Stay with me

Chapter 24 - A roller coaster

Defne's soul fell in her heels from a familiar voice, but she gave no sign. And did not let go of Omer's hand. Slowly she turned around and looked at the woman, who was her friend, an enemy, and a pain in her heart. She has changed. She has cut her hair and cynical shine appeared in her eyes. Or maybe it was always there, only skillfully hiding under a meek look?

Omer let go of her hand and Defne got colder, but the next moment, a hot joy struck like a fountain - he hugged her waist and pulled her closer.

- Fikret? His voice sounded cold. "I did not expect to see you here." As I recall, Italy was a taboo for you.

- It was. But I decided that it was enough to be afraid and hide in the corners, "she answered defiantly and looked at his red-haired companion. Her cheek twitched involuntarily, but she immediately disguised her dislike with a smile.

- Defne! Are you here too?

Defne smiled boldly in response.

- Well, since Tranba and Passionis represent Turkey here, and I am the chief designer of Tranba ...

"And my wife," Omer reminded her.

He caressed her with a glance, and Defne's smile, when she looked at her husband, from a formal turned into warm, like sunlight.

"And your wife," she confirmed.

- The chief designer of Trаnba? - Fikret was unpleasantly surprised but tried to hide her emotions behind a smile too wide. "Besides, the wife of Omer Iplikci?" Bravo! You have stepped far forward. Do your relatives still live in the neighborhood?

It became funny for Defne. What a pathetic attempt to bite more painfully. Does Fikret really think that she, Defne, can be ashamed of her family and the fact that she herself grew up in a neighborhood?

- Yes. And grandmother is still cooking the best manti and beans in Istanbul," she replied proudly.

- I'm glad. Tell her hello from me, - nevertheless, irritation burst out on the last word.

"Sure," Defne's voice sounded ironic.

"Fikret," Omer intervened in their conversation, "we were glad to see you, but Defne and I wanted to dance."

"Wait," Fikret, grabbing the sleeve, stopped him. Omer looked at her fingers on his forearm, then at her and she hastily pulled her hand away. - I specially flew from New York to meet with you. I saw on the Internet that Passionis was going to organize a charity event in support of cancer patients. This topic is close to me ..." she shrugged up and firmly declared: "I want to take part. "

Defne softened and felt guilty. A person flew in to support a good deed, and she went in old insults. Shameful.

Omer was also surprised and asked again:

- Participate? Although, you always did charity work. But I do not make such decisions alone. I have to consult with partners. "He looked at the lively conversations of Sinan and Deniz with Ardini: - Tomorrow.

"Good," Fikret agreed instantly. "I'll be here until Monday." If you agree, I will immediately fly to Istanbul. I saw your latest collection. If you are going to engage it in the show, then I already have ready-made sketches of outfits for it.

- Fikret, wait! Let me talk to partners first," he besieged her enthusiasm. - And now - all the best. Defne and I want to dance. Have a nice evening. See you.

He nodded and led Defne to a table-free semicircle near a small stage where a saxophonist performed a slow composition. A young, fair-haired girl accompanied him on the piano. It seemed that the guy playing the saxophone and her, a single whole. They did not look at each other but felt with their skin, and the melody sounded sensual and penetrating.