*Aşk için bir oyun *

Chapter 6 - Kızımın bir düzine yıl sonra giyeceğini düşünmemiştim

The black car was parked outside the building where Serkan lived. There was someone in the car who had been watching the woman who had visited the building owner for a long time. The slightly open window allowed for a look at the area and the guard who was walking in front of the entrance to the building. A young woman approached the car, leaned over and handed over a dark briefcase with documents."Watch her. As soon as she leaves his apartment, alone or with him or anyone else, you are to inform me. And make no mistake again. Zero revealing until I give my consent, understood? " a male voice disturbed the morning silence in the street."Of course boss." the woman nodded slightly and walked away to her vehicle.The man glanced briefly through the documents provided to him by the employee. The sight of what he most expected only strengthened his plans. "Oh Eda, you don't even know what's in front of you," he thought, signaling the driver to leave, closing the window. "We'll see how you handle it, Yildirim."

The smell of pancakes wafted through the two-story apartment. In the kitchen, a brunette was preparing breakfast by dancing to a song that was broadcast on the radio. After a very stressful day, she felt that today she was able to hold a conversation she had put off for a long, long time. She lacked strength and courage, and the real fear of being rejected again paralyzed her. But yesterday's short conversation with the architect last night gave her a spark of hope that maybe she shouldn't be so afraid of rejection. Singing the chorus, she flipped the last pancake in the pan, turned the heat down, and began covering her breakfast. Hearing the metallic sound of the door keys, she turned down the radio and extinguished the flame under the pan. She tossed the pancake onto a pile of a dozen cakes. She set the plate of the dish on the counter next to the toppings and refilled the cups of warm liquid. Hearing noises coming from the living room, she came out from behind the pillar and a smile appeared on her face. Seeing her beloved man and Sirus, she felt... felt happy. Free. Confident. Secure. Dear. Wanted. The enormity of these feelings surprised her. She hadn't felt so alive in a long time. She was sure that they would be able to mend their relationship and ... who knows? Maybe move on, take the next step?"Did you sleep well? How are you?" Serkan asked, taking off his jacket and hanging it on a hanger."I slept great. I feel even better. " she replied."How's your head? No dizziness? Memory Losses? " the man's watchful eyes watched her every move."Nothing at all." she confirmed. "I prepared breakfast for us." she pointed to the prepared table top." Convenient?" Serkan pointed to the sweatshirt the girl was wearing. It was a black hoodie, much too big for a woman."Yhm." she murmured as she sat down to eat.

After eating and cleaning the dishes, they sat down on the sofa with cups of coffee."Serkan""Eda" they started at the same time."Yes? Speak first " he encouraged her to start the conversation."We need to talk." she started "do you have a moment now? I know you are busy with this Mr. Sinan hotel project right now, but I wish I could take some more time for you ""Work is not my priority." Serkan said, setting his cup of half-drunk black liquid on the table."No? And what is? If I may ask.""You.""Ne? I mean me? Since when? ""Eda, you and me know very well since when you are the most important person in my life." Serkan looked at her."When? I did not remember. " she tried to pretend she didn't remember.Eda looked at her in this amazing way, as if she had become the only being on earth, the only celestial body in the universe."Oh you mean ..." she broke off, recalling the day they first met. The day that started it all. The fateful end of June."Yes. Memorable day. For the first time, someone dared point out to me that I didn't act like a human. And maybe you were right. " he broke off, taking the brunette's hands in his "Did I say maybe? You were right. I was, I am and I will be a robot. An insensitive robot that controls everything and everyone. But I also want to be important in your life. I don't want to have to part with you. You became my air, my oxygen, my inspiration, my muse, my everything. If I had the opportunity to distance myself from Mr. Alptekina and the holding company, I would. Everything I said before breaking up is true. I keep every promise. I wish we could run away somewhere together. You, Sirus and me. Our three. But unfortunately I do not have this option. Thanks to you, my mother dared to go out to people, leave the house after several dozen long years of being locked within the walls of the property. The death of my brother ... "he swallowed the lump that suddenly appeared in his throat" Alp has always been prepared to take over the chairmanship of the holding company. His unexpected death thwarted these plans. Immediately after his funeral, my parents sent me to boarding school so that I could prepare to run the company. " he paused in his story so that he could contain the tears in his eyes.Eda, seeing this, gently wiped the liquid with her thumb, which managed to get out of his eyes. Listening to his confession, she was moved. She knew, she felt that deep down Serkan is an emotional man, full of secrets and pain, who only put on a mask of indifference and decided that there is only black and white in his life. What she didn't know was that she would hear such a declaration from his lips. She wiped away the tears that she didn't know when started to soak her cheeks."When I returned to Turkey after my studies, I decided to open an architectural studio together with Engin and Piril. This is how ArtLife was born. Within a few years, my mother and father pressed me to take the helm of the holding company. After learning the truth about your parents, when my father told me that the holding company was involved in your parents' deaths, Mr. Alptekin deigned to take a step aside and handed me the reins of the company. Due to the fact that part of the holding's shares does mean Selin had, because her father and mine founded a company together, but about a year ago Selin's father left for early retirement, Selin and Selin had half the shares. Currently Selin has a small part, as you know she sold big part of shares to Efe. " he finished speaking and reached for a mug of a cold drink.Eda closed her eyes at the mention of her cousin. How is she to present the truth to him?Serkan is unaware that half of the holding is now owned by her grandmother. But that's only for a time. She sighed. Memories of yesterday's meeting flashed before her eyes. The content of the conversation with Grandma and her lawyers sounded so unbelievable that she tried to dismiss her from memory. How is he supposed to do that now? How is she to trust a woman who, out of revenge, that her son chose Eda's mother, ordered their murder?On the other hand, she felt that if she didn't tell him now, then it might be too late. And she needs someone who will support her, help her.Who was she cheating? She may pretend to Efe, Aunt Ayfer, or her grandmother that she doesn't care about Serkan, but the truth is she is in love. She fell in love for the first time in her life. This discovery she made while outside Istanbul grows more and more every day. She loves this man. She loves the way his corners of his mouth form a smile, how he says her name, how he cares for her development, how he tries to protect her, how he sacrifices himself not to hurt her ... She appreciates his every gesture. She is aware that she forced him to do many things, such as the need to change the approach to employees, showing feelings, noticing various less important issues, such as caring for her aunt or his acceptance of her friends. She could watch him work for hours, concentrate on projects.She'll tell him, she decided. No more secrets, no more secrets, no more lies. Sincerity. If there's anything to come out of it, let it come out. If not, he will do anything to keep Serkan and his businesses from her grandmother. Even if it has to take radical measures."Thank you for sharing this confession with me." she started, then put a pillow on her lap and continued. "After our conversation that night, after we broke up, I went home. Ferit was waiting for me outside the house. He handed me a rather large briefcase asking me to read them. I wanted to postpone it for later, but he insisted, so I invited him to our florist's shop. " she stopped. Oh it's harder than she thought. But she can do it. For Serkan, for both of them, she has to say everything. "The documents showed that your oh ... Mr. Alptekin is responsible for the death of my parents. I was desperate. Our future has just collapsed, and now I'm finding out that the man connected with you is involved in the death of my parents. I couldn't think clearly. I wanted to meet him immediately.  Ask how he feels about it, whether his conscience is troubling him, whether he understands what he has done. But Ferit gave me a richly prepared set of crash site investigation reports. They showed that the cause of the collapse of the building wall was not the fault of the building materials, but a huge explosion. According to documents from a detective who had been brought in by Ferit to a florist, it looked like someone had ordered the murder of my parents. I made a call to the man who, at my grandmother's request, had been following my every step since the news of our fictitious engagement appeared in the national media. My cousin. "She paused. She gripped the corners of the pillow tightly. "Efe Akman is actually Efe Akman Yildirim, my father's adoptive nephew. My dad's stepbrother had a son before I was born. And Efe was to inherit the family legacy. Until I showed up. Neyse ... My cousin explained to me the truth, why he joined the holding company, why he bought shares, what motivated him to offer me a job. It turned out that Babaanne had helped him in the past, while forcing him to promise that he would do anything to infiltrate my life. She had failed with Fifi before, but now she was lucky. The woman is trying to take control of my life. You know I hate when someone wants to control me. " Serkan nodded, not interrupting his beloved's story. "Imagine that at yesterday's meeting in the holding company, babaanne told me that it might make it easier for me to access the money that is mine and that I gave up on my 18th birthday. After years of wandering around orphanages, orphanages and care institutions, I wanted to free myself from her. It was my worst two years in my life, "she hiccupped, letting the emotions out of my body. A sob escaped her mouth and took over her entire body. Shivering, she moved towards Serkan, who hugged her and gently rubbed her back."All I need is," she continued, " to sign a few documents in which I renounce my dad's shares, all his rights to work and the obligation to leave the country for a minimum of 5 years." she interrupted her story with a broken voice."But I can't do that." she whispered, touching the flower ring with her right hand. It all started with this jewelry. She hadn't realized that the past could have such an effect on the present."Do you remember the day you made me buy a ring?" she asked after a moment wiping the tears running down her cheeks."Yes." he replied."The jeweler we went to when you didn't like my choice... It was the Yildirim family's jewelry store. Yani ... The jeweler who served us was my grandmother's employee. I didn't know it then, I swear. Only after we split up ... I looked at my mother's diaries and found a sketch of this ring between the pages." her teary eyes looked at Serkan."You mean to say ... No, that's impossible." said the architect. He did not believe in such coincidences. It looked suspicious. It would never have occurred to him that the girl who sat in front of him was the heiress of a jewelry company, the same person who applied for the scholarship and worked in a flower shop."You do not believe me?" fear seized Eda.Just when she thought everything between them was almost cleared up ... No, she won't give up. She has to show him the evidence. With this in mind, she got up from the sofa and walked over to the table where her purse was lying. She took out an old notebook, which had been damaged for a period of time, and between it a piece of paper with a drawing and the author's signature. She walked over, put the evidence in front of Serkan, and went upstairs without saying a word. In the bathroom, she changed into her clothes quickly and went downstairs."You still don't believe me?" she asked sadly."Eda, it's not like that ..." he began, getting up from the sofa."Like what?""Look, it sounds too predictable - you are connected with quite important people, your family rules everywhere, you have huge connections and yet for reasons unknown to me you live here in Istanbul, you run a flower shop with your aunt, you work, study, have a scholarship and you could go ahead it has been a long time since you have achieved what you want - finish school, visit the world. Listen, Eda, what are you playing? This is some kind of revenge? Some theater? What do you mean?"Serkan glanced at the girl he hardly knows."How ... how do you know about all this?" shocked, she stared at the blonde who was standing in front of her."Never mind " she said as she headed for the door. "It seems to me that recently I told you how loving" she shuddered at these words," I have a grandmother. I know you don't believe there can be logic between us. What happened between us ... Let's forget about it. ""Eda, come on ...Let me explain..." he tried to say something, but to no avail."You know what? I thought... no. I thought and still say that we are soul mates. Thanks to you I have gained faith that I can live on, I can love someone, and the other person will also give me the same feelings. Apparently I was wrong "She raised her arms and then lowered them immediately." You made it possible for me to experience the greatest summer of my life. I met a lot of great people, I felt wanted, loved by other people. I wanted ... and anyway it doesn't matter anymore. " She took her purse and left the apartment.After going downstairs, she leaned against the wall and tried to calm her breathing. If she didn't, she felt that she would pass out again. And she couldn't make it happen."Eda, it's high time to finish it all." she whispered, then left the building, heading for the bus stop.

***

"By what right did you come out?" the dark-haired man looked at the brunette with curly hair. "What if she finds out? How will you explain all these years to her? "An angry, well-formed man paced the length and width of the living room. Ah that woman! She was supposed to wait! Not all of this was planned so meticulously that now, after so many years, they would have lost everything. How could he be so stupid as to trust her. After all, he has known her for over twenty years. Twenty! They have a child together and he, like an idiot, let her tender words and sweet eyes approach him."Azra, we've made a plan right? You were supposed to watch her from a distance. From afar! So you were not supposed to reveal yourself! "The woman, disregarding the man's anger, said:"I couldn't have done otherwise. Our Little Star fell down the stairs, you understand? I thought she was dead. I had to intervene." the woman with tears in her eyes trembled at the sight of her little daughter."Has anyone recognized you?" the man approached his wife and knelt down in front of her. He took her hands in his and placed a kiss on them."Probably not. There were a few people there, the lovely boy Ferit and a few employees. As soon as the rescuers appeared, I ran away. " she reported feeling like a coward. Leaving her unconscious daughter had made a huge hole in her heart."Mirac, maybe we should talk to your sister? I'm worried about Eda. From what Sinan and Fikret said, our little star fell in love with this young Bolat with reciprocity. ""Azra dear, you know how I wish happiness for Eda. I want her to be happy, healthy and be able to fulfill her dreams, and not to work with my sister in a flower shop. But we cannot enter their lives just like that after so many years. We must slowly, step by step, pursue our goal. " in a calm voice, he explained to his spouse their plan.They both knew that their sudden arrival in the lives of their loved ones would change everything Eda and Ayfer had known so far. They had to approach it properly. To this end, the man got up from his knees, kissed his wife and left the house.After what his wife did, it's time to implement Plan B.He got into the waiting SUV and told the driver to take it to the address he had indicated.

***

Serkan had been trying to contact Eda for several hours, but to no avail. He was in front of the flower shop, in front of her house, but he did not notice any sign that his beloved might be there. He even checked with the company by calling Leyla, but the girl wasn't there either. He visited several other places important to them, but without any effect. He went home angry with himself. Not having enough strength, he asked the porter to lead Sirus out, and he himself sat in the living room and looked at their photos together. If he could turn back time he would not have reacted so hastily. He couldn't forgive himself for letting her leave just like that. Frustrated, he got up and went to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Hearing an urgent knock on the door, he went to open it. Behind the glass door, dressed in a dark suit, stood an unknown man. Serkan, despite the fact that he did not know the man, opened the door ajar."Good evening son." a stranger greeted him."Good evening. Who are you?" Serkan stared at the stranger."Mirac Yildirim, can I come in?""Please." Bolat opened the door wider.An unknown man crossed the threshold of his house, looking around the open space. Following the host's instructions, he headed for the sofa. Suddenly he saw his wife's diary and his own drawing."Oh it still exists. Azra will be pleased. "said the stranger."Can you please explain to me who you are?" Serkan renewed his question as the stranger touched the things Eda had left behind. "Who is Azra?" he added upon hearing the woman's name. The same as on the sketch the stranger took in his hands."I remember making this drawing. You know this was supposed to be my wife's ring? I didn't think my daughter would wear it a dozen years later. Tell me do you love her? Do you care for her? How is she like?" the man sat down on the sofa, admiring the drawing."Listen? Your daughter? Your drawing? Who are... "the truth reached Serkan in an instant. It staggered and if it weren't for the pillar it would probably have fallen. He did not believe. He shook his head.He rubbed his eyes and tried to control himself. He sighed "You are Eda's dad."

"Indeed I am son. Nice to meet you" darkhair man makes a smile to his son-in-low. 

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I planned to add this chapter before Christmas Eve, but for health reasons I am adding it only now. I hope you will like it and you will continue to follow our heroes together with me. I decided to follow this path because I am curious how this thread could be developed. Do you have any ideas? Share them in the comments.