Artemis (CanEm Fan-Fiction)

Chapter Thirty

Much to Can's satisfaction, Sanem took her days easily following the night of Compass Sport campaign party. Even whilst at the office, he tried to ensure that she wasn't overwhelming herself with work and thankfully, Sanem wasn't defiant in Can's orders. For once, she did explicitly as she was told because, frankly she needed a break. She was mentally and physically weak and some down time was exactly what she needed to recover. Slowly – but surely – Can saw the same innocence restore itself in Sanem's eyes. The loudest of sounds didn't make her jump and her nervousness had fizzled away as if it were mere hunger that had been fulfilled with some food.

After what felt like an infinite amount of days, things felt normal for Can and Sanem.

"Good morning." Ritualistically, Sanem would bring him his tea as soon as he walked through the office doors and they'd proceed their day accordingly. Seeing her smiling face was enough for Can – enough for him to power positively through the day and help restore Fikri Harika to its previously renowned glory.

"Morning, my love." Can took a sip of his tea leisurely, his mouth savouring the rich flavour on his tongue. "How are you doing today?"

That was another thing that had become ritualistic between the two, asking each other how they were doing. It was a simple notion, one that Can extended to many of his employees, however, Can knew, in Sanem's case, that it was essential. They had agreed to communicate with one another during this second try at their relationship and so far, it had been going well. The first few days following Sanem's assault, she had actively voiced how she was constantly glancing over her shoulder and waking up at ungodly hours from horrifying nightmares. But as the time passed, Sanem's answers had grown more and more comforting. The nightmares had practically stopped, and her everyday fear had vanished because Can hesitated to leave her alone. Even if he wasn't with her, he ensured somebody was. The likes of CeyCey, Osman, Ayhan, Leyla and even Emre, had all assisted in keeping Sanem safe and it was showing.

"I'm good." Sanem smiled reassuringly. "How are you?"

"Me? I'm not so good." Can pouted, with the lightest smirks threatening to show on his face.

"Why? What's wrong?" Sanem enquired with an element of worry to her tone.

"Because-" Can used his feet to roll his desk chair closer to Sanem, his neck craning sideward to ensure that their nosy colleagues weren't prying into his office. "Because all I want to do is kiss you right now and I can't."

"Can!" A beetroot red flushed through Sanem's cheeks and she looked down at her feet in a timid nature that Can adored. All of the women he'd dated were authoritative and experienced and it was a breath of fresh air to be with a woman like Sanem. Can didn't know the extent of her past relationship but to him, she was wholesome and pure, and he wanted to give her the world.

"Meet me in the car park during your lunch break." Can's thumb stroked Sanem's palm as he tried to be as discreet as possible. Fikri Harika was not made for covert relationships, unfortunately, and so the two had to be extremely careful to keep their relationship under wraps. Can wanted to scream that Sanem was his girlfriend from the rooftops but she just wasn't ready yet and, like the gentleman that he was, he was willing to wait. He didn't want to rush her, especially since they hadn't told her parents about them dating yet. So, Can didn't push the idea of exposing their relationship to everyone, despite the fact that keeping it a secret was extremely difficult for him (and his libido) "I'm taking you out on a date."

"But Can-"

"But nothing!" Can playfully shoved Sanem. "Get CeyCey to make up an excuse and see me later, okay?"

"Okay." Sanem walked out of Can's office feeling an array of emotions.

Firstly, excitement bubbled within the pits of her stomach. She had never been asked on an official date before, surprisingly, and the fact that she was going on one with Can made her feel like a giddy teenager. Secondly, going on a date also elicited a sense of nervousness in her. Because she hadn't been on a date before, Sanem didn't know how to react or respond to situations and that was immediately evident as soon as she got in the car with Can later on in the day.