Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

45. A woman to carry me

Sanem sat at her desk typing, concentrating hard on it an hour after arriving at the office.

"Miss Sanem?"

Sanem looks up at the receptionist coming towards her with a box.

"The samples of Miss Polen's book came."

Sanem stands and looks at the box with a raised brow. "Hm, thanks," she says and the receptionist nods, turning to leave again. Sanem eyes the box and then starts pulling on the ductape.

"What's that?" Leyla asks, just coming out of her office.

"Books," Sanem sighs and grimaces. "Polen's books."

"Ah," Leyla nods and Sanem opens the box.

Polen's picture is right there on the front cover, smirking at Sanem. "She actually did it," Sanem says in disbelief and then picks up the top book. "This has to be a joke." She looks at Leyla then puffs out a nauseated breath, handing the book to Leyla.

"Wow, beautiful," Leyla says carefully and Sanem looks at her dryly. "I mean," Leyla quickly back tracks, "the book, the look of it...the picture is, meh." She widens her eyes at Sanem's glare.

"Hm," Sanem mocks. "I agree. I wouldn't have noticed her at all." Leyla nods. "Ugh," Sanem huffs after a moment, "but soon I'll have to notice because it's going to be everywhere." Leyla rubs Sanem's arm to calm her. "I don't want to see it now too," Sanem closes the box. "I think I'll go to the agency and see Can instead."

"Exactly. Go and see Can, forget about this one," Leyla drops the book on the box as she walks Sanem out of her cubicle.

"Yes, because if I stay, I'll start burning books and that's a sin."

Leyla nods again and waves Sanem off, who shakes out her arms to clear herself of the trembling.

**

"I have to give it to you, I would have done the same thing," Melihat says with a nod, taking a bite of her pear. She was standing with Mevkhibe outside her store.

"You think I would let this woman do and say what she wants?" Mevkhibe scoffs. "She doesn't get to humiliate us with her money. Of course I was going to put her in her place." Melihat nods again. "I just feel bad for Can, poor thing. I love him so much. He's such a good man. He deserves better."

"Of course," Melihat agrees fervently. "How can he come from such a mother? It's inconceivable," she tuts, waving a dismissive hand.

"Precisely Melihat. I think I know why he's different from her though, it's because he didn't grow up with her. He was raised differently."

"Indeed, has to be it."

"Your teas, ladies."

"Ah, Rahmi," Mevkhibe sighs happily when Rahmi walks up to them and takes one.

"Thank you son," Melihat thanks him and takes the other.

"Melihat, let's go in now," Mevkhibe nods and Melihat follows.

Muzaffer jogs over to Rahmi from Nihat's shop across the street before he can get away and grabs the third cup on his tray. Rahmi gives him a look but he ignores it and walks over to Mevkhibe and Melihat going inside.

"Mevkhibe?"

"Hm?" Mevkhibe hums.

"I was wondering." They sit down at the table. "Sorry if it's out of order, but I have to ask."

"Ask dear, ask," Mevkhibe looks at Muzaffer sitting down next to Melihat uninvited and then back.

"What's going to happen with this woman if Can and Sanem get married?"