When We Were Perfect

As soon as he was escorted into the hall by his security team, he was greeted with the sight of a large number of cameraman's clicking his photos. Many of his rivals and associates greeted and formally congratulated him wishing him happy birthday along, while others had an underlying tone of jealousy radiating from their words. Most of the women there were drooling at his personality despite the shining wedding band in his finger. He saw Nadia walking towards her in a silver gown.

"Congratulations and Happy birthday Daniel, and I must say you look very handsome tonight,"

She had to admit that he was looking strikingly handsome with his dark brown hair gelled to perfection, sharp jawline and wearing a dark brown Armani suit which enhanced his features even more.

"Thank you Nadia, and you look beautiful yourself!" He replied with an edge in his voice although he had forgiven her yet seeing her every time reminded him of Silas and his disappearance.

"Where is Amy?" Nadia asked looking behind him. Daniel looked away hurt and embarrassed.

"She is a lawyer you know, there was some important work she had to tend to but she will be here soon," Daniel said hoping that she got Talia's message.

"Even important than you," Nadia blurted but instantly realized her mistake seeing a stiff expression on Daniel's face.

"Wh-what I meant was it must be really important work but as you said she will be here so no worries," She said trying to cover up her mistake.

"It's okay! Excuse me I have to meet the organisers Nadia," he replied in a monotone walking past her.

The time went on but still, there was no sign of Amy. Speeches were made and soon it was his turn to receive the award. The press was ready to click the pictures, reports close to them. One of the organizers started his speech.

"Good evening Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know today is an important event as we are going to present the businessman of the year award to the person who has built and progressed his empire to success every year, achieving many milestones along the way, he doesn't need words and phrases to describe his personality and hard work. So without wasting another moment I will like to announce Mr Daniel Saritas as the businessman of the year for a consecutive third time. Congratulations and a very happy birthday Mr Saritas!"

Everyone started applauding and some of his employees cheered for him. Though he was a strict and ruthless person who never showed any emotions to his employees and could fire anyone with the snap of his fingers yet at the same time he did gave allowances and generous bonuses to every hardworking employee.

Daniel walked to the stage with a fake smile and held the award up so that everyone could see and started his speech all the while glancing at the entrance. He felt a sharp pain in his heart as his tesoro wasn't there to share his big day and not once she wished or congratulated him all day. Pushing his sadness away he continued to deliver his short speech. The reporters managed to get some questions in especially 'Where Mrs Saritas is' but he cut them off with she was busy with their son. Though his heart was breaking, he wasn't going to give the benefit of the doubt.

The night was over soon and like everyone Daniel went back home. Entering his house he saw Amy's car parked in the driveway. Walking inside, he went directly to her room, not even knocking and there he saw her sitting on the bed with a file in her hand but what made him mad was the fact that she glanced at him with a scowl before continuing her file reading.

"Where were you?" He asked composed. Amy closed her file in a click and glared at him.

"Don't you have any other word in your dictionary besides ' where have you been' because I am tired of hearing it every second time and answering you with the same that 'I was at work'!"

Daniel moved closer watching her with an incredulous expression.

"You said you will clear your schedule today and accompany me, you knew damn well how important it was for me, yet you didn't show up tesoro," Amy's face turned into confusion before returning to her usual scowl.

"I was busy, it slipped out of my mind" she shrugged.

"Slipped out of your mind really, even after Talia reminded you" He asserted.

"Daniel, why you are making a fuss out of it, seeing the award in your hand I can bet you had a great time" she tutted.

"Just tell me one thing tesoro, is your work more important than me," he asked in a low voice looking dead in her eyes. Amy gazed with the same intensity, the scowl set in a firm line.

"Yes," she replied, her gaze not faltering for a moment. Daniel felt like someone tugged his heartstrings. He took a sharp intake of breath, looking at the woman who disregarded him like he was never anything for her.

"I am sorry, I should have known it tesoro because you never fail to show how much your work matters to you that it's making you heartless day by day," Daniel scoffed. Amy's expression suddenly changed, twisting into surprise by his judgement.

"Anyway, thanks to you for making this birthday memorable for me like you always did," he gave a snarky reply and dashed out of her room not wanting to be there for a moment.

Changing into his pyjamas and pulling the covers down he laid there feeling hurt and alone. Everything around him felt so cold, despite the warmth of the comforter. Tossing and turning he suddenly remembered that he hadn't checked on ozan since coming back. Getting up he went to his nursery where he was sleeping soundly while sucking his thumb occasionally in his sleep. Martha was perched on the rocking chair fast asleep. 'It must be tiring handling him almost half of the day' he wondered before picking ozan gently from his crib and walking to his room. He laid him softly on the bed, being mindful that he didn't wake up and setting the pillows on the other end before coming to lay down beside him. The little boy immediately snuggled closer to his father reminding him that he was not alone.

In the morning, Daniel was feeding ozan who was making some gurgling noises making him chuckle. Amy invaded their moment by stepping in strolling a suitcase with her. The creaking noise getting his attention as he looked up at Amy dressed professionally and by the looks of it, he could tell that she was going away from here. He gave her a blank stare before smiling back at ozan who was done with his feeding. She started at the father-son duo for a moment before clearing her throat.

"I am going to Ankara for a month, there are some issues which need my attention!" She informed. Daniel nodded in response placing the feeder on a nearby table.

"Have a safe journey," he states curtly but the warmth still present in his voice while wiping Ozan's face who gurgled in response. Amy squinted her eyes at his response before her gaze fell on ozan who stared at her, the woman who gave birth to her. The little giggled seeing her face surprising Daniel as he never smiled at anyone other than him or Martha. Amy's stomach churned with an indescribable feeling watching her son's smile, her eyes glistening but before anyone could see she blinked them away. 

"Goodbye!" She sounded lowly before averting herself and moving out. Ozan turned his head towards his father kicking his legs. Daniel kissed his forehead tenderly, he was super active today and Daniel was happy seeing him getting healthy day by day. The new formula milk finally proved better for his health, there is nothing he wouldn't do for his son.

"Don't worry son, we are in this together," he said placing him near his shoulder in a burping position slightly rubbing his back and glancing at the door from where she left. He couldn't call that woman his tesoro anymore because she wasn't even a part of her. Amy couldn't be this bitter and hostile towards the people she cared for, it seems like some witch possessed her or more like her work or the justice-seeking voice in her heart became so strong that she forgets everything around. He just wished that by some miracle she gets back to her normal self and return to him and if not him then at least accept ozan because he needed both his parents. He didn't want him to be part of a dysfunctional family or suffer any kind of trauma or feel a longing for anything especially his mother. Because he knew how fretting a longing can be.