Episode 1, Scene: Meeting Sanem, Can's POV

                                    

                                          
When Can entered the doors of Fikra Harika that day he took a deep breath. His mind had been preoccupied with many different thoughts lately, many of which kept bringing him back to the mystery girl whom he had mistakenly kissed in the balcony at the auditorium from the previous night. It had affected him tremendously and peaked his curiosity as to the identity of this special girl, but he had to put those thoughts aside for now and focus on a more pressing matter...His father had just left him in charge of their family's advertising agency, during his leave of absence, not only to oversee the business, but to also uncover the identity of a spy who had apparently been stealing clients and sabotaging projects which was doing serious damage to their profits. It was an enormous responsibility but he was up for the task and the challenge. After all, he would do anything for his father, especially after learning about his illness which was the reason for him leaving, and he was determined not to let him down. 
                          
Despite his determination though, he was definitely not looking forward to the employees' reaction to the news that he would now be taking over the managerial duties. He knew what they all thought of him, despite their superficial friendliness towards him... that he was the boss's privileged, adventure-seeking, carefree son, who spent most of his time galavanting around the globe to obscure places as a free-lance photographer with only a camera and a backback, not having a single care in the world... It didn't matter that he had worked at the agency before. What would he know about leading their company? Well, he would just have to prove them wrong...that he was also an intelligent, serious professional and that he meant business. 
                          
He headed towards the coffee station where he figured he would find Guliz, the office administrator, who he needed to inform the rest of the staff that he was calling a general meeting that morning. As expected he found her there, up to her usual gossiping with CeyCey but stopped mid-sentence once she saw Can enter the area. Just then, another girl he hadn't recognized, who was sitting at the counter with her back towards him spoke up and began chattering... her voice, sweet and melodic like a canary chirping its favourite tune on a bright sunny day...yet the lyrics were far from sweet. 
"You know, according to what you say, it sounds like this Can Bey is very arrogant and only thinks about himself.." she said. Can raised his eyebrow and was far more amused with her animated gestures than offended from the content of what she was actually saying. He was tempted to interrupt her to save her from further embarrassment but was curious and amused to hear what else she had to say. He looked towards Guliz and CeyCey and motioned to them not to say anything to allow her to continue. Then he made himself comfortable and leaned back against the wall behind her to continue to listen in on her babbling..."I mean, aren't all bosses like that?  When they get bored, they go run off and play with the crocodiles... if they're still bored they go and raise lions. They say 'We have a company, let's stay whenever we feel like it and be the bosses.' You know, in fact, life is pretty nice for them...I'm hungry, are you guys hungry?" Can chuckled to himself at the way she paused when the thought of food crossed her mind...she really was like a bird. She carried on when her coworkers didn't respond and just stared at her.  "So no?" She continued to chirp away without missing a beat. "Anyway, where was I...oh yeah, who is he anyway, who is this Can Bey? I mean, I don't know him, he may be the boss and all but I've never even seen him...and I'm an employee here, maybe only a service clerk but still important no less. After all, we're all equal here, right? We don't differ from each other." 
                          
At last the little bird stopped chirping when she finally realized her coworkers were not responding and were just staring at her. CeyCey muttered for her to be quiet, and then signalled with his eyes that they weren't alone. In the terribly awkward moments following, Sanem hesitantly raised her arm and pointed in the direction behind her.  Without turning around, she sheepishly asked her colleagues,"He's right behind me, isn't he?"
"Yes!" Guliz exclaimed, grateful that she had finally understood their cues.
                          
Can looked at her finger which was practically in his face and was tempted to bite it playfully but instead figured it was time to make his acquaintance with her. Can then pushed himself away from the wall he was leaning against and leisurely stepped up to the counter to meet this new girl, his newest critic. He then took off his sunglasses, settled his elbow onto the counter as he held his chin up with his fist and leaned into her to take a closer look. As she turned her head to face him he locked eyes with hers. Initially he wanted her to get a good look at him so that he could prove to her that he wasn't as bad as she made him out to be...He wanted her to feel a bit nervous, even ashamed for her comments. But then, he noticed her beautiful eyes and was mesmerized. They were as bright as a starlit night. They were open and honest and glowed with humour and playfulness with a mischievous glint.  They revealed a soul that was naive as a child but had the depth of a thousand untold stories. Any trace of resentment he had towards her, quickly vanished...There was a certain kind of warmth and safety in her eyes, something about them melted his heart. She blinked and the beauty was momentarily covered by the shield of her naturally long eyelashes. She was a pretty girl, with dark hair and soft waves that framed her youthful face...her endearing nose was small and turned up just the slightest bit adding to her youthfulness and charm...her lips, slightly parted, were naturally pink and perfectly shaped like a rose bud that held a promise of passion and sweetness to come. He fought to hide his smile behind his fist but his eyes couldn't hide his amusement. He continued to gaze into her eyes and enjoyed the uneasiness that it caused her.  It was the best punishment for her...to tease her, without uttering a single word... it gave him great pleasure and satisfaction. But there was something else in her eyes that drew him in even further. Was it her innocence, her wholesomeness...he sensed a certain familiarity about her but he wasn't quite sure. "What's your name?" he finally asked without breaking from his gaze. She responded with the most gentle, softest and most remorseful voice, "Sanem". 
                          
"Sanem" he repeated just as softly but with a straight face, not to show any mercy. Underneath it all he enjoyed the way her name sounded, especially hearing himself say it. He should have known that her name meant idol or a beautiful woman as it was certainly fitting, he thought.
                          
"Sanem, my name is Sanem" she said again in the same soft and tender voice. Her name echoed into his consciousness...Little did he know that she had already become a part of him...and that she would always be for the rest of his life.
                          
Canem Forever ❤️❤️