KALEY

Even though I know there isn't anything new, I check my phone for some life-signs from Elvam. Alarm bells rang in my head specifically at the part I will lose it if I don't of his message. I don't want to read between the lines, but it worried me. Elvam is the kind of man who conceals his emotions and tells you he's fine when he isn't.

As I walk through the studio doors, I see everyone has arrived and seem to be waiting for me. Zack looks worried, and it adds to how I'm feeling right now.

"Guys, I'll see you in the meeting room in a moment," he says as they grab their stuff and head to the room. "What did you make out of Elvam's message?" He asks me.

"I'm trying to not assume a thing. Called him a million times, but he is not answering."

"He's been acting oddly for the past weeks, not his usual I need some space behavior. In the meantime, let's split his pending work and I'll try to call him again later."

Once we join the team, I figure that none of the others know about what's going on. I try my best to keep my feelings in check even though I'm worried as hell.

"Elvam is indisposed for the moment, so we need to see what's planned and how can we cope until he's back," Zack says to the group.

"Is he sick?" David asks concerned.

"Something like that... Hmm... I'm working on the campaign for Angel's Candy and have a meeting this afternoon with them. Further I have the new branding of the Kalani stores and the surfing schools. Kaley?"

"I have a catalog. That's new this week," I begin. "Three business kits... An annual report that is a pain in the ass. Also have two projects due to pick up at the printers in the next days. Owen?"

"I have two websites, for which the initial wireframes are done, and two web shops. I'm getting stock and copy to populate one of them. Haven't started the other cause I have received nothing new."

"I have almost the same as Owen," Nathan says. "I'll be mostly programming web parts this week."

"David, what's on Elvam's planning?" Zack asks him.

"Four logos, one of them pending first feedback, and one almost in final stage. Plus, a bunch of infographics from different companies. I scanned my emails and saw a few new things I still need to process. Also got two approved quotes of the eight I sent last week. I need to assign and plan design time for those two."

How are we going to manage this? Zack and I will have to pull all-nighters and work in the weekend to cope with the load.

"I have experience in graphic design," Nathan says almost to himself. "I can take on some new jobs. Also working longer hours or during the weekend isn't a problem."

"Count me in as well," Owen adds. "I will need to make arrangements, but I can work from home and make some hours too in the weekend. If I take some work from Nathan, he can help you."

"And I can't design," David joins. "But I can take the production tasks from Kaley and fetch meals for whoever stays longer. Check what else you want me to do and I will do it. Also on the weekend," he looks at me and gives me a small smile.

I feel overwhelmed at the support of our team. It's been Zack, Elvam and I for so long that I forget we have more people to count on.

Zack looks around the room. "Thank you all. You have no idea how much this means to us. David, please reassign the projects as you see fit."

David nods and they all return to their work stations, leaving Zack and I alone.

"I've changed my mind and won't wait to call him," Zack says. "I lived with him longer than you did and know his moods, but this time something feels different."

Both our phones get notifications at the same time, and a message from Elvam pops up.

I'm sorry for leaving like this. I'll be back on Friday.

Zack and I look at each other, worry and relief mixed in our expressions.

ELVAM

I'm more than sorry for abandoning ship and hope Zack and Kaley are not pissed at me. Life gave me no other choice and if I hadn't done it, I would have never gotten the chance to talk again with my mom.

Cemil just brought me back to the hotel after making the necessary arrangements for my mom's body. We didn't say much to each other in the car ride and the knot in my throat wouldn't have allowed me to say much either.

We now walk in silence through the hotel corridors until we arrive to my room. I open the door and let him inside. The moment I close it and turn to face him, he places his hands on my shoulders.

"Elvam, I'm sorry about your mother."

Cemil's emotions betray him and the tears run down his face freely. He clears them roughly with a handkerchief and pulls the desk chair to sit while I do the same on the bed.

"Did you love her?"

His eyes widen at my question. "With all my heart, since we were children."

"Why didn't you marry her? Why did you let her go with him?" I feel the anger bubbling in my veins.

"I was poor and had nothing to offer her. You grandparents already disagreed on the time we spent together. They promised her to your father and there wasn't anything I could do about it."

"Nothing? NOTHING? You could have run away with her! Get her pregnant! Do something! ANYTHING!"

"And then what? I didn't want her to live a miserable maid life, because that is all I could have given her. She was always frail and it would have sent her to the grave sooner. I loved her too much. I rather take the humiliation from your father than seeing her suffer."

"My father knew? But Mom told me he didn't. That it was a secret."

Cemil shifts uncomfortably in the chair.

"She didn't know. Your grandparents must have warned him after I took the position. He reminded me often that I was a servant and could never offer her what he could. He's right," he looks at the ground.

"Cemil, you are so much more. You are a father to me, more than he ever was."

The anger has spread throughout my body. I'm mad at life for the shitty situations it has thrown at me; my mother leaving me and my father's rejection. Cemil sits next to me on the bed and places his arm around my shoulders. My body shakes as I sob.

"Why did you take the butler job? Why go through the misery each day of knowing you couldn't have her?"

"Because at least I was close to her. I know I couldn't touch her, but could talk to her and spend time together, even if it was limited. The day you were born, it was one of the happiest of my life. Your father was abroad and couldn't be there. Your mother was in so much pain and I held her hand while she crushed my bones," he remembers with a sad smile.

"How odd that he wasn't around," sarcasm laces my words.

"It was how he was raised. To be successful, you need to work hard and often, even if it means being away from your family. I didn't mind. I got to hold you in my arms."

If Cemil was my father, my life would have been so different. I never felt happy. According to my father I was never good enough at anything. Even during dinners with his peers, I wasn't allowed to open my mouth or socialize for he feared I would embarrass him. He thought that if I followed his steps it would make me tougher and studying graphic design was a weak decision.

"I need to head back. Your father will arrive soon at the house. Elvam, save yourself an argument with him and stay away from the house and the funeral. When are you going back?"

"I told Zack and Kaley I will be back on Friday."

"If you want to return earlier, let me know. I will come to see you tonight after my duties are done."

"Thanks... For everything."

We stand up from the bed and Cemil holds me in a hard hug while caressing my hair. I always wished my father would do this one day. As we separate, he cups my cheeks and kisses my forehead, making me feel like a child again.