Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

83. Testing you!

That evening, Osman sat smiling at a photo he took of him and Leyla at the cafe the other night. She's so beautiful.

The front door opening and closing has him check the time then look towards the kitchen.

Ayhan comes in a moment later, unzipping her jacket. "Osman?" she asks when she looks up, surprised to see him home. "I thought you'd be out?"

"No. Leyla has things to do." He sits up as she comes to sit in the chair next to him with a tired huff.

"Is that so?" She snorts and shakes her head, shrugging off her jacket.

"What's that tone?"

"Nothing."

"Ayhan."

"Isn't it funny how every time you ask her out she has things to do?"

"No, and it's not every time." Ayhan gives him a look. "Okay, so maybe it is. But we'll go out some other time. It's no big deal."

"She'll probably find a way around that too," Ayhan mutters.

Okay that's enough. "Ayhan what is your problem? Aren't you happy that Leyla's finally changed her mind about giving me a chance?"

"I'm happy, I'm just wondering who else she's giving chances to," Ayhan looks at her jacket, fingering the zipper.

"What are you talking about?"

Ayhan closes her eyes then looks at him. "I know I should have stayed out of it."

"Ayhan - "

"But I was worried. And I've been struggling with it all day because I don't you to get upset." She takes out her phone and unlocks it. His eyes go to it as she turns the screen to him.

He takes the phone and looks at the photo of Leyla and Emre in a cafe.

"She met him there."

Osman stares at it for a few minutes and then he laughs. "Ayhan, this is an old photo," he shakes his head. "Leyla told me she's not meeting Emre outside of work anymore."

"I'm sorry but this was taken this morning Osman. JJ sent it to me. Look at the date and time." Osman looks down, his heart thumping in his throat. "I made him follow them," she admits sheepishly. "She's dating both you and Emre at the same time. When she's not with you, she's with him. It wouldn't surprise me if she lied to you about tonight so she could be with him. I told you not to trust her. She's only going to break your - "

"Ayhan," Osman holds up a silencing hand, his jaw tight, "please stop." He looks at the photo again when she shuts up.

"She's not worthy of the attention you've been giving her all these years."

"I told you to stop."

"But you deserve the best."

Osman sighs at her touching his arm and then purses his lips. She looked so concerned and close to tears at him snapping at her, that he couldn't even really be angry with her for wanting what's best for him. "Alright Ayhan," he pats her hand. "Alright. It's okay." He shakes his head, his eyes tearing up at the realization that Leyla lied to him about Emre. "Uhm," he clears his throat thickly. "I'm going upstairs." He hands her back her phone and then gets up, walking on muscle memory only, his eyes vacant and glassy.

"Do you want some tea?" Ayhan calls carefully. He doesn't answer her and all of a sudden the house became so quiet, you could hear a pin drop on the second floor.

**

Emre pulled his lips in before he takes a deep breath and walks out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee.