Stay with me

Chapter 77 - Playing without rules

When everyone left and the husband and wife were left alone, Defne stepped to Omer and, clasping her slender arms tenaciously around his waist, pressed firmly against his chest.

- After all, everything will be fine, right? - asked trustingly, like a child.

- Everything will be fine! - He promised and covered her head with his hand. - Do not worry.

- I'm not worried ... - Defne sighed. - More precisely, I am worried, but there is no despair and hopelessness. The feeling when you understand that there is no help and will not be. You are alone, and you must solve all the problems, - she threw back her head and looked into the beautiful, serious face of her husband. "I'm not alone anymore, do you understand? There are so many wonderful people around me and they offer their hands to help.

"You gathered them around you," Omer replied. - Like a magnet, you pull us. Me ... and the rest. Every time you rushed to help when friends and relatives were in need. You supported, consoled, reconciled. You substituted your fragile shoulder and did not complain that it was hard for you. You are incredible, Defne. I realize this, again and again, every day. I realize and understand how lucky I am.

"I'm the lucky one," Defne smiled at him through her tears. – Allah gave me heartless, bad parents, but only so that I could appreciate my grandmother, Serdar with Esra and ... you.

Omer swallowed a lump in his throat and returned his wife's head to his chest.

"Come to me," he gently stroked her red hair. - My golden girl. Forget all your worries.

- I will forget, - deeply inhaling his bitter, dear scent, promised Defne with an oath and added: - The day after tomorrow.

***

As usual, after work, Kartal drove Mirai and Mert home in his car. Every evening he stopped at the apartment building in Etiler and promised that in an hour he would come with Kumru to drink tea. He asked what sweets to buy. And Mirai flashed a blush every time and smiled at him with a warm smile.

But today it was different. Two massive SUVs occupied the wide driveway near the building. Three men were smoking near them. Kartal recognized them. Engin and Mehmet Astarkhan, and with them Onder Gumuskaya. Mert frowned at the sight of them. Mirai looked at him in the rearview mirror and recalled:

- You gave your word.

"I know," the boy said through clenched teeth. - I'll go get the girls.

He got out of the car and walked past the men.

- Mert! - called his grandfather Engin. - We were going to the horse farm today.

"I remember," the boy said abruptly. - We'll be out in five minutes.

He left. Mirai turned to Kartal. He nodded to the three and asked:

- Why are they here?

- I told you. Engin Astarkhan demanded meetings with his grandchildren for his help. Today is the first.

- Is that hurting you? Kartal asked shrewdly.

"No," Mirai shook her head. - Just sad. I was never alone in the evenings. And you won't be able to come today. Dinner with parents is important.

Once a month, Kartal and Kumru had dinner with Kartal's parents. Today was such a day.

- In my thoughts I will be with you, - the man promised.

Mirai gently touched his cheek and said:

- I know.

She smiled at him and got out of the car. She was now to meet face to face with three men who claimed to be able to interfere in her life. Another emotional and psychological confrontation was coming, and this circumstance did not add optimism at all. Mirai was tired and now wanted only one thing - to be at home with the children. But there was no choice. She went up to the three and greeted: