The smell of roasted coffee filled the air of Fildişi kahve stall as gentle murmurs of conversation flowed down the place. Many conversed, some kept to themselves. Overall, it was the perfect day and weather for a quick cup.
Among the tables sat Ayse Azra across Nur Hakan, her husband. Her delicate, polished fingers tapped at the table in an absent-minded manner. Prompting him to gaze at her, his icy blue eyes stayed at her forehead.
The tension was suffocating as both her and Hakan looked away from one another. Him, blankly--her with a frown.
"Why are we here, Hakan?" He tilts head, not even pausing for a beat, I... his voice trails off, then he cleared his throat.
"I have a meeting at Cappadocia by tomorrow I should be there"--He paused, seeing her eyes fall, "it seems that you wanted to let me know of this... she murmurs, "well, I appreciate your notice, if this all then, I will be going"
Ayse rose to her feet, leaving a wad of cash-clutching at her purse as she turned. Though--Ayse... his voice made her stop as she then turned to see him. He ushered her to sit, "I'm not going alone"
Her brows creased. "We are going together"
Now:
"Dude... so, you are telling me that you got married to a girl who wouldn't even look at your face and wants to divorce you?" Cagan recoiled in his seat--"Guess I missed an entire series"... he chuckled through his teeth. Though Nur Hakan only gazed at him in a blank manner, "Yeah... he got up. "It is my fault for telling you" "Hey... don't be like that... Cagan also rose to his feet. He strode to Nur as he then followed him. The pair made their way out the office--gaining looks from employees.
Cagan fast talked his friend, "You know maybe we could all meet up, you know... you and Ayse, me & Defne. Nur kept walking, "What the hell are you talking about...? when I said to her about the trip, she looked glad that I would be not around her even if it for just a while" his brows knitted, "And... besides, I do not want to go anywhere with her either... it is just that--Cagan's eyes pressed, "What dude? I thought you yourself had no choice but to marry her then why would you bother bring her with you to the trip? for what? publicity? "Why can't you just leave each other? I mean, myself wouldn't be able to live with a person that I do not even want to look at"
Nur halted, "Divorce?" the blue of his eyes dilated when Cagan nodded. He scoffed, "That... I cannot even fathom" the auburn man sighed, "I will never understand you" "You won't"... he murmured back.
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The usual hum of conversations flowed down the floors of "Kristal Saray" restaurant. The servers wore crisp white outfit. They juggled between customers though--the place being a classy choice for many business proposals, they were to stay as nothing more than shadows. The customers were usually foreigners--as this restaurant is no further from the Istanbul airport.
Though among them, in a rather bigger table sat by the Hakans & Ozdemirs. The pair, Defne and Cagan sat across from Nur and Ayse.
"It was great meeting you, Defne" a pause "From what I have heard compared to you in real life, you are really pretty" Defne smiled gracefully. Her hands tucking away a golden thread of her locks. "Gosh, you are too kind!"
The two women conversed. Cagan & Hakan just sat there, listening. Defne gave Cagan a glance that meant, "Wow... they really are distant"...
Ayse Yildiz's focus was to the floor--similarly, Hakan only seemed to be interested to his phone. "A fine pair"... Cagan murmured to Defne. She smiles, "I mean they do look good together"... He shook his head, "Well... I guess that doesn't really matter after all"
--You know we can hear you right? Nur Hakan murmured, still not bothered to look up his phone. Cagan laughed awkwardly and brushed the back of his head while looking at Defne.
Meanwhile, Ayse huffs internally. The restaurant, the lights--they all made her head swirl. She just wanted to be at home in the comfort of her bed. Just binge watching something on "Renk TV" or something. Her eyes then fell to the glow of the cold screen for his phone. She gazed at it. He was emailing something, his eyes were glued to it. She thought it must be important enough for him to do it even after office hours. But then again--he was Nur Hakan. To him, everything seemed important.
The blue of Nur Hakan's eyes narrowed as he started at the message that was from Hakan enterprise's data entry clerk, Ahmet. It read, "Mert Tarkan Yildirim had just got of prison, his company is in shambles and he will try everything in the last bit of his power to keep alive" "This means that we have to be extra cautious when it comes to hiring new workers" Then--and image of a dark haired, tall man was shown. He had a unsettling smile and looked well built. "This was the new employee replacement for "Lynxar-1"
Nur Hakan couldn't help but be amused. We have to be cautious... he says. Yet looking at the image of this guy... he could easily tell that something was off about him. Though... he continued swiping.
"We also done multiple background checks and implementing more stricter rules for worker's safety" Nur looks to the air, he then tilted his head.
At that time, Ayse scooted just a little closer--just as she did, his eyes fluttered to hers. She quickly looked away at the back of her chair. His brows creased then he to followed her eyes.
--And oh. my. God. From outside the restaurant premises were large crowds of journalists, 100 of flashes and an endless clatter of people trying to talk over each other.
MR. NUR HAKAN!! WILL YOU BE WILLING TO DO AN INTERVIEW? and several more yelling followed.
MR. HAKAN! Mr. HAKAN!!! HERE FOR A QUICK CHAT FROM MAX PLUS!
Ayse's eyes widened as she stared at Nur. Though he never panicked, he seemed calm, calm enough to not make her worked up. The pair, Cagan and Defne two sat there shocked. Then--Cagan... a low murmur. His eyes went to Nur. "It's time"... He only nodded. Ayse's brows furrowed, "Where...? where are we going?" The four got up. Ayse looks at Defne then Cagan, "What is happening?" Defne only tilted her with a smile, one arms clutching her purse and the other Cagan's hands, "Ayse... we will meet again, Cagan and Nur will have this taken care off" Ayse's brows furrowed as she shot a look to Nur. His eyes were to the front.
"Hakan... what is happening? and... she let her eyes trail, what do you mean it's time?" His arms clench. Nur Hakan gazed outside, this was definitely the work of someone who wanted to trap him. These many amount of news channels wouldn't simply have known their were bouts. It wasn't possible. Not at all.
Cagan... he murmured once again. To that his eyes went to him. "Hand me it"
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Murmurs* murmurs* flash* Outside, the reporters conversed among themselves--some let out heaves of sighs in disappointment. Though that's when the two pair made their way out. The cameras shutter went once again.
"He came, they came" the murmurs. An younger reporter quickly seized the opportunity and shoved a mic to Hakan.
Reporter: "Mr. Hakan, I am so happy to be interviewing you... you know I myself is a fan of you!" he says. Hakan hadn't replied nor had he removed the mask. The reporter smiles awkwardly and asks another question. Though he still didn't budge. Thinking that he was mad by this ordeal, he turns his gear towards Ayse. Reporter: "What about you... madam?" she too stayed put. Then he only leaned in. Admits the haze of the lights and the dark. He slipped of his mask partly which made the naïve reporter's eyes wide. Reporter: "Y-You are not... he shushed him. "Yes, I am not, dude, I am not Hakan" The reporter furrowed his brows, 'W-Well where is he? Mr.Hakan and... w-who are you?" Cagan dropped his face, "That hurts... he slightly palmed his pectoral in a dramatic way. "Seriously? what do you see in Nur anyway?" The blonde reporter furrowed his brows as Cagan went on about him being more handsome. Although this was unusual--the reporter still didn't agree with him. He then gave Defne a look--which she smiled. When few minutes passed. the crowd became restless and some even began to advance forward.
Then... one called out--"Hey... he is not Hakan!" this eclipsed gasps and more vivid murmuring which turned into chants. Cagan's eyes went to his wife then at the reporter. He only gazed at the crowd and turned to him, "You go, I will somehow distract them for a bit" Cagan nodded and patted his back, clutching at Defne, "I owe you one brother...?"
The reporter smiled, "Name's Orhan,, now...Come on" Defne only clutched Cagan tighter, "B-But how are we going to...?" The reporter only ushered them both to go. He then turned to the crowd and yelled--pointing out far, "There he is!" Even with the lights, the darkness won over as many turned to the direction while he also slipped away.
--Meanwhile...
Far away, a single Corvo rode under Istanbul's E5 highway--the major highway connecting both European & Asian territories as inside at the back sat an overly confused, Ayse. Beside her was Nur Hakan, he clutched at his phone then turned to her. Ayse. He raised his brows. Ayse Azra was clenching her thighs and was sighing repeatedly. She was anxious. it was obvious.
"Done... absolutely done"... she murmured internally. "I cannot with him"... she gritted her lips and glared at him. Though he didn't look her way, his eyes were on the phone. She only huffed, "What a terrible friend... I mean how did this guy even get--ah forget it" she looked towards the window once again.
At the passing lights then the car came to an end of the highway as it then went into a far more emptier space. Her mind clouded once she saw the signs of an airplane picture--her eyes widened. She shot him a look, "A-Are you smuggling me?" He didn't reply and only gazed down at his phone. "Answer me, Hakan" a beat "Where are you taking me?" Ayse then seeing his lack of reply buried her face in her palms, "God... even my father does not know where I am... and this guy-this guy is taking me to literal somewhere, I should have stayed at home... instead of-of this"... She choked out, mumbling. Nur Hakan gazed at her, he tilted his head in amusement. Ayse had never really changed. He then looked away--barely suppressing a chuckle that half escaped.
Ayse raised from her palm, her heart tightened, "D-Did he just....?" She turned, though he faced the window. Leaning back as he pursed his lips.
The ride continued, so did her banters>>>>>>>>>