Erlan's POV
I squirmed in my chair, my eyes kept looking at the clock on the wall which showed 9 p.m. Kate said she was just leaving briefly to meet an acquaintance at a cafe near her office. But now it's been more than two hours, and she hasn't returned yet. I tried to calm myself down by continuing my work, but my mind kept getting distracted. Finally, I decided to contact Kate. However, my call was immediately transferred to voicemail. I frowned. This is not like Kate. She always answered the phone or at least sent a message if she couldn't answer. Negative thoughts started popping into my head. I grabbed a jacket and decided to go to the cafe Kate mentioned. When we arrived there, the cafe was almost empty. I immediately approached the waiter behind the table. "Excuse me, did you see a woman named Kate here earlier?" I asked in a worried tone. The maid frowned, trying to remember. "Sorry, sir. I doDarwis's POV I put down my cell phone in confusion after the conversation with Erlan. Why did Erlan ask me about Kate? For the past few days, Kate and I have not contacted or seen each other. Communication between us was completely cut off after office collaboration ended in tension and unilateral termination. At the police station, I sat in the waiting room full of anxiety. Why is Erlan, who shouldn't have much to do with me, asking about Kate? So far, I've tried to stay away from personal matters involving Kate. Our recent activities were limited to work matters, and there was no personal interaction at all. I repeatedly remember the conversation with Erlan. The worry in his voice was clear, and it made me feel anxious. Why didn't Erlan contact other people who might be closer to Kate? Why did he choose me, even though our relationship ended long ago? I couldn't ignore my curiosity about Kate's condition. Even though
Kate's POV Inside the building, the atmosphere was dark and stuffy. The men pushed me into a small room lit only by a dim lamp. They locked me inside and left me alone. I felt panic welling up, but I tried to stay calm and find a way to escape. Hours passed, and there was no sign of anyone coming to help me. Anxiety is getting the best of me. Thoughts about Erlan kept spinning in my mind. Has he noticed I'm missing? Will he find me here? I tried to remember the faces of my captors, looking for clues as to who they were and why they had kidnapped me. Is this work-related? Or is there someone from my past who wants revenge? My mind was constantly spinning with possibilities, but there was no definite answer. The night was getting late, and fatigue was starting to creep up on my body. I sat in the corner of the room, trying to muster the strength to stay awake and alert. Suddenly, I heard footsteps outside the door. I
Erlan's POV I hung up the phone with shaking hands, my heart filled with anxiety. I stared at the phone screen, thinking about Kate's words full of despair and fear. However, I knew that simply fulfilling the kidnapper's request was not the best solution. I have to think calmly and strategically. I sat at my desk, staring blankly at the scattered documents. My mind was racing, trying to figure out the best way to save Kate without putting her life in more danger. I know that these kidnappers cannot be completely trusted. There's no guarantee that they'll let Kate go even if I pay them double. My phone rang again, and I felt my heart speed up. I took the phone and saw an unknown number. With a heavy heart, I answered the call. "Don't try to call the police or anyone else," the gruff voice on the other end said threateningly. "If you do, Kate will be in danger. We know your every move." I swallow
Erlan's POV When the black car approached, my heart beat fast. I tried to look inside the car, looking for any sign of Kate. The car door opened, and a man got out with his face covered. "Is the money ready?" he asked in a cold voice. "I have," I answered, trying to remain calm as I handed him the bag containing the ransom money. "Where's Kate?" The man smiled faintly and took the bag from my hand. He saw the amount of money we prepared and smiled happily when he found out that I really gave him the money as agreed. "We'll take her out now," he said before turning towards the car. I was very nervous and waiting for Kate, who I managed to save. I really want to catch this kidnapper, but Kate's safety comes first. However, as he approached the car, the man suddenly ran into it and the car sped away, leaving us behind. I was shocked and angry, realizing that we had been tricke
Kate's POV With feelings of relief and shock, I felt Erlan's warm embrace which made me feel a little safer. It felt like a nightmare that was finally over. But I know we're not completely out of danger yet. "Erlan, we have to get out of here quickly," I said in a trembling voice, trying to stand up with Erlan's help. Erlan nodded and helped me up. I felt my body weak, but my determination to get out of this place gave me strength. Andi and his team moved quickly, ensuring that the surrounding area was safe before we left the old warehouse. When we came out of the warehouse, the cool night breeze greeted us. It felt like the first time I could breathe freely in a long time. However, feelings of anxiety still haunted him. I looked at Erlan who remained by my side, his gaze full of concern and love. "Are you alright?" he asked in a soft voice. I nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'm fine now.
Erlan's POV After making sure Kate felt more comfortable and safe in the hospital room, I stepped outside for a moment to contact Andi. Feelings of anxiety and worry still filled my mind, but I knew that we had to immediately find out who was behind Kate's kidnapping. I took my cell phone and dialed Andi's number. The dial tone rang several times before he finally answered. "Andi, this is Erlan. Any new news?" I asked matter-of-factly, my voice tense. "We are in the process of further investigation," answered Andi. "The kidnapper we caught last night has started to open his mouth, but the information provided is still limited." "Did he say who ordered them?" I asked, hoping for more clues. Andi was silent for a moment before answering. "Not yet specifically, but he mentioned that this is related to someone who has power and influence. We are investigating further to identify who it is."
Erlan's POV I took a deep breath before answering. "We've found Kate. She was kidnapped, Darwis. But luckily, she's safe in the hospital now." There was a long pause on the phone before Darwis finally spoke again, his voice full of shock and worry. "Kidnapped? How could that happen? Is she okay now?" "Yes, she is safe now. However, she still has to rest and recover. We are still finding out who is responsible for this kidnapping," I answered, trying to explain calmly even though my feelings were still turbulent. Darwis was silent again for a moment before finally speaking in a more serious tone. "Erlan, I want to help. I can't let something like this happen to Kate. What can I do?" I was surprised by his offer of help, considering the complicated relationship between us. However, I could feel the sincerity in his voice. "Darwis, I appreciate your intentions. Right now, the best we can do is make sure Kate is
Darwis's POV After hanging up the phone with Erlan, I sat in my study with my thoughts racing. This all felt like a never-ending nightmare. Kayra, the woman I once loved and trusted, is now languishing in prison because of a case of spreading fake news. And now, after hearing from Erlan that Kate had been kidnapped, it made me wonder if maybe Kayra was also involved in Kate's kidnapping. It's hard to accept all this. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. My mind was spinning, looking for reasons to defend Kayra, to convince myself that this was all just a misunderstanding. But the facts are too hard to ignore. Kate is kidnapped, and all evidence points to Kayra. In confusion and disbelief, I took the car keys and drove to the prison where Kayra was being held. I need to hear the explanation directly from her. When I got there, it was hard for me to step in, but I knew that this was what I had to do. When I was fin
Kate’s POV Erlan nodded, a wide smile still on his face. "Yes, Kate. I have prepared everything. We will get married in a week, at the place we talked about before. I just need one more thing..." He looked at me deeply, his loving eyes making me feel like the luckiest person in the world. "What is it?" I asked softly, almost whispering, while my heart was full of hope and happiness. Erlan reached out his hand, held mine gently, and then asked, "Will you marry me, Kate?" Tears began to well up in my eyes, but this time they were tears of unstoppable happiness. I had never felt love this great before, and I knew that Erlan was the right person for me. "Of course I do, Erlan," I answered in a voice full of emotion. "I want to marry you, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." Erlan smiled happily, and in an instant, he pulled me into his arms. I could feel his strong heartbeat, accompanying my own. We hugged each other tightly as if we didn't want to let go
Kate's POV I stepped out of the office, the cool night air touching my skin as I walked to the car. The thought of having dinner with my father tonight made my steps feel heavier. Over the past few months, our relationship has begun to improve after the previous tension. My father, who was initially so against my relationship with Erlan, had slowly begun to soften. However, for some reason, something felt different. My father, who used to be stiff and rarely showed his emotions, was now more attentive. He often invited me to dinner, talking about little things that had never been a topic of conversation before. Although I was happy with this change, there was still a little worry that was bothering me. Was this a sign that he had finally accepted my relationship with Erlan? Or maybe there was something else he was hiding? I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before finally deciding to leave. The restaurant my father had chosen was located near his house, so I decided to stop
Kate’s POV I sat on my bed, letting the reality of this message sink in completely. All the loneliness, all the patience, it was all about to pay off. It felt like a dream come true, a dream I had been waiting for so long. In a rush of enthusiasm, I typed a reply quickly, trying to channel all the feelings that were pressing to come out. [I'm so happy to hear that, Erlan! I can't wait to see you. I miss you too, and I'll be waiting with great enthusiasm. See you in a week, honey.] After sending the message, I smiled widely. The thought of the coming week began to fill my mind—the thought of the two of us walking together, having a romantic dinner, and all the warm conversations I had missed. Just imagining it made me feel happy. I stared at the ceiling of my room while hugging my pillow tightly, imagining the moment when I could finally hug Erlan again, feeling his warmth and calmness that I had only been able to feel from afar. This happy feeling was like sunlight shining on my
Kate’s POV He was tall and dignified, wearing a formal suit that fit him well. From the way he approached me, I could feel the intensity behind his smile. "Kate," he called out in a familiar tone, even though I didn't know him. "I wanted to congratulate you on the success of your project. I've long admired your hard work." I nodded and smiled politely. "Thank you. It means a lot to me." "Not only is your hard work admirable, but also the way you deal with challenges," he continued. "I see you at events like this all the time, and you always seem so strong and independent. Do you always come alone?" The question sounded innocent, but there was something about the way he said it that made me feel a little uneasy. "Yeah, I usually come alone. But I'm not really alone," I answered cautiously. The man smiled wider, his eyes shining with obvious interest. "You know, Kate, I've been watching you for the past two years. And I've never seen you with anyone. I couldn't help but ask..
Kate’s POV It’s been two years since that painful goodbye at the airport. Back then, I never imagined how my days would change. But here I am, standing at the grand opening party of a project I’ve worked so hard on. I can feel the admiring gazes of the guests, some of whom are warmly congratulating me, and others even offering to work with me on my next project. The long black dress I’m wearing tonight makes me feel elegant and dignified. I stand tall, looking around the room filled with entrepreneurs, investors, and colleagues who have all come to celebrate this success. But beneath the glitter and the praise, there’s a deep sense of relief. Not just because the project went perfectly, but because I’ve proven something to myself—that I can do it, that I can stand tall even when the world seems to be falling apart. I remember the long nights of hard work, the times when exhaustion almost overwhelmed me. But now, it all feels worth it. I’ve accomplished something greater than I e
Kate’s POV I nodded with a heavy heart, trying to hold back tears. “I believe in you, Erlan. I will wait and support you from here. Farewell, and may everything go well for you there.” As the time for the plane to depart grew closer, we stood there, hugging each other tightly. I felt a deep emptiness and sadness as I watched him prepare to leave. Every second felt like time was ticking away, and it felt like all the happiness that had ever existed was shrinking into deep sadness. “What about the two of us?” I asked, trying to distract myself from my sadness. “What are our plans after you leave?” Erlan smiled softly, though his eyes were filled with pain. “We will continue to communicate well. I will try to come home whenever I have the chance. We will continue to support and encourage each other. I am sure we will get through this.” We talked about our plans and tried to cheer each other up. We tried to keep our spirits up even though we were feeling so heavy. Erlan kept wiping a
Kate’s POVI stared at him with wide eyes, trying to absorb what he had just said. “But, this is a big offer, Erlan. Are you sure you want to take the job? Doesn’t that mean we have to have a long-distance relationship?”Erlan nodded, seemingly undeterred by the challenges that might come. “Yes, I am. I know this is not an easy decision, and there will definitely be many challenges. But I believe that if I accept this offer and prove myself abroad, it will give us great advantages in the future.”“Do you really want to do this?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly with emotion. “Are you ready to face all those challenges?”Erlan smiled softly, then took my hand. “Kate, I don’t just want to prove myself to your father. I also want to prove to myself that I can do something big and significant. And I want to do it while still loving you and fighting for our relationship.”I fell silent, trying to comprehend the big decision that Erlan had ju
Kate’s POV “You look really tired, Kate,” Erlan said as he opened the car door for me.“I am,” I admitted as I got into the car. “I had a lot on my mind today.”Erlan stared at me for a moment, as if considering his next words, then said, “I’m glad you said yes to my invitation. Let’s make tonight a little lighter, okay?”I nodded, grateful for his kindness.We arrived at a restaurant we had been to a few times before. The place was small, warm, and had a calming atmosphere. The waiter greeted us with a smile, and we were quickly seated at our favorite table in the corner.“How about I order for the two of us?” Erlan asked after seeing me staring blankly at the menu.“Go ahead,” I said with a weak smile. I knew he would order something I liked.After the waiter took our orders, Erlan looked at me intently. “How was your day, Kate? It seemed like something was bothering you.”I took a breath, feeling l
Kate's POV My phone vibrated on the table as I was enjoying a cup of coffee on a quiet morning. A message came in from Darwis. "Can we meet this afternoon? There's something important I want to talk about." I stared at the message with a slightly raised eyebrow. Why did Darwis suddenly want to meet? We had agreed to meet the day after tomorrow. But no suspicion crossed my mind. After all, our relationship was much better now—no drama, no pain that used to be between us. I took another sip of coffee and decided to reply briefly, "Sure." That afternoon, I arrived at the cafe we used to frequent. This place held many memories, but it didn't feel like it used to. Now, I come here more often with Erlan. The owner of the cafe recognized us and was used to our presence. I entered and saw Darwis already sitting at the table we used to occupy. When I approached, he turned and smiled. There was somethi