Only You

11 - Making Amends

With Emre keeping not only Aylin occupied, but Huma as well, the day at Fikr'i Harika proved to be very productive.

Sanem finished her work as quickly as she could so that she could leave early and help her mother with Lelya's engagement ceremony that evening. She popped her head into Can's office door, "Can? I'm headed out. I'll see you tonight."

"Give me one second...to...there. Sent." Can took a quick breath and closed his laptop after sending what felt like his millionth email that day. "I'll drive you home."

"That's not necessary. I'm sure you have more work."

"I do, but I am in desperate need of my dose of Sanem." He made his way over to her and kissed her hand before taking hold of it, spinning her around, and walking down the hall to the parking garage. "I've barely seen you all day."

"But look how much we got done. The Redmode campaign just needs some finishing touches."

"It doesn't need anything. It's already perfect. Like you."

"Save that talk for our engagement ceremony. Parents love to hear how perfect their children are."

"I'll need all the help I can get. Which is why I'll risk going home to pick up my suit for tonight. With any luck, Huma will be out of the house. I need to look presentable if I'm to be the next son-in-law. Osman is a hard man to follow, and both your parents have loved him forever."

"My dad may take some more work but Mom already loves you."

"She does?"

"Yes. You didn't know that?"

"Well... I hoped. But... Hmm."

"What?"

"It's just such a nice feeling. A mother's love."

Sanem let go of Can's hand to reach up and stroke his beard and hopefully soothe him, "Your mother loves you too."

"No, she doesn't. She loves the idea of me. A son taking over the family business, a prominent member in high society, falan filan."

"That's because all she knows of you is what she's read in magazines."

"Whose fault is that?"

"Can... she is here now..."

"Only because she read something in a magazine she didn't like. And do I have to remind you that that something is you."

"I know, but...listen. You don't have to forgive her to give her a second chance. She was a horrible mother to you, there is no mistaking that, but maybe hear her out. It costs nothing to talk to her."

"Sanem. Just let me handle it."

"No. We are a team. Your problems are my problems, remember? We handle them together."

"Will it make you happy?"

"Only if in the end you are happy."

"I'm already happy."

"Can...? Please?"

"I'll...I'll try. How about that?

"Thank you. I'm trying too, to forgive Emre. I don't know how easy it will be. After he..." Sanem trailed off. She didn't want to cause more discord between the brothers. She loved that their relationship had managed to stay intact after everything and she didn't want to risk messing that up again.

"You can speak openly to me. I know he's my brother, but you're my fiancée. So, what were you going to say?"

"I know he's trying to make amends now, but he did manipulate me for his own gain and then tried to do it again. But of course I have no proof of that second time. And then he broke my sister's heart. And now Leyla is going to marry Osman and then quite possibly ruin not just her own life, but Osman's as well."