The Business Trip Part 2

Emir

Emir was a very shrewd businessman, he had been in the fashion world long enough to recognize talent when he saw it, and to Emir, Murat was like a whiff of fresh air in the outdated fashion world, most new designers hated to experiment and stuck to the same old styles, trying to reinvent the wheel, but Murat was different, he knew the pulse of the market and his designs were very bold but also practical and trendy at the same time. However, what Emir did not get was, why was a man like him without a job, why had no one seen his potential and why did he have to rely on the likes of Cagla to sell his talent, anyways he knew Cagla very well, and also that she did not help anyone without an ulterior motive, one look at Murat and Emir knew what Cagla was up to, but Emir did not want to get into Caglas purpose, he was only interested in Murat's talent as a designer. For once he was glad that he had listened to Cagla and met with Murat, he would have hated to see such a skilled designer not get his dues. But signing Murat came with a catch, Cagla had insisted that she be the showstopper. That was one of the clauses on the contract, and Murat had not objected to it as he felt obligated to Cagla for introducing him to Emir. So, for Emir, Cagla was a nuisance he would have to put up with keeping in mind the bigger picture - that of adding Murat's designs to his collection.

As the date of the fashion show neared, Emir's nervousness also increased, he had not seen the initial sketches yet and Murat kept assuring him that he will not be disappointed. When Murat finally asks for a tele conference to discuss the designs and the showstopper, Emir was more than ready. This was the first time that Emir had relied solely on one designer, and he hoped to God that he would not live to regret it. The meeting was set for tomorrow and Murat had requested that only Emir and the dress manufacturer be present, which was Ok with Emir.

The next morning, on his way to the conference room, he gets a call from Cagla, " Hi Emir, I was wondering if you had seen any of the designs, I'm really curious to see what Murat has created! I have no clue what I will be wearing, and as the date is getting closer, I want to make sure the fittings are all fine!" she says faking worry.

" I have a meeting with Murat and should have some idea what's going on, I must say I am a little nervous myself, as I too, have no clue how the line will turn out." he continues, " Is this how Murat works? I hope he comes up with something good".

"Not to worry, Emir, you have my word, Murat delivers what he has promised, but I was hoping to get a look at the dress I would be showcasing, would you send it to me once you have it." she finishes and hangs up after Emir reassures her that he would ensure the fit is right before the showing.

Emir is still not convinced that Cagla should be the showstopper, but a deal is a deal and as the contract said, she would be his showstopper!

Meanwhile Murat is worried and tense, he had a plan, in his mind he had it all in place, he knew he was bound by his contract and that Cagla had to be the showstopper, so how could he get Hayat to be his showstopper without dishonoring the contract.

The teleconference with Emir goes well. Emir is ecstatic, his faith in Murat has paid off, the designs are more than what he had expected, he could visualize the clothes being an instant success with the intended target buyers. He liked Murat's vision and versatility. But what bowled him over was the attention to detail and the importance given to women of all sizes, he totally loved the maternity line and understood most women worked way into their eighth month and did not have many choices, this line would give them a much-needed style option. Murat comes straight to the point, " Emir, as you are aware, we are expecting a baby and I had my wife in mind when I was designing this particular line, if it's not too much of a problem, can she model the showstopper. I want to give importance to this phase of a woman's life and make a pregnant woman feel much loved and beautiful even when she is big and considers herself unattractive, however, personally I feel I love Hayat more than ever in her pregnancy." Emir is in deep thought looking at the design, he had to admit, that Murat had outdone himself, the design was stunning, he says broodingly, "I have no problems with that Murat, but as you are aware, we have signed a contract which clearly states Cagla as the showstopper. If she has no objection, I see no problem either and as this dress can be modelled best by a pregnant model, I do not think Cagla would fit the bill, so." he picks up the other design which was another beautiful evening wear gown and continues, "I'm afraid this one will have to be the showstopper."

Murat had already thought over this and was well aware that Cagla would not agree, so he had something else in mind. He decides to leave things as is, there was only one way he could show Hayat as the showstopper without getting into any legal troubles with Cagla, all he had to do now, was convince his headstrong wife to come to the show. It was surely going to cause a stir, but it was nothing he could not handle.

After making some minor changes and approving all the designs, Emir is not only relieved but extremely happy at his decision to trust Murat. " Well then Murat, let's get this ball rolling, we should have these designs ready in another week, and fittings should not take more than a couple of days, that gives us enough time to get everything ready by the showing date which is exactly ten days from now." he sighs.

As Emir comes out from the conference room, his phone beeps a message from Cagla, "So.... can I see what I will be wearing?" Emir, although a little bit confused at Caglas impatience, texts back, " soon", he thinks to himself, what the heck, Cagla is an integral part of this show, it will not hurt to send her the design, so as soon as he gets back to his office, he forwards the showstopper to Cagla.

"One new mail" beeps Caglas phone, and Cagla quickly opens it with a smirk on her face, "Now, now, now, Mr. Murat Sarsilmaz, its payback time!"