Page 111 of My Lucky Star
“Istanbul Airport,” Emir told Tarik, then turned to me. “And you tell me what’s going on.”
“He’s in love with the New Zealand woman,” Tarik said quietly, his berating eyes flashing at us on the rear-view mirror. “You’re all business, you don’t notice, but it’s obvious.”
Emir glared at me. “You’re in love with the New Zealand woman? The heavier version of Burcu?”
I sighed, cursing the Turkish habit of openly commenting on everyone’s weight.
“She’s perfect. And yes, I love her. I don’t want to do fake dating anymore. I don’t care what the studio’s expecting or what anyone else thinks. I want Aria.”
Emir leaned his face into his hand, groaning. “You could have told me that!”
“I was going to. I didn’t know you’d send her away behind my back.”
“We talked about this, remember? That you shouldn’t get involved with her. I figured you wouldn’t listen, but I thought at most you’d sleep with her once. Not fall in love.”
I rubbed my forehead. “I didn’t mean to.”
“You know she lives in New Zealand, right? And you live and work here.”
“What if I didn’t?”
“What do you mean? You have a chance at a global film career. Nobody throws that away.”
I huffed. “You sound like Aria.”
“Clearly, she’s a smart girl. She wants the best for you.”
“But—”
“Don’t be stupid, Cem. This is not the storyline of some vapiddizi. Love doesn’t conquer all. Not things like this.”
I clamped my mouth shut. My brother would never understand.
“Excuse me, but what time is her flight?” Tarik gestured at the sea of red brake lights ahead of us. Traffic ground to a halt.
“Eleven-thirty.” Emir looked at his watch. “In half an hour.”
“I’m sorry,Cem bey, but if that flight leaves on time, we’ll never make it.” Tarik’s voice carried a level of compassion my brother wasn’t capable of.
“Fine.” I released a sigh so heavy my soul may have escaped with it. “Let’s go home.”
Emir’s shoulders dropped in relief. If only he’d known that was the moment I saw my cage and everything it was made of, every bar holding me back, standing in the way of my freedom. And I was ready to break it all down.
