Asin.
~
We did as they wished.
Walked on the beach, ate dinner with the family, and we even watched a movie.
Just as thought we might have to wait until tomorrow, the next text Oliver got made him get up.
It was just the four of us about to start watching the second movie on the projector outside the garden.
" Asin, I'll be back in a little bit .."
He went to be sure. He is probably talking to Leyla.
Ayshe was included as far as we talked about it.
Told her someone found Henny and tried to use her somehow .. we just needed to find out who and why.
" What .. Will it happen once you find the guy? "
Ayshe question wasn't unexpected, I had a feeling she didn't wanna ask Oliver, afraid to start something.
But we already talked this over with Oli.
" Easy .. we exile him. The people we work for have a certain honour code about these situations. He won't thank us .. but he will be fine. Don't worry. "
She accepted my words at face value.. probably having some doubts but didn't show them.
Marie, however.. her eyes remained unchanged.
She knew it was a lie with certainty.
I was waiting for the inevitable rant and never-ending questions, maybe for her to use logic or sentimentality to change my mind.
To my surprise, she guided my head on her chest, where it was all night, and continued to watch the movie.
Before the reality hit me, Oliver came back.
I could tell it was time to leave just the way his eyes had changed.
" We be back in a few hours. " He smiled at Ayshe.
" Be careful. "
Marie took my hand and fully gained my attention.
" Don't feel bad, and if you find out, he had hurtful motives.. do whatever is necessary to protect all you have. I'll be here. "
She then kissed me with a passion. I felt my self-doubt draining away and gained clarity.
" With you by side .. a can do anything. "
~
We were on route to the warehouse where Kol already delivered our rat.
Cory Amirkan.
Never had many dealings with him. He was brought in by recommendation from another member.
" We found the messages, pictures, and even videos he took secretly. He was quietly gathering evidence for a while. "
Oliver sounded hurt. He took it worse than I did.
" .. played our system against us. Used fixed focus lenses and smaller sensors so we wouldn't detect his hidden device. "
I didn't really understand the technical babble but understood we had holes in our system that needed urgent fixing.
Finding him was easy .. since he accepted the microchip, and it was working as it should.
" You okay? " He asked.
" Disappointed .. but ready. Let's hear him out and do what's necessary. "
He nodded grimly.
We spent the ride in silence until the gate was opened to the warehouse.
Our crew was attending. Need to see what happens to those who betrayed us.
A silence never present here suddenly invaded the place, and I could hear people breathing it got so quiet.
I ignored the general depression in the air and headed straight towards Oliver's office upstairs.
There he was.
Cory was like those documentaries you watched before falling asleep, entertaining in small doses but forgettable.
Sitting on the chair surrounded, he probably felt like a trapped animal. His eyes looked for salivation, looking at the door as we stepped in, but only found us.
" Boss .. t-this is a m-misunderstanding. ..
Oliver walked in, holding a dossier, and Cory words caught on his throat.
He had a reputation, carefully built overtime that made him a boogeyman for the kids.
" Cory Amirkan. 25 years old, graduated at 17, studied overseas, Germany, privileged upbringing, recruited through Tommy Kelly...
Oliver already attacked him as hearing all his personal information made his situation even more real.
" .. hobbies are online games and trading cards, mother and father, and elder sister named Melody, 2 cats and a fucking turtle!! "
He thrown the papers on him frightening the guy. Started whimpering. Let's not prolong this. Not even for him, I saw the eyes people downstairs.
We need this done before their lights fully disappeared.
" Corey.. you will tell me why you done this. Why gathering information on your family? Why contact my wife's friend? What was your purpose? "
As expected he didn't talk and preferred crying and begging instead.
" I can't.. I .. I can't.. P-please."
I looked at Leyla. " Go .. "
She didn't needed to see and carry these memories with her. She tried to protest.
" Boss I ..
" Leyla! " Oliver called her out.
She jumped a little but immediately walked out.
After the door closed behind her a strange silence filled the room, broken by the quiet sobbing of our former comrade.
Kol kept an eye on me until I finally nodded.
He signaled the man standing in wait.
( BANG.. CRACK .. )
I made sure my eyes were wide open ..
so it begins.
——
Ayshe.
~
A traitor.
A person who betrays someone or something, such as a friend, cause, or principle.
I'm not naive or stupid.
I understood what my boyfriend and brother in law had to do. Or potentially do with the man they considered their own until today ..
Appreciated Asin's tale, his little white lie showed they would rather keep us awayb from all of this ..but it was unnecessary.
Me and Oliver walk on the same road. No matter what road it happened to be.
What did surprised me was my sister.
Marie had a different air around her. Her talk with Aunt Derya had an effect for sure .. but that didn't explain the quiet dignity that surrounded her now.
A woman who made peace with the world around her. Understood the consequences of the lifes people signed on when working against the law.
The unfortunate end for those who betrayed their own.. for personal gains.
The change in the both of us was almost frightening. At least for me..
We were joined by not only the girls but sister Zerile and even Asin's mother.
The movie was a smash hit.
" Asin's sure late.. " His mother checked the time.
" Don't worry mother Seline. He and Oliver needed some time to fix a thing and to talk. My sister can be quite overwhelming. "
I didn't enjoyed their laughter but had to play along. Asin mother was a little tipsy after a few grasses of wine. I like this lady, even semi drunk she can sit and talk like lady.
She even showed interest in her daughter in laws friends and started talking to the mansions newcomers. Henny and Lilly.
" What about you young ones? " She turned to Marie's friends.
" Well .. I personally hope to get married and settle down in the city. But now I just wanna do well at work. " Henny answered.
" I .. think I might like someone already. " Lilly shared a little red in the face.
We all waited but I had a pretty good idea .. from looking at Marie's smile she thought the same.
" Kol? " She asked.
After her timid nod even sister Zerile got excited.
" Oh I remember him. Always running after Asin when they were little. Oliver however, they fought like cats and dogs. "
She smiled at her mother in law reminiscing about the past.
" He was always around .. until we sent Asin to Switzerland. Both Oliver and him disappeared for that following year .. as if they went with my beautiful boy .. "
Her smiled died away as she continued. The sadness in her voice, the guilt in there was so palpable, the suffering on her face .. heartbreaking.
Sister Zerile reached over tapping her hand.
" Sorry .. " She wiped her eyes. " .. You probably don't want listen to this, old regrets and such. I'm going now.. not business but I'm busy myself.. tomorrow. "
She said her goodbye and left us with a lot of questions.
We knew as much about Asin's past that the Internet knew.
I used to think its the whole story but now seeing the power his family hold in the world not to mention the added protection from his own crew ..
Maybe only a small part made it online and the papers. The rest was paid to disappear.
Buried away in painful memories only those held, who were there with him.
Sister Zerile didn't say anything either.
" It's a bit sensitive..as you saw mother Seline.. ask Asin or Oliver. They can tell.. the rest of the family would like to purge those times from our memories. "
Her explanation just made us more interested and by the time she left us Lilly and Henny was already scouring the Internet.
Marie showed remarkable patients just waiting until they found something with her phone right in hand.
" Sounds like he been through some stuff ..his own family avoids the topic. "
Since the girls were lost in searching I turned to Marie.
" I know about some .. but I don't understand the feelings behind it. Why she turned so sad? I mean he came out his sickness and he turned out great. "
" I don't understand either..anything!? " I asked the girls.
They shook their head.
" Just a bunch of stuff about his recovery, his time overseas.. nothing, what sickness or where he was treated .. nothing. I can't even find a picture before the age of 14. "
" As if someone carefully manage his history .. but that doesn't make sense. " Lilly concluded.
Marie and I knew how much sense it truly made.
" Lots of mystery.. Marie you must know something about his past? "
Henny's question left Marie speechless.
" Alright girls let's choose another movie instead of theorising about things we shouldn't. "
They understood its a sensitive topic since she was his wife.
But they are newlyweds.
I sat beside her and checked my phone for call from Oliver.
" Did Asin .. " I asked her.
" No .. I hope they are okay. "
We have the same hopes..
——
Oliver.
~
Immortality?
Fame?
Vengeance?
Was it Love ..?
No .. Corey done what he done without any of those motives in mind.
Money.
Isn't it always? The promise of a different destiny.
Alas he was a rube. Some idiot who was used by people much smarter then him.
No names, all cash payments, no contact except notes left in some random park near his house.
Well it wasn't all loss .. we deducted a few things.
Whoever they were, knew enough to ruin us if they wanted to overnight with just the materials Corey sent them. Since they haven't used any of it. It meant they had more sinister plans.
Knew people.. not just Marie but even her friends as well. Meaning they were close or at least close enough.
Money wasn't an issue to them.
This idiot been hiding a fortune in his house. All cash. Different currency around the world, no subsequent notes. 5 different fake passports, a getaway bag, 2 guns, fake tattoos and wigs..
One more thing ...
He coughed up his password to his encrypted files we couldn't access in time, he hid cameras around the park .. we saw a woman on the footage dropping off money and taking whatever was left.
A single woman. With enough accessories not even NSA facial recognition could tell us who she was.
But last .. we been toyed with. Corey also give up the 9th on command. He tipped the police, caused the death of people, injured over 100 others. Made those women and children to flee for their lives .. scared them forever.
Caused untold suffering to those he swore to stand by until his last breath.
And now .. here we were.
40 miles deep into the endless forest.
Corey was no longer Corey, didn't look like himself anymore and he stopped being himself long ago, accepted his faith.
There were no more tears in his eyes. In fact the part I was still able see showed clarity.
" Boss .. it's done. We gone dark. "
Kol and his team were working on many things to cover we were ever here, leave no trace after we done.
But that all finished now.
One of us brought a box and waited for Asin to open it. I immediately tried to take this off his shoulder .. his consciousness.
" Brother you don't have to.. "
" .. yes. I do. "
Him opening the box was the sign and Corey was dragged and dumped into the 10 feet deep hole the crew been working on for an hour.
Corey landed with a loud thud followed by his screams of pain.
Asin walked ahead and I followed close until we arrived at the very edge.
Corey landed faced upwards unable move .. or even speak, maybe just unwilling.
" You betrayed my trust .. and my love for you. "
Asin's words seemed to elicit some movement but in this kind of darkness it was hard to tell.
I was surprised when he spoke.
" You .. Live in a ..broken .. realty. No trust .. no love .. just .. MONEY!!! "
His last strength went into that shout. Maybe he wanted to say more .. maybe he was done. I don't know.
But Asin had enough.
I saw him lifting a gun ..
Kept my eyes on Corey. Wiped the tears out and payed attention.. wanted to remember this and make sure .. we never got here again.
Asin started humming.. and it froze me in place.
The same tune he always hummed .. in the hospital, before surgery, after surgery, then it stuck with him .. he started humming it unconsciously even in places he thinks I don't see or hear ..
It was a tune that gave him strength facing death every time they wheeled him into his next surgery and he came out a little less.
.. Strength.
——
Marie.
~
It was 1 pm and the boys still not back.
Ayshe was trying Oliver again but I kept my calm knowing they were okay.
" He still hasn't turned his phone on. " She sat down.
Lilly and Henny were sleeping but they weren't in the middle of an all consuming love and had to work in a few hours.
We all did.
Finally thankfully my phone buzzed.
* We are home soon. I love you. *
As I reread the message the 5th time Ayshe phone started vibrating as well.
She sat back on the couch finally able to relax.
" Oliver say they be here in 10 minutes. "
With her information the timeline was clear now.
" Wanna go out and wait for them? "
I asked but already put my shoes on. Ayshe agreed quickly and we walked downstairs.
Being so late everyone was asleep except the night guards who all greeted us passing them by.
It was early August already, time slipped us by with all the crazy we been dropped into.
I'm supposed to be finalising my travel plan to New York, and practice my violin, maybe work on my own music to arrive with something to show for the summer.
It's funny how plans worked and how far removed from the girl I was.. The girl who spent her time cloud gazing at the library enjoying free soda.
Now married and .. married to someone in organised crime.
Ayshe was fully in as well, I couldn't tell what she knew or didn't but her previous judgemental self assured self was gone.
Now she was just a girl in love.
Finally one of the black mini bus returned.
Soon as the doors opened I knew how their night went.
What they had to do.
I had my priority.
Walked and quickly embrace my husband.
He felt heavier..
" Let go .. you are home. "
" .. you still love me the way you did yesterday? "
His question nearly broke my heart. The pain in his voice all the fear ..
" I do .. "
Didn't had the right words to convey my feelings.. but I hoped it reached him.
~
In our room, our bed ..
He was breathing steady on my chest.
Ayshe took Oliver who was in a similar state.
" You can talk .. if you want? "
" How about.. I never talk about such thing? Would you be okay with it? "
I secretly felt absolutely relieved hearing him.
" As you wish .. never again. "
" Hmm .. talk about you day. "
I was playing with his hair. " Are you sure you want to hear it? It was pretty dull. "
" It's not the day .. it's your voice. Gives me peace .. "
I saw him smile even now his love was so palpable..
What have you done to me?
" Very well.. I tell you the plot of the second movie.. pay attention. "
" Can't wait.. "
I felt him getting lighter as time passed and stayed awake after he fell asleep.
Let me be here for him .. take some of his burden.
I will continue to pray.
With the comfort his peaceful expression provided I fell into my own dreams.
——
Ayshe.
~
Oliver Aster was an enigma.
Asin looked a little burdened when they arrived and Maire quickly took him away to care for her husband.
My boyfriend however..
" .. See that star? "
" Uh huh.. what about it? "
" It called Earendel. The furthest visible star from our planet. "
I checked its light and thought its pretty impressive considering the sheer unimaginable distance.
" You like astronomy? "
" Well .. we spent a week inside the Nasa space centre being showed around and developed an interest since. "
We were at the beach behind the main house on our back as the ocean started to gently cover our feet as its waves hit the shore.
" How did you ended up being there? "
" Asin had a phase .. we also spent time with with monks in Tibet, meet a shaman in North Africa, ran after wheels of cheese on a festival in Cornwall... and these are just the stuff I agreed. "
They did lived the most amazing life.
" Running after cheese? You? "
He turned his head facing me as he fished out his phone.
" Here .. proof. "
We watched a 58 second long video of a bunch of people running after large wheels of cheese down a steep hill.
It was brutal and I saw Oliver take a fall so bad I was shocked he survived, Asin imitation of a monkey allowed him to keep up until a hidden rabbit hole sent him flying out of the screen.
What kind of festival is this!?
" Why would you..
" I don't know .. we had a blast, broke my collar bone, Asin dislocated his shoulder and we were so bruised, we spent a week in the hospital, on the upside .. Asin never tried anything dangerous like that again. "
He was talking ..
And talking ..
Kept telling stories after story. Each more ridiculous the one before, he even had evidence on all of those.
The Internet didn't have pictures of Asin before his sickness, but Oliver had plenty.
They visited every great monument, climbed mountain, had pictures of them descend into a cave, they run a marathon,.. a bunch of pictures of them in Star Wars costumes.
I listened and had fun hearing their 1adventures so much so.. the sunrise started colouring the sky.
He spoke after a long silence.
" Last night .. I made a promise, Ayshe. "
He watched the sunrise, but I don't think he saw it.
" .. I promised that I would never let my brother end up in such a situation. My conscience couldn't take it again. "
I had questions but didn't want to interrupt him. he just kept caressing his back.
" I'm guilty, Ayshe ..and I can never even tell you why.. "
Seeing his tears brought out my own.
I understood he showed me some of his soul. Even if I can never hear it again..
I appreciated it.
I pulled him close and let held him until the sun fully claimed the sky.
We stayed there .. made a promise to never bring tonight up ever again.
Instead, pray one day, he will tell me .. and hoped the knowledge won't turn everything to ash around us.