"What do you know?" I hissed, the threat in my voice palpable even in the pitch black. Alp took another step towards me with that relaxed expression on his face. The distance between us was almost non-existent. His dark gaze was gleefully scrutinizing my expression, mixed with shock and anger.
"Aras Demirkan got involved in a murder, Zeynep. And it's not just a simple case. The evidence is there, there are witnesses. But the power of Demirkan Holding overcame everything. The file was closed, everyone thought everything was forgotten. But there is one thing that is not forgotten, and that is the truth itself," he whispered. His voice was so low, as if he was sharing a secret. But for me, it had the effect of an earthquake.
Something shattered inside me. Aras, murder? That was impossible. The Aras I knew would never do such a thing. But the dark glint in Alp's eyes screamed that he wasn't lying.
"You're lying," I shouted, my voice trembling. "Aras wouldn't do that."
Alp laughed mockingly. "The truth is bitter, isn't it, Zeynep? But you haven't experienced the bitterness yet. This is just the beginning."
At that moment, I felt something change in my heart. Alp knowing so much, even coming to tell me this... It couldn't be a coincidence. Something was going on, and I was right in the middle of this game.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, my voice now calmer and more curious.
Alp shrugged. "I offered you a poisoned alliance, I remind you. I thought you'd want to know the source before you enjoy the poison." His eyes drifted to my lips. "Or maybe I just wanted to see your reactions. Who knows?"
I struggled not to slap him. This man was playing a cat-and-mouse game with me. But I wasn't the mouse. I was a hunter burning with the fire of revenge.
"Stop playing games, Alp. What do you want?"
"Be patient, Zeynep. There's a time for everything. For now, just know this: Aras' secret is just the tip of the iceberg. Do you want to learn what's deeper?"
A storm was raging inside me. I wanted to believe in Aras. I wanted to defend him, to shout that these accusations were false. But Alp's words were gnawing at my mind. What if he was right? What if Aras was really hiding something?
"I want to learn," I whispered. "I want to learn everything."
Alp smiled with satisfaction. "Then our alliance has officially begun. But remember, Zeynep, you won't trust anyone on this path. Especially not your loved ones…" Then he turned and started walking into the darkness.
***
As Alp's words echoed in my mind, I went to my room and locked the door. I sat on my bed and took a deep breath. What had happened? Everything had been so normal a few hours ago. Now I was in a nightmare full of murder accusations, dark secrets and poisoned alliances.
Aras... I remembered the first time I saw him. He had come to me while I was reading a book in the library and smiled at me. That smile had awakened something inside me. I had trusted him, I had believed him. Now everything was shattered.
I picked up my phone and wanted to call Aras. I wanted to ask him everything, to hear that these accusations were false. But then Alp's words came to my mind: "You won't trust anyone on this path. Especially not your loved ones…"
I hung up the phone. He was right, I shouldn't trust him. Especially not Aras. First I had to learn the truth. On my own.
***
The next day, as I was getting ready to go to class, I felt a strange tension inside me. I hadn't been able to sleep after my conversation with Alp. I kept thinking about Aras. I kept seeing his innocent face and sincere smile. How could he be accused of such a thing?
When I arrived at the faculty, it was crowded as usual. Students were rushing to classes, chatting. But I felt like I was in another world. Everyone's face seemed foreign to me.
I saw Aras. He was charismatic and attractive as usual. There were girls around him and he was smiling at them. He didn't notice me. Or maybe he didn't want to notice me.
I wanted to go to him. I wanted to ask him everything, to pour out my heart. But I stopped myself. Alp was right. I shouldn't trust him.
I entered the classroom and sat in the back row. The lesson started but I couldn't focus on what the teacher was saying. The moment Aras was accused of murder kept going through my mind.
After a while the door opened and Alp came in. His eyes found me and he smiled slyly. He came to me and sat in the empty chair.
"What's wrong, Zeynep? You look like you're having a bad time," he whispered.
I glared at him. "It's because of you," I said.
Alp shrugged. "I just told the truth. Instead of running away from the truth, you should face them."
"I don't understand what you really want," I said. "Why are you helping me?"
"Who said I was helping you?" he asked with a mocking expression. "I just like to play games. And this game is just beginning."
I couldn't wait for the lesson to end. I was uncomfortable with Alp being next to me. I felt like he was watching my every move, reading my every thought.
Finally the bell rang and the students flooded out. I got up and quickly left the classroom. I started walking without even looking back.
***
That day, I tried to stay away from Aras. I did everything I could not to run into him. But fate continued to weave its web.
When I went to the faculty cafeteria for dinner, I saw him. He was sitting alone at a table, eating something. Our eyes met. He paused for a moment and then smiled at me.
I didn't know what to do. Should I run away or should I go to him? My heart was pounding like crazy.
I took a deep breath and started walking towards him. I couldn't run away anymore. I had to learn the truth.
"Hi," I said, my voice trembling.
"Zeynep, hi. Would you like to sit down?" Aras asked, with his usual warmth.
"We need to talk," I said, getting straight to the point.
The smile on Aras' face disappeared. "What's wrong?"
"I heard something about you," I said. "Is it true?"
Aras frowned. "What kind of things?"
"It is said that you were involved in a murder," I said.
Aras' eyes widened with surprise. "What? Where did this nonsense come from?"
"Alp told me," I said.
Aras laughed angrily. "Alp? Do you know what that guy is up to?"
"I don't know," I said. "But I want to know. From you. Tell me the truth Aras. Were you involved in a murder?"
Aras paused for a moment. I saw that dark expression in his eyes. A light of hope went out in my heart.
"Yes," he said. "I was involved."
***
At that moment, the world collapsed on me. Aras was involved in a murder. Alp wasn't lying.
"How?" I whispered, my voice too low to be heard.
Aras took a deep breath and began to tell. As he told, the despair inside me grew even more. The story he told was full of dark secrets, lies and betrayals.
"Why did you hide this from me?" I asked, my eyes filled with tears.
"I wanted to protect you," Aras said. "I didn't want you to get involved in this mess."
"But it's too late," I said. "Because I'm already deep in this mess."
I stood up and looked at Aras one last time. I saw the regret in his eyes. But it was too late. My trust was shattered.
"Goodbye Aras," I said and turned and left.
When I left the cafeteria, there was an indescribable pain inside me. The man I loved was a murderer. And I had learned his secret.
What was I going to do now? Would the poisoned alliance I made with Alp continue, or would I carve my own path?
As I walked home, there was only one thought in my mind: Revenge. I would take revenge for my father. And no one would be able to stop me on this path.
As Zeynep walked towards a night full of dark secrets she left behind, she paused with a message coming to her phone. The sender was unknown. There was only one sentence on the screen: "The game is starting now, Zeynep. And remember, every move has a price."