The game of life

New life

Welcome to Istanbul!

Angie blinked. All that reminder of what seemed to be a past life made the landing very smooth. She rise up from her chair and headed toward the exit. “Hope you had a wonderful flight!” the flight attendant said with a professional smile. “Indeed, I had” Angie replied with a small smile. Indeed, I had, she repeated in her head. Very first flight, to be honest. She was never able to pursuit her dreams because there was always something needed to be done back home with Christian, or at his mother’s, or just that he wanted to stay home and he wanted her to stay with him. But not anymore. Now, she has her life just for her and it feels good, damn good. Angie headed toward the luggage to pick hers up. After that she looked for the pick-up driver from the hotel. Saw him just outside the main doors of the airport. “Hello”, Angie said. “My name is Angela Morthon, I’m here for the conference at the Radisson Hotel.” “Hello, missus! We just need to pick up another colleague of yours and will be on our way.” Angie just lifted o thumb up and turned to look around until her colleague will arrive. She always liked people gazing and imagining what wonderful life they have and feeling maybe a little jealous of them. But now she gazes at them sensing that equality feeling, like she belonged in that world where people are happy.

And then she saw him. Well, him is an understatement. Angie felt her mouth open and something warm inside her chest and lower abdomen. That man was a god! I mean, really felt from heavens or maybe from hell, but God neither the less. Tall, I mean crazy tall and Angie was not a petite woman, dark hair with a little white around his temples, three days old beard but arranged, dark suite that only complement his stature but what made Angie’s hearth skip a beat was the energy that seemed to shimmer around him. He was like the rock in the middle of the waves. Yes, Poseidon at his finest! Damn…. And he looks up, their eyes locked and Angie s breath caught. He looked directly at her, in her eyes, and lifted a brow. Amusement lifted one corner of his mouth. She was caught. She shrugged, smiled at him and winked once then turned around and entered the minivan.

Just seconds later, a full crush of red energy entered the minivan. “Hi, darling! Sorry for the delay, I lost myself inside the airport gift shop. I’m Scarlet!” she extended a hand to Angie just when the van started. No s**t! Scarlet? Angie thought while extended her hand to Scarlet. “It fits.” Angie smiled. Scarlet laughs out loud with sincere amusement. “Isn’t it? My mom said that it was the only name she could think of when she saw my hair. What can I say? Scottish inheritance.” She shrugged. “So, you are my roommate, right? They said I have a roommate from England. No hard feeling, though. Let bygones be bygones, no use to linger in the past”. Angie opens her eyes wide “What??” Scarlet started laughing. “History, darling! You know…brits and the Scots”. Angie started laughing. “You are crazy! I like you very much!” Scarlet laughed. “Yes, I believe we are roommates. Happy to meet you, darling!” Angie used Scarlet’s word.

The drive to the hotel took a while so Angie dozed off on Scarlet’s shoulder. She woke up when the van sopped on the little street in front of the hotel.

The hotels façade blends historic Ottoman-style architecture with soft pastel colours and white decorative accents. When they passed the iron gate, Angie felt like was at a charming boutique with warm lights highlighting the doorway. Greenery and small trees soften the front area, making it feel peaceful. She could also smell the Seabreeze. Fantastic!

They both headed to reception desk. The nice lady there made all the process extremely pleasant and quick. In no time they were going it their room.

When Angie entered the room, she holds her breath. She felt like stepping into a space of calm. The décor was simple and elegant: soft beige tones, wooden accents, and warm lighting that makes the room feel instantly relaxing after a log day.

The two beds were facing the window — on purpose — so the first thing you see when you wake up is the blue stretch of the Marmara Sea. “I feel like I’m dreaming!” Angie whispered. “I didn’t believe that such wonderful places exist!” She looked around for a while then decided “I will go for a walk.”

“I will unpack, take a shower and sleep” Scarlet replied. “Take care, darling! You are not in your little town back home. That’s a different country, different culture… just be careful, ok?” Angie looked at her, smiled and walked out and stepped into the gentle glow of evening. The corridor is dim and warm, lit by soft amber lights that make every shadow feel calm and familiar

Angie pushed open the main door of the hotel, and the cooler air wrapped around her immediately. It carried the scent of salt, stone, and the faint sweetness of flowers. The world outside is quieter now, softened by the blue violet light of dusk.

The alley stretched before her, peaceful and almost dreamlike. The cobblestones reflect the last traces of daylight, holding a faint shimmer as if they remember the sun. On both sides, the greenery deepens in colour — leaves turning dark emerald, vines blending into the shadows, small trees swaying gently as the evening breeze moves through them. You hear the soft rustle of branches, the quiet chirping of birds settling in for the night.

As she walked, the air grew cooler, fresher. The sound of the sea became clearer — a rhythmic hush, steady and inviting. The alley widened, and suddenly the view opened.

The sea appeared before her, vast and silver under the rising moon. Angie took a deep breath and her eyes filled with tears of happiness.

The moon hanged above the water, bright and calm, casting a shimmering path across the waves. Each ripple catches the light, turning the surface into a moving mosaic of silver and shadow.

She stepped closer until she could feel the cool spray on her skin. The waves roll in softly, as if whispering secrets only the night can understand. The breeze carries the scent of salt and the promise of quiet.

Standing there, with the moon reflected in the water and the evening wrapped around her, the moment Feld suspended — gentle, intimate, unforgettable. The world is hushed, the sea is alive, and the future is opened just for h

er. “Thank you, God” Angela murmured. “Thank you!”