We are in the hotel restaurant. A man in his thirties waves to Serkan; Serkan waves back with the hand that isn't handcuffed to me, looking at me with pure fury.
"What are we going to tell him? Why are you even here?"
I look at Serkan and pull him close to me. "Girlfriend."
"Girlfriend? Seriously?"
"Don't get your hopes up. You're not my type. I can't wait for the moment I never have to see you again."
"Nor are you mine. Strange, considering you're the one who caused this. Maybe you don't hate me as much as you claim."
Serkan has short, honey-blonde hair, green eyes, and is clearly muscular—even if the suit makes it hard to see the details—but I would definitely never fall for someone like him.
"Merhaba, Serkan! And who is this?" Ferit Hayat looks at me, and Serkan waits for me to introduce myself. It's a fresh opportunity to humiliate him.
"Aren't you going to introduce me, Aşkım?" I smile at him.
"Aşkım, this is Ferit Hayat. Ferit, this is my girlfriend..." Serkan pauses, looking at me with murderous intent. I beam at him, waiting for his embarrassment.
"And her name?" Ferit asks, curious. Serkan looks desperate.
"Hande," I smile back at Ferit.
"Shall we eat something?" Ferit gestures for us to sit.
"Please, I'm starving." Serkan gives me a look of reprimand. "What, Aşkım? You didn't let me eat. He was so anxious for this meeting that he practically handcuffed me so we'd arrive on time."
Serkan flashes a smile that is half-fake, half-sincere. "It's just that life without you by my side loses all meaning," he tells Ferit. "It's madness not to have her present." He glares at me with fire in his eyes.
"Oh, stop it, Aşkım."
"How cute! And how long have you known each other?"
I say "One year" at the exact same time Serkan says "Since today." I smile at him, and he pulls me into a firm embrace, his hand on my waist. I feel a shiver run down my spine at his touch.
"I mean," Serkan corrects himself, "it always feels like 'today' because she's a constant box of surprises. So, Ferit, let's get straight to business, because I could talk all day about how 'attached' I feel to her in my life—in a good way."
"And I'm just as attached to you, Aşkım," I smile.
"Well, Serkan, I wasn't inclined to accept the offer for the land. I feel like it lacks a personal touch." Ferit shakes his head, and I nod in agreement, which pleases him.
Serkan looks at me, so I decide to help with the sale. "You don't need to worry, Ferit," I say, as Serkan's expression shifts to relieved surprise. "Art Life won't be the only firm working on your harbor project."
Serkan looks at me, both shocked and angry. "No? Who else would be involved?"
"Sanat. As you know, it's a family business recognized for the unique way they treat every project. They handle public relations so that everyone is satisfied, and they design architectural projects specifically to attract the people who will actually use the space. Would that make it less impersonal and more familiar to you?"
Serkan is fuming, but I just smile. Checkmate. Ferit thinks for a moment and then grins.
"In that case, I accept. Yes, I've heard of the company. Serkan, if you make this partnership happen, I'd love it."
"Well... we have to define the details of their terms before they'll accept."
"They are very open to negotiations, as long as it's a win-win for everyone," I chime in.
Serkan remains furious; I can tell by the way he's squeezing my waist to try and shut me up.
"Wow, Hande, how do you know all this?"
"Because I'm the owner's daughter," I smile at Serkan, who is now utterly incredulous.
"I didn't know Kaan had a daughter," Ferit says, trying to place me. I take a deep breath; I hadn't wanted to expose myself like this.
"We're discreet. So, do we have a deal?" Ferit shakes Serkan's hand, and the deal is closed. After several checkmates, I got the partnership my father wanted. Ferit leaves, leaving just the two of us.
"Why didn't you tell me who you were?"
"You didn't give me the chance. You judged me the moment I walked in. I'm nearly finished with my degree in Landscape Architecture."
Serkan stays quiet. He doesn't look like the type of person who ever apologizes. "I didn't know he had a daughter."
I rest my elbows on my chin and stare deep into Serkan's eyes. "It's complicated."
"Why?" I hadn't noticed, but Serkan was still holding my waist. He's way too close. I swallow hard. "I mean, we aren't even that different. You work with your father; you haven't 'earned' anything either."
"You're ridiculous, you know that? I have the competence and the tact to talk to people. I closed this deal just now, not you. If you weren't so presumptuous, you'd know the difference. Shall we go?"
Serkan shuts down again, and so do I. I had called Defne to meet me at the park, trying to be brief about the whole handcuff situation.
"I can't wait to be away from you," I tell Serkan.
"And I from you. Even though we'll be working on the same project, tell your father to send someone else."
"With pleasure," I smile.
Both our phones ring at the same time. It's Defne. We try to step apart, forgetting we're still cuffed together.
"Hello, Defne?" "Hello, Selim?" (Who on earth is Selim?)
"Hande, I can't make it to the park now. I'm stuck at work. I can meet you tonight." "But Defne—" She hung up.
"What? No, Selim, impossible. No. I know, fine, fine. I'll see what I can do." Serkan looks at me, furious and frustrated. "Selim, can you find a dress for me? Any size—I think your size will work. Color? I don't know, whatever. Pick the first one you find. I'll explain later. Meet me at the party."
"Why did you ask for a dress?"
"For you."
"What? Are you insane?"
"I think we both know who the insane one is," he points to the handcuffs.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Yes, you are. There's a book launch for the wife of the photographer who partners with my firm. It's crucial that I go."
"I don't care. I'm not going."
Serkan twists the handcuffs so we're face-to-face, staring each other down. He then scoops me up in his arms and heads for the parking lot.
"Put me down!" I scream.
"If you keep moving, you'll hurt your wrist and mine," he says sternly. I go quiet. Serkan manages to project a robotic calm and planned movements, but at the same time, I definitely hate him.
"And how am I supposed to change while handcuffed? Defne won't be here until tonight."
"I figured as much from your phone call."
"You didn't answer my question."
"You ask too many questions. I won't look."
"I don't want to be stuck to you. I won't go, I don't want to. And I would never change in front of you."
Serkan looks me up and down, evaluating. "You're not even my type," he states, driving the car.
"And you're certainly not mine. Besides, I'm committed."
"Oh, now you remember you have a boyfriend. You didn't seem that interested in him when you handcuffed yourself to me."
"Fiancé. And honestly, it was a pure lapse in judgment. I would never, ever, ever be attracted to you."
"Are you sure?" He flashes a flirtatious smile. I take a deep breath to keep from hitting him. He manages to bring out the worst in me in record time.
"It's more likely that you'll fall in love with me than the other way around."
Serkan gives a cocky laugh. "Want to bet?"
"It would certainly be an attractive bet, but Inshallah, I'll never see you again after tonight."
"You caused this with your 'bomb-like' impulsiveness, so you'll have to deal with my schedule like a normal person."
"Who is Selim?"
"Too many questions. Can't you stay quiet for one minute? Let me think."
"I'm staying quiet because I don't want to talk to you, not because I'm obeying you."
I shut up—not to obey him, but because arguing with him has exhausted my energy. He sighs wearily.
"Whatever."