Koray, by inertia, continued to click the camera, Omer's legs were rooted to the floor, and Seda and Laura were already running to their friend.

- What? - Laura exclaimed, and tears sparkled in her eyes. -The child? Is it moving?

Defne still pressed her palms to her stomach and nodded. Her enchanted gaze shone with tenderness. Omer leaped from his place, but Koray was ahead of him. He flew up to his skinny girl and began, like obsessed, photographing her face. His mouth, like a burst of machine-gun, fired the words:

- Skinny, can you imagine what I just shoot. It's a bomb! Family heirloom. You will show these photos to little Omyushik and say: Look! The ingenious Koray filmed the moment when you moved in your mother's tummy.

Omer tried to push him away and get to his wife, but he nudged him along the ribs and continued to photograph the cute skinny girl at a rate of one hundred frames per minute. Daddy-to-be grabbed his side and growled:

- Break up all!

The girls jumped to the side, and Koray pulled his head into his shoulders and lowered the camera. Omer went to Defne and, looking into her eyes, put his hands on top of hers. His heart was pounding furiously in his chest.

"The bead?" - asked his look.

She stretched out her hand and, covering his on top, pressed his warm, large hand tightly to her stomach. He heard a thrill. Delicate, barely perceptible. Like a wave of butterfly wings.

"Little one," Omer whispered. His voice trembled. - Daddy's daughter.

- Father's daughter?! - Repeated Koray, carefully scanning the touching scene and, exulting, shouted: - Ay-la-la!!! We will have a girl!!!

Everyone who was watching the boss and his wife burst into enthusiastic shouts.

But Omer and Defne did not hear them. They looked into each other's eyes, and their happiness was so tangible that you could touch it with your hand.

"She's growing!" Omer's gaze spoke.

"Yes!" - answered the shining eyes of Defne.

"We can hear and feel it!"

"Yes!"

"She is our precious, most beloved girl!"

"Yes!"

"I will take care of both of you!"

"We will love you ..."

Omer took a deep breath and kissed his wife with a long, quivering, tender kiss.

The space around them exploded with applause and camera shutters.

***

"Well, where is he?!" - Lаila repeated angrily and scolded herself for not taking the phone number from the programmer. Now he was really needed! It was vital for her to get to Zubeyir before Passionis's bosses and security services. She knew for sure - he was at the hotel. In the morning, she conveyed Omer's order to him to be present at the filming site so that the software would work flawlessly, and no annoying trifle, such as photos that refuse to be saved on the server, did not cause discomfort to Defne. She still laughed to herself, imagining what discomfort awaits his priceless wife when she walks out on the polished steps of the stairs in slippery shoes. But the order, giggling and mentally celebrating her victory, she carried out. But as it happened, Defne crashed right in the corridor and even into the arms of her husband. Like a witch who put magic protection around herself!

But where is this Zubeyir!

The ear caught a raspy muttering, vaguely reminiscent of singing. It came from a corner stylized as a winter garden. There, among the date palms, stood a crimson velvet sofa. He was on it, covering his ears with headphones and staring at a laptop, Zubeyir sat and hummed a fashionable song out of tune.

Turning away, Leila took a spray from her purse and discreetly splashed it into her eyes. The response was immediate. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Hiding the bottle back in her purse, she went to the programmer and, sobbing loudly, sat down next to him. He pulled the headphones out of his ears and stared at her with a confused look.

- L-l-аila? What's the matter?

"I'm lost," she drawled plaintively and raised a napkin to her eyes. "If you don't help, I'm finished! I will be fired from work for nothing. Only because Mr. Koray disliked me. Nagging at me, I don't understand why!

"Don't pay attention to him," Zubeyir began to persuade her. - He nags at everyone. This is Mr. Koray! He also calls me ugly.

- You? Laila opened her eyes in mock surprise. - But you're beautiful! And so smart!

Zubeyir blossomed before her eyes. Even the protruding ears were pink with pleasure. The subject of his dreams considers him beautiful! Yes, he will do anything for her! Even from the Bosphorus Bridge, he will jump straight into the winter strait!

- But why are you crying? He asked the plaintively sobbing girl. "The bosses don't care what Mr. Кoray thinks about the employees. They were used to his antics.

- Lady Defne's dress for the photoshoot was ruined by whipped cream. She had to wear something else. She also slipped and nearly fell. It turned out that the soles of the shoes were stained with oil.

- But what have you got to do with it?

- I was preparing shoes and the dress for the photo session in Mr. Koray's office! - Laila sobbed bitterly again. - Remember, you still helped me.

- I remember, - Zubeyir said thoughtfully. - I was with you, and then Nazlican called me because the e-mail stopped working.

- Exactly! - she exclaimed, - and I stayed for a few more minutes. And now Mr. Koray will blame me for what happened. And I'm not guilty of anything! It was as if he had accidentally soiled the dress with cream, and then took up the shoes with his greasy hands. And I cannot lose this job. My grandmother is sick! And more ... more ... how will I live without seeing you ...

Laila sobbed loudly. Zubeyir felt dizzy. Allah! Really beautiful Laila fell in love with him! But how can he help her?

- I know! He exclaimed. - I will tell Mr. Omer that I was with you all the time, and we left the office together!

- You also need to change the recordings of video cameras. As if I followed you into the Passionis reception room and immediately went to my office.

- A simple matter, - assured Zubeyir and tapped his fingers on the laptop keys. A picture of the reception area, the secretary's desk, and the doors to the offices of Iplikci and his assistant appeared on the screen. Nazlican passed, followed by Zubeyir himself. The programmer began to do some manipulations with the video recording and the period between his appearance, and after him, Laila disappeared. The video looked like she entered the waiting room with him and immediately went to her room. - Now I will change the time - he again pounded on the keys. - Like this! Ok.

- And no one can figure out that you changed the records? - Stopping crying, Laila asked cautiously.

- Except me - nobody! The programmer said boastfully. "Only I have access to edit the records, but not even the head of the security department knows about it. Don't worry, no one will suspect anything.

Laila, looking at him with the innocent look of the fawn Bambi, smiled an alluring smile, and kissed him on the cheek. Zubeyir's face flushed red. Not believing his happiness, he, stammering, asked:

- L-l-Laila, um-can we meet tonight?

"Definitely," she promised. - Just not today. Grandma is sick. She is waiting for me. But as soon as she recovers, we will catch up with you in full!

- Health to your grandmother - Zubeyir wished. - Let it all go.

- Thank you, dear, - Laila added seductive hoarseness to her voice. - And now I'm running away. Let them not see us together yet. So that no one suspects anything.

- L-l-Laila - Zubeyir stopped her. - Mm-can I call you tonight?

- Certainly cute! She blew a kiss to him and slipped out from under the shelter of palm trees into the hall.

"I'll look forward to the evening," he breathed after her.

Turning away from the adoring guy, she mockingly rolled her eyes.

"Wait, wait, you fool! - Mentally answered him. "Telephone conversations are the most that you will get from the beautiful Laila."

***

- Allah-Allah! - shouted at subordinates Koray. - Why are you crawling like snails?! Are you asleep? Bring silver slippers faster! You don't see, the skinny girl is tired!

- Mr. Koray, I'm not tired, - Defne timidly tried to reason with him, but he just shouted:

- I say, tired, then tired! I know better! And in general, how much will you rub my ears with your "master"? Call me Korish! I feel like an old man! Can anyone bring these shoes? He barked and looked around. Laila walked briskly to the room where the new collection's shoe samples were kept. - Stop, ugly! He shouted. - Let Ozie bring! And you - scatter from here! You spoil my karma! Skinny, my life - Koray's voice turned into a sweet syrup - maybe you want to drink or eat? Just tell me, and the pretty guy will bring everything in no time. And I'll eat with you!

- Thank you, Koray, - Defne smiled. - I do not want anything. Let's better finish filming. And then we'll go to a cafe and drink tea with brownies with a clear conscience.

- Oh, how well you thought up! - He clapped his hands. - Omyush, will you come with us?

- With pleasure, Koray, - answered Omer, who throughout the entire shooting, stood like a sentry at the base of the stairs, and did not take his affectionate gaze from his wife.

- Ay, I have a feast today! Omyush comes with us to eat cakes! Ozie!!! Are you wearing these shoes or not?!!

- I'm carrying it, Mr. Koray! - The guy rushed up the stairs in a whirlwind. Stopping beside Defne, who was sitting on a velvet pillow, he squatted down and was about to change her shoes.

Omer touched his shoulder.

- I'll do it, - he said, and the guy hastily got up and walked aside.

Omer dropped to one knee in front of his wife and took her foot in his hands.

- Fair Princess, will you let me put on the slipper? He asked, and his black eyes shone with love.

"Ah, Mr. Prince," she smiled softly. "I never knew how to say no to you.

- It means yes? - His smile could melt the ice of Antarctica.

"Yes," Defne replied. - Always, to infinity - yes!

Omer took one silvery shoe and put it on the small foot. Clicked the shutter of the camera.

- Freeze! - commanded Koray. - So! Excellent! Omyush, take the second leg in your hands. Tender, more tenderly! You need to teach! Put the shoe on it slowly. Yes! Like this! Excellent! Brilliant! My concept got new colors! Yoo-hu-hu!!! I'm a genius!

- Will you allow these photos to be used? - Defne asked her husband in surprise.

"Yes," he replied. - You are my princess! Let the whole world know about it.

- All! - commanded Koray. - The end! The final! Happy end! It was an enchanting photo session! Skinny, you are the best model in the world, and I am the best photographer in the world!

"Without a doubt, Koray," Defne agreed. Omer got to his feet and helped her up. She smiled at him gratefully and again turned to Koray: - But I hope that this is the last photo session with my participation.

- What more! - He was indignant. - Until the next, there is full six months. You will have time to give birth and restore shape. And anyway, stop talking in vain! You promised me brownie and tea!

- Good - Defne sighed. - I will just change.

- You are tired. Let me take you. - Omer took her in his arms and carried her up the stairs. She trustingly hugged him by the neck and pressed her redhead to his broad chest.

It was an amazing picture. A tall, strong man carried a fragile, charming girl in his arms. Her curls shimmered on the black fabric of his jacket, the hem of an ice-blue dress fluttered beautifully, from under which silver shoes peeped out. And a warm smile shone on her lips.

Everyone in the hotel lobby looked at them. Someone, rejoicing in their happiness, someone envious. But there were eyes, green, serpentine, which looked with hatred and malice. Having failed, Laila was already making new plans to destroy the happiness of this couple, whose behavior did not fit into any logical framework.

There are no such loyal men and loyal women! There is no such unconditional love! All people in this world are vicious, selfish, and materialistic. Everyone loves money and fame. They love debauchery and sex. And these Prince and Princess are no exception. It is only necessary to draw out this depravity from them.

And she will do it.

Otherwise, her name is not Laila!

- Well? Let's go to eat? - Asked Koray when, Defne in brown trousers and a cream sweater, went downstairs with her husband.

"We are with you," Sinan said and grabbed Seda and Laura by the arms. The girls did not need to be present at the photo session, but both decided to give Defne moral support. And they did not regret it at all.

- Wait a minute, I'll make one call, and let's go, - said Omer and, taking his phone out of his pocket, began to look for the necessary contact in it.

- Who are you calling? - asked Sinan.

"To the head of security," the partner replied and raised the phone to his ear. - Mr. Karan, today there was an unpleasant incident that looks more like a deliberate crime. The dress for the photoshoot was ruined, and oil was applied to the soles of some of the shoes. Miraculously, my wife was not hurt. Please check yesterday's CCTV footage. Those are located in the area of ​​Mr. Koray's office and at the entrance. Check all visitors who showed up at the office. Interview Passionis employees. I want to know who had access to the clothes and shoes prepared for the photoshoot. Tomorrow at eleven, I am expecting you with a report.

- You still decided to investigate? Defne asked when her husband finished the conversation and hid the phone in his pocket. Omer nodded. - Or maybe we will forget? After all, nothing terrible happened. I am alive and well.

"No, love," he said firmly. - These were deliberate actions. A crime. If we leave the criminal unpunished, then he will continue to do his dirty deeds and harm others.

"You're right," Defne agreed and took his arm. - But now let's forget about it, and just enjoy tea, cakes, and a good time with loved ones.

Omer smiled. His Defne! Her kindness is enough to warm the planet.

"Okay," he agreed. - Let's go enjoy it.

At the table of the presentable cafe, where six handsome men and women were accommodated, cheerful laughter sounded every now and then. The visitors looked at them in bewilderment - what is it mixed with the tea that makes them behave so free and at ease? Do they not understand that loud laughter in such a conservative place is bad behavior? The company understood, but today they didn't care about etiquette. Too many emotions were presented today. They were torn from the locks of convention and turned into jokes and laughter. Seda joked with Sinan, Defne teased Omer, Koray devoured pastries one after another and managed in every way to praise his genius, the beauty of the cute skinny girl, and the foresight of Omyush and Sinan, who made him a director.

"If you continue to work like this," Sinan promised, laughing, "Omer and I will increase your share. Up to four percent.

- What?! - Кoray shouted, widening his eyes in a daze. - Up to four percent?! I will, I will work! When will you increase it?

"Not earlier than in six months," Omer replied. "We need to make sure your business urge is consistent and won't go away in a couple of months.

- Will not disappear! It will not disappear! - promised Koray and clapped his hands. - Four percent! I can buy an apartment in Nisantasi! True on credit. But it is not important! I will live in the thick of things! Everyone will envy me and ask for a visit.

"This is motivation," Defne said quietly in her husband's ear. - Have you decided to turn Koray into an exemplary worker?

"You asked me to keep him busy and get him away from you," Omer answered just as quietly and Defne looked with gratitude into his laughing eyes.

"Countess Laura," said Koray flatteringly to the girl sitting next to him. - Will you bring me your famous cake for the housewarming?

- Surely, Mr. Koray, - she promised. - Only I have not been a countess for a long time. The title ceased to be mine even when I divorced my first husband.

- Fu! Nonsense! He objected. - As if your aristocracy has gone somewhere. Nobility is inside. You will always be a countess!

"Thanks," Laura thanked. - But, really, the title does not play any role for me. Much more important is that I am among people close to my heart and I am happy.

Koray looked behind her and gently touched the shoulder blade protruding under the sweater with his index finger.

- Koray, what are you doing? Sinan asked him.

"I'm looking to see if there are wings," he replied quite seriously. - If she is an Angel, then there must be wings.

- Mr. Koray, I am an ordinary person and I have no wings, - Laura laughed.

- It's a pity! - He was upset. - I would come up with such a concept about Angels and their wings.

- Not that! The girl exclaimed. - I will never be a model again!

"Yeah, yeah," Koray muttered sarcastically and turned to Seda. - Seda, honey, do you happen to have wings?

- No!!! She widened her eyes in dismay. - No wings! And in general - I'm not photogenic! Absolutely! I'm not good at photography! True, true!

- And-and-and! She screamed here. "He gave her a scornful look. - It's not up to you to decide. Sinan will say - to act, and you will agree, how cute.

- I disagree! - Seda was stubborn. - And generally speaking! Why are you bullying us and not shooting professional models?

Koray looked at her as if she were an unreasonable child and answered syllables:

- Because they are stupid! And I need aura and light! You three have it. So, do not getaway and you will be filming!

The girls groaned in unison, while the men laughed and winked at the happy concept director.

***

- Daddy's daughter, did you fall asleep?

Omer, leaning on his forearms, lay in the huge matrimonial bed, kissed Defne's naked stomach, and cooed with his daughter:

- Dad's kitten! Bead! Well, move some more. Talk to dad. Tell me, are you calm in your mom's tummy? Aren't you tired today while your mom was tortured by bad Uncle Koray? Defne chuckled. - Do you hear? Mommy laughs! Are you laughing too? Laugh more, my bird. You will be the most fun, beautiful, and happy girl in the world with us.

- She will be! - Defne cheerfully faked. - With such a daddy.

- And mommy, - Omer raised his head and stretched out his lips for a kiss.

Defne kissed them and looked away.

- I'll say something.

"Speak," Omer rolled onto his side and, resting his head on his hand, lay down beside her.

- My belly will soon be big.

- I can't wait.

"I'll get fat and awkward." She didn't look him in the face. She hid her eyes behind long eyelashes.

Omer rubbed his nose against her shoulder and retorted:

- Cute, touching, and funny.

"Maybe so, but my body will no longer make you want me.

Defne blushed and shot him a searching look.

- What?! - Omer exclaimed and laughed. - Darling, who inspired such stupidity in you?

- I read it on the Internet on the forum for future mothers. Many people there complain that when their figure has changed, husbands have cooled off to lovemaking.