.

"She is, this is my only chance to make it right. Thank you, Bill."