Yesterday's rain left wet marks and evaporated. The sun has again taken over. It shone through the clouds, gilded the tops of the trees and gently touched with rays the eyelashes of the red-haired girl. Defne, showing her face for it, stood with her eyes closed and listened to the whispers of the leaves. The forest surrounded the house with a dense wall, beckoned to it with yellow-purple colors and bitter, crystal-clear air, which intoxicated more than wine.

Omer walked almost inaudibly. But Defne sensed his presence and, without opening her eyes, smiled. He hugged her from the back, kissed her cheek and muttered in her ear:

- How beautiful you look against the backdrop of the autumn forest. Like a fairy fluttered to the forest-edge and basks in the sun.

"A fairy in jeans and a sweater?" - Defne laughed and, opening her eyes, raised her face to him.

"Don't you know?" - Omer smiled with the corners of his lips and butterflies woke up from his smile in her stomach. "Fairies now look like that." They wear jeans and hid their wings under a sweater, but still, everyone knows that they are fairies.

- Why? - Defne asked cheerfully and funny wrinkled her nose.

He turned her to face him and lightly touched her cheek with his fingertips.

"Because they have snow-white skin, long eyelashes, eyes like honey, and red hair that drives me crazy," he let his fingers through the soft silk of copper curls. - Everyone who looks at such beauty knows - in front of him is a fairy.

"The poet died in you," Defne joked, embarrassed.

Her cheeks were flushed. It was so sweet and touching that Omer could not resist - he kissed the delicate skin and pressed himself against it with his hard beard.

"But I can quote the greatest," he was seducing in a voice and knew that. Defne's legs weakened and the heart in her chest trembled like the caught bird.

"The roses of your cheeks have turned my tongue into a nightingale.

I lost my head from a passion for your curls..."

He spoke the lines of the great Avni, and a radiant smile blossomed on Defne's face.

"You decided to drive me crazy?" - She leaned back in the circle of his hands and looked into the burning, black eyes.

"Yes," he purred. "It's not for me alone to lose my mind with one stroke of your eyelashes.

From a wave of her eyelashes? Lose his mind? Allah! Yes, if he would know what was going on with her mind when his eyelashes hide his gaze and his lips curl in a sly smile ... But he better not know about it!

Defne freed herself from his arms and grabbed Omer by the arm.

- Mr.Poet, would you like to walk in the forest and be charged with inspiration? - hiding behind a playful tone embarrassment, she suggested.

Omer laughed and kissed her hair just above her temple.

- As you wish, my love! We have a whole day ahead to fulfill our desires.

- All of them? Asked Defne fervently.

- All! - Confidently he confirmed.

- Absolutely?

- Absolutely!

- It doesn't happen!

Omer hugged her shoulders and whispered in her ear:

- It happens. Make a list.

And the list was simple. To hear, see, feel each other. Laugh and joke. To touch and kiss. To make love. And then to cook dinner together and eat it on the terrace under a lit old lantern. To listen to how the forest whispers its tales, how the wind sings in the crowns of tall pines, like moths, carelessly trying to get to the alluring fire, they beat their wings against the glass. To admire the stars for a long, long time. Until the evening cold penetrates under thick, woolen sweaters and chases them away into the house.

There Omer lit the fireplace, the room became warm and coarse wool became superfluous. They took off their sweaters and remained in thin T-shirts. Leaning on their backs on the sofa cushions, they sat in an embrace on a thick, fluffy blanket and watched the red-golden flames that licked pine logs. The room smelled of pine needles, music played quietly and the soft twilight seemed cozy and warm. Omer thoughtfully stroked the delicate skin of her thin hand with his thumb and looked at the fire. Defne, melting from the gentle, tickling touches, leaned back on his strong chest, covered in a white T-shirt, and extended her right arm forward. The ring on her thin finger sparkled with droplets of diamonds. In the depths of the ruby, flames broke out and gave warm gold a reddish hue. Defne examined it and a vague thought appeared in her head.

"Omer," she called.

- Mmm? - without stopping gentle stroking, he mumbled.

- Where did you buy this ring?

- I did not buy. I ordered it. Ahtem, - he honestly admitted.

- And who drew the sketch?

- We...

- We? - Defne stood up and looked into his face.

He sat relaxed and manly- handsome. Bending his head back, he looked at her with dark eyes and from this look, a sweet trembling started in Defne's chest.

"I accidentally saw your sketch." The first one that you dumped in the trash can. And I realized that this is exactly the ring. Your ring. Only I changed it a little bit. I rounded the corners on the ruby - he took her hand in his, touched the stone and stroked with his finger. "Enough of sharp corners for us ... let our road be a smooth further, and love endless."

"Let ..." Defne breathed softly. She looked at the ring again. - Diamonds also changed shape. Why droplets?

- Because they are like water. Clean and necessary. Like you. There is no way without water ... and without you, too.

He spoke seriously, without a shadow of a smile. And this added to the words a sincerity. Defne, holding her breath, held out her hand and gently touched the stubble on his cheek.

"You are my reward ..."

"I brought you much grief ..." Omer caught her hand, kissed the knuckles and pressed it to his chest. There, where his heart beats clearly and measuredly.

"Me too ...," Defne lowered her eyes and sighed sadly. Omer took her chin and raised her pretty face.

"No, my love." You just showed what my relatives are worth. Revealed the true face of everyone. Now I understand this ... and thank you. So, everything bad is not your fault. You brought me only happiness.

"You too ... only happiness," Defne laid her head on his chest and smiled at the fire in the fireplace. Now she knew for sure - her happiness has a name. And its name is Omer Iplikci.

They sat in silence. The silence was warm and cozy, like a house with a lit fireplace in which everyone feels so good that no words are needed to talk about it. Everyone knows. Feels the heart. So Defne now felt at home. And this house loved her...

"Defne," Omer called softly.

- What? She answered just as quietly.

He kissed her warm temple and asked:

- Would you like to engage in jewelry design professionally?

- Very much! She answered without hesitation. - But this is impossible.

- Why? - surprised Omer.

- Firstly, I do not have a special education, which means that it is unlikely to hire me to work in a serious jewelry company.

"We are not talking about a third-party company," Omer objected calmly. - And what secondly?

"Secondly, I have a contract with Tranba," she recalled.

- Don't think about it. I will solve the issue with Deniz. Just tell me - do you want to be a free jewelry designer in your company?

Defne straightened and stared at her husband. Not believing her ears, she asked again:

- In my company?

- Yeah! - Confidently he confirmed.

- But this is ... Omer, to create a new company is a huge job ... and money.

Fright, doubt and ... hope was reflected in her amber eyes. The latter responded in Omer's soul with a triumphant drum beat. He took Defne's face in his hands and kissed her forehead.

- Do not think about difficulties and money. This is not your concern. Learn about the stones and create jewels. Leave the rest to me.

With an enthusiastic cry, Defne knocked down Omer onto his back and, falling on top, began to kiss his laughing face.

- You are the best! Best! Best! Love you! She said after each kiss, and when she got to his mouth, she clung to it passionately and sweetly. Omer froze for a moment. And the next second, in one flexible movement, he turned over and moved her under him. His gaze was lit by a dark fire. Looking into Defne's eyes, he exhaled:

"Always love me." Always! And nothing else is needed.

- Always! Defne promised and reached for his mouth.

Lips met. This touch was like a discharge of current. Impulses ran through the bodies at one point, heating the blood to a boiling point. Allah sees, Omer wanted to be careful and caring. But Defne confused all plans. She wriggled and frantically pulled off his clothes. Kissed him so that the mind was foggy and thoughts were torn to shreds. He groaned, growled and answered with frantic passion. At that moment only Defne existed for him. Her soft lips, slim arms, a flexible body were created for him. Only for him. Kissing her, caressing, loving was a pleasure on the verge of insanity. Omer surrendered to this craziness entirely. Defne went crazy with him. She was trembling all along followed him on the heels. She obeyed his hands and lips, and in return gave him paradise.

At the time when the stars were at arm's length, Omer suddenly stopped. Defne opened her eyes. Blurred by pleasure, huge, alluring. Looking at them imperiously and hotly, Omer said:

"There is nothing better than me being in you!"

"There is nothing better when you are in me!" Echoed Defne.

Groaning deafly, Omer plunged deep into her body and the world around exploded in blinding sparks.

***

Deniz Tranba, leaving his grey Porsche at the parking lot, went to the elite, six-story building. It was in it, in apartment No. 5, from yesterday that Iz lived. She suddenly decided that will live in Istanbul for a long time and the facelessness of hotels would not suffice for her. Deniz offered to help with the move, but the independent Iz refused. And now she was not expecting him. But he was coming anyway because he could not otherwise. For some time this witty girl with cheerful eyes and absurd character became his obsession. In the day, he thought about her every minute. Even at meetings, and at very important meetings, and during business dinners at which serious topics were discussed, she stood before his eyes, and her name was like a nail in his head. It was even worse at night. He dreamed of her hot and submissive to his will. Inviting him to herself, and then melting in a haze of sleep, and he woke up sweaty and with such an erection that even 17-year-olds would envy him. How many times this month he took a cold shower does not count. Of course, he could use the services of affordable girls, but Deniz did not want to.

He wanted the eccentric, waspish, dazzling-beautiful Iz and no other woman in the world could replace her. Exhaling sharply and pulling on his gray sweater, he entered the staircase. Leaving aside the elevator in several jumps ran up to the third floor and stopped at the right door. He reached for the doorbell, but then changed his mind. He took out the phone and called her.

"I'm listening," a ringing voice answered, from which goosebumps ran through his body.

- Hello! What are you doing? - to hide the excitement, he lowered his voice and it sounded hoarse and muffled.

- I'm drinking tea.

Holy heaven! Well, just a bonbon-girl.

- I'm dying, I want tea.

Heck! Again a squeaked notes in his voice. And Allah rewarded him with a voice!

- So what is the problem? Make it yourself.

She is a coquette, teases and beckons. But closer than a step does not allow.

"I want you to do it."

He pressed the bell. The door opened instantly as if Iz stood right behind it and was waiting for the bell. Lowering the phone in her hand, she raised an eyebrow a little and warned:

- I drink green tea. With jasmine.

He hated jasmine green tea.

- Well! I want green with jasmine.

"Then come in," she stepped back into the hallway.

Deniz came in and closed the door behind him. Looking Iz in the eyes, he bowed his head with the firm intention of kissing her red lips, but she put forward her hand and stopped him.

"I don't start an affair for one night," she warned.

One night? He smiled mockingly. "It won't be enough for a lifetime!

He leaned forward quickly and fell upon her jasmine-smelling lips.

***

- How аrе you? Sinan asked carefully on the phone.

Somewhere there, at the other end of Istanbul, Seda sighed heavily. Leaning back on the pillow of her modest bed, she answered:

"Tired ... This hospital ... it's like a vampire." It drains all my strength ... If you knew how I want to take Nisa home and never again see this oncology center with my eyes.

"I know ... In vain you didn't want me to come today."

- Why do you need it? It is better to stay away from such a place.

"You talk nonsense," Sinan was indignant. "I'm not a pampered boy, and I won't faint from the sight of a sick person." And next time I won't even ask. By the way, this next time will be tomorrow. I'll pick you up at ten. We will ask permission for Nisa and the girls from the medical staff and take them for a couple of hours to the sea. I watched the forecast. They promise great weather for tomorrow. Let girls fly away from the hospital walls.

Silence hung on the telephone. Sinan was worried if he had gone too far and cautiously called out:

- Seda!

In response, a sob and a choked sound were heard:

- Thanks.

Sinan rolled his eyes and exhaled inaudibly. Praise the Almighty! She is not offended.

"So, are we taking the girls to the sea tomorrow?" He asked insistently.

- Yes, we are going! - Seda answered confidently.

***

Omer loaded the luggage into the car and went to his wife. She stood by the weeping willow, fingered her flexible, thin twigs and looked sadly at the house. He silently hugged her and also turned his eyes on it. The house, which had previously been special to him, now acquired new colors and new meaning. It was forever saturated with an aura of happiness and released all the sad memories that it kept within its walls.

"I don't want to leave at all," Defne spoke quietly.

- We will be back. Many many times. As soon as possible we will run here again and again.

- Do you promise? Defne raised a thoughtful face to him.

"I promise," he answered firmly.

- Then to hell with the sadness! Let's go to Istanbul. It probably got bored without us.

Omer slyly winked.

- Still would! Without a red-haired fairy and the sun shines dimly. It is necessary to return joy to the city. Let's go!

"Flattery," Defne laughed and hugged him around the waist.

Hugging, step by step, smiling broadly and rejoicing at the moment, they headed for the car.

On the way to Istanbul, Omer called Sinan. There were four days left before the trip to Milan, and some questions required to control even at the weekend. He reported that there are no delays, everything is on schedule and let the partner relax and enjoy life.

"What are you doing now?" - asked Omer laughing. "Do you follow your advice?"

"I am taking four beautiful girls to the sea and enjoying their company," Sinan replied cheerfully.

"Оh, you've become a Sultan," Omer joked and Defne laughed fervently. The phone was on speakerphone, and she heard the whole conversation. "And who are these beauties?"

- Seda and three cute birds whose names are Nisa, Kumru, and Dila. We decided to arrange a day of happiness. Join now.

Iplikci looked at each other and Defne nodded her head.

- Great idea! - said Omer. - Send the coordinates.

Sinan chose a picnic spot on the Black Sea coast. It was quiet and calm. Tall and straight pine trees approached the rocks, which guarded the waves for hours and hid a flat and clean sandy beach between their frozen boulders. The day was fine and almost like summer warm. The girls, who were finally able to throw off their hospital clothes and dress in comfortable jeans with sports-style blouses, jumped out of the car and ran to the sea. They were so happy. Chatted animatedly and laughed merrily. On the pale cheeks, which seemed to be waxy in the hospital, a faint, but so precious, blush began to play. Out of the huge, adult perceptive eyes, sadness and doom have gone. They sparkled with joy and eagerly absorbed the surrounding beauty. And only the headscarves that hid their shaved heads reminded of what these young beauties had to endure.

Seda, leaning against a rough trunk of a pine tree and clasping her hands on her chest, watched her sister and her friends with a warm smile on her lips. Sinan took out folding chairs, rugs, barbecue and food baskets from the trunk. Putting everything in the shadow of a spreading cedar, he went to the girl and stopped nearby.

"How happy they are now," she said without taking her eyes off the laughing girls. - Thank you. This day will add more strength and health to them than all injections and pills.

"Don't thank me," Sinan asked. - Today is a wonderful day. Defne will soon arrive with Omer and we will have a feast. We'll light the barbecue, grill the meat and feed the girls real food.

- Deniz and Iz will also come. He called on business, I said where we are and they wanted to join, - Seda smiled an apologetic smile. - Not angry?

- Are you kidding me? - He was indignant and smiled slyly. "And what did this couple do together on Sunday morning?"

"They played dolls," Seda answered him in tone, and both laughed.

Ten minutes later, two cars drove up to the picnic site. Omer and Defne came out on the one, and Iz and Deniz Tranba came out on the other. Both couples shone with an inner light and looked like people who are happy and content with life. And therefore, the greetings were sincere and warm. Friends rejoiced at the meeting and the nice Sunday.

The company was divided into three groups. Girls wandered along the shore and fed arrogant gulls with bread, men set up the barbecue and Defne, Iz, and Seda set up an impromptu table. Sometimes male and female companies mingled and gravity sparkled between the pairs. Seda and Sinan exchanged sly glances, Tranba, as if by chance, was touching Iz, and Omer ... Omer also was touching Defne. Intentionally and openly. Without hiding or stopping himself.

When the meat with a breathtaking aroma announced that it was ready, the company reached for the table. The girls were seated in folding chairs and handed them plates, with delicious food. Adults sat next to on spread blankets. Omer strove to put another tidbit in Defne's plate, and she, laughing and embarrassed, fought back and joked that she would burst. To which Omer asked her not to exaggerate and eat in silence. Their playful skirmish caused everyone else to laugh. Sinan teased his friend for his open love for his wife. Omer in response only smiled good-naturedly and hugged Defne's shoulders. He had dreamed about it for so long. To show his feelings openly. To show the world that Defne belongs to him alone. Knowing that it is forever.

When the plates were empty and tea was drunk, Kumru, turning her face to the sky, said: