Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

16. Broken camera: 1

"That looks as ready as it's going to get," Deren says, looking at the prints Mehmet is showing her. "Publishing, right away."

"Yes Miss Deren."

"Miss Deren."

"Hm?" Deren turns and JJ is walking up to her with his hands full of clothing bags.

"Everything is here. Sanem found a couple of good outfits, and the new LEDs were just delivered. The rest of the team's gone ahead, they're just waiting for you."

Deren nods, satisfied that things were looking better. What did I tell them? We can swing this, and we have! She turns away, smiling. Her smile drops as she looks at the bridge. "JJ."

"Yes?"

"Do you see that?"

JJ looks in the same direction. "What?" he asks in confusion, seeing nothing of note.

"Aylin's gotten to Guliz." JJ looks at the coffeebar and indeed, Guliz and Aylin were chatting and smiling. "Guliz is so obsessed with being an actress she's starting to act like her employee now."

"I see that," JJ mutters. "This is bad." Guliz was a huge gossip, and even though he liked her, he didn't like what she was doing now - she would accidentally spill all their secrets and give Aylin ammunition to take them down. "This is bad...I wonder what they're talking about?"

"We need to do something JJ. This woman's going to poison all of your minds, and then take over the office."
Deren just narrows her eyes at Aylin, then looks at him. "I bet you're next in line JJ."

"Me?" JJ gulps. "Miss Deren, how do I keep her away?" He remembers her prior behavior and his body starts shaking involuntarily. "Maybe I should go over and ask outright? No! I can't she scares me. What do we do?! Something has to be done about her because I can't work for her, I like my job, don't make me go, Miss Deren - "

"Don't worry, JJ," Deren takes him by the arms, looking him straight in the eye. "You belong at my side and I refuse to let her steal you." JJ relaxes visibly and smiles. "Now watch me go over and scare her off." Deren starts walking and JJ follows, nodding. "We just need to come up with a plan," Deren informs him.

"As we go?"

"As we go, JJ."

"Okay, but it has to be a good one because I can't work for - "

"Yes JJ, I know."

"Is there anyone else we need to watch out for?" He glances around the closer they got. If Guliz was turned, someone else may be too and no one was to be trusted. "Ah!" He jumps when Aylin suddenly turns in the chair and meets them halfway, towering over them. Deren is holding onto his arm, she herself having gotten a fright when he gasped.

"Deren, are you ready? I think we've wasted enough time, don't you?"

"Of course, dear Aylin," Deren smiles and then she leans over to whisper through her teeth, her eyes still on Aylin. "Don't leave me, stay close."

"JJ, did you start working out?"

JJ blinks at Aylin, frowning. "Huh?"

"You're shoulders seem a bit wider to me, like, it's more muscled."

"Er, thank you," he says timidly.

They're all looking at each other, JJ confused, Deren diatrusting and Aylin smirking, her head tilted as she looks JJ over. Guliz is quietly watching on as well.

"Miss Deren!"

"Ah, relief," JJ mumbles and they turn to look across.

Sanem is running over from the other side of the bridge, the camera bag swinging from her shoulder and the camera in her hands. "Miss Deren! Miss Deren wait! I have - "