Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

5. A kiss in the dark

Can and Aziz walk into the opera house together, looking around at everything being set up.

Can has his hand in one pocket lazily, jacket hooked over his shoulder as he whistles at the great room. "Well done."

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Very."

Aziz turns to the house manager and asks, "What will we be viewing first?"

"Some of your first acclaimed advertisements, Mr Aziz."

"Great!"

Aziz watches the young man scurry off again and then looks at Can, staring at the ceiling. "Listen," he starts and Can hums in response, stepping closer, "I have the top box prepared for you and Polen tonight." Aziz points straight up, smiling.

Can looks at the said viewing box on the balcony and thinks about Polen for a second before his thoughts get interrupted by his father again.

"I'll be downstairs myself. I have to talk and I want to be close to the stage for when I do."

"You really could have placed us down here too dad."

"No. No. You need to spend time with Polen. Emre will be with me."

Can swallows and then looks up again, nodding. His father meant well. He spent little enough time with Polen as it was.

"That said, I won't be opposed to you looking at me adoringly when I make my speech tonight," Aziz grins and Can laughs.

"Of course you won't." Can puts his arm around his father and they walk back down the aisle to the doors. "So over there right?" he asks and points his forefinger and ring finger up as they pass beneath.

"Uh huh," Aziz nods.

"Okay then."

Aziz remembers he still has something to do and Can tells him he will be outside waiting before Aziz turns and calls after someone, leaving Can alone with his thoughts.

**

"I'm dead. I swear I'm dead," Sanem whispers as she drags her heavy legs to the first chair she sees just behind the coffee bar. "Oh my feet!" She kicks off the shoes. "They're gone." She starts rubbing her toes and bridge and groans happily. "What was I thinking? I was happy at the store. Eating, sitting, sneakers...Ugh!"

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk."

Sanem pauses in rubbing and slowly lifts her head at the sound.

"What are you doing? Why are you just sitting like that?" Sanem doesn't answer. "Get up. Look around, everyone left already. It's just us here."

"I don't think I'm going JJ. I'm dead."

"If you want, we can get a dress here," JJ continues, ignoring her protests.

"I'm not going." JJ glares at her. "They won't even notice my absence. I haven't worked here for 40 years! I just want to go home and sleep."

JJ shakes his head and rounds the counter so he is on her side. "Girl, listen carefully. We are PR people. All of us. The more you appear in public, the more relations you develop." Sanem winces. "This is an important event. And do you know what will happen if you don't show up? They'll think it's not as important to you as it is to them." 

Sanem wants to say that it really isn't but doesn't, instead just rubbing her heel harder.

"And you know what then? You'll be  out the door before you know it, but hey, what do I know?" JJ lifts his hands and then turns away, sniffing.