Ayshe.
~
After a less than ideal day, we ended our week and started our weekend inside the gigantic pool at home.
Oliver was away at a meeting with Asin. I hope they're okay. More so because Marie was on the edge after her husband turned his phone off all day.
Made Oliver do the same.
He did it as some sort of punishment, but with them, it was getting harder to tell what's going on.
Thankfully, Oliver's second phone was left on, and I was able to calm her worries and mine as well.
" .. They arrived, and will be silent now. I won't be able to give you updates for a while. " I put my phone on the edge of the pool and swim back in the middle.
Oliver last massage came until they finished whatever they were doing.
" I don't care. " said Maire, laying flat on a big floaty.
Would've been more believable if she hadn't spent all day complaining and cursing him.
" I read about this council .. they are running certain areas in the country, created in 1971 with 4 founding members among them is that old boss we meet Ivan ' The Terrible' Crigmasky. "
Lilly was as reliable as the Internet allowed her to be, but at least she consistently searched and digged for what's available.
" .. Look how young he looks in this picture. " She added, showing us the picture in question.
On it .. there were 4 men in their early 20's holding guns. From the background, we saw the old look of the capital. Meaning they were standing in the still being built 9th ward.
" It's kind of insane Asin and Oliver are having regular meetings with these people..you think Kol is there? "
Lilly mainly asked Maire, but she was busy moaning and complaining to Henny, who's left without a romantic prospect and currently was the most receptive of such words.
" Lilly, don't worry. He is there as captain of their security. Oliver says he is doing very well, and he never much liked him, so it must be true. " I calmed her.
Although I had a feeling he was incredibly proud of Kol. Since it was his mistake that brought him into the organisation and it could've easily turned out to be some disaster.
Dispite our communication I was nervous as well.
Oliver explained each of their members.. but since it was 11 of them, it was hard to even remember those silly names, not to mention a nickname they all seemed to have.
" .. as some silly punishment!! It's unbelievable.. such a child, I married a child ..
I closed my eyes and let Marie's rant relax me a little. Is there truly such a thing as honour among them? Among criminals?
Although it's a bit ridiculous..
I kept considering Oliver and Asin apart from such people.. even though he made sure I understood they were more or less the same .. they were just older, more experienced, more ruthless.
The path they treaded was the same, the difference, he said .. that while those people were pushed into that life by circumstances beyond their control.
Asin and him chose this path themselves.
Could've lived the life of luxury as a special few in this world can, but they opted for something more ..
Dangerous.
Since Oliver's confession, I fully embraced it myself. Done my best to accept our lives will be more interesting than we planned it.
Marie's phone that was on the floaty next to her started buzzing, and it almost caused her to roll into the water, trying to get there.
" Oh .. mother Seline. " She sounded disappointed and put it down. " Brunch tomorrow about Asin's birthday. Ughh.. he told me nothing about what he wanted! "
" Why so crazy? " asked Henny.
" I wanted to give her a great idea about his present. She really wants to make him happy. I just hope one day I'll be as good a mother as her. "
No Marie.. aim higher.
It was hard to hear her aspirations and not being able to tell her the whole story .. well for now.
Despite the best efforts of those involved.. such lies tend to surface one day. Might not be even this year or decade .. but eventually, we all slip up.
" What is your present for him? " asked Lilly.
I was curious and watched as a sensual smile appeared on her face.
" I'm wrapping myself.."
I smiled as her friends shrieked and pushed her into the water.
She looked super confident. Well, well, well ..
Suddenly, that crazy Anna came to my mind. As she destroyed the inside of that house in a fit of rage.
I would be an idiot to think such obsession can be bought with money.
Maybe Oliver is right and her parents trying to renegotiate, and since they couldn't do that with the Martells, they used their daughter and her friend to reach out to the one they could.
But what about Desiree?
Just revenge? Doubtful. She strangely looked familiar.. her eyes and ..
" ..Ayshe! "
I was sitting on the jacuzzi part of the pool, and the hot water and comfortable air pressure really numbed me.
" Yea.. sorry. What was the question? "
" .. I can't believe she has actually done it." Lilly turned to my sister.
Of course they were talking about sex.
I was past getting embarrassed about hearing them talk about it, so as the mature women I became.. I gracefully accepted their questions and answered to the best of my abilities.
——
Oliver.
~
That was a long and tedious meeting, but we did iron out the next event. A week from now.. at someplace familiar.
" Since we are heading back there, we might as well .. "
I left it in the air ..
Asin sighed and agreed.
" Listen .. I'm thinking you should just .. maybe turn your phone on and tell her the good news. "
We were about 20 miles away from the house.
" It's late .. "
Despite his words, he took out the phone and played with it.
" Go on! " I lost my patience.
He jumped a little, but after a series of unflattering words, he turned it on.
" 11 missed call.. she texted as well ..pfft look these at the bottom are incomprehensible. She did lose her mind, huh? "
Ayshe already informed me about it. They were still up and about having some late-late dinner with the girls.
" By the way.. give me Sanilmaz number. His private. " Asin looked up.
He seemed a lot more relaxed.
" Why would you need his number? " I asked, taking my phone out.
" Marie wants us to help Lilly reel him in. Wanna do a triple date? " He asked, eyes filled with hope.
I almost agreed automatically, but I could use this opportunity.
" No .. I'll be away with Ayshe .. khmm and mother near Longdin beach .. or home.. her home. "
I came up with it on the fly, but it was kind of perfect.
" Ohh, you introduce them properly .. big step. Aunt Tilley will love her.. by the way, I didn't say when the date would be, but never mind. " he tapped my arm.
" Sorry.. it was a reflex. I can't listen to Kol screaming Pampam all night long. You're on your own. "
I even got out of it naturally.
" Fine .. let's get some ice cream for the girls. " he suggested.
" Are you afraid of Marie? " I smiled.
" Nonsense.. but it can't hurt to get some of her favourites .. " he shrugged.
Marriage is hard.
——
Marie.
~
I was never needy.
I only had 1 boyfriend, Jimmy Timbers, we were 16, lasted a summer, and I was the one who got fed up with his constant texts and surprise visits.
I broke his heart, and if remembered correctly, he is currently in a love-hate relationship with a guy called Steve.
So, having to admit I was overbearing.. well, it was a bit of a revelation.
Despite all that or because of it, I was stuffing my face with Italian food after midnight, sinking into an ever deeper hole of self-loathing.
Ayshe was a good source of information since her boyfriend wasn't some petty lunatic and told me they were on their way.
All my anger vanished in an instant and washed away with immediate relief.
Ayshe looked similarly relieved.
" .. I feel full. " I put down the fork and pushed the pasta away. " .. I'm going to take a shower. "
" Suddenly, you lost your appetite and want to look acceptable? Whatever happened to you? "
I ignored Ayshe's sarcastic words, and my friends smirking and ran to wash away the smell of cheese. Which might be delicious with everything, is one of the worst things to smell like in front of your husband.
After a good 15 minutes of soaking my body and scrubbing my mouth, I found the others spread out in the room and largely out of it.
It was late, and we worked hard all week, not to mention the mountains of food we devoured.
" Alright.. it's time for bed. Tomorrow, we have brunch, and I expect you all to be in top form. Or at least acceptable. " I clapped a few to get them moving. " Come on .. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. "
I always wanted to say that.
" Fine .. but after brunch, you will help me. " Lilly got up and half dragged half carried Henny away.
My sister stayed but I had a good feeling Oliver would come here first so it was fine.
" With the situation you guys in.. do you forgive him, or he forgives you? " Ayshe was trying to be funny.
" Obviously, he asks for my forgiveness, but that's not what's actually important. I need you to get into Oliver's phone and get me Leyla's number. "
" What!? "
~
" .. come on. "
" No. "
" It's honeydew.. you like it. "
I did my best to resist, but somehow, the ice cream landed in my mouth. " Not bad.. but I'm still mad! "
I took the small tub and leaned back on the rocking chair. After some awkward silence, Oliver and Ayshe took their share of ice cream and quietly made their exit.
" I take my licks..but to be fair dear .. It's really all your fault. " he said that with a straight face.
" Careful.. " I warned him.
" I mean .. 50/50 .. we both found reasons to be mad at each other. It makes me sad.. especially after the night I had. " he sighed, sitting down on our bed.
He was good.
" Fine .. did something bad happen? " I relented.
It was hard to pretend not to be interested all day.
" We saved an innocent! " He proclaimed, nodding wide-eyed.
I put the ice cream down and knelt close to him.
" Oh my God...
" A waiter.. but still. " he added with a stoic expression.
Okay .. let just wait until he ends the story while I worked on his apology gift.
" .. our next race is set. Something safe yet profitable.. "
" .. Yeah?? "
" Are you homesick? " He asked, smiling.
It can't be..
" Konore? Are you serious!? " I sat on his lap.
" Yeah .. those old-timers wanted something big, and since your town has very little chance of scorpions annoying us ..
" Scorpions? " I asked.
" .. those F1 looking police cars. " he answered.
" Ahh.. go on. "
He closed his eyes, smiling. " Yeah .. that's pretty much it. "
" So? "
He looked at me, waiting. " ... So?? "
" Sooo.. are you taking us as well, or do we get to watch with the live streamers!? " I got up confronting him.
" Babe, I asked if you were homesick.. fueeh.. Nevermind. Yes, love, you will be attending. " he pulled me back.
He asked me between kisses. " .. So forgiveness?"
Pretended to think about it for a little while. " .. Fine, you are forgiven. "
" I was about to say if you ask for my forgiveness..Ouch..Marie! "
I quickly bit him on the collar bone, shutting him up.
" Don't ruin it. "
" Fine.. how was your day? " He asked.
" We ship in a week to all major stores and meet with potential investors next Monday. Also, tomorrow I'm having brunch with your family discussing your birthday. "
Gave him a quick rundown while we lay down the bed.
" .. I actually went to your office. You were out. " he mentioned.
" Seriously? Why does no one tell me these things!? "
He shrugged on his side. " Get a 2nd assistant. "
I sighed, laying my head back down.
" Don't worry, I will. "
" Talked to Kol .. " he said robotic.
" Ohh.. come on, don't be like that. What did he say? "
" He loves a good get-together.. I was impressed. No shouting or .. any of his crazy. He matured. "
His smile told me how much he actually cared.
I snuggled up close and personal, enjoying his warm breath. " I only asked you yesterday.. you love me that much? "
" You okay. " He smiled.
Our laughter filled our room. The night air was cool, and the cross breeze constant, with both balcony doors left open.
" When? " I asked.
" He is ready.. I guess next week sometime?
I asked Oliver, but he is actually planning something pretty big as well. "
" Like what? "
" He introduces your sister to his mother .. properly like a gentleman. My boy knows his stuff. " He nodded proudly.
" That is big.. I wonder why Ayshe didn't say anything. "
He shook his head. " Maybe you two, just not that close.. "
Since he was close .. he really shouldn't have said that.
" Ahhahh! Marie, control yourself! "
We spent biting and kissing each other for a long while. Eventually falling asleep in complete peace.
——
Ayshe.
~
Marie woke me up next morning looking extremely happy. She was wearing a beautiful dress and matching shoes, even her purse was amazing.
No jewellery but her half heart necklace and gigantic diamond ring ..her tastest sure changed after marrying Asin who only wore the necklace she gave him and his wedding ring.
They will soon become 'we' people..
" Did you shoot your shot early.. your birthday gift, I mean? " I teased her.
She didn't even spare an answer. " .. Get ready. We are going to leave soon.. and even mother and granny will join us. "
That was good news. " Ladies brunch.. cool. Loan me a dress and other stuff. "
" You are shameless. " She walked towards the door.
" And you have unlimited access to the good stuff."
She shrugged, looking back smug. " True. Go and take what you want. Asin is in the room, though..20 min outside. "
~
Luckily, Asin was still sleeping when I snuck in their room and allowed me to take some of my sisters' best outfits and accessories in peace.
By the time I walked outside, the entire family and the girls were sitting at a large makeshift table in the middle of the garden talking while sharing some coffee.
" .. you are something else, Seline. But why a moonbase? " my mother asked.
" .. It sounded grand at the time. But seeing his reaction mortified me. And my sister in law didn't help any. " she gave Derya a dappy look.
She didn't react. Just elegantly pushed her hair back.
" I actually know my nephew.. and soon have his birthday wish secured. " She smugly proclaimed.
I sat down almost unnoticed even by my own family.
Aunt Seline didn't handle that well. " Derya.. don't push and tell already. "
I figured she'll say it's a secret or something but to my surprise she told us.
" He never wanna hear the Happy Birthday song ever again. " She said it with a straight face.
We all sat speechless for a few seconds until Marie spoke up. " .. How will that be possible? "
No one had an answer.. nor Derya gave us an explanation of how she will achieve this.
" I won't tell, but that's it.. and I promised him to make sure. Don't you dare ruin it. " She smiled.
Suddenly, she gave off a scary vibe, taking a sweeping look at the table. How exactly she will make sure? .. I couldn't imagine, but she looked confident.
Mother finally noticed me. " You look fabulous, dear. You could call more .. "
" Yeah .. we both have phones, mother. " I reminded her. " Where is dad? "
Granny answered. " He and your grandfather went with Erwing to secure the Great Hall for the night. "
The Great Hall of Josea. One the oldest and most beautifully built temple in the world. Housing some magnificent art from ancient times. Also, it wasn't open for the public or events for decades now.
Still, I had no doubt we would attend his 19th inside there.
" Aunt Derya? " Marie asked.
" Go on, Marie. " She turned to her.
" Did Asin say .. something else what he might want? "
She took a look at her mother in law who just smiled fondly and tapped her hand. " Don't bother dear .. Derya will never repeat his words. "
Derya looked happy, taking great pride in the statement. " He trust me for that same reason. "
Her smile was .. strange and her eyes had glint I couldn't explain ..as if she knew things.
" Anyway .. let us be off to Marcellus and see what we can come up with. "
Seline got up, and the rest of us followed.
Made me wonder if Asin's other family from the 9th plans for such a momentus day.
——
Asin.
~
I read somewhere that dreams can be prevented. So to avoid my nightmares I done my utmost best.
So heres what a quick search online told me.
Practice meditation to calm yourself into a dreamless sleep. ...
Do not pay attention to dreams after having them. ...
Wake yourself up with a timer while napping. ...
Talk to your doctor about taking a sleep medication if necessary.
The first 3 were absolutely useless..
By the way, what the hell does .. Don't pay attention to them, suppose to mean!?
Oliver got something for the 4th solution.
Her mother's sleeping pills offered such a heavy sleep it was like literally getting knocked out.
Plus, with the added benefit of waking up like a zombie .. drowsy and helpless.
The room was a mess.. like we were robbed. Marie was a pig when getting ready.
Oliver was off with my Dede today. Stupid birthday stuff.
Marie and the girls were probably all getting bored eating eggs benedict..
By the time I got to the gate, I was mostly myself.
Ovuz was talking to my security, who surrounded him. Some waived at me after noticing.
" .. you all too relaxed. Dismissed! " He shouted.
He was sure a nightmare boss like Oliver.
" Young Sir.. you look awful. " he turned to me.
I tapped his shoulder, walking past. " Don't ever change.. let us be off. "
" Where to, sir? "
He ran ahead and opened the door.
" I have the morning off .. let us reminisce.. take me to Kimski. "
~
On the road, I had plenty of time to rethink my decision..it was an awful idea.
All the same, my curiosity won over.
Ovuz said the manager was going to send the list of guests that week, but all records of that particular day mysteriously vanished ..
Oliver sure made our crew work on this.. but why the need for hiding it?
On the road, we passed MerryLarry.. hmm .. remember now.
" Anything particular you want to do there, Young Sir? " Ovuz asked.
" Just to look around. See the place .. " I took a sip of my water.
My throat kept getting dry no matter how much I drank. It was my 3rd bottle.
We soon were let inside the resort, and a timid looking man in a nice suit waited for us.
" Mr Martell. It's an honour. How can I help? " He offered his hand.
" I'm looking to spend a few hours in your chalet..Suirless? "
He immediately tensed up.
" I'm afraid it's unavailable due to .. some remodelling. I apologise. " he gave a rueful smile.
I made a hand sign he didn't notice and the guy's surrounded us.
" Hmm, I really just wanted to see the old place ..
I suppose I can't persuade you? "
Facing 6 well-built man was more than he could handle and changed his tone.
" ..I.. s-suppose we can make an exception. " he looked even smaller.
" Excellent! .. my associate will handle payments and such. I know the way..keys, please? "
~
The place was unchanged..except it was largely destroyed.
" What the hell happened here? " I asked myself.
Moving further inside stepping over pieces of broken furniture, I saw some scattered cookies and broken mugs.. all the art from the wall broken or kicked in. Even the couch looked torn..
I touched the gashes on it .. knives?
Something terrible could've happened here.. only the blood was missing.
Ovuz waited at the door but couldn't hold back seeing the carnage.
" Young Sir.. should I get the management? "
I considered letting my guys intimidate that little man, but .. I didn't wanna bully some random employee..anymore.
" No .. just .. give me a few minutes. "
" As you say, Young Sir. " he turned around.
I looked up towards the rooms facing each other upstairs and made my way there.
I held my hand on the handle of the room Anna and I shared. Maybe this is just a plain bad idea..
Chickened out is a fitting term here. With my back to the wall, I saw the room in front of it.
Before I left, I decided to satisfy some of my curiosity and walked inside the already opened door of the other room. The one Oliver and Desi slept in.
Normal ..
Walked around cheking some of the furniture, went inside the bathroom.. there was writing on the mirror with lipstick.
** The secret of getting ahead.. is getting started. **
Strage stuff..
Walked back inside the room and took one last look.
Nothing seemed out of place or damaged .. but now I noticed some pictures on the bed.