Holding On To A Promise

Chapter Twenty Six

Metin seemed to be more interested than usual about what was going on with her and Can. Sanem had the file ready for his 10:00am appointment as she tapped on his door, " Metin here is the file for the Siemens Company, your appointment is at 10:00, do you need anything, like pastries or anything" She asked as she laid the file on his desk. He looked up smiling at her, " You look beautiful this morning Sanem, you have a glow about you today that I haven't seen in a while. Something special going on with you." He asked, giving her a once over look that made her uncomfortable. She could feel the heat rise on her face, " No, not really, I'm just extremely happy these days." She replied, turning to leave his office. " Happy you say, and what has brought on so much happiness. Oh let me guess, Can Divit, am I right?" Metin snarled, shaking his head. Sanem stopped and turned, " Yes, as a matter of fact that is right Metin. What is going on, I thought that you wanted to mend your relationship but your actions tell a different story." Sanem replied, remembering all the things he had said to her the day before. Metin leaned back in his chair, " I never said that, you may have thought that but I never said it. You forget how well I know Can, and there are some things that just can't be forgotten. And you would be better off if you didn't forget and forgive so quickly." He smirked.

The glare from his eyes told Sanem that there was more to Metins actions than she knew about. She politely nodded and returned to her desk, but she could feel the turmoil setting up inside her. She hadn't seen this side of Metin before, he seemed to be more than willing to destroy what ever relationship he had with Can. She had wanted them to get back to the way things were, but now she wasn't sure if Metin wanted that at all. She also wondered if Can had seen this side of Metin, maybe that was why he had been putting off their talk. Sanem tried to forget it all by concentrating on her work, and thinking about what was to come the next evening. The thought of an engagement and marriage made her blush as she relived the moment with Can as he dropped her off. She felt her body tingle with desire and the goosebumps covered her skin. Yes, she was ready for it all, she was ready to be Mrs. Can Divit....

The news of the engagement came as a surprise to Leyla when her Mom gave her the news, "Daughter, Can is coming tomorrow evening at 7:00 for the proposal, you and Emre are the only family that he has to accompany him. Be sure he knows all the proper traditions." She told her, hoping that Leyla would be happy for her sister. Leyla all but gasped, " Really, when did they decide this, Sanem hasn't said anything to me." She declared, remembering Sanems words to her of taking it slow. Mevkibe could hear the doubt in her daughters voice, " They both feel strongly about this, Can came to us and explained everything that happened and how he felt about Sanem. They are happy and Sanem is sure of her feelings, so let's support your sister, she has been through enough." Her mother explained. Leyla agreed, promising to help them both, but she still had a lingering doubt about how fast they were moving.

Can's arrival at lunchtime was a welcomed surprise, " Can where are we going for lunch, and why didn't you tell me you were coming." Sanem giggled, hugging up to him as they drove toward the coast. He smiled, " You'll see, but don't worry you're going to love it." The lunch was a hit, Sanem loved the little outdoor cafe and she loved the fact that Can remembered how much she loved it. As they pulled up in front of the office she realized that they had been gone longer than her regular lunch time, and she hoped that Metin wasn't there to see that she was late. She gave Can a quick peck on the cheek and jumped out of the truck, Can yelled after her, "I'll pick you up at 5:00, love you." Sanem turned and waved at him, as she rushed in the door. Metin watched from the window of his office, he wondered when Can was going to tell her he was leaving Istanbul to take a job in another country, or even if he would tell her at all. The hurt for Sanem was already firing up inside him. The meeting with Can that evening couldn't come soon enough for him, it was time for him to let Can know just how he felt...

Sanem had barely made back to her office when her phone rang, she grabbed it from her bag hoping it was Can telling her how much he missed her already. But the call was from Leyla, "Abla, hello, how are." She asked as she sat down behind her desk. Leyla would hear the happiness in her voice and it made her sad, " Sanem I need to talk to you. Mom called me this morning to let me know about your engagement party tomorrow night. What are you doing Sanem, I thought you told me you would take it slow, make sure he was going to stay around this time. And now Can is coming to ask for your hand, what are you doing?" Leyla asked, her voice taking on a hint of hysteria. Sanem was silent for a second before answering, " Well I can see that your not happy with the news, but what I don't understand it why. Yes I had planned to take it slow, examine everything I already knew about Can Divit. But then I asked myself what had changed, my feelings for him had not changed, his feelings for me had not changed. So I wondered why wait, why waste anymore time waiting for things to be better when they were already just how I wanted them." Sanem stated with confidence in her voice. " I hope you will happy for us one day Leyla, just as I am happy for you and Emre. This is my life and I intend to live it as I see fit. I have never seen my life without Can in it, I couldn't imagine my happiness without him." She told her, her voice cracking with emotion. Leyla closed her eyes, " My dear Abla, that's all I want is your happiness, but Can may not be the one to make you happy. Through no fault of his own, he may hurt you without even knowing it, just be careful." Sanem stood from her desk, " Why does everyone keep saying that, how do you know what our lives are like, how do you know our plans for the rest of our lives. We both made mistakes, I will be the first to admit, but our love for each other has never been in question. This is what I want and it is the best for me, so don't worry about Can hurting me again." Her words had never been more true, and they were spoken from her heart...

She closed her eyes tightly, her heart beating hard. Would she always have to defend their love she wondered....

" No, she wouldn't. Her love for him was all that mattered......