Hayat's POV
After the meet with Murat, Hayat was having second thoughts about everything. She knew something was amiss. She needed to do something really quick as the engagement ceremony was in the evening (it was just a formality for the elders). Just before Laila fetching her to go to Sarte the day before, she actually received the offer to start work for the designing company with a good salary package and based on her dictated terms. ' What if I accept the job and silently leave here with Iso?' Hayat ponders. " But will they hound my family if I do that?, I doubt I can take everyone with me and disappear, I just brought this on me by going to find answers in Sarte, oh God! I am such an idiot!,' Hayat mutters to herself. Hayat then calls Laila and tells her she needs to meet with her and Azime privately as soon as possible. Laila initially says they can speak in the evening but Hayat insists to meet before it Laila reluctantly agrees and tells Hayat to come to the Starbucks near their place.
At the Starbucks
Hayat embraces both Azime and Laila and asks them if she can get them something to drink. Laila says not to trouble herself as they just had tea. Without delaying Hayat straight speaks up " I am so sorry, but I don't think I can go through with this,' Both Azime and Laila expected this and came prepared to do everything possible to brainwash her. They knew the meet with Murat would have upset her. Azime looks at Hayat and says ' My dear, I know marrying a stranger is never easy and in this case my grandson's temper and attitude has preceded him. Please don't take to heart what has happened. Right now everyone is still finger pointing at each other as we don't know what really happened to Ibrahim and Didem. All that is in the past now. What matters most is the 6 month old baby that needs a proper set of parents and a stable home." Hayat than quickly says ' Actually I can bring him up on my own, I've even got a job that allows me to work from home and care for him.' Azime than asks her "So when Iso starts asking about his dad, what are you going to tell him? or when he goes to school and he gets picked on for being fatherless or even worse illegitimate", Azime knew she was upsetting and angering Hayat but she continued on " You could have allowed us to take him, in fact if left to my son or grandson they would have just snatched him away after getting the best lawyers to handle this situation, but knowing your love for him me and Laila did not want to separate you from him. We can see you are nothing like Didem and Iso also needs you, so please my child let me and Laila assure you, we will support you in everyway. Please don't fear this alliance.' Hayat finally gave in but she stipulated only one thing " I would like to work, since the offer I got was to work from home I hope it's not going to be a problem' , Laila than asks her why does she need to work as Murat was a multi-millionaire and would provide for her and Iso. Hayat sternly replies " For Iso he can do whatever he wants but I do not want anything from him. I don't want his money.' Both Azime and Laila agree. During the car ride back, Azime tells Laila " I think Murat is finally going to meet his match in every way,especially in the stubbornness department.'
The Engagement
As everything was hushed the engagement was taking place in one of Sarsilmaz's 5 star hotels in central London. Murat and Kerem did diversify the family business that they also own 3 five star hotels across London. Both the engagement and marriage is scheduled to take place in the banquet hall there with no admission to anyone other than the immediate family.
Doruk comes to check on an agitated Murat who was pacing up and down the penthouse suite with a file in hand. "Abi (brother), is something wrong?" Doruk inquires. Murat stops pacing and shows him the file. He explains " I had a detective investigate the Uzun's as well as a complete investigation into Ibrahim and Didem, some of the findings don't add up' , Doruk than asks " Are the Uzun's out to cheat us or something Abi?', Murat than sarcastically says " that's just it, they seem to have no hidden skeletons and from what the private detective found, the family seems to have struggled all their lives and have had to work very hard. Other than Hayat's father who absconded with his fathers money a few years back, the rest of them seem to be normal working class people.' A confused Doruk than asks " so what's the problem than Abi, Isn't it good news that you are not marrying a family of gold diggers,' Murat than says " the findings also confirm our belief that Didem lured Ibrahim as there was a big sum transferred to Didem just before she got close to Ibrahim. Something does not add up, who would transfer so much money to her and why did she continue working for us even after that for 8 months - the 8 months where she lured and caught Ibrahim." Murat than continues " what if Hayat is like her sister? Is she planning something as well without her family's knowledge as her seeking us out by herself that first time seems fishy especially if she claims to want to adopt the child. She did not need to tell us about him", a very confused Doruk than says " Abi, let's not think the worst, definitely something seems amiss with Ibrahim Abi's story so let's wait for further findings from the detective, you don't let that ruin your thoughts. Also, what can Hayat do when there are so many of us and seriously Abi she must be a fool to think she can get away with anything especially with you as her husband.' Murat than arrogantly says ' That I must agree, there is no way in hell she can ever try anything funny with me or our family - that will be the end for her.'
Murat, Kerem and Doruk are discussing their after dinner plans as Murat says he will need some "stress relief", when Doruk interrupts saying " yes Abi, we need some good drinks and sexy chicks, after all you are not going to be single anymore tomorrow night onwards" Murat just rolls his eyes and say " Doruk, whatever happens tomorrow will not have any impact in my life, it's all just an agreement' as he is about to elaborate further he just stops and stares ahead. Doruk and Kerem turn to see what caught Murat's eye, they both smile as Murat is transfixed with Hayat who is walking down the spiral stairway into the banquet hall. Kerem than nudges Murat, who becomes slightly embarrassed " So brother, you really need sexy chicks tonight or perhaps you need to save all your stamina for tomorrow night?' Both Doruk and Kerem start laughing while Murat storms off saying " stop talking rubbish."
The ceremony takes place very quickly with both Murat and Hayat exchanging rings and the womenfolk happily congratulating each other. The menfolk were less enthusiastic. As dinner was about to be served only after 30 minutes, Azime asked the youngsters to dance as per their customary rituals. She forces Murat to start the dance with Hayat. Throughout the time she was there, Hayat did not look directly at Murat - even during the ring exchange, so she was feeling uncomfortable when Murat held out his hand to her to accompany him to dance. Reluctantly she took his hand and went forward.
Hayat's POV
Initially he only held my hand loosely but as he pulled me closer his grip seemed to tighten. He pulled me really close to him and Hayat was feeling hot and bothered in someways. She has never been held the way he was holding her. One of his hands was on her waist and he kept squeezing her waist and pulling her closer. She dared not look into his face as she was feeling really weird, her body seems to of their own accord fit into his arms. Being so close to him she realized he had a good physique and he must work out often, somehow that excited her. Hayat warned herself not to get any ideas as this man is just an expert with women so he knows how to touch a women, it was not as if she was anything special more a means to an end for his problems. Hayat just allowed him to lead until it was time to eat.
Murat's POV
Murat was supposed to just have a short customary dance but as soon as she got closer something seemed to have snapped inside him. As he stares down as at her, he realizes that she is bewitching. He kept pulling her closer as he couldn't get enough of her scent. She really had a very intoxicating and alluring scent which was a complete turn on for him. He kept imagining himself tasting every inch of her body. Murat than snaps out of his fantasy and thinks ' Why am I feeling like this? Why do I want to lose myself in her?' Murat can't help the lust and desire he had to possess her body. He wanted her but he knows it will only complicate things and she might use this against him. He than thinks to himself, perhaps not getting laid in awhile is causing him to fantasize like this. He tells himself that tonight he definitely needs to take Doruk's suggestion "good drinks and sexy chicks".
Much Later that Night
Uzun Residence
Hayat is packing her luggage when Emine walks in her room. A sad Emine walks up to Hayat and hugs her, "Annem, what's wrong?' Hayat asks, Emine with tears in her eyes says " I never thought I had to send you away so soon my precious child', seeing her sad mom Hayat sits her down and says " Annem, I know I won't be staying here but that does not mean I will never come here, you all are my life and I love all of you to bits, nothing can ever keep me away from my family. Don't worry Annem, everything will be fine.' Emine than says " Look Hayat, as your mother I know you will fulfill your responsibilities as a wife and mother with no fault but I want you to remember under no circumstances must you allow that family to force you into anything you are not comfortable with. I want you to be happy and have a bright future Hayat, that's why I agreed for this alliance. I know Murat is not an easy man, but to what your grandfather inquired Murat is a very respected and a principled man so I am hoping after getting to know each other better he will fully accept you as his wife and not merely a duty.' Emine than continues ' Hayat the most important thing for me is both yours and Iso's well being. So please my darling daughter if something goes wrong, remember you always come back to us - I am not the kind of mother who will watch her daughter suffer just to shut the rumor mongers.' Hayat hugs her mother tightly and says "Don't worry mom, everything will be fine, you brought up a strong and independent daughter who knows how to handle any situation.'
At one of the high end celebrity clubs in London
Doruk is busily chatting up girls while Kerem is as usual downing his beer. Kerem is always shy around girls and needs dutch courage to begin talking to them. Kerem asks Murat "So, find anything you like yet?' Murat looks at Kerem and asks sarcastically " so you planning in pimping for me now is it?' Kerem than teases him, " Maybe Mr Murat needs a certain brunette in green' (Hayat's engagement dress) Murat just answers ' Blondes are any day his 1st choice. Kerem amusingly says to himself "we'll see for how long you're going to deny facts brother Murat."
Murat than starts scanning the room but none of the models seem to catch his eye. Somehow Kerem was right he thinks to himself, Murat kept picturing a brunette with soft silky skin. He then decides to just double the shots he has been drinking. Both Kerem and Murat get very drunk that Doruk has to leave the girls he was chatting up and bundle both his brothers and take them home.
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