Atlas spent the whole day taking me around and buying me gifts, not caring about his bruised cheek and split lip. The first thing I did with the phone he bought me was call my mom and dad. While talking to my mom, I couldn't help myself and started crying. I couldn't help it; being away from them was so hard.
Atlas, unable to bear my state, took me to see them for a short while. It had done me a lot of good. He had also allowed me to see my friends. He was taking care of me every day, living up to his role as a brother. I was also trying my best to get used to my new family. And today, I was very happy because my friends were coming to see me. I was sitting on the spacious balcony of the house, waiting for them. The large garden was, as usual, full of men. Mr. Aziz was a businessman with construction companies; I didn't know why he needed so many men. The large garden gate opened, and Kaya's car entered the garden. Joyfully, I went inside from the balcony and ran down the stairs. "Slow down... This isn't your shanty town, young lady." I stopped at the bottom of the stairs at the sound of Zerrin's voice and looked at her face. "Didn't they teach you any manners? What is this rudeness?" I looked at Zerrin, who was speaking loudly. She looked like a witch, just missing a broom. I started laughing at the thought. When she saw me laughing, she went crazy. "Disrespectful, and she's laughing too! I'm going to tell your father about your rudeness. You have no place in this house, understand me? Let's see if you'll laugh like this when you're sent back to the dump you came from." "Zerrin, what's going on?" Zerrin fell silent when she heard my grandmother's voice. "Why are you shouting like that at my granddaughter?" "Ask your insolent granddaughter that," she said, walking past us.
"Don't mind her, my beautiful granddaughter. She still hasn't gotten used to your presence." "It's okay, Grandma, it's not important," I said. She smiled, hugged me, and breathed in my scent. I looked at the door; my friends had entered. Smiling, I ran to them. "Welcome!" I said, hugging each of them in turn. "Come on, let's go up to my room." "Ceyda, sit in the living room; you'll be more comfortable there." I turned to her at the sound of my grandmother's voice. "Let's go to my room, Grandma. We'll be more comfortable there." "As you wish, my girl," she said. I pulled my friends along, went up the stairs, and entered my room. "Oh, Ceyda, your room is so beautiful!" Aslı said, looking around. "The house is so big. Just your room is the size of our house," Elif said. When Kaya said, "You've become so rich, Ceyda. You weren't giving me the time of day before; now you probably don't want a poor guy like me at all." "You just have to ask, and I'll give you two hundred, handsome," I said, smiling. "Wow, you called me handsome?" he said, hugging me. "Of course, you're both handsome and rich. It would be good if you dropped this stubbornness and made up with your dad." "Oh, girl, don't bring up my dad. I'm happy with my life."
"Anyway, never mind. Come on, sit down; don't just stand there," I said, pointing to the pink armchairs in my room. "Ceyda, your room has a great view too, and..." Yasemin said, grinning. "Yes, and what?" I said. "And... that brother of yours, Atlas, is so handsome. Can you set me up with him?" "I have one brother left, and you want me to set him up too, Yasemin?" I said, smiling. "So, have you gotten used to your new family? How are you feeling?" Kaya asked, putting her arm around my neck. "I'm trying to get used to it. They are very good to me. They lived with longing for me for years; I don't want to disappoint them. Except for one person, of course. For some reason, she doesn't like me at all." "Who is it that doesn't like you?" Kaya said. I answered with a smile. "My brother's mother." "How does she act? Does she upset you?" "Never mind, Kaya. I don't pay any attention to her. I saw you arriving from the balcony and ran down the stairs and ran into her. She scolded me, asking if one runs inside the house. I know it's an excuse; she acts like this because she doesn't want me here. And I just adore her too, the witch without a broom," I said. We all started laughing together. Then I continued talking. "What I've been through lately is so strange. First, I got lost and was held against my will by someone I didn't know. On top of that, I found out that my mom and dad are my adoptive parents and that I have a biological family that has been looking for me for years. I, who was always cheerful and didn't let things get to me, have turned into a cowardly, weepy, quiet person."
Elif put her hand on my knees as if to console me. "Become the old Ceyda again. Don't worry, everything will work out, my dear," she said. "That Sarp guy came to the cafe the day your new family found you and brought you here," Aslı said. I looked at her excitedly. "He asked about you. We told him, 'Enough already, leave Ceyda alone.' When he referred to you as 'my Ceyda,' Kaya shouted and went up to him. He said, 'As Ceyda's future husband, am I going to ask you what I should do?'" I can't believe it. Sarp used the same phrase he said to me in front of them too. What is this man trying to do? I listened to them with astonished eyes. Yasemin said, "Yes, Ceyda, are you and Sarp dating and hiding it from us? Do you love him? Or is he threatening you?" They all looked at me at once. I didn't know what to say to them. My cheeks reddened, then I pulled myself together and spoke. "We're not dating," I said, clearing my throat. "The other day, when he came to the cafe while we were celebrating my birthday, he said the same thing to me. Actually, he seems interested in me, but Mr. Aziz, my dad, and his family have been enemies for years. I think he's interested in me to get revenge. That's why he held me in the mountain house in the first place. While my dad was looking for me, they were also looking for me on the side." I continued with a bittersweet smile. "So, as you understand, I went to my enemy's feet of my own accord." "If he bothers you again, I'll show him what I can do," Kaya said, frowning. "No, you will stay away from him, Kaya. You don't know what he's like. He shot a man right in front of me," I said. The girls looked at me in surprise. "I'm not afraid of him, Ceyda." While Kaya was talking, the door was knocked. "Come in," I said. The door opened, and my brother entered, smiling. He looked at my friends and said, "Welcome," then turned to me. "May I come in, princess?" "Of course, brother. Come, let's sit together."
He pulled up a chair and sat with us. We joked and chatted for hours. Yasemin kept looking at my brother, smiling and tossing her hair with her hands—a kind of flirting technique. During the conversation, my room door knocked again. It was Hatice abla, whose name I had just learned, who worked in the house. "Miss Ceyda, your father is waiting for you and your friends for dinner." "Okay, Hatice abla, we're coming," I said. Even though my friends didn't really want to stay for dinner, my brother insisted, and we all went downstairs to the living room. Everyone was at the table, waiting for us to start dinner. When my dad saw us, he stood up, smiling. "Welcome, young people. Please, come to the table," he said. Although my friends were hesitant, they said "Nice to be here" with a smile and went to the table. My grandfather and grandmother also smiled, said "Welcome," and welcomed them warmly. Of course, Zerrin was looking at me and my friends with a sour expression. While we were eating, we were also chatting; my friends were slowly getting used to the environment. "Ceyda, your family seems like good people, but except for your stepmother. She really is as bad as you said," Elif said as I was seeing them to the door. Yasemin said, "Girl, she's a witch missing a broom, just like you said. Luckily, her son didn't take after her." "Yasemin, your problem is something else," I said. We all laughed at Yasemin. After they left, I looked around the garden for a bit. The weather was very nice. Every corner of the garden was full of men again. I looked up at the sky, watched the stars, and breathed in the lovely night air. "Do you need something, Miss Ceyda?" I flinched at the sound of the voice. I lowered my head and looked at the man in front of me. He was looking at me with dark eyes. When I was slow to respond,
"Excuse me, Miss Ceyda, I didn't mean to scare you," he said. I pulled myself together. "No, I'm just getting some air," I said. "If you need anything, I'm always at your service. My name is Cem; just call me." I shook my head. "Thank you," I said and went inside. The man was very strange. I didn't look like I needed anything; did he approach me to talk? Just as I was about to go up the stairs, Hatice abla called out. "Miss Ceyda, your father is waiting for you in the living room," she said. I smiled at her and went to the living room. "Come, my beautiful girl, sit next to me." At my dad's call, I sat next to him. As he put his arm around my neck, he said, "I have things to discuss with you and your brother. First, take this," he said, holding out what was in his hand. And he continued, "Your new ID." I took the ID he was holding. It said Ceyda Doğanlar on it. My eyes filled with tears. My surname was no longer Keskin but Doğanlar. This felt so strange. "Now, let's move on to the other matter," he said. The whole family, including me, listened to him silently. "And this," he said, taking the keys from the coffee table, opening my palm, and placing them in it. "The keys to the new house for the family that raised you until now, protected you, and invested effort in you." The moment he said this, I turned and looked at his face. Had I heard wrong? Had he bought a house for my family? His dark eyes were looking at me very warmly. He smiled. It was the first time I was looking at him so carefully. "One of the houses built by our company. I chose the one closest to us. I hope you will like it too," he said. While I was still looking at him in shock, he continued. "Tomorrow, you and your brother will bring them and settle them into their house. The house is ready; they don't need to buy any furniture. You can visit them easily whenever you want. Also, from now on, everything about them will be taken care of." I didn't let him finish his sentence. With tearful eyes, I suddenly hugged him around the neck. I was so happy. Now my family would be close by. I could be with them whenever I wanted. "Thank you, thank you," I said, hugging his neck tighter. He laughed heartily and hugged me tightly too. After a short while, I pulled back.
Looking at my face, he said, "I am your father, my daughter. I will do from now on what I couldn't do for you until today." I smiled and looked at his face. "You're doing something for your daughter, but isn't this a bit too much for others, don't you think?" We turned to Zerrin at her words. She was looking at us with angry eyes. "Stay out of this, Zerrin. Nothing I do for my daughter is enough," my dad retorted sternly. No one else spoke. My brother just looked at me and smiled. "And now, let's come to the most important matter," he said, and we all turned to my dad again. "I am giving twenty-five percent of Doğanlar Holding Company to Atlas and twenty-five percent to you, my daughter." The moment he said this, I looked at my dad's eyes in shock. I was very surprised; I didn't know what to say. "This is too much now. What are you doing, Aziz?" I turned to Zerrin again as she shouted. "She doesn't deserve this much! You can't give the shares to her!" she said, pointing at me. My dad looked at Zerrin without losing his composure. "Are you going to tell me what to do? You will apologize to Ceyda," he said. He wasn't shouting, but his voice was very frightening. For a moment, I felt terrible. I didn't know what to say; I just sat there frozen. "I told you to apologize, Zerrin." Zerrin breathed angrily. "I've been your wife for how many years? Are you breaking me because of this girl? If you expect me to apologize to her, you're mistaken," she said and left the living room. "My daughter, don't mind Zerrin's fault. Don't upset yourself. In this house, your father's word is law. Whatever he says will happen. No one, including Zerrin, can object to that," my grandfather said. "I don't want anything from you," I started to say, but my dad cut me off.
"You are taking what is rightfully yours, my daughter. Tomorrow, you will come to the company with your brother. You will sign the necessary documents." After my dad finished speaking, he went up to his room. Then my grandmother and grandfather hugged me and left too. My brother came and sat next to me, putting his arm around my neck. "Don't be upset, princess. My mother's nerves are on edge lately. In time, she will get used to your presence too. Come on, smile a little now," he said, smiling and tapping my nose with his index finger. I didn't feel like laughing at all inside, but I still tried to smile. For a while, he tried to cheer me up by making jokes and talking to me. Later, we retired to our rooms, which were next to each other, to sleep. I opened the large white wardrobe, took out my pink pajamas, and put them on. I let down my tied- up hair and went out to the balcony. I looked around. The men were still patrolling the garden. I wondered if they worked in shifts, or could anyone endure this? While I was looking around, I heard a woman's voice shouting. After listening to the voice for a bit, I realized it was coming from the side, from my brother's room. I moved towards the edge of the balcony and listened to the voice. "You have to stop your father! He can't give the shares to that girl! The holding is your right!" It was Zerrin's voice; she was shouting angrily. "What nonsense are you talking, Mother? That girl you're talking about is my sister!" my brother was shouting back at his mother. "I see you've immediately taken that girl under your wing. How eager you are to be a brother. She is not your sister; I didn't give birth to her." What I heard made me even more tense. I don't know why this woman is so angry with me. If I could, I would leave this place right now. "Mother, your nerves are frayed. Maybe you should go and sleep now." "I'm going, but you will handle this situation tomorrow, or else..." "Or else what? What will you do, Mother?" After my brother spoke, the door slammed. I think Zerrin slammed the door and left the room. Then another sound came, like the sound of a glass breaking.
Just when I think everything is getting better, a problem arises. Now I guess I'll have to deal with this Zerrin nuisance. I went into my room and threw myself onto the bed. I lay on my back and watched the ceiling. I thought about what had happened to me and what was to come. How did my life change so much in such a short time? I was the only daughter of my mom and dad. I was the happy, carefree girl who didn't let things get to her. Now there's no trace of my old cheerfulness, but I will pull myself together. I won't let that witch Zerrin upset me. A hand was stroking my face. I wanted to open my eyes, but sleep was preventing me. It was as if someone was touching my neck and breathing in my scent. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming, but no, I was awake. "Ceyda." I flinched at the sound of the male voice and opened my eyes. A person whose face I couldn't make out in the dark was lying next to me. Just as I was about to scream in fear, he covered my mouth with his hand. My eyes wide, I tried to recognize him while struggling to break free from his grip. "Shh, it's okay, calm down. It's me, Sarp." I stopped when he said that. He reached out and turned on the bedside lamp on my right, so I could see his face. Looking into my eyes, he said, "I'm going to remove my hand, but you won't scream, okay?" I nodded my head in agreement. As soon as he removed his hand, I shook off my shock. "What are you doing here? How did you get into my room?" I said. I was barely restraining myself from shouting. At the same time, I quickly got out of bed. I stood up and looked at him. He grinned, looking at my face, and started talking. "I missed you. I wanted to see you." "Is this the time for that? Did you break in in a sack?" What am I saying? As if he were my boyfriend and it was normal for him to miss me. He got out of my bed and started walking towards me slowly, talking. "You know they don't let me see you."
I raised my hand towards him. "Stop!" He stopped the moment I said it. "Don't come near me. You have no right to come into my room at this hour and scare me." "My intention isn't to scare you. I just wanted to see you and talk. Now calm down; look, you're trembling. Sit in that chair; let's talk," he said. I hadn't realized I was trembling until he said it. I took a deep breath to calm myself down. I passed by him, first turned on the main light so I could see him more clearly, and then sat in the armchair. Without taking his eyes off me, he sat opposite me. I spoke before he could. "Why are you here?" In a relaxed manner, he said, "I came to see my future wife," and grinned. I couldn't help myself and started getting angry. "What nonsense are you talking? Why are you still after me? Leave me alone already. Get out of here!" He was listening to me, narrowing his eyes. "Tsk, tsk," he said, leaning forward, putting his arms on his knees. "I came here by climbing over the balcony, bypassing all those guards, for you, and you're going to kick me out?" "I know why you're bothering me. Our families are enemies for some reason I don't know. You're after me for revenge," I said. "What if it's not like that? What if I really love you?" "Tell that lie to someone else. Now get out of here." "Is that so?" "Yes, it is," I said. "What if I take you with me?"
I panicked for a moment. What if he takes me and locks me up in some house again? "You can't take me anywhere with all those guards outside." He raised his eyebrows mockingly. "Remember, I slipped through all those guards and came here." I just stood there. I didn't know what to do. Gathering my courage, I said, "I'll scream now and gather everyone here. I won't go anywhere with you. Now get out!" He laughed loudly. "Okay, okay, I'm going. Just don't scream and burst my eardrums," he said, taking his phone out of his pocket and calling someone. "Clear the area; I'm coming out," he said, hanging up and standing up. Looking at me, he said, "I'm leaving. And you, get ready. You will be my wife soon." What nonsense is he talking? As he walked towards the balcony, I followed him. "What are you talking about? Are you crazy? What wife?" I said loudly. He suddenly stopped and turned to me. We were eye to eye. Narrowing his eyes, he said, "You have feelings for me too; we both know that," then turned his back and jumped off the balcony. Then he walked away calmly and left. I leaned my back against the balcony railing, closed my eyes, and my heart was pounding from excitement. Was I feeling something for him, as Sarp said? Is that why my heart beats wildly when he gets close to me? Was he going to ask for my hand? Even if he did, my dad probably wouldn't give me to his enemy's son. I jumped at the sound of a knock on the door. Who could it be at this hour? It couldn't be Sarp, could it? Hesitantly, I went to the door. "Ceyda, are you awake?"
It was my brother's voice. I opened the door. He looked at my face uneasily. "Are you okay, princess? Why are you up at this hour?" "Who were you talking to?" "I heard voices from your room." "I'm fine. I just had a nightmare and was talking to myself." I don't know how much he believed what I said. "If you want to talk, I'll listen. Also, if you're scared, I can sleep in your room." I really liked what he said. He was really being a brother. So I was warming up to him more over time. I answered with a smile. "Thank you, brother. It's not necessary; it was just a dream. I'm going to sleep now anyway. Hey, wait a minute, why are you up at this hour?" "For some reason, I couldn't sleep. I was about to sleep when I heard the voices and wanted to check on you. Well, if there's no problem, I'm going to sleep, princess. If anything happens, you can come to me without hesitation." "Okay, brother. Good night," I said. "Good night," he said and left. I closed my door, closed my eyes, put my hand on my heart, and took a deep breath. That was enough adrenaline for me. I needed to sleep and rest as soon as possible without thinking about anything.