Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

99. Future looming

"Good morning!" Sanem grins and hops onto the coffeebar behind JJ after crossing the bridge from the elevators. She puts her handbag down and starts taking off her jacket.

JJ turns to her slowly, his eyes narrowed. "Miss Sanem."

Sanem looks up from her jacket and takes a step back when she sees him advancing step by step. "Mr JJ?" she says hesitantly.

"Is there perhaps something you want to tell me? Hm? A little confession, Sanem?"

Sanem glances around the office in confusion. "No?" she shakes her head.

"No?"

"There's nothing for me to say or confess, is what I mean. I'm tired and I want to sleep, but that's it." She shrugs and moves around him to the kettles, getting a cup.

He sighs, his eyes closed, before he turns to her and moves to her side once more. He takes a deep breath and clears his throat, staring her down. "Sanem," she looks at him, "I saw you kissing Mr Can in the for - "

Sanem's hand slaps over his mouth so fast he doesn't see it coming before it happens, her eyes bulging. "Will you - " Her head whips side to side and then she hisses. "Shh! Shut up about that JJ! What do you mean you saw?"

"M maw," he shrugs, speaking against her palm. "M mwmg mo may m maw."

"What did you see? You didn't see anything. Shut up, someone will hear you. Are you crazy?" she looks around again, taking her hand away in the process.

"You go around kissing the boss and you call me cra - "

"Shut up JJ, please!" Sanem puts her hand back and he glares at her.

"M maw mat m maw," he blinks.

"JJ, JJ, shh!" She gives him a pointed stare. He blinks again. "If I take my hand away, will you be quiet?" He blinks, humming. "You better because I swear I'll tell everyone you're in love with Ayhan and too afraid to admit it. And I'll tell them about the contents of that box from your hometown." His eyes widen. "You'll keep your mouth shut about what you didn't see?" He nods. "You promise?" She squeezes his neck with the hand holding his head still. He nods fast, blinking twice. She narrows her eyes suspiciously and he does it again. She removes her hand slowly and turns to the kettle.

"Did you kiss him first or did he kiss you first?"

She sighs and shakes her head. At least he whispered it. "It was an accident."

"How do you kiss someone by accident? That's not possible. You have to put your lips to - "

"Are you going to be stuck on this topic all day?" she asks irritably and looks at him, the spoon under his nose. "Look, Mr Emre was in an accident, he almost died. Focus on that instead, it's more important."

"Right," JJ blinks and nods. "You're right." He clears his throat and hooks his thumbs in his beltloops. "Life is short you know? You need to live it to the fullest." She nods. "If you're in love, love freely. What's the worst that can happen?" he shrugs and she hums. "You've opened my eyes Sanem." He pats her shoulder lightly. "Thank you. It helped me see the light."

"That's great JJ," she pats him back.

"Great," he nods.

"But don't say it to me, say it to Ayhan."

JJ looks down and avoids her gaze. She smiles to herself and goes back to making coffee.

Just as she's stirring sugar into the cup, Can passes behind them. "Good morning."

"Good morning," she smiles over her shoulder, turning with the spoon in hand still in the cup.

He doesn't stop but keeps walking, both of them looking at his back before following.