Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

24. Mevkhibe's advice

"It will be a terrific master class in cooking, Can."

Can nods, looking away from staring at his desk, his attention everywhere but on Polen talking.

"My friend told me about it and I said I would come to one. I never did...Now the chef's back in Turkey and I'm in this business too, so now I'm thinking, if I go, it might be a step closer to reaching my intended goal for this book. It'll be inspirational."

Can squeezes his eyes shut, wiping a hand down his face and back up over his head. All he saw was a golden dress with brown eyes that was teasing the daylights out of him. When Polen had first come in, he saw the contrasts between her and Sanem - and Sanem had no equal. She was head and shoulders above anyone else like always.

"Anyway," Polen leans forward and smiles at him. "Can - "

"Hm?" He looks at her.

"This is a very famous chef."

"Cool. I think it's great." He stands up, feeling off with her so close.

"I also had another brilliant idea," Polen says, standing up as he walks all the way across the room to the couch and she follows him. "I've put your name down too. So, we can just go together."

"Oh come on," Can groans and hangs his head back, cringing. "I'm not going to that."

"Where are we going?" Huma comes in and looks between them with a smile.

Can gives her a dry look. How does she show up everytime I don't want to do something? He was sure his mother and Polen made sure when one needed something the other would come and help force him because they knew he was too much of a gentleman to hurt their feelings.

"I told you about the culinary master class yesterday, remember? I mentioned it to him, but your son doesn't want to go."

See? Always making me feel like shit...

"Why not dear?" Huma asks.

"Mom, look at this face," Can circles his face, "do I look like the kind of person who would be interested in this?"

"Oh but Can you cook so well." Huma pulls Polen'a hand and she goes and sits next to him on his right. He moves up a smidge.

"Exactly, I don't need it."

"But you know what they say, you can never know enough. It'll be so much fun. We can find some inspiration for the dishes."

"You see?" Can turns his head to Huma. "Two heads are better than one. Well Done Polen. Come on, honey, be a little impulsive. Don't think so much. Besides, if you don't go, Polen will feel left out in front of her friend. And who knows who they had to leave out so you can join?"

"Please Can," Polen begs poutingly and squeezes his arm.

He looks at her again. Then his mother and then he removes his arm and sits back, rubbing his hands up and down his thighs, his cheeks puffed up. "Fine," he sighs and pulls his lips in.

"Really?"

"Hm hm," he nods, getting up. He was feeling smothered.

"You are amazing. It will be so much fun you'll see." Polen jumps up and follows him to his desk while Huma smiles behind a hand and watches.

**

"Hello."

Ihsan looks up from grinning at the bottles he was arranging when Aysun comes in and nods at her. "Hello, hello, come in."

"What are these?" she asks, looking at the new display.

"Our new products."

"What new products?"