When I opened my eyes, I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or annoyed by what I saw. It was really him, but he didn't look even remotely in danger. He was lounging comfortably on a two-seater couch.
But what shocked me more was the woman standing beside him, watching me intently. At first glance, she looked like the women downstairs, but on closer look, she was much prettier. Her short, low-cut dress showed off her curves generously. Unlike the others, her makeup was simple, highlighting her natural beauty. Even so, like the others, she was older—late forties at best.
I had no idea what I expected to find while looking for Kerem, but it definitely wasn't this. My shock turned into irritation, and finally someone decided to speak.
"What are you doing here, sunshine?"
I planted my hands on my hips and let my anger spill out.
"Do you even know how long it's been since you got out of the car, hotshot?"
"I'm pretty sure I told you what to do if I was late."
"You mean the phone whose battery died because you kept calling while I was asleep?"
"No matter what, you should've stayed in the car instead of coming here."
"Sorry for interrupting your fun little party, your highness."I jabbed a finger at him angrily. "I can't believe you dragged me out of bed and brought me here for this!"
"Stop imagining things. It's not what you think."
"Yeah, sure. It never is."
"Are you two dating?"
"Never!"
"No."
Answering at the same time made the woman laugh. Which only made me angrier.
"Do whatever you want. I'm going home."
I pulled the keys from my pocket and tossed them into his lap. Without waiting for his response, I stormed out and headed down the stairs.
When I opened the door and stepped back into the bar, the hunter-like old man looked at me in surprise.
"I thought you'd left."
"You were right, old man. He's not worth it. Take care."
Without waiting for his reply either, I headed for the exit.
When I reached the metal door, a hand grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn around.
"You again? Didn't I tell you to go play somewhere else, kid? I'm already pissed—don't make me take it out on you."
"Guys, didn't I tell you? She's so fiery—totally my type. I'm definitely in love this time."
As I pulled my arm back and tried to open the door, the boy pointed at me for his friends to see. His friends grinned just like he did, and my irritation skyrocketed.
"I'm not letting you go without your number, gorgeous."
Right after saying that, he put his hand on the door and pushed it shut before I could fully open it.
What kind of cursed day was this, with everyone lining up to test my patience?
I covered my eyes, praying I'd get out of here without committing murder, and was just about to snap back at the kid—when someone beat me to it.
"Leave the girl alone, boys. Go play your game."
"But Murat, bro—"
"Don't 'bro' me. If you want to keep coming here, move it. Now."
As the boys silently shuffled back to the pool table, I turned to the man beside me.
He was tall, around six-foot-two, with a heavily built frame that strained his clothes. He had black hair, black eyes, and slightly tanned skin. He wasn't particularly striking, but he wasn't bad-looking either.
So the big guy's name was Murat.
While I stared at him, unsure what to say, he calmly opened the door.
"If you want, I can take you home. This area isn't very safe at this hour."
"I don't want to be rude, but you don't look that safe either."
My comment made him smile as he pointed behind himself.
"I don't know how you managed it so fast, but the old man likes you. He sent me. Didn't want you walking out alone."
I smiled back at the bartender uncle, then turned to Murat again.
"That's kind of him, but don't trouble yourself. Just help me find a cab and we're good."
"Going alone really isn't a good idea."
"I'm not alone!"
Kerem had come up beside me without me noticing, staring straight at Murat. And he wasn't looking friendly at all.
Without even glancing at me, he said, "Let's go, Duru."
I opened my mouth to object, but he grabbed my arm and started dragging me out. When we stepped outside, Murat grabbed his arm.
"Hold on, tough guy. Maybe she doesn't want to go with you."
Then he turned to me, as if waiting for confirmation.
Kerem shot him an even colder glare, yanked his arm free, and released mine before turning fully toward him.
"Who the hell are you?"
To stop a fight from breaking out, I grabbed Kerem's arm and gave Murat a polite smile.
"It's fine. Thank you for your help. Tell the old man I'm grateful too."
Then I pointed at Kerem with irritation. "We need to talk anyway."
Murat nodded without a word, though his suspicious eyes stayed on Kerem. Kerem shot him a hostile look, grabbed my wrist again, and I followed silently—aware Murat was still watching us.
When we got in the car, neither of us spoke for a while. He drove angrily, occasionally glaring at me from under his furrowed brows.
"Would you like to explain what you did in half an hour to get every man in that bar ready to claim you, Miss Duru?"
"Oh, please, Kerem. 'Every man in the bar' was one person. And he came because the bartender uncle asked him to."
"He looked a little too eager for someone doing a favor. And why does the bartender want to help you, Duru?"
"I talked to him a bit before coming to you. He probably saw me like a daughter and wanted to help. I don't know, Kerem!"
Remembering the story I'd told the old man, I had to press my lips together to stop myself from laughing. Now was definitely not the time to tell him he was apparently a father-to-be.
"Bet you liked that hulk protecting you."
"What does that even mean? And for the record, your 'hulk' simply shooed away some brats bothering me and politely offered to take me home."
His jaw clenched and his knuckles whitened on the wheel before he finally turned from the road to glare at me.
"So more people came up to you! You had ONE job—wait in the car. Have you ever followed instructions in your life?"
"Eyes on the road, hotshot! You're going to crash! And why am I even explaining myself to YOU?"
"You dragged me out in the middle of the night to some awful place, with no explanation, then disappeared into rooms with women old enough to be your mother. I should be the one angry!"
He sighed and spoke more calmly.
"I wasn't there for what you're thinking. We just talked."
I muttered toward the window.
"Sure, sure. People totally sit half-dressed in bedroom-like places just to 'talk.'"
"You and I both know you don't actually believe I went there for that, sunshine."
"Maybe that wasn't your plan at first, but what says you didn't change your mind later?"
"How many times do I have to say it? I didn't sleep with her, Duru."
Then he paused and stared at me.
"Wait a second. Are you jealous?"
The crooked grin that followed left me speecheless.
"Oh, please. I'm not even dignifying that with a response."
He laughed and looked at me.
"Maybe that means I'm right."
"Or maybe you should stop thinking every girl who looks at you instantly falls in love."
When he parked the car, I looked outside. This definitely wasn't my house.
"Where did you bring me, hotshot? Warning you now—my forced-trip quota is already full for the night."
He didn't answer and simply got out.
When he walked into the garden of the house in front of the car, I followed.
In the middle of a garden full of dried, neglected plants stood a two-story house—not luxurious, but undeniably cute. Kerem opened the door and stepped inside while I still stood at the entrance.
"If I were you, I'd come in before you freeze. This is our last stop for the night."
"What do you mean we're staying here? You're dropping me off at home, Kerem. Now!"
He turned away and kept walking.
"Sorry, sunshine, but I'm too tired to drive anymore. If you can drive, the keys are right there."