Is this destiny?

In the garden of the main villa on the Long family property…

As soon as Gabriel whisked Becca away, the girls returned to their dates and they focused on snacks and drinks while observing their surroundings. 

Merve's eyes landed on Corey who was lingering on the stairs while talking to Charlie and Steve. She contained her urge to join him because she wanted to observe him while he is in his 'business mode'. Corey and Merve are working as Sophia's assistants (part-time since they returned from Europe), but when Corey is by Steve's side, his aura is much different.

She noticed that Corey, Steve, and Charlie were only a few steps away from another group of impressive individuals: Jeff, Michael, and Ron.

Merve smiled while thinking how Corey is handsome with his serious expression and she could imagine that they are discussing something related to business. The fact that both Steve and Charlie listened attentively to what Corey was saying, made Corey several times more attractive.

Merve took a mental note that she should learn more about business. Working as Sophia's assistant is a good start, but Merve observed how Corey is more knowledgeable than she is, and that leads to the situations where she ends up handling simple tasks like bringing coffee and managing Sophia's schedule, while Corey is more included in data analysis that impacts decision making.

Merve remembered the art gallery where she contributes as an artist. She decided to get involved in managing the place so that she learns more things because she wants to be useful. After all, she is one year older than Corey, yet he seems to be ahead of her when they are in the work settings. The fact that she was deprived of proper education while growing up is not an excuse, but it should be motivation to try harder. She does not want to embarrass Corey or to give malicious people like Samantha reason to look down on her.

Just as Merve's mind skimmed over Samantha, Merve heard Samantha's voice.

"Aren't you lonely, Miss White?"

Merve counted to five silently before turning to face Samantha. She saw that three more girls came with Samantha. The other three girls looked more curious than malicious, but that Samantha was finding her courage in numbers. Ah, the bullies never walk alone.

"How can I be lonely, when you are here to give me company?", Merve responded with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She glanced at three girls behind Samantha. "Thank you for making sure I am not bored." Merve got closer and shook hands with all three girls in greetings while exchanging names. She found out that they are Chloe, Lizzy, and Hailey.

Samantha's eyebrow twitched while looking at Merve who acted so freely.

"As good hosts, we must ensure that the guests are not bored. Even if they are of the lower class."

Merve realized that Samantha is trying to insult her, but if Samantha thought that Merve will fold under pressure, she had another thing coming. After dealing with the politics of Lebedevs and Voronins, and all the dangers that come with it, Merve developed an invisible layer of defense, and Samantha's petty attacks are not enough to cause a dent in it.

Merve patted her chest dramatically. "I would never imagine that someone of lower class can step onto the property of the Long family."

Samantha's poker face cracked. "I was talking about you."

"Oh, please lower your voice."

"And why should I do that?", Samantha snapped.

"Because you don't want someone to hear that you are calling me a lower class, don't you? Or did you forget that I am a White who is dating a Smith? Or did you forget how it ended up the last time you underestimated me?" Merve glanced at Chloe, Lizzy, and Hailey who were all visibly uncomfortable. "I can assume that all three of you are Longs. Do your parents have ports as well, or is it only stocks that you can lose for insulting an esteemed guest and endangering profitable partnerships with White and Smith families?"

Chloe, Lizzy, and Hailey heard some rumors about what happened to Samantha and her family, but they were not sure how much of that is true. After all, it's not like Samantha would tell them the truth. They came to check out the new face and none of them wanted to be involved in a potential scandal. Merve smirked when she saw that Chloe, Lizzy, and Hailey took a step away from Samantha.

"You know, Miss Long…", Merve spoke to Samantha. "This reminds me of the evening we met at the prom. The only things missing are you spilling a drink on my dress and then me treating you with some slaps. I heard that your family lost a lot of money because you can't control your temper. And you have no more friends. Is it true that you kept a stalking journal on everyone who socialized with you? I guess people don't appreciate it when someone tracks their income, family tree, and personal relationships with a goal to take advantage of them."

"My journal…", Samantha murmured. "You were behind it."

Merve smiled smugly and Samantha saw red.

"How dare you!", Samantha raised her voice.

Merve shrugged. "How dare I, what? Remind you where you belong? As someone who was sitting at the main table, I see it as my duty to handle people who are… lower class than I am. You were at the far end table, and I wondered if you are now at the bottom of the Long family or can you go lower?" Merve inched closer and spoke in a half-whisper: "You know… that apartment complex in Malibu that your father gave as a payment to appease the White family is now under my name…"

Samantha was about to lunge at Merve when Corey showed up. "What is going on here?"

Merve was a bit ticked off with his timing. She had a plan that could go two ways… either to let Samantha slap her once or twice and to pretend to be the victim, or to make everyone see that Samantha attacked first and then to deal with her. In either case, it would be Samantha's fault.

How Merve sees it, Samantha is a physically and mentally weak girl with a big mouth. A few flimsy hits and insults are a small price to pay for potentially getting more apartments. Unfortunately, Corey showed up and now that opportunity is gone. Well, at least she can make Samantha boil from anger by showing her one thing Samantha will never have.

Merve wrapped her arms around Corey tightly and kissed him on the lips. "I missed you. It's difficult for me to accept you going to the meetings without me. I am used to sticking close to you… very close."

Corey was surprised by Merve's action, but he hugged her back and decided to play along.

"Mmm…", Corey hummed. "I missed you too. I don't like when we are apart, even if it's only for a few minutes. Next time, you will come with me to the meeting."

Merve beamed. "I would love that!"

At this public display of affection, Chloe, Lizzy, and Hailey silently took a few steps backward before disappearing among other guests.

"What an unsightly behavior…", Samantha squeezed through her teeth.

Merve leaned her head on Corey's chest and looked at Samantha mockingly. "This is not unsightly, Miss Long. It's normal between two people who are in love. If you ever find a person who loves you, you will understand." Without waiting for Samantha to respond, Merve looked at Corey. "I would like a drink. How about you?"

"Now that you mentioned it, I realized that I'm thirsty. I heard that the lemonade is great."

Corey led Merve toward the table where the drinks are, ignoring Samantha who was now left to stand on her own.

"Let me pour it for you…", Merve offered.

Corey approved. "That will make it extra sweet."

Samantha thought that she will explode from anger. She turned around, hoping to see her three Cousins and get some support, only to see that they left her hanging. What the hell?

When they were outside of Samantha's earshot, Corey gave Merve a stern look. "Don't mess with Samantha. She is unstable."

Merve was touched that Corey supported her little act even though he disapproved.

"She already hates me. It does not matter if she will hate me more or less. I am aware that she is impulsive and that she will attack me the moment she gets her chance. Like this, I can control when she makes her move and I can turn that to my advantage. And besides, don't you trust me?"

Corey was surprised by this logic. Merve is impressive, no wonder he fell for her.

"I trust you, my dear. But I don't trust her.", Corey responded, making Merve smile.

"I must admit that I underestimated you.", Corey said after some time. "I saw you facing Samantha and those other three girls, and I assumed that you are in trouble."

"It's OK. I am glad to know that you will come to my rescue when you think that I am in trouble."

"I guess I blew your chance to provoke her until she embarrasses herself."

"That's fine. She looks like a girl who will give me another chance.", Merve responded with a smile.

Corey had to agree with Merve on this one. Samantha is impulsive and full of herself and it's almost like she is begging to be used to strip her parents from their position and assets.

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