I began my search for the Albatross at the office, discreetly observing every bearded man who passed through the hallways. "Aylla, I want to introduce you to Layla," Zeki says. "She knows everything that happens in the office and loves gossip."
"Layla, do you really know everyone?" I ask, curious.
"Basically, yes. What I don't know, Zeki does, although he keeps secrets locked away along with his existential crises."
"If I were looking for someone... would you be able to tell me who they are?" I ask, trying not to sound too obvious.
"What kind of person are you looking for?" Layla smiles at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I'm looking for a man." Layla practically jumps with the gossip. "He's taller than me and has a beard."
"Aylla, you basically described the entire office. Anyone here is taller than you!" Zeki jokes. I roll my eyes and give him a playful swat on the arm.
"Zeki, do you know who is taking over the company today?" Layla lowers her voice as if guarding the world's biggest secret. Zeki looks worried and leans toward me, seeking comfort. "The boss's son arrives today. He'll take control while the big boss travels," Layla finally tells us. "They say he's a traveler, a photographer... a model who looks like he just stepped off a magazine cover. He's totally committed to his photography and a long-term girlfriend he only sees five times a year."
"Honestly, in this company, it feels like we are all motorized machines working for them. Who is he? How do we know if he'll be competent and won't drive us even crazier? He'll surely come in giving nonsensical orders that only make sense in his own head," I vent, while Zeki and Layla suddenly go quiet, awkward smiles on their faces. "He's right behind me, isn't he?"
I turn slowly, and the man approaches. He has incredible style, definitely as Layla described, but with an even stronger presence. His dark brown hair, with some natural sun-kissed highlights, falls to his shoulders and is tied in a messy bun that makes him look effortlessly cool. His clothes are exactly what I consider comfortable: a white V-neck t-shirt that shows off a muscular, tanned chest, plenty of leather necklaces, and ethnic bracelets likely gathered from his travels. He wears distressed jeans, combat boots, and has an elegant beard, shaped like a sculpture. As he walks, he plays with two stones in his hands, staring at me with a serious, piercing gaze.
We stare at each other for what feels like an eternity. Finally, I hop down from the chair and break the silence. "Merhaba."
"What is your name?" he asks, his voice cold and aloof. Even standing close, I feel a vast distance, as if he might throw daggers in my direction at any moment.
"Aylla, sir. Aylla Ozturk."
"Very well, Aylla Ozturk. Follow me."
My heart races. I'm going to be fired. I lasted a few hours and one party. I won't find my Albatross and I'll end up married to Osman. It's destiny punishing me for being negligent. He closes the office door. It's the end for me.
"Sir, I'm so sorry! I'm new here, I just started yesterday. I don't have experience with bosses, I used to work at my family's market... I didn't mean to disrespect you, I'm truly sorry! Please, don't fire me. I'm sorry."
"Aylla, calm down." He places his hand on my shoulder. The touch is casual but conveys an immediate calm that makes me stop rambling. "I know it wasn't your intention. My name is Jan Divit. I know you're new because I read everyone's files, and for that very reason, I wanted to call you for a meeting."
"A meeting? Forgive me, Jan bey, I don't understand."
"I'm going to bring you up to speed. We have a spy in the company, and since you just started, you're the only one I can trust. You will perform important roles here."
"Very clever, Jan bey. I don't think I would have thought of that."
"Cut it out, Aylla." Jan makes a gesture, looking smug, as if expecting more praise.
"I mean it! I'm a bit scatterbrained and naive. My parents say I live with my head in the clouds. Now my sister, Deniz, she's the family's gold standard: calculating, plans everything... she works in finance here. Sorry, Jan bey, I end up talking too much when I'm nervous."
"Do I make you nervous?" He looks at me with a playful smirk, like a cat holding a mouse by the tail before devouring it.
"Certainly not... I mean, yes! Well, I thought I was being fired." I force myself to stay quiet. He has a gentle look hidden in those deep brown eyes. I try to shift my weight to look confident, but I end up losing my balance and clumsily leaning against the desk. He laughs. Great, I've become the boss's court jester.
Someone knocks on the door. It's Emre, Jan's brother. He is attractive, clean-shaven, with blue eyes and an impeccable suit. I recognize him from the party. He is the opposite of Jan. "Aylla, this is my little brother, Emre. He works with your sister. From today on, you will report to both of us. We are the only people you can trust. Deal?" I nod, impressed. Jan is wild, Emre is "straight-laced." Just like me and Deniz.
"Aylla, right?" Emre greets me kindly. "If you are as competent as your sister, this company has a lot to gain." Wonderful. More pressure on me, who has zero experience outside the family grocery store.
I leave the room and Zeki approaches me, desperate. "Were you fired? Am I going to be? Ai Allah!" "Calm down, Zeki. No one was fired. It was just a routine meeting," I lie, as I can't tell him about the spy.
Jan leaves his office and heads to the cafeteria, looking lost. "Where is the tea?" he asks aloud. "People here only drink coffee," I say, stepping closer. "I brought my own. I kept it up there." I stand on my tiptoes, trying to reach the jar.
"This one?" Jan appears right behind me. He reaches up easily and grabs the jar. I place my hands on the counter, turning toward him. Our faces are close, and he stares at me seriously. "Yes... that's the one." I look away, feeling my face heat up.
I take the jar and set the water to boil. Allah, Allah! In two days, I find a mysterious love, join an internal spy ring, and feel a slight attraction to my boss. But nothing compares to the love of the Albatross I'm going to find. I'm sure of it, Inshallah.