Chapter 3 OUTRAGEOUS SCHEME

Ayla stood before the Dogans, her eyes filled with suspicion and, of course, innocence.

She wondered what the issue could be, she wasn't really terrified about them, but- perhaps from the erotic trance she found herself caught in.

Mrs. Dogans leaned her head on her husband's shoulder while her hands circled his right arm; that sitting position, of course, indicates that they were up to a big deal.

Having stood silently for more than a minute, shifting her gaze from Mrs Dogans to her husband, then from her husband back to her. Mr Dogans kept sorting through his papers, his spectacles resting firmly on his face.

That had been his routine each time he had something paramount to tackle.

Ayla was certain they were the ones that sent for her, yet the reason they kept her waiting for so long was what she couldn't grab.

"Ma you called for me", she finally said, breaking the ghostly silence engulfing the sitting room. She had hesitated earlier, unsure whether to address them by 'mom' or 'dad' as she usually did, but ultimately she decided to flow with the more formal 'ma'.

"Yeah we did", Mrs Dogans said, slowly lifting her head from her husband's shoulder. Majestically, she sipped a glass of water on the table before raising her gaze to meet Ayla's.

Mr Dogans offered her a seat, "You may sit", said Mr Dogans, removing his spectacles, placing it alongside his papers.

"I want you to cancel your travel plans", he paused, positioning himself to look directly at her. "Defne will be fine, but that's gonna take a few months, maybe two or three or even more; who knows?"

Ayla only bobbed her head without uttering a word, though she already had lots of questions filed up in her mind. Why would he stop her from visiting Defne? Yes, Defne was their only child and Ayla's best friend, but to her, Define was more than that- she was like a sister.

"You know her conditions currently, don't you?", Mr Dogans asked, peering into her eyes, deepening her confusion.

"Yeah, I do. That is why I'm preparing to go visit her", she replied smartly, trying to get him to understand she wasn't planning a vacation, but rather to go stay with their daughter till she recovers.

"No you aren't going nowhere", he replied bluntly, slipping his spectacles back to his face.

"Why?" she asked, obviously confused.

"Because her wedding is in a few weeks", Mrs Dogans interrupted.

Though Ayla couldn't grasp what they were leading up to, she kept silent to allow them finish up with what they wanted to say.

"Ayla listen, you have to wed Deniz, not as Ayla but as Defne our daughter", Mrs Dogans finally voiced out, uncovering the reason behind the awkward summon.

"I'm sorry, but it seems I'm lost", she replied, trying to ascertain her doubt.

"You know Defne is supposed to get married soon, but unfortunately she is in the psychiatric hospital as we speak", he paused, slipped his glasses into it's box, cleared his throat before he continued.

"Defne has been a very good friend to you, and the least you could do for her in this turbulent situation is to wed Deniz in her place- to secure her family plans and preserve her reputation."

"Yes, Ayla, he is right; your friend needs you right now to help her out this once", added Mrs Jenkins, her voice softer, her head slightly tilting down, a gesture that she was pleading with her to agree with them.

"Wait, you want me to marry Deniz for Defne? How? I mean do they know about this? Ayla asked, more out of disbelief than expectation.

'Why bother ourselves telling you to marry in place of her if they really knew? Of course, they don't, and God forbid they found out", Mrs. Jenkins cut off sharply.

"For real?" her mouth still parted out of shock.

"Ayla, this is the least you could do for your best friend at this critical moment, remember she never fails to extend her arms to you whenever you need help", Mrs Dogans pleaded, her eyes locked in Ayla's as she held her arms (Ayla's) closer to her chest.

"But how......?" she murmured, surfacing her worrisome feelings.

"It's very simple, my dear, you look so much like your friend, you know, just a little touch-up and complete adherence, believe me, everything will work out just fine", Mr Dogans assured with confidence, almost regal smile.

"Touch?" she echoed, that phrase seemed totally new to her, it was so because she couldn't grab a hint of what he meant.

Mrs Dogans adjusted a bit, sitting closely to Ayla, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and gently stroking her hair, she said, "Don't worry sweetheart, we've got everything under control.

It became clear their efforts were to manipulate Ayla into succumbing to their outrageous scheme, but her mind strictly resisted them.

"Just step into her shoes for a few months, and when she is back, --boom-- you are out of the game", she snapped her fingers followed by a supportive nod from the husband.

"Ma this is crazy, why do you think we can ever play such tricks in this twenty-first century, The Yilmaz aren't fools, they are powerful, they will crush me if I get discovered", Ayla complained in fear, her body trembling with dread. She wished she had never woken up to such a request - or rather, command.

The Dogans usually have their way with everything, and she wasn't sure if she could get out of this this time.

"Shhhhh...stay calm and watch the drama unfold", they hushed her, not bothering to consider her feelings.

Ayla watched them, her eyes brimming with tears, as they laughed hysterically about nothing.