My heart was pounding. Each word that fell from Kaan Berker’s lips felt like a bullet hitting me. “To help you, you’ll do me a favor, Elif.” I averted my eyes. A favor? Did such a word even exist in this man’s dictionary?
“What do you want?” I whispered, trying to suppress the tremor in my voice.
Kaan leaned back in his chair. His dark eyes scanned me. “You’re going to be my assistant. You’ll assist me in all my projects throughout this semester.”
An assistant? Nonsense. What this man wanted from me was definitely more than just assistance. An alarm bell was ringing inside me. Run, Elif, run! But where to? My father's secret awaited me.
“Why me?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity. “Why not the top student instead of me?”
Kaan smiled slightly. That smile was like a cruel shadow appearing at the corner of his lips. “Because you’re different, Elif. You’re... more interesting.”
Interesting? Me? What could be more interesting than a traumatized young girl who witnessed her father’s crime? At that moment, a suspicion sprouted inside me. Did Kaan know something about me? My secret?
“I don’t see a reason for me to accept this,” I said, trying to straighten up. “I’m already busy enough.” I was lying. My life was empty. Just lessons, books, and my father’s shadow...
Kaan folded his hands on his desk. “Well then, Elif. I won’t tell you the latest developments regarding your father’s health. Maybe... they’ll reopen his case.”
Blackmail. Classic Kaan Berker.
“You’re blackmailing me,” I said angrily.
“No, Elif. I’m just offering you a deal. It’s up to you to accept or not.”
What should I do? Should I accept? Entering the devil’s lair willingly was madness. But my father... I had to protect him.
“What about my grades?” I asked, giving in. “If I become your assistant, will my grades improve?”
Kaan laughed. He didn't burst out laughing, just the corners of his lips twitched upwards and a dark glint appeared in his eyes. “Your grades? Elif, you won’t even have to think about your grades after you become my assistant.”
So, were we agreed?
I sighed and stood up. “I accept,” I said reluctantly. "But I have one condition."
Kaan frowned. "A condition?"
"Yes. My assisting you will have absolutely nothing to do with my father. If you mention my father’s name, I’ll resign immediately.”
Kaan thought for a moment. Then, that devilish smile reappeared. “Agreed. But remember, Elif, if you violate the terms of this agreement, you’ll face the consequences.”
***
When I left Kaan's office, my legs were trembling. What had I done? I had pushed myself to the edge of a cliff with my own hands.
As I walked down the hallway, my inner voice wouldn't shut up. *Why, Elif? Why did you accept? You should have stayed away from that man. He’s a psychopath!*
It was right. But my father... I had to protect him.
Just then, I startled as someone touched my shoulder. When I turned around, I saw Selin, one of the popular girls in the department.
“Elif, are you okay? Your face is as white as a sheet,” she said worriedly. “I saw you coming out of Professor Berker’s office. Is there a problem?”
“No, there’s no problem,” I said hastily. “I’m just a little tired.”
Selin looked at me suspiciously. “Are you sure? Everyone is wary of Professor Berker. I heard he puts a lot of pressure on his students.”
Pressure? I didn’t even know what more I would see.
“Never mind, Selin,” I said, trying to change the subject. “What are you doing?”
“I was going to see Professor Berker too. I came to ask for help with a project.”
A feeling of jealousy arose inside me. Why Selin? Why me?
“I hope everything goes well,” I said with a forced smile.
After Selin said goodbye, I continued on my way. All I could think about was Kaan. How could that man have turned my life upside down in such a short time?
***
In the evening, when I returned to the dorm, I threw myself onto the bed. As I stared at the ceiling, Kaan's words echoed in my ears. *You’re different, Elif. You’re... more interesting.*
I wondered why I was interesting. What did he know?
I picked up my phone and called my father. After ringing for a long time, he finally answered.
"Elif?" my father said with a tired voice. "Is there a problem?"
"No, dad, there's no problem,” I said. “I was just wondering about you.”
My father paused for a moment. “I was wondering about you too, honey. Take care of yourself.”
“You too, Dad,” I said. “I love you.”
After hanging up the phone, tears started to roll down my face. I would do anything to protect my father. Even making a deal with Kaan Berker...
As I tossed and turned in my bed, Kaan’s face appeared before my eyes. Those dark eyes, that cruel smile... I felt both fear and a strange attraction inside me.
Where would this attraction drag me?
***
The next morning, I was waiting in front of Kaan’s office. My heart was pounding again. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Kaan’s voice sounded.
I opened the door and went inside. Kaan was sitting at his desk as usual. His eyes found me and that devilish smile reappeared.
“Good morning, Elif,” he said. “How was your night?”
“Fine,” I said briefly.
"Good. Because today, you're starting on your new life."
Kaan handed me a file on his desk. "This is your first task. Examine this file and prepare a report for me.”
I took the file and looked at the cover. There was only one name written on it: "Leyla Demir.”
At that moment, a bad feeling awoke inside me. Leyla Demir... I had heard this name before. But where?
“Who is this?” I asked curiously.
Kaan leaned back and fixed his gaze on me. “Leyla Demir was a former patient of mine.”
Silence... A heavy silence filled the room.
“What happened to her?” I asked in a whisper.
Kaan smiled. “She died.”