Shall We Have A Deal?

Very much like the previous day the conversation went on fluently and they walked and talked like good friends, each finding something to ask the other one, so they walked and talked until the end of the pedestrian part, from where the famous National palace of Culture could be seen. Then they made a semi-circle and started to come back. At the same time they were looking for a restaurant. There were several options but Isabel didn’t have much experience, so she was relieved when Taifun asked her.

“Do you like Italian food? Nico’s Tratoria is full of people, so it must be a good place.” He suggested. Isabel nodded in agreement. They both turned to be great fans of spaghetti and the famous Tiramisu dessert. Isabel was surprised because she always tried to win her brother over but he always stayed firmly addicted to pizzas. So she was very happy to find a male representative who was not a pizza fan but was just like her – a lover of spaghetti. A small coincidence but it really made Isabel’s heart sing with joy. When it was time to pay she offered to contribute but Taifun said it was out of question. He invited her, so he owed her much. “I have learned so much in the time span of those 2 days about your country and capital, it will be fair to offer you payment. You are an incredibly good tour-guide!”, he added. He paid with a card, something that she was seeing for the first time. But she kept her surprise under control. After all he had travelled a lot, business required it so it was natural to be among the first to have a bank card. After some more walking along Vitosha Boulevard they came to the same café and when Taifun said he would like to have coffee, she accepted the offer willingly. So they turned the corner and entered in the same refined and luxurious atmosphere of the Sheraton café. It was past 4 o’clock and they both needed coffee. Isabel was not tired but she had more questions and it was a good excuse. None of them was in a hurry. They exchanged their phone numbers. She gave him a small souvenir, something he did not expect form a stranger. And Taifun gave her his gold-plated pen. Then at some moment Taifun looked at Isabel more seriously and asked:

“Where would you like life to take you next?” Isabel thought she had not understood his question. So she replied:

“Pardon? I don’t quite understand your question.”

“I like your manners, your fluency in English. Would you like to work for me? “Isabel, I know it may seem too soon, but I like you so much. I can offer you a lot. I am absolutely impressed by you. I can come, speak to your parents….I will give you time to think about it.”

Isabel was flattered, happy, overwhelmed…But she was prejudiced too. So she did not want to inform her family. She decided right then and there.

“I am sorry, Taifun. But my answer is No.”

“If you are afraid, I can understand you”, he said.

“I know you only since 2 days… she said and sighed. Then she thought to herself: If only you were not Turkish … and she went on,

“You can’t understand me, but it is stronger than me. The things from the past…I can’t explain it without hurting your pride and your dignity. Please accept my answer and let us part as friends.”

He stood silent for a while and thought to himself: …’If it was the historical past….she was right. But still she was so gentle, kind and intelligent. But he also had a principle. An offer once made is never repeated again.’ Then he said:

“As you wish. But I will not make you an offer again.”