8. Evren
Evren
Z eki has news and refuses to tell me what it is over the phone.
Instead, he proposed we meet at a new gastro pub because he apparently follows the chef on social media and is convinced she’s an up-and-comer.
The metal tables, exposed air ducts, and massive light bulbs above each table give off an industrial feel.
I arrive five minutes early, and Zeki’s already here.
I glance at my watch, confirming the time, and I’m shocked at what I find.
He’s the type of person who would arrive a day late to a meeting and insist he’s still on time.
But apparently, he’s been here long enough to have ordered two beers for us since they’re already on the table.
“Don’t start,” he grumbles and slides one of the beers toward me when I sit down across from him.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. Your look said it all. ”
“How are you?” I ask, not wanting to get into it with him.
“Good. There was a huge party last night in New York City. Didn’t get back here until noon.”
“How long do you plan to keep partying like this?” I ask, not able to help myself.
He regularly wastes away his days by sleeping off a hangover and doesn’t apply himself.
It’s frustrating that he can’t get his act together.
He’s almost thirty and can’t continue to do this forever.
It also doesn’t help that his partying is what put him on Mert’s radar in the first place, and Mert got the dirt he needed to make the blackmail stick.
“Why does it bother you so much?”
“Because you’re smart and wasting your life away, spending time with people who don’t even care about you.” People who gave Mert proof of Zeki’s mistake, not caring about the ramifications. “What’s the point?”
“Not everyone can be a superstar like you,” he says bitterly.
A superstar? That’s the last word I’d use to describe myself.
Stubborn and results-oriented, maybe. But I got lucky with my previous company.
Sure, I worked hard and had no social life, but I wasn’t expecting it to achieve the kind of success it did.
That’s why this time around is different, holding more meaning.
“I’m not a superstar,” I say.
“You are. Everything you touch turns to gold. But that’s not me.”
“And that’s perfectly fine. I wouldn’t want you to be like me with work as my best friend and a family I barely see.”
“Then why do you keep pushing me to stop what I like doing?” he asks.
“Because I want you to live up to your potential, to become the person I know you can be.”
“That’s something baba would say, but news flash, you aren’t my father.”
I sigh. “I’m not trying to be your baba ?—”
“You are,” he insists, more serious than I’ve ever seen him. “You ride my ass every time I see you. I’m never doing what you think is acceptable, and I’m tired of it.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, just to defuse the building tension between us.
“Are you?” Zeki huffs. “Because we have the same conversation every time we see each other, and nothing changes. So, are you really sorry or just sorry I called you out on it yet again?”
Shit. He’s right. We do argue about this regularly, and it never gets better.
No matter what I say, it falls on deaf ears.
But I never stopped to think that maybe I’m the problem.
I want so desperately for him to fulfill his potential…
but for what? Who gives me the right to judge if he’s achieving it or not?
I blow out a long breath. “You’re right.”
Zeki takes a sip of his beer and glances at me in surprise. “I am?”
“Yeah, I should be supporting your passions rather than judging them. ”
“See? That’s what I’m saying.”
“So,” I say, “if your passion is partying, then how can I support you with that?”
“Partying isn’t my passion. Well, not anymore. I went to New York last night to follow up on some leads regarding Stonehaven.”
“Why didn’t you say that before?” I ask in shock. I can’t believe he’s actually working on this, that he’s…helping.
“Because,” he says smugly, “I needed to make my point first, but you’ll be happy I went.
You were right. Stonehaven has been spreading rumors about you.
They’re saying that working with you is a nightmare, that there were numerous broken promises, and that there was a lack of professionalism from the team. ”
“They what?” I demand, a vein throbbing in my temple in time with my rising anger. My reputation is something I pride myself on, and now Stonehaven’s trying to destroy it? “Everything they’re accusing me of is what they did.”
“I know,” Zeki says simply. I raise my eyebrows in surprise, and he shrugs.
“I know you,” he says. “You’re the most business-focused and professional person I know, and I made sure to spread that information at the party.
But I’m going to bring Nate in on this and keep digging into Stonehaven.
Just because their CEO is a piece of work doesn’t mean he hacked your house. ”
“Thank you.” I rub my temples, a headache already building .
Zeki got more information about what’s going on, and faster than anyone else did. I guess his love for a good party came in handy.
But what Stonehaven is doing? It’s a threat to my business. Do I think they hacked my house? I’m not sure because I don’t know what their motivation would be to do that, but spreading lies about me at such an unstable time for my sponsorship lineup is concerning and suspicious.
“Stonehaven is causing drama at the worst possible time,” I say. “I not only need to replace them as a sponsor ASAP, but I can’t have anyone else drop out.”
“Well, I might have a solution for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“So, while I was at the party, I met a guy named Ben.”
“And who the hell is Ben?” I ask.
“He’s the CEO of Glam Pop. Have you heard of it? It’s a new sparkling water beverage company that’s focusing only on women. They sponsored the party last night, and it really embodied their Sip, Sparkle, and Shine slogan.”
“And what? Ben wants to sponsor the team?”
“Maybe,” Zeki says with a triumphant grin. “He invited us to his weekly golf session with his dad tomorrow morning in New Jersey to pitch the idea to Mick, his dad. Apparently, he’s the numbers guy.”
“Well, shit.” I lean back in my chair, surprised and impressed with this side of Zeki. I’ve never seen him so animated before. It’s refreshing, and for the first time since he’s arrived, I’m grateful he’s here. “Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he says meaningfully. “Now that that’s taken care of, how’s living with Nina going?”
“Fine.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Is that all you have to say?”
“Yes. Why? What did you expect?”
“To be honest? For her to either kill you in your sleep or for you to be fighting nonstop. Since you’re still breathing, I’m assuming it’s the latter.”
“I rarely see her.” It’s a lie, but how can I explain that I can’t seem to stop thinking about her? My brain must’ve short-circuited sometime since I moved in, and it hasn’t come back online since. “We coexist.”
“Coexist, huh? Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
“You’re ridiculous.” I roll my eyes. “Nina isn’t interested in me.”
“But the question is, are you interested in her?”
“She’s off-limits,” I say.
“Why?”
“She’s far too young for me, and we’re at completely different places in our lives.” Also, I doubt Mom would approve. It hasn’t escaped my notice that everyone she tries to set me up with is Turkish. “I bet she wants kids, and at my age, that’s just not something I’m interested in.”
“Hmm, or maybe she’s not, and instead, she’s perfect for you. ”
I ignore his words, not entertaining the idea. Sure, Nina’s beautiful, and there’s this attraction between us, but it won’t go anywhere. Sleeping with her is a complication no one needs. “It doesn’t matter. Anne insists that the next date she sets me up on will be the one.”
“Well, maybe you should just tell her you don’t need to be set up—that you’re perfectly capable of finding someone on your own.”
“It’s not that simple,” I say. And it’s not.
Since Dad died from a heart attack, she’s made it her life goal to make sure I don’t end up alone.
It started with little comments two years ago, but it didn’t turn into a full-on campaign until I moved us all to the US.
She means well, and deep down, I recognize that maybe I do need help to find someone.
But all these dates do is remind me just how alone I really am.
The only attractive thing about me is my bank account. My workaholic and blunt nature don’t lend well to a relationship, but I refuse to be with someone who only wants me for my money. “I’m not sure I’m meant to be in a relationship.”
“Never say never,” Zeki says seriously. “Anyone would be lucky to be with you.”
Lucky? That’d be a first. I don’t know a single person who’d say they’re lucky to know the real me, let alone date the real me.
“Hi, I’m Mick.” He sticks his hand out for me to shake. “I promise, I’m only here for the fresh air and to pretend I know what I’m doing. If my golf skills were as good as my ability to dodge work calls, I’d be on the PGA Tour by now.”
“It’s true,” Ben says easily. “He’s horrible.”
Both have thick, wavy, dark hair, bronze skin, and broad noses. It’s easy to tell they’re related since they look a lot alike.
Zeki immediately joins in with jokes, slotting in easily with their playful banter. I remain quiet and study them while Nate scans the course, watching for any threats.
Ben defers to Mick for everything, so clearly Mick is the one with all the control, even if Ben is the CEO.
As Mick lines up his shot, he naturally fits the “rich guy” mold without coming across as an arrogant prick.
It’s a hard line to balance, but it’s one he appears to do well.
He reminds me of the kind of guys who can walk into a room full of power players and instantly make you feel at ease, not because he’s trying, but because that’s simply who he is.