Mister Write (IlCey AU)

Chapter 3

Four days. It's been four days at his place and in his company, and Ceylin still hasn't quite figured Ilgaz out. Which unsettles her more than she'd care to admit because she fancies herself an expert in reading people and handling them. As for handling...she has a feeling she does have a better grip on things now. But it also feels as if all this time, it's just Ilgaz indulging her, letting himself be handled - to a certain degree only.

As he'd warned her initially, he sets boundaries that he doesn't want to be crossed. And it doesn't surprise her that he's a very straight-forward person, his honesty almost brutal sometimes. What does surprise her is that he has a softer side as well. An inherent kindness and caring habit that she feels personally attacked by. Because here she is, with a virtual stranger who probably doesn't even like her much, and she's being taken care of more than her own family did it all her life.

Three days have been enough for him to figure out a lot of little things about her and to wiggle his way into her thoughts. It's the small details and the calm, instinctive way in which he takes charge and takes care. It gets to her. He'll bring her cups of tea, he'll make sure she's not too warm or cold, he'll insist they take meal breaks and share those meals, he'll lightly hold her elbow when he takes her on a tour of his property so she won't stumble. And he may have just overheard that late-night video phone call with her mother where Ceylin was mostly scolded again - because the next morning, she found a packet of M&M in front of her room door. Neither he nor she said anything about it, but she's pretty sure she won't forget this gesture for the rest of her life.

It's even more paradoxical because at the same time, he's as unreachable as waves that lap at the shore to entice and nourish, only to withdraw into the ocean a moment later. It took him two days to finally use the more personal "you" when talking to her. Another day until he finally offered little insights into his life that weren't directly related to writing.

It's a miracle that he asked her to stay here, invading his oh-so-valued privacy all the time. In fact, he didn't so much as ask her but demand it, heaven knows why. It still makes her feel all sorts of unwelcome things when she remembers that conversation, the same day when he'd agreed to give her a second chance.

* * *

"Thank you," Ceylin said, meaning it. So much depended on her succeeding - and besides, she never backed down from a challenge. "I'll get settled in one of the guest houses in the village today and work on my promo plan some more. And then we'll meet again."

"No, stay."

She blinked. "You want to start right now?"

"I meant, don't leave for the village. I want you here with me."

He looks as shocked by those words as she feels, but he also looks like he won't back down. And it dawns on her that they really are strangers, and that she's in WAY over her head with this man who's unlike anyone she's ever met. So she covers it up with a mirthless chuckle, holding his unfathomable gaze.

"Not sure what you're hoping to get out of this but it's a 'no thank you' from me. Hiç yorma kendini, tipim değilsin. I'm your publicist. That's the only kind of relationship we'll ever have, and I'll damn well stay wherever I want."

Ceylin turns away to pick up her bag and go but his hand on her arm stops her. His grip is firm but not bruising. He sneers as he gazes down his nose at her, and she can see a muscle ticking in his jaw. "Don't worry, you're not my type either. I'd never want any other kind of relationship with someone like you anyway."

Gritting her teeth, she fights back the instant fury and lets her confusion and curiosity take over. "What's this all about then?" Ilgaz stays silent. "C'mon, I want to know why you want me here. To lord it over me?"