archived

“Valentine’s Day is just a capitalistic money grabbing industry. It was created by the greeting card companies, and it’s doing nothing but boosting chocolate sales. It’s the worst holiday.” Malakai said shaking his head “but for all these cute animals, you best believe I’ll show up and show out.” 

kayson had seen ferah well before she had seen him. he had wondered if she had seen him if maybe she would have walked the other way. their last encounter probably wasn't the best. kayson couldnt help but feel guilty for turning the female down in the game she had been playing with him. however most of the time kay was too nervous or worried to overstep to ever do so. he was a man who would smile and politely decline anything unless it was lunch or something family friendly. he was a pretty boring man the older he had gotten but he was comfortable with that. he enjoyed his boring family life with his children and his job.

we woof you / closed @ferahdemirci

location : outside of the tunnel of love hayride

the moment ferah tells him she's looking forward to this valentine charity, he's already decided he will attend. not that she'd really let him pass it up if he refused but he's not an idiot, of course. it was adorable watching the brunette get so excited, and though he wasn't a big valentine's day person, he could be convinced. especially when the other's enthusiasm was so contagious. he finds her easily since he arrives around the same time ferah does, and he wonders what she'd have said if he asked to be his valentine. but that's yet another boundary he's not crossed yet. ironic considering they've done so much that isn't innocent but he can't work up the nerve to ask her this. it wasn't like they're on a date, however, max did intend to keep his by his side while they're here. he's not even deny how relieved he is she doesn't have a date, and he wants to think it's because she also wants to spend the day with him. the thought makes him smile internally as he focuses on beauty leading him to the tunnel of love, "you look beautiful, by the way." he remember telling her earlier but he says it anyway. "the fact that they named it tunnel of love is slightly amusing." he's chuckling, "well, here goes nothing." he murmurs as they step inside, he has a hand in her's as he helps her sit.

— At The Cove Boutique.

It had been a hellacious week. One of the worst of Alycia's life, which said a lot. She'd attended catholic school and summer camp for rebellious youths. Nothing felt like it'd compare to her summer in the Nevada dessert, but Half Moon Bay was a close second. The hellhole lacked even a modicum of taste, but Aly was so bored she found herself shopping. For what, she didn't know, aside from things she'd donate with the tags still on. A fiend for labels, her snobbish preferences made this endeavor purely a serotonin boost.

From across a rack of garments she was only half picking through, Aly saw her. The first beacon of light in this dreary town. Tan skin and hair as dark and shiny as her own. "Hi." Aly was bold. She never knew a stranger, especially not when she wanted something from them. "I'm Aly, and you are the first well dressed woman I've seen all week. Which makes you my first friend here."

It was beyond him how he'd convinced Ferah Demirci to come to his houseboat. Literally, he was kind of blackout when they met up and couldn't remember why he'd invited her over. The walk to pillar point harbor, however short, in crisp January air sobered him up enough to realize he wanted to remember. "You want... a beer?" The boat was kind of a mess. Neither he nor Dominic were especially organized or tidy. "or to smoke?"

"It's the only currency I can count on baby!" He grinned as he spoke over the music a guarding hand braced the opposite of Ferah. People were ebbing and flowing with little regard to what was happening around them. It was how nightclubs were supposed to be. A bacchanal of depravity and for some and escape. It was why Dom came, a place where he owed nothing to no one but himself. A place without him needed to fix and mend something else when he could barely hold himself together. He gave Ferah a pointed look, his head dropping towards hers, "Jealous?" He asked with an innocent smile. Dom hadn't been with anyone, tonight. Flirting was abound, dancing and drinks but so far nothing more. The night was early enough it could all change in a matter of moments. But he was content here engulfed in Ferah's space and making eyes down at her if for nothing but the thrill and fun of it. He'd always been quite fond of her, her company like a beacon of warmth he was pulled to without realizing it.

"Are you saying I wouldn't satisfy the position?" He countered with a small shake of his head. "I'm the man for any job." He countered with a shrug, "Pick pockets will chase away the clientele." He taunted with a playful click of his tongue.

Working the sales floor was one of Cat's favorite parts, aside from the buying. She loved stocking her store. Still, there was something to be said about helping customers find what worked best for them. "It'll look great on you." From the rack, Cat plucked the garment. "I'll put it up front for you, and if you need help with anything else... you'll let me know?" The brunette didn't want to hover or be overbearing.

the temptation is always there, to see what would happen if he allows himself to pursue her for something more than what they are doing now. along with it, there’s always that fear that what if they are getting ahead of themselves? what if all this was in his head and she wasn’t at all in the same wavelength as he was? what if they were mistaken their incredible friendship and their carnal fun for more than what it truly is? that’s all he has these days in his mind and in his heart, a million scenarios of ‘what ifs' but none of them quite explain this feeling, the need and the want to be with her all the time. he’s been enamored by her since the moment they met at the club for the first time in new york, she isn’t a face anyone could forget easily. he’s had luck on his side that they continued to meet up with each other, and max was always looking for any excuse to fly to see her. meeting ferah had only added to his endless lists of reasons he’d be traveling to new york. she’s had a boyfriend when they first met, but the moment she’s single, they spent more time together, never losing contact, and then one night it led to something more. something he’d entertain but never believes for a moment would happen, and then it continued happening, on and off.

years go by and they’re still in each other's life, still going to each for fun or comfort, and really anything else in between but never quite labeling whatever they share. yet, they are quick to mark their territory whenever they’re around each other and being entertained by others. at the time, neither believed they would settle anywhere near each other, with max never willingly leaving moon bay, a relationship was out of the question. then ferah moves, to his hometown of all places, and max wants to believe it has to mean something. he isn’t the sort who believes in fate or any of those hippie dippie spiritual things, but for this he certainly wishes it is the case. when she moves, he’s with someone and so is ferah, but it doesn’t take long max to end it entirely when he’s spending more time with her than he is with the person he’s dating. before long, they’re back in each other’s bed, which has become all the more easier with how close they live with each other. 

here they are almost two years later, still unwilling to end this strange dalliance, but unwilling to speak or even label this. not a day goes by where max isn’t thinking of taking a chance, even if it means risking what they share now. if only betting his chance on the fact that ferah appears to be as territorial with him as he’s with her, she hasn’t seen anyone since her last and she continued to seek max for fun ― both in and out of bed. It’s the same thought that lingers : why would she continue this if she didn’t feel this inexplicable attraction ? furthermore, if it’s only lust, it would have already fizzled out, but that’s yet to happen. the complication ― would they ruin what they had now if this went any further, would it change things between them for worst? It is incredibly frustrating for the ceo, because he can’t risk not being able to see her or be with her when he’s craving her companionship and her warm, yielding body late at night and pretty much any time of the day. 

however, max isn’t daft, he knows by now the doe eyed beauty has secrets, and he’s not so naive as to think she’d share them with him, but he wishes she would.  if clarity for him ― maybe for them. there are moments he swears he catches her looking behind her as if she is expecting someone to  follow her, she looks startled, and sometimes spooked, until she’s distracted by him. whatever it is, it only makes him question ― what would that mean for them? whatever she’s keeping to herself interferes with them? the million dollar question ― did she think of him, see him, as something more than a man she has fun with? 

 for a moment he’s too busy staring at her luminous smile before he’s snapping it out and taking the spot beside her. as if he could silently convey to the waiter not to try flirting with her again, it works because between his choice of seating ( too closely to ferha ) and his rude remark, he’s scurrying off. “they can get plenty more tips by just being a gracious waiter.” max quips without missing a beat, he tries hard to keep his tone neutral but he doesn’t know if he’s succeeding. he's also distracted with her lips pressing against his neck, yet her compliment that follows certainly fixes his mood. to his disappointment she’s already moving towards her seat, so he settles for placing his hand on her thigh and giving it gentle squeeze while his eyes remain on her features, “jealous? more like stopping him from hitting on unsuspecting customers who might be otherwise…engaged.” he raises a brow, “thank you, though i can also think of other things i’d look much hotter doing.” he adds not being able to help himself, a small arrogant smirk curving his lips as he catches her amusement. “by two minutes. you think you’re so cute, don’t you?” well, she is. “but i can see how waiting for me might be agonizing. missed me a little too much, did you ? ” it’s not just her, he’s always counting minutes until he can see her again. as she questions him for wine, he waves over another female server and orders them wine that ferah’s partial to. they’re alone a moment later, and max doesn’t realize his hand is still resting on her thigh, “how was your day off?” he’s jesting, since her days were mostly off because she owns a nightclub.

Was it the game? They toyed with each other relentlessly, which crafted a heat between them that was often palpable and gratuitous to indulge in. It was a fire though that was incredibly difficult to find anywhere else. They comfort levels they had with one another couldn't be touched by someone new, she and Maxwell went all the way back to New York. There was a decade of friendship laid between them, one that wasn't diminished when they looked at each other and touched each other in ways that friends never should.

It was wrong of Ferah to even be contemplating these things, as bringing someone closer into her life, someone she cared dearly for, was far too dangerous. The last thing she could ever want was for Max to get hurt simply by being with her. Which was why much of the time she either had him over to her place or they'd meet up somewhere for romantic rendezvous, that way she could hopefully thwart him being followed. Though, most were aware of her longevity with him, and she doubted they looked at him as a threat since their relationship had been constant.

Still, the more she got settled in life, and the more Ferah knew things for her were troubled, it did nothing to wan the need for real companionship. Everyone needed someone to lean on, right? A solid ground she could find footing in? Perhaps that was the answer, though. The brunette did not know if Max was that person, and could that say it all? Beyond that, Ferah was too afraid to want anything for herself in the fear that it could be taken away. One of her friends had gone missing after all. And that plagued her so much more than she'd let on to anyone.

The possessive behaviors and that hand on her thigh sent Ferah's head for a spin and she was sure she looked dazed when her dark eyes sunk into his. With her hand covering his on her thigh for a moment, the brunette whispered to Max, "don't start something —" It was playful and meaning to have the opposite affect, to encourage him rather than demand Max back up a step or two. And there they fell down that familiar path once again. Even Ferah was left to wonder: will they or won't they? "And what things would you look hotter doing?" A manicured brow quirked and challenged, no — dared him to answer as brazenly as he behaved. "Engaged," Ferah's left hand rose and she made a pointed look at her fingers, "I don't see any diamonds where that claim would be true." For a moment, the brunette leaned into Max, playfully nudging his side with her shoulder. It was always like this.