That moment of jealousy, the sudden decision to take her hand and drag her away from that party and that intrusive man, gave a completely unexpected course to my life and hers. I am Can Divit, a restless, possessive and impulsive albatross, who perh...
After this morning's confrontation I didn't get a chance to see Sanem in the agency during the day. I've been busy in several staff meetings and although I've cast several glances towards the open space through the glass windows of the room, I've never seen her sitting at her desk. After the lunch break, it is late afternoon when I emerge from the meeting room and ask Cey Cey about Sanem. "She has been in the archive all day inputting data for Miss Sanem and has just left Can bay, do you need anything? I'm on it, whatever you need you know I am prepared to answer any request." I hear him babbling nervously as I walk towards my office. Damn, I wish I could have driven her home! I'm still irritated about what happened last night on the rocks, but I wish I could have tried to lighten the mood between us in view of the evening ahead since you can't say she was relaxed this morning when she left my office after our discussion. Sighing, I grab my jacket and leave the agency to go get ready for the benefit. I am not keen on the idea of attending this event, but I promised Mr Tercan that I would contribute to the fundraiser and I am not going to back out. I am forced to go home to get ready for the evening as I need a shower and I must, despite myself, put on the dinner jacket that has been sitting in the back of the wardrobe for God knows how long. Unbelievably, I find myself wearing elegant clothes for the second evening in a row when, apart from for the Fikri Harika gala, I haven't done so for years. Surely my mood yesterday in getting ready to go to the Aydin house had been much better than tonight's, I think to myself as I arrange my hair into a tight ponytail. Once I'm ready, I take one last look in the mirror and leave my room to head for the Aydin house to pick up Sanem. In the corridor I bump into Polen who is leaving the guest room in her turn, elegant as ever, squeezed into a silver rhinestone mini-dress. She smiles coming towards me, stops in front of me bringing her hands to my chest to smooth the lapels of my jacket and then fix the knot of my tie. "How elegant we look Can Divit! You look very good tonight. I have seldom seen you so elegant, but it is an important evening." In saying this she still lingers with her hands on my chest leaning in to place a kiss on my cheek. I stiffen and pull away, clearly hinting that I don't like her taking these confidences with me now that we are nothing to each other anymore. "Thank you. I have to go now, sorry Polen." I move to the side and head for the door intent on never setting foot in the house again until my mother, and with her Polen, are definitely out of here. I quickly reach the neighbourhood and as I get out of my jeep I feel nervous about seeing Sanem again, well aware that I did not behave properly towards her this morning. I look up and there she is, once again, the ubiquitous nosy neighbour, waving at me while smiling, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to stand perpetually behind the curtains spying on anyone approaching the Aydin house. Shaking my head I return her smile, it is amazing how things work in the neighbourhoods of this part of Istanbul. I ring the doorbell, lowering my gaze to check that my tuxedo jacket is in place, and only raise it again when I hear the door of Aydin's house open. For a moment I am literally thunderstruck, unable to say or do anything.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
This woman wants me dead! Her loose hair falls in soft locks to the sides of her face and over the neckline of a white satin dress that manages to highlight every single curve of her body, leaving two astonishingly shapely legs uncovered. Allah Allah, she is breathtakingly beautiful! I remain breathless as she watches me in silence with a gaze that I would describe as severe. I swallow, trying to regain control of my thoughts as I extend a hand towards her in a gesture of invitation. She stares at me without saying anything and then nods and puts her hand in mine, letting me lead her towards my off-road vehicle. I am completely unable to look away from her as I can't help admiring her long legs as she climbs into the passenger seat. "Get a grip Can Divit." This I tell myself and repeat to myself throughout the silent journey we take in the chaotic traffic of Instabul. The music of the radio in the background, the city lights whizzing past the windows, I can't help but cast an occasional glance towards her who looks incredibly different to me tonight. She hasn't said a word since she got into the car, she's still angry about what happened this morning, but even I still haven't processed what she said the night before so I let the silence fall like a boulder between us.
Once in front of the hotel hosting the event I get out of my 4x4, throw the keys to the valet and move to open her door and help her down and I just can't keep my gaze from resting on those legs that... I stiffen, trying once again to force myself to calm down as I place her hand on my arm, escorting her towards the hall hosting the benefit. A moment before I walk through the front door I hear her whisper: 'Don't be so worried Can Divit, I'll do my best not to make you ashamed of your 'girlfriend'. Apparently she completely misunderstood the reason for my restlessness which has nothing to do with our engagement. But the tone with which she emphasised the last word makes me stiffen, if possible, even more as we walk through the large door of the event hall. I guide her towards the buffet to get something to drink and almost immediately we are joined by Mr Taruk accompanied, unfortunately, by my mother and Polen. I can feel Sanem almost unconsciously accentuating his grip on my arm when he sees them approaching, but she sustains their meticulous examination without a wrinkle by continuing to smile graciously. Mr Taruk begins to explain to me that he will be the one to call me on stage when the photo shoot I have offered to donate to the association will be auctioned off.
As I listen to his directions I can't help but cast glances towards Sanem and the two women who are looking at her with obvious hostility. At one point I hear Polen say to her: "Congratulations Sanem, we've heard the happy news of the engagement, so when's the wedding?" I'm about to interrupt Mr Taruk to reply to Polen that it's none of his business when I hear Sanem reply softly. "Thank you very much Polen, the wedding will be celebrated very soon." I can't help but turn to look at her amazed by the serenity of the tone in which she answered a question that was meant to be nothing more than a provocation. She clings to my side and gives me an adoring look as she adds. "We don't want to wait, we are eager to start our life together". I am stunned at her sudden change from a moment before, her performance is Oscar-worthy and Mr Taruk seems completely won over as he keeps repeating what a lucky man he was to have found such a lovely woman. I don't know how to reply when here is her small hand gently caressing my arm as she smiles and chirps. "I am the lucky woman Mr Taruk, Can is an exceptional man and I am flattered that he chose me out of so many." I can hardly take my eyes off her, which are giving a perfect interpretation of a look in love at this moment. I can't help but cast a glance towards Polen who has her face pulled, definitely impressed by Sanem's clear provocation.
It is my mother who comments. "Nothing has been decided for sure yet at the moment, we'll see what happens in the coming weeks." Mr Turak gives her a surprised look, he is the only one among those present who does not understand the meaning of her comment.
I'm tired of this situation and I'm not going to sit here and listen to my mother spout nonsense.
"Everything is already set, Sanem's mother is proceeding with the preparations as per tradition and soon the wedding will be celebrated. Now if you will excuse us, I would like to introduce my fiancée to some old friends of mine whom I see there at the back of the hall. With your permission..."
With that said I take Sanem away with me, away from those women who seem determined to make trouble and embarrass us. I can't help but turn to her worriedly. "Everything alright?" She nods, raising her chin in defiance. 'Of course, I have no problem standing up to your dear ex-girlfriend. In fact, you could have even brought her with you, after all it was a waste to have her come in a taxi when you live in the same house no? It is clear that you saw each other before coming here'. Having said this she stops and runs a finger over my cheek and then shows me traces of lipstick of the same scarlet shade Polen is wearing tonight. I realise how the situation might look in her eyes and am about to explain to her what has happened when we are joined by Fateh, an old friend of mine from high school whom I have not seen for several years. From then on we are no longer alone, after him old customers and well-known businessmen who were friends of my father's come up to greet me. I am not surprised by the fact that every time I introduce Sanem as my fiancée, grace and elegance with which she approaches each of them cannot fail to win their unconditional admiration. I myself am charmed by the ethereal creature who smiles relaxedly and casts languid glances at me, almost making me believe that I too have the most enamoured of girlfriends at my side.
At a certain point we also cross paths with Fabri, who approaches to greet us, reminding us of our appointment for the following evening, but the only thing I register is that he can hardly take his eyes off the perturbing creature my girlfriend has turned into this evening. Instinctively I place a hand on her hip clasping her to me, I want to make it very clear that she is private property from which that insulting man must keep his hands, eyes and thoughts away.
