The alarm was set for 5 AM every day but like always I didn't wake up until 15 till 6. I jumped out of the bed, grabbed my towel and ran into the shower, dropped the soap, got shampoo in my eye and my hair just didn't seem to want to cooperate today. I threw on a black shirt, wrinkled black dress pants and a dirty apron from the day before and ran out the door. The brisk Chicago wind hit my face as I made my way to the subway, which was exactly 4 blocks from my crummy apartment, which that reminds me my rent is 2 weeks late. This life I live, this same daily routine practiced for the past 2 years has long since been outplayed. I stumbled into the restaurant and was greeted by the breakfast rush and the screams of my boss which was all too familiar.
'Ana lese you're late'�.again. This is the third time this week.'� said Dave the general manager.
Ana lese: 'I know'� I know'�I'm sorry.'�
Dave: 'You're always sorry, eventually sorry wont cut it anymore you know?'�
Ana lese: 'Yes sir, I know.'�
Dave: *sigh* 'just get to work already, table 15, its all yours.'�
I shrugged my shoulders and silently walked away and tried to clear my head of all the negativity in the air. That's when I saw him, table 15. He was quite the handsome man, in his late 20s I presume, dark hair, bright green eyes, stocky figured and unusually pale skin. By the looks of it he was tall. He was dressed in crisply ironed blue jeans and a black collared shirt with one button undone. I approached the man with a big smile on my face.
'Good morning sir, my name is Ana lese and I'll be taking care of you today. Can I start you off with something to drink?'� I asked.
'Sir? ha call me Noah. Sir makes me feel older then I'm ready to feel.'� he replied.
'Oh my apologies, ok Noah can I start you off with a drink?'� I asked.
'Hmm'� let's see, how about a glass of orange juice and a hot cup of coffee, black. Oh and by the way, you have one of the most refreshing smiles I've seen in a long time.'� Noah replied.
I could feel my face turning bright red and I found myself frozen as he gazed at me with those bright green eyes of his and smiled revealing the cutest little dimple on his left cheek. I finally managed to get myself together enough to speak.
'Thank you very much, that will probably be the highlight of my day. I'll be right back.'� I said as I walked away.
Noah came in every morning after that for the next month or so, sat at the same table, table 15, and ordered the same thing each time: a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee black and nothing to eat. Each time I found out a little something different about him. He was 29 born and raised in Chicago, a graduate of the Chicago School of Art, a freelance photographer who wrote and did oil paintings on the side. He lived in a studio about three blocks away. He kept busy; he always seemed to have something going on. An art show one week, a photo shoot the next and he was also working on a book to be finished at the end of the month. I found myself fascinated, intrigued with each and every aspect of his life. I wanted to know more, I wanted to experience this exciting, busy life he lived. Another month went by and he finally he asked me out, well sort of. Some of his photography was going to be featured in an art show this weekend and he said he would love for me to be there. Of course, I was quick to respond with a yes followed by a big smile on my face.
'Alright, perfect. I'll see you there. I'll even put you on the guest list; just say your name at the door. I can't wait. ' Noah said with a huge grin.
'Great! I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world.'� I replied.
It was finally Friday, and tonight was the big night. I had the perfect outfit already picked out and I must say I looked absolutely stunning in it. A black satin skirt with a sultry red top, completed with the perfect pair of heels. I didn't want to over do it, simple yet sheik. I pinned my hair up and let some of my soft curls fall over my face leaving my shoulders bare. I was extremely nervous, but I tried to keep my cool as I shut the apartment door behind me and waved down a taxi. The whole drive there my heart was pounding a mile per minute. I was a complete mess. Deep breaths, I kept telling myself, don't screw this up. I finally arrived after what seemed like forever. I walked up to the door and like Noah said my name was on the list. I walked in and immediately was greeted by many different looks. Apparently I was a little overdressed for the occasion, which was exactly what I was afraid of and I immediately felt like a complete and total idiot. I almost turned around out of complete embarrassment, but then I heard his voice, a soft deep calming voice.
'Ana lese? Wow, you look amazing. I'm so glad you could make it. Come, follow Me.'� he said and quickly grasped my hand.
We walked down many different hallways covered in extraordinary pieces of art. From photographs, to paintings, to statues it was all breathtaking. We finally reached the back of the gallery and there read upon the wall in big letters: Noah Whitley and underneath his name hung about 2 dozen photos, the most beautiful realistic photographs I have ever seen, each one telling a story, each one capturing the emotions of different people experiencing different tragic events.
'Wow Noah, these photographs are amazing.'� I said with a look of awe in my face.
'You're amazing, come lets go have a drink'� Noah replied.
A few martinis and a couple good laughs and before I knew it we were headed back to his place. It was a very spacious studio, not much furniture, various paintings and photographs hung upon the walls. A disorganized desk with random post it notes everywhere.
'Here have a seat.'� Noah said as he cleared a spot off for me on the black leather couch positioned perfectly by the window which gave you an amazing view of downtown Chicago.
Ana lese: 'Thank you, and what a beautiful view; this is why I love this city, so pretty at night. '
Noah: 'You're beautiful. I really can't thank you enough for coming tonight. It really meant a lot.
Ana lese: 'Oh you're welcome. I was glad I could share that moment with you, so thank you for inviting me.'�
Noah: 'Ana lese, can I ask you something?'�
Ana lese: 'Of course, ask whatever you'd like.'�
Noah: 'Are you happy with your life?'�
Ana lese: 'ha well is anyone truly happy with their life? We're always looking for something more.
Noah: 'You're life has been going downhill the past two years hasn't it?'�
Ana lese: ''� yes'�
Noah: 'And you wake up to the same thing every day, each day hoping for something more?'�
Ana lese: 'yea, I'm not going to lie. I do.
Noah: 'You're dead Ana lese.'�
Ana lese: 'Excuse me?!
Noah: 'You aren't living; you haven't been alive for the past two years. Ana lese what if I told you there's a way out. What if I told you everything you've been searching for the past two years I hold the key to'�
Ana lese: 'What exactly are you getting at?'�
Noah: 'Come away with me. I promise you won't regret it. I will give you the life you have always dreamed of. You deserve more than this, you deserve life; the chance to truly live Ana lese. Come away with me.'�
Ana lese: 'What! Where? Wait'� No. I can't do that. I'�I barely know you. I have bills to pay, a job to keep.'�
Noah: 'You're behind on your rent, soon to be evicted, and about to get fired due to your bad attendance, let's be honest Ana lese you have nothing to lose.'�
Ana lese: 'Wait, how do you even know all of this?'�
Noah: 'Shh'�Ana lese, I know more than you think I know.'�
He then pressed his lips against mine and kissed me in a way I've never been kissed before. He ran his soft gentle hands through my hair, brushed them against my face, down my shoulders as he kissed my neck and proceeded to take off my top. At this point in time I had no idea how I got here or what in the world was going on. I couldn't seem to move, even breathing became troublesome. He then whispered in my ear as he ran his hands up my skirt. 'Come away with me.'� Panic then approached, sending chills down my spine.
'I'� I can't do this; something just doesn't feel right about this. I have to go. I have to go now; I'm sorry.'� I quickly stood up, picked my shirt off the floor, threw it over my head and ran out the door before he had time to stop me, which I knew he would do if given the chance. I ran, not knowing exactly where I was running to, but I had to get away. I had to allow my conscience time to catch up with me. Then out of no where every thing came to a sudden halt, everything started to spin, I began to sweat, my vision got blurry and I fell to the ground.
I woke up the next morning not to the familiar sound of my alarm clock, but to the screeching sound of floor boards above my head and the feeling of being watched. This place was not familiar to me. It was cold, very cold but I was drenched in sweat. My head was pounding and my body ached like I'd just been hit by a freight train. I slowly opened my eyes, afraid of what I might see. The room was dark, except for the light that shone through a crack in the ceiling that shone on a tiny spot in the middle of the room.
'Where the hell am I?'� I said silently.
'Good morning. My name is Noah and I'll be taking care of you this morning.'� replied a shadow from across the room.
'Where am I? I said in a panicked voice.
Noah then rose from the dark corner of the room and stepped into the light. He walked over to the bed and kissed me on the forehead.
Noah: 'You slept a lot.'�
Ana lese: 'Why am I here? How am I here?'�
Noah: 'What are you talking about silly girl? You've been with me all night. ha and what a night it was.'�
Ana lese: 'What are you talking about? I left, I know I left and I ran and then I got dizzy, and'�. and'� I don't remember'�
Noah: 'nonsense'�
And he kissed me this time passionately on the lips.
Noah: 'remember now, or should I refresh your memory?'�
Ana lese: 'No! Get away from me! I must have passed out and you brought me back here. What did you put in those martinis you gave me? Did you put something in my drink?'�
Noah: 'Now why would I do such a thing? Just calm down. No need to get excited dear. You are safe, here with me, you are safe now.'�
The throbbing in my head grew even stronger now; I went to rub my forehead and felt an instant sting.
Ana lese: 'How'd I get this cut then!?'�
Noah: 'The power of dreams can often be scary. Here drink some water.'�
Ana lese: 'I wasn't dreaming, where are my things? I'll be leaving now.'�
Noah: I don't think that will be happening anytime soon, but no worries. You'll be able to go home soon enough. Once you're better. I'm going to help you get better.'�
Ana lese: 'What are you talking about!? There's nothing wrong with me!'�
I then attempted to move but to my surprise found myself paralyzed and that's when the fear set in.
Ana lese: 'Why can't I move, what's wrong with me?'�
Noah: 'aah the medicine is starting to kick in. Don't worry just a little something to keep you calm during the experimentation.'�
Ana lese: 'experim'�'�.'�
I then lost all ability to speak and soon after I drifted asleep, into a long deep agonizing sleep.

To be continued'�

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