Same, same but different!

Part 12

Ömer said is if he's connecting dots.

Alev: The one and only.

Kıvılcım turned to Ömer.

Kıvılcım: You're late.

Ömer’s eyes warmed at the sight of her up close, the faintest glimmer of amusement playing there.

Ömer: Fashionably, I hope?

Her jaw tightened a fraction.

Kıvılcım: This isn’t a runway, Ömer. People are working.

Ömer: I noticed. You run a tight ship. (voice lower, just for her) Though you seem… distracted.

She narrowed her eyes at him, refusing to rise to it in front of the others.

Kıvılcım: If you’re here to cause trouble, don’t.

Alev, Can and Fatma was looking at the two bickering. Can whispers to the girls.

Can: I think we should run before these two start fighting.

Fatma laughing under her breath.

Alev: You were right Fatma.

Fatma: Like Cat and Dog or Tom and Jerry, I haven't really decided. Let's disappear before we get pulled into it.

Fatma, Can and Alev starts leaving but Ömer notices.

Ömer: Where are you guys going?

Can: Far away from whatever you guys are doing.

They laugh and walk away.

Ömer looks back at Kıvılcım, studying her. A smirk appearing on his face.

Kıvılcım (annoyed): What?

Ömer: Are you annoyed because you wanted me next to you?

Kıvılcım: I didn’t want it. You were supposed too. Most of these people are your guest.

Ömer: I know but you seem to be doing well on your own.

Kıvılcım: Of course I am.

Just then Alas bey appears.

Alas bey: Ömer, Kıvılcım... I have to say you both did a magnificent job. The way you incorporated the gallery's pieces with mine Kıvılcım, it seems like it belongs.

Kıvılcım: Thank you Alas bey.

Ömer: Thank you again for trusting us with this.

Alas bey: I couldn't have made a better choice.

Esma comes over leans towards Kıvılcım's ear and whispers something. Kıvılcım excuses herself and leaves. Ömer continues to talk with Alas bey.

A while later, Kıvılcım had slipped away to the far edge of the room, finding a quiet spot near one of the tall windows. She could still see the swirl of guests, the glint of champagne glasses, the laughter and low hum of conversation but here, the air felt a little clearer. She needed a moment from the crowd.

She didn’t need to turn around to know he had spotted her. She felt it... the shift in the air, the slow, purposeful steps drawing closer.

Ömer stopped just inches behind her, close enough for the heat of him to brush her back. For a moment, he didn’t speak. Then she felt him lean in, the faintest stir of his breath against the nape of her neck before he inhaled, slow and deliberate, as if committing her scent to memory.

His hand came to rest on her waist, fingers light but firm, like he already owned the moment.

Her voice was calm, even playful, though her pulse had spiked.