Only You

3 - Eavesdrop

Sanem woke to a new a day feeling refreshed. She had a beautiful dream about Can. And Metin was going to help her with getting out of the contract. She had full confidence in Metin's abilities. She would get out of this contract and could come clean to Can about the real reason why he was released from jail. But would he forgive her? Not just for the perfume contract, but for involving Metin as well? Behind his back?

She shook these thoughts from her head.
One step at a time.
She applied her makeup, styled her hair, and put on a purple and yellow houndstooth skirt suit. She needed to look nice for the Redmode presentation today. She gave herself one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs.
As she was putting on her shoes, her mom called her for breakfast.
She continued zipping up her blue heeled boots. "Sorry, Anne. I don't have time. I have a meeting and I really can't be late". She grabbed her bag and the folder containing the contract and rushed out the door before her mom could protest.

Metin was already at the designated cafe when she arrived. He saw her and waved her over to him. He stood to shake her hand but she surprised him by going in for a hug instead. He hugged back and when they separated he simply said "It's good to see you again, Sanem."
"It's good to see you too. Thank you again for doing this"
Metin waved his hand in the air as if to say don't mention it.
They sat down across from one another. Sanem noticed that he looked tired. His eyes were a little bloodshot and from the empty coffee cups on the table it was clear he had been here a while.
"Do you want anything? Tea? Simmit?"
"No. Thank you. I wouldn't be able to eat anything"
"Sanem, don't worry. Really. Can I see the contract?"
She handed him the folder and then squeezed and rubbed her hands together while biting her lip. She watched his face as he read. But she couldn't discern anything thing from his facial expression. He simply nodded or squinted his eyes at some passages.
He finally looked up at her and gave a small but reassuring smile. "I can work with this."

Sanem let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"If Fabri calls for another meeting, put him off until tomorrow. I'll try to have something by then."
Sanem couldn't believe her ears. She was so cast down yesterday. Everything seemed gray and hopeless. But now, it felt like when the sun shines after a rainstorm. When the air is crisp and clear. And it just seems so much brighter.
"Okay, I can do that." she wanted to ask what he was thinking. What was his plan? What did he read, or didn't read, in that contract that could possibly help?

But before she could, he stood up while pulling out some money and placed it on the table. She stood up too and they walked to the exit.
"Sanem, remember. Brea-"
"Breathe" she cut him off, smiling at him.
He smiled back. He put a hand on her shoulder "Text or call me if there is any update from Fabri."
"I will and thank you again. I know Can and you parted on bad terms. So I really appreciate that you are willing to help me. Help us."
"Can will always be my brother. Always. Whether he wants it or not, our bond will never break. Our friendship is stronger than his stubbornness. And that friendship extends to you too."

Sanem could only smile at him, tears forming again.
Metin went on, "I don't want to tell you what to do Sanem, but I hope you can learn from what happened to me. I was legally bound to keep from him his mother's involvement in the agency. He found out anyway and I paid the price. I know your're scared. But I also know how much Can cares for you and for how long too."

Sanem blushed a little at that. He knew of Can's feelings for her before she did.
She hugged and thanked him again before they parted ways.
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Can woke up feeling still slightly agitated. He still had this feeling inside he couldn't shake. Something was off about his release from jail. Did Aylin really have something so major over Fabri to get him to drop the charges? He didn't think it likely.
And then his thoughts turned toward Sanem. They had a nice time yesterday by the water. He was sure to everyone else she seemed the same. But he was not everyone else.
Her parents are fighting...? That could be all it is..?
He felt there was something else wrong. And couldn't have that. He was supposed to protect her from everything. He finally came to the decision that he would ask her flat out this morning. If there was another problem, he needed to know so he could fix it. With that he got up and got dressed.

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Sanem decided to walk the rest of the way to the office after her meeting with Metin. It wasn't too far and the morning wasn't too cold. She had a spring in her step. Things were finally looking up. She, with the help of Metin, would solve this. Can would be safe, she could keep her scent between herself and Can, and they could be happy. She walked into the agency and her spirits fell a little when she saw Alyin sitting in her new office.
"One thing at a time." She muttered to herself.

Even with her meeting with Metin this morning, Sanem was still one of the first people there, as usual. She peaked into Can's office to find he still hadn't arrived. Her nerves settled enough now, she headed to the drink station to make herself tea.
Sanem sat at the bar sipping her tea when Leyla walked up to her.
"You didn't wait for me this morning. Mom said you had a meeting..?"
Sanem lowered her voice and tilted her head toward Leyla. "Evet.. I had a meeting... with Metin."
Leyla, who is usually a reserved person, squealed in excitement. "Sanem! That's wonderful! He will help right? Oh! Of course he will help!"
Sanem tried to sush her sister but couldn't stop her own self from smiling.
"I gave Metin the contract this morning and he's going to look into it. He seemed positive that he could do something."
"I'm happy for you Sanem. Now try to relax today. Tamam?"
Sanem nodded and continued to drink her tea. Leyla was a few feet away before she turned around and called back to Sanem "Oh! Sanem, I forgot to take your perfume home yesterday. It's still in my office."
"Teşekkürler abla, I'll get it later"
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Aylin came in early that morning. Fabri was pressuring her for results. Apparently Sanem was being troublesome and Fabri was taking out his anger on her. She tried to log into the laptops that were left on people's desks looking for any Redmode campaign projects. But they were all password protected. So she sat in her office and thought of her next move. She noticed Sanem walk in but gave her no acknowledgement.
Alyin blamed her and her sister for the way things were going in her life.
No Emre, forced to work for Fabri, and worst of all: she had to "befriend" Deren. Aylin knew Deren's weak points. Deren would be her way in.

She knew Deren has had a crush on Can for a long time. And now that he is with Sanem, Alyin knew she could use this to her advantage. Not only was Can with someone else. That someone else was a rising star in the company. She knew how she was going to push all the right buttons.
She smiled to herself and got up to get a fresh cup of coffee. When she opened her office door she heard a strange sound - like a squeal. She walked over to the drink station where the noise came from and saw Sanem and Leyla talking. She quietly walked closer to the pair to hear what was so exciting.

L - "I'm happy for you Sanem. Now try to relax today. Tamam?"
Leyla started to walk away, so Aylin crouched down behind the little wall so she wouldn't be seen.
L - "Oh! Sanem, I forgot to take your perfume home yesterday. It's still in my office."
S - "Tesekular abla, I'll get it later"

Aylins lips curved into a sly smile, "Gotcha."