Hearts of the Bosphorus

Chapter 28

Cat and Mouse

The offices of Adorno Industries buzzed with activity as the workweek resumed in full force. Employees moved through the halls, briefcases in hand, their footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. But amidst the usual hustle and bustle, a quieter, far more personal battle was being waged—one that involved far less paperwork and far more heart-pounding tension.

Isabella had been avoiding Omer Balik for three days.

After returning from the retreat, she had thrown herself into her work with a single-minded determination, knowing that the best way to keep Omer at bay was to create distance. She had assigned one of her senior managers to act as a liaison with the Balik team for the collaboration, ensuring that any direct communication between herself and Omer was handled through a third party.

It's better this way, she told herself firmly as she sent yet another batch of design notes to her proxy, a no-nonsense woman named Meltem. It's more professional. Less messy. But deep down, she knew she was lying to herself.

Omer, for his part, had been anything but deterred. He had made several attempts to catch her in person, and each time she managed to slip away, the frustration in his eyes only deepened. It was like a game of cat and mouse, and though Isabella hated the way her pulse quickened every time she thought she might run into him, there was a part of her that couldn't help but find a strange thrill in the chase.

The first time he tried to corner her, Isabella was in the middle of a meeting with the marketing department. She caught a glimpse of Omer through the glass walls of the conference room as he strode down the hall, his expression intent. Her heart skipped a beat, and she fought to keep her voice steady as she wrapped up the discussion about the latest promotional campaign.

As soon as she dismissed her team, she slipped out through a side door, moving quickly through the back corridors like a fugitive. She ducked into the staff elevator just as she heard the sound of Omer's voice carrying down the hallway.

"Has anyone seen Ms. Adorno?"

The elevator doors slid shut, and Isabella let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, a triumphant smile curving her lips. Nice try, Omer, she thought with a touch of smugness as she punched the button for the top floor.

The second time, Omer called ahead to set up a meeting with Meltem, but he made sure to choose a time when he knew Isabella would be nearby. He arrived at Adorno's headquarters looking as calm and collected as ever, but his eyes darted to every open door, scanning for a familiar face.

Isabella, however, was one step ahead. She had made a point of lingering in the building's atrium until she saw him arriving, and as soon as she caught sight of him speaking with the receptionist, she slipped through a side exit into the parking garage. She half-ran, half-tiptoed to her car, grateful for the shadows that concealed her escape.

Omer turned just in time to see the flash of her figure disappearing into the stairwell, and he let out a low, incredulous laugh, running a hand through his hair. "You can't keep running from me, Isabella," he muttered under his breath, though there was a begrudging amusement in his voice. But if this is how you want to play, then I'll play.

By the third attempt, Omer had had enough of subtlety. He decided to pay an unannounced visit to Isabella's office, convinced that he would catch her off guard this time. But as he made his way up to the executive floor, he was met by Meltem, who seemed to materialize out of nowhere, blocking his path with a polite but unyielding smile.

"Mr. Balik," she said smoothly, "Ms. Adorno is currently in a conference call and won't be available for the next hour. I'd be happy to pass along any messages."