Hearts of the Bosphorus

Chapter 16

Close Encounters

The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of Adorno Industries, casting warm rays across the sleek marble floors and glass-walled offices. The air was filled with a buzz of excitement—something to do with the arrival of Balik International's enigmatic CEO. Whispers and giggles flitted between the assistants and junior designers as they exchanged stories about Omer Balik's earlier visits.

"He's even more handsome in person," one of the assistants whispered as she set down a tray of coffee in the design room. "Did you see the way he smiled when he came in this morning?"

Her colleague, leaning over the reception desk, fanned herself theatrically. "And that voice—so deep! No wonder he's managed to charm half the city."

Another added with a sigh, "I've never seen someone look that good in a suit. It should be illegal."

Their chatter echoed down the hallway, where Isabella stood adjusting her reflection in the mirrored glass of her office. She wore a soft blush-pink blouse that draped gracefully over her figure, paired with a flowing midi skirt in a delicate floral print. It was more feminine than her usual work attire, but she had found herself reaching for it that morning, an unspoken wish to feel a bit more like herself. She added a touch of lipstick, the same shade of rose she used to wear on summer nights years ago.

She smoothed a curl behind her ear, telling herself that the choice had nothing to do with Omer Balik's arrival. It's just a busy day, and I want to look my best, she thought, though a nervous flutter in her chest suggested otherwise.

As she left her office, she caught snippets of the assistants' conversation. She couldn't help the small, private smile that tugged at her lips. So they think he's charming, do they? For a moment, the image of the young Omer she had known so well flashed in her mind, but she quickly pushed it aside. She had work to do—work that involved keeping her focus firmly on the task at hand.

Omer arrived at Adorno Industries looking as impeccable as ever, his navy suit tailored to perfection, the white shirt beneath crisp and pressed. As he walked through the office, he couldn't help but notice the stares he attracted from the staff. He offered polite smiles and nods, but his thoughts were already drifting ahead to the design session. He needed to maintain his composure today, especially after the unexpected tension that had flared between him and Isabella the previous night.

When he reached the design room, he found Isabella already at the large wooden table, sorting through sketches and samples with a focused expression. The pink hue of her blouse and the soft flow of her skirt caught his eye, and he paused in the doorway for a moment, struck by the change. There was something achingly familiar about her, yet entirely new—something that made his chest tighten unexpectedly.

She looks... different today. The thought slipped through his mind before he could stop it. He quickly masked his reaction, stepping forward with a calm smile.

"Good morning, Ms. Adorno," he said, his voice steady. "It looks like you've already started."

She glanced up, catching his gaze with a faint smile that made his heart skip a beat. "Good morning, Mr. Balik. I thought we could use a head start after all the progress we made yesterday."

He nodded, moving to join her at the table, trying not to let his eyes linger on the way the soft fabric of her blouse moved as she adjusted a stack of papers. "Agreed. Let's see if we can refine some of those details."

They settled into their work, focusing on the designs they had discussed the previous evening. The team filtered in gradually, but the atmosphere remained charged, each glance between Isabella and Omer loaded with unspoken thoughts. Omer found himself hyper-aware of her movements, the light scent of her perfume—something floral and sweet—drifting across the space between them.