Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

58. Help me out a little bit

Sanem didn't stick around the main lodge after the blindfold game. She went through to the back deck, looking out at the ocean, the blindfold still in her hand, and sat there for almost two hours watching it in the breeze.

She was shook by the fact that she had been touching his face so shamelessly. She was so close to Can that she could feel his breath and it made her angry with herself at how much she liked it. She wasn't supposed to like it. Or him. He thought she was engaged. She hated lying about it.

It chewed at her.

She was still busy watching the piece of cloth in thought when Emre spoke behind her.

"Sanem? Are you okay?"

She looks at him then nods, standing up from the chair. "I'm alright Mr Emre." She looks at the ocean again. "But I don't know how much longer I can do it. This ring is really complicating things." She takes it out and holds it in her palm.

He folds her fingers over it. "Did anyone see you wearing it around here?" Emre asks. "Maybe you don't have to wear it if they didn't?"

"Mr Emre, it's been in my pocket this whole time because of the games but I'd have to put it on eventually and it's driving me nuts taking it off every time I'm not around anyone... and putting it on again when I am... I'm worried about losing it because I have to wear it full time with Osman here... Soon I'm going to start believing I really am engaged."

Emre frowns, his other hand enfolding her shaking one. "Speaking of, who is this guy and why did he come?"

"No one really. Miss Deren said partners and spouses were invited and everyone at the office thinks I have a fiance," Sanem shrugs. "I didn't want to attract unnecessary attention."

Emre sighs. "I understand." She never told him who Osman is but that didn't matter. All that mattered was that she didn't have this ring with her all the time. "I'll keep the ring with me if it'll make you feel better, okay? That way you can breathe a little."

"What if Mr Can asks where it is?"

"Has he asked up until now? And why would he want to know?"

"I don't know," she shakes her head. She didn't know why he was so obsessed with the ring. "He's always zooming in on my finger asking where it is if I'm not wearing it."

"Right," he nods. "Give it to me then." She opens her hand and he takes the ring. "You don't have to wear it unless you're around my brother."

"Okay, thank you. At least I don't have to worry about losing it anymore." She turns to face the ocean and breathes in. Emre smiles and rubs her shoulder.

"I'll see you at dinner."

Sanem nods and hangs her head, feeling like a million pounds has been lifted. Literally because that's probably what it cost. But her feelings added more to it.

-

Aylin storms into her room, furious. She'd followed Emre to try and get some time together where no one would see them, but when she saw him talking to Sanem and holding her hand, she turned right around and left. They didn't even see her they were so engrossed in each other.

She slams the door and dials, pacing the length of the room.

"Hello?"

"Hilmi, are you still at the office?"

"Yes miss Aylin."

"Good. I'm sending you some photos. I need you to prepare a new ad campaign based off of them."

"I'll do my best."

"You said you had a friend who was a hacker a while ago? Are you still in contact?"