20. Enough is enough

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Most of the employees were loitering around the lobby and the office during lunch time, waiting for their bosses to return.

Amongst them were Sanem, Guliz and JJ, standing closest to the door leading inside.

"I'm a very creative person, you know," JJ bragged. "I gave Miss Deren most of what she went to the meeting with."

Guliz and Sanem eye one another at this, trying to hide smiles behind cups.

JJ sighs happily. "It's because of me we're going to get this project."

The doors of the building open and they all turn to see the small group entering. Sanem's eyes zoomed in on Can first, dressed in light blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a dark suit jacket,  his glasses as usual on his eyes and his sleeves pushed up.

"They're back."

"I wonder what happened?" Guliz whispers when the group just pass them by, Can hooking his glasses in his necklace. "Miss Deren? Did it go well?"

Deren stops next to JJ and looks at them. "Very well," Deren smiles and then she nods and follows the rest in.

"If it went so well, why doesn't he look happy?" Sanem wondered, her eyes on Can's back.

"He's just a serious man," Guliz explains with a small shrug. "Probably just winding down from all the excitement."

Sanem frowns down at her tea. She wasn't so sure that was the reason but who was she to guess anything.

**

Aysun added another layer of lipstick onto her already bloodred lips as Melihat teases her hair.

"Aysun," Melihat says around the pin between her teeth, grinning, "I don't think I've ever done a better style. You look great."

"I do," Aysun turns her head from side to side. "No one else knows what suits me as well as you do."

"Turn left," Melihat says and Aysun turns her head.

A few women from the neighborhood walk up to the door and call for Melihat.

"What?" she turns around.

"We're going to be late. Aren't you coming?"

"Yes yes, I'm coming. Go, I'll be there soon." Melihat waves them off.

"Where are you going?" Aysun asks, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Oh," Melihat sighs as she gets her purse. "You don't know do you? Mevkhibe's called all the women over for afternoon tea." Aysun freezes, her finger at the corner of her lips where she was fixing her lipstick. "Who knows what she's prepared, I'm so excited," Melihat laughs and then touches Aysun's shoulder. "I'll see you later...Mygi, close the salon and come up to Mevkhibe's," she says quickly as she rushes out.

Aysun stares after her. The woman just left her there? She gets up and walks to the door. She reaches Melihat just as she knocks. "Melihat?"

"Eh?"

"If anyone gossips about me behind my back - "

"Aysun!" Melihat tuts. "With so many people here, there's bound to be gossip. About anything or anyone," Melahit shrugs as the door opens and Aysun's lips pull tawt. "Oh, Mevkhibe! My dear friend!"

"Melihat," Mevkhibe smiles at her and lets her in. "Come on in my dear!" Aysun glares at Mevkhibe as she grins at her.

She thinks she's so smooth, I'll show her...I don't need to drink tea and eat stale pies... Aysun whips her hair over her shoulder and then walks into the salon.

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