Sudden decisions

52 - Far away from close up

Can

"We have a problem".
To her statement I would like to reply that we have more than one problem in fact, and the biggest one I know is myself, with my intransigence, as if my absurd family wasn't enough. But I know now is not the time to have this kind of talk, it will be soon, when all of Emre's game is revealed, but not now.
"What happened?"
I'm starting to be alarmed by her sudden call as well as feeling terribly guilty, we've barely seen each other since we got back to Istanbul and I realise I'm neglecting her in a shameful way. I didn't want it to be this way but it's been two days since I left the agency and I've found myself having to reach out to Metin to set up a plan that, if successful, would greatly aggravate Emre's position and at this point that's exactly what I want.
He has played dirty with me, trying to damage my relationship with Sanem in every way, as well as sabotaging the agency without any regard for our father's health which he knows is already very compromised.
I want him to pay and pay to the full for the perfidy with which he has acted towards us and to make it so unfortunately I have had to devote my heart and soul to this cause by neglecting a woman to whom I can do nothing but wrong.
The agitated tone of Sanem's voice brings me back to the present, she tells me that her mother has announced to her that they plan to visit us tomorrow night, together with my father, to see how we are settled in the new house.
Damn, this is just not what I needed. I'm in the throes of closing Fabri's campaign while the sportswear brand's campaign can't get off the ground because of Ceyda and her constant requests for variations on the designs I submit to her. It is essential that both campaigns are completed as soon as possible and that they are a success because they will serve to cushion the scandal the agency will be involved in when we come to the showdown with Emre. It is precisely in order to try to carry out this enormous amount of work that it is only in the late afternoon that I manage to reach Metin in his office and then work late into the night to work out the details of a plan that if well orchestrated will pin my brother down to his responsibilities with no chance of escape. It is almost ready, in two, maximum three days we will know whether Emre has fallen into the trap we have set for him.
But now my attention must focus on my wife and the new emergency we are facing. "OK Sanem, don't worry, I am sure we will be able to handle it. You'll see, everything will be fine."
I hear her sigh on the other end of the line.
"Can you not know my mother, she's a hound, she can sniff out deception from miles away, I've never been able to lie to her without getting caught." I have to smile, in fact Mevkibe seems like a very smart lady, capable of protecting her family like a true lioness. All it took was one look from her, and I was able to ascertain this on the famous morning when I drove Sanem back at dawn.
"Alright, if that's the case then we'll have to be even better at convincing her that we're happy and in love." An indistinct mumble greets my statement, I don't understand what she said, but I can almost see her sceptical expression.
"I'll tell you what Sanem, if it's alright with you we'll talk about it tonight over dinner. I'll pick up something ready and be home by 8.30pm so we can work out a strategy of action." I almost hold my breath waiting for her response which could very well be a rejection since I've pretty much left her alone since we've been living together, I deserve that and more.
"Alright, see you later."
I take a breath again, her reply wasn't so obvious, maybe it's not too late though, I can still try to make up for the behaviour of the past few days.
I therefore redouble my efforts to try to finish early at the agency so that I can get through Metin's office quickly, to bring him some documents, and be on time for the first dinner with my wife in our house. I manage to do everything in record time and head home on time with an excitement I haven't felt in weeks, probably since before Sanem's confession of being the spy, when everything between us has irrevocably changed.
I enter the house with my hands occupied by the take-away bags containing our dinner which I hurry to leave on the hall table to join Sanem whom I glimpse sitting outside on the porch. When she hears me coming she stands up with the intention probably to enter the house. "Hi Can, I'm going to set the table."