Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

39. The question of a rat

"This is what I want from you, Ifran, the best presentation that you can do regarding the cosmetics companies we're already working with." Deren hands him the file. "You and your team start on that, it's all here." He nods and she moves on to the next four people. "You make sure there there aren't any setbacks. Here is the citeria you'll need," she hands the file to Leyla, who was in this group. "JJ," Deren turns when the group leaves, "throw all the plastic and everything harmful to the environment away. They have a thing about carbon footprints."

"What footprints? It was just a little mud," JJ shrugs.

"JJ, are you trying to be a pain in my ass?"

"No." He clears his throat and then leaves as well, looking down.

"Guliz," Deren says after rolling her eyes. Guliz stops giggling and nods. "Draw up a questionnaire, do a survey on employee satisfaction."

"Everyone is already so happy with their work, can't I do something else?"

"Guliz, draw up a questionnaire. Do a survey. We have to add it to the file."

"Alright Miss Deren. Come on guys," Guliz waves for her group to move.

Deren finally turns to Sanem, who had been quietly waiting and watching for her turn. "You're responsible for making sure it's clean."

Sanem blinks. "You want me to clean?"

"Floors, walls, windows, toilets, under the tables...everything. Make sure it shines. One of the people coming is very fond of clean spaces."

Sanem looks around. "But everything is clean already, what more can I do?" Deren gives her a purse lipped look. "Of course Miss Deren," Sanem nods with a smile. "I'll find something to clean. Shouldn't be that hard."

Without a word, Deren bumps into Sanem's shoulder, walking through to her office.

"One of the people coming is very fond of clean spaces," Sanem mimics Deren's voice before she rolls her eyes and then turns on the spot to see where she could start.

Grabbing the window cleaner and a cloth, she starts on the glass doors of the offices lining the hallways. More specifically Can's.

As she sprays, she sees him drop crumpled pieces of paper into a bin. It was nearly overflowing by now and she wondered what he was working on. It seemed like he wasn't winning, whatever it was. His chair was turned so she couldn't see.
Rushing over to the door connecting his and Emre's office, she sprays it and wipes it down, trying to get a look.

Can turns in his chair, putting the drawing pad down. He pauses and looks at her. She quickly sprays the same spot and wipes at it, giving him a small wave with the cloth and turning her back. She glances over her shoulder and he is still looking as he rolls up crumples another paper before turning away again.

The cloth was starting to dry as she stares at him, the intense thinking face he was making had her in a trance. The glass squeaked under it and she stops wiping. He looks so miserable... She shakes herself out of the thought when he looks like he wants to turn again and sprays the window leaving the liquid to run down and walking away.

**

Ayhan couldn't exactly get out of her funk and decided to go for a walk. She buys a cup of tea from a vendor by the park, and then goes to a table.

As soon as she sits down, the table shakes and she spills tea all over her hand.

It was Muzaffer, who had been chasing her for a while now. "I swear I'm done for!"

"Muzo! You made me burn myself! What are you doing?!"

"I'm so sorry," Muzaffer looks at her hand, "put some yogurt, it'll be fine, it's not that bad." She glares at him as she pats her hand with a wet wipe from her bag. "You don't even want to know what I've gotten myself into this time Ayhan...I promised mom and dad in law that I'll give them 60 000! Where am I supposed to get that money now? I only said that so they won't lose the store...why did I do that?! I need help Ayhan, help me!" Muzaffer hyperventilates.