...The image of that beautiful woman who had rushed out of the hotel, fleeing from her lover's proposal, kept replaying in Demir's mind like a film.
...
The way she had looked so anxious… the way her eyes carried a mix of fear and determination… all of it remained in his thoughts.
Somehow, everything about that woman seemed strange, yet she also had a unique charm he couldn't explain.
Demir exhaled slowly.
White smoke slipped from the corner of his lips, rising and dissolving into the air.
Without even realizing it, a faint, unusual smile appeared on his face.
At the same time, the woman who had been lying on the bed wrapped a light sheet around herself and then embraced Demir from behind.
Her softly make-up face rested against his back, her gentle hands locking around his chest.
In a soft voice tinged with a bit of fatigue, she asked,
"Demir… what are you thinking about?"
Demir didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he took another puff, then placed the cigarette in the ashtray on the table.
His eyes slowly dropped to the hands that were wrapped around him.
There was something unreadable about him..
his gaze fell on the woman without even a trace of warmth or affection.
"It's not important…" he said in a low, calm, yet authoritative voice.
Slowly, he took her hands and removed them from his body.
"Get ready and leave."
The words came out like an order that left no room for questions.
Without even looking at her again, Demir stood up. His tall frame appeared even more striking as he rose, the muscles on his back defined under the dim light.
Then he walked straight toward the bathroom.
The next day.
At Lucy's Gallery.
Inside the painting room....
"Zoe, please… you know I can't manage without you," Lucy said in a pleading tone.
"If you don't stay here with me, Rachel will destroy me with her anger."