Can Yaman International Presents: Aşk ve Gurur~ Love and Pride

Chapter 15: "Iyi ki varsin" ("So Glad I Have You")

At the end of Chapter 14, Part 2:  "Sanem, I don't want to assume anything but the last few hours have given me hope. If your feelings are still what they were..." He swallowed hard and shook his head, his eyes welling up. He cleared his throat and began again, "I need you to know that I do trust you. With my life. With my heart. You have possessed me body and soul from the very first moment I saw you and I love... I love... I love you," he finished breathlessly. I kissed him with a soft brush of my lips against his. "I love you too." He leaned his forehead against mine and closed his eyes, relief stamped on his features. "I don't want to be apart from you ever again, from this day on," he murmured.

(Author's Note: Please read to the end of the chapter and leave a comment. Are you enjoying the storyline? Don't forget to vote too. Thank you!)

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Sanem:

The unveiling of my new fragrance was underway, and it was a night for celebration for more reasons than one. My escort for the night was dressed in a crisp white shirt unbuttoned just enough to show a tantalizing strip of skin, along with a fitted vest. In his inimitable style, he was also accessorized to the nines. I wore a royal blue, one-shoulder gown that skimmed my body. My only accessory was bold red lips and one piece of jewelry. He looked stunningly handsome and I sighed with happiness. 

This was our first public event as a couple. When we walked in holding hands, it seemed to me that the entire room fell silent. Even when introducing him to clients and colleagues, people seemed stunned and almost speechless in his presence. I mentioned this to Leyla when we visited the ladies' room.

"You two do look gorgeous together," she said matter-of-factly as she refreshed her lipstick. "It's a little disgusting actually," she joked. "You also have this... chemistry, I guess. He is obviously crazy about you and makes no effort to hide it. My sister, the sexy siren. Who would have thought?" she laughed.

"Oh, be serious," I replied.

But after hearing Leyla's remarks, I noticed the looks from people attending the event and found myself enjoying the envious glances sent my way. "Yes, you can look, but he is all mine," I thought with an inner smile. This streak of possessiveness in me was a surprise but not unwelcome.

"Are you ready?" he asked me.

I took a fortifying gulp of wine and answered, "Not really." I was nervous but also excited for the surprise I had in store for him. That helped take away some of my aversion to public speaking. The panic that had been my companion for so many years was quietly retreating in the face of my newfound confidence. Not having my mother trample all over said confidence on a daily basis was also a great help too, I thought.

He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, "This came from your beautiful head and your beautiful heart. No one knows more about it than you. This is your baby, remember?"

I put down my wine glass and slipped my hand around his neck. I gave him a swift kiss before I went up on the platform. I looked out at the familiar faces and instead of nerves, I felt immense pride. Leyla, who was now my partner in this venture, beamed at me and beside her, Emre was wearing a broad smile. Several of the people in attendance had worked with me before. Upon hearing what I was aspiring to do, they had come on board although we were all taking a tremendous gamble.

I began by thanking everyone for their hard work and without much fuss, introduced the new fragrance. It was to be our flagship fragrance, the one that I hoped would launch a dozen more. The large screen behind me lit up, and a minimalist bottle with the stylized letter C. etched on its surface appeared as the only object on it.