Until I Found You

Part 17

Kivilcim looked away, tears forming in her eyes. Omer stepped closer to her but still an arms length away.

"Don't you think she deserves a good father figure in her life instead of that stupid man." Omer said seriously. Kivilcim turned back to look at him, her arms crossed.

"Omer... you're a very good father. But tonight, when I saw the lipstick on your cheeks, I immediately thought you were with Leyla."

"Why, Kivilcim? What have I done to make you think that, I don't understand?" Omer asked, his voice pained.

"I don't know! You're a great father, I see it. With Metehan. With Doga. But I can't trust you," Kivilcim replied, her voice trembling.

"Give me one good reason," Omer demanded, desperation creeping into his tone.

"While you were telling me you love me, I didn't question your laughs and giggles on the phone with her, Omer. She even crashed our first dinner at your house, and I didn't make a deal out of it. I am sorry, but I can't trust you," Kivilcim said, her voice breaking.

"You can, but you won't. There's nothing between us. She's only my employee. If you want, I'll transfer her to another department or I'll terminate her."

Kivilcim laughed, "there's no need."

"But know this... everything I told you was true. I fell in love with you the second I saw you eight years ago. Why can't you believe that?" Omer said.

Kivilcim's eyes softened, but she remained guarded. She accepted that she has developed feelings for this man, that she loves him.... but maybe she was too afraid of trusting another man after that asshole Kayhan. Maybe she was afraid of fully, wholeheartedly giving herself to Omer. Surrendering herself to him. Being vulnerable with him. Maybe she was trying to protect herself from heartache.

"It's not that simple. Trust is built over time, and right now, it's that line of trust that is fragile between us. Every time I see something that reminds me of Leyla, it feels like a dagger of lies to my heart. I want to believe you, but..." Kivilcim confessed. What she couldn't say was that she was scared.

Omer took a deep breath as he listened to her, his voice calmer. "I understand. I know I've hurt you, and I regret that deeply. I know why you're mad at me.... After we slept together, I didn't mean to make you feel used or hurt by avoiding you. I know what it means to you because it meant a lot to me too. I was dealing with my own emotions. I was happy and angry, sad but surprised and I handled it poorly. God damn me, but I'm here now, willing to work through this. Let me learn with you. For us, for Doga, Cimen, Metehan and for our baby. Please, give me a chance to prove myself."

This time he included all of them in the picture. All of them. Not just him, Metehan and Doga. All of them.

Omer closed the distance between him and Kivilcim. He pulled out the ring he had purchased and tucked away in his pocket since the day he saw her again and promised he would marry her. Kivilcim hesitated, looking into Omer's eyes.

"Will you marry me, Kivilcim?"

Kivilcim stuttered, her mind racing, emotions swirling. "O-Omer, I..."

Before she could finish, the silence was broken by a small, sick voice from the doorway.

"Mom, are you having a baby?" Doga asked, her eyes wide and curious.

Kivilcim and Omer both turned to see Doga standing there, looking pale and tired but shocked.

Mom, are you having a baby? Am I having a brother or sister?"

Kivilcim quickly moved toward Doga, her maternal instincts taking over. "Sweetie, you should be resting," she said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from Doga's face.