(Listening : Jesse McCartney - Just So You Know)
Yes. This was a nightmare. I couldn't be reliving this. I couldn't. I couldn't lose someone else because of my own mistake.
A man approached, shoved a phone into my hand, and said with a laugh, "They're calling you. You might want to hear this."
Numb, I raised the phone to my ear.
"Did you miss me, little Kerem?"
The voice snapped me out of it instantly. The hatred burning inside me spilled straight into my words.
"You. You—"
"Yes, yes, I know. You'll find me and kill me, blah blah. But before you start with the empty threats, let me clarify something. Your girlfriend is fine. The drug I gave her will just keep her asleep for a long time—that's all."
"Consider tonight a preview of what will happen if you ignore my warning again. Think carefully before you try to anger me next time. Believe me, this wasn't even close to the worst I could do. I hope you've learned your lesson, little Kerem. Give my regards to your sexy girlfriend. Goodbye."
The phone slipped from my hand, hitting the floor, but I didn't care. I dropped to my knees beside Duru. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might tear out of my chest—and I was smiling. Smiling like a madman.
Ignoring Feyza's and Aylin's frantic questions, I carefully lifted her into my arms. For a few minutes, the world disappeared. All that mattered was that she was warm. That she was breathing.
That she was alive.
When I finally looked up, everyone around us had fallen silent, watching with a mix of shock and awe. My smile widened as I stood up without letting go of her.
"Don't be scared," I said to the girls. "She's just sleeping. Other than the visible cuts, she's fine. I'll take care of her."
"Kerem, I don't understand anything," Feyza said. "Who did this? How did you even know something happened to Duru?"
"I'll answer everything," I said calmly. "But not now. I'm taking Duru to my place. You're exhausted. Go home and rest. Come to Rüzgar's place tomorrow evening. I'll explain everything there."
Feyza was about to object, but Aylin grabbed her arm and shook her head. After a few seconds, Feyza sighed and nodded.
I headed for the exit. Even if they'd tried to stop me, it wouldn't have mattered. Nothing short of stepping over my dead body was going to take Duru away from me.
I opened the passenger door and gently settled her into the seat, fastening her seatbelt. Then I got in, started the engine, and drove.
I spent the entire drive glancing at her more than the road. After those five minutes where I thought I'd lost her, I needed to see her. Needed to know she was really there.
When we reached my place, I carried her inside and took her to my room. I laid her on the bed, brushed the hair from her face, and pulled the blanket up over her. Then I went downstairs.
I grabbed everything I might need from the medicine cabinet and returned. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rested her arm in my lap.
Even knowing she was unconscious and wouldn't feel it, I couldn't stop myself from blowing softly on each wound as I cleaned it. I didn't know whether to be angry at her or proud of her for the things she'd said to that bastard—but one thing was certain.
She really needed to stop saying whatever came to her mind when she was angry.
Every time I remembered that phone call—and her scream—I felt like I was going insane. She didn't deserve any of this. And if anyone deserved to suffer, it was me.
I would never forgive myself for leaving her this vulnerable.
If I hadn't underestimated them. If I hadn't been naïve enough to think that keeping my distance would be enough to keep her safe, this wouldn't have happened.
If I'd lost her too—
God.
Just the thought was unbearable.
After cleaning and bandaging her wounds, I put the supplies away, grabbed something comfortable to wear, and took a shower. When I came back and saw her still sleeping exactly where I'd left her, I hesitated.
The dress she was wearing looked as uncomfortable as it was beautiful. But if I tried to change her clothes, I had no doubt she'd want to kill me when she woke up.
Imagining the shocked, embarrassed, furious look on her face made me grin despite myself. I'd never enjoyed annoying someone this much before—but giving her another reason to hate me right now wouldn't help our already complicated situation.
I sighed and just took off her shoes. Then I pulled the blanket up properly and turned off the lights.
I switched on the bedside lamp and lay down next to her. Propping my elbow on the pillow and my cheek in my hand, I watched her sleep and made myself a promise.
No matter what happened, I wouldn't take my eyes off her. Not for a second.
Considering the things I'd said during our last meeting—and how stubborn she was—that promise sounded impossible. But somehow, I'd have to convince her that there was no other option.
Honestly, I didn't even care whether she agreed willingly.
If it came down to it, I wouldn't hesitate to lock her in this house.
I let out a tired breath. I definitely had my work cut out for me.
For a moment, I lost control and leaned down, whispering the same words I did when she slept unconsciously while sick.
"You're the most stubborn and troublesome woman I've ever met, Sunshine."
Pulling back and seeing the annoyed expression form on her face made all my tension melt away. Even in her sleep, she reacted to my words. It was strangely comforting.
Hard to believe, but it felt like there was some invisible bond between us.
As much as I liked that thought, I knew a relationship like this would do more harm than good—for both of us—especially with everything I was dealing with.
When she turned toward me and curled into the blanket, I smiled and gently tucked the hair falling over her face behind her ear. It reminded me of the day she'd fallen asleep in the library.
I'd covered her with my jacket back then, too. And she'd hugged it just like this, afraid of the cold.
I'd watched her for two full hours that day. Mostly thinking about what I should do with her—but also wondering how she'd managed to sleep that deeply in such an uncomfortable position.
Honestly, I suspected there was no surface or environment this girl couldn't fall asleep on.
I chuckled at my own thoughts and stroked her hair.
After being with more women than I could count, recognizing when someone fell in love with me wasn't difficult. I'd known for a long time that Duru was in love with me.
The problem was, the others only liked being seen with me because I was rich, popular, or handsome. When they looked at me, they saw nothing more than a man they were sexually attracted to.
The small, comfort-loving girl lying next to me was completely different.
She hated my popularity because of the attention it drew. She didn't care how many zeros were in my bank account—as long as I had enough money to buy Chinese food. And every time she looked at me, it was like she was seeing something precious. Something irreplaceable.
That terrified me the most.
In the short time I'd known Duru, I'd learned one thing clearly: she never hesitated to put herself in danger for someone she loved.
And that made her the perfect target for my enemies.
Worse, since tonight's meeting had fallen through, I still had no idea who was behind this. Who'd hurt her and threatened me.
Still, something told me this was the work of someone powerful. Someone who didn't want the truth to come out.
Which meant whatever I was digging toward would cost them dearly.
They'd made the first move tonight.
But the last move would be mine.
If they thought threatening me would make me back down, they were wrong. Once I committed, there was no turning back. Not until I got what I wanted.
And what I wanted?
Once they figured that out, the game would already be over.
Duru shifted closer, pressing her body against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her in until there was no space between us.
Under the dim light behind us, her sweet face framed by red hair that always reminded me of the evening sun filled me with an intense, overwhelming need to protect and claim.
And I was pretty sure there was only one meaning to that.
I, Kerem Dinçer, was hopelessly in love with the girl I couldn't imagine anywhere but in my arms—and couldn't tolerate sharing with anyone else.