Chapter 4

The scorching heat was burning up her skin, and beads of sweat were forming on her forehead, neck, and the tip of her nose. It was so freaking hot that Ayleen felt as if the whole of Istanbul was burning. Her clothes started clinging to her due to the heat, but she couldn’t help it. With no car, no bicycle, and basically no form of transportation, the cab was too costly.

Now she regretted not waking up early and joining Selina, who usually went in her friend’s car to the club. After jogging for about fifteen minutes, Ayleen finally reached the bus stand and settled inside one, letting out a sigh. Her mind drifted toward a hundred different thoughts; her self-respect begged her not to go, while the helpless, desperate part of her pushed her to go if she wanted to continue her studies and support her family.

Yes, she finally decided to visit the Khans after spending the whole night thinking and discussing it with Selina, whose words were, “What’s the worst that could happen? They would not hire you, and you would come back. Then we will look for another job!” Though it was a nonchalant thing for Selina, who always remained carefree despite being hit by a bulldozer, it made Ayleen think that it was worth a shot for the sake of her family.

She jumped off the bus and ambled forward, walking for almost ten minutes, following the address given on the Internet. The neighborhood was quiet and calm, featuring only a few estate-like mansions that spread over acres of land. The state-of-the-art security proved their elite status.

As she walked, she saw an array of beautiful cherry trees on one side of the street and some fresh flower decorations on the ground beside them. Every mansion had huge castle-like gates, lined with cobbled roads. Ayleen kept sauntering forward while admiring the bewitching sights around her. At the end of the lane was a beige-colored wall protected by security barricades; it stretched for a meter before a huge, intricate bronze gate. The name KHANS was carved like an emblem on the front. From the outside, this mansion looked like a modern-day royal castle with magnificent architectural work.

Ayleen took a deep breath, wondering how to get inside, as there was no doorbell in sight. But soon her question was answered when a small window beside the gate slid open, and a buff security guard’s face came into view, making Ayleen yelp.

“What do you want, woman?” his gruff voice resonated around, making Ayleen gulp a bit. Clearing her throat, she meekly spoke, “I am Ayleen Zamin. I came here to meet Mr. Ibrahim!” The guard observed her from head to toe with an incredulous look.

“I wasn’t informed of any of his meetings today. Did you make an appointment?” Her whole body was drenched even more in sweat; this was what she dreaded. Ayleen shook her head in denial. “Then please leave and only come here when you have an appointment!” was the blunt reply.

“Please, listen to me. I am a medical student here at Istanbul Medical School. Just tell Mr. Ibrahim that I am the daughter of Zamin Aly, and if he still asks for me to leave, I will. Just please, I really need to meet him,” Ayleen pleaded, despite the irritated look of the guard.

“Wait here!” he grumbled before shutting the window. Ayleen heaved a sigh, worry lines etched on her face as she began to pace back and forth, waiting for any reply from inside. Was the guard playing with her? Or did Mr. Ibrahim refuse to recognize her? Ayleen wondered sadly, gripping her small, old bag tightly.

Just as she was about to give up, the gate opened, and a young man, older than her, appeared before her in a uniform. “Please come inside!” Ayleen heaved a sigh of relief, taking miniature steps to follow him inside, only to find her face hanging open, unprepared to see such an exquisite-looking mansion—or should she say a castle or country estate.

The whole estate was even bigger than her university, which she considered the largest building she had ever seen in her life. In the middle of the estate stood a mid-century modern mansion that could be mistaken for a glass castle, with an equally impressive huge tarmac driveway paved with the finest stones in the world that led to the front. The mansion was surrounded by lush greenery on all four sides and divided into two wings.

In front of the mansion was a fountain, with a sculpture of a dolphin situated right in the middle, holding a vase of trickling blue water that poured all the way down into clean waters. To the right end of the estate was a huge, well-trimmed lawn with a magnificent garden of all sorts of flowers—from daisies to sweet peas, to dandelions, to roses and lotuses. To the left end was another building that seemed to be a staff house.

Reaching the front door, there was another scanner to the right, to which the butler placed his thumb, and the huge white double doors with golden lining slid open. The house was nothing short of perfection; the interior decor was on point. She had to admit that much. The walls of the hallways were painted a cream color with tiny, glorious golden floral prints.

“You may wait here. Mr. Ibrahim will be here shortly,” the butler notified in a monotone voice. Ayleen nodded and sat on one of the plush sofas in the living room. The chandelier was white, the tiles below polished ivory with black rose prints swirling around in an intricate pattern. As they moved ahead, the walls were a fine golden brown; the carpets, sofas, and curtains were all maroon colored, with numerous golden strips interlocking. The color combination and clash of hues were spectacular—too enchanting.

“How on earth do people afford such spectacular living?” she thought, feeling self-conscious as she looked down at her chiffon pink shirt, which looked rough and had lost its color, and her whitewashed jeans, which looked more white.