Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

87. Breakfast of champions

Osman watches Leyla dial Sanem's number again, sitting outside with her at the table and when she lowers the phone with a small sigh he asks, "No answer?"

She shakes her head with a frown. "No...But she sent Ayhan a message so we won't be worried. I'm sure she's fine." Osman nods. "I feel a lot better knowing that she contacted someone at least...and even though she didn't say where she was I can guess."

"Yeah me too. There's only one place she could be other than here or home." Osman looks at the awning behind Leyla with pursed lips. Sanem was forever making them all worried with her sneaking around. "Anyway," he looks at her again, "how's the situation between you two now? Any change?"

"Maybe?" Leyla shrugs. "I'm not sure, but I'll fix it somehow Osman.
I have to."

"Hm," he nods and turns his teacup thoughtfully between his fingers. "And this asshole Emre? What did you do about that?"

"Osman," Leyla sighs and rolls her eyes at his tone.

"Oh, excuse me," Osman snorts. "Mr Emre. Mister. What did you do about Mr Asshole Emre?"

"I gave Mr Can the contract. And broke Mr Emre's trust in me." Osman stares at her, stunned for a moment. "I'm not cut out for this kind of business. I can't handle the stress of hiding things from people when I know it's wrong."

"There's the Leyla I know," Osman grins. "She always listens to her head and does what's right."

"Thank you Osman." Leyla looks at her handbag after giving him a small smile in return, then back. "Thank you for the tea, I have to go or I'll be late for work."

"Okay." Osman stands with her, and walks her to the gate. "Come by for tea again soon alright?"

"Alright," she chuckles.

"Wait, uhm - " Leyla pauses and turns to him. "Do you want to have dinner together sometime? You, me, Sanem, and Ayhan? We can all catch up and maybe break the ice that's been forming. What do you say?"

Leyla smiles brightly and nods. "That will be great. Sure. Call me and we can talk about it okay?"

"Okay."

"See you later." Leyla gives him a kiss on each cheek that he returns.

"See you later," he chuckles and waves at her, closing the gate and feeling satisfied that he made her smile again. He stares after her for a moment and then his smile drops and he groans. "Oof, Osman what are you doing? Can you talk more nonsense when you open your mouth? How are you going to get them around the same table? And are you really trying to win her over? Come on, idiot," he huffs, "you're just a butcher, get a grip!"

He shakes his head and walks into the house, pausing in the door and looking over his shoulder, smiling again.

Then again, why not? Stranger things have happened...

**

Can's eyes are still closed when he stretches his arm out next to him and feels nothing. What...? He could have sworn he fell asleep in Sanem's bed with her. He lifts his head off the pillow slowly and squints, his eyes opening. Holy shit, I did fall asleep here...

He pushes onto one arm, feeling disoriented and then rolls onto his side groggily, wiping a hand down his face and looking around the room.

Sanem's clothes and phone are gone when he looks at the chair and bedside table.

Great, she fucking left. He shoves the blanket off him and gets up, still half asleep. He blinks, the emptiness of the room waking him more. Why didn't she wake me up? Grabbing his necklace from the table on his side, he puts it over his head, his lips pursed and his jaw clenched as he heads to the door of the guestroom.