Marie.
~
Ayshe lapped me!
My own little sister. 2 years younger!
And now I annoyed Asin enough with my neediness to run away from me?
Today was rough.
Ayshe said goodbye to his new beau and was immediately surrounded.
I was a little down, but I was still curious.
~
" .. than bam!..it somehow happened. "
" Was it perfect? " asked Lilly.
" And then some. " Ayshe nodded.
Obviously, she kept the private parts .. well, private, but we got a pretty good picture.
She had to alter the story when it came to G.O.D, but I caught that.
Ayshe was officially an adult. It felt wrong to think about it .. I doubt I can actually say it out loud.
After some more poking her for information she didn't share .. we decided to go and burn some calories swimming.
Me and my friends and I watched Ayshe getting in the water.
" Your sister is somehow.. feels different. "
" Hmm .. "
" More .. herself, right? "
" Girls, stop. I don't wanna imagine my sister like that. "
They relented and jumped after her in the water.
I decided to call Asin and attempt to say a full sentence, which I have been failing to do for a while.
His phone was off.
Tried Oliver.
" Oliver? Is Asin with you? "
" He went to the company, have to show himself more and more now. "
That made sense.
" Want me check on him? "
" How? "
" We can take surveillance footage from the company and send it to you. "
I couldn't tell if he was making fun of me or not.
" No .. maybe some other time. We talk later .. also, Oliver? "
" Yes? "
" We soon have a talk. "
" Hmm, sounds good. "
I ended the call to show my dominance over him.
But now I don't know why I would have the talk with him? .. I got swept up in movie land.
Ayshe came out of the water.
" Talk to me .. something has been wrong since this morning. Is it the fact that we .. you know? "
She looked embarrassed.
" No .. a little. " I admitted. " .. but more my own stupidity. Ruined our night a tiny little bit .. "
" What did you do? " She asked.
~
" .. You bought a what? "
" .. Fishnet stocking. It's his preference. But never mind that..
" Whoa, wait.. is that why you wanted to buy that plastic fish as well? " She asked, confused.
I was hoping she wouldn't remember that.
Yeah.. until Lilly laughed at me and shared some of her knowledge.. I wanted to buy some fish related products for him.
He most likely would've had the divorce papers ready by this morning, and I couldn't even complain.
I decided to negotiate great salaries for them and a little bonus for Lilly.
Why would I think that? It's a question I asked myself a hundred times since yesterday.
Adding to that blunder is getting too drunk to even show it to him.
" It doesn't matter. It ended in a disaster. "
Luckily, she let it go.
" I wouldn't worry too much. He looked at you the same way as before.. no resentment there. "
" I know .. it's just embarrassing. "
She gave me a consoling hug.
" But seriously.. why the plastic fish? " She laughed.
I will never live yesterday down. It became memorable for both of .. but for very different reasons.
——
Asin.
~
Damn this office.
..damn this tree!
Why is this damned rubbish bin placed here!?
" Asin .. what did that thing done to you? "
" Yary .. why are you here? "
He tilted his head.
" It's my office, little brother. Are you okay? "
I looked around.. right.
I did come in his office, fought a plant in the corner, and kicked his trash can to death.
" I'm angry at .. the .. did I say why I came here? "
It was a little bit of a blur.
He got up and walked over.
" Talk to me.. having problems in your marriage? "
" No .. more like bad luck. Timing issues and such. "
My big brother was smart enough to understand my meaning.
" Well, it's got to be her issue since I took you to that..
" I remember my birthday brother thank you. "
He cleared his throat and continued.
" Listen here .. you are a Martell. Make it happen! "
I .. I don't know what I was hoping for.
" Thanks, Yary..if life gave you lemons and all that .. that's not even the issue. " I sat up.
" Then what? "
" Maybe I'm.. forcing her into something she doesn't want to, bro.. not consciously, but the result is the same. "
Buying her gifts, banking on the happiness I knew she would feel when her friends arrived, me telling her my fantasy preferences.. felt a little forced and scummy.
Needless to say .. I felt a little ashamed and confused.
" I saw that girl around you .. there is no such thing as forcing with love she feels for you. "
" .. we haven't even said it to each other. " I massaged my forehead. " .. I'm reaching for the moon under the bloody ocean. "
" Wouldn't the end result be the same from the ground? " He asked a little unsure.
" Yes, brother.. I suppose it would. "
But I aim to change that one day. You'll see.
~
I felt strange at the company..needed some time to sort my own thoughts out.
I called Oliver and told her to send our people.
.. After an hour, I stepped out of the car in front of the sanctuary.
Old Ivan and our people were ready to move back to the 9th and join the rebuilding efforts.
Unannounced, I managed to sneak to their house unnoticed.
" .. Asin? W-why didn't you call? "
" Sorry for this, Aunt Krista. "
Her confusion didn't last, and let me in.
" Your uncle is away with the lads inside those woods .. I hope he catches something. Come let me make a tea, son. "
I sat down and let the sounds of daytime television give me some comfort.
I felt my phone buzzing but ignored it. It can wait..whoever you are.
" What trouble you? "
I opened my eyes and saw her sitting silently with hot tea in front of both of us.
That's why every effort to send maids and such to help her failed miserably. She preferred her own methods.
" Aunt .. is okay to be selfish? "
" What did that girl do? "
She asked with quiet understanding as if she expected this day.
I would groan, but it would make her mad..
" Marie .. my beautiful aunt.. and she is my wife. I beg of you get along. "
She nodded reluctantly and swear I heard her saying ..for now .. under her breath.
Maybe I should've called.
" Your sister is moving back home. "
I forget all my problems.
" Maya? .. When? Is that why the old man out hunting for meat? "
She laughed at my joke as she told me what had happened.
" .. so after her holiday ends, she comes home, hopefully for good. "
" We make sure she will stay. 3 years was enough.. "
" She says sorry for the .. radio silence, I think she called it. " Auntie smiled.
Radio silence? .. haven't talked over a year.
We are not related by blood, her being the daughter of Old Ivan and my aunt. She is also smart .. and studying chemistry in America.
She is Aunt Krista's daughter, alright, one of the few who beat my ass up .. to be fair, she is 8 years older and freakishly strong.
" Unless she is living in a cave, there is no excuse. " I pretended to be serious.
She laughed out loud. " She said you be like that. She will take you driving, it's promised. "
" I'm no longer the 15 year old she left. I'm taking her driving.. tell her that. " I drank my tea.
" Don't you worry. Maya's been following everything you have done. She is very proud of you, son. " she smiled.
Good .. could've called, but good.
" Let me know when .. we will celebrate. "
" Deal .. now back to the girl ..
" Marie .. her name is Maire, dear one. "
——
Oliver.
~
If happiness could be bottled ..
Turns out it can be .. this cold brew coffee.. it tastes delicious. Perfection in a tiny bottle.
I noticed flowers along the sidewalk .. what a miracle to survive surrounded by danger.
This flower is like our lives.
" Mr Aster? Sir? "
" Leyla.. yes? " I looked at her
" Sir .. we came to survey the place for our event. What do you think? "
" Right .. let take a look-see. "
She had the right to be confused. We were at an abandoned property full of old circus props and rusted junk the world deemed useless.
The place itself had a vibe to it.
We wanted to host a live streaming event. First time ever, let the fans see Asin and the crew.. mask on, obviously.. and go wild.
It will be the start of a new legend. Some people will pay with their soul for a chance to meet us. I know because I carefully monitored our brand.
" This will do .. but we have time. We might use this for Asin's birthday in a few weeks. "
" Uh .. the boys will love this. " She made a note. " .. should we purchase it then? "
" Absolutely. Send the paperwork to my place and keep a digital on our private server with the others. "
We walked back to our cars.
" Is the boss visiting the sanctuary? " She asked.
" He is .. probably having things.. and.."
Now that I think we couldn't talk at all. Found myself wondering what he's doing there.
" Khmm .. anyway, yes, he is there. Why? "
" It's just that we have security scheduled for the people there to be moved back to west of Adans in a few days. Anything changed? "
" Not to my knowledge Leyla, Old Ivan want to live where he always lived .. did our donations reach them? "
She checked first, which I always appreciated, and then blindly telling me what I wanted to hear.
" .. Yes, Mr. Aster, the last being delivered this morning. We continue to keep contact and adjust as needed. "
" Good .. if you need to open our own wallets and pay whatever is necessary, hire firms from the shadows to help with the building and cleaning process. "
I waited until she was typing.
" Check for Asin's location for me. "
She opened our link to the satellite we piggybacking and quickly found him moving fast towards the city.
" He is arriving in 20 min to the city limits, Sir. "
Good .. whatever it was that took him to see Uncle Ivan didn't last long.
But still, I will have to talk to him for peace of mind.
Ayshe texted.
* Marie driving me crazy .. I miss you. *
Leyla heard that.. the phone text to speech function is working fine.
" Sir, you want me to write back? "
I had to look in case she made a rare joke.. but that's not Leyla. She was, of course, deadly serious..
" Fine .. type this .. "
——
Ayshe.
~
I was checking myself in the mirror for any changes.
All the same.. except the smile.
I couldn't stop all day. My face muscles started to ache and had to rub my chin.
Me and Oliver made it.
Would it happen without being that tipsy?
I didn't care. The details no longer mattered. What did matter is do whatever it took to keep this happiness.
Since we finally arrived, let us stay for a while.
Added bonuses.
Henny's jealous gaze from time to time.
Lilly newfound respect for me.
Marie exhausted beating herself up all day.
It was one of the rare times when I felt peace with the world. I am no longer afraid of my future. In fact, I couldn't wait until Monday now.
The excitement of starting a new job, see if you can make it a success? It was supposed to be super fun, and yet I only felt it meant anything after last night.
Ayshe was reborn.
Just then, Oliver texted me back.
* I'm done with my work for the day. I go back to the house now. I miss you too. Sincerely Oliver Aster. *
He was so random.
I put my phone away and rolled into the pool and the cooling water.
I been cooking on the sun for a while, so it felt torture at first, then incredibly satisfying.
Kind of like.. that ..
~
Around noon, we went inside and had lunch brought up to Marie's room.
" Having a balcony looking over the ocean like this is nice. " Lilly mentioned putting on sunglasses. " .. Having the second overlooking the entire city is just overkill. "
I silently agreed. There should be a limit on the wealthy a person can be. I think it might be the foundation of communism.
" Your life is an actual fairy tale, Marie .. come on, cheer up already. " Henny reached over the table, taking her hand. " Asin is the last guy who would be mad at you for last night. "
" I know .. right! I'm here now. Did Oliver say when he arrived? " She asked me.
" Just that he is finished his work and he is on his way .. that was 16 minutes ago. " I read the time stamp.
" Brother Asin still won't answer? " asked her Lilly.
" It was an hour ago.. I'm done calling. He is either busy or ..
Her phone started buzzing, and she launched at it like a falcon.
Her smile spread, and we understood who wrote.
" Okay .. " She let out a nervous breath. ".. he is coming as well and has a surprise in store for all of us. "
" Marie .. is there a chance his family owns a spaceship? "
We laughed at Lilly's question.
The sun was shining, we were in for another crazy surprise .. Finally, Marie looked like herself.
What a beautiful day.
——
Asin.
~
" .. "
" Asin.. what's wrong? "
" Nothing wrong, Oli. I have good news. I tell you in person, but I also got an idea for tonight. "
We were entering the city and I was talking to my father earlier, found my first business idea and after a little talk, he agreed.
Then I called Kol.
" What were you thinking? "
I could tell he was in his car.
" Tonight is opening night at The Cove .. we are invited curtesy of Sanilmaz. "
" The Cove .. That sounds like good times. Where are you? "
" I'm close. We talk soon. "
I ended the call just as the driver arrived.
I read the sign on the building.
BARRY ERISTER Chemistry foundation.
~
I arrived as they were having lunch on the balcony.
Except two were missing.
Good for you, Oliver, my son.
" Ladies... enjoy. "
I was glad to see Marie better. The crazy from her eyes were mostly gone now.
She had her mouth full, so I kissed her puffed out cheek.
" Brother Asin, you are starting your own company soon, we been told. "
" Yes, Lilly, in fact, I just bought the first today. "
Marie was just as shocked as her friends.
" What company? Tell it .. " Marie demanded.
" It's a secret, I tell you in a few weeks. "
She made a sour expression, but the mayo on her mouth really made it impossible to feel anything.
I reached over with a napkin and cleaned my soon to be 22 year old wife's mouth.
" Keep it a secret then .. than at least tell about the surprise. "
" We are going to an opening. It's a club called The Cove. "
I felt better seeing Marie confusion. Most party girls knew about its existence way before it opened.
However, her friends were too stunned to even breathe.
" As in .. The Cove? "
" The under .. the .. the ..
I turned away as Henny helped Lilly breathe and turned to my wife.
" Be honest. When was your last party with adult men? "
She tilted her head in confusion. " I .. went to a party just before our wedding.. but it turned out to be Oliver's PA. "
She said this without laughing or making funny faces, so it must be true.
" Hmm.. good. " I patted her hair.
" Why? "
" It doesn't matter. Wear something pretty, but nothing that makes me wanna kill others. Okay? "
She gave me a coy smile, made tired already.
" Marie, I'm serious. Be mindful and save those poor bastards. "
There is nothing more annoying than being dead serious and someone or someone's making light of it.
As it happened now with these giggling lot.
She sat in my lap, and it made me forget about my anger as an added bonus,even the fact you were supposed to breathe through your nose.
" Don't worry about others. Tell me why this place is so special? "
She jumped a little in my lap, landing lightly, and it made my breathing restart .. like CPR.
" I-its under water. "
I hated it when she made stutter like that.
" As in built under some pool. "
" Marie, it's a place inside the ocean. " Lilly couldn't hold back anymore. " .. constructed underwater. It's supposed to be one of the new wonders of technology. "
She shook her head. " Sounds like the quickest way to drown or.. get popped like a balloon under pressure.. Asin, please.. let just stay here .. hmm? "
Ayshe and Oliver arrived in time to hear the end.
" Marie, calm down. This place costs more than making new islands on the seas. Plus, the glass they use is the same used on deepsea sub marines sent to 8000ft and below.. "
Oliver meant to calm her, but she looked for support instead in her sister.
" Oh .. I actually agree. That kind of pressure at 300ft is about a 148 psi.. it's nothing compared to the pressure at places like the Marianas trench of 8 tonnes. "
They deserved each other.
I turned my pale wife towards me.
" If you want, we can cancel and go wherever you want. But I would never risk your life like that..hmm? "
She needed encouragement, not these boring words and horror scenarios.
" Of course I know .. " She took a few deep breaths. " .. Obviously. I understood what they said as well. "
" I know you did. I was lost. "
She rested her forehead on mine as we decided to dive into The Cove for a night.