Meryem's P.O.V. (Eriza's Mother)

Lifting the pot of tea off of the small stove, Adam had managed to buy, I looked around to see if any of my family was awake. "Günaydın" (Good Morning)  Adam said softly, walking into the kitchen yawning, already wearing his housekeeping uniform.

"Günaydın," (Good Morning) I say back softly smiling at him. I quickly slide a plate. full of food towards him, as I strain out the tea. "How long is your shift today?"

He sighed, "I will most likely come home late today, there have been many people that have quit."

I furrow my eyebrows, "Why?"

"Got better opportunities," He shrugged, "I think, but to be real, who can get better opportunities here in Sultangazi." That he was right about, but why isn't he inquiring where these people are going?

"But Adam, don't you think you should as around." I say, "I-I mean if there are-"

"Mary."

"Sultangazi is not a place where I want to raise the girls Adam." I interrupt him, "This is not a good place, and both of them are getting into their teens." Sultangazi is considered the poorest area of Istanbul, and it is. The house we live in is close to a shack, and the food we eat is day-to-day, just enough for all of us to get a portion nothing more. Robbery rates are higher this year, and the danger is too. I have been telling Adam I want to leave, but he. . . it's like I am speaking to a wall at times.

Adam exhaled heavily, "I understand that Mary, but you know our situation." I roll my eyes as I turn around not wanting to face him as anger fills my bones, "Eriza and Emara are smart girls, they know their boundaries and-"

"If only you knew yours, Adam." If he had just controlled his gambling habits, we could have. been at a different stage in our lives right now. "We wouldnt be here right now."

"How many times do I have to apologize to you for that Mary?" He snapped, "I was young and I thought I had it under control." It was exactly eight years ago from now, eight years ago, he lost most of our life-saving at a stupid casino, he came home so drunk that day in despair of what he had done. "If you can just move on-"

"Move on?" I stop him shaking my head, "Look where we are Adam!"

"I know!" He raised his voice alittle causing. me to take a step back, "Do you not think I feel like absolute fucking shit all the fucking time?"

My grip tightened on the cloth I was holding, "Do you think I like seeing you cleaning this shit hole of a house, or seeing the girls laying on a small mattress that you have sown together over and over again?" His hands trembled, "I made a mistake Meryem, and I have been trying to fix it ever since." My gaze dropped to the. floor as he walked around the small table to come stand infront of me, "I am looking around for higher paying jobs." Adam rested his forehead against mine, "I promise." Tears blurred my vision as I gave in to him and hugged him tightly, "I promise Mary." His arms tightened around me.

"Okay," I whispered, "I beleive you." It was as if those three words. filled the world's confidence in him, "I beleive you, Adam."

He slightly pulled away, "I love you." His thumb gently caressed my cheek, "You know that right?"

"I do," Adam wasn't a bad man, he just made a lot of bad decisions, decisions that have led us to the state that we are in right now. "I love you too." He smiled softly and pulled me close to him again. We stood there embracing each other for a few more minutes until we heard soft footsteps coming towards the kitchen, I looked over at the time to see it was almost 8:00, which meant it was almost time for the girls to come for breakfast. I pull away from Adam shyly causing him to chuckle at my reaction. He slowly walked back to his seat.

" Günaydın" (Good Morning) Eriza said sleepily, as Emara followed closely behind. Adam smiled at the two, pulling them into a small group hug before helping the two on the chairs. Eriza is now 12, and Emara is now 10, but he still treats them as if they are toddlers. Eriza has decided to follow my path of wearing a hijab, while Emara, has decided not too, which is totally okay. I am not one to force my religious beliefs on my kids, it is completely their choice, and if one day Eriza comes to me saying she is not comfortable wearing a hijab I will be understanding, I have said the same to Adam who completely agrees with me, and same with Emara, if she says she wants to wear one, one day then that will be okay too. Eriza had her hair out right now, as she got me to help her style her hijab as Emara's hair was all over the place, as if she had wrestled in bed.

"What do you two want for breakfast?" I asked cheerfully not wanting them to get the hint that their father and I just had a deep discussion about the state of our house.

"Eggs," Eriza said, "I really-"

"No pancakes!" Emara protested,

"Emmy, stop." She whined, "We just had pancakes yesterday-"

"No!" Emara shook her head, I chuckled as the two fought, but Adam seemed lost, as if he wasnt present at the moment. "Baba," She gently took his hand, "Tell Izzie to stop."

Adam shook his head, "No Emmy," He stood up, "Remember what I said about taking turns, yesterday it was your choice of food, and today it will be Izzies turn." Emmy pouted, "Eggs will be made." Izzie smiled brightly at him. This was a rare occurrence, Adam always had a softer spot in my heart for Emmy than Izzie, which coincidentally made me have a softer spot for my elder daughter. "Happy Izzie?"

"Thank you, Baba," Izzie replied,

There was something off about Adam's behavior, I mean he was fine a few moments ago, what had changed with the girls? "No problem," He said softly, "Mary, come with me?" I hesitantly followed him to the door, as he grabbed his things getting ready.

"What's going on?" I ask him softly,

"I have work till 11:50 pm today, so I was hoping you could wait up, there is something that I want to discuss with you." His eyes held fear, "Okay?"

"O-Okay?" I stuttered confused, "What-" He stopped me by kissing my cheek,

"I love you." He said before disappearing out the door. I thought we had already spoken about everything we needed to in the morning, so what is it that he needs to speak to me about so late?

My stomach turned in fear and anxiousness. . .

Please be nothing bad. . .Please?

. . .

Adam's P.O.V. (Eriza's Father)

As soon as I got to work, I asked around where the owner of the hotel, Ferit Aslan, an old school friend of mine would be. I did not know if he would be in his office, or if he would still be. at home. I had tried calling him on the way here, but he did not answer. His secretary, Alara tells me that he is in his office, so I hesitantly knock on the door.

"Come in," I hear his rough voice answer, breathing out shakily I push the door open, "Ah, Adam, come on in." He smiled as I shut the door behind me.

"Thanks," I say softly. I rub the sweat off of my hands as I try to gain the strenght of what I am about to agree to, for the sake of my family.

Ferit furrows his eyebrows, "What's up?"

"I-I agree." I stutter,

"Excuse me?" He said leaning foreward, "What are you talking-"

"What you said, about the offer." I interrupted him completely uncomfortable with the idea of what I was doing, but this was. all I could think of at the moment. "Mazhar and Eriza's engangment, in exchange of money."

Ferit's composure changed, "I had suggested that almost a month ago Adam, and you said no." Of course, I would say no, my daughter is only 12 years ago, and I know Meryem would never agree to it, my own heart wouldn't agree to it. "So why the change of heart?"

"I have tried looking everywhere for a higher paying job Ferit but no one is hiring. I can't even get through to the interviewing process, it is as if they look at my resume, and throw it away, I cannot see my family suffer because of my mistakes anymore." I dont want my girls growing up in that slum area anymore, I want Meryem to be happy, "I want to get out of there, and I trust. you."

He leaned back, "Does Meryem know?"

"Yes." I will talk to her tonight, I know she will understand. Ferit has been kind enough to pay for a small portion of Eriza and Emara's schooling allowing him to go to the same school. as Mazhar, so the two know each other. I am sure, that I will be able to convince her. "Does Asiye Abla know?"

"I spoke to her before I had suggested it to you." Ferit replied, "How much do you need?"

"I beleive 3,000,000 liras." I say, "The neighborhood is Besiktas, a more renowned and appropriate place to raise two young girls. The down payment will be 25% of that, which is 750, 000 liras. I currently have 15,000 liras." I had already gone and seen properties outside of Meryem, about two weeks ago. I had liked this small house, that was just enough for us, "So in total, I would need a loan from for about-"

"2,985,000 libras." He interuptted me,

My eyes dropped in shame, "Yes." I hated this, I hated asking him for money in exchange for my daughter, but this is for the betterment of their future.

"Do you want a raise as well?" His words sounded so condescending, but now that I had already spread my hands infront of him like a beggar, it wouldn't hurt to ask for more.

"To run the payments yes," I answer,

"Instead of the housekeeper, you will work as the receptionist at the front of the hotel." My gaze lifted, "The payments, will be given to me as I will do everything for you when it comes to buying the house." Ferit continued, "Each month I expect a 10% cut out of your paycheck, understood?"

"Yes," We had been childhood friends, but he was smarter, and more successful than me. It stung, that I had to work for him, and now had to offer my child in exchange for something I should have been able to provide them by myself.

"Now go to work, I have to make some phone calls to draw up this contract, and then tommorow I want you to bring Meryem. here, so the four of us can speak like adults before signing everything." My stomach began to hurt.

"Yes,"

"You are dismissed," He said coldly,

He's not the same Ferit I grew up with, but I know to him, I am the same Adam.

Ashamed I drop my head and walk out of his office, and begin my shift. I cannot focus completely because I have no idea how I am supposed to break the news to Meryem tonight. . .

Please, Allah, help me.

. . .

Exhausted I push the front door open and drop all my things to the ground, "Mary!" I call out gently not wanting to wake the kids up, "Mary?" There was no response, confused as to why she is not answering me, I walked towards the living room to see the small TV playing, and her lying on the sofa, fast asleep. I breathed out heavily and leaned down infront of her, "Mary?" I whisper gently shaking her, I need to talk to her tonight. She stirred alittle, "Meryem." I repeat her name, and this time her eyes slowly flutter open. "Hey,"

She smiled at me, "Hey," She whispered back, slowly sitting up, as I came up to sit beside her on the couch. "How was work?"

"Work was okay," I sighed, "I um," Come on Adam rip it off like a bandaid. "How do you feel about Eriza's marriage?"

Mary furrowed her eyebrows, "What?" She turned her body towards me, "Marriage? Adam, she is only 12 years old. "

"I-I know but-"

"Adam." Panicked filled her body, "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything." I say quickly defending myself, "Ferit proposed this idea of having an engagement between Mazhar and Eriza."

"No." She said quickly, "That is illegal, do you know that?" Mary stood up, "Adam, I asked you to fix things not fuck them up more." I know she was going to act like this, "You said no right?"

"I said no," I stand up as well, "A month ago when he proposed this, but today I said yes,"

"Adam!"

"I saw a house." I quickly try to explain, "In a better area than this," Her eyes frantically searched mine, "I am doing this for the betterment of our girls."

"Really?"

"Really." I say firmly, "Do you think I am crazy enough for them to get their hands on our daughter? I only agreed to an engagement, because I know it is illegal."

"What?"

"She is 12, she is not going to go live in their house, she is going to have a ring on her finger, and so is Mazhar. I am going to work my but off to repay the loan we are taking from Ferit, and by the time they are legally able to get married, our daughter will not be pressured into anything." I thought this through, with the raise, and with the extra hours, I will be able to repay him in about 6 years, in six years she will be 18 and once the money is given, there will be no need for a marriage.

Meryem shook her head, "I still am not going to say yes to this!"

"Meryem, please." I join my hands together as if I am begging, "Please, just trust me." I am not going to let anything happen to her. "Please."

Her eyes filled with tears as she fought within herself, "She is just a child," Her voice broke, "Mazhar is just a child, you two are playing with their lives."

My bottom lip quivered, "I won't let anything happen to her." I go on, "She can go on normally, go to school, go to high school and even college Meryem." She fell back on the couch, "But in a better place in society, she will be not known as the girl who is from the slum area, but a respectable area." Why can she not see I am doing it from them? "My whole world revealed around you and the girls Meryem." I fall to my knees infront of her, "Eriza is just as precious to me as Emara." I know at times it may not seem that way, but she is my first child too, and no father will want any harm to come to his daughter. "Please just, trust me, Mary."

Mary sniffled as she wiped her tears away, "This is about our child this time Adam." Her voice was strong, "If I sense anything a tiny bit more wrong than this already is, I do not care if you are my husband, I will call the cops." Her threat was justifiable, "Understood?"

"Understood." She didn't say she trusted me, but I couldnt blame her, I had already messed up so many times. "H-How are we going to tell Izzie?" I ask hesitantly.

"What is there to tell?" Mary said almost robotically, "She will be devastated and-"

"Mary," I could already hear her cries, "Please," I didn't want her to shut me out, not now.

"We'll figure it out when we get there." She sighed, "First let's see how everything falls in place." I took her hands in mine tightly. Her eyes found mine, "Just an engagement right?"

I nodd, "Just an engagement."

I won't let anything more happen and that is a promise to myself.