Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

15. I'll be around here

I tried to tell you to shut up, Can looks at Sanem as she stares at Nihat, feeling uncomfortable on her behalf. He was surprised to see her father when the lobby called him to say that he had a visitor.

"Daddy?" Sanem repeats and then picks up the tray.

"Sanem." Nihat stands.

"What are you doing here?"

Besides witnessing your blow out?

"Oh, nothing important. I just came to give Mr Can the catering invoice."

"Yes," Can nods and lifts it. "Here it is." Sanem looks from her father to Can, fisting the tray handles. Can stands and walks round to the her side, giving Nihat an apologetic bow of his head. "About what you just saw, my apologies. It's all my fault. I've been making Sanem run around a bit today asking for tea, and I realize I must have tired her out." Can looks at Sanem again. "Sanem, I'm sorry, please don't be offended, but I like your tea and I'll be more thoughtful."

Sanem stares up at him. He blinks once, lifting his brows slightly and she seems to understand. "Ah oh, no, it's not that big of an issue but thank you. And I'm sorry too, I behaved rudely and it was disrespectful of me." She smiles at him and then looks away.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it." Can glances at Nihat who looks at Sanem.

"Sanem, you can't just say it once and then it's over, he's your boss. Apoligize again." Nihat looks at Can with a sheepish shrug. "I'm sorry Mr Can, don't think badly, but she's not used to this, she worked for herself before so she doesn't know how to behave."

"No, really, it's not a problem," Can says quickly, lifting his hands. "There's no need to apologize again. I understand, besides, we're all friends in the office so it's fine. If she wants to speak her mind she can, in fact, we encourage free speech, even to me. The main thing is that she speaks up." Sanem stiffens. Oh yes, you know what I mean, Sanem.

"That's nice but what could I possibly have to say to you other than what bothers me at work? You're my boss, and I shouldn't have said anything. My job is to make tea and bring it, not to be your friend. Here, take your tea."

Right. Can takes one cup.

"That's really all I do around here," Sanem says to Nihat who looks mighty confused by her reaction. "I bring tea and coffee and clean the place mostly. Uhm, daddy, let's leave Mr Can so he can work now." She starts walking to the door.

"You can leave if you want Sanem," Can sips his tea, "but your father can stay. We were fine before you came, right uncle Nihat?" Can grins at him, stepping to her and handing Nihat his own cup. 

Sanem had paused when he spoke and she stares at the door, blinking. "Uncle Nihat?" she mutters.

"I guess I can stay until I finish my tea." Nihat smiles at him and Can nods.

"Have a seat then," Can says after swallowing. "Please."

"Alright."

"I'll sit down next to you."

Sanem watches them, the tray hanging in front of her, her mouth agape.

"You have a beautiful office."

"Thank you."

Sanem snaps out of her daze and clears her throat. "Well, if you want more tea, I'll be around." She lifts the tray and grins, already walking out, her eyes on them. Can waves at her and she groans once she's outside.

**

Leyla is moving so fast that she nearly drops the files she was holding. She looks around before she hurriedly opens Emre's door and goes in. She's been avoiding him and he wasn't there right now so she could put his work on his desk and leave before he returned.