Habbab Arslan
Twenty-two years in the past
I remember waking up with sweat running down my body, a choked scream in my chest, and tears wetting my cheeks. My grandmother, as always, ran to me and comforted me. Again, I had a nightmare about the monster that murdered my parents, there wasn't a single day when I didn't ask about them, until the woman who protected me, who was there for me, told me the truth. Since then, is always been the same nightmare, over and over again.
"That feeling you have in your chest, Habbab, keep it in your heart, hold it so that one day you can avenge your parents, you can destroy the family that hurt you so much." She stroked my hair and comforted me as she said those words. "Never let your soul go soft, harden it like a rock so you will have the strength to seek justice for the crime they committed against your mother and my son."
"I promise grandmother, I promise I will avenge my family, I will make the Erdoğan's pay, I will take everything they have, you will see."
My mother, my pure mother, fell in love with my father when she was just nineteen years old, they lived a romance until they got married, but there was someone who did not agree with the union. Hazar Erdoğan, a former suitor of my mom, he began to harass her, asking her to leave my father, after five years of persecution, hurt by my mother’s constant rejection, he kidnapped her.
That man took her and took away her honor, he abused her. When my father found out, he went in search of his wife to save her from the clutches of that wretch. I was four years old when my parents died. There was a confrontation and my parents ended up dead, the bastard Hazar Erdoğan made it look like a car accident, but nothing was further from the truth.
My grandmother told me the whole story when I was mature enough to understand my role in her plan. I was the ho could avenge the death of her son and his wife. Derya Arslan trusted me to restore our family's honor. And I was going to do so.
***
Two years before revenge
With the hatred that grew in my heart, the nightmares began to disappear, I turned to stone just as my grandmother ask me to do. I studied in the best schools, I learned to shoot a gun at the age of twelve, and I investigated the enemy as much as I could. For that reason, I decided to study hotel management, I knew that the Erdoğan's owned the biggest hotel chain in the country, and their influence in the city was strong, but I was going to make sure, that they lost everything they loved.
I had no time for anything but my grandmother's revenge plan, who did not reveal everything to me at once, as time went on, she let me know what was required of me.
The first step was to graduate from college and start my own hotel line, I always pretended I was a foreigner from France, with Argent as my last name. No one knew my true identity so our enemies would not suspect anything. Eventually, I became as famous and rich as the Erdoğans, then I started to rub shoulders with their inner circle. Until I became a good friend of one of their investors, whom I bribed into making a bad move on them, causing the family's business went into a tailspin, they were about to go to ruin when I came to save them.
Old Çakir believed my story that I admired him and that I wanted to be part of his business, in less than two months they had given me half of all their possessions. At last, after twenty-two years of planning for that moment, I was able to get into the snake's nest.
The next part of the plan I knew it very well, fall in love with Hazar Erdoğan's daughter, marry her, and steal her virginity, in the same hut where her father disgraced my mother, and leave her forever.
But then... I met Melek. It was the same day I met her father; we were in a meeting with Çakir, and he very proudly sent his children in. There in front of my eyes was Hazar, the murderer, with a smile and calm in his eyes, I had to bite my cheek internally not to punch him in the face, all my hatred radiated out of me; however, I was able to put a smile on my face, control my tears and shake his hand.
His brother followed and although the feeling was not the same, it still caused me to be repulsed just for bearing the Erdoğan lastname.
"My sons, they are the greatest pride I have in life," Çakir said. "I'm sure your parents feel the same way about you, you are a perfectly good man."
"I couldn't tell you, sir, my parents died when I was four years old, my grandmother took care of me and race me."
"I'm very sorry to hear that" Hazar spoke, with real sorrow in his eyes, though I didn't believe him, anything coming from him was definitely bad news. "What you need is a wife, so you'll have parents’ in-laws and they'll take care of you as your parents would."
"I was born in Turkistan, but since I lived most of my life in France, very few families are willing to relate to me, much less marry one of their daughters."
That little bait was taken by Çakir, whose eyes sparkled as soon as I mentioned my single status, if only he knew.
"We're just getting to know each other, but if the business goes well, we could make a marriage alliance, that way you'll be part of our family." Said the old man.
"Those words warm my heart, Mr. Çakir, I hope my whole plan goes perfectly."
"Of course, son, of course" He laughed good-naturedly, I meant the salvation of his family, but he was no more wrong.
"You could meet my granddaughter today; she is working at the hotel."
"Granddaughters, father" Hazar interrupted, with a look laden with disapproval.
As far as I knew, Çakir did not sympathize with Melek, I did not understand why, but he would fixate on her to denigrate her and beat her whenever he could. On the other hand, his other granddaughter, the daughter of his second son, was the light of his eyes, I knew he would try to marry me to her, this was also in my plan, I would pretend to love the girl only to change my mind and ask for Melek as a wife. I needed to make them believe that I loved Hazar's daughter.
"Yes, of course, granddaughters," Çakir says with an unhappy grimace. "Send them in." He orders.
Then Hazar and his brother leave the office and then enter with two young girls, one totally different from the other. Irem Erdoğan is the youngest daughter of Ercan, Hazar's brother. She is a tall, a skinny woman with black hair and brown eyes, she has an aquiline face and nose, with an expression of superiority painted on her face.
Then we have Melek, taller than her cousin, which is unusual for an average woman, with a few extra pounds, honey-colored hair, green eyes, and so many curves, you could get lost in them for hours. It's not the first time I see her, our first encounter took place this morning, without her knowledge, when my best friend and my partner in crime took me to the ceramic museum in town, to observe my victim. What a mistake, when I took one look at her, something inside my chest jumped, as if all the ice that covered my heart began to melt.
I know that Melek has a strong, determined character, but the terror she has for her grandfather overcomes any spark inside her. For that reason, she doesn't dare raise her face when Çakir is in the same room. That bothers me a little, she's so beautiful she shouldn't be hiding from anyone.
"A pleasure, Mr. Argent" Irem says, with a seductive smile that fails to move anything in me.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss...?" This family has no idea that I know them better than the back of my hand.
"Irem, my name is Irem" She takes a step in my direction and we shake hands. I pretend to be flattered by her beauty when nothing could be further from the truth. All my attention, even if I don’t show it, is stolen by Melek.
"This is my daughter, Melek." It is Hazar who finally introduces us.
She doesn't speak, simply nods her head, and performs a perfect come-hither.
"It's nice to meet your family, Mr. Çakir," I say so as not to make it personal.
"The pleasure is all ours, Habbab, I am sure we will be excellent partners. This union will benefit us all, there is no doubt about that."
Of course, there isn't, I will get my revenge once and for all. I watch them all, I hope they enjoy the last days as a happy and united family, because in a couple of years, Melek will be married to me, and everything that belongs to them will be mine, they will lose every last rock in their damn mansion, I will make sure of it.
HabbabThree weeks had passed since the day I was introduced to Çakir's granddaughters, in the course of those seven days I took care to give my all attention to Irem, making her believe that I was interested in her and her charms when there is nothing further from reality. Don’t get me wrong, I had nothing against the girl, but I realized her true personality, growing up among the whims that her grandfather fulfilled, she imagines that all men should pay homage to her, praise her and place the world at her feet.Instead, Melek... She was so humble, tender, and kind. She worked as a waitress in the restaurant of the family's hotel. Unlike her cousin, she had not been allowed to attend college, but she still had to work in the family business.That day, I decided to wait for her to finish her shift and walk her home, if only by chance. She always shortened the distance by taking a very rural road, full of dirt, rocks, and animals not at all pleasant, even if it was a bit dangerous, she
Chapter 4HabbabA few days after my first approach with Melek, I am determined to ask for her hand. Before I leave my hotel room, I make sure my suit and the rest of my clothes are spotless. As I am knotting my tie, my business partner and best friend, Erdem Şahin, walks in with his typical worried face. Erdem is the son of my grandmother's housekeeper, we were raised as brothers, and now he is in charge of my family's finances, there is nothing I wouldn't trust this man with, he is the most loyal, honest, and transparent person I ever meet. "My dear friend, how was your weekend?" I welcome him in a good mood. The smile on my face is impossible to disguise. Whenever I get to see Melek, my mood changes, and I feel somewhat... Happy."You're very smiley considering the situation we're about to get into."That takes away my good mood, of course, Erdem had to remind me of the real reason why I'm going to ask for Melek's hand. Revenge. My grandmother's plan couldn't work if Hazar hadn'
"Thank you." It's all I can say as I gain my composure again. Hazar nods with compassion in his eyes, he too should win the Oscar for best acting. "Habbab has been very excited about the proposal that he brings you today," Erdem speaks for me, giving me time to regain my voice. "We have big plans, which we hope will be to your liking." "Wonderful, Mr. Erdem, wonderful," Çakir speaks in a very good mood. "Mr. Çakir," I manage to say. "We have a long time working together, and we have managed to have a good relationship and trust. I think we can go one step further in that relationship, become one big family." "There's nothing that would make me happier boy." "If you would give me your blessing, I would like to bring my aunt and her daughter, my only living family, to your home to ask for your granddaughter's hand." I see Irem's curl jump, of course, she thinks I'm talking about her, she must be jumping with excitement, but there's nothing more wrong, I'm not going to ask her, my t
HabbabThe Erdoğan threw the house out the window, for today's celebration, I can tell even without having entered the mansion. Lights are flashing from inside and the doors are open for guests, like Irem's maternal family. I'm supposed to come to ask for Irem's hand, or at least that's what they think, but they couldn't be more wrong. I'm not coming for that woman. Melek is the woman I want... No, the one we need as part of our revenge plan. She is the daughter of Hazar, the murderer of my parents. I'm going to take Melek's virtue and return her to her father with a bow on her head."We can't go in there" Enise speaks next to me, as we get out of the car, I roll my eyes at her nonsense talking. "Habbab, please don't do this to me, you're married to me."I turn to face her, and with a fake smile on my face, I grab her arm and pull her close to me so no one can hear what we are talking about."That's enough, Enise, you'd better shut up, or go back to the hotel. You know why we're doing
"Yes, Mr. Habbab, you may marry my daughter." The smile that bursts from my lips, though I don't want to admit it, is genuine. Melek looks at me through his tresses with some apprehension. "We need to perform the engagement ceremony, Senay, take our daughter, put her in a better dress, fix her up for the ceremony and we will meet in the living room.""Yes, husband, I will"My bride-to-be is led by her mother to her room where she is taken care of, while the rest of us return to the living room. This time Enise sits next to me, the rest of the room is silent."Well, our engagement wasn't that dramatic." She whispers in hatred to me."Shut up, Enise, I swear if you say anything you're going to end up worse than Melek."She gives me an angry look but remains silent. Between her and the machinations of the Erdoğan family, I feel like I can't even breathe. My greatest wish is to end this revenge plan of my grandmother's and to have a free life, to have the weight of my responsibilities sto
Chapter 6HabbabThe plan has been set in motion, just as it was supposed to happen. I look at the ring on my finger, I just get engaged to a beautiful woman, who does not deserve all the horror she will experience in the days to come. We have chosen a date for the wedding; it will take place precisely a year and a half from now. Çakir Erdoğan is known throughout the city as the king of the money, he will spare no expense and as I am the one who will be putting up all the money for the ceremony, I am sure he wants to empty my chambers to take revenge on me, for having preferred Melek over Irem.In fact, since the engagement I have seen very little of him, those who continue to give face me regarding business, are his sons. Every time I meet Hazar, I have to do my best not to strangle him with my own hands... I never imagined that I would have to smile, pretend and be condescend to the murderer of my parents. What bothers me most about watching him, is how he pretends to be the good gu
I turn away so I can't see her face, and I start to get angry. Stupid traitors, if it weren't for them this wouldn’t been happened. Enise is an envious harpy, I will never be able to see her the way she wants me to, on papers we are husband and wife, but in real life we never were, nor will we ever be anything, nor do I want to be. "Enise's whole problem is that she can't stand to see me marrying Melek, but I swear grandma, I don’t feel anything for that girl." I listen as her footsteps approach where I am, I feel her warm hand on my shoulder, though I dare not turn around, I don't want her to see something that I’m trying to deny myself. "Don't blame your cousin, nor Erdem for my visit." My grandmother has always had the power to read my thoughts, it is something that continues to amaze me despite the years. "It was necessary, I had to come. I have to deliver something important to you, something that kept me standing, gave me strength, and even protected me, all these years." Gen
Derya ArslanAfter closing the door to Habbab's office, I dry my tears indifferently. I smile, I still have him wrapped around my fingers. That damn boy brat is not going to ruin my plans, I have waited for over forty years for the Erdoğan family to finally pay for the sins of their father. Çakir Erdoğan.I walk away from my grandson’s office and take the car home. But first I pass in front of Çakir's house... As I see the mansion to my mind come hundreds of memories full of pain and bitterness, but I also have happy ones, when both of us were just kids. I can hear the laughter of both of us, and the screams I gave the last day I was by his side.I tell my driver to start while I swear to myself that I will see Çakir Erdoğan kneel and ask for my forgiveness. After an hour's drive, I finally enter my home, where I find a hysterical Enise, crying on the floor of the main courtyard."What the hell are you doing child?" I ask her, annoyed."Grandma." She stands up and runs to my skirt, I