Page 17 of Aydin

“I have another event this weekend. So, I can’t stay out long.”

“What event?”

“A work thing.”

“Mmmmmm…”

“No, Dani.”

“You don’t know what I’m about to say.”

“I can feel your vibe.”

“You need a date for the event.”

“I’m not taking anyone you know.”

“Why? Are you trying to entice that boss of yours?” She giggled on the other end of the phone.

“Please, that man can’t stand me.”

“You need to get laid and forget about everything else.”

“So I can turn into you?”

“Yes, a very happy woman with many orgasms.”

We both laughed and continued to discuss what she was planning to wear, and I mentioned the dress I had from last Christmas that was still new and untouched. By the time I got home, it was going on eight at night, so I relaxed with takeout and watched movies for the rest of the night. Saturday was the double date, then on Sunday, the charity event would introduce me to a new world. I wasn’t sure I’d be comfortable next to high-profile people.

AYDIN

My house was my sanctuary, and nothing was allowed to interrupt my peace. I’d had my home for over five years. Right after I finished fighting for my country, I bought this property and built it from the ground up. The place was two stories and over five thousand square feet with high ceilings, wooden floors, a long deck, and a pool out back with a grill. There was a gym room outside and a man cave in the basement. Oftentimes, my brothers and Nasir would end up over here to hang out more than they did at the bar; it was more relaxed and set up for a bachelor. I never brought women here because I didn’t do relationships. It could be because of the women I’d come across that only wanted me for my status and money. After so many questionable moments of getting asked about marriage when they barely put any effort in getting to know me, I learned quickly to only use them for my needs and not rely on getting any closer.

I slammed the weight down on the bench and wiped the sweat away from my forehead with the back of my hand. I was meeting with Nasir and the guys later to hang out since in their minds, I never did anything fun besides work. The few times we got together, it was mostly at the shooting range or playing ball. They’d come to my parents’ house for a few events, but mostly, I stuck to my brothers or Nasir.

Ring!

“Addison, I told you to call me on my office line.” I lifted the towel, rubbed the sweat off, placed it around my neck, and headed out of the gym to shower.

“Aydin, please, you like when I call you personally,” she cooed through the phone, and I sighed and took a seat in my chair. Addison had tried her best to get my company and me to be right up under her thumb and I’d rejected her at every turn. Her father thought it would be good press if we got together, since I’d done security work for him for many years, but he never told her no. She’d become a spoiled brat who expected everything to be handed to her.

“What do you need, Addison?” I turned the water on and tossed the towel in the side bin next to the door.

“I need a date.”

“And?”

I knew she wanted me to be her date for the fundraiser, but I never gave her false hope. It was strictly business, and that was only if I felt like dealing with her. Most times, I passed her off to Nasir.

“Aydin, please. What would it look like if I showed up alone?” she whined. I heard a door shut and walked over to the monitor on the wall in my bathroom to see my brother run to the kitchen. I shook my head and slid the phone between my shoulders.

“Addison, I have to go.”

“Wait! What about tomorrow?”

“That’s not my problem. I only do security for your father.”

“We could be so much more, Aydin.”

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