Főnix

Phoenix

Part 47: The Lights of the Forest

After the kiss, for a few seconds they simply stand there in silence. The air vibrates between them, as if they can still feel each other’s touch.

Phoenix’s lips tremble slightly, her breathing still uneven.
Albatross’s gaze rests nowhere else—only on her.

PHOENIX (softly, confused):
“W–What was that?”

ALBATROSS (leaning a little closer):
“What do you think?”

Phoenix would step back, but she’s already against the wall. He’s too close. Her hand slips instinctively to his chest to keep distance… yet she doesn’t push him away—she only touches him.

PHOENIX:
“I… I don’t understand… why are you doing this?”

ALBATROSS:
“Because I can’t keep quiet about what I feel anymore.”

Phoenix swallows hard, her heart pounding as if it might burst.
They stand exactly like two people who are both overwhelmed—yet drawn together by something unstoppable.

PHOENIX:
“But… I… you… this… this is too fast…”

ALBATROSS (gently):
“Then we slow down.”

Albatross takes a small step back, but remains close enough that Phoenix can still feel his breath. The movement is full of respect—the same gentle withdrawal.

ALBATROSS:
“I don’t want to force you into anything. I just… couldn’t keep watching you talk to someone else.”
(a soft smile)
“And I couldn’t stand the way you blushed next to Mert.”

PHOENIX (indignant, though her voice trembles):
“I did not blush!”

ALBATROSS:
“You did.”

Flustered, Phoenix turns away and begins walking around the cabin, as if suddenly everything interests her—the shelves, the couch, even the candles.

Exactly the way she does when she’s running from her own feelings.

ALBATROSS:
“Phoenix…”

She stops, keeping her back to him, because if she looked at him, she’d blush again.

PHOENIX:
“This is all… too much. Too sudden. I just… I don’t know what to do with it.”

Albatross steps closer behind her, but doesn’t touch her—only stands near enough that every nerve in her body feels his presence.

ALBATROSS:
“You don’t have to decide anything tonight. You don’t have to say anything.”
(gently)
“Just know that what I feel isn’t fleeting, isn’t a momentary impulse. It’s not jealousy speaking.”

Phoenix slowly turns around, carefully, as if afraid that one wrong movement might make everything fall apart.

PHOENIX:
“And what if I… don’t yet know what I feel?”

ALBATROSS:
“Then I’ll wait. As long as it takes.”
(smiling with warmth)
“But I won’t ask you to deny what you felt a moment ago.”

Phoenix’s eyes glimmer, but she lowers her gaze—the intensity is too much.

PHOENIX:
“I’m not denying it. I’m just… afraid.”

ALBATROSS:
“I know.”

He gently, barely perceptibly takes Phoenix’s hand.
He doesn’t pull her closer—he simply holds it.

ALBATROSS:
“Stay here tonight. We’ll just talk. Nothing else.”

Phoenix slowly nods.

Albatross’s smile softens, but he doesn’t move closer—he respects her boundaries.

The fire crackles in the fireplace, outside the forest is dark and silent, and inside, between the two of them, a powerful tension continues to vibrate.

---

Phoenix

Part 46: Hidden Shadows

Beside the soft hum of the car, Phoenix’s heart pounds wildly, as if it might leap from her chest at any moment. She doesn’t understand why she’s here with Albatross. The dark road, the shadows of the trees, and the silence all thicken with tension.

PHOENIX:
“Why am I here?”

ALBATROSS:
“I just noticed you don’t like fancy parties.”

PHOENIX:
“That’s true, I don’t… but why did you act strange when Mert was talking to me?”

ALBATROSS:
“I… didn’t act strange.”

Phoenix sighs. She still doesn’t understand what’s happening around her.

The car comes to a stop, and they both get out. A cabin stands deep in the forest, soft light glowing behind its windows. The air is cool, yet the tension between them is burning hot.

They step inside the cabin, and the conversation continues. Both of them are holding something back—something neither dares to say aloud: the love they feel.

PHOENIX:
“I don’t understand why you’re like this… as if… you’re hiding something.”

ALBATROSS:
“I just… don’t want anyone else to get… close to you.”

Phoenix’s eyes widen, her voice trembling slightly.

PHOENIX:
“And why does it matter to you who I talk to?”

ALBATROSS:
“Because… only you matter, Phoenix. No one else.”

Phoenix almost freezes. The air vibrates around them. For a moment, all that can be heard is their heartbeats, the soft creak of the wooden floor beneath their steps, the quiet crackle of the fireplace.

Albatross slowly steps closer. Phoenix would step back, but the wall is behind her. The air grows thick, their eyes lock, and they both feel it—the world around them has disappeared.

ALBATROSS:
“Don’t run… stay here with me for a moment.”

Phoenix exhales softly, almost soundlessly, her heart torn between uncertainty and anticipation. Albatross moves closer, his face near hers, the moment trembling with tension.

And then it happens—the kiss.

Not slow, not cautious, but intense and unexpected, yet still tender. Albatross cups Phoenix’s chin, tilting it gently so her eyes remain on his, and suddenly—precisely—he kisses her, carrying all the emotion of desire and jealousy in that single act.

Phoenix flinches at first, then the passion of the moment pulls her in. The space around them disappears completely—only the kiss exists. The air vibrates, hearts race, breathing quickens.

When they finally pull apart, they are both breathless. Phoenix’s eyes are wide, her chest alive with surprise and excitement. Albatross’s gaze is soft yet full of fire, and they both know it:

Something between them has changed forever.

---

---

Phoenix

Part 45: Discovering the Heart

Inside the car, silence reigns. City lights glide past the windows. Phoenix keeps her hands in her lap, nervously playing with her red dress, her gaze wandering outside. Albatross sits behind the wheel, watching her every movement.

PHOENIX:
“So… you’re really not going to tell me where you’re taking me?”

ALBATROSS:
“No. If I told you, it wouldn’t be exciting.”

Phoenix turns toward him, tense.

PHOENIX:
“Exciting? Right now it’s just scary! I don’t know where we are, and I don’t know why I’m here!”

Albatross replies with a half-smile.

ALBATROSS:
“Because right now, you’re the only one who matters.”

Phoenix laughs out loud, but the sound is edged with nervous tension.

PHOENIX:
“Really? Is this jealousy? Just because someone dared to ask me to dance at the party?”

Albatross leans slightly closer, his voice deep and playful, but his eyes serious.

ALBATROSS:
“Yes. I’m jealous. Because I don’t like the idea of someone else getting close to you.”

Phoenix raises an eyebrow.

PHOENIX:
“And why should that matter to you? We’re not even… anything.”

ALBATROSS:
“Exactly because of that. Because… I can’t stand it when others… when others smile at you.”

Phoenix leans back slightly, but their eyes meet. The air practically vibrates.

PHOENIX:
“And where are you taking me anyway? You still haven’t said.”

ALBATROSS:
“You’ll find out soon. Until then… don’t rush your heartbeat.”

Phoenix snaps back, irritated but teasing.

PHOENIX:
“Don’t provoke me! I don’t know what to do with you.”

ALBATROSS:
“That’s exactly why I like this situation. And… because right now, you can’t run away.”

The hum of the engine and the electric tension between them are the only sounds breaking the silence. Phoenix almost feels the space around them shrinking, every movement and every glance intensified—yet somehow drawing them closer.

PHOENIX:
“Fine… but if I get scared now… and… and upset… you will too…”

ALBATROSS:
“Then I will too. That’s exactly how it works.”

Phoenix lets out a quiet sigh, her hand curling into a fist as she tries to process the storm of emotions. She doesn’t know where he’s taking her—but she feels that every movement Albatross makes shapes the space around her.

---

---

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.

Phoenix

Part 43: The Secret of the Night

The applause fades, the lights come back on, and the vast theater fills with voices, laughter, and excited movement. The award ceremony is officially over, yet the atmosphere still vibrates in the air.

Phoenix remains seated in her row, still slightly shaken by the earlier encounter. She keeps her hands on her thighs, trying to breathe slowly. Her red dress gently follows her movements as she stands and begins making her way toward the exit through the crowd.

A few rows behind her, Albatross stands as well. His eyes never leave Phoenix—not for a second. As if he’s following every step she takes, trying to understand what’s unfolding inside her.

Zeynep, Phoenix’s childhood friend, rushes over to her, buzzing with excitement.

ZEYNEP:
“Oh my God, Phoenix! Did you see the applause we got? The studio was absolutely glowing! Hey—look at you, you’re still trembling!”

PHOENIX (flustered, quickly looking away):
“It’s just… a lot all at once. The lights… the crowd… everything.”

Zeynep narrows her eyes, studying her.

ZEYNEP:
“The crowd, huh. And you didn’t happen to run into someone down front… around the VIP section, did you?”

Phoenix nearly chokes on her breath.

PHOENIX:
“What?! Of course not! I just… went the wrong way.”

Zeynep laughs and lightly bumps her shoulder.

ZEYNEP:
“Sure you did. Come on, let’s go—the company party has already started. The guys went ahead, and if we’re late, Dinçer will start again with his ‘the most important part of the team always arrives last’ speech.”

With a faint smile, Phoenix starts walking. As she heads toward the theater exit, she feels someone approaching behind her—slow, measured steps.

She doesn’t need to turn around.
She feels Albatross.

His steps are calm but purposeful, as if he has only one goal: not to lose her in the crowd.

When Phoenix steps out into the cool night air, they reach the doors almost at the same moment.

Albatross tilts his head slightly and speaks in a deep, quiet voice.

ALBATROSS:
“I hope you won’t get lost at the party.”

Phoenix’s eyes widen.
Her heart skips a beat.

PHOENIX (stammering):
“I… I’ll try.”

ALBATROSS (stepping closer, so only she can hear):
“Good. Because we still need to talk tonight.”

She swallows hard, managing only a few words.

PHOENIX:
“Why… why is that?”

Albatross lets his gaze sweep over her—gentle, intense—but he doesn’t touch her.

ALBATROSS:
“At the right moment.”

With that, he walks past her, confidence and quiet strength radiating from him—like someone who knows Phoenix won’t be able to escape his influence.

Phoenix can barely move.
She just watches as he disappears into the crowd heading for the party.

The night has only just begun.

---

Phoenix

Part 42: New Possibilities

The theater is bathed in semi-darkness. In the moments before the award ceremony, everyone is hurrying to find their seats. Between the endless rows of red velvet chairs, Phoenix glances around nervously, clutching the program booklet in her hands.

PHOENIX (muttering):
“Okay… left row, seat twelve… or maybe not? Why does it have to be this dark…?”

She takes a step forward, then another, and finally stops beneath a sign marked VIP Section—without noticing it. She walks in. Surrounded by luxurious leather seats, she pauses and lets out a quiet sigh.

PHOENIX:
“Why can’t people just take their seats with normal lighting? Seriously…”

She turns around to check the seat numbers—and at that moment, someone steps very close behind her. So close that when Phoenix turns, she nearly bumps into him.

The movement freezes halfway.

The air tightens.

Albatross stands there, his arms loosely crossed, his face only inches from Phoenix’s. His gaze is deep and calm, yet something wild and mysterious hides beneath it—the kind of presence that steals your breath for a moment.

Heat rushes up Phoenix’s neck.

ALBATROSS (slowly, in a deep voice):
“You do know this is the VIP section, right?”

Phoenix instinctively tries to step back, but there’s a chair behind her. She bumps into it softly and stops.

PHOENIX (flustered):
“I—I was just… my row disappeared. I mean… I must have gone the wrong way. I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to intrude!”

Albatross takes a half step closer, as if deliberately shrinking the distance between them.

ALBATROSS:
“Maybe fate sent you here.”

Phoenix’s eyes widen.

PHOENIX:
“Excuse me?”

ALBATROSS (with a subtle, knowing smile):
“Because right now… it seems… you can’t escape.”

The light catches on Phoenix’s red dress as Albatross slowly leans forward—not touching her, yet it feels as if the entire space around them has narrowed. Phoenix’s fingers tense, her mouth goes dry, and her heart begins to race.

PHOENIX (hoarsely):
“I… I really just got lost.”

ALBATROSS:
“I know.”
(He slowly looks around the VIP row.)
“But it’s rare for someone to get lost… exactly into my seat.”

Phoenix doesn’t know why she feels so drawn to this man—but his closeness, his voice, his gaze explain everything without words.

PHOENIX:
“I’ll… go back to my own seat now. If… if you don’t mind.”

Albatross steps aside—but not entirely. Their auras still brush against each other as Phoenix slips past him. She feels the warmth of his body even without touching him, even without knowing his scent—yet suddenly it seems every one of her senses is focused on him.

ALBATROSS (softly, behind her):
“We’ll meet again tonight.”

Phoenix doesn’t dare to look back.

Even the thought of it is enough to make her tremble.

---

---

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.”

---

---

Phoenix

Part 40: Between Two Worlds

Phoenix takes a deep breath after Sanem calls Albatross away. She tries to return to her makeup table and work in a normal way.

Except…

Her head is still full of the morning scene.
Her heart is beating faster, her hands are trembling, and her legs seem to have a life of their own.

“Okay, Phoenix, focus…” she mutters to herself as she prepares the palettes for the next model’s makeup.
“It’s no big deal… just a man… just a smile… just a… a… ohhh, why does he look at me like that?!”

Then she looks to her left.

Albatross is there.

Right there.

He’s adjusting the photography equipment… or at least pretending to. In reality, he’s watching her the entire time.

Phoenix almost knocks over a tray full of makeup brushes.

“Oh my God…” she whispers to herself.
“Is he following me?!”

Albatross turns toward her slowly with a half-smile, as if it were pure coincidence.

Albatross:
“Everything alright, Phoenix?”

Phoenix:
“Y–yes! Of course! It’s just… this… this is a chair…”
She points at her own makeup chair, which she has just walked around as if it were a dangerous obstacle.

Albatross steps closer.

“I know,” he says in a deep, calm voice.
“Chairs usually are.”

Phoenix blushes, then quickly looks into her makeup bag as if searching for refuge there.

---

A few minutes later…

Phoenix tries to organize her steps so that she won’t accidentally run into Albatross again.

“Coffee… coffee… I need coffee…” she mutters.

She reaches the kitchen.

Stops.

Leans against the counter.

“I’m safe here. Just coffee. Not a man. Not a smile. Not a scent. No danger at all…”

Behind her, a deep voice speaks.

“You can’t live without coffee, can you?”

Phoenix almost jumps to the ceiling.

“A–Albatross?! You… what are you doing here?”

Albatross smiles lightly—dangerously attractive.

“The same thing as you. Coffee. And… company.”

Phoenix’s hand trembles as she pours the cup.

The coffee overflows.

Onto the counter.

Then onto the floor.

“Oh… oh… no, no…” she whispers desperately.

Albatross chuckles softly and kneels down beside her with a paper towel.

“Well, look at that… you’re embarrassed around me again.”

Phoenix turns pale.

“M–me? No! It’s just… gravity… and the coffee… they… they conspired against me.”

Albatross leans a little closer, his gaze soft, warm, attentive.

“If I make you this flustered… maybe I should be here more often.”

Phoenix freezes completely.

Blinks.

Then suddenly jumps up.

“I—I have to go… makeup… work… yes… makeup…”

Albatross leans against the counter with a half-smile.

“We’ll meet again, Phoenix…”

As Phoenix rushes out, Melike chuckles with Albatross from behind the reception desk.

Melike:
“Phoenix is very shy, isn’t she?”

Albatross keeps his gaze fixed on Phoenix, warm and gentle.

“She’s not shy. She’s just… honest. And… beautiful when she’s embarrassed.”

Melike blushes.

“Oh wow… this is serious, Albatross.”

“Yes,” Albatross smiles,
“Very serious.”

---