Ozge opened her eyes and frowned. She sat up at once as the memory of the night came to mind. She picked the pillow and covered her face before screaming out loud.
….
After washing up and dressing up, Ozge picked her phone and saw a message from Ferit.
''I'm at the lobby, waiting for you'
Ozge sighed, ''what do I do? I can't just pretend it didn't happen right? Aye, Ozge, you are such an idiot. Why would you kiss him?''
''Alright, I need to calm down. Nothing happened as long as I didn't remember it. Yes, you don't remember anything that happened last night, Ozge. You can do this''
Ozge opened the door and walked out. She went towards the elevator and saw Demit already inside. Ozge went inside and bowed her head slightly, acknowledging her and she did the same.
''Did you have fun seducing a man that has a fiancée? I saw you last night. You were clinging unto Ferit. Ozge, you must be the shameless type, right? Do you even know the mess you are creating and what you are putting yourself into?''
Ozge turned and looked at her, ''why? Are you going to tell Ferit that I am the witness his grandfather is protecting? Right, you are the one protecting me because you also want me to remember what happened that day''
''You…''
''Don't worry. I don't remember what happened that day. As long as I don't remember, I won't have to go to court and stand as a witness to a case that won't go anywhere. I too love my life and I would never risk or put myself in harm's way''
''I'm glad that you know all of this, Ozge. And I am also glad you know who is the reason why you are still alive. Thanks to my connections, the people who ruined Ferit's life cannot get to you. Don't bite more than you can chew''
''You should say that to your fiancé. He is the one curious about me'' Ozge said to Demit and walked out of the elevator. She walked towards the lobby with Demit behind her.
Ferit was speaking on phone when he saw Ozge and Demit coming towards him. One was wearing a green pant and suits with a creamy colored blouse while the other was in a pink suit and pants. They had different auras and exulted different charms.
Ferit's eyes strained on Ozge who was in the green outfit. He had never seen her in green before. She looked absolutely beautiful. For a moment, Ferit was tempted to ask her to go back and change. He was afraid that people's attention would be on her. The pants brought out her curves and it didn't help that she was in minimal makeup which actually made her beautiful without much effort.
''Ferit, let's go'' Demit went and held Ferit's arm as she spoke. Ferit tried to take his hand away and she tightened her arm around him, refusing to let go.
''Dr. Ozge, let's go. You don't mind sitting in the front, right? Ferit and I have something to discuss''
Ozge looked at Demit with a bored expression before walking away.
….
Annual Directors' Hosting and Disease Control Seminar.
A lot of people had come for this year's annual…. When they arrived, Demit clung unto Ferit as he went to meet with the other directors. She introduced herself as Ferit's fiancée even thought Ferit warned her to not do that. Demit was doing that to spite Ozge.
Ozge walked into the conference hall and found her name on a seat and went over to sit. She turned and saw a familiar face.
''Ozge?'' the man said excitedly as he stood up.
'Senior, what are you doing here?'' Ozge asked.
''I could ask you the same thing. Whoa! How long has it been? Five years?''
''I think so, senior. Have you been well?''
''Yes, I am fine. Sit down first. This is a wonderful surprise. If I knew I would see you here, I would have come with whole booklet of questions. Hassan is here, did you see him?''
''Senior Hassan is here?''
''Yes. You had a crush on him when we were in school. Honestly, things would have worked out if you didn't suddenly leave the hostel''
''Senior, have you been well?'' Ozge tried to change the topic when she saw Demit and Ferit coming their way.
''I'm fine. I'm married with a beautiful daughter, but Hassan is still single. We should meet for a drink after today's seminar. Hassan will be thrilled to see you again, Ozge''
''Sure…''
''I see you've made friends already…'' Demit said when she and Ferit got to Ozge's seat.
After not getting a response, she asked again, ''aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?''
''I didn't know I had to introduce everyone I meet to you, Miss Demit? Ozge asked as she turned to face Demit.
''We are work colleagues…''
''And not friends, Miss Demit. We are work colleagues, co-workers and not friends, so there is no need for me to introduce anyone to you'' Ozge said as a matter of fact. She looked at Demit with an indifferent gaze.
Demit's lips turned up unpleasantly. Her face became twisted and she bit her lips hard. She didn't think that Ozge would speak to her that way in front of a lot of people.
Demit let out a sarcastic chuckle and walked away.
The atmosphere of the place became awkward to her seat.
Ferit looked at Andy and stretched his hand saying, ''hi, I am Ferit''
''I know who you are. Ferit Almendez, director of Almendez Hospital. Hi, I am Andy, Ozge's senior back at school'' Andy introduced himself.
''Nice to meet you'' Ferit said politely, shaking Andy's hand.
''Same here''
''I will see you around…'' Ferit said before going towards the pulpit. Since he was one of the speakers, he had to sit at the front.
''Ozge, you are still as sharp tongued as before. But that lady looks familiar. Who is she?'' Andy asked curiously.
''She is from the Suwait family''
''Demit Suwait. Isn't she the fiancée of your hospital director? Ozge, you are really bold to be able to speak to her that way''
''Senior, the programme is about to start'' Ozge said when she saw Hassan mount the pulpit.
…
''Come with me. Hassan will be thrilled to see you, Ozge'' Andy held Ozge's hand and walked with her towards a group of people.
Ferit frowned when he saw Andy holding Ozge's hand but he didn't say anything and continued to chat with the group he was with.
''Guys, guess who I brought?'' Andy said and the group turned to look at him. When they saw Ozge, they smiled but the two ladies in their group muttered something and chuckled.
''Ozge, what a surprise! I saw you earlier on but I didn't think you were the one'' Hassan said as he looked at Ozge.
''Hi, everyone. It's been a while'' Ozge said politely.
''Ozge, are you alright now? We heard what happened to you? It's fascinating that you didn't get your doctor's license revoked after spending some time in prison'' one of the ladies spoke and the three men looked at Ozge.
''I guess I am lucky or they just can't bare to let a skilled doctor go. Those are two different things, aren't they?'' Ozge asked.
''Well… that's true, but you still got demoted, right? I heard you are not at the ER working under someone. We all had hopes that you will be the first to excel since you were doing so well'' the other lady added. It was obvious they were out to taint Ozge.
''Human beings are so fickle. As a doctor, don't you think it's rather presumptuous to say you have hopes in another person?''
''Ozge, let's go and get some drinks at the table'' Hassan said and Ozge smiled and nodded.
''Sure'' Ozge turned to go and stopped. She looked at the ladies and said to them, ''I went to prison but it wasn't because of a medical malpractice. Having my license revoked will only happen if that were to be the case. Next time you want to throw shade, at least get your facts right. Or, at lease ask me why I went to prison first. Don't assume and don't spread lies''
The two ladies gasped as they watched Ozge walk away. They were totally surprised by her response. They didn't think Ozge would have the guts to speak back in that manner.
''You two never learn to mind your own business'' Andy said and walked away.
….
''You promised to call after taking my number, but you never did''
''Huh?''
''Five years ago, you took my number and promised to call me but you never did. I waited for your call and it never came. Then, I heard you took a break from school and I never saw you again''
''That… Senior, let me apologize. A lot of things happened back then and I didn't have the time to call''
''Hassan. Call me Hassan''
''Oo, Hassan''
''You work at Almendez hospital, right?''
''Mm''
''Ferit is a good person especially in the way he treats his workers. You must be special for him to bring you here''
''I feel flattered''