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I had always wondered what love really felt like.
People say everyone falls truly in love at least once in their lifetime.
But I hadn't experienced that yet.
In fact, I had started to believe that love wasn't real at all.
That was until life proved me wrong.
One morning, I was at the office as usual. We were busy preparing for the launch of our newest product. The whole team was gathered in the meeting room. My intern, Sude, was giving her presentation. Her words were clear, her voice steady.
My eyes wandered to Kenan, sitting right next to me.
He was watching Sude with admiration, trying to hide it.
I thought to myself, "Isn't it obvious he's in love?"
Just then, my phone vibrated. Dilan's name flashed on the screen:
**"Baby, I'm coming over to grab your blue dress."**
I replied immediately:
**"Where are you going?"**
Her answer was quick:
**"Burak invited me to dinner tonight."**
I sighed inwardly. Dilan's love life had always been more colorful than mine.
I muted my phone and lifted my head. Sude had finished her presentation and looked at me,
"How was it?"
Before I could answer, Kenan cut in:
"I think you did great."
Sude blushed but shot Kenan a cold glance.
"We didn't ask you," she said sharply.
I intervened:
"You did well, Sude. You really worked hard on the assignment."
A slight smile appeared on her face.
"Come to my office. Both of you, follow me," I said as I stood up.
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We moved to my office and they waited standing in front of my desk.
"We received a collaboration offer," I said.
"I want you to go meet the company and prepare a detailed report for me by the end of today."
Sude immediately protested:
"Do I have to work with him?"
She glanced at Kenan.
After a short pause, I replied:
"Yes. Watch out for each other. I don't want any objections. I want that report tonight."
As they headed for the door, I called out to Sude again:
"I don't know where you were last night, but your father was worried. You'll stay at my place tonight."
Sude rolled her eyes.
"You don't have to mother me."
"I said no objections," I repeated firmly.
"Now get back to work."
When the door closed behind them, I exhaled deeply. Sometimes it was hard to control Sude, but I sensed she needed me.
I had worked with her father on a project before, and when she started interning at our company, I took her under my wing.
She was distant and rebellious at first.
But over time, a bond formed between us.
Maybe instinctively, I tried to be a stable point in her life.
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That evening, I was at home. Dinner was ready when the doorbell rang.
"Probably Sude," I thought as I headed to the door.
But when I opened it, I saw Dilan and was surprised.
"Isn't your dress here? I want to wear it," she grinned.
Then she leaned in and asked,
"Were you expecting someone? Or is there someone inside? I can't believe you actually let someone into your house!"
"Stop talking nonsense and come in," I said, stepping aside.
Dilan stepped inside, hastily taking off her shoes.
"How was the date?" I asked.
She shrugged.
"We had a few drinks, then I left. Nothing special."
"What did you do?" she asked.
"Worked. As usual."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Always work, work... Why don't you make time for yourself?"
"I don't have time."
"Of course you don't, because you're always running away."
Then she moved to the kitchen and handed me a glass.
"If you want, I can help," she said with a knowing smile.
I understood what she meant.
"I'm fine the way I am, thanks," I said, turning my head.
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
When I opened, Kenan was standing there with a barely standing Sude.
"Sude drank a bit too much," Kenan said apologetically.
"She didn't want to go home, so I brought her here."
"Did I send you out drinking?" I snapped.
"You're right… I'm sorry."
"Don't call me 'boss' outside work anymore," I said sternly.
He just bowed his head and muttered, "Okay… boss."
I let them in.
Sude collapsed onto the couch.
Kenan quietly moved to a corner.
I decided not to scold them too much that night.
Because despite everything, Kenan's care for Sude warmed my heart.
As I was about to close the door, my eyes caught a folded envelope hanging on the handle.
I picked it up and opened it.
It was a wedding invitation.
My elementary school friend was getting married.
The invitation clearly stated:
**"+1 guest included."**
A weight settled on me.
My mother's voice echoed in my mind,
"When will you get married?"
And at that moment, I decided:
*"I won't go alone."*
Dilan was still in the kitchen. I walked over and tossed the invitation to her.
"This wedding... I can't go alone."
And that's where everything began.
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💖🐰: You will decide who Melina goes on a date with and how the story unfolds. This will be an interactive story. It's my first time trying something like this, so please share your thoughts with me. The dates will begin in the second chapter.