Főnix

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Phoenix

Part 44: Hidden Desire

Music is already playing at the company’s celebratory party, golden lights shimmering as studio colleagues clink glasses, laugh, and dance. Phoenix stands beside Zeynep, watching the crowd, trying to distract her thoughts from Albatross… with little success.

Suddenly, loud greetings erupt from the entrance.

MERT:
“Brother! I’ve finally arrived!”

Albatross turns toward him with a rare, genuine smile. Mert is youthful and charismatic, his entrance instantly bringing energy into the room. They embrace, then Mert looks around.

MERT:
“So where are your colleagues? Show me who works with you in this famous studio!”

Albatross is about to answer when Mert’s gaze suddenly freezes.

Right on Phoenix.

He goes completely still, then speaks half under his breath, incredulous.

MERT:
“Brother… who is that breathtaking woman? The one in the red dress… she looks like she stepped straight out of a movie set.”

Albatross narrows his eyes slightly but answers calmly.

ALBATROSS:
“Her? That’s Phoenix… the studio’s makeup artist.”

Mert’s eyes continue to sparkle as he looks at Phoenix.

MERT:
“Makeup artist? Come on… she’s a phenomenon.”

Albatross’s jaw tightens, but he remains silent.

Mert, however, starts walking toward Phoenix, as if he didn’t hear the subtle tension in Albatross’s voice.

Phoenix turns in surprise as Mert stops in front of her with a polite smile.

MERT:
“Good evening. I’m Mert… an old friend of Albatross.
Would you like to dance with me?”

Phoenix’s eyes widen; she nervously clasps her fingers together.

PHOENIX:
“I… I’m sorry… I don’t feel very well. My head is still buzzing from the award ceremony.”

Mert isn’t pushy—he simply nods kindly.

MERT:
“I understand. Then maybe we can just talk? I wouldn’t want you to spend such a beautiful evening alone.”

From a distance, Zeynep notices and even smiles, but Phoenix can’t relax.

She doesn’t understand why she feels so tense—only that something… something isn’t right inside her.

And then…

From the other side of the room, Albatross is watching them.

Exactly the way he does when someone stands too close to Phoenix.

His gaze darkens. Slowly, deliberately, he walks toward them and stops in front of Mert and Phoenix.

He says nothing.

He simply extends his hand toward Phoenix.

She looks up at him… and something deep, unspoken pulls them together.

Mert watches, curious and slightly confused.

Finally, Phoenix slowly slides her hand into Albatross’s.

No words.
No explanation.
Only the decision.

Without saying a single word, Albatross turns and heads toward the exit, holding Phoenix’s hand—not fast, not forcefully, but with calm confidence.

She follows him almost instinctively, as if her body decided before her mind could.

As they step outside, the silence of the night wraps around them.

They head toward the forest…
toward the cabin that no one knows about—
except Albatross.