Chapter 9

Sunday, November 11th, 2018.

1:04 p.m.

-And that was it, Hande. - Hayat said, after finishing telling the events from last night and this morning.

-How strange! He admits how into you he is, and then agreed to a date with another woman? Knowing you were sleeping right there, in his bedroom? Wow!! There's no way!

-Yes, I heard it with my own ears.

- Hayat ... If that's the case, but it can't be ... Is it possible that he has deceived us this much? But Aslan had already proved that he loved you so many times before the fight, and then, even claiming only friendship, he acted like a boyfriend to you all night long! This is beyond anything I’ve seen or heard... Sorry. - Hande smiled, uncomfortably.

Hayat, also smiling, said:

-I don't understand and I never will. I just don't know what to do with this whirlwind of feelings I have inside of me. - Hayat said in frustration.

- Well, anyway ... You won't go this evening, then?

- This evening? Where?

- Hmmm... My brother was invited, after all, he was part of the campaign. Don't you know?

-Know what?

-There will be a party tonight... I don't know the details, I just know he went out to buy a new shirt.

- Party?

- Yes, he's received the invitation via message, haven't you?

-I haven't checked my phone since I arrived. It's charging.

Confused and at the same time curious, Hayat got up from the bed and walked to her dresser to pick up the phone. She turned it on and waited. She truly had dozens of unread messages. She opened the app and first read Defne's:

Why did you leave the party?

Are you sleeping at Hande's?

Answer me!

"Defne being Defne" - Hayat shook her head and read Umut's:

Hayat, Hayat ... we'll sing Happy Birthday, where are you?

Hayat ... How do you have the guts to leave an employee’s party who has been in the company longer than you? =T

Hayat ... All you have to do is confirm ... Will you go to the cocktail party? Hurry up!

- Humm ... Did you also text me, Hande? – Hayat asked.

-Well, actually Aslan texted me, I just answered. - Hande said, blushing. Hayat frowned and clicked on her friend's name:

Hi Hande, it's Aslan. Hayat is with me. Can you cover for her? I'd appreciate it. See ya.

Hayat closed her eyes, and thought, "How can I forget this man? Look at how attentive he is... ", before the sadness could bite her in the ass again, Hayat continued:

Of course, leave it to me. Take care of her. See ya!

Hayat, what time are you coming back?

Hayat! Answer me! It's already 9:30!

Your mother came by and wanted to see you, I said that you were very sleepy because you came home late, she got a little annoyed, but went to the residents' meeting anyway. Phew!

Come back ASAP!

Hayat lifted her eyes from her cell phone to her friend and smiled caressing her arm:

-What would've been of me and my escapades if it weren't for you, huh, my friend?

Hande smiled with satisfaction.

There was only the company’s group left to check. Hayat let out a tired sigh before clicking on it, because there were more than 67 messages. Hayat scrolled down and read only the ones that she was tagged.

Hayat, you didn't even say goodbye to us ...

Hayat, where are you?

Hayat, you must RSVP!

Hayat, are you going to the party?

Where's Hayat?

"I must confirm my presence? For what? "- Hayat read older messages and finally found out: the Performance company would hold a cocktail party tonight to celebrate the success of the campaign teaser.

"But the campaign isn’t finished yet" - Hayat thought. Still reading, she understood that the reason for this was that the owner of the company - Ceylan's father - would travel abroad and made a point of offering drinks before his departure to please the employees who had devoted so much time and effort to that campaign that was already successful, despite not being completely launched. Hayat realized that the place of choice was one of the most exquisite hotels in Istanbul and the presence needed to be confirmed until 2 p.m.

- A party to celebrate the teaser? From Ceylan's father? - Hayat looked disgusted - Over my dead body!

- That's it! This is where Haluk will go! – Hande said.

-Wow ... I can't stand to look her in the face ...- it was then that Hayat got up from the bed and shouted. -Hande!

- What's wrong!?!? - Hande shouted back, frightened and pushing her teeth up with her thumb as they do in Turkey.

- That's it! This is where she invited Aslan to go! It can only be it! - Hayat shouted through the tiny room.

- Ahhhhh ... if it's a party for the campaign, it's not a date, Hayat. You got it all wrong!!!

- I got it wrong... That doesn't change anything, though! I bet she invited him to be her date for the night, and he accepted! She had no business going to his house! Arghhhh! - Hayat said, punching a poor teddy bear.

-Calm down, Hayat! You, yourself said that Aslan tried to explain everything to you and he even said there was a misunderstanding. I think that once again you were very impulsive.

The anvil in Hayat's heart seemed to have become lighter:

"It's really not a date then? Was it just a general invitation for the party?" - Hayat wondered. She sat on the bed. Now, the anvil seemed to weigh almost as a feather and a spark of hope shone in her eyes.

- He said yes to a party... To the cocktail party! - Hayat said, as if she was already plotting something – Then, I'll go too. I'll give them what for! That curly red head!!! Argh!! And Aslan, if he goes as her date, argh... - Hayat finished gritting her teeth.

After a quickly glance at the clock, she could see it was still 1:26 p.m.

"There's still time!" - Hayat thought, letting a smile illuminate her dejected face.

Count me in! =D

Hayat seemed to have received an injection of energy and as she was going through her outfits in her wardrobe; she heard a beep from her cell phone. It was Aslan.

You're not going to run away from me at the party. We need to talk.

After reading that message, Hayat felt a flood of sensations beginning to tingle her body. "Did he still want her? Would he forgive her? And did he deserve her forgiveness? Why did he take the invitation from that woman? Would they be alone? What clothes will he wear?" -Hayat looked impatient, eager for the night that seemed to unite her to Aslan, while the daylight turned all her dreams into ashes. Leaning on the bedroom window, Hayat stared at the sky, sighing:

- Come on moon, hurry up ...