Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

52. Time to give up Mrs Huma

Ten minutes after Sanem led her parents in to a table, the doorbell rang again and the rest of the guests - this time being the Fikri Harika employees - enter jovially and make their way inside, led by Emre.

"Can," he calls just as Can is joining them at their table. He turns around and Emre reaches him and hugs him. "Sorry, we're a bit late."

Can shakes his head against Emre, patting his back in the hug and smiling at Deren behind Emre. He steps back and grins, holding up his right hand, where his moonstones were nestled between his fingers.

"Oh God, who gave you those?" Emre grimaces jokingly and laughs.

"Hm hm," Can nods and goes to hug Deren. "They're back," he says as Deren wishes him happy birthday.

The line of employees filter in, all wishing him happy birthday as well, only Guliz and JJ however also giving him hugs.

"Hello," Emre turns to Sanem's and her family after greeting his mother and smiles at them.

"Hello," Nihat nods at him and Mevkhibe just gives him half a smile and nod. Leyla presses her lips together in a small smile when their eyes meet and he nods slightly and then turns away again. Mevkhibe looks at Leyla in question, who just shrugs and chews on the inside of her lip.

"Mr Can," JJ whispers after hugging him, "I was going to bring crackers and balloons, but then I thought that you like simplicity, so I left them."

"Good thinking JJ," Can winks and nods thankfully.

"Right? I didn't want to be too over the top and announce it's your birthday. But, if you get bored at any point, tell me and we can leave. We can go have some - "

BANG!

"Ahh!" JJ screams as a cracker pops off loudly behind him, making everyone else also start and scream.

Muzaffer grins widely, laughing when Can looks to see who did it. He purses his lips when the screams turn to applause and shocked laughter, wiping the streamer paper off his jacket.

"Muzo!" JJ growls, glaring at him next to Ayhan.

"Happy birthday!" Muzaffer laughs.

"Well done, Muzaffer," Mevkhibe claps slowly, shaking her head with narrowed eyes. "Well done, scare us all to death."

"Were you surprised?" Muzaffer asks, winking at Can, who just sighs. "Happy birthday Can Divit." Everyone who didn't know Muzaffer were staring at him, while those who did, glared at him. "I won't ask how old you are, that's bad manners. A man should be able to act how he feels." Can rubs his eye with his thumb, laughing behind this action in disbelief. "Anyway, I brought vegetarian kofta!" he announces in the same breath and takes the plate from Ahmet, who was smelling it.

"Without meat?" Can asks, eyeing the plate while some of the others go closer to take one.

"I'm not rich, I made it with what I had. So yes, no meat. But have one."

Ayhan smiles awkwardly next to him as Sanem widens her eyes at her, then shakes her head for her not to even ask.

"Er," Huma chuckles uncomfortably and then clears her throat, looking at the confused guests. "These are Sanem's friends from her neighborhood," she introduces cheerfully. "They weren't invited but they're also welcome."

"Uhm, sorry, can I have one of those?" Erdem asks behind Huma. "I haven't had homemade vegetarian kofta in a while. I love them as much as I love meat."

Muzaffer grins and nods that he was welcome, passing the plate over.

Huma purses her lips in irritation and moves next to Polen. Her plan to make Sanem and her people look bad was failing miserably as even Ezgi comes over for one. Polen also gives them a distasteful look but just looks down at her wineglass.