Erlan's POV
When I returned to the office, my mind was still filled with Kate's father's words. I knew he only wanted the best for his daughter, but I also couldn't ignore my feelings. Was this really the end of my relationship with Kate? Or would I fight against all these odds and fight for something bigger than just status and position? I didn't know the exact answer, but one thing was clear—I had a tough decision to make, and whatever it was, it would have big consequences for both of us.After the tough meeting with Kate's father, my feelings were mixed. I couldn't ignore the words the man had said—words that not only hurt my pride but also shook my faith in the budding relationship between me and Kate. That night, I barely slept, my mind kept spinning about what I should do. I thought about Kate, her smile, the way she talked, and how I felt when I was with her. However, the shadow of her father's words continued to haunt me, adding to the burden on my shouKate's POVIt's been a few days since I started to feel something strange with Erlan. Usually, he was always there for me—supporting me, listening to all my stories, and making me feel loved. However, for some reason, lately, his attitude has changed. He still smiles at me, but it's not as warm as usual. He still talks to me, but his words feel empty like he's hiding something.I tried to ignore this feeling at first. I thought maybe he was just tired of work or had other problems that he didn't want to burden me with. But as the days went by, the change in his attitude became more obvious. He started to avoid spending time with me outside of work, no longer invited me to lunch together, and even the text messages he usually sent when I was busy began to be received less often. This wasn't the Erlan I knew.Last night, I sent him a message, asking if he was okay. His answer was short, just saying that he was fine and apologizing for not being able to talk
Kate’s POV He nodded again but said nothing. I felt my heart heavy as I walked away, leaving him alone in his office. Every step felt like an invisible weight, and I couldn’t shake the fear that maybe, we would never be the same again. When I got back to the office, I sat down in my chair, trying to calm myself. My mind was full of all the bad possibilities that could happen. What would happen if Erlan decided that he wasn’t good enough for me? What would happen if he decided to leave? I couldn’t lose Erlan. He was an important part of my life, someone who made me feel loved and appreciated. I didn’t care what my father said, because what mattered to me was the feelings I had for Erlan. I just hope he can see that he is more than enough for me. Office life went on as usual, even though my heart felt empty. Work piled up on my desk, and I tried my best to finish it while still thinking about the situation with Erlan. Even th
Kate’s POV I nodded determinedly, knowing that today would be a big test. “You’re welcome. I hope you’re ready for whatever comes.” The tension between us grew as we each took our positions to prepare our presentations. I could feel Darwis’ eyes on me, watching my every move. I tried to stay focused and not let this interaction affect me. As I gave my presentation, I tried my best to remain confident and professional. Every time I glanced at Darwis, I could see his challenging gaze. But I knew I couldn’t let myself be swayed by emotions or personal conflicts. This was an opportunity to show my abilities and the strength of my team. When the presentation was over, I felt relieved and satisfied. I had given my best and shown everything I had prepared. However, I also knew that Darwis would do the same and would not give us an easy win.
Kate’s POV On my way home after a long and tiring day, I felt relieved when I saw Erlan waiting for me in the office lobby. There was something that warmed my heart every time I saw him. Even though he had been distant the past few days, his presence tonight gave me a sense of security that was hard to explain. Maybe I was too tired to analyze everything, but I did know that I missed him. As we walked to the car, I decided to ask him to stop by a small cafe on the corner. “How about we stop for a coffee?” I asked with a smile, hoping to extend our time together before the night was over. Erlan turned to me, and for the first time in days, I saw a genuine smile on his face. “That’s okay. I think we need a little rest before we go home.” The cafe wasn’t too crowded tonight, only a few tables occupied. We chose a spot near the window, where we could see the street starting to empty. The waiter came over with menus, but I alrea
Kate’s POV He smiled back at me, and I could feel the weight between us starting to lift. “Thank you, Kate. I don’t know what I would do without you in my life.” I smiled and rubbed his hand gently. “We need each other, Erlan. So don’t ever feel alone, okay?” Erlan nodded slowly, and we enjoyed our coffee again in comfortable silence. Even though today had been tiring, I felt that this conversation was a big step for us. I knew that this journey wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew that we could get through it together. The night was getting late when we decided to go home. As we walked out of the cafe, I felt the burden on my shoulders was lighter. With Erlan, I felt like I could face anything that came, including the fierce competition with Darwis that was now unavoidable. As we left the cafe and returned to the car, the atmosphere between us felt lighter, as if the burden that had been between us was slowly
Kate’s POV "I also want us to continue to support each other in our careers," he continued. "I want to see you continue to grow, to achieve all your dreams, and I want to be a part of it all." I felt my heart warm at his words. "And I want the same for you, Erlan. I want you to continue to be who you are now, a loving and caring person, who is always ready to support others. I will always be there to support you in whatever you want." We continued talking about our dreams, about the small and big things we wanted to achieve together. It felt good to talk about the future, not with fear or doubt, but with the belief that we would face it all together. When we finally arrived at my apartment, I felt relieved and excited. Erlan stopped the car, and before I got out, I turned to him. "Thank you for tonight, Erlan. I feel more confident that we can get through this." Erlan smiled, looking at me lovingly. "Me
Darwis' POV Tonight, I found myself awake alone in the living room again. I looked at the clock on the wall which showed three in the morning, and once again, Kayra had not come home. This was the umpteenth time she had disappeared without saying anything, and I was starting to feel annoyed. My mind was filled with various speculations about what she was doing out there. What activities made her keep leaving and only returning when the sun was almost up? I tried to be patient, holding myself back from confronting her right away. But the longer it went on, the harder it was to control my impatience. The thought that she might be doing something bad kept haunting my mind. Maybe she was meeting someone, or maybe there was something else she was hiding from me. Every night, my suspicions grew stronger, and this feeling became harder to ignore. While I was lost in my thoughts, I heard the sound of the door opening slowly. I t
Darwis's POV “Don’t you care what’s happening to us? Don’t you care that I’m worried about you, that I want to know what’s going on?” I felt increasingly frustrated at the lack of an answer. “Or maybe you never cared.” Kayra's face changed when she heard my last sentence, but she still didn't say anything. The silence between us continued, making my anger and confusion grow. "I want answers, Kayra," I pressed, not wanting to give up so easily. "If you can't give them, then what's the point of us being together?" Kayra stared at me with a look that I couldn't decipher. She then let out a long sigh, as if a heavy burden had just been lifted from her shoulders. However, she still didn't give me the explanation I was hoping for. "What are you doing, Kayra? You can't keep doing this. You have to stop." I felt like I was talking to a wall. Her unwillingness to open up made me feel e
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