WebNovels

Chapter 18 - Mr. Burger and The Deception.

Marie

​"...You think I don't know, but I do."

​"What exactly is it that you know?" Asin asked, his voice guarded.

​"This violin is artifact-level craftsmanship; it isn't even supposed to be available in this country." I am a violinist; I naturally possess the knowledge, if not the means, to acquire such an item.

​"I told you, didn't I? Some guy from... some store handed it to me," he said, turning away from me.

​I smiled, gently turning his face back.

"You could have done that, and I would have been perfectly happy. But you wanted something truly special for me, didn't you?" I was careful with my tone, genuinely afraid of his quick sarcasm, and didn't want to be shut down.

​"...Why not," he finally conceded.

​He looked so unexpectedly shy that my heart completely fluttered. I leaned closer and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for thinking of me."

​I rested my head on his shoulder, keenly aware of the slight smile on his face above mine. It was funny how we could read such things in quiet moments like this. He played with my hand as I savored our physical closeness—the first time since our initial, chaotic dance.

​Oliver suddenly burst out of his studio, radiating palpable anger about something. My sister followed closely behind him, looking utterly confused.

​Perfect timing.

​"Brother! Follow me! We need to talk!" Oliver marched straight for the door and abruptly left his own apartment.

​Asin sighed and turned to me. "Your sister must have done something."

​"Don't be like that, we know nothing. Go after Oliver and find out," I nudged him toward the door.

​He looked grumpy, casting a look of annoyance at my sister as she walked out. I smiled, thinking how I, too, was a little annoyed at being immediately interrupted just as things were getting good.

​"What happened? Did you say something to him that upset him?" I patted the couch, inviting her to sit.

​She shook her head, taking a seat and letting out a labored breath. "He was fine... until Stuart called. I think he must have seen the caller ID."

​Oh. I guess Asin was right.

​"I told you to block that kid days ago. Why haven't you?"

​She had hoped if she just didn't pick up, the persistent bread apprentice would simply give up, but he was obviously getting restless and kept trying.

"It was a mistake, yes." She pulled out her phone and finally blocked the number. "There. Hopefully, he understands now."

​She looked genuinely dejected, but I quickly reminded her, "He was obviously jealous. Cheer up. He clearly likes you."

When Asin took my phone from me in that "unexpected attack" this morning and technically stole her number, I knew it wasn't for himself, but for Oliver.

​"I just hope this won't... you know, freeze us in time."

​"...I know."

​I knew exactly what she meant. I felt the same. We had these intimate moments and flirtatious exchanges when we were alone, but if the circumstances didn't stop them, then he himself would immediately put a halt to things. He was maintaining his distance from me, which was understandable, but it would take time.

​For now, we, too, were frozen in time.

---

​Asin

​I found him in a bizarre state. Bizarre might be the wrong word.

​He was engaged in a spirited fistfight with a fast-food burger mascot.

​"There! There! Thereee!"

​With each word, he relentlessly pummeled the soft, foam material where the man's head should have been. A small crowd of people had their phones out, filming, already fishing for likes online.

​I ran over and physically dragged him off the poor guy, all while trying and failing to hold back my laughter at the sheer absurdity of the scene.

​We ran like children from the enraged burger mascot, who was soon joined by a few bystanders hoping for a cinematic ending to their home video. We were faster and more agile, easily leaving the slowly moving burger and the thirsty idiots behind.

​"...Damn you! Damn it!"

​Oliver tore the flyers that the poor guy was supposed to be handing out to shreds. Ah, that explains the shouting during the chase: "The papers! Give!"

I dodged a few wayward leaflets, remembering that Oliver always had these crazy tendencies. He could be as calm as the sea, but utterly uncontrollable and violent when truly unleashed. He wasn't the best fighter, but he made up for it with a raw, natural ferocity.

​I did what I always did: waited for the storm to pass, while calmly rerouting innocent people just trying to walk past us with a placating smile.

​He needed six solid minutes to calm down this time.

​"...Good?"

​"...Good." He snatched a bottle of water from a nearby stand.

​I paid the vendor quickly and followed him. "Talk to me. What transpired in those three minutes that made you go completely nuts?"

​"The bread guy. He's still harassing her."

​I was lost. I put a hand on his shoulder.

"Is he... here with us right now?" My joke was not appreciated.

​After he was done with a fresh round of profanities, he explained. "...But she called him a 'friend'! A friend, man!"

​"Alright, okay," I tried to calm him down. He had reacted so strongly—he was serious about her. Good.

​"Look, he is obviously developmentally disabled for not taking a hint, right?"

​"Right!"

​"Right. But let us not forget, she is here now. With you."

​"Yes, she is... I need your help, but not now. We have the races."

​I smiled, taking his shoulders. "Anything you need, but yes. Priorities."

​We were about thirty hours away from the first set of races this Friday. We had a plethora of things that still needed to be done and, critically, we needed to find something suitable for the girls to keep them occupied for the long weekend.

​We found an empty bench inside a nearby park and took a load off. My security, trying and failing to hide, stood around the playground, sticking out like a sore thumb.

​"...Leyla said the twins wanted to talk to us."

​I already knew their problem.

"They're overworked. We need to promote at least two more lieutenants."

The twins were Metin and Kerem, our middle school friends and the first two people we brought in when we started. They were normal kids with families, which gave them the ability to move around freely. They ran the smaller operations we handled for Mr. Unknown and the council.

We provided them with runners, security, and muscle, kept the council's people busy with other things, and ensured our crew members were paid well in between races. Because of the twins, we had kept our hands relatively clean.

​Over the last year, our operations had grown beyond our wildest dreams, but we had kept the captains' number at two.

​But who to trust?

​"Any ideas?" I asked. He knew the inner workings of the crew better than I did; my family name and obligations kept me from being as involved as I wanted to be.

​"Here's the thing. We need people we can unconditionally trust and who are willing to risk their freedom."

​"Right," I agreed.

​He looked suddenly nervous.

​"What is this? Why start fidgeting now?"

​"Remember... Kol?" he asked hesitantly.

​"Sanilmaz. Yes. Why?" He was a childhood friend of sorts. He and Oliver never got along much, but our parents had done business for years, so I saw him often. He went to the same middle school until I was sent overseas. Always too... needy. But a good guy nonetheless, if a little weird.

​"He knows..."

​"Knows... what?"

​He kept silent, and my mind instantly went to the darkest place. "Absolutely not. How!?"

​He proceeded to hide behind some made-up story of extortion and a maze of other lies.

​"Oh, stop it. You! How did he find out!?"

​He sighed and leaned forward.

A few months ago, he was invited to an event thrown by Aunt Tilley's firm. Kol and his family were also invited, and he overheard an entire conversation Oliver was having over the phone with Leyla. He confronted Oliver, and Oliver...

​"You told him?"

​"There was nothing to tell! He pretty much knows everything..."

​"You told him! You told the guy who is regularly around me and my family—the idiot who messed up my hand-made lion in art class—the munching fool who can't keep his mouth shut. You told him..."

​"Right..."

​I needed a full minute to process the implication.

​"What does he want? Money? No, not money, he has money. What, then!?" I demanded.

​"He wants to... join."

​"Of course. What else?" I asked, having a feeling this wasn't the end.

​"Meet you and the crew." He told all this while staring intently at the ground.

​"Fine."

​I gave up. The damage was already done.

The good news was that he had known for weeks and said nothing. We had even seen each other once, and he hadn't breathed a word. The only reason he was acting out was because he had gotten involved in some petty issue that landed him with 200 hours of community service.

​Oliver was startled, but mostly relieved. "Good! Thank God. He's getting off my back, and I'll call and set up a meeting for tomorrow morning."

​He looked highly motivated.

​Then I had an idea. In retrospect, it wasn't the best one I'd ever had, but it seemed like a quick fix.

---

​Ayshe

​There was a commotion downstairs. Some people were gathered around a guy dressed as a Mr. Burger mascot, missing his hat.

​"They've been gone for a while. I'm calling him," Marie said, pulling out her phone. She was all too transparent. At least they were on the right path.

​"Asin? Where are you?... Really? No, no, tell me."

​She laughed, and I felt immediately annoyed. "Loudspeaker," I demanded.

​She shushed me. The nerve!

​"Alright, see you soon. No more fighting. Alright, bye."

​"What, what, what? What happened?" I hopped around her.

​"Oliver got into a fight with a mascot downstairs," she said, tapping furiously on her phone. "He said people filmed it."

​She quickly found the clip. It was hilarious. They were running away from a small mob led by the angry mascot.

​"...Their lives are like a cartoon," I concluded. Marie was still giggling, watching Asin drag a foaming-at-the-mouth Oliver away.

​"Well, at least it's not boring," she smiled, looking at the screen.

​The boys came back and took us home for the family dinner. My parents were also invited. Their house was not as ridiculously vast as the Martell estate, but it clearly conveyed wealth and influence—the very things they so desperately missed.

​The conversation was flowing nicely until...

​"...So, perhaps it's about time you joined us, Asin. Thoughts?"

​His grandfather had just finished placing my dad and grandad inside the company, so the timing seemed optimal to bring in the family's youngest. I saw Marie tense up, probably for the same reason I felt my interest peak.

​"...I don't feel like it, Dede. No offense, but I think it has more to do with personal style than anything," he kept his cool, playing it off as a joke.

​"What's your problem with my style?" His elder brother, Yary, had a problem first.

​"Again, no offense..."

​"You know, little one, if my time in the business world has proved anything, it's that when people start a sentence with 'No offense,' they usually mean some," his father smiled, listening to his sons.

​"Very well, Mr. Life Experience," Asin put down his spoon. "The work you all do is boring."

​That blew the table up. His brother seemed the most offended. "Boring!? Me!? I'm the CFO of one of the largest..."

​"Lord God," Asin interjected.

​As he went on, I saw his family enjoying their little spat. Oliver, particularly, looked pleased. The raging lunatic from the video was nowhere to be seen.

​"...Zerile sister agrees with me." Asin casually tossed a verbal grenade into the conversation.

Her eyes immediately opened wide, and she started hurling insults at her brother-in-law and explanations toward her husband.

​The argument concluded quickly. "So, is it agreed? Are you starting on Monday?"

​"Right, Dede."

​His grandfather gave a happy smile and left. Soon, the elders followed him like ducklings.

​We were left watching Asin deflate like a balloon. Oliver tapped his shoulder in understanding. "We knew it was coming."

​"Right," he agreed.

​"What kind of work will you be doing?" Marie couldn't hold back.

​Oliver was kind enough to explain.

"It's the main holding company where all the other smaller companies report. It's actually not boring at all. International brands, business deals worth millions, fashion, tech, whatever you can think of—"

​"Oh, shut up," Asin had had enough and stood up. "I don't feel so good." He massaged his stomach.

​"Oh, boo hoo. It sounds amazing," Marie let her feelings be known.

​He walked behind her seat and leaned close to her ear. "WOOF!" He barked past her.

​"IDIOT!" Marie jumped and immediately went after him.

​Oliver and I were left alone.

​"So, where did you guys go? You were gone for quite a bit," I pretended I hadn't seen the videos.

​"Yeah, we were... talking about stuff. You guys?"

​"Same. Listen..."

​He walked over and took my hand before I could even start explaining myself. "Come. Before they bring the house down."

​I smiled back at him and allowed myself to be led after the idiotic couple.

​What a day.

---

​Oliver

​The next morning, we were at the warehouse used for our operations in the city. We had moved here when our funds were low and walked in with just the two of us.

​I smiled as the twin brothers were thanking Asin with an enthusiastic headlock for the cash bags they received. He had snuck out this morning, emptied his personal account, and split the money among the crew members.

​Needless to say, the atmosphere was jovial, and people were celebrating. I had tried to protest, as we had plenty of our own money, but he insisted he had to spend his personal funds sometimes, otherwise, his family would grow suspicious.

​Yes, being too rich had somehow become a problem. But he certainly solved it effectively.

​"Alright, people, calm down!" He pushed the twins away and walked up next to me. "Enjoy that money to your heart's content. A small thank you from both of us for the continued loyalty and excellence you've shown since day one."

​He let the fifty or so people gathered celebrate a little more before continuing.

​"Tonight is the very start of why we began this journey. Why we became a family. To reach heights none of us could, alone. Let us take the time we have until the meeting to plan... for our collective and better future."

​He finished with a motivated and eager crew.

​We were ready for tonight.

~

​"You could be a public speaker," I observed.

​We were alone in my office upstairs, waiting for Leyla.

​"It's a curse, dear brother. Having so many talents, that is," he smiled wryly.

​"Truly. How do you feel?"

​"Loose. A little nervous," he laughed.

​Good. Nice to know we felt the same.

​Leyla came in and handed us the final reports for tonight.

​"...We couldn't get the new models?" I read the papers, annoyed.

​"No, sir. The manufacturer stuck to the original release date, which is next month."

​Damn shortsighted idiots.

Drones were our bread and butter. They were the very reason we were able to convey the excitement and wonder these races created—the danger. They allowed us to create a brand large enough to now command respect.

​"What is this?" Asin walked around me, reading the papers."...I can get them. The drone company has an old relationship with my family."

​I knew that, obviously, but... "How are you going to explain such a sudden need?"

​"...Interest in filmmaking?"

​It sounded ridiculous. "Even if you could explain that, they can't deliver before tonight," I explained the obvious.

​He just smiled and called his grandfather.

​Ten minutes later...

​"One hundred of your toys will be here by 6 PM," he announced.

​Leyla even clapped. I felt the same. Money was always the answer. People just lacked the kind of family names attached to their money.

​"Uncle Erwing is a scary man."

​With the main problem solved, it was time for my shame.

​"You ready?" I got up. Leyla was waiting for further developments like a soap opera fan.

​"Yes. But you will deal with him mostly after this," he reminded me.

​Kol. It was your lucky day.

~

​"...You want it?"

​"Yes."

​"You know what that entails?"

​I was sitting between Kol and Asin as he questioned him.

​"Family..." Kol answered, a little emotional.

​"Fool. This isn't some action flick, but basically, yes," he leaned closer. "I appreciate that you kept silent until now. But this turns into forever now. Some secrets are deeper bonds than family."

​I understood his meaning. We had been lying to our own families for a while. As much as it hurt to think about, he was right.

​Kol looked thoughtful. "I was surprised... confused," he started. "For a little while. I thought I was crazy until Oliver confirmed it..."

​Asin looked at me with a deadpan expression that said we will discuss this later.

​"...But I was mostly proud. You managed to put your mark on this world, even more privileged than me. What's my excuse? If you let me, I won't let you down. I won't let GOD down."

​I looked at Asin. He was always moved by genuine acts of loyalty. We both were.

​He offered his hand. "Welcome. Let us reach for the moon, new brother."

​I watched, smiling, as they shook on it and then checked the time.

​The race starts in ten hours.

~

​Back at his house.

​Marie looked annoyed. "What's this?"

​I walked over to Ayshe and said. "You'll see," she smiled mysteriously.

​Asin walked over and sat beside Marie on the couch. "What is it with you? Such laziness..."

​Marie even forgot to pretend to be mad. "Excuse me?" She turned to him.

​"Your husband goes out before dawn on business, only to return to zero welcome, no assistance with my shoes, not even a lousy offer of tea."

​Her expression foretold nuclear levels of destruction. Asin quickly turned and put his arms around her.

​"But let us not get bogged down in such silly things, hmm?" He caressed her hair. "Let us enjoy our time before tonight's surprise."

​Again, her previous anger vanished instantly. "What surprise?" she smiled.

​"Khmm."

​To my left, Ayshe cleared her throat, and Marie's smile vanished. Asin didn't miss a beat.

​"Don't listen... to the lonely and the desperate," he addressed his sister-in-law. "I'm about to make it up to you for that disturbing night when we tricked you two."

​Hearing that, Ayshe was willing to let her anger go at the "lonely" commentary and listen.

​"I was feeling bad, I admit," he frowned dramatically. "So I thought we'd spend tonight out at sea. Just the four of us. Some quiet dinner, maybe even enjoy some fondue." All the while, he was playing with Marie's hair.

​"Hmm. For you as well, dear Ayshe. Sister, listen. You haven't been able to relax since arriving. It's time to unwind. Oliver is an excellent cook."

​I almost laughed out loud—he hated my every cooking attempt—but his acting was on point. He hit Ayshe with... me.

​She looked at me hopefully, and I could finally manage a convincing smile. It was probably more unnatural than my normal one, but she seemed satisfied.

​"Very well. Tonight, you two can make it up to us."

​She exchanged some meaningful looks with her sister.

​The plan was perfect, really. We'd sneak off the boat and split midway through the night.

​But, brother... your wife is absolutely going to end your life, and we will have to cancel the other races.

​Still... life is boring. The people around you make it interesting.

More Chapters