• • •

A smile.

That's all I had of hers. All I could ever ask of her. It was the only thing I could ever hold near my chest, and proudly admit I remember every detail of that moment.

Of the day I saw her. The woman who has stolen my heart.

If I close my eyes. I can remember every detail. The way the proud sun pounded against the people on earth, making them squirm under the heat. I can almost make out the sounds from the market across the other end of the town but even then, the vendors voices were too loud. The sounds of children giggling, parents scolding and tourists admiring the magnificent mosque filled my ears but through all that noise and chaos. There she was.

In the middle of the courtyard, dressed in full black. She sat under the magnificent dome. Her hands in a crescent shape and her face, glowing like the midnight moon. And then it seemed as though the winds of fate had changed and she looked upwards.

Her eyes landing straight on me, and she smiled. That simple smile that stole my heart away, and has been stolen ever since that day.

Yet that wasn't what I feared. My fear came from deep within, caged away in a dark vault. And sometimes it took everything within me to not admit it, to not say it out loud. But even I knew it was foolish at this rate.

So what was my biggest fear? You may ask. The biggest fear I had would be to forget her smile. To be in a world where she wasn't. To see the waves and not have her beside me. To live, and not have her live with me.

" .... As you can understand Mr.Aydin. This of course is just this months revenue but we're hoping after the changes implemented. There will be a significant result in the coming weeks"

A voice spoke across the large room, causing it to bounce back with the same energy. Glancing upwards, my gaze landed on to the woman across the boardroom. Her large hazel eyes trained on mine, and her honey-suckle brown hair falling down her back.

A smile came across her face, making her eyes light up and the world which had given me refuge, suddenly turned brighter as I stared at her.

At Fary-

" Moustafa"

A sharp voice came beside me. Glancing to the side, a moment of silence rang through my ears and it took everything within me to not look at the front of room, but instead, towards my brother and his stoic look.

" What's wrong?"

Murat mouthed worriedly allowing me to shake my head. Glancing downwards at the spreadsheet and reports that had the company's revenue and stock. I knew my mind should be glued on to this. Yet I couldn't bring myself to concentrate or allow the numbers to dictate my mind.

The board meeting which had been barely an hour felt as if it had lasted for more than three, and by the time the doors opened and everyone left. All that was left was the silence and I, long lost companions.

The air around me felt stifled and as I sat behind my desk, my hands easily pulling open the small draw. My stomach dropped and my throat weighed a heavy rock inside.Gripping against the small polaroid photo, my fingers instantly grazed over the picture.

A picture of a pregnant Farya with Eyla. A large grin on her face. Wearing a long white summer dress, she had insisted on leaving her hair down despite how warm it had been. Unlike me, Farya loved posing and although at the time it had been her idea to take the picture and store them for Eyla when she grew up.

I was more than content to have a memory of my two girls.

" Sir, I'm sorry to disturb, but your car is ready"

A voice came from the door. Placing the photo back in the draw, my gaze flickered upwards at Zeynep standing at the doorway. Her fiery red hair dominating her small face. Nodding, I found myself standing up and pushing the chair back in its place. A habit that had been instilled since I could remember.

It turns out. Elder Ali was a firm believer of having the correct ethics and insisted it created a respectable image amongst others.

" Thank you Zeynep! Make sure to email me and Murat those notes from the meeting"

I spoke seeing the woman nod whilst quickly typing something on her phone, before looking towards me, offering a huge grin.

" All done, Sir"

She spoke proudly as I walked past her and towards the elevator, seeing the doors close. Truth be told. I hadn't ever envisioned being the type to spend my days at the office and then coming home late. That was far from what I had planned-- but then again. Half of the things I planned for, happened the opposite way.

I guess that's both the beauty and the curse of life. It plays to it's own tunes, and on the rare occasions listens to your hearts.

Shaking the thought away. The walk from the reception area, to the front entrance wasn't long but the minute I stepped out of the large building and in to the car. A sense of relief washed over me. The feeling of freedom.

The moment the car engine started and the building became a distant feature, I could finally breath. Running a hand through my hair. My gaze flickered at the busy roads and the bustling streets.

Glancing at my watch and then at the road. I knew I had barely five minutes to make it on time, and the current traffic wasn't helping much.

" Shit" I groaned seeing a car overtake mine, and if any other time. I would have showed the driver otherwise, but right now. I needed to get to my destination on time. A minute late--

A sigh of relief escaped my mouth seeing the cars make their down the road, allowing me to take a sharp turn at roundabout before stopping at the large gates with hundreds of students rushing out eagerly. Some excited, whilst some tired. Each with their stories to tell.

My gaze suddenly flickered across the gate and at the courtyard that was now bustling with hundreds. Stepping out of the car I found myself leaning against it. Trying to find that one familiar face.

If Kenan had been hear. I could only imagine his smart response. Shaking the thought away, I looked upwards at the large courtyard again.

And all of a sudden the world stilled for a few moments, as it had done so, all those years ago, and through the large crowd rushing out. My gaze landed on the figure in white, standing at the middle of the courtyard.

The sun somehow became brighter, and everything around me seem to disappear away. The familiar eyes that had haunted me all those years, suddenly landed on me.

The frantic look staring back at me, washed away, and realisation landed in those eyes. I could feel my heart skip a beat seeing those doe like eyes trained on mine.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Was that my heart? I didn't quite know as I brought my hand upwards at it. Hoping it would still yet, even I knew that was impossible. The wind suddenly picked its pace, and just like it had happened all those years ago. It happened again.

She smiled at me.

Through the crowds of hundreds, her eyes remained on mine and I feared it was another one of those dreams. Yet this time, the smile turned in to a scowl as the woman walked towords me.

The years had gifted her even more beauty, if that was possible. Her long brown hair, was now a shade lighter, making it a fine contrast between brown and light blonde. Her hazel eyes now had a spark of its own, that held you a prisoner to them.

Glancing away from her beautiful face, and towards that dress she wore. I found myself cursing under my breath for even allowing her to wear it. Not that she needed my permission. She could wear anything she wanted. It was her body yet what I couldn't ignore were the looks people threw her way.

The tight fitted dress hugged her body in areas that weren't for others to see. The height of it reaching at the centre of her long legs, showing skin more than it was necessary and not to mention the heels she wore.

Damn it!

Pulling my blazer off, I could see the woman walk towards me. Her rich perfume reaching my nose, making my knees weaken a little.

Get a grip! You fool.

I muttered inwardly seeing her stand a good few feet away from me. Looking straight in to her eyes, I could see the anger melt away, a second or two later, her face softened and a deep blush came across her cheeks making my ego rise a little higher than before.

I could still make her blush.

" Moustafa"

" Farya"

I greeted seeing her smile from ear to ear before she jumped in to my arms, making me wrap my arms around her tightly. Feeling her erratic heartbeat against mine as she giggled.

" I got it! I got the job"

She grinned releasing the embrace, before frantically pushing her hair aside and reaching for the file in her hand.

" Princess, I knew you'd get it. You're too good for them anyway"

I murmured seeing her look upwards, halfway from her frantic search, and give me a dont-be-silly look, before looking down again.

" Look! They said I could start next week. I'm so excited"

She grinned waving some papers in front of me, making me reach towards it. Noticing it to be a formal contract of her newly acquired job as an Art teacher at the private college.

" Farya. You do know you can continue with your art exhibitions"

I murmured seeing her nod, her lower lip pouting before she placed her arms on my shoulder, her fingers brushing through my hair, almost as if she was picking something out.

" It was something" She murmured shaking her hand, before looking at me again. Her doe like eyes trained on mine, and a small smile across her face.

" Come on Fairy! Lets go home" I spoke after a moment of silence seeing her nod. Glancing over her shoulder, I suddenly felt my eyes landing on a man practically gawking at her. A good space away, but not enough for my liking.

" You must value your eyes. Look at her again and watch what happens" I murmured seeing the man look away from Farya, and towards me, before he paled and looked away. Farya who had been completely unaware looked over her shoulders, and then towards me.

" So you're not gonna give me your blazer?" Farya asked with amusement making me glare at her, seeing the woman roll her eyes dramatically.

" No! Because people need to mind their own eyes and not look at other peoples wives and daughters" I spoke a little louder than I should have seeing Farya shrug her shoulder.

" You look a little cold. So here" I murmured putting my jacket on her, seeing it overtake her small figure, as she rolled her eyes and decided to round the car.

Sitting at the front beside me, I could see a small grin on her face, yet I paid her no attention. Finding it hard to focus without recalling the man's hideous stare on her.

" That's it"

I muttered under my breath, reaching towards the door and hoping to teach that man a lesson, to not look at other women, when suddenly Farya reached towards my arms. Pulling me back.

" Moustafa please. Let's just go home okay?" She pleaded, her large eyes trained on mine and after good while, I nodded despite my better half telling me otherwise. Yet I knew it had been a long day and I needed rest.

Truth be told. The past year has been crazy enough. After Farya came home, we had decided to stay in the black sea region, yet build a house of our own. That overlooked the luscious mountains and green trees.

The house we had built for ourselves, soon became a place for Kenan to crash at, and for Elif and Murat to come around when the better half of them decided they needed a break.

Despite wanting to tell them to kindly 'fuck off'-- Farya insisted otherwise saying she had always wanted a home where everyone came and found peace. As for the house next to the beach Roshan had left her. Farya insisted we have that as a holiday home. And in the mean time, it hosted Iskendar-- Nourie's estranged son who had taken a brotherly role for Farya. Something she very much appreciated.

" If you say so"

I spoke seeing her grin and look ahead. Glancing at the woman beside me. I noticed her relaxing a little, her eyes closing, allowing the wind to flow through the windows making her long hair move lightly on to her face. She slowly brushed it to the side, her eyes opening and landing on mine.

Reaching towards her hand, I brought it upwards before placing a kiss on it. Hearing her giggle.

" I love you Farya Aydin"

I spoke sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. Seeing her cheeks turn red as she nodded before looking towards our hands.

" I love you too... Kenan?"

" What!"

I almost yelled seeing Farya's eyes trained on our house. I could see the front gates open and a figure laying on the floor at the front door.

" No look-- it's Kenan"

Farya exclaimed and right enough, Kenan was laying beside the front door. His face bruised and bloody. As if noticing us, he looked upwards and raised his hand, hoping to smile but winced in the process.

What on earth is he doing?

I murmured stepping out of the car and towards Kenan who looked worse up close.

" Kenan! What happened? What have you done?" I found myself asking seeing him casually shrug before he tried standing up and winced in the process.

" I got in to a fight"

" Oh yeah. Over what?"

" No one"

He snapped as he stood up, and from all the years of knowing the man. His voice sounded different, as did the look on his face.

Helping the man, I could see Farya push the door open whilst I helped Kenan inside the house. Hearing him wince throughout the process.

Slipping my shoes I helped Kenan inside the open room before seeing him lay down on the sofa. His eyes closing tightly.

" Farya! Get me the first aid kit" I yelled hearing her call back, insisting she wasn't deaf and could hear perfectly well. Hence there was no need to shout. Making me smile and ignore her, and focus on my friend.

" Who was it? Those Europeans?" I asked seeing the man give me an absurd look before shaking his head yet even I knew it wasn't those Europeans he got into a brawl with. I knew who it was, but I needed him to say it.

" No it wasn't them"

Kenan replied back. His eyes closed and I could hear Farya walk towards us. Glancing upwards I felt a grin on my face seeing her raise her eyebrow before placing the small box before me.

" I'm going to change. I'll make you guys something to eat" She spoke sending me a wink making me groan whilst hearing Kenan scoff in displeasure.

" Keep the bedroom behaviour inside the room" Kenan commented making me grin but nonetheless help him up.

It didn't take long to clean the cuts on his face, or to put a plaster above his eyebrow whilst Insisting the man his pretty face won't have permanent scars, which he was more than happy to hear. By the time Farya had cooked Kenan insisted he was going to sleep at home and to pack him something.

I knew Kenan wasn't in the best of places at the moment. He needed a friend more than ever, but he hated people pitying him so instead he acted like a clown and hoped everyone fell for the trick.

" Fairy I'm hungry"

I murmured helping her with the plates, as she turned towards me and then looked at the empty plate in my hand.

" Are you mad? You had two plates of rice and chicken"

She exclaimed making me grin and reach towards her. My arms wrapping around her waist, feeling the woman relax a little.

" Mhm! But I'm not that kind of hungry, you know" I murmured hearing her breathing labouring. Turning her around swiftly, her now dark eyes flickered towards mine. Placing my forehead against hers, my fingers slowly brushed on her lips. Seeing her swallow sharply.

" W-What kind then?"

She whispered, her breath hitching, as she looked downwards at her hands making me grin feeling my lips brush against hers lightly. I knew if i hadn't held my arms around hers, she would have staggered backwards.

Holding her tightly, I felt my lips move against hers. Seeing her eyes close, and her hand grip on to my shoulders.

" W-We have to stop"

" We do?"

I groaned seeing her nod. Her bright eyes landing on me, and a moment or two passed before she smiled. Her hands brushing through my hair whilst she tried catching her breath.

" I love you too, Moustafa Aydin"

Farya whispered suddenly, making me grin and reach towards her. Pulling her up bridal style and out of the kitchen hearing her giggle softly.

" Come on, put me down. I'm gonna feel sick" she giggled and I did, dropping her on the sofa, seeing her body bounce upwards before landing down again. Her face split in to a huge grin and her eyes remained closed.

" Fairy do you know what day it is?"

I asked seeing her sit up, leaning on her arms a little before shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. As if she didn't know what day it was. The blue shirt she decided to wear complimented her hair colour, making her look utterly stunning.

" I don't. Do you?"

She asked slowly unbutonning her top button, before pulling her hair up making my eyes widen. Seeing something flash in hers.

" It's hot in here, isn't it?"

" Don't change the subject"

I grinned seeing the woman stand up, her small figure barely reaching my shoulders but nonetheless she tried standing tall. Her bright eyes trained on me.

" Its our--"

" Sixth wedding anniversary. I know"

She spoke smartly, making me smile feeling my eyes land on her body and the now see through shirt, and at the red ling-

" I forgot my phone"

A voice came from the doorway and a loud squeal of horror escaped the man who now walked inside the house. Groaning I closed my eyes, seeing Farya reach towards a shawl on the sofa before wrap it around herself.

" You asshole"

I muttered seeing Kenan holding a hand over his eyes. If it wasn't for his already bruised face, I would have added one to the edition, but decided he had suffered enough.

" You're such a party pooper" I murmured seeing the man roll his eyes, and pull his middle finger, before he walked towards the sofa and sat down. Just in time for the door to open and in came Murat and Elif with a small box in their hands, followed by Layla and her husband and Guliez.

" We decided to throw a small party but I couldn't be bothered decorating"

Kenan spoke as he pulled a party blower from his pocket and blew on it. Making everyone groan.