San Francisco is one of the largest cities in California and the fifth most densely populated city in the United States. The city is primarily built on hills, with nearly fifty of them scattered throughout the area. Among the most famous is Twin Peaks, from where one can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city. One of San Francisco's major attractions is its steep hills and cable cars. The city's cable car system is the only manually operated one in America and is regarded as a National Historic Landmark—the world's only moving monument.
Inside the cable car, a glass window revealed a mesmerizing landscape. Beyond it stretched bluish-green clouds draped over the hills, tiny villages nestled below, and dense green forests farther away. As the cable car slowly climbed upward, Elizabeth gazed outside with vacant eyes.
Yet there was a peculiar fascination hidden in that emptiness, as though the beauty of nature was engraving itself deep within her soul. After spending eight long years in captivity, she still couldn't fully accept this newfound freedom. Everything felt like those dawn dreams that disappeared the moment the call to Fajr prayer broke her sleep.
Elizabeth wore a long floral-print skirt that swayed gently in the wind. Paired with it was a warm brown sweater that blended perfectly with her soft figure. The color matched her complexion so naturally that it seemed to lose its own identity. She looked calm, graceful, and comfortable, with a sweet smile resting on her lips.
This was real—not some impossible dream.
She, too, could fly like a free bird.
A peaceful smile illuminated her face, and the joy she felt escaped through her lips, merging with the sky and the breeze around her. If only time could pause at this moment. If only these moments could remain suspended forever in the gentle wind while Elizabeth lost herself in nature—a place untouched by betrayal and free from the reign of sorrow.
Her red hair fluttered wildly like a flag in the wind. Again and again, those strands drifted toward the dark abyss of a pair of eyes that watched her stubbornly and endlessly. It was as if those eyes wished to absorb all her beauty, imprison the heart-stealing woman inside a royal palace, place a crown upon her head, and seat her on a queen's throne while he devoted himself as her loyal subject.
Takbir could barely blink today.
Perhaps he didn't want to.
Elizabeth had been given the seat by the window while Takbir sat beside her, maintaining a respectful distance.
After witnessing the incident that morning, Elizabeth had suffered a panic attack. Fear and anxiety had wrapped themselves tightly around her. Takbir hadn't allowed her to stay in that place for even another moment. He immediately changed cities.
This time, instead of checking into a large western hotel, he booked two rooms in a small countryside hotel near a small city called Brisbane, close to the center of San Francisco. The plan was to spend the remaining days there.
Long before this trip, Takbir had personally purchased and prepared everything Elizabeth might need. However, today was the first time they had gone shopping together.
Despite everything, traces of sadness still lingered in the corners of Elizabeth's heart. Though she tried to hide it behind forced smiles, Takbir noticed. It only made him more concerned about her.
To make her happy, Takbir had even worn a sweatshirt that matched her sweater. Every little effort carried the same purpose—to make Elizabeth feel special.
He wore a modern sweatshirt with trousers and comfortable hiking boots. His curly hair rested across his forehead after losing its battle with the wind. His warm golden complexion gave him an oddly charming aura. Those dark eyes were wrapped in impossible tenderness.
Today, they looked perfect together.
Takbir had helped Elizabeth choose her clothes earlier. Until now, he had never encountered any indifference from her, so he quietly took responsibility for everything. He was trying his best to return her to a normal life and erase some of the darkest chapters of her past.
The clothes he selected were suitable for a mountain trip while remaining stylish and modern.
And he had succeeded.
Elizabeth looked stunning.
More importantly, she looked happy.
That alone was enough for him.
Suddenly, Elizabeth turned around.
Their eyes met.
Unable to withstand the firmness in Takbir's gaze, she lowered her eyes almost immediately. His eyes held an incredible depth—as if thousands of untold stories were hidden inside them.
Takbir smiled.
Elizabeth smiled too.
When she looked up again, their eyes met once more, and they exchanged warm smiles.
"Your lips are thin," Elizabeth said softly, "but they curve in such a way that it feels like you're only capable of gentle smiles. And within those smiles lies endless tenderness."
Takbir had been staring at her as though enchanted.
Her words finally made him blink.
"Really?" he asked, slightly raising an eyebrow.
Elizabeth nodded eagerly.
That tiny bit of attentiveness felt like nourishment for Takbir's thirsty heart.
A broad smile spread across his bearded face.
"I can smile like this too," he said. "But I only smile this way for you."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes.
"Why?"
"Because you're the reason."
The sincerity in his voice and the depth in his dark eyes made Elizabeth blush slightly. A gentle warmth brushed against her heart.
Fortunately, Takbir didn't leave her embarrassed for long.
"Will you be my friend?"
This time Elizabeth looked directly into his eyes.
Curiosity sparkled within her gaze.
Takbir smiled kindly.
"Let's become friends first," he said. "Friendship is even more valuable than the relationship between husband and wife because true friends learn to understand each other deeply. We should give ourselves the chance to know and understand one another as friends first. Through friendship, our bond will gain a strength that brings us closer and helps us understand each other on a deeper level. This friendship will become the foundation of our relationship, growing stronger with time."
He paused.
"Will you be my friend, Elokeshi?"
Elizabeth simply stared at him.
Her eyes were growing wet.
Takbir shook his head gently from side to side, silently telling her not to cry.
Biting her lip, she tried to hold back her tears.
Yet she smiled through them.
"Why do you understand me so well?" she asked in a trembling voice.
Takbir didn't answer.
Instead, he looked silently at his foolish queen—the girl who could burst into tears over the smallest thing.
After composing herself, Elizabeth said softly,
"Thank you for giving me the chance to become comfortable again."
Then she extended her delicate hand toward him.
"Will you be my best friend?" she asked. "A friendship built on unconditional trust, where doubt stays far away. When I collapse like a weary traveler in the middle of the road, will you offer me that strong hand of support? In times of danger, will your hand be the first one to reach out without needing permission? Will you be my best friend—the kind who reminds me every moment that yes, this is my best friend, the one who stands beside me unconditionally, selflessly, and with endless trust?"
Takbir stared at her for a long time.
He had never expected to hear such words from Elizabeth so soon.
Without wasting another second, he clasped her hand in his.
Both of them smiled.
Then, suddenly, Takbir pulled out a box and placed it on the small table in front of them.
Elizabeth looked from the box to him and back again.
Seeing her puzzled expression, Takbir bit back a smile.
"As the beginning of our friendship, a small gift from me."
"But—"
"No buts. Just open it."
Unable to argue, Elizabeth lifted the lid.
The sight of countless red rose petals immediately darkened her expression.
In a low voice she said,
"I don't like red roses."
Takbir looked surprised.
As far as he knew, Elizabeth loved flowers—especially red roses.
"But I thought you—"
"That was before. People's preferences don't stay the same forever."
Takbir couldn't understand the sudden irritation in her voice, but he chose not to press the matter.
"Alright, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Now see what's inside."
Elizabeth reached through the petals and felt another box hidden beneath them.
Elizabeth reached into the bed of petals without saying a word. Her fingers brushed against something that felt like another box. As she pulled it out and looked at it, her eyes widened in surprise.
Takbir gestured for her to open it.
Obediently, she did.
Astonishment filled her eyes.
Inside was the latest version of an iPhone—an iPhone 16 Pro Max.
A slight crease appeared on Elizabeth's forehead.
"Whose is this?"
"Whose hands is it in?" Takbir asked.
"Mine."
"Then it's yours."
"It looks very expensive."
"Even then, it's insignificant compared to you."
"Don't put me on such a pedestal."
"I haven't," Takbir replied with a grin. "Sometimes my chest itches terribly, so I'm trying to keep you there instead. Apart from a little bleeding, there aren't many side effects."
Elizabeth froze speechless.
Seeing her reaction, Takbir continued,
"You're my pet bird, but completely free. You'll spread your wings across the sky and fly wherever you wish like a migratory bird. Yet at the end of every day, you'll return to my nest—to the courtyard of my love."
Elizabeth's eyes became moist.
Her voice trembled.
"So even someone as unfortunate as me was destined for this? I've never received love like this before."
"Never say that again, Elokeshi," Takbir replied softly. "Never say that nobody loves you. Look..."
He raised his hand.
"Your name is tattooed here. I am the most devoted person in this world when it comes to you. You will be surrounded by my love. I will never allow any harm to come your way. I'll stay by your side until my last breath, holding your hand. And even after death, I won't leave you. I'll remain beside you like a soul. You're not just something to me, Elizabeth. You're everything."
Elizabeth lowered her gaze to his left wrist.
A shiver ran through her body.
From his wrist down toward his little finger, her name was tattooed in English letters.
The amazement on her face still hadn't faded.
She looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
"When did you do all this?" she asked. "You've been beside me the entire time. How did you manage to arrange so much? Everything feels as though it was planned with such care long ago."
Takbir deliberately ignored the question.
The cable car stopped at a station.
He stood up.
His deep voice echoed softly.
"Want some expensive advice?"
Without waiting for an answer, he continued,
"Moving on isn't about forgetting them.
It means knowing who you are without them."
Then he began walking forward.
A strange yet beautiful feeling blossomed inside Elizabeth's heart.
This was the beginning of their friendship.
There would be no more awkwardness between them.
They would learn to understand each other through glances and unspoken feelings alone.
It would become the kind of bond built upon understanding, trust, and the silent ability to read each other's hearts.
Suddenly, Takbir's voice rang out loudly from ahead.
"Elokeshi! Hurry up! The ride's about to leave. We're going to Twin Peaks again."
A pure, radiant excitement appeared on Elizabeth's face.
The emotions she had suppressed for so long were finally beginning to break free.
Everything around her seemed brighter and more beautiful.
With cheerful enthusiasm, she shouted back,
"I'm coming, good man!"
"I think it's time for you to retire, Nasso."
Nasso bit his lip and closed his eyes tightly.
His head remained lowered.
Lucas stood nearby with a gloomy expression.
Neither Aladdin nor any of his men were present.
The atmosphere was eerie.
Silence dominated the entire room.
"I'm sorry, Boss."
Richard suddenly hurled the wine glass in his hand.
It shattered against the floor with a sharp crash.
The veins beside his temples bulged violently.
His anger rose with every passing second.
"Where is your attention these days?" he roared. "Ever since returning from Bangladesh, you've been distracted. Have you forgotten all your training? If we'd been a few seconds later yesterday, do you have any idea what could've happened? You f***ing idiot!"
He stopped and shot a thunderous glare toward Lucas.
The sight of Richard's blood-red eyes made Lucas's chest tighten.
Like a wild beast breaking free of its cage, Richard roared again.
"You had a handheld metal detector with you, didn't you? Are you guys f***ing kidding me?"
Both men shrank under his fury.
Then Richard barked once more.
Turning to Nasso, he shouted harshly,
"Go back to Bangladesh."
For the first time, fear flickered across Nasso's normally composed face.
Taking two steps forward, he spoke quietly.
"Sorry, Boss. Give me one more chance."
"Richard Kayanat doesn't believe in second chances. Probably you forgot that."
The fear on Nasso's face deepened.
He swallowed repeatedly and tried to speak again.
"Las—"
Richard cut him off.
Without even looking at him, he picked up a file from the couch and held it out.
Nasso accepted it.
A twisted smile curled at the corner of Richard's lips.
"Your flight is this evening."
"The job will be done, Boss."
"Go."
Nasso left immediately.
Lucas winked at him as he departed, silently wishing him luck.
Soon only Richard and Lucas remained inside the enormous penthouse.
Lucas's phone continued ringing.
With a heavy sigh, he approached Richard.
"It's your father, Boss."
To Lucas's surprise, Richard took the phone without hesitation.
Normally, he ignored the calls.
Richard put it on speaker.
A lit cigarette rested between his fingers.
A deep, rough voice echoed from the other end.
It belonged to a middle-aged man whose commanding tone somehow surpassed even Richard's own.
"Richard, my son."
"Yes, Father."
"As soon as possible, come back to Italy. Everything here is a mess without you. The next project can't move forward without your signature. We're losing millions."
Richard exhaled a stream of smoke.
"I'll handle everything when I return, Father. Don't worry."
The man on the other side sounded irritated.
"All the news reaches my ears, Richard. Why are you wasting your time on this nonsense? Need women? Come back to Italy. I'll arrange an entire festival for you."
Richard leaned comfortably into the couch.
Blowing another cloud of smoke into the air, he replied,
"It's been a long time since I found such an interesting game, Father. Let me see how it ends."
Without waiting for a response, he disconnected the call.
Then he glanced at a strangely designed watch in his hand.
He always carried it with him, though he rarely wore it.
A mysterious smile appeared on his dark lips.
As Richard started walking, Lucas followed behind him.
Trying to match his pace, he asked,
"Boss, should I come with you?"
Without slowing down, Richard replied,
"No."
"Where are you going, Boss?"
"To taste some honey."
Lucas felt as though he had just heard the most unbelievable sentence in the world.
Especially from someone as bitter as Richard.
Still, he didn't dwell on it for long.
Hearing the mention of food, he quickened his pace and practically ran.
By then, Richard had already reached his car.
"Boss! I'll come too!" Lucas called out eagerly. "I heard there's a restaurant around here that serves excellent honey."
Richard slid into the driver's seat.
His voice crashed like thunder.
"This hive stores honey for Richard alone."
Lucas's face immediately fell.
Leaning slightly toward the car window, he asked pitifully,
"Boss, can I come?"
"No. I need privacy."
The black car sped away, kicking dust into the air.
Lucas stood frozen.
Privacy?
Why would Richard Kayanat need privacy?
The very thought seemed absurd.
Strange.
Very strange indeed.