Lord

Cousin love

Sanem was woken up by a phone call, it was almost 9am, she had slept in, trying to catch some rest.

S: ''Aunt Remide?'' her great aunt was calling.

AR: ''my sweet Sanem, you have already forgotten about me, a few weeks only after returning home!''

S: ''no, of course not, I have been busy at work and life...''

AR: ''why don't you come and have lunch with me my dear?''

S: ''sure, yes, I'll be there.''

Aunt Remide, like Jamila, had been one of the women who had tried to replace her mother. Jamila had been a tender and patient support, whereas Aunt Remide had made sure Sanem was growing strong, smart, independent and fearless. Like the others, she had been surprised with her sudden return from New York but since Sanem kept repeating she was homesick, she chose to trust her.

Sanem dressed and went for a run to empty her head of the overnight demons. She pondered whether she should talk to Remide about her evening. Her great aunt had worked at the company most of her life before retiring. She still managed to find out what was going on at all time; she was sure she would know the Divits. She shook her head, reminding herself the threat and danger she could bring to the family by only just asking questions.

AR: ''Sanem! Come in!'' Aunt Remide hugged her tight, she had always seen her young self in her niece. ''sit my dear, sit.''

Sanem took place at the table that had been set for 2 on the terrace.

S: ''it looks delicious aunty, thank you.''

AR: ''tell me about work, have you been enjoying it? Murat told me your client care projects returned very positive feedback?''

Sanem smiled, her aunt was so business oriented despite being retired.

S: ''yes, and the clients are responding well to the new technology and marketing, Deren and I are really happy.''

AR: ''I always knew Deren and you would be a great team, she is such a hard-working woman, along with your original ideas, there are no limits to what you can do!''

S: ''thank you aunty.'' They started eating and casually chatting about the family and summer in Istanbul.

AR: ''have you enjoyed working with your uncle? He has a lot to teach you, you know... and you are a natural at the business anyway... like your father.''

Sanem smiled at the compliment.

AR: ''ah your father... he could have sold sand to a Bedouin! So smart and talented, he was a big loss to the company.'' Somehow Remide had never really recovered from the loss of her nephew and his wife. Her sister, Sanem's grand mother had died of a broken heart shortly after and Remide had struggle for years after that. She noticed Sanem's face hesitating to answer.