The Business Trip Part 2

Paris

Hayat wakes up from a disturbed sleep, one look at Murat and she is not sure if she would be able to let him know of her decision. Well, first things first, they had the Fashion show to get done with, everything else will have to wait. Murat looked tired when he comes out all dressed for breakfast, Hayat couldn't help herself and asks him, " Are you feeling ok? You look like you could use some more sleep.

" I guess I'm going thru the pre-show jitters, I am having a very bad feeling about something and am not able to quite pin it down." he answers her.

"Are you all packed? Have you carried your prenatal and other meds for nausea and pain relievers? Make sure you don't forget, and Hayat leave the bags, Ill carry them." If only had he showed this concern a couple of months back, things would have been so different. Murat on the other hand has the same thoughts running through his mind, if only had he showed the same concern a couple of months back and called her just once to check on her, he could not believe it that he had been so stubborn and blinded by his ego, that he had let such a huge gap come between them. Well, all was not lost, he still hoped to salvage his relationship. The almost 4-hour flight from Istanbul to Paris was quite uneventful except for the very chatty old lady sitting right next to Hayat, who had a million questions about Hayat's pregnancy and the obvious flight attendant who kept ogling at Murat and showered him with attention and smiles throughout the flight.

Finally, it was time to land, and Hayat lets out a sigh of relief as she had had enough of answering the old lady's interrogative questions. How old are you? How long have you been married? Who will help you with the baby? Are you eating well? You should not be travelling so far into your pregnancy.... and the questions and advise go on and on, and Hayat answers each question as patiently as she can, with Murat shooting her a "can you stop it already" look and smirking when the lady tells her how lucky she is to have such a caring husband! Acting in cue, Murat deliberately pulls Hayat's hand and brings it to his lips in a genuine show of affection. He was truly so proud of her and happy that she was bearing his child, their child. He would set everything right; he promises himself yet again.

They reach the hotel and are informed by the receptionist that they have run out of rooms with two double beds. " I'm sorry sir, we are completely booked due to the Paris Fashion week and since it's our mistake we would like to make it up to you and offer you the Honeymoon suite. Murat hides a grin and tells a livid Hayat "Relax. I will not attack you; I will take the sofa. You can have the bed all to yourself."

The clothes to be showcased had all arrived with them on the same flight, Murat did not want to take any chances and has the hotel staff deliver the consignment to the venue of the show, except for the dress that Hayat would be wearing. As the bags are delivered to their room, a very tired Hayat walks into the bedroom and just lies down on the bed and instantly falls asleep, as Murat comes in after tipping the bell boy, he is emotional seeing Hayat fast asleep, he walks up to her and tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear and pulls the blanket over her.

The show is scheduled for the next evening and Murat had a ton of things to do, they were to meet Emir that evening for dinner and finalize the line up the next morning. Murat is refreshed after a quick shower; he orders some light snacks for Hayat and himself before they must start getting dressed for dinner. Hayat had reluctantly agreed to accompany Murat for dinner as Emre was getting a late flight in and Hayat had nothing really to do until the next morning when she would meet Emre and make sure everything was in order for Emres Creations first ever big show!

As he is busy going thru the lineup and positions of the models, he does not hear Hayat sneak up behind him, she is refreshed after the nap and a quick shower, " Ready for dinner? We will be dining with Emir and his companion." he says with a look of approval after letting his eyes roam all over her, all that she had been wearing these days were maternity tops and pants, but today she was wearing a pretty black maternity dress that she had picked up at a sale at the local department store, although it was quite pricy even on sale, she thought she needed to get something presentable for such a big event, and so she had begrudgingly bought a couple of dresses knowing that it would make a big dent in her already depleting savings. But it was well worth the money, it hugged her body like a second skin, Hayat had not gained much weight except on her tummy, so if someone were to see her from behind, they could never guess that she was expecting. " You look bewitching" he complements her. Despite everything she blushes and responds," yeah, with my big fat tummy, I am sure I look anything but that!" she counters, to which he gets up and comes close to her, too close for her comfort, he whispers in her ears " you are beautiful my darling wife and I'll never let you go."

They reach the restaurant and walk up to Emir who is waiting in the lobby, Emir was almost the same age as Murat, young and dynamic and attractive in his own way, he had won many awards as a young and emerging entrepreneur in the business and fashion world. "Good evening Emir, hope you haven't been waiting for long, this is my wife, Hayat" Emir is stunned by Hayat's beauty, the pregnancy made her skin glow and she looked mesmerizing. " Oh, my goodness!" he exclaims "I never knew you have been hiding such a beautiful wife, and to think that I took you away from her when you were in New York. No wonder you ran back to Istanbul, I don't blame you at all" Hayat can't stop blushing making her look even more stunning. After some time when Emir is finished complementing Hayat on her beauty which leaves Murat a little uncomfortable, Emir says, "we can be seated as soon as my date arrives, and there she is". They all turn around to look at the lady who is sashaying towards them with a smirk on her face, Murat clenches his jaw while Hayat looks distraught trying to hide her anxiety as a clueless Emir calls out to her, " We were wondering what was taking you so long, Cagla!"