Rules of Engagement- A CanEm AU

Chapter 1. A Proposition

Note: Check out the prologue for the synopsis

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Can stood in his office and looked out through the glass doors, surveying the mood around him. Ah, they were a dispirited bunch out there, there was no denying it. And who could blame them? Most of the employees had left after his dad's heart attack, especially when there didn't seem to be any hope that the company would survive. Only some of the old faithfuls remained.

He saw Deren first. The most faithful of them all. She was forever grateful to his father for giving her her first job. He knew she would stay until they finally closed the doors on this place. She was fiercely loyal, and he appreciated that about her. He suspected that she harbored feelings for him, but he never brought it up, because he didn't share those feelings, and he didn't want things to get awkward between them.

He turned to look at CeyCey. Sweet, kind Ceycey. He was ruled by his heart, more than his head, which probably explained why he was still here. And there was Guliz. Can suspected that she didn't think too deeply with either her heart or her head, she just went with the flow.

There were a few new, young and eager apprentices too. He hadn't had the chance to  get to know them as well, but he hoped he could count on them when the time came.

He eyes landed on Sanem. She was a complicated one. On the one hand she was obviously capable and exceptionally intelligent, but on the other, she seemed somewhat disengaged. He was sure a competitor in the field would readily grab her up if she bothered to show interest. Her sister Leyla was married to his brother Emre, and maybe some sense of family loyalty kept her here. He was glad she chose to stay, though. She was one of their best employees. He'd come to this realization in the 10 days he'd been in town, trying to turn this ship around. She was also the only other person in the office who drank cey, and they often made small talk at the cey station. He enjoyed their encounters - her unique brand of quirky always entertained him and lightened his mood.

Sanem was at her desk when she heard her phone ping and she looked down to see a message from Leyla. Her stable, sensible, older, sister who had stumped everyone with her recent behavior. She and Emre had fallen in love and had married two year ago. So she had qualified for her aunt's inheritance when she turned 25, a year ago. As Fikri Harika fell apart around them, Emre, who was desperately looking for a way out, and Leyla, who seemed to have lost some of her sensibilities with their union, decided that they would use the money to launch Leyla's singing career. Even unconventional Sanem knew that this wasn't a well thought out plan. How did Leyla the accountant, the most sensible one in her family, decide to tour the islands to follow a pipe dream? What had happened to her sister?

So much for her old aunt's theory that having a man in your life meant more stability! Sanem snorted at the irony. Given the chance, she would use her inheritance wisely, without a man to guide her, thank you very much.

She was feeling particularly despondent after reading Leyla's chirpy text and decided a cup of cey was essential. She made her way to the tea station and looked around for CeyCey. He always made her feel better.

"CeyCey", she called, spotting him. "Come and sit with me for a bit". They settled in the chairs by the station.

"Noldu, Sanem?", Ceycey asked concerned.

"Ceycey, I don't know what to do!", she wailed.

Neither of them saw Can come up to the station behind them to pour himself some tea.

"What's wrong, Sanem? Why are you upset? Can I help with something?", Ceycey asked again. He was very fond of Sanem and hated to see her upset.

Can overheard CeyCey and stopped. He really didn't need any new problems. He hoped that whatever Sanem was dealing with had nothing to do with the company. He hung back, hoping to catch more of the conversation, fully aware that he was overstepping, but staying nevertheless.