Stay with me

Chapter 30 - Think About Me

Laura looked around. She came so close to him that she saw golden dots in his black eyes like night. She felt his scent. She heard him breathing. Looking into his eyes, she asked:

"What do you think, why?"

He twisted his lips in a perplexed grimace.

- I can't even imagine.

"And imagine," she advised. - Imagine. Maybe then you will find the answer to your question.

Laura, like a true countess, went out the door with calm dignity and gently closed it behind herself. Left alone, Ahtem gritted his teeth to the aches and clasped his head in his hands. The mental equilibrium that he had built so hard over the past years collapsed like a house of cards, and he could not do anything about it. The flame broke out with renewed vigor and every second turned into an uncontrolled avalanche of fire, which threatened to burn the hell out of his reason. Ahtem groaned and whispered hoarsely:

- What should I do?

He returned to the room a few minutes later. The dancing ended, the music was barely audible, and the guests were going home.

"Ahtem," Defne turned to him, "will you give Laura a ride to her home?" I would not want her to take a taxi so late alone. I will worry.

The heart in the chest made a somersault and crashed into the heels. But not a single muscle flinched on his cool face. He nodded and addressed the girl:

- Countess Cesare, in which area of Istanbul is the hotel located?

Laura smiled at the corner of her mouth and answered:

- Not a hotel.A house. I rent it today and moved. In Bakirkoy.

His heart jumped to his throat and blocked breath. Did these women decide to bring him to a heart attack today?

- Well. Then we are on the road, - he answered with a voice without emotion.

"Just please call me as before, Laura."

"You don't like your title anymore?" - giving her coat mockingly asked Ahtem.

Laura gracefully put her hands into the sleeves and turned to face him. She looked into the eyes, and it seemed to him in the soul. And she answered:

"Whatever you think, but it never mattered to me." Never.

She went to Defne, kissed her on the cheek, and whispered:

- Thanks.

Defne squeezed her hand encouragingly and answered with her eyes: "Good luck!"

Omer escorted guests to the street. Saying goodbye and closing the old, massive gates behind the departed cars, he returned to the house. Defne swayed slowly in her rocking chair and pondered something intently. Omer rested his hands on the armrests and leaned toward his wife's face. He kissed the lips smelling of grapes and asked:

- Tired?

She smiled and shook her head.

- Not at all! Today was such a wonderful evening.

- Why was it? - Omer raised an eyebrow slyly and smiled at the corner of his mouth. - It continues. Today we haven't eaten ice cream yet. What kind do you want pistachio or raspberry?

"Pistachio ... and raspberry," Defne funny wrinkled her nose. - I cannot decide.

Omer gently snapped his finger on this very nose and promised:

- Then I bring both.

They sat side by side on the sofa and ate ice cream from one bowl. Defne took turns either pale green or muted pink and enjoyed the nutty and berry taste. Omer was looking at her and savor. Who would have thought that watching the wife eat ice cream is a thrill?