Stay with me

Chapter 21 - Healing

Omer waited patiently for an answer. The woman hesitated as if she could not decide whether to let him in or not. But, looking sideways at curious neighbors, she nevertheless stepped aside and invited the guest to the house. The dwelling was like Defne's former, temporary apartment. The same small, modest and spotlessly clean. The only difference was the bright, artless, hanging on the walls drawings that no doubt indicated that children live here. They were not slow to show their presence. Two cute, curious faces peered out from the door of the living room. The girls were eight to nine years old. Pretty, with curly hair twins with eyes as blue as those of mom and their brother looked at the guest with interest.

"Run to your room, sparrows," their mother told them softly smiling, and closing the door tightly behind them, invited Omer to go into the living room.

Omer stopped in the middle of the room. At the hostess's offer to sit down, he shook his head and remained standing.

"I'm not for long," he explained. "Sorry, this is impolite ... you are such an important person in our life with Defne, and I don't even know what your name is."

- Mirai. My name is Mirai," the woman replied. "Glad to meet you, Madame Mirai." And I am Omer Iplikci.

"I know who you are," she said softly.

"It is logical," Omer agreed and, with a nervous movement ruffling the hair on his nape, he spoke of what had brought him here. "Madam Mirai, you have raised a wonderful son, to whom I am in unpaid debt." And I ... more precisely, Defne and I would like to take part in his fate. Firstly, in Passionis there is work for him. We need a courier. 2-3 hours after classes will not become overstrain for him, and the salary will be quite decent. Secondly - if I understand correctly, Mert is seventeen and he graduates from school in the spring? - Mirai nodded warily. - Passionis will pay him tuition at any university in Istanbul with the condition that after graduation he will come to work with us.

A timid, incredulous smile appeared on the woman's tired face.

"Are you going to do what you say?"

- Yes! - Without a shadow of a doubt, Omer answered. - Such guys as Mert are one in a million and he must have a decent, happy life. Like you, Madame Mirai. And the girls. Tell me, have you always worked as a waitress?

She closed her eyes and shook her head. She was scared, very scared to answer honestly. But this person is special. Not like everyone else. She saw it then, on the roof. He did not care about male pride and possible shame. He defended his woman. Her feelings, her life was most important to him. Perhaps he will understand her, Mirai, and not condemn her.

"Come on, you still have a seat," she nodded at the old corner sofa. And when Omer sat down, went to the window and, looking at the street, began the story: - I grew up in a wealthy family. And I was able to get an education. I studied in university, management. But I did not have to work. Immediately after graduation, I got married. Then Mert was born, and after eight years, girls. My husband had his own company and we did not need money. And then a terrible thing happened - Mirai slouched and covered her face with her hands.

"You were raped," Omer did not ask, but stated a fact. - I understood this from your words and behavior there, on the roof.

She sighed frantically and nodded her head. Slowly she removed her hands from her face and confirmed his words:

"Yes ... My husband's partner ... on vacation in Bodrum." And then he accused me of what happened ... blaming me for seducing him.

The shocked Omer looked at her and did not believe his ears.

- And your husband? - He asked when the pause dragged on.

Mirai grinned bitterly.

- My husband believed his partner. He called me a libertine ... doubted his paternity and drove us out with the children into the street. My father supported him. I was not allowed on the threshold. He said that I disgraced the family and he no longer has a daughter. I tried to fight, to prove my innocence, but only made it worse. The paparazzi press аttacked me like vultures. People on the street poked their fingers at me and called, - she fell silent and only sighed frantically.