Page 105 of My Lucky Star
“Thank you,” I matched my volume to theirs.
Burcu looked over her shoulder. “My father is out with my brothers...tavla.”
“Backgammon,” Cem translated.
“Yes! And my mother went to bed and told the servants to go away. She has a headache.” Burcu tapped her own forehead. “But I think it’s good we don’t tell them, yes?”
“Probably better that way,” Emir confirmed. “Thank you for letting us hide here. We won’t be long. We’re hoping the paparazzi lose interest and leave.”
Burcu glanced at the gate, which thankfully didn’t offer a direct view to the entrance. “They think Cem drove me home after a date?”
We all nodded, and she stepped aside to let us in. “Please come inside, but please keep your voices down.”
I followed the Erkam brothers into the brightly lit hallway, taking off my pointy, golden heels with great relief. My body had decided to cut off circulation to my pinkie toes, turning them into white nuggets, which I was happy to hide inside Burcu’s guest slippers. I wobbled behind everyone else, searching for balance, desperate for the night to be over.
Burcu led us into an opulently decorated sitting room bursting with tasseled cushions, rugs and wall hangings. The palette of red and gold was set against a creamy wallpaper and the chandelier looked heavy enough to kill. If this family was in financial trouble, it wasn’t immediately obvious.
We took seats across the endless, luxurious couch and Burcu excused herself, saying something to Emir who followed her.
“She’s going to make tea,” Cem explained.
Tea, again?
“But it’s late and we arrived unannounced,” I argued.
Cem leaned back against the plush couch. “It’s a matter of hospitality.”
“She looks amazing.” I glanced at the direction Burcu had exited.
Cem’s eyebrows lifted as he gazed at the doorway. “She looks like she’s doing better. That’s good.”
I swallowed, zipping my mouth. There was no point digging a deeper hole for myself. If I could see the difference between us, Cem could see it. I wanted him to tell me I looked just as beautiful and not like the peasant version of a goddess, but it wasn’t true, and I also despised insecure bullshit like that. I would not let those words pass my lips. I would not compete with this incredible woman, even if I’d been forced into a situation of rivalry.
I focused my eyes on a candle holder that sat on the coffee table. A flickering flame danced inside, making the star-patterned mosaic twinkle.
Cem scooted closer to me, placing his hand on the small of my back. The touch made my heart ache. It could have reassured me, if it weren’t for the very abrupt way that he detached from me as Burcu and Emir re-entered the room, carrying trays of tea and snacks.
Burcu must have started laying out treats the moment she got off the phone with Emir. The presentation looked as flawless as the caramel waves falling on her shoulders. I accepted my tea with a thank you. Turkish was coming a little easier.
The meal of fish and vegetables had been as light as air and seeing the array of nuts, seeds and dried fruit on the platter, I snuck a handful onto my saucer.
With everyone served, Burcu took a seat next to Emir, facing me and Cem. “You look a lot like me,” she stated approvingly, slightly cocking her head as her eyes examined me. “How much do you weigh?”
I nearly inhaled my tea. “Pardon me?”
Burcu stared back, oblivious to my discomfort. “I mean, how many kilograms?”
I glanced at Cem, but he didn’t seem particularly outraged. Why wasn’t anyone defending me?
“I’m not sure,” I finally uttered, placing the cashew nut I’d been about to eat back on the saucer.
“I’m fifty-five kilos,” Burcu announced with a smile. “Two kilos lighter than I was during the filming ofAskta Sansli. But if you’re heavier, that’s okay. Once I’m ready to go public again, people will think I lost some weight.” She beamed, taking a tiny sip of her tea. “I can’t wait to get back to my old life.”
She released a deep sigh, her smile wavering between hope and desperation.
“I love this candle holder.”
I wasn’t sure why I said it. Maybe to steer everyone’s attention away from my weight.
