Another Kind Of Promise

Chapter Twenty

      Deren set the meeting with Mr. Sahin for late in the afternoon. She wanted to give Can time to go over the contract and make changes if need be. " Can, Mr. Sahin will be here at 5:00 for our meeting. Is that ok?" She asked as she entered his office. 

      Can nodded, " Fine, I need for you to set in with us in the meeting too. I don't want to bring Sanem into the developing of this campaign." He told her, as he looked up from the contract. He was already feeling regret about allowing Metin back into the agency.

      Deren smiled, " Great. I'll be happy to take this one on. I have a few good ideas that I will present to them at the meeting." She replied. She stepped forward and cleared her throat, "Umm, Can.... I hope that this will get you and Metin back together. It's been long enough, don't you think?" She spoke softly, almost in a whisper, bracing herself for Cans reaction.

      He didn't reply immediately, as he thought back to all the years that Metin had been in his life. All the things they had been through together and all the promises they had made to each other. For some reason the thought of Metin and Akif were always in his mind lately.

      " Deren this is  business. Nothing more. Please don't interfere with that part of my life. Metin and I will handle this professionally." He answered quietly, but with a look of annoyance on his face.

      She nodded, " Ok, so how does the contract look. If it's ok, I will take it and prepare the other files for the meeting." She added, knowing she had overstepped the line. 

      Deren passed Sanem bringing in Can's tea as she was going out the door. " Sweetheart, I thought you might want some tea. How's the contract coming?" She asked as she placed the tea on his desk. 

      Can reached out for her, pulling her down on his lap. " You always know what I need, but your tea isn't the only thing I want." He stated as he nuzzled his face playfully against her neck, letting the smell of her ease his tension.

      She wrapped her arms around him, stroking the tensed muscles in his shoulders and back. "Can, you need to relax. I know you're hesitant about working with Metin again, but maybe it's time to forget about it all." She whispered in his ear. The kisses on her neck from Can, had stirred up a warm feeling that was spreading quickly through her body. 

      " We'll see my love. But I want Deren to handle this account. Not that I don't think you couldn't make the best presentation, but I don't want the past and Metin feelings for you to make it awkward." He said running his fingers over her smooth silky skin. 

      He felt Sanem tense and straighten in his arms, " Can, I don't believe those feelings from Metin were real. And besides, I didn't have those feelings for him." She told him. " But if you don't want me involved then I won't be." Sanem leaned back, looking Can in the eyes, "Can it's been over twenty years ago, please move on. Metin is married to a woman he apparently loves very much, just let it go." 

      Deren had everything ready in the conference room and ordered a round of coffee for everyone. Can was just finishing up some last minute work, as he waited for the new clients to arrive.

      Metin arrived first....It was strange to see Metin walking down the long hallway toward the conference room. She met him halfway, " Metin, welcome. It's good to see you. It has been quite a while." She expressed, giving him a hug. 

       " Yes, it has. But nothings changed here, and you are still as beautiful as ever." He replied, stepping back to give her a glance. She smiled, " And you are still as charming as ever I see. Come on in, Can will be her soon. And Mr. Sahin, is he on his way?" 

      " Metin, hello. Glad you could make it." Can interrupted them as he walked in the conference room. He extended his hand to Metin with a smile. He was shocked... the sight of Metin nor the sound of his voice hadn't sparked any anger just yet.

     " Ahh Can, hello. I wouldn't have missed this first meeting for anything." He remarked. " And yes Mr. Sahin is on his way." He said pulling out his chair and sitting down. 

      Can did the same, his mind going back to how many times they had sat down like that before. The times that Can had relied on Metin for the good of the agency. How many times Can had depended on Metin for much more than just the company.....

      Tarkan and Kaan weaved their way through the crowd of people. His eyes darting from one side to the other, searching through the clusters of girls looking for her. Kaan turned to him, "Hey man, there's a lot of girls here. Even more than I thought. Wonder why more guys don't show up here, they have a lot to choose from.." He shouted over the loud music. 

      Tarkan was too busy scoping out the mass of young women, looking for Alara, to even hear what Kaan had said, let alone answer him. After a couple of minutes of looking about, he was beginning to think that he had been played for a fool.....until he saw that beautiful long, mass of curly hair shimmering in the lights from across the room. 

      There was no mistaking her. Even from behind, he knew it was her. Her hair cascading halfway down her backside, her small, petite frame, her skin that glowed like the soft golden rays of the evening sun.....Yes, there she was, in all her glory....

      Kaan nudged Tarkan, " Hey what's wrong. Where is she? Look man, I think she stood you up." He said, giving him a hard pat on the back. 

      Tarkan smiled, " No,...no she's here. Over there." He said, pointing toward the bar. Kaan turned to look, " There,...with the wild hair. Oh that's right, I remember her hair now. Alright man, go get her." He joked, grabbing Tarkans arm and giving it a shake.

      A thousand things were running through his head as he walked her way. "What do I say first...Do I act like this is a date?....Do I ask her to dance?..... Just as he was getting near to her she turned....and as she did, the whole room seemed to explode at the sight of her face... " Tarkan, you made it. I've been waiting for you." She gushed, reaching out to take his arm.

      At that moment the world stopped turning, he seemed to be floating on a cloud. Her smile was dazzling, almost blinding him, and he felt as if his heart was fluttering uncontrollably. A voice inside his head was yelling at him... "  Say something...say anything....but just don't stand here and look dumb..

      " Alara....you, you, you look beautiful." He stuttered, his eyes holding on to the image of her and not shifting away. Kaan nudged him from behind, " Hey Tark, are you going to introduce me to everyone?" His friend asked as he stepped up next to him.

     Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, or like it was a dream. " Oh,... this is my friend Kaan. We live together and go to school at HEC." Tarkan muttered. Kaan stepped in closer to the group of Alara's friends, " Well let me clarify....we are roommates. But I'm pleased to meet you all." 

      Tarkan couldn't take his eyes off of her..... he was mesmerized by her. He had never had a lot of girlfriends, he had always been to busy with school to notice them. But she was different.....

      This girl was someone that he couldn't help but notice.....