Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

68. Time's up and Deren's new attire

"Mhm mhm," Nihat hums in appreciation as he sticks the last of his food into his mouth and looks at Mevkhibe.

Sanem checks the time on her phone again. 20:25...

"That was beautiful Mevkhibe. Bless your hands darling."

"Thank you Nihat," she smiles.

"Every dish better than the other."

"Thank you," she says again.

Nihat looks at Sanem tapping the side of her phone, half of her plate still uneaten. "Honey?" Sanem looks at him. "Why are you looking at that phone the whole time? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Sanem shakes her head and then wipes her mouth. "I was just thinking maybe I can go meet up with Ayhan. I'm waiting for her to tell me if she's done. She said around 9 so," Sanem gets up and picks up her plate and gestures for Nihat's as well.

"What you and Ayhan constantly get up to this time of the night is beyond me, dear," Mevkhibe sighs and gets up too, taking her own plate.

"What time of night?" Sanem asks. "9 is not that late. Besides, we won't go anywhere, we'll be around the neighborhood." She shrugs. "Ayhan is feeling a little...off? You know? I want to be there for her."

"Oh no, is it serious? Can we help with something? Tell me dear."

Leyla wipes her lips, eyeing Sanem passing behind her.

"No, no, it's not serious. It's girl stuff."

"I'm a girl."

"I mean, between best friends and so on so I - " Her phone rings in her ear and she shows them the screen. "Ah see? Ayhan, she must be done early," she smiles and swipes. "Hey you."

"I don't know what you're up to but I have a bad feeling about this. Why did you need me to call right now?"

"Okay, okay, I'm on my way." Sanem hangs up and looks at her parents. "I'll be going then."

"Alright, just don't be late!" Nihat calls after her as she hurries into the kitchen to put away the dirty plates.
"Stay in the neighborhood! I don't want a repeat of the other day! You hear me?!"

"Yes daddy!"

**

Can sits down with a glass of whiskey and a book after going through a few mails, ready to relax and not think of anything. Just as he's about to open the book, the doorbell rings and he groans, looking over his shoulder.
"What now?" he mumbles, and gets up, taking his glass with him.

He opens the door and blinks.

"Are you hungry?" Deren asks, holding up a takeaway bag. "You weren't in a very good mood today, I was worried. Can I come in?"

"Of course," he nods and looks into the bag as she passes him. "What did you get?" he asks, closing the door.

"You'll see. I thought we could eat together, I haven't eaten myself. So? Hungry?" she smiles and waves the bag again.

"Can't say no, can I?" he shrugs. She was already there, he couldn't tell her to leave now. And it looked interesting, whatever was in the bag.

"Good. Then I'll set up," she walks through to the kitchen and he takes a sip, following her.

* *

Sanem takes a deep breath and taps the side of her phone. She was sitting next to Ayhan in her living room. Time was ticking and she was nervous. She had the file with the contract in her handbag and if she didn't hear what she had to, she was going straight to Can from Ayhan's.