Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

41. A cruel mistress

"Are you two sure I said that?" Akif asks for the fourth time, looking from Metin to Can.

"Would we lie to you?"

"Yes."

Can scoffs at Akif's accusatory brow lift towards Metin. "Well, we're not now. In fact, you said you'll do whatever we ask you to. Right Metin?"

"Even die for us," Metin nods.

Akif shakes his head and grumbles. "Remind me never to drink again." Can grins. "Look, despite what I may or may not have agreed to, this is going to cost me a lot guys, I don't think I can do it."

Metin sits forward as Can's third cup of tea arrives and he takes it gratefully from Akif's receptionist. "This man here, he left a very important day at the office to come and talk to you." Can nods. "Also, bear in mind that just one of his photos is worth thousands to print houses like yours, so."

"Can we at least cancel the billboards?"

"Akif," Can sighs, "stop, we're done talking about this. I'm taking the photos and you're printing...this is all for a good cause okay? Isn't that enough of an insentive?"

Akif looks at him then down at the glass of water, tapping the sides. "Fine." He huffs finally.

"Bravo!" Can winks. His phone rings and he checks the caller before he turns to them. "Let me take this, it's my father." He lifts the phone. "Oh, while you wait, we still need to find a model. One that represents different types of women."

"There's are a few models we've used before. I can have the directory of names and photos brought to us. We can have a look before we go."

"Tell me something, Akif," Metin says as Can answers the phone, listening with one ear on both sides. "I noticed there's only one female employee here. Are you sexist? Should I sue you?"

Akif flips him off, Can chuckles lightly, then makes a cutting motion across his neck. Metin grins, holding his hands up.

Can chats for a few minutes to his father, who of course asks how he was doing with catching the spy. Can didn't want to stress his father out too much, but he did tell him the spy was actively trying to sink them but they were close to catching him - though he wasn't sure how true that was but he kept it to himself. They exchange a few more pleasantries and then hang up.

Can walks back into the lobby where Metin and Akif are sitting with casting catalogues and examples of photos done with models who they would be able to contact.

"How is Mr Aziz?" Metin asks, glancing up as Can grabs one for himself and sits down too, starting to look through.

"He's fine. Worried about the company. But what's new?" Can answers with a shrug. He was only three pages in, but already he didn't like any of the models. He closes the catalogue and picks up another one.

Frowning, he drops that one two pages in. None of them seemed right. He had a specific type of woman in mind and even though these were all beautiful, he wasn't after an obvious beauty. He closes the third, huffing annoyedly and making Metin and Akif look up at him.

They eye each other and then Metin says, "Look at this one, Can," holding the catalogue in his hands closer.

Can takes a quick look but then shakes his head. "No, she's not right either. None of them fit what I'm after." Metin sits back and sighs.

"What about this one?" Akif asks, showing Can another face. "No?" Akif questions, looking at Can's disinterested glance. "Okay then."

"Maybe we should postpone this until we find the right one." Can sits forward and rubs his palms together, looking at the discarded catalogues.