Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

27. Going 40 miles an hour

"Okay, let'e start," Can leans on his chair as he looks at Deren, Amir, Pula, JJ and Guliz all sitting in front of him and they quiet down. "First up, we've decided to go into an agreement with Arzu Tash for the Dejan project. In case you don't know, Dejan Candy is a very large sweet manufacturer and seller." They all nod. "They have a new kind of candy to promote, so we don't have a lot time to waste. As soon as she signs, we need to start preparing for the shoot."

JJ glances around. "Why Arzu Tash?" he asks curiously.

"JJ," Deren scolds, looking up.

"Sorry, miss Deren."

"Because JJ," Can answers anyway, "Arzu Tash is the new face of the Dejan brand. Whatever agency she works with gets to do the advertisements for all of Dejan Candy's future promotions."

"Ah," JJ nods.

"Okay, so, next. We need to get estimates from photographers. Who can we contact that you know might be interested?"

Deren starts to answer but her phone interrupts her before she can. "Sorry, it's Arzu's manager."

"Go ahead," Can waves Sanem's mug at her before drinking.

"Sude?" she gets up and steps away from the desk for a moment.

"We can ask Ahmet Tubai?" Anir offers. "He's worked with her before, he knows which type of lighting works best for her."

JJ nods. "He's a good choice."

"Okay, let's give him a call."

Anir nods, closes his notes before getting up and leaving as Deren returns, smiling but looking pale in the face. "Can?"

"Mm hm?" he swallows his mouthful of tea, turning to her.

"Uhm, Arzu won't be working with us after all. She's decided to work with someone else."

"Who?"

"Aylin."

Can stares at her blankly for a moment. Guliz eyes widen and she looks at JJ, who is just as shocked. "Excuse me?" Deren swallows and looks down at her phone in her hands. "I thought you met with her this morning?"

"I did. We agreed on everything." Deren shakes her head, looking up. "I don't know how this happened."

Can clenches his jaw and looks out the window. "Call her manager back and give me the phone."

Deren nods and redials, waiting as it rang. "Her phone's switched off," she says after there's no answer.

"Arzu must has her own phone right? Call her." He bites the inside of his cheek in irritation. "How did she even find out about this?" he asks to no one in particular, staring at the desk in front of him.

"Her phone's off too. Probably because she knows we'd try to call her as well." Deren lowers her phone and huffs. "What are we going to do? We've lost the project."

"Oh no." Can gives her a stern look. Hell no. "No, we didn't. Where is Arzu staying while she's in Istanbul?"

"Can, she's already agreed to work with Aylin. What do you think you can do? Besides, she's going back to America tomorrow, remember?"

"Deren, I asked where she is staying not when she's leaving."

Deren purses her lips but nods. "I have it in my notes, hold on." She shuffles through her papers while Can starts pacing.

"Mr Can?" Can turns to Guliz. "You know I have experience in acting...if you fail and we lose Miss Arzu... I'd be willing to do the advertisements." She smiles hopefully.