My Turkish Heart

Chapter 32: Actions Speak Louder..

On arrival at his destination, Burak gave Izzy a call.
"Hello beautiful"
"Hey! You arrived? Your lines have gotten even cornier!" she gushed.
His voice was still low and he laughed sexily into the phone.
"I miss you already!"
"Burak, you have gotten so mushy lately. Where is my serious face CEO hiding?" she teased.
"You bring this side out in me! I have to go. I love you!" he whispered.
Izzy got goosebumps just hearing those words from his lips.

"What's the latest?" Burak asked Yildiz.
"Sir, your mother is furious about your abrupt departure. Your father is playing golf with some businessmen to hear what's going on. Some projects are hanging on a thread because your parents disrupted the funds flowing into them. Also, Miss Aydin is back from abroad and your parents are preparing a date for you with her"
Burak sighed heavily at the feedback and gave out a low angry groan. They got into the car and drove to the meeting venue.
"How is Izzy Hanim doing? If I may ask Sir?"
Burak smiled at the mention of her name.
"Yildiz Bey, you never really ask about my personal life" he smirked.
"Ozur dilerim Burak Bey (I'm sorry Mr Burak) !"
"Hayir(No)! I just meant you must really like her to be concerned"
"Ahh yes sir! She's a very likeable young lady and very kind. Usually she would bring me and some of the non titled staff treats and coffee if she went out" Yildiz said thoughtfully.
"She does? She never mentioned it"
"I don't think she wants any credit for it, she just does it out of kindness. Also, she doesn't have any friends at the office with the rumours going around so she prefers sitting downstairs with us during her break"
"What rumours Yildiz Bey? Burak asked.
" Some silly office gossip sir. It was due to your intense eye contact with her before you go into the boardroom that some employees caught a glimpse of and then made up suggested reasonings"
"Does Izzy know about it?" Burak asked in a panic.
"Not that I am aware of sir. She hasn't mentioned anything"
"Then again, she is as stubborn as a mule and probably keeping it to herself to protect me" he sighed heavily.
"You're a lucky one to have her sir"
"Yes, I am Yildiz Bey! If only my parents would see her the same way you do"
"Don't worry they will warm up to her sir"
"I hope so! I hate being away from the woman I love. Then my mother thinks she can worm other women she picked into the picture"
Burak fumed in the backseat just at the thought of meeting Miss Aydin. His mother never backed down, especially if she made up her mind.

Back in Cape Town, Serkan received a tip off from Emma about Izzy's whereabouts. He was working out at the gym and quickly finished up to take a shower and head out.
"Who are you texting?" Daisy asked Emma.
She did not know that Daisy had entered the room and was caught off guard.
"No-one of your business, actually" she stuttered.
Trying hard to keep her composure, she slid her phone in her back pocket.
"Ooo do you have a boyfriend too?" Daisy teased.
"I don't have time for child's play like that. Leave it to our younger sis to bring home the loaded guys for us"
"No need to be so gloomy about it and stop smearing Izzy. She has done nothing wrong and neither has Burak"
Emma gave Daisy a blank stare then rolled her eyes.
"Whatever! Just mind your business and I'll do the same with mine"
Daisy looked gobsmacked at Emma's negative attitude about something so trivial. Brushing past Daisy, Emma grabbed some juice then went to relax in the backyard alone. She stared after her sister who seemed really strange lately. The minute her phone rang, she looked around first then moved to an area away from the patio door.
What is going on? Why is she so different.. This is weird and definitely not Emma, she thought.

Whilst Izzy was out at the grocery store, she stopped by the local bakery to get some treats.
"Hello stranger" a manly voiced purred over her shoulder.
Izzy got a fright and let her purse fall to the ground.
"Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you"
Serkan crouched down to get her purse.
"No it's okay! Sorry! I was daydreaming a bit probably"
Serkan looked at her then placed her purse under his arm.
"Thank you"
She reached out for her purse, but he wasn't budging to return it.
"Nope! Something is bothering you. Your mind seems not fully here"
"I just overthink alot, nothing major. Now, give it back please?" she half-heartedly smiled.
"Nope! I need to cheer you up before I return it to you!"
"Wait, what? Serkan, there's really no need"
He wasn't taking no for an answer, as he ushered her to sit down at the  tables nearby. Then he returned to the counter and ordered.
"Coffee and cake will be ready soon" he said chuffed by his decision.
"You're not taking no for an answer, I guess"
"You're correct!!" he grinned.
She smiled timidly then settled in more comfortably at the table.
"How has your stay been? When do you return?" she asked.
"It's been a good experience, little bit lonely. I haven't booked a flight back yet, working remotely helps in this regard" he shrugged.
"Lonely? Sorry that I couldn't have been more of a friend to you whilst you were here"
Serkan softened a bit looking into Izzy's sincere eyes as she apologized. He tried to remind himself to not fall for her, but she was so vulnerable and kind that it was hard resisting.
"No need to apologize. Also, I'm imposing on your trip, remember? I invited myself, so don't feel obliged to entertain me. How's your family doing? How is your father's recovery? Your partner still in town?"
He tried changing the topic so that he can put the plan into action.
" Thankyou for understanding. My family is doing well, both my siblings have returned. My dad needs to undergo another surgery and intense treatment. Unfortunately, my partner had some business to take care of back home, so he left"
Their order arrived and Izzy digged in.
"How long does your dad need intense treatment for?"
"The surgeon recommended atleast eighteen months for full recovery, hopefully"
"That's a long time! Sorry for asking this personal question, but can your family afford it? It's just that I know that those treatments usually cost quite a penny and they milk the patient's family dry to cover the cost. Some families go into debt to cover it"
He took a sip of his coffee so that he could see Izzy's response. She gulped heavily at the question Serkan asked. Placing her fork gently back on the plate, she wiped her mouth with a napkin before answering.
"It's okay, I know you mean well... It is a pretty penny, but we will manage it.." she said hesitantly.
"If you need help, you can come to me. I'm not kidding, I can provide for it. No need to go into debt for it"
She felt even more ashamed now about the topic.
"It's really okay, thank you"
"Didn't your partner offer to pay for it? He seemed quite well off from the clothes he was wearing" he sneered.
Izzy started feeling uncomfortable at the way the conversation was going.

While things were getting heated inside the bakery, Emma showed up nearby. She wanted to snap some pictures of Serkan and Izzy together. However, she was not aware that she had a tail.
"What are you looking at?" a voice asked her from behind.
Emma was so startled that she dropped her phone to the floor.