Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

86. Bizarre behavior

The meeting goes much smoother with Can helming it. He steers them in the right direction, pulling the group in for comments when needed and involving everyone instead of just Deren speaking.

Sanem found herself openly staring at him, in awe at how much of their success rode on his presence at these meetings. It was amazing to see.

-

Remide looked much happier with the pitch as well, nodding along to what was being said. However, she also slyly looked at the girl that had Can so captivated during it all -  seeing the same dreamy look on her face that was on Can's. When he asks for notes from her, she'd hand it over and smile at him. He'd stare at her a second too long before moving on and this makes Mrs Remide raise an eyebrow marginally. Interesting...

-

"What do you think aunt Remide?" Can asks when he's done, turning to her.

"Can," Mrs Remide says with a nod,  "it's good that you arrived when you did." Can smiles in return. "They couldn't explain the idea as well as you just did."

Can glances at his team, pursing his lips and but leaving it. We went over this how any times guys...

"They showed me a few others but I liked the chicken most."

"So did I," Can nods, his eyes sliding over to Sanem.

"Then I'm on board with it," Mrs Remide says and they start to clap, cheering loudly.

"I'm so happy you like it," Deren beams, clapping faster.

"But," Mrs Remide holds up a finger and the noise dies down, "we expect a lot more than just good advertising from you this year. Especially considering how much we've already spent to get this off the ground. You have a huge task on your hands, son."

Sanem shakes her head and turns to JJ, whispering, "That's not the issue here at all."

"Shut up, she'll hear you," JJ says through his stiff smile, clearing his throat. 

"Yes, why are you speaking?" Deren hisses.

"No," Mrs Remide says and looks at Sanem, who looks down again after Deren glares at her. "You girl, you can talk. Did you have something to say?"

Can looks at Sanem, who keeps her eyes down and JJ nudges her.

"The mother of chickens is talking to you," he whispers.

Sanem lifts her head and swallows then licks her dry lips. "Well, I - " She pauses and glances at Deren, whose eyes were screaming murder.

"Go on," Mrs Remide nods.

"I don't think that your children are managing the company very well and I just don't understand how you haven't realized that yet?"

Can shifts uncomfortably. Now's not the time Sanem.

"Please don't misunderstand, Mrs Remide, I don't mean any disrespect," Sanem adds quickly, realizing she may have come across as a bit rude.

"Sanem, maybe you shouldn't interfere in things you don't understand. Why do you always - "

"Deren," Can holds his finger to his lips when both she and Sanem look at him, having seen Mrs Remide's annoyed glance towards Deren.

"Sanem is it?" Mrs Remide asks and Sanem nods. "Please continue."

"Of course," Sanem looks at her with wide eyes and then at Deren, who sighs and nods. "Okay," Sanem whispers then speaks a bit louder. "Well, you've started to sell organic foods now, exactly like all the other organic farms, right?" Mrs Remide nods. "And that's why it's not selling as well anymore. You used to use these amazing fragrant herbs that tasted much better. Consumers loved the difference. But your children stopped using those herbs because they were too expensive...and in trying not to spend money, your eggs and chickens have become bland. They taste the same as any other generic, organically produced eggs and chickens." Sanem shrugs. "They've also decreased the areas per square meter thay the chickens have to move around in, just so they can fit more chickens in one coop. I mean, one chicken used to have 4 meters of space before and now it only has 3 or even less."