A week later.

Ceren and Halit the very next day, checked out of the hotel, going on vacation. This meant a return to reality for Defne and Selim. They no longer had to pretend, or at least for the time being.

For the next three days, the girl tried to focus solely on work. Since she was soon to have some time off again, she wanted to prove herself so that a topic for gossip would not arise among the other employees. She was, after all, one of them. She was not going to stand out. Throwing herself into her duties allowed her to limit her contact with Selim. If they did meet, they only talked about matters pertaining to the operation of the hotel.

Remorse gnawed at her, she didn't feel good about it, but she was afraid of the consequences of her game. She couldn't get too involved, because she knew it could end badly for her. At the same time, she was grateful to him for everything he had done for her. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing towards him, but pride prevented her from admitting to him that he was right. She was afraid that she might have crossed that fine line between pretending and the truth.

Korkmaz realized that Defne was behaving differently toward him. He tried several times to talk to her about it, but the girl successfully dismissed him, explaining that she had a lot of work. Consequently, he did not press her further. He knew that sooner or later he would be able to draw out from her what was the reason she was avoiding him. Anyway, he guessed what it could be related to.This made him smile from ear to ear.

The next day Defne panicked, as it came to her that the planned weekend trip was imminent. First thing in the morning, she visited Selim at his home. When she explained to him why she was beginning to panic, the man reassured her, saying that they would even handle the problem. The solution involved Turan and Korkmaz spending every other afternoon to prepare properly. The girl could not swim, and the brunet offered to teach her how.

Finally Friday arrived - the day of departure for Marmaris. Selim showed up in front of the house belonging to Janset a little after seven in the morning. Specially for the trip, he swapped his red Mercedes for a Range Rover Sport in navy blue to accommodate their luggage. Defne said goodbye to the girls, hugging each one very tightly.

- Take care," Özge whispered in her ear, stroking her back. - And call us!

- I'll remember to check in," the girl assured, correcting her straw hat, which she had taken with the idea that she would wear it when they went to the beach. - You will not feel my absence.

- I promise to take care of her," Selim added, inspecting the self-closing trunk. - With me she is safe.

- I don't doubt that," replied Janset, holding a glass jug of water in her hands. - Have a nice vacation!

After these words, they both got into the car and set off. Then Janset poured water from the jug onto the road as a sign of a smooth and fast journey.

The GPS showed that they would be in Marmaris with the current road conditions in just over two and a half hours. Halfway there, they stopped at a gas station, where they used the restroom. Defne also picked up a take-home coffee for them, which perfectly matched the snacks she took with her on the trip. During the drive, they talked to each other, listened to alternating favorite songs and even sang them.

A few minutes after ten o'clock they stopped at the right address. There was a summer house that belonged to the Halita family. It was one-story with large windows all the way to the floor in dark oak. One room upstairs had a balcony, which caught Defne's eye. The driveway was paved with cobblestones, and there was a small garage on the right side, but there was enough space in front of the house for at least two cars. The entrance gate was equipped with an automatic gate, which the owner had just activated with a remote control.

Selim parked the car in a convenient place, and the girl, who had already managed to unbuckle her seat belt, sighed loudly. Although the road was not very long, her bottom hurt from sitting in one position. With relief, she got out of the vehicle, straightening her bones.

Halit immediately greeted his guests, extending his hand toward Selim. Then he embraced Defne, which surprised her. She didn't expect that Ceren's fiancé could be so friendly. That's when she noticed the presence of her high school classmate, who emerged from the house and also intended to greet her. Surprisingly, she hugs Defne as tightly as if they were best friends. A wide smile, showing her big white teeth, did not leave her face. She did the same to Selim, to which Turan responded with a grunt. The game began anew.

All four of them unanimously agreed that they would still go to the beach today, so the brunet opened the trunk with the suitcases with all haste. Defne, seeing the two identical luggage, smiled to herself. She never thought that through her travel bag she would meet such a nice and friendly man as Selim was.

Ceren, as befits a lady of the house, led her guests to the floor of the house that was to be at their disposal. It housed quite a large bedroom, a small bathroom and a utility room.

- I hope you will enjoy living here for the next few days," she said, standing in the doorway. Selim, meanwhile, placed the suitcases on the bed so they could take out their things.

- Certainly," Defne replied, looking around the room.

Fortunately, the bed is big. We'll both manage somehow.

- In that case, I won't disturb you," announced the brunette. - If you need anything, just call out. We'll be waiting with Halit downstairs.

Selim closed the door behind Ceren and turned away the tension. Sam looked around the room carefully. He liked it here. Like Defne, his attention was drawn to the large bed. Then he glanced at Defne. Their gazes met.

- After all, we are a couple," he laughed, leaning against the door handle.

- We'll think about what to do with it later," Defne said in response, walking over to her suitcase. Before opening it, she made sure her elephant key ring was there. - Now let's not waste time.

That's when her phone, which she placed on the dresser top, buzzed. It was Özge's response to the news that she had arrived safely on her short vacation.

*

They had already been beachcombing for two hours. They rented deck chairs for themselves, which were located in a good spot from where they had a perfect view of the water.

Selim was not fond of lying like a pancake and sunbathing. Sooner or later he started to get bored, so he was always looking for an activity. So on this vacation he was able to serve his fake girlfriend. He brought her lemonade to drink, rubbed her back with sunscreen, and in the meantime swam in the sea together with Halit, who gladly accompanied him.

The girls, meanwhile, took advantage of the sunny weather. They sunbathed in silence, listening to the sound of the waves. Defne was fine with this state, as she didn't really know what she could talk about with the person she still considers her enemy. She tried not to show that she still remembered the past, but what she experienced in high school because of Ceren, she could not forget. That's why she didn't want to discuss things that were close to her with her. She put her mind to neutral topics.

- Why don't we join them? - Ceren spoke up suddenly, raising herself to sit down. She slipped her glasses off her eyes. - It's so hot! - She started waving her hands as if she had a fan in her hands.

Defne was just lying on her stomach, so she raised her head and began to search with her eyes for her man. After a while she spotted him among the other tourists. Selim had just emerged from the water, getting to his feet. Water was dripping from his body. The brunet moved his hands over his face and then ran them through his hair, arranging it back. Near him stood Halit, who had just dipped his hands in the water and was splashing himself.

- It looks like they got tired of being in the water, because they're coming to us," Defne announced while supporting herself on her elbows.

Several seconds later, the men were already at their side. The girls handed their partners towels so they could dry themselves. Defne also made sure that Korkmaz didn't get dehydrated, so when he sat down on his deck chair she immediately handed him his lemonade. He thanked her with a broad smile.

- Did you know that literally before you came back, I suggested to Defne that we also go into the water? - Ceren spoke.

- Great idea! - added Halit, laying down on a deck chair. - It will be fun if we all swim together. And what do you guys think about it?

- I for one am open to the proposal, but I don't know if Defne is brave enough to swim in the sea," said Selim, staring at her. - If she wants to stay on shore, I will keep her company.

- Ah, because you can't swim! - recalled Ceren, reaching for the sunscreen. - I remember our trip. You were one of the few people who stayed on the shore instead of going into the water.

~~~

The same day that Selim offered to help, Defne showed up at his house. Instead of a backpack, she had a sports bag on her shoulder, and in it were the necessary items for swimming lessons. The man pointed her to a room where she got ready, getting rid of her clothes. She threw a pareo over her costume, tying her hair up in a bun, using the mirror in the closet, standing in the room.

She wasn't sure if she had done the right thing by agreeing to let Korkmaz be the one to teach her how to swim. In recent times she had successfully avoided meeting him alone, fearing a deepening of their relationship. Unfortunately, she had no other choice. There was no time for professional help, so she agreed to his offer.

The brunet was waiting for her in front of the pool. He was wearing intense orange, almost neon swimming shorts.

- I'm already here! - she spoke up, placing a large towel on a lounger that stood by the pool . She also took off her pareo. Selim immediately turned his gaze toward her. He took note of her slim figure and slightly wider hips. Her hair tied up added to her beauty.

- In that case, let's get started. - Selim approached her. They were two steps apart. - I will ask again. Are you sure you want this?

- I already said I want it! - replied the frustrated girl, biting her lip. - I will not give Ceren a reason to ridicule. Teach me to swim," she announced in a firm tone, looking into his green eyes.

- Alright," he replied, heading for the ladder. - Today's lesson will start with float training.

- Okay, so be it," Defne said, following suit.

Selim was waiting for her submerged in water above her waist. The girl went down the steps, deeper and deeper. Brunet noticed that with each step, his friend became more and more afraid.

- Don't be afraid," he said, catching her around the waist. - It's not very deep here.

- Don't let go of me," she asked him, holding on to the railing.

- I will hold you all the time. Trust me," he assured her, and she climbed another step, dipping deeper and deeper. Finally Defne touched the bottom with her feet. The water reached almost to her chest. - Bravo!

- We made it! - she squealed somewhat excitedly. Feeling the ground under her feet, she forgot her fear.

Selim cautiously grabbed her hands. They began to move deeper into the pool. This allowed Defne to become accustomed to the water. She had never been so immersed in water before. Her safety level stopped when the water reached her hips.

- How do you feel? - Selim asked, enjoying the success of his friend, who was overcoming her fear of water before his eyes.

- I'm excited and scared at the same time," she said, wrinkling her eyebrows.

A moment later she stumbled. Fortunately, Selim managed to react in time, protecting her from falling. The girl landed in the brunet's arms. Her eyes got big, she started breathing faster . Her hand landed on the man's chest.

- I'm holding you, calmly," he said looking straight into her eyes. Their faces were close to each other. For a moment they stared at each other in complete silence.

Defne, despite her fear, felt safe in his arms. She was grateful to him for catching her, preventing her from starting to drown. She was impressed by his reflexes. She also felt his heart beating harder.

As she began to think rationally, she moved away from him, standing on her own feet. Once she caught her balance, the brunet moved away from her.

He began to explain to her what they were going to do now. Selim stretched his hands in front of him bending his knees. He instructed her to try to lie down on the water on his hands.

Defne wasn't sure she could do it, but then she remembered that time was running out and she had to do what Selim was telling her if she wanted to learn to swim in three days.

~~~

- Honey, why didn't you tell me that your friend doesn't swim? - sighed a worried Halit. - I wouldn't have suggested a vacation by the sea then. We could have gone to the mountains!

- Halit, I swim," replied Defne, laughing. - I learned to swim some time ago, but I still feel fear in open water. That's why I may not last as long in the water as you do.

- I see, in that case we won't go far from the shore," stated Ceren's fiancé, drinking the water.

Some time later they all went into the water together. Selim kept an eye on Defne, who had just mastered the skill of swimming. He did not leave her an inch away, staying close to her. Defne appreciated this, feeling really safe with him. The two didn't stray too far from the shore, so Defne felt the ground under her feet all the time, which was important to her.

The two of them had a good time hanging out in the water. Their loud laughter was endless.

*

Finally, evening came. They ate dinner in the garden in front of the house, although they had planned to go out on the town with all four of them, they eventually changed their minds. Beachcombing had sucked all the energy out of them. Everyone was tired.

Defne helped Ceren clean up after the meal, facing a pile of dirty dishes. Kaya didn't like doing the dishes, so she was glad Turan offered to do it.

Later, each couple ended up in their bedroom. Selim warned Defne that she could shower first, as he had to work for a while. The man took out a laptop bag from his suitcase and sat comfortably on the bed, leaning against the headboard.

Faced with this, Defne took a calm, cool shower, which had a soothing effect on her. Her skin was quite warmed by the sun, and she felt an unnatural warmth.

When she returned from the bathroom, the man was still working. Hearing that she had re-entered the bedroom, he moved his gaze from above the screen straight to her. He involuntarily scanned her with his eyes and laughed out loud. Defne, not understanding what he meant, furrowed her eyebrows, spreading her hands.

- What are you laughing at? - She asked confused by Selim's reaction. - Do I have something on my face?

- No, everything is fine with you! - he assured her, refraining from laughing. - It's just that these pajamas remind me of how we met. I remember how it landed on the floor when I was looking in your things for my charger.

- Setting out for Bodrum, I took clothes for two weeks," Defne replied to him. - I don't play a show that I have different outfits every day that never repeat.

- You are absolutely right," Korkmaz backed her up, putting the laptop aside. - I would never have expected to see you in it. It's kind of ironic.

- And how do I look in it? - She asked, sitting down in a Turkish position on the edge of the bed. - Admit it, the other day you imagined some pretty lady in her.

- That was not the case at all! - replied the brunet, throwing a pillow at her. - You have beautiful pajamas with Minnie Mouse. You look really cute in it.

- Thank you," embarrassed Defne, began to play with the pillow.

They switched roles and now it was Selim who ended up in the shower. When he returned also dressed in pajamas, consisting of pre-knee-length shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, he found Defne sitting up in bed with a notebook in her lap and a pen in her hand. In her ear she had an earpiece plugged into the phone, where music was playing.

- What are you doing? - He asked, reaching for his laptop, as he had not yet finished his work.

- I'm writing," Defne replied, stopping the song that was flying. - I got an inspiration and I want to use it. Unless you have something against it?

- No, it's even a good thing. I also need to work for a while longer. - Selim took a seat in an armchair not far from the window, straightening his leg space so he could hold his laptop steady.

- Good. - The girl blinked her eyes, putting a pair of headphones on her ears. She concentrated on the last paragraph she had written so she could move on.

Busy with their business, they spent some time like this. They both watched each other surreptitiously. Defne found it helpful to write, although she found it difficult to write something meaningful when Selim was around. On the other hand, he kept glancing at her because he was fascinated by her. Not a day went by that the girl didn't surprise him with something.

The man was just turning off the laptop when Defne sighed loudly while staring at her notebook. She took the headphones out of her ears, unplugging them from the phone.

- Are you all right? - the brunet was interested, putting the laptop back on the dresser.

- I don't think I'll write any more today," she sighed resignedly, closing the notebook. She hooked the pen to the pages so it wouldn't get lost. - My venom has run out.

- In my opinion, the very fact that you managed to write anything is already a big success," he admitted, sitting down on the edge of the bed. - Shall we lie down already? A very intense day is behind us.

- Yes," replied Defne yawning. At the same time she covered her mouth with her hand. - How are we going to sleep?

- I suggest you stay here and I'll lie down on the armchair," he said, reaching for a pillow and blanket.

- Are you sure you will sleep? You won't be comfortable. I'm smaller, I'll curl up and manage.

- You don't know much about me yet," Selim commented, laughing. - It doesn't take much for me to sleep. I can sleep even outside.

- If that's what you want," Defne replied, putting the notebook and phone together with the headphones on the bedside table. - But tomorrow we're doing a swap and I'm the one sleeping in the chair.

A moment later, they were both lying in their seats. The girl turned off the lamp.

- Good night Selim," she whispered, getting ready for sleep. She corrected her pillow, laying on her right side, so she could see Selim sleeping in the armchair.

- Iyi geceler (Good night)," he whispered, closing his eyes.

Korkmaz did not want to sleep at all. Although he was comfortable, something kept him awake. Defne had the same thing. She pretended to be asleep, while in reality she was wondering what to do to get her to sleep. She twisted from side to side. She even corrected her pillow. She even raised herself up on her elbows to see if she had accidentally woken her friend from her spinning. He was asleep. Or at least that's what she thought. When she settled down it was Selim who rose, checking to see if Defne had finally managed to fall asleep. And so they both struggled to get to sleep while checking to see if they had woken the other.

Finally, they rose simultaneously to sit down.

- I can't fall asleep," they said almost simultaneously. And then they burst out laughing. When the girl got herself under control , she turned on the light.

- Why don't we go out to the balcony? - Selim asked. - We will get some fresh air. Maybe then sleep will come?

- I don't know, but let's try. - Defne crawled out of bed. - I don't want to go downstairs. Milk helps to fall asleep.

They went out onto the balcony. They stood side by side, resting their elbows on the railings. They admired the view in front of them. It was hot outside, too. Resigned after five minutes, they went back inside. Selim left the door open.

- Go to bed," Defne announced, occupying the left side of the furniture. - I probably can't fall asleep because I keep wondering if you are comfortable.

- Are you sure?

- The bed is big, we won't even touch each other," laughed Defne.

Selim moved his pillow and arranged himself on the right side. The girl turned off the light. They lay on their backs with their heads facing each other. However, even now sleep was not coming to him or her. They started talking to each other, recalling the course of the day. Eventually Defne got the idea that they might listen to music together, so she reached for her headphones and smartphone. In the process, she checked the time. It was getting to two in the morning.

They moved closer together so that the cable from the headphones was not strained. Defne was lying on her right side, Selim on his left. Their faces faced each other.

Defne plugged in the headphones, activating the device. She turned on the song Selim suggested. They listened to it in its entirety. Then Defne selected a song. They listened to it almost to the end, as they both eventually fell asleep.

_______________________