My Turkish Heart

Chapter 16 - Business & Pleasure

The first week of working with Izzy was really interesting for Burak. He struggled to focus on his work, because he wanted to always catch a glimpse of her in the office, but sometimes it was really hard to. The workload had increased since Izzy's company joined the Istanbul team temporarily.

The chairman would often send his secretary to keep an eye on Burak, as he and his wife were not fond of Izzy being Burak's companion. Even though Burak knew he was being watched, it was hard for him not to be distracted seeing her walk down the hallways of the office. Usually he would keep the blinds of his office closed for privacy, but these days he kept them open for an extra peak. Employees found his behaviour really strange, but the women employees welcomed seeing his handsome face more.
"Boss is acting really strange since the South African team joined us. Do you think he is having an affair with the SA manager that's based here?" the international relations assistant asked.
"Who knows? The world of the CEO is filled with gorgeous women always throwing themselves at him. Why would he get involved with her? She seemed very plain" the other employee answered.
The gossiping around the coffee station had caught Izzy's ears, as she was about to refill her cup when she overheard them. Sighing heavily to herself, she went to the fire escape balcony and got some fresh air.
"Don't let it bother you, just some office gossip nothing more. They will forget about it soon" she comforted herself.
She knew before she decided to relocate that this could happen, but she tried to stay optimistic. Izzy's career was important to her and she always showed the utmost respect and professionalism in the office, but clearly that was not enough to stop rumours. Straightening her shoulders, she walked back into the office and like nothing was wrong. In general the staff were quite courteous towards her, but just as a mere formality. She didn't have any other close friends in Istanbul besides, Burak and now the loneliness was felt. Their relationship she wanted to keep strictly confidential and did not want to give the staff more reasons to gossip about her or her job.

Sitting at her desk, she saw Burak and his assistant on his way to the boardroom for an afternoon meeting. Usually she didn't mind the eye contact with him, but now she kept her head down and focused on the papers in front of her. Sensing her avoidance, Burak felt a bit stirred that she did not even care to glance his way. His mixed emotions definitely affected his meeting as he became more temperamental the longer the meeting lagged on. Burak knew he had to do something about this later.

That evening when he arrived at home, Izzy was no where to be found. He called her mobile, but there was no answer. Feeling irritable, he poured himself a stiff whiskey to balance his mood. Pacing by the window trying to call her, he eventually heard the door opening. It was over an hour that he had waited and his patience was on a tight leash now.

Izzy walked in ever carefree, with an ice coffee in hand and a bag of snacks.
"I'm home!" she yelled ever happily.
"Where the hell have you been?! You didn't answer your phone, didn't inform me you will be late and then you stroll in here like nothing happened?!"
To describe Burak as pissed would be an understatement. Izzy bite on the straw of her coffee as she was not sure what the outlash of his behaviour was.
"Oh, I'm sorry.. I thought I would be home before you got back from the office. I knew you had a late meeting, so didn't bother to tell you.."
She wasn't sure if an apology was really needed, but she had never seen him this upset before.
Had he always been this over protective or did he just enjoy having ultimate control?

Burak's heavy breathing was slowly subsiding with his anger. He soften slightly after Izzy's explanation.
He looked at her not sure whether to yell at her or embrace her for coming back safely. His mixed emotions were driving him up the wall of what to do, say or react.
"Tamam(okay)..." was all he uttered.
This response made Izzy feel completely confused.
"What is going on with you?" she snapped at him.
The tables turned and Izzy was the one now hot with anger.
"What do you mean?"
Before Burak could fully respond, she was ready to attack.
"I don't need you controlling me or being over protective. I might be in a foreign country, but I'm not a fool. I'd find my way back eventually. I'm a grown woman I don't need permission from you to go buy snacks to cheer myself up!"
"Wait, wait...! Why do you need to cheer yourself up? What happened?"
All the questions made Izzy's blood boil, as she was heated all day at the office and his questioning wasn't helping her mood.
"Hiç! (nothing).. Just make sure at the office that we keep things professional. I don't want any trouble"
She snapped at him then went to her room and closed the door.
Burak felt baffled by what just occurred, but he knew if he pushed her further then she might close up more.

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Thankyou for all the reads🌻🌻
As this is my first Wattpad story, I'm constantly looking at ways to improve my writing. I'm learning so much from reading other established writer's pieces and I'm in awe of the creative ways in which they do things.

Please continue to support and follow Burak and Izzy's love story ❤️