BLACK ROSE (COMPLETED)

23 -

We had ventured to the small kebab shop across the road, a modest establishment devoid of any flair or pretense. It wasn't the kind of place one would choose for its ambiance, but at such a late hour, options were scarce. The interior was deserted, leaving us free to select our seats, and we chose a table by the window. I sat next to Fatih, with the children seated opposite us. After placing our orders, I found myself gazing out the window, lost in the sight of the deserted street and the moon, half-hidden behind a veil of clouds.

Fatih broke the silence, turning to the children with a warm smile. "What are your names, kids?"

The younger of the two, a curly-haired boy of about six with a missing front tooth, spoke up first. "I'm Hasan," he said, perched on his chair with an air of pride. "And my brother is Mert."

Mert, who seemed to be around ten, gave a nod of confirmation. His chin bore a deep, old scar, a harsh reminder that life on the streets must have been tough for children so young.

"And I'm Ece," I added with a playful grin, before gesturing to Fatih. "And this here is the younger version of Keanu Reeves."

Fatih, with his piercing gaze, sharp features, and chiseled jaw, did indeed bear a striking resemblance to the famous actor—if Keanu had blue eyes and slightly shorter hair.

Fatih turned to me with a smile, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You know, Ece, you're not the first to say that."

"Who else thought you looked like Keanu Reeves?" I inquired, curious.

"Alya," he responded, with a nonchalance that belied the significance of the name.

I made a mental note: Keep the Ice Queen Alya away from Fatih!

And yes, it was true—I had a tendency to get jealous over the most ridiculous things.

Fatih turned back to the children, his tone softening. "By the way, my real name is Fatih. It's a pleasure to meet you, kids."

"The pleasure's ours, Fatih Abi," piped up little Hasan, before directing his innocent gaze at me. "But who's this Keanu Reeves, Abla?"

"He's a foreign actor," I explained. "He was in The Matrix and some other movies."

Soon, our kebabs arrived, accompanied by a selection of appetizers, and we began to eat. Judging by his pace, Mert was likely to finish his two Adana kebabs long before I could even get through one. During a brief pause to catch his breath, Mert suddenly asked, "So, how long have you two been dating, Ece Abla?"

I bit my lower lip in embarrassment. "Well, um, we're not dating."

At least, I didn't think so...

Mert wasn't deterred. "Okay, so how long have you been married?"

My eyes widened in shock. "We're not married either!"

"Oh, Fatih Abi!" Mert whispered conspiratorially. "Are you cheating on your wife with Ece Abla? Shame on you!"

Fatih chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't have a wife, so naturally, I'm not cheating on anyone. What kind of questions are these, my boy?"

Mert, with a puzzled expression, glanced from Fatih to me and back again. "So, you're not married, you're not dating, and you're not having an affair... Then what are you? Don't tell me you're just friends—I can see from the way you look at each other that you're more than that."

We were defeated, speechless...

The boy was right.

As if to prove a point, Fatih placed his hand gently on my knee, where my short dress left my skin exposed. Our eyes met, and I saw in his gaze an unspoken acknowledgment of Mert's observation. His thumb softly caressed my skin, sending a wave of warmth through me, a silent confirmation of the truth in Mert's words.