Marie.
~
" .. You think I don't know, but I do. "
" What do you know? " asked Asin.
" This is artefact level craftsmanship.. it's not even supposed to be in this country. "
I am a violinist, so I obviously had the knowledge, if not the means to acquire such an item.
" I told you, didn't I.. some guy from .. some store handed to me. " He turned away from me.
I smiled, turning his face.
" You could've done that.. and I would've been happy. But you wanted something special for me? "
I was afraid of his sarcasm that was so quick..didn't wanna get shut down by him.
" .. Why not. "
He looked so shy it made my heart flutter.
I leaned closer and placed a kiss on his cheek.
" Thank you for thinking of me. "
I rested my head on his shoulder, fully aware of his smiling face above. It's funny how we can tell such things in moments like these.
He played with hand as I enjoyed our closeness the first time since we danced together.
Oliver suddenly walked out of his studio, looking angry about something. My sister walked out behind him, confused.
Perfect timing ..
" Brother!!.. follow me. We need to talk! "
He headed straight to the door and left his own apartment.
Asin sighed and turned to me.
" Your sister must've done something.. "
" Don't be like that, we know nothing.. go after Oliver and find out. " I nudged him towards the door.
He looked grumpy, making eyes at my sister walking out ..
I smiled, thinking how I was little annoyed as well getting immediately interrupted when it was getting good.
" What happened? Did you say something to him? " I tapped the couch.
She shook her head, taking a seat and letting out a laboured breath.
" He was fine.. until Jenk called .. I think he might have seen the caller ID. "
Oh .. I guess Asin was right.
" I told you to block the kid days ago. Why haven't you? "
She didn't wanna pick up and hoped it would go away, but our bread apprentice was unrelenting and kept on trying.
" It was a mistake .. yes. " She took out her phone and finally done it. " .. there. Hopefully, he understands now. "
She looked dejected, but I reminded her.
" He was obviously jealous, cheer up, he clearly likes you. "
When Asin took my phone from me this morning in an unexpected attack from behind and technically stole her number, I knew it wasn't for himself but for Oliver.
" I just hope this won't.. you know freezing us in time. "
" .. I know. "
I knew exactly what she meant.
Since I felt the same.
We been having these moments like this a few minutes ago and a little flirting when we were alone, but if not circumstances, then he himself put a stop to them.
He kept his distance from me understandable .. it will take time.
For now, we were frozen in time.
——
Asin.
~
I found him in a strange mood. Strange might be the wrong word.
He was having a spirited fight with a burger mascot.
" There! There! there. .. "
With each word, he kept pummelling the soft material the costume was made.
A bunch of people just had their phones out filming and were already fishing for likes online.
I ran over and dragged him off the poor guy while couldn't hold back my laughter from the absurdity of it all.
We ran like children from the burger mascot joined by a few bystanders who were hoping for a good ending of their home movie.
We were agile and left the slowly moving burger and the thirsty idiots behind.
" .. damn you! Damn it .. "
He tore the flyers the poor guy was supposed to give out to pieces .. well, that explains the shouting when we were chased.
' The papers! Give!! '
I dodged a few wayward leaflets while thinking back he always had these crazy tendencies.
Calm as the sea but also uncontrollable and violent when he is unleashed.
I did what I always did ..
Waited for the storm to pass .. while re routed innocent people just trying to pass us by with a calming smile.
He needed 6 minutes to calm this time.
" .. Good? "
" .. Good. " He took a bottle of water from the nearby stand.
I paid the man quickly and went after him.
" Talk to me .. what had happened in 3 minutes that made you go nuts? "
" The bread guy.. he still harassing her. "
I was lost. I put a hand on his shoulder.
" Is he .. here with us right now? "
My joke wasn't appropriated.
After he was done with profanities, he explained.
" .. but she called a 'friend' .. a friend, man! "
" Alright.. okay. "
He reacted very strongly.. he is serious about her.
Good.
" Look.. he is obviously a some learning disabled for not taking a hint. Right? "
" Right! "
" Right .. but let us not forget she is here now. With you. "
" Yes .. I need your help. But not now .. we have the races. "
I smiled, taking his shoulders.
" Anything you need .. but yes. Priorities. "
We were 30 hours or so from the first sets of races this Friday.
We had a plethora of things still needed to be done and .. find something suitable for the girls to keep them occupied for the long weekend.
Found an empty bench inside the nearby park and took a load off there.
" .. Leyla said the twins wanted to talk to us. "
I already knew their problems.
" They're overworked.. we need to promote at least 2 more.. "
The twins were Metin and Kerem. Our middle school friends and the first two we involved in this when we started.
Normal kids with families, but that enabled them to move freely.
They were running the smaller operations we handled for Mr Unknown and the council.
We provided them runners, security, and muscles on and off, kept their own people to do other things, and got our people paid well in between races.
We were able to keep our hands relatively clean because of them.
Over the year, our operations have grown beyond our wildest dreams .. but kept the captains at 2..
But who to trust?
" Any ideas? " I asked.
He knew the inner workings of the crew better .. my family name and obligations kept me to be as involved as much as I wanted.
" Here's the thing.. we need people we can unconditionally trust and are willing to risk their freedom. "
" Right .. " I agreed.
He looked a little.. nervous.
" What is this? Why start fidgeting? "
" Remember.. Kol? "
" Sanilmaz.. yes. Why? "
He was a childhood friend of sorts.
Never got along with Oliver much, but our parents had done business for years, so I saw him often.
Went to the same middle school until I was sent overseas.
Always too .. needy. But a good guy nonetheless.. if a little weird.
" He knows .. "
" Knows ... what? "
He kept silent, and my mind took me to a dark place.
" Absolutely not .. how!? "
He proceeds to hide behind some made-up story of extortionate and maze other lies ..
" Oh, stop it, you .. how did he find out!? "
He sighed and leaned forward.
A few months ago, he was invited to an event thrown by Aunt Tilley's firm, Kol, and his family was invited, and he overheard an entire conversation with Leyla.
He confronted him, and he ..
" You told him? "
" There was nothing to tell! .. he pretty much knows it ..
" You told him .. he told the guy who is regularly around me and my family, a a a a.. the idiot who messed up my hand-made lion in art class ..
" .. Right ..
" ... the munching fool who can't keep his mouth shut. He told him .."
" Right .. "
I needed a full minute to process the insinuations that it said.
" What does he want? Money? .. no .. not money, he has money.. what then!? " I asked him.
" He wants to .. join. "
" Of course.. what else? " I asked since I had a feeling it wasn't the end.
" Meet you and the crew .. " He told all this looking at the table.
" Fine .. "
I gave up. It was already done.
He knew for weeks and said nothing, so that's a good thing.. we even saw each other once, but he said nothing either.
Then he got involved in some petty shit that landed him 200-hour community service.
Oliver was a little surprised but mostly relieved.
" Good .. thank God. He is getting off my back, and I call and set up a meeting for tomorrow morning. "
He looked well motivated.
Then I got an idea. In retrospect.. it wasn't the best I ever had but seemed like a quick fix.
——
Ayshe.
~
There was a commotion downstairs.
Some people were surrounded by some guy dressed as a Mr. Burger mascot missing his hat.
" They're been gone for a while. I call him. "
She was all too transparent. At least they were on the right path.
" Asin? .. where are you?.. really? No.. no, tell me. "
She laughed, and I felt annoyed.
" Loudspeaker. " I demanded.
She hushed me. The nerve!
" Alright.. see you soon. No more fighting. Alright.. bye. "
" What, what, what? .. " I hopped around.
" Oliver got into a fight with mascot downstairs.. " She took her phone and typed while telling. " .. he said people filmed. "
She soon found the clip .. it was hilarious. They even run away from a mob led by the mascot.
" .. their lives are cartoons. " I conclude.
Marie was still giggling seeing Asin dragging a foaming at the mouth Oliver away.
" Well .. at least it's not boring. "
She smiled, looking at the screen.
~
The boys came back and took us home for the family dinner.
My parents were also invited.
Been in their house. It was not as ridiculous as the Martell family home but conveyed wealth and influence, the very things they so desperately missed.
The conversation was flowing nicely until ..
" .. So maybe it's about time you joined us, Asin.. thoughts? "
His grandfather was just finished placing dad and grandad inside, so the time seemed optimal to bring in the youngest in the family.
I saw Marie tense up, probably for the same reason I felt my interest peak.
" .. I don't feel like it, Dede. No offence, but I think it has more to do with personal style than anything. "
He kept his cool and played it off as a joke.
" What's your problem with my style? "
His elder brother had a problem first.
" Again.. no offence..
" You know, little one, if my time in business world proved anything when people start the sentence with .. No offence.. they usually mean some.. "
His father smiled, listening to his sons.
" Very well .. Mr Life experience. " Asin put done the spoon. " .. The work you all do is boring. "
That blew the table up. His brother seemed the most offended.
" Boring!? Me!? .. I'm C.F.O of one of the largest..
" Lord God.. " He injected.
As he went on, I saw his family enjoying their little fight. Oliver particularly looked pleased.
The raging lunatics from the video were nowhere to be seen.
" .. Zerile sister agrees with me. "
Asin causally threw a grenade into the conversation.
Her eyes immediately opened white and started hurling insults at his brother is law and explanations on her husband.
They ended here ..
" So we agreed? You start Monday? "
" Right, Dede .. "
His grandfather gave a happy smile and left. Soon, the elders followed him like ducklings.
We were left all watching Asin deflated like a balloon.
Oliver tapped his shoulder in understanding.
" We knew it was coming. "
" Right .. " He agreed.
" What kind of work you be doing? "
Marie couldn't hold back.
Oliver was nice enough to explain.
" It's the main company where all other smaller companies report too. It's actually not boring at all. International brands, business deals worth millions, fashion, tech, whatever you can think ..
" Oh shut up .. "
Asin had enough and stood up.
" I don't feel so good.. " He massaged his stomach.
" Oh boo hoo.. it sounds amazing. " Marie let her feeling known.
He walked behind her seat and closed in on her ear ..
" WOOF! " He barked.
" IDIOT! "
Marie jumped and went after him.
Oliver and I were left alone.
" So .. where did you guys go? Left for quite a bit. "
I pretended I didn't see the videos.. for now.
" Yeah we .. talking about stuff. You guys? "
" Same .. listen ..
He walked over and took my hand before I could start explaining myself.
" Come .. before they bring the house down. "
I smiled back at him and let myself lead after the idiot couple.
What a day.
——
Oliver.
~
The next morning we were at the warehouse used for our operations.
Moved here when our funds were low and walked in just the 2 of us.
I smiled as the twin brothers were thanking Asin by a headlock for the bags they received.
He snuck out this morning and emptied his personal account and spilt the money between crew members.
Needless to say the atmosphere was jovial and people were celebrating.
Tried to protest since we had money of our own, and plenty of it but he said he had to spend it sometimes. Otherwise, his family gets suspicious.
Yes .. being too rich somehow became a problem.
But he sure solved it.
" Alright, people, calm down! " He pushed the twins away and walked up next to me. " .. Enjoy that money to your heart content. A little thank you from both of us for the continued loyalty and excellence you showed nice day one. "
He let the 50 or so people gathered celebrate a little before he continued.
" Tonight is the very start .. of why we started this journey. Why we became a family. To reach heights none of us could, alone. Let us take the time we have until the meeting to plan.. for our collective and better future. "
He finished with a motivated and eager crew.
We were ready for tonight.
~
" You could be a public speaker.. "
We were left alone in my office upstairs and waited for Leyla.
" It's curse dear brother .. having so many talents. " He smiled.
" Truly .. how you feel? "
" Lose .. little nervous. " He laughed.
Good.. nice to know we felt the same.
Leyla came and handed us the final reports for tonight.
" .. We couldn't get the new models? " I read the papers.
" .. No sir, the manufacturer stuck to the original release day, which is next month. "
Damn shortsighted idiots. Drones were our bread and butter.
The very reason we were able to convey the excitement and wonder these races created.. the danger .. it allowed us to create a brand that now was large enough to command respect.
" What is this? "
Asin walked around me.
" .. I can get it. The company, they have an old relationship with my family. "
I knew that obviously but ..
" How are you going to explain such need? "
" .. Interest in filmmaking? "
It sounded ridiculous.
" Even if you could explain, they can't deliver before tonight. " I explained.
He just smiled and called his grandfather.
10 minutes later ..
" 100 of your toys be here by 6 pm .. "
Leyla even clapped.
I felt the same. Money was always the answer.. People just didn't have family names connected to them.
" Uncle Erwing is a scary man .. "
With the main problem solved .. now my shame.
" You ready? " I got up.
Leyla was waiting for further development like a soap fan.
" Yes .. but you will deal with him mostly after this. " he reminded me.
Kol .. it's your lucky day.
~
" .. you want it? "
" Yes. "
" You know what that entails? "
I was sitting in between Kol and Asin as he was questioning him.
" Family .. " He answered a little emotional.
" Fool.. this isn't some action flick.. but basically yes. " He leaned over. " I appreciate that you kept you silent until now. But now it's forever. Some secrets are deeper bonds than family. "
I understood his meaning. We have been lying for a while to our own families.
As much as it hurt to think about it.. he was right.
And from the looks Kol understood.
" I was surprised.. confused. " He started. " .. for a little while. I thought I was crazy until Oliver confirmed it .. "
Asin looked at me with a deadpan expression.
" .. But I was proud mostly. You managed to put your mark on this world already, even more privileged than me. What's my excuse .. If you let me .. I won't let you down. I won't let GOD down. "
I looked at Asin .. he was always moved by genuine acts of loyalty. We both were.
He offered his hand.
" Welcome. Let us reach for the moon.. new brother. "
I watched and then checked the time.
The race starts in 10 hours.
~
Back at his house.
Marie was a little annoyed.
" What's this? "
I walked over to Ayshe and asked.
" You'll see. " She smiled.
Asin walked over and sat beside her on the couch.
" What is it with you? Such laziness.. "
Marie even forgot to pretend to be mad.
" Excuse me? " She turned to him.
" Your husband goes out before dawn on business only to return to zero welcoming, no assistance with my shoes, not even a lousy offer off tea. "
Her expression foretold nuclear levels of destruction.
Asin quickly turned and put his arms around her.
" But let us not get bogged down on such silly things.. Hmm? " He caressed her hair. " .. Let us enjoy our time before tonight's surprise. "
Again .. her previous anger disappeared like the wind.
" What surprise? " She smiled.
" Khmm .. "
To my left Ayshe cleared her throat and Marie smile disappeared.
Asin didn't miss a beat.
" Don't listen .. to lonely.. and desperate. " He addressed his sister in law. " .. I'm about to make it up for that disturbing night when we tricked you two. "
What is he planning?
Hearing that Ayshe was willing to let her anger at the lonely commentary go and listen.
" I was feeling bad I admit. " He frowned. " .. so I thought we spent tonight's out at sea. Just the four of us.. some dinner, maybe even enjoy some fondue. "
All the while he was playing with Marie's hair.
" Hmm .. for you as well dear Ayshe. Sister listen.. You haven't been able to relax since arriving. It's time to unwind .. Oliver is an excellent cook. "
I almost laughed out loud .. he hated my every creation but the acting was perfect.
He hit Ayshe with.. me.
She looked at me hopefully and I could finally smile.. probably more unnatural than my normal ones but she seems satisfied.
" Very well. Tonight you two can make it up to us. "
She exchanged some looks with her sister.
It was perfect really.. we sneak off the boat and split midway.
But brother... your wife will end your life and we have to cancel the other races.
Still .. life is boring .. people around you make it interesting.