My Turkish Heart

Chapter 3

Angrily stomping in the moonlight towards a little restaurant that stood alone, not too far from the lodge property. She needed to shake off this annoyance, as she wasn't the kind who held onto negative energy. The smell of the restaurant made her hunger pangs grow instantly as she knew a good meal would make her feel better. It was a quaint restaurant with a very cosy atmosphere. The interior screamed I'm on holiday, which made Izzy laugh at how cute it was. As she sat down, deciding what to order, the waiter delivered a glass of wine to her table.

"Sorry, I did not order this"

"Yes, I know Ma'am. The guy at the bar said to give this to you to cool down"

Her eyes shot to the bar area to see who might have sent the drink. Looking back at her was Mr Arrogant himself, holding up a glass of wine in the air to gesture a toast.

"Sorry Sir, may you please take this back to the gentleman who sent it. Please tell him I don't accept drinks from strangers"

She politely smiled as she moved the glass away from her.

Sorry Mr Arrogant, but you won't be ruining this too for me! She thought as she faked a smile.

When her meal arrived the good aromas of the pasta just lifted her mood. A plate of comfort food usually hits the spot much better when you're not in a good mood. Bite after bite she felt instantly happier, as the food was delectable. Having a sip of water she felt someone walking towards her table.

"Oh gosh! You again?? What did I do now again? Eat too loud?"

Her frustration flared up again at the sight of him. Instead of his usual demeanor, he broke out in laughter. She couldn't understand why he was laughing, but he gave off a different vibe than he did with their previous encounters. A more relaxed and lighter tone of laughter, less annoying. He sat down without waiting for an invitation.

"For now, you did nothing wrong. Let's hope it can stay that way lady" he chuckled.

Why was he acting so nice all of a sudden?.. She wondered as she eyed him from behind her wine glass.

"You're speechless? This is a first!" he sneered.

She took a deep breath before answering him.

"What do you want, sir? If nothing may I then please enjoy my meal in peace, if that's not too much to ask for"

"Offf... Don't be such a stiff one! I thought we could at least have a glass of wine together after the day we had"

"After the day we had? We didn't have any day together, just mere unpleasant encounters"

He rolled his eyes as she spoke and then murmured something in a foreign language. The way he spoke in the foreign language piqued her interest as it sounded strangely so attractive.

"Are you perhaps Turkish, if I may ask?"

Izzy could recall a few Turkish words from the Turkish dramas her Mother watched on television.

He stared at her blankly, not knowing if he should tell her or not.

"Why do you want to know?" I thought you wanted to eat your meal in peace"

This guy is totally a flipper..she said in her head.

"Fine, don't tell me then. May I finish my meal now?"

She regretted sounding so blunt towards a stranger but she assumed he would have a thick skin.

"Evet... Afiyet olsun!"

He got up and left without saying another word.

Izzy felt bad for making him leave in such a buzz. Her appetite had dropped and she knew it best she just went to bed after this. The evening was so pleasant and humid. It really felt like one of those tropical kinds of nights. She didn't feel tired when she got back to the lodge, so she took off her sandals and went to the pool area. There were some people still relaxing by the bar area, but it was very peaceful. She dipped her feet in the cool water and untied her bushy curls. Sitting alone, staring at her feet making little waves in the water. Lodgers started heading in and Izzy was the last one there. She got up and dried her feet, when she felt a nudge from behind and she fell into the pool. When she surfaced from the water Mr Arrogant himself was standing there stunned with his phone in his hand.

"Pardon! Çok Pardon!"

He said apologetically as he picked up the towel and held out his hand for her. Her curly hair was drenched and framing her face, whilst her dress was skin tight against her now. He couldn't take his eyes off her, the moonlight even lit her up so beautifully. There was no expression on her face and she had not uttered a word. In silence, she got out and dried herself off. He stood there apologizing, hoping she would react somehow.

"I guess we're even now?"

Was all she said as she scrunched out the excess water from her dress and draped the towel around her.

"Yok! I didn't mean it honestly. I was on a call and the argument made me so mad that I didn't notice you, I swear!"

She continued scrunching the water out of her dress and did not dare to make eye contact again.Izzy took her belongings and marched back to her room drenched and barefoot. Slamming the door to get undressed and shower, she was frustrated from all over.

"Keep it cool, tomorrow we have no need to see that imbecile and let's focus on why we are here" she told herself as a way to calm down.

She sat on the edge of the bed and was about to scream into her pillow, when there was a knock at the door. Not expecting anyone or any room service, she opened the door suspiciously. Looking around and seeing no one, she looked down and on the doormat stood a stuffed elephant plush toy. She picked it up checking again if anyone was around, but nothing, just a note that read " I'm sorry."

Going back into her room she leaned against the door looking at the stuffed animal.

Noo...he couldn't possibly?! How would he know my room number?...But who else would owe me an apology here?. .She ran through all the possibilities in her head.

" He really is such a strange man.." She said to herself as she placed the toy on her bedside and went to bed.