There he sits before her with his fabricated aura .Nothing separating them apart from the round table which was adorned with candles to add an aesthetic touch to the place. He stares at her , the corner of his lips twitching into a kind smile . A smile that has accompanied her for numerous nights. 

“ what would you like to drink?” He asked her tactfully  . His voice asserting dominance on her heart while she gazed upon him nonchalantly .

Blue eyes like the sea , a light beard adds resilience to his appearance and a black formal suit accentuates his manly attributes.

To put it simply , he’s perfect.

“ the man of her dreams “ that’s what our girl decided to call him . Even with that , she was only staring at him- unable to speak . As if it was a fantasy.

Interrupting this sentimental atmosphere was a loud , annoying noise. She couldn’t determine the source of it ; The restaurant was a huge and a fancy one . She turned right and left in hopes of distinguishing the origin of the noise but to no avail. She fixed her eyes on the man she didn’t know. Every time she tried asking him , her voice refused to come out . She attempted to tell him that she no longer can hear his noble words .... but her tongue denied her .

“ No! He’s disappearing “ that’s what her mind was shouting .

She tried resisting this voice again , because she doesn’t want to leave him again. She always hated the sorrowful look he had whenever she was about to take off.  His look was filled with blame.

*********************

She opened her eyes to welcome the the sun's golden radiance , exhaled angrily while she removed the bedsheets covering her . God did she hate waking up from such rosy dream.

She wore her lovable job uniform and headed outside to take a cab as she prepared to go to her job with a bright smile , not because of her love for her work only but also due to her happiness of accompanying such a dream for over a year! In other words , since her moving in to the fog city - London.

The girl in her twenty's got out of the cab , handing the driver his required amount of money , kindly. She looked up only to read out the name of her work placement proudly - as per usual- since she considers it one of her dreams that came true.

" Baf's company for advertisement and promotion"

Yes! She is one of the photography interns in the place - she always adored such a job and yearned to be one of the biggest photographers one day.

She entered the place happily , greeting all her colleagues genuinely , while most of the employees responded with frowning faces as they despised working early hours in the morning and it was quite rare to find someone who would actually smile back. But she ? She was always smiling.

How strange she was !

She headed to the photography department to put her handbag on the table in front of her and grab a seat.

" the man of your dreams appeared again ?" Asked one of her close friends - as usual. Or it would be the best to call her " her roommate" whom she nodded to with no argument.

That's right! He's the reason behind this smile...him , only.

The manager handed out work files to all employees in the photography department in the company and asked them to complete the required tasks in two weeks . Clearly , they had no choice but comply , because they're still interns in the company and they have to prove themselves to get a permanent position in the company.

She opened her file and found out that ' nature' was her assigned theme.

Boring! Was the first thing she thought . That's the only adjective suited to describe these files.

In the evening , she and her friend went to the nearest beach in their area and started off with taking pictures of the sunset , as it's a fascinating view that struck both of them and it would be best to start off with it.

" it'll be dull just watching the sunset like this" complained Maddie in irritation. She thought this task would have been more interesting or adventurous !! For the other girl to nod her head in agreement.

They initiated various conversations varying from serious ones to joking around and bantering with each other, all in an effort to prevent boredom of getting the best of them while they were patiently waiting for the perfect time to take the perfect photo.

" NOW" Jane exclaimed as she lightly tapped the other girl's hand to draw her attention, simultaneously pointing upwards with her other hand. Yes , it was a great time to take a picture from this distance!

Hurriedly , Maddie grabber her camera and took multiple photos . Random and quick they were , all thanks to her friend who suddenly got all freaked out .

Both. exhaled in fatigue of standing for god knows how long and flashed each other relieved grins as they called it a day , marking the end of the first day of their required tasks.

They both returned home ; "Tired " was an understatement - they were absolutely exhausted , drips of sweat framing their weary faces.

As soon as they got home , they wasted no time checking the fruits of their work today .
" Dammit! I haven't got anything good " Jane shouted in defeat - getting no reaction from her fellow photographer who was caught in a daze from the photo in her hands . " this is unbelievable !" She whispered - utterly stunned.

Her friend questioned her but she declined her and didn't want to say anything before she confirms it herself , that whatever she just saw was not her imagination . Avoiding looking like a madman in front of her roommate.

Truth to be told , she really did not believe her eyes .... is it real?? That's impossible! She tried dismissing the idea.

It's regarding one of the random pictures she took of one of the loitering chairs around the beach .

The man of her dreams was sitting there.
On one of the chairs.
He was ....observing ...the sunset....

When her eyes lingered on the picture , Jane pulled her back to reality " as if this is your first time seeing a guy" Jane mocked . " besides ! The picture is quite blurry " she added as she ripped the picture which made Maddie sulk .

Yes the picture wasn't the clearest one out there , but in Maddie's eyes , it was crystal clear !!

She was about to object on shredding the picture , however , it was too late.

Yes it's him , she could recognise that manly appearance everywhere and that same combed hair that attracts whoever sees him ... and like that she just settled with wishing that she could meet him tomorrow to reassure herself . That she's not imagining things.

She blurted out mindlessly " we'll go tomorrow to re take the photos "

.
.
The two girls were waiting patiently for the right moment to witness the sunset in complete silence. Despite the fact that all Maddie was doing was searching for that guy- whom just got to the beach few minutes ago , raced by a little kid to the ice cream truck.

The enigmatic guy outlined his destination towards the same chair he sat on yesterday.
Beaming at the ice cream seller on his way.

" it's him! I swear it's him!!" Maddie whispered in disbelieve , barely believing what her eyes saw - whereas her friend payed no mind to her as she directed her whole concentration on obtaining the best photo , to guarantee her place as an advertisement photographer.

" yes!!! I did it !!!"
The abrupt shriek successfully wakes Maddie up from her daydreaming and gazing at the guy. Her friend managed to take the most breath taking photo of the sunset , fulfilling her goal.

Maddie nodded to display interest and support , not forgetting to send her friend a cheerful smile , for the latter to ask " what about you Maddie? Did you take one?"

The called upon female just shook her head in denial and calmly replied " luck wasn't really on my side today , I'll just come tomorrow and try again" . Jane nodded understandingly and then both decided to depart.

One with a job that may guarantee her intentions , the other one with a hope praying for it to become true.

Time passed quickly with nothing significant occurring to Maddie. Just waiting , again in her usual spot , to see that guy again and acquire the courage to talk to him this time. As for Jane , she took off to one of the forests this morning to secure another collection of stunning , wonderful picture of nature.

Maddie prepared herself and went outside swiftly heading towards the beach , wishing to meet him so bad that she forgot her camera - the one that would secure her a permanent status in the enterprise .

She arrived this time to find him sitting in his usual same place , with the same composure and behind him , a child was playing with the sand - evidently enjoying it.

" have courage Maddie!" She motivated herself and walked forwards to stand in front of him and asked for permission to assume the vacant seat next to him . He merely nodded in agreement - not adding to her words , which made her frustrated with his ' ego ' as she presumed.

She returned home , feeling discouraged for not being able to communicate with him properly and also for neglecting her assignment .

" Hey roomie!! What did you do today? Did u take a good photo? " Jane inquired almost too enthusiastic , to which Maddie simply replied with a " no" . Her tone featuring irritation and annoyance. Later , Maddie fell asleep and that was another fruitless day for her.

More than a week and half passed in the same fashion , where Maddie goes to the beach on daily basis to regard him not taking a step closer after last time . Absolutely disregarding her original mission a.k.a photography , or rather she would subconsciously take photos of him - him not knowing about it obviously - just to make sure he's the one and only who has taken charge of her dreams. As if refuting her own eyes.

She only had two days left to complete her designated tasks.

She tried talking to him again this time , perhaps it works! And she could finally claim his undivided attention , like he did with her effortlessly.

She left the house excitedly after she bid farewell to her friend , who managed to finish her work.

She arrived quickly , radiating immense positive energy this time. She spotted his chair and , as she thought , he was sitting on it . The same child from before , takes place distant from him and around the ice cream truck- as per usual - making Maddie presume that they were closely related or something .

She stepped towards the anonymous guy , trying not to draw his attention to her but it was all futile , as the sand and her nervousness claimed control of the situation . She fell next to his chair , making all her stuff scatter on the ground as a result . Especially , her camera which got dirtied with the sand.

She quickly straightened herself , face flushed with embarrassment from her clumsiness. She started gathering her fallen items at full speed while the guy chipped in to help her , a tender smile tugging at his lips . He then returned to sit on his chair , calmly and quietly.

" thank you for helping me " she said , displaying gratitude. However , he did not utter a word as he was occupied by the sunset sky . Here, she started losing her temper as she opted to leave ; Heartbroken and perplexed.

She finally decided that she would go tomorrow and give him a piece of her mind for being rude with her - or that's what her deluded mind convinced her he was.

She woke up after having the same dream that sticked with her for ages. Frustrated and dismayed that it's still a weave of her imagination , especially after she had already encountered its protagonist.

As if she was accustomed to a routine , she left her house at the same time she does daily - heading towards the same destination she'd been visiting this whole time . Like she was hypnotised. Sitting on the same old chair she's been observing , waiting for the blue eyed guy.

time flew with no signs of the guy nor even the kid escorting him always . She first thought he's not coming today , yet she had a tiny ounce of hope - so with that she went and inquired the ice cream seller , deducing that he might have any valuable info regarding the guy's whereabouts.

She greeted him for him to greet back contently , so then she just cut to the chase and asked " excuse me , sir , i would like to ask about the absence of the guy who sits on that chair daily ??" . The man gave her a surprised , baffled look.
" I-I ...uh...H-he forgot something important with me yesterday , yes! And I wanted to return it to him " she reasoned, which made the man nod in comprehension.

" Are you perhaps referring to Mr.Louise ? " he questioned, making her stare at him-pondering. She didn't know his name so she tried to clarify things even further " I'm referring to the guy who's always followed by a little kid " . Upon hearing that , the man smiled fondly , explaining " yes it's him, Louie Timelson and that kid is his son ".

It's like she's been violently slapped to snap her out from her fantasies , the words finally dawned on her rendering her speechless.

On the verge of breaking down , she argued " No no , that can't be!! Of course that's not his son! I'm talking about that guy ...you know?? The one ?? Seated on that chair...there??!!" She finished pointing towards the mentioned chair.

She absolutely rejects the idea of him being married!

" Yes ! that's his son! The guy is called Louie and yesterday did he catch a flight to Germany for therapy ....since he's deaf" the man finished his sentence while she shook her head in denial , dismissing whatever the man was saying because when all said and done , he was merely an old , demented man.

He completely shattered whatever fragment of hope that was left.

She turned around to go home , ignoring the man calling out to her making sure she was okay - after she bumped into his truck , her legs faltering and betraying her but luckily still managing to stop her from falling.

She dragged herself home , carrying a mixture of feelings that entailed nothing but despair , anguish and melancholy.

She entered her house to head , at full tilt , towards the calendar ; She may have lost hope but she didn't lose her goal ... or at least, that's what she expected.

Just as she tried to get her head back in the game and focus on her job , she was utterly shocked to find that today marked the last day of the deadline. Unless she conveyed a decent amount of work and presented a sufficient number of photos , she will be fired.

" Damn it !! I lost my job thanks to this Louie guy!" She yelled furiously while she moaned in defeat. It's all cause she held onto false hope , cause she hanged by the last thread , totally abandoning her job that was bound to open many doors for her.

Her rosy dreams had turned into ashes , since the guy she was fantasising about is married and deaf.

What a disappointment .

Regret is the only word that could express how she feels ; She tossed her future outside the window for nothing ....just a mere stupid dream.

" please " She murmured as she closed her eyes that welled up with tears for losing her present and future .

To add , before she fell asleep , with a dreamy tone ;
" return to being a fantasy "

You've destroyed me while you weren't my destroyer . I loved you while I wasn't your lover . You wrecked my future without knowing and took my goal and left me , therefore , I plead you ; go back to being an illusion that plants happiness in me when I sleep.

.
.
.
How grateful am I for you , because you taught me an important life lesson . A lesson that was attributed by ' Loss' as its concept.
I thought you were a dream that I believed with my eyes , but evidently , you were simply a FALSE HOPE .

************************************

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