Next Morning
"You didn't sleep last night," Aniya said,
noticing Sarah's red eyes.
"I did," Sarah lied.
"You think you can lie to me?" Aniya hugged her.
"I overreacted, Aniya," Sarah said, her voice thick.
"That was a natural reaction. He'll understand," Aniya reassured her, holding her cold hands.
"He won't."
"Do you have feelings for him?" Aniya asked hesitantly.
"I don't know. But I shouldn't have done that," Sarah replied, looking at the flower pot outside the door.
Why am I even thinking about flowers now? My head is full of him, not tulips.
"It's okay. Everything will be alright," Aniya said.
"Eric and Abdullah are coming," Aniya told her. Sarah forced a smile and nodded.
An hour later
Eric brought a bouquet of fresh yellow roses, and Abdullah brought himself. They chatted normally until Eric looked at Sarah.
"You're unwell? Did you sleep?" he asked.
"No, I was watching a series. Wanted to finish it," Sarah lied. Aniya played along.
"That's the spirit, my friend," Abdullah said.
"University starts in a month, and I'm not ready," Aniya changed the subject.
"I'll never be ready," Abdullah said dramatically. "I was thinking of asking Mehmet to send me to Italy so I can skip it."
Eric laughed. "What? You're serious?"
"Dead serious. He's ridiculously rich. He owns an international publishing house—books, art catalogues, rare manuscripts. But it's a front for a broader cultural investment empire."
"Cultural investment empire?" Aniya asked curiously. Sarah, lost in thoughts of Mehmet's bleeding forehead, barely listened.
"Museums, art galleries, rare book collections, historical antiques," Eric explained.
"And he built it all himself—well, with generational wealth helping. He's a bloody billionaire," Abdullah said in a detective-like tone.
"How do you know this?" Aniya asked.
"Kerman and Tayyep told us. They work with Mehmet on all this. Tayyep even handles Mehmet's father's business in Italy," Eric said, filling a glass with water.
"So he's not just a billionaire—he's a multi-billionaire," Aniya commented.
Eric filled Sarah's glass, and she smiled at him.
"Anyone want tea?" Aniya asked. They all nodded. She went to the kitchen while Abdullah wandered around the apartment.
"You don't seem alright, Sarah," Eric said as he sat beside her on the sofa.
"Just a headache," Sarah forced a smile.
Eric had his hair tied in a bun today, wearing a brown button-down shirt with beige jeans.
"Don't you like roses more?" he asked, glancing at the tulip pot.
"I—uh—yes, I like roses. But tulips are..." She didn't finish.
"Oh, you could've told me. I thought you liked roses, so I brought them," he said hesitantly.
"No, no, I like your flowers. But tulips are my favorite," she smiled.
"We met Tayyep at the flower shop," Abdullah said, settling into a rocking chair.
"How's he doing?" Sarah asked casually.
"Upset. You didn't invite him," Abdullah told her.
"Maybe another time," Sarah brushed it off.
________________________________________
The next day
"You said you wouldn't go to the library," Aniya reminded Sarah as she put on her coat.
"I'm not. Just wandering around," Sarah said, brushing her hair lightly.
"Charge your phone," Aniya warned.
They left the apartment together. Aniya went to the library, where everything was the same as before. Mehmet worked on his laptop, his forehead bandaged, his expression colder than ever. Kerman warned her not to make any mistakes today, and she nodded. When she showed him the final book cover, he gave a single nod without a word.
Sarah went to a nearby café, ordered coffee, and sat in a corner.
"What a coincidence," a voice said. She turned to see Tayyep, dressed casually with messy hair.
"Nice to see you, Tayyep," she said, bowing her head slightly.
"You weren't at the library? Thought you didn't want to see me," Tayyep teased as he sat across from her.
"Just taking a week off," Sarah said.
"How's your Anne?" she asked.
"She's doing well," Tayyep replied.
"I'm glad you took a break," he added.
"Why?" Sarah asked as the waiter brought their orders.
"Because Mehmet's a walking storm cloud today. That forehead injury—he claims he slammed into a door. Like I'd believe that." Tayyep sipped his coffee.
"He even snapped at Kerman. His face was burning."
"I just came from the library. Even Abdullah doesn't want to talk to him today."
"He'll be fine. He gets mood swings often," Sarah said, trying to keep her expression neutral.
So he told them he slammed into a door, she thought.
"Yeah, he will," Tayyep said casually.
"Well, thanks for the coffee. And thank me for the company," Tayyep stood up, grinning.
"I was fine alone, but I guess you needed company," Sarah shot back with a sarcastic smile. They both left the restaurant and walked in opposite directions.
Later, outside the building, Sarah stared at the sky, waiting for Aniya. A familiar scent caught her attention. She looked around and saw Mehmet near his car, expression cold, forehead bandaged. She watched him leave without a glance in her direction.
"He was firing daggers with his eyes today," Aniya said as they walked home.
Sarah knew exactly who she meant.
"Abdullah taught me a recipe for Turkish pulao. We'll make it tonight," Aniya added as Abdullah joined them.
"I missed your sarcasm and those sessions with Mehmet," Abdullah said randomly.
"Shut up," Sarah fake-scolded. Mehmet's bandaged forehead lingered in her thoughts.
"I was saying this to Eric, and Mehmet overheard. He said today was the most comfortable day there," Abdullah said. Aniya nodded in confirmation.
I wish I'd thrown that paperweight harder, Sarah thought.
Later, in the kitchen, as Aniya soaked rice, Sarah approached her.
"He didn't look at me when he came out," she said.
"Why would he?" Aniya asked.
The question lingered in Sarah's mind long after.