I woke with a fright, hearing the voices of my neighbors talking. The walls were so thin it was ridiculous. I was lucky they were old and rarely got amorous. That, I did not need to hear.

But more concerning than the elderly neighbors that got more action than I did was the fact that I was in my bed and in my bed clothes. I could have sworn I had followed Anton through the streets. He had walked to Carnegie Hall and then backtracked to the museum. If that was the case then how come I was at home and in my bed? Did I dream it? I guess I did.

The alarm clock blared at me that it was nine am already. I had to get ready for this meeting. Not sure on why he wanted to help but I guess it was a nice gesture. Reluctance and hesitation were dripping through me, though I suppose some form of help might be beneficial. But what if he wanted to invest money and become a partner? Did I want to share my business with another person? That was a stupid question, if it saved the restaurant then the answer was yes.

I had paced the floors deciding on what to do that I didn't realize that it was already ten am.

"Jeepers." I cried out, grabbing my keys and purse.

The door slammed shut and I raced down the stairs, pushing out the main doors to the street. Anton was walking up the street looking just as incredible as last night. He looked amazing in a suit. I crossed the street after the taxi drove by, scampering across the street I saw Igor coming from the other direction. A little odd but I said nothing.

"You were right about those two." he started, "I told them to never come back or I tell the police."

Igor's face went rigid as he stood firm. "You lost nothing last night because I stopped them. Locksmith is on his way."

"Uh, thank you, Igor."

"Is good, I like this place, I like you. You are a good boss. Master will help you flourish. He is a good man."

I frowned at Igor as I unlocked the door and turned off the alarm.

"Why did you call him master, Igor?"

"Master is a respectful way of saying mister boss for Russians."

"Uh-huh," I said dryly. "So now you're Russian? I thought you were Romanian."

"No, you mistake my words. I am from Russia."

I didn't mistake his words. I heard him perfectly well.

Anton walked into the shop and I watched as Igor tipped his head and scurried away before I could question him anymore. These two know each other.

"How do you know Igor?"

"I know lots of people, Sarah, it's my business to. I travel a lot as well."

"So did you meet him in his home country of Croatia?"

He smiled at me and leaned a little closer.

"Russia Sarah, the man is from Russia."

A blonde woman pushed through the door.

"We're not open."

"Sarah this is Delano. She will handle the front desk for you until you find someone suitable."

The woman in the tight dress turned the sign from closed to open and planted herself on the stool behind the counter. I stared in disbelief as the door pushed open again and a dozen people of male and female variety walked in.

"And these are your helpers."

Anton walked to the front counter and picked up several bundles of papers, handing out great stacks to the well-dressed people. After they turned and left the shop more came in.

"Wait staff and a helper for Igor. Please, learn the layout and the menu."

They all nodded and walked out to the kitchen.

"Delano, I would love a coffee and I'm sure Sarah is in need of a pick me up. Can you handle the machine?"

She nodded once, her eyes pinned to Anton with a smile that made me a little jealous.

"An ex perchance?"

"Uh, no. What makes you think that?"

"She looks at you like she's undressing you."

"Oh," he said with a grin. "Please, let's sit and discuss the future."

Anton gestured to a table at the back of the room. It was a little darker here than at the front where the natural light poured through the glass window.

"What I propose is simple. I inject the necessary funds and staff to keep this place going and in return, you attend a function with me."

"What kind of function?" I asked warily.

"A wedding. It's in a few weeks so we can get to know each other a little better and then when it's over and done with I'll be on my merry little way and you've got a thriving business."

I wanted to say that it was a great idea but the fact that I'd know him for a few weeks and then he'd be leaving was a little hard to handle. What could I say to this offer?

Delano arrived with the coffees, placing them onto the table and leaving without a word said.

"So the extra staff?"

"Delano is taking a leave of absence from her other work to assist us, it would be wise for you to find a replacement as soon as possible. The other staff is yours to keep as you choose."

I nodded and took a sip of the coffee. Incredible was not sufficient enough to describe her coffee making skills. I could only hope that her replacement would be this good.

"So Sarah, what do you think?"

Just as he asked the question the door opened, three women walked in. They stopped at the counter and talked to Delano who then guided the women to a table.

"What could they be ordering at this hour of the morning?"

"Change of menu, you're doing coffee and cake just before the lunch menu starts and then again after it stops until the dinner menu starts. You see Sarah, it's all about keeping the momentum going. Keep the food and drinks flowing and the money will follow suit. Do you see that Sarah? Three women have just sat down in your restaurant when it would normally be shut. I know that you didn't have the funds previously but now you do. Slowly but surely you will get there. Those women, they all ordered a drink and a slice of cake. Ten bucks a pop and you've got thirty bucks sitting at that table."

The door opened again and an elderly couple walked in.

"Oh look, another twenty dollars. Are we on the same page here Sarah?"

I nodded watching the door open again, thoroughly stunned.

"So we have an agreement? I will deal with the financials and you will be my plus one at the wedding."

"Is it black tie? I need to find a dress." I frowned as I trailed off.

"We will deal with that in due time. Many days ahead of us, I'm sure somewhere in those days we can find a shop to purchase something pretty."

I looked at Anton, unable to figure him out.

"Why me? Why not some agency that deals with dates for bachelor's?"

"That's not my style. Now, it would be wise that we get to know each other. We can start with lunch."

The door opened again, distracting me from Anton's statement. I was shocked, I had tuned out and not heard the door open several times. Now the restaurant was nearly at capacity. The coffee machine was hissing as Delano rushed through the orders. The wait staff was busying themselves with helping her and delivering the orders.

I turned back to Anton who was writing something on one of his business cards.

"My place. Feel free to drop by whenever you like. Code for the elevator." he said as he tapped the card "Don't go losing it."

"Sure," I said rather shocked, tucking it into my purse.

"Oh and don't worry about the dog. Cerberus won't bite."

There was a screeching in my mind as everything else ceased to exist. He had a dog. Last night I saw a dog beside him.

"Black dog?"

"Well, I suppose he's..."

Anton looked up at me as I stood up, the chair scratching loudly over the floor.

"It was real," I whispered. "How? How did you do it? I followed you and I woke in my bed. Did you drug me?"

I looked around the full restaurant, people were staring at me. This wasn't real, something was really, really wrong. Something touched my hand, I turned to see Anton standing beside me. His face was plain and offered nothing in the way of emotion.

"What are you?" I whispered.

The world started to darken again.

"No." I groaned.

As the world fell away I could feel myself being lifted into his arms. Faced with another sea of darkness.