Sudden decisions

31 - Always and only you

Sanem

To say that I am furious is putting it mildly. I've been smoking with rage since this morning when, with his despotic attitude, he made me feel like an object of his property, as he seems to want to do even now by clasping me possessively by his side.
I am not going to make a scene, not in front of so many people and especially not under the watchful gaze of Huma and Polen. They look like two vultures circling us without ever taking their eyes off us, ready to attack at the right moment. I smile graciously, shake hands, listen to stories of Can as a child told by old friends of his father Aziz.
At one point I cast a glance at his perfect profile, and I must admit that I don't need to strain to look entranced by the man who possessively pulls me to him. But here he is approaching us, Mr Fabri, the man because of whom this whole story began.

He is with his business partner, Mrs Pinar Aldez. They exchange pleasantries with Can and all the while I can feel his insistent gaze on me as he talks and renews his invitation to dinner. "I expect you tomorrow night at Sunset Istanbul".
I have always dreamed of spending an evening at the coolest club in Istanbul, positioned on the side of a hill it enjoys a breathtaking view of the Bosphorus and the bridge that spans it. I feel a frisson of excitement for a moment at the idea of realising my childhood fantasy, but at the same time I am not at all happy at the idea of having to undergo another stressful evening under the lascivious gaze of this man who apparently does not give up even in the face of Can, who seems determined to make it clear that I am his, at least judging by the firm grip of his hand on my hip.

I see him nod impatiently as he dismiss him hastily. "We'll be there, don't worry, iyi akşamlar, have a good evening." Continuing to hold his hand on my hip he guides me towards the large French doors leading to the terrace overlooking the hotel pool. Once outside I firmly release myself from his grip and move towards the balustrade with my arms crossed over my chest to protect myself from the intense cold of the night.

To my surprise an instant later I feel his arms wrap around me, pressing my back against his warm chest. For a moment I close my eyes to enjoy the warmth of his body against mine, well aware of his masculine scent.

A shiver shakes me when I feel his hot breath on my neck as he whispers. "Can we call a truce?" I make to wriggle out, but the firm grip of his arms on me prevents me. "Stop, the guests can see us through the glass windows. You don't want to disprove the idea of the happy, close-knit couple we've given so far?
I sigh and despite myself stop resisting his grip, but I can't help but reply caustically. 'You're right, we certainly don't want to agree with your mother who has already predicted that our engagement won't last beyond next week, right? Nor would I want to go back on my words in front of your ex-girlfriend. By the way, are you thinking of inviting her to the wedding? I don't think it's polite to leave her home alone until Huma gets back from the reception no?" I hear him sigh and accentuate his grip around me as he bends his head back to whisper in my hair. "For your information I don't want Huma at our wedding, it's been a long time since I considered her my mother, I think I was still in primary school at the time. And as for Polen..." I stiffen as I retort dryly "You don't owe me an explanation, apparently the restrictions only apply to me that, according to your orders, I have to remove Osman while it's perfectly fine for you to live together with your ex-girlfriend."

I hear him sigh. "Listen Sanem, I made it clear to Polen that it's over between us, she had a hard time accepting it, but I think she has to resign herself by now in light of our impending marriage and anyway I don't ..."

The voice of one of the event organisers interrupted him, whatever he was about to say. "Mr Divit, please return to the hall, Mr Taruk will call you to the stage shortly." I hear him sigh as he releases me from his embrace, he returns to rest his hand on my hip guiding me towards the auditorium. "We have to go Sanem, but later I have every intention of resuming our talk". His sounds more like a threat than a promise, but the glances I feel aimed at us as we pass through the French window to return to the party prevent me from replying that there is nothing more to talk about.