I've been working at the company for a week now, and so far, no mistakes. I don't think Deniz expected that. I still haven't found the Albatross, but I've already crossed ten people off the list Layla made for me; it's not a total victory, but it's progress. Layla is somewhat enigmatic: sometimes she's friendly when she wants to gossip, but then she becomes a coffee-addicted working machine. I can't keep up with her pace, and she is my direct superior in the Divit hierarchy.
"Günaydın, Aylla! There's a red folder I need you to get for me," Emre says, walking past in a hurry, always with his kind smile.
I'm in the cafeteria preparing tea for Jan. It's become our habit to talk about herbal infusions or dishes we like while I hand it to him; just small talk, nothing more.
"Günaydın, Emre bey. I've already placed them all on Jan bey's desk."
Emre, who was walking and smiling, stops abruptly. His face hardens into an expression of anger that startles me. "Aylla, I don't believe it! That folder is important. You're new here, so only do something if you're asked. Now, bring it to me. Be discreet, and don't let Jan find out."
"But what is the problem, Emre bey?" I ask. I know I shouldn't question him, but they are brothers and work together.
"Listen to me carefully and never repeat this to anyone, not even Deniz. Jan is the spy. I need proof, and you're going to help me. That's why I need you to stay sharp on these details."
My head spins. It was too good to be true. Jan, the man who shares tea with me every morning, is the one betraying his own family? I try to enter the office to retrieve the folder, but he's in there. I spend the morning watching the door. At lunchtime, I see my chance: the room is empty. I walk in holding a cup of tea as a "disguise" in case someone shows up. I spot the red folder on the desk and grab it quickly. As I turn to leave, I run right into Jan. He grabs my arm and pulls me close, staring at me seriously.
"Aylla, what are you doing here?"
In a desperate reflex, I slide the folder inside my shirt, hiding it against my back, and zip my leather jacket over it to keep it from falling. "Before leaving for lunch, I thought you might be interested in some tea, but I thought you had already left."
Jan seems to watch my movements suspiciously. He takes the cup I left on the table and turns to leave, but stops at the door: "Aylla, did you enter the room even though you saw no one was here?"
"I was just going to leave the tea, Mr. Jan... I thought you were just supervising other desks." "You may go, Aylla."
He waits for me to leave and locks the door. I run to Emre's office and hand over the folder. After that scare, I decided to hide. I found an isolated file room with a laptop and everything I need. Now, I only see Jan in the morning to deliver his hot tea. Strangely, he started asking for more tea during the day—three times, to be exact. He looks for me in the file room, asking if there's "any tea left."
I've become a double spy: I work for Jan, who is likely looking for an easy target to blame, and for Emre, who wants to expose his brother. This room is my refuge until, suddenly, Jan walks in. I jump to my feet. "Do you want tea, Jan bey? Strange... you usually ask for it in two hours. I'll make it now."
I start fumbling with my things. Near him, my mouth runs loose and I lose my filter. Jan smiles, leaning against the doorframe in a relaxed and terribly handsome way, like a sculpture. I think to myself: how can internal and external beauty be so different? What drives someone to betray their family?
"Why do you stay here hiding?" he asks, scanning the room with his eyes. To avoid you, Jan, I answer mentally. but out loud, I stumble:
"To concentrate. The company is busy and sometimes I can't keep up... I recharge my energy here."
"I imagine," Jan picks up one of my pens, twirling it between his fingers along with the stones he always carries. "Would you happen to be trying to avoid me?"
"I just needed concentration! I can work wherever I think is best, Jan bey."
"Great. Then come with me. Emre had a good idea, and I'd like you to join me on a little trip."
My jaw drops. Emre throwing me into the "enemy's" arms? Jan asking me to travel? Albatross, why is it so hard to find you? Must I prove that my love for you is stronger than this attraction I feel for Jan?
"A trip?"
"Yes, we'd leave today and be back tonight. If we're fast," he looks at his watch, excited.
On the way to Jan's luxury truck, I get a message from Emre: I should "ruin" the meeting Jan was going to have, to stop him from passing information. Jan waits for me with that classic bad-boy smile. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, I repeat to myself. A conqueror who just wants to use you as bait.
"Aylla, are you listening?"
"Huh? Yes!"
"So, what was I saying?" Damn. I was arguing with my own conscience and missed everything. "Sorry, Jan bey... I was thinking and ended up not hearing."
"And what were you thinking about?" he asks, sounding genuinely interested.
My phone rings. It's Ezgi. Teşekkür ederim, Allah! "My friend! What a connection, I was just thinking about her!" I answer quickly. "Hi, Ezgi!" "Friend, where are you? Did you find the Albatross?" she screams. "I had to go out with Jan bey," I whisper. "And the Albatross? It's crucial you find him so you stop thinking about the 'Evil King'."
Evil King. The nickname we gave Jan. I hang up the phone and feel Jan's gaze on me. "Albatross?" he asks.
"It's a person I'm looking for."
"Really? Tell me more about this Albatross," he smiles, curious, alternating his gaze between me and the road.
"Jan bey, what were you talking about before?" I dodge.
He shakes his head, a bit disappointed. I can't let him get close. If I lose myself in the shadows of this "evil," how will I find the light of my Albatross?
Glossary for Chapter 3
Teşekkür ederim: Thank you.
Evil King (Rei do Mal): Aylla and Ezgi's secret code for Jan.
Double Spy: Aylla's new reality, caught between the two Divit brothers.