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Özge is not one of those who take what they have for granted. She has a steady relationship with a loving partner and the work is much less demanding these days since another assistant has been finally appointed to Derya Savcı. She hates how slow the bureaucracy works sometimes but hey, she is being positive today. The weather is lovely, the birds are chirping and her stomach is full with her comfort food as she returns from her lunch break. She takes one last breath of the flower scented spring air and makes her way into the courthouse.
As she walks by the corridors she notes how Ilgaz Savcı also looks a lot more relaxed and happier for the last few months. He has never been hard on her, but it makes her smile how the much deserved peace that finally settled in his life, made him an easier person. It’s like a heavy cloud, that prevented any rays of warm sunshine from reaching him, has been lifted from his shoulders. He has been smiling a lot these days, making more jokes and certainly being more comfortable. He also seems rather tired from time to time, but it’s only fair, Özge thinks.
She opens the door of the room she shares with the other assistants and her heart breaks a little when she sees Rıdvan in the empty room. He must be still working on the task Pars Savcı gave him. She walks by his desk to give him the soup she brought from the restaurant. At least this way he won’t have to continue his day with an empty stomach. Funny that it was Pars Savcı who recommended the place, but it was also the same prosecutor who made him spend his lunch break on organizing statements for an old case. Rıdvan seems to deeply respect the man, but since day one, Özge could never get used to his unnecessary sassiness and outbursts of emotion. Not that she doesn’t appreciate the strong bond between her boyfriend and his superior, it’s just that she’s having a hard time understanding the prosecutor’s motives. She utters a silent prayer in thanks, that her own prosecutor, unlike Pars Savcı, is a steady and predictable man.
It is when she reaches for Rıdvan’s hand, that the clock hits 13.00 and the phone on her desk starts ringing in a demanding manner. She runs towards the annoying sound and picks up the handle just to find Ilgaz Savcı on the other end.
“Özge, I see you’re finally back from your break.”
Sorry, what?
“Yes savcım, I just came back. Is there something wrong?”
Something is definitely wrong . Özge has been working with this man for more than 3 years and never ever, not even once, has he said anything that would imply she was evading any kind of responsibility. She never received not even one bad word about her timing, not only because she is extremely punctual, but also Ilgaz Savcı is not the type of a person who scolds his inferiors for superficial problems. On the contrary, he was the one who would encourage her from time to time to take more tea breaks, to go easier on herself. Did she just jinx it all? She wasn’t even late for this case.
“Please cancel all of the appointments and meetings for the rest of the day. I will not be taking any statements today, so I don’t want any suspects, victims, or their relatives near my office. Actually, just make sure no one ever enters the office.”
Özge wonders if Ceylin is around today but then he would just lock the door and be done with it. What actually bothers her is his voice. She can’t tell if he is angry or too anxious, but there is definitely the tone of panic under it all.
“Sure, savcım.”
“Thank you.”
She is racking her brain on every possibility of what could have happened when she hears Rıdvan’s anxious voice.
“Özge, was it Ilgaz Savcı? Because he called like 5 minutes before you came.”
Was there another call? That explains his wry comment on her timing but there must be something quite urgent for him to call twice in the span of 5 minutes.
“Rıdvan, something is off and we need to learn what’s actually happening.”
“You think it’s really that alarming? Maybe Derya Savcı knows what’s going on.”
Özge slowly walks towards his desk and stops right in front of him.
“Maybe Pars Savcı knows about it.”
“You can ask Derya Savcı’s new assistant, I recall that you two were getting along well when you were handing over your part of the work.” He responds with a small grin.
He isn’t making this easy at all. Pars Savcı would know it better than Derya Savcı and that’s a fact. Can’t he read the room?
“I can’t ask Gülce about my own prosecutor. It’s embarrassing. But you can ask Pars Savcı.”
“Özge, how am I supposed to ask him if he knows why Ilgaz Savcı decided to get up on the wrong side of bed today? You know I can’t.”
This sarcastic question of Rıdvan makes Özge re-evaluate how Ilgaz Savcı was in the morning. He was actually quite normal, acting very Ilgaz Savcı-like, kind and calm as usual. He even joked about how Başsavcı occupied his parking space today. She knows there is something else going on with him. After she takes a deep breath, she starts explaining slowly, making sure to emphasize every word.
“Ok, you’re not going to ask him directly.”
She puts both of her hands on his desk and leans in closer.
“You’re only going to start a chain of reactions.”
~*~
Rıdvan wonders how he got himself involved in a situation like this when he already had tons of work to handle. As he slowly approaches his prosecutor’s office, he can feel Özge’s eyes following him from 10 meters back. The answer was easy. He simply couldn’t deny her request. Well, yes but also no. Of course, he hated seeing her worried, but the truth is he was also curious about the mystery of Ilgaz Savcı’s unusual attitude. It’s probably nothing, he notes to himself, but knowing the man and his family alone provided all of the whole courthouse’s gossip for more than a year, he can’t help but worry, too.
He reaches the door and knocks twice out of habit. He takes a deep breath before turning the door handle after he hears Pars Savcı’s standard “Come in”.
“Savcım, I brought the statements of the two suspects that you requested from the cases in 2012, 2015 and 2019.”
“Ok Rıdvan, just put them on my desk.”
Rıdvan slowly enters the room and calmly puts the dossiers where he was told. Before making his next move, out of reflex, his hands start to fiddle with his tie.
“Savcım I also realized that Ilgaz Savcı was prosecuting the case in 2019.”
“Was he? Good, then I’ll consult him about it sometime today.” Pars responds without even looking at his face. He is probably busy, Rıdvan notes, but he only has one chance.
“You may not… sayın savcım”
Rıdvan watches as Pars slowly turns his face towards him, furrowing his brows, his all attention diverted to him. So he doesn’t know what’s happening as well. Rıdvan continues without letting the prosecutor speak.
“I’ve heard that he will not take any statements today and… and he isn’t letting anyone in his office.” He rushes.
He set out the bait, now it’s up to the prosecutor to take it, or not.
“Why wouldn’t he?” Pars mumbles. Rıdvan knows the question isn’t directed to anyone so he stays silent.
The prosecutor suddenly gets up from his chair and hurriedly leaves the room without saying any other word. Rıdvan smiles to himself, he did it, he caught the fish. Now, he needs to learn about the rest.
~*~
Ilgaz’s phone starts playing that familiar tune, for the third time in the last hour. He lets out a small sigh, mildly shakes his head as he reaches out. He can’t help a smirk when he sees the name, of course he knew who was calling. Before pressing the green sign, he makes sure to clear his throat and put on a poker face.
“Ceylin, I really wonder, what could have changed in the span of 10 minutes?”
He realizes his tone comes out a bit harsher than the way he sounded on the previous call, which also could not be considered warm at all.
“I just wanted to ask if everything’s alright and maybe I wanted to hear your voice, too? Or do I not have that right?”
She sounds more apologetic than usual, yet she is still playing the right cards.Though, it is not the time for him to let his guard down. Not yet. Also, to hear his voice? Really? She used to be much better at this, but he decides not to call her out on that. It must be because of her nerves.
“Avukat Hanım, maybe you should focus on your case, since it’s one of the main reasons why we’re in this situation right now.”
Just as Ilgaz pictures her rolling her eyes in an exaggerated manner -like she always does when he gets a little too annoyingly correct-, he hears her sighing deeply.
“I am focused, Sayın Savcım. I just wanted to make sure there is no problem yet. I-”
“Yet? Really?”
He knows very well that she is in no condition to continue this bickering, hence he is just making sure to use the situation for his own benefit.
“Anyway, since it sounds like it’s all good, I’m hanging up. But, if anything happens-”
“I know Ceylin, I will call you no matter what. Good luck.”
Not that she needs any kind of luck, but he just can’t make himself be too hard on her. Hoping his little wish didn’t ease the tension more than it should, he puts his phone back on the table. Now he needs to divert his attention to do his own part. Maybe he is the one who actually needs luck.
~*~
Pars knows, he just knows, that one day this Kaya family will cause him a real heart attack. He never could have imagined that his career would come to the point where he spends most of his working hours on solving cases related to Ilgaz Kaya, the man whom he couldn’t even stand during their university years. The professor-favorite, the jerk who somehow stole his sister’s heart and managed to break it into pieces, the know-it-all with superior instincts, his biggest rival in the profession and one of his beloved best friends.
As he hastens his steps through the corridor, he feels the anxiety taking its toll over his body. His heart is racing, he is sweating coldly and his left hand starts to feel a bit slack again. Pars swears that he will make sure all of his therapy bills will be addressed and sent to the Kaya household and the Kaya household only.
When he reaches the door of Ilgaz’s office, he knocks once and swings it open without waiting for an answer. He once again forgot to wait, and believe it or not, he hates himself for it. Busting Ceylin with Ilgaz in his office became one of his biggest fears over the course of the last two years and he knows that that view is definitely not something he needs to see in his life.
To his relief, the view in front of him is completely different from his specific fears. It is also nothing like all the scenarios that went through his mind when he was rushing to the room. His eyebrows rise as he pants for breath.
“May it come easy, savcım.”
“If it’s that easy, may it happen to you as well, savcım.”
Pars can’t help but slightly smile at that response.
“Why don’t you come in, Pars?”
“Let me make one thing clear first: I will not be helping you with anything.”
As he is about to enter the room he instinctively turns his head around to see Rıdvan staring at him with curious eyes from the other side of the corridor. Since what’s happening is not the type of an occasion that happens daily in the courthouse, he decides to involve him too.
“Rıdvan, come with me.” he calls.
Rıdvan follows his order immediately and Pars makes sure to shut the door behind them.
~*~
Eren is having a hard time believing his luck. He was supposed to take the rest of the day off to meet Tuğçe’s Literature teacher who specifically requested to talk to him. He is almost sure Tuğçe said something she shouldn’t have during the class and her teacher probably wants to kindly inform him about the ways she is having a hard time keeping her mouth shut. He is actually not fond of the idea of having to talk to an authority about how his nearly adult daughter is, but as a responsible father, he promised to be there on time. Then Ilgaz called and requested to see the suspect in custody for an assault case they were currently working on. He even skipped lunch to bring the suspect and get back on time; however, it turns out Mr. Prosecutor suddenly decided he is not in the mood for taking statements for the rest of the day.
Knowing Ilgaz, this unexpected change of heart doesn’t make the tiniest sense to him. There must be a highly important matter, otherwise his friend would have at least called to inform him. After giving a series of orders to the other two officers to take the suspect back to the precinct and never take their eyes off him, he heads to the familiar corridor which leads to Ilgaz’s office.
As Eren comes closer, he recognizes Özge standing outside. She recognizes him, too, and she turns towards him as if to say something, but he doesn’t have time for a chat right now. Hence, he settles with a slight nod as he hastily passes by.
“Ilgaz, I really wish you had informed us earlier. I mean if I haven’t visited you, I wouldn’t even know about it.”
“I didn’t see it coming either. It happened all so suddenly.”
He hears Pars and Ilgaz Savcı’s voices as he stands in front of the door. So something is really up, he thinks. Without further ado he knocks on the door twice and turns down the handle.
“Valla Sayın Savcım, I’m sorry to interrupt but I heard you have cancel-”
Eren stops mid-sentence the moment he understands what all this fuss is about.
“Come Eren, come.”
“Sure, savcım. Won’t I?”
He doesn’t need any more convincing to enter the office.
~*~
Özge is about to lose it. The prosecutor told her to keep any living being away from his office for the whole day and the same man just welcomed not one, but three people into the room right in front of her eyes. Two of them being his close friends, this exception could have been acceptable only if Rıdvan wasn’t also in there.
It has been nearly 10 minutes and even Rıdvan hasn’t come out. She knows once he gets out he will tell her every detail, but it seems like he has no intention of leaving the room any time soon. She needs to know what’s going on in that office and she needs it now.
Özge wonders if it will count as going too far if she somehow listens at the door. Well, let’s not call it listening, but maybe accidentally eavesdropping while passing by. Her morals are fighting back at the idea, but her feet seem to have won this battle because they start carrying her in the direction of the room without her even realizing.
“Brother, I understand why you had to reschedule your whole day, but I still don’t get your temper. Aren’t you making this issue a bit bigger than it should be?” she hears Eren ask. She can hear them at last.
“Don’t you see it Eren? It’s dangerous and Ceylin knows it very well. I thought we had a mutual decision on this.”
“Don’t be so hard on her Ilgaz, it seems like she has no other option left.”
To Özge’s realization, this, whatever it is, sounds like a private matter. She immediately regrets her actions and the moment she is about to sink into the pool of embarrassment after sticking her nose in people’s private issues, her mind reminds her of Rıdvan’s unexplainable presence in the office.
With an instant change of heart, she decides to go all in without further embarrassing herself. She is Ilgaz Savcı’s assistant after all, any kind of excuse she finds will be better than what she’s up to at the moment.
She can do it, it’s not that hard. Coffee, tea, someone calling, a sick cat, anything works. Özge takes a deep breath and finally knocks on the door.
~*~
Ceylin takes off her robe, lays it on her arm and turns her head to give one last glance to the courtroom as she leaves. She turns her head back to the front, tossing her long dark hair back with her famous self-satisfied smirk resting on her lips. It has become her signature move to make after each case she wins.
“Ceylin Hanım, we can’t tell you how grateful we are for everything you did. We hope the urgency of this situation didn’t cause you any trouble.”
Ceylin has to press her lips to keep her laughter inside. Oh it did . But rather than telling her client the actual truth, she goes with a quick “No worries, you’re welcome.”
“Thank you. We should get going by now. Please take care.”
“Oh thank you, you too.” Ceylin adds to her polite smile and the moment she is alone, she releases the breath she was holding since what felt like the day before.
It was during dinner time when her phone started to ring. It was one of her old clients who called her to request a favor. He told Ceylin the story of his sister, who was about to have a divorce trial which was extremely crucial to her because her relationship with her husband became so unhealthy that her mental state wouldn’t handle it if she loses the case or the trial gets postponed. Unfortunately for her, her lawyer’s close relative in Germany had such a severe medical condition that the guy had to leave with the first plane and won’t be returning anytime soon. Hearing it all, Ceylin already knew she had to help that woman and assuming the trial will be held soon, she requested all of the documents available. The old client (or the new client’s brother) assured her that he would send them all once he gets them from the other lawyer. He also told her he wasn’t sure about the date of the trial but promised to inform her as soon as possible.
While Ceylin was enjoying the excitement of a brand new case, Ilgaz was definitely not having it. After he emptied his glass of water, he asked her how she could once again jump on a case without knowing literally anything. He also was curious about the trial date as if it would prove something about his point.
Ceylin reassured him that it looked like a simple divorce case and she was used to such last minute trials. She didn’t know the actual trial date yet but it was fine. Not like it would be held the next day, right?
Not being satisfied, he asked her if she would be able to make the necessary arrangements and if he should worry about anything. Rather than saying anything, Ceylin stood up and made her way around to the back of his chair to give her answer with several affectionate kisses on his cheeks and jaw after wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
While she stayed up late working, Ilgaz made sure to take care of every responsibility in the house, knowing she was in a rush that she didn’t want to admit, and headed to bed alone.
Around 2 AM while she was still working, her phone made another sound. This time it was a message notification, coming from the same client who was apologizing, being sorry, feeling embarrassed and saying he would totally understand if she retreats, because apparently he completely misunderstood his sister and the trial was in fact, the next afternoon.
The first thing Ceylin did in the morning was head to the notary to be able to legally represent her new client, leaving Ilgaz at home sleeping and once again alone. She managed to get the power of attorney on time, but she needed a little (maybe not so little) help to figure out one last issue before the hearing.
Just like every other incident in her life, when she was in need of help, everyone around her disappeared into the selfish abyss called daily life. So, once again as a last resort, she went to Ilgaz, breaking an agreement that was made not so long ago.
Now that the trial has ended, the case is won and the poor woman is saved, Ceylin can finally go face the consequences of her choices. With a deep calming breath, she turns on her heels and makes her way to the most peaceful and safe room in this whole building.
With a single swift move and without even bothering to knock, the lawyer flings open the familiar door. The first thing her eyes register is Ilgaz, not sitting but slightly leaning on the side of his desk. She makes two quick strides towards him and reaches to take the weight that has been resting on his right shoulder. As small fingers clasp around her neck and hair, she receives a delighted sound, that is meaningless in any known language, accompanied with a watery smile and a set of sparkling eyes. For Ceylin, it’s the most beautiful welcome in the entire world.
“Honey, I missed you so much, too!” she cries. She delicately holds her small head with her free hand and starts to leave the softest kisses around her crown. She breathes in the sweetest scent she’s ever known and only now she can give her attention back to Ilgaz.
“Did she puke?”
“No.”
“Did you change her diapers?”
“Twice.”
“Anything worth noting?”
“We’re all good Ceylin.”
Nice. At least her recklessness didn’t cause her babies any trouble. Though the bigger one still looks as grumpy as he was during her previous visit to the office the same day.
“Looks like the princess is pretty much enjoying the ‘take your kid to work day’. I won’t be surprised if she ends up working here like her parents when she’s all grown up.”
Only now, when she hears Eren’s voice, Ceylin realizes they are not alone in the room. In fact, the room is fairly more crowded than it usually is. As she turns around, she grants all of them a smile while she starts to wonder why half of the courthouse is present in Ilgaz’s room when it was him who claimed the courthouse was not a safe place for toddlers.
“Ceylin Hanım, it’s so nice to see you but I have some urgent work to do. Savcım, if you’ll excuse me-”
“Sure, Özge.”
“The same goes for me as well.” Rıdvan adds. They must have sensed what Ceylin was thinking, but actually she is glad to be able to see the two of them after such a long time. She has been trying to keep herself away from work since giving birth, to be able to devote most of her time to the smallest member of their family. She has been picking rather easy cases but even they were so rare compared to her usual working tempo. Hence it meant less visits to the courthouse, less time to see familiar faces.
The last case was definitely an exception since it was a true challenge in terms of timing and honestly, she has missed such challenges. It felt like, just for a day, she regenerated into that old passionate and fearless lawyer who didn’t smell like baby rash cream, who didn’t have to carry breast pads everywhere and who had no idea about making a baby burp without making her puke. Not that she doesn’t adore every single challenge the little one keeps putting in front of her but she is also in love with what she does as her job. She knows the process of balancing her both worlds won’t be as smooth as she would like but she is sure it will all be sorted out one day. That day, however, is clearly not today.
“See you guys” she says after Özge and Rıdvan while moving one of the baby’s tiny chubby hands to mimic a waving motion.
“Eren, maybe we should go, too.” It was Pars’ turn to talk after the assistants left the room.
“Ah, why would you leave so soon? I just came back from the court.” Ceylin protests as she thinks there is probably something else that Pars Savcı is implying but she is too tired to play that game at the moment.
“No, no, Ceylin. Let us not create any more danger to the little miss here.” Oh he didn’t.
The lawyer has to bite her lips but knowing it won’t be enough she turns her head towards the door just to stop herself from bursting into laughter. From what she can hear, Eren clearly doesn’t even try and if she is not imagining it, even the little miss in question starts chuckling.
“Oh, go ahead and mock me, but you know very well that this is not what I meant.”
Ceylin knows that tone. Ilgaz sounds like he is joking but he is clearly not so amused and maybe even a little offended. To offend him was the last thing she ever wanted. Of course she absolutely knows what he means and she is even on the same page with him.
After they welcomed their precious little daughter into their small family, Ceylin took a break from taking cases until she felt ready to be back again. Even with the cases she took, she made sure to bring her baby to her office or to bring the work to their home to be on her side for the most of the time but she never took her to the courthouse. She and Ilgaz have talked about this maybe for a million times. Ilgaz claimed that with all the potential criminals walking on the loose, suspects, their relatives and all the officers carrying different sizes of guns, the courthouse was a completely dangerous place for a little baby. While her opinions were not as strong as his, Ceylin understood his reasoning. Taking into consideration that apart from the ones who work there, every person who sets foot into that building is either a suspect trying to prove his innocence or waiting for his penalty, or a victim who is seeking justice. If not these two then it’s someone somehow related to them. Doesn’t matter who they are, they feel devastated, helpless, angry, afraid, maybe guilty. They shout, they cry, they threaten and rarely, but sometimes, they harm. That atmosphere was definitely not suitable for a child, let alone a toddler.
The mother hen tendencies of Ilgaz started to peek through even before her pregnancy, but after the baby’s arrival they reached to an insane level. He was so adorable when he was anxious, but Ceylin started to actually worry about him. So, to give him at least some relief, she agreed and promised to keep their tiny pal away from the mighty house of law and she kept it like an oath until this unfortunate day.
“But for real, Pars Savcım. I think you promised me coffee the day before. The special blend, you told me.” It is Eren who brings her back to real life from the many thoughts swimming in her head.
“You never seem to forget any food related promise Commissar Eren” Pars jokes as he makes his way towards the exit.
“I’ve had enough of being treated as a choking hazard anyways. Good afternoon Ilgaz Savcım, Ceylin and ma’am” he continues as he smiles and slowly waves his left hand for the little one.
Unlike Pars, Eren goes for an informal cheek squish before he joins him at the door.
“Take good care, my dears”
After the door closes, Ceylin turns back towards Ilgaz who has been standing at the same side of his desk since she stormed in. As she takes a few small steps, his eyes seem to get softer. “Come here, both of you.” he says after he subtly opens his arms.
“Aren’t you mad?”
She gives him a hesitant look. Not that she was expecting a full on rage fight but it would be a lie if she says she was waiting for such a soft welcome, knowing it’s all her fault. Plus the way he was acting the whole day totally didn’t prepare her for this moment.
“I know you understood me and I know you tried your best. Sometimes life paves its own paths no matter how hard we plan. Being mad about it won’t help anyone. A lawyer I know would’ve said sometimes where we end up is more important than the roads we take along the way.”
Ceylin can’t help but smile at his words, letting out the breath she was holding through her nose. She knows the “roads” actually matter to him a lot more than he says, but she really appreciates his efforts to understand her state of mind. Looking down, she slowly gets closer to him before completely surrendering herself into his warmth. She feels his strong arms as he carefully envelops both of his favorite girls. He makes sure to kiss both of their temples the way he always does.
“But shouldn’t I have taken the case after making sure that I can arrange everything? To be fair my mother and Aylin both being busy at the same time was an unlucky coincidence, but I should’ve acted more responsibly. Out of excitement, I just let the flow of the current take me wherever it runs.” she speaks into his chest.
“I know you know that, too.” he affirms as he rests his chin on top of her hair. “And I’m sorry Ceylin. I shouldn’t have been so hard on you. You know I get too anxious about everything regarding both of your safety, but you were already tired and stressed and I shouldn’t have added more.”
She feels his fingers softly playing with her hair. She loves this, whatever it is. She loves what they have. She is in love with the way how at the end of the day they can come to an understanding no matter the currents they follow or the roads they take.
“There was no need for an apology, though I appreciate it. But…”
She moves her head back just enough to see his face. She glares right into his eyes accompanied with a mischievous grin.
“I’m sure you can get a little more creative with your ways of apologizing.”
With the instant shine in his eyes and his amusement readable from his lips, Ceylin knows her message is received. She crookes her nose back to his neck and hums a relaxed sound after closing her eyes.
With her arms around their baby and his around hers, she melts into the warm feeling. At this moment despite whatever Ilgaz says, with all due respect, Ceylin knows that this is the safest place in the entire world.