The consequences of falling

Chapter 15

The same night...

- ... And, maybe, living my life to the fullest won't be possible without you in it. Maybe, I don't want to go because you are the adventure I'm most looking for. Maybe...

- So many 'mayby's'... You're not sure?

- I am... but are you?

- I am... I am! ...but what if my soul can't bare so much love?

- Well... you can borrow mine.

When Omer silenced and closed the folder with book extract he'd just read, the hall erupted with applause. People rushed to the stand to congratulate the author with yet another masterpiece – even though they'd heard only few pages worth of text, everybody were generous with compliments calling the new book 'brilliant' and 'inspired' and 'brave' and 'eye-opening'. Omer thanked all the well-wishers and tried to get down the stand, but it wasn't easy as many more people were queuing up to talk to him. In attempt to get some attention off himself, Omer brought unsuspecting Sanem into the mix:

- Friends, trust me, none of it would've been possible without my genius editor, Sanem Aydin! Her direction shaped the book more than my imagination ever did! And if anyone ever doubted my decision to sign with her house – I can state unequivocally that it was the best decision any author can make! At least, if you're hoping for success!

Omer smiled genuinely at Sanem and she smiled back – but only until she'd realized that a swarm of people rushed to her side to pick her brain about her work process and what other books she was working on. Sanem threw a death glare to Omer who just kept smiling having unloaded some attention off his back.

Can kept silent standing in the corner by the sound system. His thoughts were in disarray and not a happy one. Damn, that guy was talented, Can had to admit it! The piece he'd just read... it was something Can would read TO Sanem if he ever wanted to tell her of the depth of his feelings! But things like that were supposed to be written by some emotionally grown up, older people... preferably, from another continent... and female. And not by the good-looking guy who was smiling at Sanem with ease and she was smiling back!

Emre was standing next to Can in a similarly sour mood – while everybody was listening to the sensational reading with bated breath, Emre couldn't catch one because he was too focused watching Osman whispering something to Leyla the whole time – apparently, Leyla's fiancé was not a fan of sensitive prose and couldn't care less about the subject of the evening. To be completely honest, so did Emre – current reading exercise engaged his attention far less than slender beauty in front of his eyes.

At some point Osman caught Emre looking at Leyla... Osman's shoulders straightened, and his muscles flexed visibly under the thin fabric of his suit – and Emre remember that before his acting career Osman was successful in working butcher's ax. Did Emre care? No, he did not! And he'd met his rival's gaze with a smirk, an arched eyebrow and a mock salute with a drink...

As if on cue, Divit brothers looked at each other and nodded in silent agreement – if there was ever a time to make their move, it was now. The crowd that formed around the guest of honor dissipated slowly allowing for a window of opportunity to reach their target zone. And just when they were about to step forward – the target zone lit up again! This time – for Osman's benefit. Some literary agent scouting for a good book-to-movie story recognized Osman from his recent TV fame and made a whole point of gathering more people to discuss whether Osman would make a good main character for this book. Sanem was brought to wager on character's merit, Omer was asked if movie deal was discussed already, Deren gushed about discovering Osman in the first place... suddenly, the target zone was overcrowded AGAIN!