The consequences of falling

Chapter 16

In Divit's house...

Once he'd arrived home, Emre mixed himself a drink and dropped on the sofa in the main room. He didn't feel like changing out of his suit, but he took off his tie – it made for a convenient bandage for his hand and Emre didn't plan on putting in more effort. He checked the time – turned out, the longest night of his life wasn't even that long, it was just little over 11 pm and Emre still had few more hours before tiredness will claim him to the land of restless sleep.

Few hours came and passed, and sleep was still nowhere to be seen. Emre was grateful to Can for staying out today... with just a little pang of envy – maybe, Can was staying out because his talk with Sanem went well and they were celebrating their reunion someplace private. But in the end, Emre was happy for his brother – at least, one of them could be happy today, 1:1 for the match between Divit brothers and heartbreak.

Emre contemplated drinking, the heaviness of the glass in his hand providing familiar sense of comfort and promise of oblivion. But something tugged on the corners of his mind... something like a memory of Leyla. She'd seen him through few drunken episodes and even more hangovers, she was always supportive and protective – but Emre knew his morally pure assistant was judging him. It used to irritate him so much! Her big blue eyes freezing over with disapproval and general disdain – as if she didn't indulge in anything in her life! Perfect and prim Leyla!

But she was. She was perfect. Aylin was right – he wasn't good enough for Leyla, he wasn't of the same kind of people, of the same class. Apparently, Osman was.

Emre groaned and placed the glass back on the table. She wouldn't see him now, wouldn't judge, wouldn't care for his drinking at all – but Emre still refused to fall down that hole. Like an act of rebellion against his vile nature that costed him Leyla.

Time has passed. Hours? A minute? What was the difference?

The doorbell rang. Did Can forget his keys? Is he back to check on Emre or because his evening didn't work out as well?

As Emre stood up to open the door, he chuckled grimly to himself. 'Didn't work out' was a major downplaying in regard to his evening. But why was he hoping for anything at all?

Emre swung opened the door and his welcoming words stuck in his throat. At the door... Leyla was standing. The same blue dress with silver embroidery at the waist line, the same big blue eyes – clear and accented. Some of the make-up was gone and her face was a little puffy as if she was crying earlier. But right now, Leyla was composed and elegant as always, looking at him with worry and expectation.

Not registering the proper welcoming etiquette, Emre squeezed out one word:

- Why?

Leyla smiled... a small smile, really, but the one that touched her eyes and Emre swallowed hard at the sight of it. The real smile.

Leyla nodded and took a half step forward:

- May I?

Emre looked at her feet, at the floor beneath him and a doorstep between them, finally realizing he was keeping his guest outside. Emre almost jumped back and made a wide inviting gesture:

- Yes, sure, welcome!

Leyla walked in gliding by him to the depth of the house, only glancing at him once to make sure Emre was following her. In the main room she'd turned around and asked:

- Where do you keep First Aid kit?

- Why?

- That's becoming a popular question today, Emre-bey.