Phoenix
Part 41: A New Look, an Old Shadow
In the afternoon, Sanem claps her hands once in the middle of the office, making everyone look up.
Sanem:
“Attention, everyone! I have big news! Our studio has won the Photography Project of the Year award!”
The staff cheer. Behind the reception desk, Melike excitedly slaps the papers in her hands.
Melike:
“Oh my goodness, Ms. Sanem, I told you—we’re the best!”
Phoenix looks up from her makeup station, startled, as she’s in the middle of painting a model’s eyelashes.
Phoenix:
“Oh no, sorry!” she says to the model.
“I’m so happy I almost painted your eyebrow too.”
Everyone laughs, while Albatross watches her quietly from behind the camera.
His gaze is soft and silent… but the kind that completely sweeps you away.
Sanem:
“The award ceremony will be tomorrow evening at the theater! Let’s be elegant, confident—and please, no one trip and fall!”
Everyone looks at Phoenix.
Phoenix:
“I tripped once! Just once!”
Albatross smiles.
The dressing room is chaos. Everyone is trying on dresses, searching for shoes, choosing jewelry.
Melike:
“Phoenix, show us your dress! Let me see!”
Phoenix (embarrassed):
“I don’t know yet… maybe red… or black… or nothing… no, of course something!”
Sanem:
“My girl, red! Every man turned around the last time you wore red.”
Phoenix:
“No one turned around…”
At that moment, Albatross walks past behind her.
Albatross (softly):
“I, for one, didn’t recover for two hours.”
Phoenix:
“What?!”
Albatross:
“Nothing… I was just talking about the lighting. Red works very well with studio lights.”
Sanem and Melike exchange a look.
Sure. Lights.
The theater steps are covered in a red carpet. Cameras flash everywhere.
Phoenix steps in wearing her red dress… and every eye turns toward her.
Melike:
“Oh my sweet God, you’re the star of the evening!”
Sanem:
“Told you!”
Albatross literally stops—he forgets to breathe for a moment.
Albatross (to himself):
“Well… that’s it… I’m completely done for.”
Phoenix notices, blushes, and quickly looks away.
Phoenix:
“Oh no… why is he looking at me like that? Why is he looking… so… Albatross-like?”
Sanem:
“Because you’re beautiful, that’s why!”
The theater darkens, people search for their seats.
Phoenix nervously studies her ticket.
Phoenix:
“Row 12… seat… 25? Or 52? What is this handwriting?!”
She ends up wandering into a small private box with only two elegant seats.
Phoenix:
“Wow… this is fancy. It must be fine… probably a good seat…”
Then the door behind her opens.
Albatross steps in silently.
He’s standing so close behind her that Phoenix freezes instinctively.
Phoenix:
“Uh… excuse me… I think I’m in the wrong place. I just… I only… wandered… or arrived? Got lost! I got lost, that’s what I meant!”
Albatross (soft, deep voice):
“It’s alright. Maybe fate led you here.”
Phoenix snaps her head up.
Phoenix:
“What?! Fate? No… I always go in the wrong direction!”
Albatross steps closer, just centimeters away.
Albatross:
“But this time, you can’t run away.”
Phoenix (stunned):
“Why… why would I need to run away?”
Albatross (with a half-smile):
“Because whenever I’m close to you, you panic. At the café, at the studio—everywhere.”
Phoenix (stammering):
“I-I don’t! I just… everything always falls out of my hands at exactly that moment!”
Albatross:
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”
Phoenix:
“I… I’m really in the wrong place! I’m sorry!
We’ll… we’ll meet later! Or not! Or yes! Or… not!”
And she rushes out of the box.
Albatross watches her go and laughs softly.
Albatross:
“That girl is driving me completely insane…”
He takes a deep breath.
Albatross (quietly):
“…and I can’t think about anything but her.”
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