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43. THE CONNECTION
Last Updated:
2024-01-02 23:59:12
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A TWENTY SOMETHING 44. TWENTY LONG DAYS
HANA I stayed up all night, scrolling through i***a, waiting for Bash's message and trying to reach Violet. This is something Bash asked me not to do. I looked no less than a zombie when I went to the office with dark circles and messy hair because I was late to straighten it. "Do you happen to have a Band-Aid? ‘Cause I scraped my knees falling for you." "Shut up, Mateo." I chided him. "I am not in the mood for it." "Wow, how do you even manage to look worse than yesterday?" Shalini asked me, wide-eyed. She linked our hands while Mateo tried to do the same. I swatted his hand away. "Come on, what did I do? You should have gone with him." I know I should have. It has been two days since he left for New York. I don't know what's happening there. I don't know how he is dealing with the death of his only family member, if he has eaten, if he needs help or if he needs me. I knew nothing. I felt like such a useless person when he somehow c
Last Updated : 2024-01-04A TWENTY SOMETHING 45. MY BASH
HANA A faint glow of light was cast into my room when I opened my eyes. I remember closing the curtains of my bedroom because of the street light that stood across my apartment. I couldn't tolerate the faintest beam while I slept, especially when I couldn't sleep. I turned my head, taking in my surroundings. His watch rested on my bedside table. A smile tugged my lips. It's just a watch but it gives me such a sense of safety. I groaned, covering my face. "What did you do to me, Bash?" "I don't know. You tell me." My eyes cracked open, searching for the sound of the voice in the low-illuminated bedroom. I gasped looking over the stretched hand across my waist. I almost screamed if he hadn't covered my mouth with his palm. Panic started to grip me. I bit his hand to escape. "Hush," He says, drawing his hand back. His frame was backlit by the beam of a street light passing through my window before he moved closer. He smiled at me, his hand caressing
Last Updated : 2024-01-06A TWENTY SOMETHING 46. YOU AND ME
HANA I remember the time when I held a stone in my hand, ready to fight the boys who bullied my sister. I used to be fiercely protective of people I love until I was made into someone I don't recognise because of Leo. That protectiveness emerged out of nowhere. In many ways, Bash is just like me. He stared at everything silently because he was so proud of me. But the moment a stranger called me a whore, he broke his nose. I didn't know what that word meant for Bash to react like that until Shalini translated it. We would make such a perfect couple if we weren't what we are. I quickly packed my bag. Now that Bash has clarified that all we had is two months, I don't want to waste a minute of it. When I went to Bash's apartment, Bash was in nothing but a trouser. He is cooking. "If I hadn't known that you are a very bad cook, I would say, what a sexy sight it is." I watched his shoulder shake as he burst into laughter before he turned towards me. He held hi
Last Updated : 2024-01-08A TWENTY SOMETHING 47. DREAMS
HANA "You just asked me to suck you clean." My eyes widened and immediately drew my hands back. "No," I yell at him, throwing a pillow on his face. I have been trying to learn the sign language for months now. Every time I made a mistake, Bash used it to his advantage. His calloused hands circled my ankles and he pulled me to him in one soft movement. "Not fair," I protested. "I could never win against you." I pouted. That made him smile. He leaned to me to kiss me on my pouted lips which he has been doing a lot these days. I bit him, making him flinch so that I could get away. But he is too fast. Before I crawled back, he pulled me by my waist. Both of us slumped on the bed, giggling and breathing hard with him above me. I felt him remove the strands of hair off my back. The top raised up, and the next second, he was placing a wet kiss on my bare back. I moaned, relishing in his touch. It has been ten days since he return
Last Updated : 2024-01-09A TWENTY SOMETHING 48. SHALL I GO WITH YOU?
HANA I stayed late today. Something about what Asli said this morning doesn't sit with me well. "I'll help you," He said or I heard him say to her during the leisure. It can be any help. But it doesn't hurt to know more. I want to complete the work Bash gave me. A part of me wants to make him feel proud of me. I've never had a person whom I call mine. Even if it's just for a short period of time. I don't think it's possible to have someone like that, someone with whom you can share anything and rely on everything, someone with whom you can be weak without having to feel vulnerable. Damn, Bash has his way of making people feel.. I heard a distant laughter followed by footsteps into our ODC. Soon, Asli and Demir walked in. "sen benim kurtarıcımsın, (You are my saviour). Thank you for always being there." I heard Asli say. "Come on. I know the workload. I can't unsee the hard work you do." Asli gave him a grateful smile before they both sat at her desk.
Last Updated : 2024-01-13A TWENTY SOMETHING 49. AND HE LEFT
HANA I looked at the photo of Bash and smiled to myself. He stared at it for more than ten minutes last night. I took it when he was taking out an invitation card from an envelope, capturing his hands and his chest behind. Nothing on his face is captured in the photo except for his sharp jaw. "You should think about switching your career," He told me. "You capture moments." "It's too late for me," I told him. "You are just twenty-three." "I feel like I am fifty." Bash shook his head, still staring at the photo of him, "There's a child in you. Never let her go." His eyes bore into me as he held my gaze. "Why does it feel like you are giving me life lessons right now?" "Maybe I am." I didn't like it a bit. Because people tend to give others advice when they are going to leave. In our case, it is inevitable. As though he understood what I was thinking, he stretched his hand and scooted to him. Like this, I feel so small.
Last Updated : 2024-01-14A TWENTY SOMETHING 50. THE GRIEF
HANA I inhaled the scent of his shirt I found in my laundry bucket. He was here a few hours ago. My room still smells like him. Why does he have to leave without waking me up? What was the last thing we did? I didn't remember. My phone rang for the fifth time. I reached out to it, thinking it was Bash. Like last time, it was Shalini. I swiped it and attended the call. "Where were you?" She yelled from the other side. "Did something happen? I have been trying to reach you for an hour now." My lips trembled when I tried to talk. "He is gone," I tell her. "He is just gone." "Hey," Her tone softened as she talked. "What do you mean he is gone?" She questioned in a low tone. "He left," I sobbed. "Without a goodbye." "Isn't that what you want, Hana?" She asked me. I nod my head, as tears flood my eyes. "We still have a month. It hurts, Shalini. It fucking hurts to know that he won't be here with me." I heard the tapping of her footst
Last Updated : 2024-01-21A TWENTY SOMETHING PART:II- 51.CILLIAN SEBASTIAN MERRICK
HANA Mateo is not at all happy with my decision to visit Bash. "I can't live like this," I tried to explain. When did this happen? When did I become so close with my two colleagues that my body refused to step out without convincing Mateo that whatever I was doing was for my own good? "I need a closure. I will just talk to him and I can't reach my sister. I need to see her too." I felt awful for wanting to meet my sister when I was actually going to meet Bash. I never would have gone just to see her. That realisation only made me feel more selfish. I put Bash above everyone. "You are going with hope for the future, Hana. Not for closure. No matter what you told yourself, that's the truth." Mateo declared, and Shalini punched him on his biceps. "What's wrong with that?" She asked him. "What's wrong in hope for a future with the person?" "That will only make you an emotional fool," He says. His eyes darted to me, "You are more practical than this."
Last Updated : 2024-01-22
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A TWENTY SOMETHING EPILOGUE - II
BASH Celia is not due until next month. But that little shit can't wait for any longer. He came out earlier than expected, and if you are asking me why I am calling a one-hour-old baby, little shit, wait until I finish the full story. I didn't let Hana step out of our room for another five days. She has stitches, and what was she thinking, trying to sit in a wheelchair? Not under my watch. My Rose yawned in my arms and went back to sleep, her tiny hand wrapped around my finger. A few days back, if someone had told me that I would call another human being cute other than my wife, I would have laughed at them. Now, looking at Rose's sleeping form, that's all I can think - cute, delicate. She needs to be protected from all the ugliness of the world. I will make sure she is untouched. When my wife and daughter were being discharged, we visited Celia and Alex. Three-year-old Willow ran to me, hugging my leg. "Hey, sweetheart." I smile at her. "Mommy birth me a brother."
A TWENTY SOMETHING EPILOGUE- I
HANA"What are we doing in Japan?" I asked, glancing around at the sea of cherry blossoms, their delicate petals drifting through the air like whispered dreams.Bash smirked. "I told you that's exactly what you would ask."It took me a moment to understand. Then, I remembered—the night we spoke of impossible dreams in Istanbul, the ones we knew would never come true. Anniversaries we’d never celebrate, trips we’d never take, a life we’d never have.Yet, here we were."It happened," I whispered, as a pink petal landed softly on my cheek.Bash's eyes held mine, warm and unwavering. "We made it, Mrs. Merrick."And then he kissed me beneath the cherry blossom trees.Ahmet always said we were just two lovesick fools wandering the world, celebrating life. He wasn’t wrong. For three months, that’s exactly what we did—travelling with no destination, doing nothing but making love, laughing, and getting lost in each other.Then, we returned to Istanbul.Bash wanted to rewrite the memories. What
A TWENTY SOMETHING 121. MR & MRS. MERRICK
HANA"Can I disown him?" Sandro muttered behind me. I followed his gaze to Matias sitting in the front row and wiping his tears with a tissue. "Fuck." Another hiss from Sandro. Matias is sniffling-- hard.Bash is scowling at the kid. I nudged him gently so that he would change his expression. My attempt is futile."I will disown him." "No," It's Vin this time.I like how the guys tried to blend in. But they failed miserably. With their tattooed body, hidden arms, and bulky personality, there's no way Sandro and his crew can blend in. But I can give ten out of ten for the attempt. Though Bash and Sandro still joke about killing each other (sometimes it doesn't sound like a joke at all), they are there for each other. They formed a bond. Bash is not part of the outfit anymore, but they have each other back in their own way."Where is Luna?" I questioned Bash while posing for the photo."Avoiding me," Sandro answered.As the night came alive, we danced. Bash glared at everyone who dan
A TWENTY SOMETHING 120. THE RUNAWAY-BRIDE
HANA || THREE MONTHS LATER "Are you fucking someone else?" Bash gasped, turning around. "Jeez, babe. What are you doing up so late?" It is almost one o clock in the night. According to my fiance, it is the ideal time to come home. At first, I didn't give it much thought. There are a lot of things to take care of with Sandro taking over and Bash cleaning the mess Elio left in his export and import businesses. It has been three months since I almost lost my life. For the first few weeks, Bash didn't leave my side. He nursed me back to health, accompanied me to the hospitals, and made sure I had a perfect diet and sleep. Once he started going to work, he seemed distant. I thought he was busy. I thought he was feeling guilty for what happened. I can understand how his mind works. He is fiercely protective of me. He thinks he failed me. Still, that doesn't explain the growing distance between us. I took a threatening step forward. "Are you fucking someone else? Are you
A TWENTY SOMETHING 119. NEW BEGINNING
BASHThe world narrows to the rhythmic sound of Hana's laboured breathing. Her blood stains my hands, her pulse weak beneath my fingertips. "Sandro," I command, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "Take care of Colton and his men. I'll take Hana to the hospital."He came to my side, and for the first time, his eyes softened at Hana in my arms. "Take care of her. Luna won't like it if something happens to her sister."At this moment, I don't even care why Luna's likes matter to him anymore."Do you want Colton alive?" He asked me.A gun fired in the distance, and someone screamed.I gently lift Hana, cradling her against me. Her eyes flutter open, and she offers a faint, reassuring smile."I'm here," I whisper, brushing a strand of hair from her face."I don't care what you do with him. It doesn't matter anymore."Sandro nods, understanding the gravity of my decision.With urgency, I carry her to the car, my mind racing. The nearest hospital is miles away, and every second co
A TWENTY SOMETHING 118. FAILED
BASH The tension in the room was palpable. Colton stood across from me, a smug grin playing on his lips as he held Hana captive. Her eyes met mine, filled with a mix of fear and determination. I looked for any visible wounds on her body. I swear if he touched her, I'd make Colton's death ten times more painful. I'll do the same even if he doesn't touch her. Hana looked terrified. Her eyes filled with unshed tears find mine. She would have pressed her knuckles to her eyes if her hands weren't tied. That must have hurt. She has no pain threshold when it comes to physical wounds. Emotionally, she fought many battles. Her wrists will have marks from that rope and I imagined choking Colton's neck with the same. Her eyes zeroed on my clenched fists and she shook her head. She is trying to be brave —For me. She is asking me not to lose my patience. "Finally." Colton opened his filthy mouth, "The son of Xavier and Rose. We had a history we need to settle." I unclenched my
A TWENTY SOMETHING 117. THE RAIN OF BULLETS
BASHThe snipers might have reached my house by now. Hana is safe. For now.“Elio knows what we’re doing,” Sandro said. “Vin and his team will take care of him. We need to get to Colton’s house. Now.”“Why now?” I asked, brow furrowing. “And I thought Elio knew about this long ago.”“Colton is seeking Drago’s help. If Drago steps in, we’re outnumbered.”“And this Drago is—”“Someone powerful,” Sandro cut in. “That’s all you need to know.”I nodded, pulling out my phone to send a quick text to my Bee—Thud.Someone crashed into me, knocking the phone from my grip. It hit the floor with a crack, the screen shattering into a useless mess.A string of Italian curses spilled from the idiot who ran into me.Sandro didn’t even glance his way. He was already focused on the guy’s message.“The fuckard broke my phone,” I muttered.“We need to hurry,” the guy panted. “Colton is unguarded.”I scoffed. “Colton? Unguarded? Yeah, right.”“We killed half his men,” the newcomer said in a thick Italian
A TWENTY SOMETHING 116. THE ATTACK
HANA It has been two months since we sent Mateo and Luna away. Even I have no idea where Alexander hid them. No one knows. He says it is for their own safety. Sandro has started to lose his mind. There were tensions in the outfit. The supplies to Elio's territories have stopped coming. Distributors are worried because Elio is losing power. Bash started avoiding his calls. Elio almost came home last week. Sandro interfered, and they met at his house instead. I rarely stepped out of our home these two months. Even if I did, Dion and his team would follow me everywhere. I don't what information Luna has given about her father. Sandro started to attack his clubs, his brothels, and the restaurants he owned. Bash tells me Sandro has no reason for going against Colton except for Matias's attempted kidnap. But he is somehow taking this who takes down Matrix to a different level. The Matrix organisation's main business is human trafficking. They can make cash with the deadbod
A TWENTY SOMETHING 115. CHANGE OF PLANS
BASH I covered my face with my palm as she clicked another photo of me, lying on the bed, naked and satiated. Since yesterday night, Hana has captured hundreds of pictures, of our rings, our hands, of me and us. "It's enough baby. Come to bed now." She shook her head, looking for a different angle. I wrapped my fingers around her neck and pulled her to me, capturing her lips into a fierce kiss. "Are you going to take a rest or not?" I demanded. She shook her head again like a kid. "I am too excited and happy to take a rest." She jumped on the bed, "I have to show the ring to Shalini and Mateo." I groaned, pulled her again and wrapped her in my arms, "Stay here." I whispered. Half an hour later, the three friends are still talking about the rings. "Yaaaaaarrrrrrrrr... Congratulations!" Shalini screamed in the video call. My bee flaunted her ring for the tenth time, showing her friends all four of t
