My Turkish Heart

Chapter 4

The next morning Izzy woke up and felt refreshed ready to tackle the day. She had planned to head to the elephant rescue park after breakfast. Elephants were her favorite animals and she found it quite ironic that her mystery gift was a stuffed elephant. After having breakfast, she headed over to the park. The board said open, but the place looked like there was no sign of life. Uncertain whether to head inside, she walked carefully through the gates. There was no one at the admission desk and no other staff seen around. She called out to ask if anyone was around, but got no reply. Then, she walked further in to find a man dressed casually standing by the elephant enclosure rubbing the trunk of a large elephant.

"Excuse me sir, is the park open today?"

The man turned around and it was none other than her Mr Arrogant himself.

"Oh come on! Are you kidding me?? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same.."

He smirked, but his eyes were very sombre and hard to read. She sensed that something seemed off, but did not want to pry.

" I booked out the entire park for the day and the staff are in a meeting"

His focus shifted back to the elephant and Izzy knew he didn't seem in the mood for company.

"Of course you did.. " she said exasperated.

As much as she wanted to spend time at the park, she wasn't in the mood for more frustrating encounters with him.She turned on her heels and walked towards the exit.

"Hey! What's your name, lady?' he yelled after her.

Why does he need to know my name?...she asked herself

"It's Izzy" she yelled back as she continued walking out.

"Izzy? Interesting name..and I"m Burak" he murmured to himself.

Why was I so cold towards her, she wasn't the problem? She could have stayed...I wanted her to stay.. He admitted to himself.

He thought as he regretted letting her leave like that.

Izzy strolled along the shore close to the park. She sighed heavily as she was disappointed not being able to spend time at the park and also running into that guy again. It annoyed her that someone she barely knew could cause her to feel like this.

2 more launches and then we're out of here. Take a breather and refocus, she thought.

Heading back to the lodge to do some work in her room until the launch later that evening. This evening's launch was a preparation for the finale the next evening. Izzy wasn't particularly looking forward to the finale as the dress code was formal and she needed to dress up accordingly. Her usual smart casual dresses would not cut it for the formal, so Rachel ensured that she made provisions for it. Later that evening at the door, Susan stood waiting for Izzy again.

"Hey Izzy, I got your outfit for tomorrow. Rachel sent it over not too long ago. You can come collect it after the launch by me"

" Thanks Susan, you're a star!"

She proceeded into the venue and grabbed a seat away from the crowd to make final notes for her pitch. The aim of tonight was to avoid Mr Arrogant at all costs. Speakers took to the podium,but Izzy kept trying to sneak a peek to see if he was there.

What are you doing? Focus Izzy! Don't look for him. .or are you attracted to Mr Arrogant..NO! NO! I am not...she reprimanded herself mentally.

She reminded herself as her mind kept wandering to his sombre mood at the park earlier.Presentations ended and Izzy met with some of the speakers after. Her mind was off of him, until she felt someone place their hand on her back to grab her attention. She turned her face to see that it was Mr Arrogant himself, her smile faded as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Good Evening everyone . Hello Miss Izzy.."

His tone was light and playful, not as earlier.

Izzy faked a smile as she watched the other speakers gush over him. Luckily, she had already gotten all the information she needed so she could head back to finish her pitch.

"Excuse me everyone. Have a good night further"

She slipped out of his light grasp on her back and walked away. Before Burak could chase after her he was bombarded with questions from the speakers. Collecting her things from Susan, she walked back to her room.

"Miss Izzy! Wait please!"

Confused at why he was calling after her, she stood and waited for him to catch up to where she was standing.

"What is it?"

" I wanted to say I'm sorry!" He blurted out.

"It's okay! We had some bad run ins, but let's call it even and stay out of each other's way for the rest of the trip"

"Do you think you can stay away from me?" he sneered as he moved closer.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I most definitely can!"

"We'll see about that!" he said as he winked at her then walked away.

I swear this guy has a screw loose or something. No sane person can act like this. He definitely confused her thoughts.

She unpacked her things Rachel had sent and then sat down to finish her pitch. The words haunted her of what Mr Arrogant said, but she pushed it aside to finish her work.

Why would I not be able to stay away from him?! Ugh! His arrogance makes me cringe!

She rolled her eyes at the thought of his words.