Asin.
~
There was nothing like seeing the people I came to trust and love, losing themselves in the kind of happiness only the victorious truly understands.
A winner's high.
I felt proud walking amongst them, accepted and respected.
Except Leyla, who was staring with eyes large as owls.
I ignored it and let the others' good wishes and head pats lead up the stairs.
Suddenly, my mind went to Marie .. she must be royally pissed. No calls or text .. made me worry.
I opened the door and saw out CCTV team clapping and Oliver trying to disappear into his chair.
The door closed behind me, and I saw something that terrified me to my core.
" Marie? "
" Hello .. "
She waved. Sideways?
As I hit the ground, I realised the winner's high is nothing compared to the soul crashing realities of getting busted.
I saw them running, and my world went dark.
~
" .. CALL AN AMBULANCE! "
" Ma'am I'm a medical professional, and I'm telling you the boss is fine. Just needs..
" Air ... yes Marie. Come.. he is fine just .. got the wind knocked out of him seeing you. "
I woke up to a plethora of noises.
" Whoa.." I got holding my head.
" Asin! "
I was buried and surrounded by a familiar smell. Such a lovely smell..
" Marie let him breathe! "
Ayshe was ready to pull her off, but I stopped her.
Felt comfortable.
Her hands caressing my back.
After a few minutes of this, I was reluctantly let go and sat up properly.
" Brother listen..
" Hush .. hush .. "
Oliver went silent and even took a few steps back, standing directly behind Ayshe.
They knew .. so all of that nonsense was for nought.
Marie had too bit her lower lips but stopped herself from talking.
" Leyla, get some aspirin and tell the kids to move this ..
" Underground! .. " Oliver quickly grabbed Ayshe. " But she is useless alone against that mob .. come, come .. all of you! Come .."
The CCTV team left after them, leaving me alone with my wife.
After Leyla gave me some pills, she left as well. At that time, it was dead silent.
I waited patiently until the flood gates of questions opened.
" What's underground? "
I laughed for some reason. For the love of God this girl ..
" It's a space we use for parties .. also a way out if we need to run. "
" You ever needed to run. " She asked, playing with my hair.
" No.. we are an extremely talented lot. "
" I saw that .. " She smiled.
And suddenly.
( BANG. )
" W-why? "
She hit me!
Grabbed my face, smushing it.
" You could've hit that post .. you could be more careful. "
She let my face go and finally started pouting.
I pulled her closer, but she still didn't turn around.
" I'm fine ..ouch! "
She grabbed my knee and wasn't gentle.
" Sorry? " I tried again.
She leaned back and rested her head on my chest. I enjoyed her heartbeat and wondered if she could hear mine.
" .. Why the mask? "
She continued her questions.
" It was .. for convenience.. and it looks cool, of course. "
" Sure does .. so .. " She looked up. " .. when you asked me what I think of sports cars.. you pretty much opened your soul to me? "
Look at her ..
" Please.. it was a momentary moment. "
My clumsy side came out more often when we were alone.
" Right .. right.. " She leaned back. " .. You opened your soul. "
I let it go since it made her so happy .. it was also true in a .. lost my mind for a second way.
" You were great tonight.. apparently, it's a thing. "
I smiled .. getting praised by your girl feels different than others. A lot better for one.
" You haven't seen half of it.. "
She looked up and I suddenly realised we were just a few inch from another.
" Is that so .. "
I couldn't hold my upcoming smile and wet my lips.
The night was sure beautiful..
" Hmm .. "
Our first kiss turned out to be more perfect than I could imagine it.
Passionate and fulfilling.
Like we have been doing it for years. Talk about knocking the air out of me.
We stopped when we're out of breath, but other than that .. we lost ourselves for only the good God knew how long ..
——
Oliver.
~
Showing Ayshe our style of party was a bad decision.. but it was the right one considering how Asin looked.
The basement was twice the size of upstairs, built it ourselves, and no blueprint was ever printed. It was behind a steel door you only found in bank vaults.
" .. This is ..
Ayshe was left a little surprised seeing the lively scene.
" Yes .. we needed to reward them for a work well done.. "
The place got filled with bubbles soon, and the music came from a crew member who understood DJ equipment and taste ..
I grabbed a bottle of something and she took two glasses.. we headed back up and sat down between the equipment left behind the crew.
" I wonder what are they doing there.. " I looked towards my office.
" They aren't fighting from the sound of it. Calm down.. Marie will tame him somehow. You see. "
She sounded sure, but only time would tell. Although they been up there for almost an hour.
" How did this all start? " She asked, taking a glass.
With the rabbit out of the hat I told her.
" Asin almost died .. few years ago. Something out of a nightmare, but it passed. "
" I read about it. " She nodded.
" .. he came out different. He got involved in all sorts of craziness only I knew. Had the money so.. you can imagine. "
..
" .. he ended up with a local legend. Old Ivan. He took him under his wing. Introduced us to racing and backed us with people we had no business being around. We made it ours. "
I was finishing my 3rd glass and got really into storytelling.
" .. Asin had skills for the car. I had the technical know-how. Used his money and recruited people slowly. Built our trust over time..now .. we turned into a family of sorts. "
She kept listening without interruptions. She was an excellent listener.
" What's the end game? " She asked.
" Pardon? "
" As in ..what's at the end? The goal you two have. "
Well, that was something I couldn't exactly tell.. even drunk, I understood. She shouldn't be involved in some parts of our lives.
We treated as such a joke most of the time .. but we were playing a deadly game, so to speak.
Asin could've gotten killed himself tonight or got caught.. and then his family would lose themselves.
We were dancing on that knife edge for so long .. it was sometimes easy to forget what would happen if we slipped.
" We should check on them .. " I changed topic clumsily. " They been there for 2 plus hours. "
She nodded, clearly understanding I didn't wanna talk about it.
" Let's go and see.."
She led the way but tumbled..
" Are you okay? "
I managed to catch her .. and we ended up close..
" Yes .. not used to drinking. "
Boy, she had beautiful eyes.
I closed mine and let her go.
" Let's go and check. "
This isn't the way it is going to happen.. she wasn't just some easy-going chick you want to forget but the kind you never do.
I knocked, and a very light voice that belonged to Marie invited us in.
They were laying flat on the couch. Marie was getting comfortable on him.. and he was smiling ear to ear.
Nice one, Marie!
I felt a huge relief washing over me.
" Sis!.. you two..
" Sit down, you two... " Asin didn't let his good mood give him an amnesia.
He tapped Marie lightly, and they sat up.
" Marie already told me everything that happened.. you folded like a cheat seat, brother..Tchtch.. "
He clicked his tongue as Marie hid her smile on his shoulder.. they looked different. Closer..
" In my defence..
" You have none. You folded. "
I looked at Ayshe like a traitor she was.
" Anyway.. " Asin continued. " ..the milk is already.. it .. you know it spilt. Right? "
" No point crying over spilt milk. "
His wife was all too happy explaining.
" Right .. "
He smiled at her .. than the silence descended.
They were quite lost in each others eyes.
We exchanged a look with Ayshe, her being as suspicious as I was.
" Yeah .. so it's done. " He stopped being lost and continued. " .. we will have mostly total transparency..
" What do you mean ..almost total transparency? " Marie interjected.
" Total .. transparency is what I meant. "
She hummed, satisfied.
" Since you already heard most of everything, it won't be hard. Now .. I talked to my mother and she wants us at the table in .. 7 hours. "
I checked the time, and he was right.. 1 pm.
" The kids will enjoy themselves..
Marie started laughing.
" What are these constant interruptions? " He asked.
" You call them kids .. you probably the youngest of them all. " She continued to amuse herself.
It was true.
" Anyway.. they will stay. Let us go and grab some much needed sleep. My head still hurts.. "
He did take a fall.
" I'm going to see the underground before we go.. point the way, sister. "
She nodded and stood up a little wobbly.
" Oy.. hurry back. Don't get lost. " Asin said it after them.
We were left alone.
" You mad? " I asked.
" ..Relieved. " He smiled.
I let go of that last shredd of guilt and walked over.
" 1 down .. 2 more to go. " I lifted my hand.
I saw the horror spread on his face.
" You .. forget to tell her? "
" God damn it .. goodbye making out. " He murmured.
" What was that? .."
He smiled proudly.
Look at my boy getting serious.
——
Ayshe.
~
I had trouble walking, but that didn't stop my sister's curiosity.
" Marie .. I don't feel all too ..
" Asin and I kissed. "
The words were like a shot of coffee or a cold shower.
" Seriously? "
She nodded furiously, and our screams echoed around the place, alerting a few who stood closest.
I felt such.. weight off my chest.
They were staring at their future head on now.
Just need to not interfere and concentrate on ..on moving in the right direction with Oliver.
" Now let's go.. " She turned around.
" You don't wanna see ..? "
" No .. I just wanted to tell you before we got home. Now come one. "
I smiled and followed my sister, who walked and sounded more confident than ever before.
Or maybe it was the drink.
~
We got out of an SUV driven by Oliver.
My brother and law didn't even have a driving license, and the whole of the Internet thought he actually had a phobia..
What a laugh.
Walking inside, my sister and her husband were glued together. In the car, they had their first fight post kissing, I'm sure.
Marie didn't know this night was just the first of three .. after 12 minutes of brutal and often. Innovative insults.. they looked like this.
" They look nice.. " I couldn't help blurting out loud.
Oliver hummed in agreement, but I was wondering if he was planning something.. to sweep me off my feet?
After all, it should be the man's job.
Whatever else I thought of my brother in law .. he was smooth when it came to my sister and her often neurological tendencies.
Even complemented it.
They said goodnight and ran away eagerly.
I felt my face burning just thinking about what might happen to them from now on.
" Ayshe look .. "
Oliver stopped us walking .
" I .. think we should go out. Just the two of us. Maybe Monday? "
He was super cute, asking a little worried about my answer.
" Sounds good. But we can talk it over the weekend. "
He nodded, defeated fully, knowing we would stick to them from now on.
No more games and tricks.
Maybe it was the drink .. but I leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Smiled, seeing his eyes widening.
" Goodnight.. "
I left for the room that was supposed to mine for the day .. but never left. Funnily enough, my parents didn't even ask.
" Yeas .. Good..khmm night. "
I heard him struggling a little and felt satisfied with my feminine viles.
You just wait, Oliver Aster.
~
I woke up perfectly content.
Didn't sleep a lot, but deeply and well.
Got a shower and get dressed.
At the table, the whole family except my sister and her husband.
Oliver smiled at me, sitting down, and grabbed the first dish out of sheer joy.
It was a sauce boat ..
Managed to put it down with only Oliver being an eye witness..
Gather yourself, Ayshe!
" Good morning. "
Behind us appeared a glowing pair.
Seriously .. I haven't seen my sister more radiant and confident than she looked this morning.
The family.. even that Aunt Derya, who apparently didn't need a face to face yet ... were all smiles.
" How was last night dinner? " Asin's mother was quick to ask.
We all shared some smiles which they mistook for having a great time .. we barely spent any time there.
Last night was truly a blur.
" It was lovely, mother, Seline .. unforgettable even. " Marie answered.
" Damn straight.. "
Asin added, which earned him a punch in the arm from his wife.
" Is that so? .. "
Aunt Seline shared some happy smiles with her husband, probably already counting their unborn grandchildren.
Her mother was a smart woman .. she understood their relationship was going well despite a rocky start.
After breakfast, we moved back into their room.
I checked, and the dog bed was packed away..
As Asin was called over to talk to Oliver, I sat down next to Marie.
" You look .. satisfied. " I smiled.
" Your mind are constantly on that, huh? "
She nudged me as I went red.
" N-no .. of course..
" Ahh, my little sister. " She hugged me suddenly. " .. you so innocent. "
" Oh my God.. did you? "
She let me go and gave a little slap on the top of my head.
" Stop asking that question already. "
I did ask that lot .. but to be fair, their ridiculous way of conducting themselves left a lot of room for interpretation.
" What are you talking about now? " I asked.
" I don't know. " She shrugged.
I ketp staring.
" What? .. he will tell me eventually. There is no point keeping small secrets. "
I believed differently, remembering how Oliver closed up when I asked them where does it ended.
But I was always going to ruin everyone's mood.
I'm not going to let it be my MO.
The guys returned somewhat dejected.
" What's wrong? " asked Marie, getting up.
" They cancelled the races.. got spooked by those new police cars. " He received her hug.
She visible looked happier.
" Ohh well.. next time, darling. Next time .. "
" Ughh .."
He groaned, seeing her face.
" Hush now. " She smiled, calming him.
Oliver wondered over, taking a seat.
" Is it very bad? " I asked.
" No .. I mean, it's not like it's a disaster, but it could've helped propelled us forward. " He lamented.
" I don't know about that. " I took out my phone shoeing him. " .. you guys have never been more popular or worshipped. "
I did a few searches after my shower and heard how smoothly the masked driver smashed that police car .. the driver survived.. and won 2 races back to back.
Everyone around the city was on fire.
" You guys are even making the police chief nervous. "
I showed an article in which the chief talked about how they decided to use experimental cars to tackle the problem called G.O.D.
" They are literally becoming more desperate by the second. "
That did cheer him up.
" Our next event has to blew all this away. " He fantasised.
Meanwhile, my sister and Asin disappeared like ghosts..
" Good news .. we can move our date ahead."
I liked hearing him say .. date.
" What are you thinking? "
——
Asin.
~
My first kiss happened when I was 13 .. it was with Swiss girl from another boarding school.
It happened in the middle of a school trip in a museum. We got caught.. They made fun of me .. in French no less.
The fucking French..
It wasn't a great memory.
My first love name was Anna Larbert. She was wilful and beautiful.. left me not long after I got diagnosed.
She didn't wanna be with someone about to die. Her parents either.
Broke my heart.
Since then it was nothing serious but some innocent fun without feelings. Mutual benefits.
However..
Kissing someone you clearly falling for ..
It was electrifying. Also ..
My Marie was 22 years old soon .. she was a women .. and soft.
All my disappointment turned into air holding her on our balcony.
Hell.. it was comparable to winning a race.
" Hey .. wait.. wait . " She pulled away. " We left them inside.. they probably think..
" Let them .. " I pulled her back.
She smiled clasping her arms around my neck.
" You have no shame .. "
" None .. "
We closed in..
" Asin! .. I'm coming out! "
Damn you Oli..
She squirmed out of my arms.
" I let you two talk .. "
She looked back and thrown the kiss we missed.
That women making me crazy.
" Yes brother? "
He looked out into the ocean.
" Help me with Ayshe. My brain is empty. "
" What? " I stood beside him.
" I been thinking since last night .. and turned out I have no imagination when it comes to being romantic. "
I don't know .. he seemed to doing fine..unless you count that burger fiasco.
One of the most liked video until this morning.
" Look .. remember Desiree? "
He immediately turned dark Oliver.
We both had our ghost in out pasts.
" Well Ayshe is the exact opposite. "
Oliver was a smart man in a lot of fields, but like me unlucky with love until now. Not like he didn't had ideas.. they were just already occupied with bad memories.
Time to create new ones.
Enjoy this world.
I looked inside seeing Marie talking with her sister in hushed tones.
I smiled and turned back to Oli.
" I actually have a good idea. "