Alper woke up early to send Duci on a task this morning, and since she had left he was assiduously barking orders to everyone within sight. He wanted the dinner to be perfect, and to go off with a hitch. Absently, he found himself thumbing the boxed ring in his pocket. Admittedly, he was a little nervous.
He had purposefully sent his father out for a massage; the last thing he needed was that old man breathing down his neck as well.
There were chefs toiling away in the kitchen, preparing a feast of appetizers, sides, the main course, and finally, the dessert. The cleaning company was present, dusting and vacuuming and polishing. Florists were buzzing in and out, decking out the penthouse in a bold, exotic, and colorful array of flowers. The drapes were drawn, sunlight streaming in warmly. Alper sighed softly, almost content. He could only hope that Maranya was enjoying his gift to her. He knew she was going to look as gorgeous as ever.
"Be careful with that vase! It's oriental and worth millions!" he barked at one cleaning lady, though he immediately felt guilty. He rubbed his hands over his face tiredly. He couldn't wait for six o"clock to roll around.
——
The time for dinner was drawing nearer, and Alper was pacing the length of the living room nervously. His father sat pompously in a wing-backed chair, nonplussed.
"I do not know why you are fussing, Alper. She will be here on time, cocktails and appetizers will be served on the dot. The dinner will be delicious. I am eager to meet this mistress of yours, you know." Mr. Ergin had a wry smile on his face as he studied his apprehensive son. If he didn't know any better, he would think his son had some big plans for tonight...Like proposing.
Alper groaned. "I'm not worried about that. I spent the last week planning tonight's dinner, it better go well," he answered fiercely. "I just' Don't talk about kids, okay' I don't need you freaking her out tonight above all."
Hafez was due to be driving up any minute now, with Maranya in tow. He was excited to see her again, he always felt like he couldn't get enough of her.
He had purposefully sent his father out for a massage; the last thing he needed was that old man breathing down his neck as well.
There were chefs toiling away in the kitchen, preparing a feast of appetizers, sides, the main course, and finally, the dessert. The cleaning company was present, dusting and vacuuming and polishing. Florists were buzzing in and out, decking out the penthouse in a bold, exotic, and colorful array of flowers. The drapes were drawn, sunlight streaming in warmly. Alper sighed softly, almost content. He could only hope that Maranya was enjoying his gift to her. He knew she was going to look as gorgeous as ever.
"Be careful with that vase! It's oriental and worth millions!" he barked at one cleaning lady, though he immediately felt guilty. He rubbed his hands over his face tiredly. He couldn't wait for six o"clock to roll around.
——
The time for dinner was drawing nearer, and Alper was pacing the length of the living room nervously. His father sat pompously in a wing-backed chair, nonplussed.
"I do not know why you are fussing, Alper. She will be here on time, cocktails and appetizers will be served on the dot. The dinner will be delicious. I am eager to meet this mistress of yours, you know." Mr. Ergin had a wry smile on his face as he studied his apprehensive son. If he didn't know any better, he would think his son had some big plans for tonight...Like proposing.
Alper groaned. "I'm not worried about that. I spent the last week planning tonight's dinner, it better go well," he answered fiercely. "I just' Don't talk about kids, okay' I don't need you freaking her out tonight above all."
Hafez was due to be driving up any minute now, with Maranya in tow. He was excited to see her again, he always felt like he couldn't get enough of her.