My Turkish Heart

Chapter 31: The Practice Of Mindfulness

Burak caught up with Izzy in the hospital garden area. She was sitting down on the bench under a tree, looking conflicted by her thoughts. He approached her slowly then sat down next to her.
"May I know the reason why you ran out, just now?"
Izzy stared at him then moved a few inches further away on the bench.
"Are you really asking me? Isn't it obvious?"
"Is it because I paid for the treatment and surgery?" he asked.
"I love how you are asking this so casually. It's not a pocket change amount, so why didn't you ask my opinion before intervening?"
"It's not that much and is kind of pocket change to me..."
Before he could speak any further, she interrupted him.
"Burak! I'm really in no mood for jokes right now. This is not the time to show off your wealth. I thought we respected each other enough to ask for an opinion before doing things like this" she said angrily.
"I'm sorry... I know, I know! I'm in the wrong, but I just didn't want to stall something so important just over money" he tried to defend his actions.
"Stall over money?Even if we did not have a dime to our name, I'd hope that having dignity would still earn some level of respect"
Burak felt like he was adding fuel to the fire by trying to clarify.
"Izzy.. I really wasn't trying to show off my wealth. Of course I respect you and your family. I do not care about your family's wealth, even if they were wealthier than I am. My actions would still be the same. I did not want anyone to stress over it, especially since your mother mentioned in secret that it would put them in debt to go through with the procedure. How could I let your father and you down, when I can help? "
She looked up to him with big eyes, filled with tears.
" M-yyy mom said tha-at?.. " she asked astonished.
"Evet(Yes)" he admitted softly.
Izzy placed her head in her hands and started crying softly. Burak noticed it and moved closer to her, till he grabbed her arm so that she could lean on him. With her head buried in his chest, she cried a bit harder. He held her gently and caressed her hair.
"Don't cry baby..." he said lovingly.
Izzy looked up at him with a tear stained face.
"I'm sorry for overreacting. I know you and should have trusted that you did this with my family's best interest at heart"
He touched the side of her face and wiped away the remaining tears falling.
"Izzy, I love you so much. I would never do anything to harm you or your family"
He kissed her forehead, then pulled her in for a hug.
"I'm sorry... I got a bit brainwashed by my older sister's nasty bickering. It all felt just too overwhelming in that moment"
"Shhh... Stop talking now. Just hug me" Burak said.
They hugged each other tightly, so engulfed by their emotions. Not noticing Emma standing by the glass wall, watching them intensely whilst on a call.

"They made up faster than I thought, but I know they're still quite fragile. That will definitely work in our favour" she said.
"Just tell me how you plan to make it work without drawing any suspicions?" Serkan asked.
"All I ask is for you to man up, when the moment comes and not slack off. My younger sister is good at making people pity her or feeling like they are her friend. So keep your guard up and don't disappoint me!" she instructed.
"I know what I'm doing! Falling inlove is definitely not in my books for now. Even if she is my nemesis partner, I have no interest in romance. Don't worry about me and just make sure things look natural enough" he sneered at Emma.
"Good! Seems like we both on the same page then. I'll call you when it's time to approach Izzy"
Serkan agreed, then hung up on Emma. He was down for harming Burak at any costs, but he still was in denial that he had a soft spot brewing for Izzy.

That evening, they all settled in at home. Emma packing her things away and her mother coming home to rest.
"Izzy, I have to tell you something.." Burak said.
They stood on the porch looking at the garden under the dimly lit moonlight.
"What's wrong? You sound serious.." Izzy said worried.
He took both her hands in his and cupped them together.
"I have to return home... Things are getting a bit heated because of business issues and I need to be there to clean up"
"Shit, yes! I forgot that you were also going through some things before you came. You should have stayed and finished things first. Now I feel bad that you rushed to be by my side" she rubbed his hands warm.
"No babe, don't think like that. It was my decision and I'm really glad I came"
He kissed her hands softly.
"Thank you for everything! When is your flight back? You can still crash in my room, my mom won't mind"
"Sorry love, I have to leave tonight. I was lucky enough to get a seat on the latest flight out of here" he said sadly.
"Hmmm.. That sucks!! I wanted to cuddle up against you one more time" she teased.
"Don't even start, the thought of being away from you is already torture to me!" he sulked.
Izzy giggled at Burak's childlike behaviour. He took his sweet revenge by pulling her swiftly closer to him and planting soft kisses on her lips.
"Okay! I can't anymore! I need to leave now before I really stay!" Burak said.
"Do you need a ride?"
"No love, it's already late. I'm going to drive the rental and drop it off at the airport. You stay home with your family, ok?" he said tenderly.
"Yes, sir!" she teased and stood on her tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
"Let me get going. I love you and miss you already. I'll call you when I land"
Izzy was smitten at how soft Burak had gotten lately, but she loved it. After another brief kiss and a prolonged hug, they finally said goodbye to one another.

He finally left. I doubt he told her the full story about why he had to leave. Use that to your advantage and be mindful of that when you show up. I'll text you an address in the morning.

Emma sent the message to Serkan then picked up a photograph next to her bed. It was a family portrait of everyone before she immigrated.

I'm sorry sis, but I need the money. You have plenty of time to find another rich man after this, she thought to herself.