The Art of Love

Debts Paid

Polen, ended the phone call with Fabri and sat quietly-in near disbelief. She had dreamed of the day she no longer had a dept to pay, a day where she didn't have to look over her shoulder and a day where she could live a simple life and look forward to a future. Enzo had promised her she would be released from her debt to him when she had completed her job but there had been unintended consequences to the plans he had set in motion and she had been duped by a man who was said to be from Fabri himself. In the end Yigit had tried to have her killed for betraying him and even though she was clever and lucky enough to avoid death she had not avoided being used once more. She swore it would be the last time-and for once in her long short life she had been right. If she knew something about Enzo Fabri is that he always kept his word. He had built an international syndicate on honorable thievery. He was cruel and corrupt but he was also true to his word. There was no doubt he used anything and everyone to accomplish his deed but he generally left innocents alone. He kept to his own kind where justice was meted out in currency, fists or bullets. He never regretted killing a cheater, a disloyal member of his family or an enemy. She had believed him the many times he threatened her as well as the many times he honored his oaths. Today he had fulfilled his last oath to her. He had told her she would be free when Yigit was in his hands. The call she received told her just that- her debt had been paid, that her family was free from all debts and that her fees had been deposited into her account. Enzo knew where Yigit was or had him already. She had performed her last job and although it had cost her some of her self love, something that she surprisingly still held onto after so much debauchery, she was finally free. She felt teardrops hit her hands as her body shook from pent up anxiety. She let herself feel her pain and her hopes and thoughts of her siblings, of Osman and of Can. It was too late for the possibility of a life with Osman, having seen him after soo many years was the only bit of respite she would have of the boy who loved her once upon a time. She had ruined her chance of friendship with Can while fulfilling Fabri's instructions but she hoped he would one day find a way to forgive her after she tried to help. What she still had was the future of her siblings to protect. That was more than enough for her. She would live for that.

No matter which way he looked at things it was all bad. He had not entertained any illusions that getting to Fabri would be easy but it had all gone as planned until Can Divit entered the picture yet again. Once he had been informed of where Sanem was he was quick in organizing a team. He had not known that Divit was the man seeing to her needs. His information had been lacking, believing it was an aide worker named Leo. Someone would pay for that. He slammed a fist down on the small dining table he sat at as he thought about the last time he saw Sanem. She would have had some bruises and perhaps had even been slightly injured, but she would have recovered and he would have enjoyed her before using her as bait. He had planed to save that little morsel of flesh for himself before Fabri got involved and stuck that bitch Polen on him. How he hadn't seen that failed him. He had been duped but he had exacted some of his revenge on that whore he thought. "She got hers". A knock to the door had him reaching for his gun. He was nervous and suspicious of everyone. Someone had let him down. Which meant someone didn't fear him entirely and in this business that was a sure sign to be wary and root the mole out. He held the gun tightly in his hand beneath the table as his sibling walked in. "I told you I didn't want to be disturbed. That included you as well". He relaxed his hand even though he felt suffocated and needed space to think about his next move. Her silence didn't help at all. "What is it, since you're here anyway-out with it". He watched her pull out a chair across from him and sit down. She was slow to speak angering him even more. "What the hell is wrong with you now? I swear if...." But he never finished his sentence. The pain to his groin took his breath away as he stared at the woman whose face was immobile. Like a statue, she didn't blink. His brain told him to hold his belly but his arms barely moved as his chair flew back against the wall behind him. Everything seemed to move slowly as a roaring noise sounded in his head. He managed to touch the warm oozing liquid that poured out of him even though he began to feel an icy cold grip on him. His eyes seemed to roll in his head while he tried to focus and get to his feet but his body didn't respond. When he noticed her standing above him he simply cried out "help me, I've .... I've been shot...please". Then his eyes grew larger as he saw her raise a gun and point it squarely at his chest. She didn't speak, she just pointed the gun at him and watched him carefully as the life drained out of him. "Why??...what did he pay you? When....?" She turned slightly away and took a ragged breath and looked back at him. "There was no choice. It was either you or my son". He coughed and choked on his own blood that filled his mouth. "Your son?" His mind was clear enough to be incredulous, "When... why didn't I... please!" He called to her "Help me. I forgive you..I will...." The second shot he never heard, the blow was so hard it cracked his sternum, shattering bone and ripping through arteries and organs. He knew he gasped but nothing more.

Fabri received a phone call thirty seven  hours after he issued his orders. The call lasted less than twenty five seconds before he ended it. He felt every bone in his body give way all at once and he collapsed to the floor. He was exhausted but not ready to die just yet. He lay on the beautiful carpeted silk rug and stared at the small closet door just beyond. Everything that meant anything to him lay beyond it. With great effort he reached for the phone that fell to his side and dialed a number. A few moments later a man walked in and quickly helped him up, supporting him as he walked him out of the room and to the elevator and up to his bedroom. "Enzo-you're not 25 anymore-you can't keep this pace with your health issues. I'm calling your doctor". He looked at the younger man-younger than him anyway and nodded. It was no use arguing with him. He was right and he needed to buy some more time. The relief at knowing that Yigit was dead and that his deal had been accepted and would not be broken allowed him to release the pent up anxiety and stress he always carried. It had been overwhelming and his body showed him what it had cost him. He nodded at his man as he laid back in the bed and closed his eyes. Soon he would let this world go and perhaps if there was any slight mercy he may have earned in his horrible life he might see the woman he loved again. He didn't think so but he was an optimist at heart. A monster of course, but always an optimist.

Can watched as Sanem thanked the old man and hugged him fiercely to herself. After another two weeks of rest, supplements and expertly cooked nutritious meals, he could see that she was feeling more herself. Her final visit with the doctor had been a breeze and she was given a clean bill of health with some advice and instructions to see that she didn't relapse. He had spoken with her doctor and felt confidant that she would be ready for eye surgery once they got back to her doctor's care. She was doing better each day and had gained back some weight. At times she even seemed to be effervescent and glowing. He was so glad that they had mended their relationship so that he could be there to care for her and protect her. His brow clouded for a moment thinking back to the call he received a few days before from Enzo Fabri himself. Yigit Kaya was dead. He had been offered pictures as proof but the mobsters word this time was more than enough. Enzo was brief but explained that he would expect to see him and Sanem at their island home in one week's time. They had to settle accounts. It was then he learned that the man who was Sanem's biological father was terminally ill. He didn't feel sorry for the man but he felt a measure of empathy. To meet one's maker was no small thing, even for a worldly lord like Fabri. He had made it crystal clear to him that this meeting would resolve much of what they feared but that there was a price to pay, a "pound of flesh" as it were. Can had insisted on letting Sanem have her surgery first but Enzo didn't think he would have the time to wait for that and so he agreed. Now as he watched Sanem thank the staff and watched her hug the doctor he smiled knowing that they had a chance at some type of a normal life. He would tell Sanem on the way to the jet that awaited them. They didn't have a choice but he knew ahead of time she wouldn't refuse him. She did not have love for Fabri but he was her father and a dying man's wish would be granted him by his only child. He was certain of it. As she got in the black SUV he turned to his old friend and hugged him. Kissing his cheeks and thanking him for saving their lives. He tuned away and got in the vehicle and turned to his beloved, smiling at her as she ducked her head under his chin and rested against his body. He felt a strong sense of protectiveness wash over him just then. She was his future and no matter what, he would put her first before anything and anyone by talking things through before taking action. He owed her that much and more. When she looked up at him he looked into those almond shaped eyes that were pools of honey for him. He leaned her back against her seat and kissed her forehead, then her nose and finally gave her a gentle kiss to her sensuous pink lips. Kissing her was one of his favorite things to do but it had always led to more. He had restrained himself since their night of love on the plane. They both had committed to taking things slow but although his mind accepted it his body called out for hers when he was near her. "Can... I think I'll miss it here. Let's come back someday soon when life is more settled. He's lonely and we owe him so much. He's truly a wonderful man". It was just like her to think of others in the midst of all their issues. "Of course Canim, Benin, my only one. Anything you want. He's a fine man and he would love it I'm sure". He pulled the throw blanket around her legs and hugged her close. "Relax my love, it'll be another couple of hours before we get to where we're going". He saw her eyes closing and decided he would tell her on the plane. She needed her nap. That was something she had been doing lately that was new for her. The woman with so much energy who nearly outdid him had taken to napping. If it made her happy and healthy he was all for it. When he heard her light breathing he knew she had fallen asleep and he let himself relax as well. If there was one thing that he had learned from the moment he met her was that when she was asleep near him he could fall asleep just like a child. He never slept better than when he slept with her.