Looks like we’ll have to strip you bare, Emir Kara!;
1585 Words
After the show, I couldn’t sit still. The data I had wasn’t enough. And me I wanted as much as possible.
I already had a routine after every performance, to protect my identity:
First, I would change clothes, then move to a decoy hotel, disguise myself there, and finally return home with my car.
But today…
Today was going to be different.
I changed clothes and slipped out the back door of the dressing room.
The route was clear: Emir Kara’s front company.
I got out of the taxi on the back street of the residence.
Of course, I couldn’t just walk in through the door and say, “Hello mello, I’m here!”
I had no choice but to play the classic spy movie games.
As I stared at the entrance, only one thought crossed my mind:
“The day will come when I cuff you in front of this very door, Emir Kara.”
I reached for the fire escape, pulled myself up.
Most likely, the alarm systems were active.
Before going in through the emergency exit, I made my way to the transformer outside the building.
A little short-circuit, a little blackout.
The switches dropped.
I slipped inside quietly.
His personal office was bound to have the highest level of security.
But if I could find something in accounting or finance…
I could at least get a legal reason to search his office.
I reached for the files behind the desk.
Incomings, outgoings, paperwork, legal procedures…
Damn it, everything was spotless on paper!
Just then, the sound of footsteps startled me.
By reflex, I slid under the desk.
Through a quick glance, I caught sight of who it was.
It was Emir.
He was waiting for the elevator.
I had heard he had an apartment in this building; apparently, he was spending the night here.
Then he pulled out his phone and called someone.
I strained to hear his voice.
“By tomorrow I want all information on this woman.
She performs at Sapphire. Stage name: Lilya.”
I almost laughed out loud at what I heard.
Don’t underestimate me this much, Emir Kara.
You won’t find a thing about me.
But me…
I’ll know every inch of you.
As soon as he got into the elevator, I moved quickly.
Down the camera-free corridor, onto the fire escape, climbing down the iron steps almost silently.
I slipped into one of the back alleys, jumped into a taxi without even acknowledging the driver’s look.
First stop: the nightclub where I performed.
Just to show my face.
Every trace left behind covered another trace.
From there, I switched to another taxi and went to the same decoy hotel he always used.
It was like his secret hideout.
He went down to the parking lot, got into his black SUV.
And finally, ended the night by heading to his real home.
Ahh, this tempo…
Running back and forth between two lives…
Alara had gotten used to it by now.
It was the price she paid for being Lilya.
Because she knew…
Secrecy was sometimes the only way to survive.
And secrets were the armor of this profession.
She immediately threw herself into the shower, and the moment her head touched the pillow, she fell asleep with the day’s exhaustion…
Morning.
I woke up to the chirping of birds.
The gentle breeze blowing in from the Bosphorus filled the room, and a faint smile spread across my lips.
It was impossible to get enough of Istanbul’s view.
First thing, I stepped out onto the balcony, inhaling the calm of the morning.
At last, I felt good.
I was an orphan, and life had been hard.
But despite all its ups and downs, I was here; standing tall, living the rightful pride of everything I had accomplished.
I sipped my coffee and thought back to last night.
That club… That atmosphere… And of course, Emir Kara.
I must admit, he looked every bit as grand as his reputation.
That broad body, the good looks, the charisma that matched the stories told about him…
The moment I felt his eyes on me, the sharpness in his gaze mixed with admiration kept nagging at my mind.
He had caught my interest, I couldn’t deny that.
But he had also left me unsettled.
And what about that sign language? Those gestures he used to communicate with his men…
“He’s hiding something.”
As soon as I got home last night, I had called Bora for information, without wasting a second. I was going to find out everything.
“Of course I didn’t even wait until morning. I never wait.”
The Phone Rings.
My phone rang. Bora’s name flashed on the screen.
Bora was my right-hand man; an intelligence expert policeman, and at the same time, a computer nerd IT specialist.
His attitude was sarcastic to the core but reliable.
I answered, and Bora’s usual cheerful voice came through.
Bora: “My prosecutor, is your coffee good? Or did my voice make your morning better?”
Alara: (Smiling) “Bora, cut the crap. What did you find?”
Bora: “Alright, alright, let’s be serious. Emir Kara… On the surface, nothing much. His record looks clean, but only on paper. The real issue is the Special Wolf Unit you asked about. I’ve got some interesting things to tell you.”
Alara: “I’m listening.”
Bora: “I’ll remind you of a mission you were involved in. Years ago, during the Peace Operation, one of our teams was captured. Do you remember?”
Alara: “Yes, I remember. My mission was to negotiate for the hostages’ release. But the terror leader didn’t let them go. I returned empty-handed. Later, the Chief of General Staff gave full authority to the Wolf Unit. When I got back to the country, I learned they had rescued our soldiers. But I never knew the details. What happened? What did I miss?”
Bora: “You missed quite a lot, prosecutor. The Wolf Unit had 18 agents in total. Their leader was an agent codenamed Boz. During the operation, they stormed the mountain where the hostages were held. But the intel was wrong. It was said the mountain was empty, that an agreement had been reached. But that wasn’t the truth. The team faced heavily armed resistance. Ten of them died in that raid. The rest were retired. That’s why such a successful unit was dissolved because of those losses.”
Alara: (Takes a deep breath.) Bora’s words reopened old wounds in my mind. I had known that unit. Men who never removed their masks, forbidden from starting families by duty, condemned to live alone forever. I’d heard they had grown up together, since they were five… They laughed together, joked like children. And now, ten of them were gone.
“Why wasn’t I there?” I thought. “I don’t know if my being there would’ve changed anything, but this weight will always stay with me.”
I should’ve been there with them… Maybe nothing would’ve changed, but this regret would never fade.
Bora: “Prosecutor? Are you still there?”
Alara: “I’m here. Go on.”
Bora: “The team’s identities were erased, so getting more information is almost impossible. But I heard one thing. Might be useful.”
Alara: “Tell me.”
Bora: “The team had a special tattoo made. A wolf’s head, surrounded by 18 stars. It symbolized the number of people in their unit. I can prepare a sketch for you if you want.”
Alara: “Do it. Send it to me.”
As I hung up the phone, I paused for a moment. A slight smile spread across my face. My thoughts drifted in one direction.
“Looks like we’ll have to strip you bare, Emir Kara.”
I went inside, pulled my hair into a tight bun, brushed my teeth quickly. With a touch of makeup, I added some life to my face. Standing before my wardrobe, I hesitated briefly, deciding what to wear.
There was no trial today, but I had to go to the courthouse to sort through documents.
I put on a black lingerie set, a navy satin blouse, and a gray pencil skirt.
I completed the outfit with black tights and a slim black belt.
I grabbed my black office bag, slipped my laptop inside. Shoes weren’t forgotten either; I opened the closet by the door and put on my black stilettos. One last look in the mirror I was ready.
I took my car keys and walked out.
When I went down to the underground garage of the apartment, the heavy sliding door slowly opened.
My eyes froze on the sight before me.
Sitting on the hood of a black Mercedes, waiting for me with a calm yet mocking expression… was Emir Kara.
His muscular legs filled out his tailored pants, the belt at his waist and his body lines strikingly obvious.
His navy shirt clung tightly to his abs.
He had rolled up his sleeves, standing there in a relaxed yet commanding stance.
On his face was that familiar mocking look. With that confident smirk, he glanced at me and waved lightly.
“Oh God,” I thought, “what the hell does this man want?!”
As I scrambled to collect my thoughts, he stood up casually from where he sat, signaling me to come over.
I had never expected this morning to begin like this…
- Writer
