Is this destiny?

Merve took a few deep breaths, gathered her courage, and made her way toward Corey.

"Do you like it?"

Corey turned toward the voice and he held his breath when his eyes landed on Merve. She has light makeup on, and her hair is braided and lifted up, and her yellow one-shoulder gown makes her look like a fairy. She is the most beautiful girl he ever saw, standing less than two steps away and she made a painting of him.

"Is that me?" Corey asked the obvious.

Merve smiled. "Yeah."

She glanced at his hand which is holding a rose, and he caught that moment.

"This is for you." Corey said and extended his arm, offering her the flower while hoping that she will not notice how his hands are shaking.

Merve lowered her head shyly and accepted the rose. "Thanks."

Corey looked at the portrait of himself. "I like it very much. You are exceptionally talented. I've seen many of your works, but this one tops them all. I want to buy it."

"This area is for the artwork which is not for sale." Merve explained.

Corey frowned. She didn't mention the price, and he got outright rejected. Maybe he is not the richest kid, but he is saving from his allowance, and if he does not have enough, he can ask his Cousin Charlie for a loan because this is important. "Why? Did someone buy it already?"

The idea of someone else holding onto his painting made him restless.

"No. This one is not for sale." Merve responded.

"Not even for me?" Corey persisted.

"It's not about who wants to buy it. It's about me not willing to sell it. For me, this is more than just a painting. Too many emotions were poured on that canvas. I can't bear to part from it."

Corey swallowed hard and turned toward Merve. "Emotions? Like what?"

Merve gestured while explaining: "You see here… these sharp strokes. They are made in anger. Or maybe disappointment. And these round ones are happiness… here is excitement… anxiety…"

Corey was not sure from where to start. "Anger? Were you angry at me?"

"Yeah." Merve admitted and saw that his brows furrowed, obviously expecting an explanation. "That was a Saturday. You told me that you will come after lunch and we will study together, but you ended up helping Pari and Antonia with their math assignments... and you left without saying goodbye."

Corey could not remember the incident. Why would he leave without seeing Merve unless she was busy with something? He knows that Merve is often busy and unless she gave him her permission, he didn't dare go to her room and disturb her because she might be resting or showering or doing something secretive. He noticed that kids at the Cliffside Villa have their secrets and he always respected that. After all, they are all exceptional, like they belong to a private club for which he is not qualified. 

This particular incident that made Merve paint him in anger, disturbed Corey, and he wanted to know more. "When was that?"

Merve lowered her gaze. She wondered if she should respond or not. Merve told herself that he already saw the painting and maybe this is the right time to clarify their relationship because she can't go on like this. What is the worst case, they stay friends? Or he stops talking to her? He might start ignoring her. After all, he is a Smith and she… is someone Sarah and Aiden accepted into their home. But he gave her the rose and that means that he cares about her, so they will probably still be friends even if he has no special feelings for her.

Merve inhaled more than necessary and forced words to come out of her mouth: "You neglected me so many times that you can't remember all of them. That is why I painted this. This Corey is there for me whenever I need him and you can't have him."

Corey panicked. Just what is this? He came here to confess his love and to ask Merve if she wants to date him, and it turned out that he is neglecting Merve and hurting her in the process to the point of her creating his clone to comfort her? How can he confess now? But… can he leave it like this?

Corey was not sure what to do, so he decided on the first thing which came to his mind.

He extended his arms and pulled Merve into a hug.

Merve stiffened and her arms were next to her body awkwardly. She and Corey are good friends and they are spending a lot of time together, but they were never this close. This is closer than dancing! Definitely closer than dancing! Does that mean that he likes her? No, he probably felt guilt because her mood fell and he is comforting her.

Merve told herself to calm down. There must be a reason why Corey hugged her suddenly, and she is confident that he will explain himself any minute now… any minute… almost there.

Corey took a deep breath and her sweet scent filled his nostrils. "Merve, the truth is that every time I came to the Cliffside villa, I wanted to see you, but others were asking for help and I can't say 'no'. There is nothing more to it. I am sorry that I hurt your feelings. Next time, I will reject everyone with an explanation that I came to see you."

Merve exhaled. "There is no need to reject anyone. You are a kind person and you don't need to change."

Corey inched away and observed Merve's expression. "But I want to change. If I'm hurting you, then I want to change."

Merve smiled. "Thanks. Hearing that, makes me happy."

Merve realized that Corey is still holding her. They are so close that their noses are only a few inches apart.

"You can let go of me now…" Merve said awkwardly.

"Why? Are you uncomfortable?"

Merve was not sure how to respond. Is she uncomfortable? She had many thoughts of Corey hugging her, but now that it's happening, she does not know what to do. Is this an I-like-you hug or we-are-friends hug? "Well, not really. But aren't we too close?"

"What if I want to get closer?" His voice was barely audible.

Merve's eyes widened when she saw Corey inching closer. Two inches away… one and a half… one inch away… Oh, God! She closed her eyes and hoped that her heart will not jump out of her chest while waiting for the kiss to come. The real one, on the lips, which will prove that he likes her more than a friend and that she didn't imagine things… but the kiss didn't come. A few seconds passed and there was no kiss. Just what is this?!

Merve opened her eyes, unsure how she feels about this situation. He is still close.

"Merve, do you want to be my girlfriend?" Corey's breath splashed on Merve's lips.

Merve's head was buzzing. She is not sure if she responded, but she remembers that she smiled. And she probably responded because, in the next moment, Corey kissed her on the lips.

It was a short kiss. A small peck. And then he inched away.

"Merve… you should hug me and return my kiss. Otherwise, people will think I'm forcing myself on you." Corey said in a half-whisper. It sounded cool, but actually his insides churned from anxiety, and he was unable to muster the strength to speak properly because this is Merve, the most beautiful girl in the world, in his arms, and he kissed her, and she didn't slap him. Great progress!

Merve's arms moved robotically and wrapped around Corey. She repeated in her mind not to squish the rose which is still in her hand. That is the first time Corey gave her a flower, and she wants to preserve it.

Merve realized that she and Corey are hugging in the art gallery where many others are present and suddenly she became aware of how tall he is, and how his body is firm. It felt nice and her belly was full of butterflies and Merve remembered numerous times she caught Ade and Hande hugging and being too close, and how much she scolded them for indecent behavior, but now she knows how good it feels and it's no wonder that those two youngsters are defying her persistently because this… there is nothing better than this.

Corey smiled and inched closer… and this time, Merve kissed him back.

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