Episode 2

Istanbul, Istinye Park, Turkey...

"Mr. Osman, Melisa Dongel is waiting for the interview." Aylin, my secretary, notifies me.

If there's one thing I like, it's my privacy. I only agreed to give this interview because Esra, my PR person, said it would be important for my company's image.

I've always avoided the cameras, and yet these TV and magazine people won't leave me alone. This will be the first time I speak to a broadcaster, and since the questions were only about my business, I saw no problem in granting them this interview.

I enter the room and there she is, the insistent Miss Melisa Dongel, a beautiful single woman who loves a party, and the way she looks at me tells me she's another one who would love to have a night of sex with me. If she wasn't a journalist, maybe I'd leave her unable to even sit down the next day.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Osman Osberk, it's an honor to interview you." I look at her outstretched hand.

"Good afternoon, Miss Melisa, you didn't do your homework right, otherwise you would know that I don't shake anyone's hand unless it's properly sanitized. That in front of you is alcohol." I say pointing to the alcohol on the coffee table.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Osman, I already sanitized my hands, I did my homework right." she says.

"I didn't see it, so do it again." I speak seriously.

She, a little embarrassed, rubs the alcohol on her hands again, and this time I extend my hand in greeting.

After we settle in, she begins the interview.

"Mr. Osman, when did it all begin?"

"My father died of tuberculosis, leaving my poor mother with a huge debt that she couldn't pay. So, we lost our house and started living in a rented place, we were evicted several times, my mother cried. One night we slept in the bathroom of a bus station, until one day my mother got a job as a nanny and her very generous employer allowed me to stay at the house too, I always told my mother: I will grow up and give you a mansion, you will have your house and no one will ever kick you out again. I was always enchanted by buildings and the details of decoration in houses and buildings, in fact this started after we lost our house, when we passed by a building I would tell my mother: when I grow up, I want to build a building like that. And she would say: You have to study and graduate in the field to build a building like that, to be a civil engineer, an architect. It all started right then and there, and I think the fact that we were without our home also influenced my education."

"Those who see you today cannot imagine that you went through so many difficulties. When was the turning point? You became one of the most powerful men in Istanbul."

"I worked hard for it, I started college at eighteen, when I won a scholarship, at twenty-three I graduated in civil engineering. I started working at the company of one of my college professors, that's when I worked on the project that helped change my life, I had never received so much money, I bought the house for my mother. I was still working at the same company when I went back to college, this time to study architecture, I became well known and at thirty I opened my architecture firm, Arte Osberk which had only two employees, me and my friend Burak, and within a year we already had fifteen employees, in the third year we managed to do an incredible project and it was my turning point."

"Your company will complete seven years, how are the preparations for the party?"

"That I also want to know, so far I haven't received the reports, HR will have work this week." I say and she laughs.

"To end this interview, I know this question wasn't on the list, but my boss added it at the last minute. You are the most coveted bachelor in Istanbul, you have never been seen with a woman, why don't you have a girlfriend?"

This question annoys me deeply, I don't like improvisations, I don't like my privacy invaded.

"Miss Melisa Dongel, tell your boss that my personal life is my business, this interview is over." I say, giving her a cold stare and getting up, leaving the room.

"Mr. Osman, let's finish the interview, cut, cut the recording!" Melisa shouts to the cameramen.

She grabs my arm, another thing that annoys me.

"Get your germ-ridden hands off me, Miss Dongel." I say coldly.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Osman, but please finish the interview."

"No, I've made up my mind."

After leaving that annoying interview, I went into my office and poured myself a shot of whiskey.

I went to a meeting and then with Burak to a bar where we always go to relax on Friday nights.

"Ayla said that journalist left crying, what did you do? You need to be friendlier, bro." he says wryly.

"You know I like my privacy, you're the only one who has access to everything in my life."

"The only one who puts up with your bitter mood." he jokes.

"You're an idiot!" I say punching him in the arm.

"And you're a jerk!"

We stayed there for a while, and between sips of whiskey I realize I'm drunk enough to get home and pass out.

"I love you, Burak, you're the brother I never had."

"He started to declare himself, he must be drunk." He says.

"Yeah, you son of a bitch." I say.

"I'll help you get to your car." he says.

We get to my car, Hilal, my driver helps Burak get me into the back seat of the car.

"Take care, bro. And Hilal, tell Zeynep to make the coffee strong tomorrow." Burak instructs Hilal.

"I'm conscious, you idiot!" I say.

Hilal gets in the car and drives off. When we arrive, Zeki, my security guard, helps me open the car door and takes me to my room. They already know that every Friday night I come home like this.

"Thank you, Zeki."

"Good night, sir."

I lie down on my delicious and comfortable bed, I love this life of mine, not having anyone to get on my nerves is the best part, I will never get married, I want to live like this, casual sex, come home whenever I want and without having to explain my life.

I wake up to the sound of my alarm clock, with difficulty I open my eyes, I think I'm still drunk and hallucinating, because it looks like there's a Disney princess sleeping in my bed. I rub my eyes, pinching myself to make sure I'm awake.

Osman Osberk

"Oh my God!" I exclaim, touching her, it's true! There's a young woman dressed as a princess in my bed!

This can only be a prank by Burak, I'm going to kill him!

"Young lady, you can open your eyes!" I tap her shoulder.

She lets out a long sigh and pushes my hand away with her eyes still closed.

"Let me sleep, Asnam..." she mumbles under her breath.

She's a great actress, I take the glass of water from the side table and throw it on her face.

"Enough of this clowning around!" I yell and then she opens her eyes.

And then, she screams like a madwoman.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***