Can Yaman International Presents: "If Only..." (Inspired by Erkenci Kus)

Chapter 15.

At the end of Chapter 14:  Can was at a loss as to what to do next. In spite of the fact that his own sister-in-law was withholding Sanem's location from him, he confided in and shared all his feelings and regrets with Leyla in the hope that she would tell Sanem. He pleaded with Leyla to tell him where Sanem had gone so he could make things right with her. But Leyla held tightly to her loyalty to her sister. She had deceived Sanem once a long time ago and swore she would never do it again. Another month had gone by and still no word about Sanem. Emre had begun to really worry about his brother. Can was becoming very withdrawn and quiet, hardly coming to the office at all to work. It was hard to watch. Emre had even noticed Leyla looking at Can with concern and worry. 

(Author's Note: Please read to the end of the chapter and give us your comments about it. Do you like the storyline? The characters? Don't forget to vote too. Thank you!)

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Leyla found Can in his usual spot sitting by the pool outside. Though it was cold and cloudy, he stayed out there most of the time. He told them he could just breathe better there. She decided to try and find out what was going on in his mind. That is, if he would open up to her. She drilled him on why he had left his work and lost all interest in taking care of himself.

Can's eyes that had once held such power and strength were glazed and empty. Leyla had not really looked at him in a while. She was shocked. What has happened to him? He had lost weight and his appearance was no longer of any importance to him. This is more serious than I had anticipated, Leyla thought. No wonder Emre has been so worried. Leyla realized she had let her feelings of what Can had done to Sanem overtake her sense of compassion for him.

Can mumbled one excuse after the other for why he had left the agency. None of them made sense to Leyla. When she asked him when he had eaten last, he told her he really did not remember but he was not hungry. She insisted that he take a shower and said she would fix him some dinner. Without a thought and like he was in a daze, Can got up to follow her instructions.

During the time Can was out of the room, Leyla took the opportunity to call Sanem and tell her the situation. "Can is really in a bad way, abla," Leyla explained. "I have never seen him like this before. In fact, I have never seen anyone like this before."

Hearing Leyla's words, Sanem had an urge to catch the next plane to Istanbul. But she knew this would be too easy. They agreed that Leyla would call her back after Can had showered and had some food and Sanem would talk to him.

Leyla prepared a salad for Can, something light since she did not know how long it had been since he had eaten. He poured himself a whiskey but she took the glass away and brought him a cup of hot tea. He gave her a look of disapproval but did not protest. He was very disinterested in the food as he picked through the salad for a bit then retreated back to the patio and the cold dampness of the night.

Leyla declared to herself that it was time. She would make the move before one of them ended up in serious trouble. She dialed Sanem's phone number then walked out to the patio, phone in hand and barked, "Can, I have had enough of this." He gave her a look of dismissal and turned away. Her tone brought back a memory of the day she had brought the partnership papers to his office. But Leyla was not going to let him turn away.

She shoved the phone in front of him and said, "Now take this and talk. But more than that, listen!" The glare from Can almost made her weak but she stood her ground and declared, "Here, take the phone now."

He reached for the phone and said, "Yes?"

A familiar voice was on the other end answered. "Hello? Can? Can, are you there?"