Is this destiny?

Merve is in Corey's apartment, taking a shower.

Her dress was ruined with fruit punch, and Corey gave her his sweatpants and a t-shirt to change.

When she removed her clothes, Merve realized that she is sticky from the juice and she asked if she could shower, and here she is.

Her bra and underwear got messed up with juice as well, but Merve will not say that to Corey. She rinsed and patted her undergarments with a towel before hanging them at the top of the shower door enclosure to dry.

Merve is nervous, knowing that it's only Corey and her in the apartment, but at the same time, she knows that Corey will not do anything against her will.

Merve smiled while remembering how they both held ice on their hands in the car during their drive to Corey's apartment.

Merve's palm was aching from slapping Samantha, and Corey's fists hurt from hitting Nate and Kevin.

"Are your hands OK?" Corey asked Merve with concern in his voice.

"I am fine." Merve assured him. "Other than slapping Samantha, I used my legs on Nate and Kevin, and my legs are tough."

Corey remembered how Merve handled Nate and Kevin. It was swift, elegant, and powerful. "I should train to use my legs also."

Merve approved of this. "Come to the Cliffside Villa, we can train together. Aiden has sick moves, I'm sure that he will teach you and I can show you a few things as well."

Merve was happy that Corey agreed to take his training seriously. Being fit does not mean that he will not get beaten.

This prom showed Corey that bodyguards are sometimes not enough and that he needs to be able to defend himself. Corey told Merve that he will come and train at the Cliffside Villa anytime he can, and that he will talk to Charlie so that he can train independently as well.

During the incident with Nate and Kevin at the parking lot, Merve decided to intensify her training. She is one of the few kids at the Cliffside Villa who opted to learn only self-defense and not to be involved in the activities that kids refer to as 'bodyguards'. Merve didn't approve Hande taking that path, even though Hande told her that she needs to get stronger so that she can be by Ade's side and protect him. Merve didn't understand, why would Hande need to protect Ade? He is a boy and he is the one who should be doing the protecting. Only now, Merve understands what Hande was saying because when Nate and Kevin jumped to hurt Corey, the only thing on Merve's mind was that she needs to move faster and to hit harder so that she can protect him.

Merve firmed her resolve. Tomorrow, she will talk to Sarah and Aiden about becoming a bodyguard.

During their ride to Corey's apartment, Corey and Merve realized that they are hungry.

Both Merve and Corey spent the afternoon getting ready, and they were too nervous and excited to eat. There were snacks at the prom, but Corey and Merve didn't pay attention to them.

Corey ordered food delivery and Merve guessed that it should arrive by the time she gets out of the shower.

…

Corey was arranging plates on the table when Merve stepped out.

He smiled at the sight of his t-shirt and sweatpants which look baggy on her. It's a big contrast from the well-fitting dress she was wearing earlier.

"I'm glad the clothes fit you."

Merve knew that Corey is teasing her, but she will let it slide. She was painfully aware that she is not wearing any underwear and she reminded herself to be cool about it. Unless she exposes herself, Corey will not find out. Right?

"Thanks. Luckily, the sweatpants have a string…"

Corey saw that she lifted the t-shirt, to show the tightened string and he noticed when the skin of her abdomen got exposed slightly. He did his best not to stare. "Let's eat before it gets cold."

Merve and Corey had late dinner while discussing the events from the prom.

Corey told Merve that he already informed Charlie about what happened while Merve was in the shower. Of course, the bodyguards also reported to Charlie about the evening, and that included the parking lot incident.

"What did Charlie say?" Merve was curious.

"He said that I'm not allowed to attend any more events, because I'm causing too much trouble." Cory smiled when he saw Merve's concerned expression. "Don't worry, he was joking. He said that he will handle Nate and Kevin, and that he will talk to Steve about the best way to handle Samantha Long. But he promised that we will not suffer a loss. He will also contact Anabella and Cassie. Unless we hear otherwise, we should not worry about it."

"What do you think about Anabella and Cassie?"

Corey paused for a second before responding. "Cassie is an opportunist. While Samantha had a good standing, Cassie was latching onto her. Charlie will decide how her family will be rewarded because Cassie took our side. As for Anabella… I'm not sure what her motives are. I told Charlie what I know, and he said that he will investigate. But neither of those two are to be trusted."

Merve agreed with Corey. She didn't miss the way Cassie looked at Corey, and Merve didn't like it.

She remembered something… "At the prom, when Samantha spilled juice on my dress. You mentioned something that made me think this happened earlier."

Corey confirmed. "A few years back, Charlie took Emma to a party and some woman spilled wine and ruined Emma's dress."

Merve's eyes widened. That is exactly what happened to her! "Really? Can you tell me more about it?"

"I don't know many details." Corey admitted. "But I know that it was four women and that Charlie punished them with Jeff's help. They asked as compensation some crazy amounts, and as a result, Emma got her rehabilitation center."

"That sounds like a big compensation." Merve mumbled while chewing her food. "How do you demand millions as compensation for one dress?"

Corey waved his hand, indicating how that is not the case. "Charlie taught me that if one member of the family is causing trouble, others will not sit idle and let you deliver your punishment. The way to handle it, is to take care of all of them in one go. In order to ruin a family, you target the one with the biggest ego. They believe that everything belongs to them, and the more you provoke them, the deeper they bury themselves. Once they reach the point of meltdown and do something big, then you demand compensation."

"Does that work every time? What if they have some capability to support that ego?"

"People who have power, don't need to boast about it." Corey responded confidently. "You don't see Jeff or Charlie or Jasper going around and provoking others while flaunting their wealth. Usually, the quietest ones are the most dangerous and they don't see the value in attacking senselessly."

Merve chewed slowly while thinking about Corey's words.

In Merve's opinion, the most powerful ones are Sarah and Aiden, and based on them as the example, Corey is right. If Merve is not part of the family at the Cliffside Villa and she bumps into them on the street, she would think that they are a regular couple. Sarah is usually cheerful and eager to help, she looks soft and harmless, and Aiden is a doting husband who hovers around her, making sure she is safe. But Merve knows that under that rosy picture, both Sarah and Aiden are fierce fighters with mad coding skills, both are super-smart, they have businesses, they are helping their siblings in many areas, including leading the troops of the White family, and they are at the center of the craziest and the most harmonious family anyone ever saw. If anyone dares to act against their family, Sarah and Aiden become vicious demons from which enemies can't hide.

If Merve knew about the Army of Chaos, the awesomeness of Sarah and Aiden would only increase. But she will find out about it. Soon.

While thinking about Sarah and Aiden, Merve remembered to text them that she is back from the prom and that she will spend some time in Corey's apartment before returning home. She knows that they can track her location with GPS on the bracelet and earrings, but still… it's the right thing to let them know her plans.

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