Beyond the game

Yuzarsif's penthouse sat high above the bustling city, offering a sweeping view of the capital's skyline. The modern design of the apartment reflected his taste—sleek, minimalist, and yet undeniably luxurious. It was a space that exuded control, a reflection of his precise and disciplined nature.

Today, however, it was not the solitude of his apartment he was seeking, but the presence of his family. He had invited them for a casual dinner—an attempt at a rare family gathering, one he didn't typically make time for. His father, Harun, a towering figure in the medical field, had built an empire of clinics and hospitals across the country. His mother, Amina, was a quiet yet dignified woman, elegant and reserved, who supported her husband's endeavors with unwavering loyalty. And his younger sister, Selina, was a force of nature—sharp-witted, ambitious, and always ready with a sarcastic remark.

As Yuzarsif sat at the glass dining table, he checked his watch and found himself tapping his fingers against the sleek surface in impatience. He was used to running things with precision, but when it came to family, he often found it more challenging to manage the dynamics.

The doorbell rang, and Yuzarsif stood, straightening his suit as he walked toward the entrance. He opened it to reveal his mother first, followed closely by his father and sister.

"Yuzarsif," Amina greeted him with a soft smile, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. "It's good to see you."

Yuzarsif returned the smile, though there was a hint of tension in his eyes. "Good to see you too, Mother. Father, Selina," he nodded to each of them.

Harun, his father, clasped him in a firm handshake. "Everything going well, son?" His voice was deep and commanding, carrying the weight of a man who had seen the ups and downs of the business world.

"As well as can be expected, Father," Yuzarsif replied, leading them to the dining area. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."

Selina, as usual, was the first to speak up, her eyes scanning the apartment with the kind of appraisal only she seemed capable of. "Nice place, big brother. But I guess it's to be expected with all that 'donating to the less fortunate' money you've been collecting."

Yuzarsif couldn't help but smirk at her sharp tongue. "It's just a few charity events, Selina. No need to make it sound like I'm trying to earn a saintly title."

"I'm just saying," Selina replied with a shrug, taking her seat at the table, "people don't always do charity just to be good. Some do it for the attention. But you've always been good at that."

Amina gave her daughter a look, silencing her immediately. "Enough, Selina. We're here to spend time together."

Yuzarsif chuckled lightly, the playful banter of his family helping to ease his mind. They were a tight-knit group, but there was a distance between them, especially when it came to his personal life. They knew about his work, his accomplishments, but little of his deeper, more personal thoughts. Yuzarsif rarely opened up to them about the people who truly mattered to him.

"So, how's everything at the hospital?" Harun asked, taking a seat at the head of the table.

"It's going well. The new wing is almost ready for opening," Yuzarsif replied. He avoided the topic of his personal affairs for now—no need to bring up the subject of Azra. His father was shrewd and would pick up on any sign of distraction or change in demeanor.

"You've been putting in a lot of work there lately," Amina remarked, placing her napkin on her lap. "I'm proud of you, Yuzarsif. Your father and I have always known you'd do great things."

Yuzarsif nodded, but his mind was elsewhere, thinking of the events from the last few weeks—the encounters with Azra, their coffee meetings, and the small but undeniable spark between them. He hadn't expected to be so intrigued by her. In the past, women had been easy to impress, but Azra's aloof nature had piqued his curiosity in a way he hadn't anticipated.

"Have you seen that girl again?" Selina's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Yuzarsif's gaze flickered to his sister, his brow furrowing slightly. "Which girl?"

"The one you've been meeting for coffee," she said with a knowing grin. "The one you're trying to impress with your money and charm. What's her name again? Azra, right?"

Yuzarsif's fingers tightened around his wine glass, but he quickly controlled his reaction. "Her name is Azra," he confirmed, his voice measured. "And I'm not trying to impress her. I'm simply getting to know her."

Selina raised an eyebrow. "That's what you say. But I know you, big brother. You don't do things unless you're determined to get your way."

Yuzarsif leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting toward the window for a moment. "It's not about getting my way. It's different with her."

Selina snorted. "Sure, it's 'different.' Look, you've been chasing her for a while. At least tell me you've made some progress. I don't want to see you wasting your time on someone who doesn't even care about you."

"Selina," Harun interjected sharply, his voice deep with authority. "Leave your brother to handle his own affairs. If he wants to pursue this woman, let him. He knows what he's doing."

Yuzarsif shot his father a grateful glance, though a part of him appreciated Selina's honesty. She had always been blunt, not one to sugarcoat things. But this time, there was something about Azra that made him hesitate. He couldn't explain it, but there was a quiet strength to her that intrigued him.

"She's not like the others," Yuzarsif said, his voice softening as he spoke, more to himself than to anyone else at the table.

Amina looked at him curiously. "What do you mean by that, son?"

Yuzarsif's gaze turned inward, his mind racing as he tried to articulate the feelings he had been suppressing. "I don't know. She's different. She doesn't seem interested in my status or what I can offer her. She's not swayed by money, which is... rare."

Harun regarded him quietly for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You don't need a woman to prove your worth, Yuzarsif. Your accomplishments speak for themselves."

Yuzarsif nodded, but the words didn't quite ease the turmoil inside him. His father was right, of course. He didn't need a woman to prove anything. But Azra... she made him question things he hadn't before. She made him think about more than just his career and his ambitions.

The rest of the evening passed in relative silence, with small talk and casual conversation, but Yuzarsif's mind remained focused on Azra. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was the one thing in his life he couldn't control. And that, more than anything, made him want to pursue her even more.

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