Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

74. A not so happy ending to a good day

Cracking his neck while he types, Can heaves a tired sigh and blinks a few times. He hasn't moved in an hour.

There's a knock on his door and he looks up. "Akif?"

"Can," Akif walks in and Can closes his laptop, standing and feeling nothing but pins and needles. Luckily Akif meets him at the desk.

"How are you man?"

"Good, good." They shake hands, grasping each other's forearms. "Why is the place so empty?"

"Hm?" Akif gestures outside when Can looks confused and then nods. "Oh that. There's a party to celebrate our new partnership with Fabri so everyone went home early to get ready."

"Shit, brother, when I saw no one around I got scared for a minute. It's so quiet."

"Don't worry. We're hanging on. At least for a while."

"I'm glad. It's good to hear that," Akif grins and Can nods again. "Now tell me how are you?"

"I'm fine." Can looks out the door for a second. "Or I will be anyway. I just need to find more clients."

"What a coincidence, because that's why I'm here. Compass Sport wants to change their look, go in a whole new direction. And to do that, they going to be choosing a different ad agency to work with."

"You're kidding," Can stares at him in surprise and Akif shakes his head. "This is great news." And man did I fucking need it!

"They're a pretty big company. So whatever agency they eventually pick, will gain the same level of respect and recognition. And if they work with you, this agency will be in the 'IT' position my friend."

Can grins and grabs Akif's shoulders, shaking him. "That's just what we're looking for." Akif laughs. "You're beautiful Akif, I can kiss you!"

"Please don't," Akif ducks and Can lets him go, feeling a weight the size of Mount Everest leave him. "I have to warn you though, they're not waiting around to choose. You don't have a lot of time to throw your hat in the ring. You'll have to impress them. And knowing what you know about the outdoors, it should be easy for you."

"No problem. I'll work day and night. I have nothing to do anyway and I don't sleep much so I'll keep myself busy on that."

"If you say so."

"Hey, why don't you sit down," Can points to a chair. "I'll go put on some tea."

"Sure," Akif sits and laughs at Can's loud "YES!" on the way out.

**

The doorbell of the Aydin home rings at four o'clock that afternoon and Sanem calls out to the house that she would open. When she does, there's a delivery man on the doorstep with a large round box. "Can I help you?" she asks, looking at the box.

"Miss Sanem Aydin?"

"Yes?"

"This is for you."

Sanem slowly takes the box and turns it in her hands with a frown. "Who's it from?"

Ayhan comes down the steps just as the delivery man answers. "Anonymous sender. Please sign here."

Sanem looks at Ayhan behind her and hands her the box, then signs the list. "Here you go."

"Good day to you."

"Thank you." Sanem closes the door and locks it, turning around.

"What is this?" Ayhan asks gleefully.

Sanem takes the box back and stares at it. "Ayhan..." She doesn't say anything else and starts climbing the stairs instead with Ayhan on her heels.

"Hurry, hurry, I want to know what's in it."