Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

29. Foiled plans

"Mr Can, are you sure we're not lost?" Sanem asks after what feels like an eternity of walking and dodging branches, rocks and puddles.

"Yes Sanem, I have a built in compass."

"I don't understand how you can say that...we're clearly lost...It feels like I've seen every bush and tree we've passed in the past 10 minutes alone at least once before." Sanem huffs. "We're going to be found under some tree already being eaten by worms and - "

Can stops suddenly in a clearing and turns to her. He makes a mouth with his hand, opening and closing it a few times and then he clears his throat and points across the clearing. There, standing in the open and for all to see, was the seaside hotel they were looking for. He looks at her again, shaking his head. "You talk way too much."

"Ah, the hotel!" Sanem gushes and Can nods, his brows raised as she chuckles. "See? I knew you were good at this trekking through the forest business! I never doubted you for a second."

"Well, now we're finally on the same page about that, I'm going to go ask them to tow my car and you," he points at her, "can check us in and  find out what room Arzu is staying in. Okay?"

"Okay," she holds up both thumbs and he breathes a sigh of relief when she doesn't start complaining.

Sanem, for her part, was just glad to see the place. Her legs and arms were on fire from all the mosquito bites.

Can leaves her at the lobby door and she walks in, looking around the busy room. She felt sticky and dirty but there was nothing to do about it now.

"Excuse me?" she asks the two people standing in line front of her, one of them on the phone. "Do you mind if I cut in?" They stand aside and she smiles. "Thank you. Hi," she beams at the receptionist. "How are you?"

"Welcome, very well and yourself?"

"Happy to be indoors." He frowns at her in confusion. "Never mind, listen, I need the telephone number for the room miss Arzu Tash is in please? She has a meeting with my boss, Mr Can."

"Mr Can?"

"Uh, Can Divit," Sanem corrects herself, "I'll also need a room for us while your at it." The receptionist nods and as he types, Sanem sighs and looks around the lobby again. 

"Sorry, did you say Can Divit?"

Sanem turns around to a tall woman with long black hair hurrying over excitedly. "I did."

"Is he really here?"

"Yes, he is. Who are - ?"

"I'm Arzu Tash!" Arzu shakes Sanem's hand with vigor and she gapes openly at the woman. All shew saw was legs, legs everywhere...and that Arzu was gorgeous..."You must be his assistant?"

Sanem only nods, frozen and wondering how someone like Arzu could even exist. When she fdinally finds her voice, snapping out of her shock, she can only mumble, "Yes."
This was bad. Arzu was here, in the lobby and if Can came in now, he would run right into her. "Yes,"' she says more firmly, "I'm his assistant."

Arzu nods and smiles. "It's nice to meet you."

"I think I've seen a few photos of you...but wow! You have long legs..." Sanem looks at her legs again and then away quickly. "You're leaving if I remember correctly? Is that why you're down here? To check out?" Please say yes...

"I was supposed to leave tomorrow, but I don't like this hotel, so I'm leaving to go to another one, but - "

"It's good you're leaving early because the traffic out of here is just awful...you don't want to get stuck in that, trust me." Sanem pats her arm and grins. "I'll tell Mr Can you say hi!" Arzu blinks at Sanem's rapid talking. "Oh sir? Please help Miss Arzu first, she'd like to check out."