Stay Or Leave In The Middle Love

Chapter 3: Welcome to Istanbul Turkey



Eloise took a deep breath. The warm, slightly spicy Mediterranean air greeted her as she stepped out of the arrivals gate of Istanbul International Airport. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the aroma of spices and Turkish coffee greet her.

This was Eloise's first time in Turkey. For years, Turkey had been nothing but beautiful pictures in books and videos, amazing stories from friends who had visited, and dreams she had kept in her heart. Her dreams were now a reality.

She lifted her head and her eyes were immediately drawn to the view that stretched out before her. The sky of Istanbul was a bright blue, dotted with white clouds drifting by. In the distance, she could see the silhouettes of magnificent mosques with their graceful domes, like jewels sparkling in the sunlight. The streets were filled with cars passing by, and people of all styles and languages. Everything seemed so alive, dynamic, and exotic at the same time.

Eloise felt like she had entered another world. She had just left the calm and soothing sound of the waves of her small town. Now, she was in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a metropolis rich in history and culture.

She walked towards the baggage claim, her heart pounding with excitement. As she grabbed her suitcase, she couldn't help but smile. The long drive was worth it for what she was seeing.

She decided to call a taxi. As the car sped away from the airport, she stared out the window with sparkling eyes. Skyscrapers juxtaposed with ancient buildings, forming a unique and stunning panorama. The view was like the pages of an open history book that she could touch directly.

Eloise was amazed by the blend of modernity and tradition that existed in Istanbul. She saw women in colorful headscarves walking alongside people in western clothes. She saw shops selling traditional Turkish souvenirs alongside shops selling international brands. This mix of cultures made her even more interested in exploring the city.

All the way to her dorm, Eloise kept looking out the window, not wanting to miss a single detail. She wanted to absorb everything, every color, every sound, every architectural detail, every scent, to store it in her memory.

As the taxi pulled up in front of her hotel, Eloise took another deep breath. She had finally arrived. Her adventure in Istanbul had just begun. She knew that this trip would change her life. She felt the magic of the city, and she knew that she would treasure the beautiful memories of Istanbul forever.

Eloise's footsteps felt heavy as she got out of the taxi. The sun was scorching hot, and sweat began to drip down her temples. In her hands were tightly clutched a large backpack and a suitcase filled with her personal belongings.

"The women's dormitory... where is it?" she muttered softly, her eyes sweeping around, looking for clues or signs that could help her. However, all she saw were students coming and going, tall, magnificent buildings, and vast green parks. She felt increasingly confused and a little panicked.

Suddenly, a young man approached her. The young man had a tall posture, slightly messy jet black hair, and warm brown eyes. He smiled kindly, showing his sweet dimples. "You look confused," he said in a soft voice. "Can I help you?"

Eloise was a little surprised, but she felt relieved. She swallowed hard and said, "Yes, this is my first time here. I'm looking for the women's dormitory, but I don't know the way."

"Oh, the women's dormitory? I know where it is," the young man replied. "I just happened to be walking that way too. Come, let me show you." He reached out to help Eloise carry her suitcase.

"Thank you very much," Eloise said sincerely, her heart warmed by the young man's kindness.

They walked together, the young man swiftly carrying Eloise's suitcase while occasionally explaining about the campus environment. Eloise studied the young man's face. He had a sharp nose and thin but firm lips. For some reason, she felt that this young man had a pleasant aura.

"Oh yeah, my name is Deniz Ansel Ghaziy," he said with a smile. "But you can call me Ansel."

"I'm Eloise," Eloise replied, trying to return his smile. "Nice to meet you, Ansel."

Not long after, they arrived in front of the women's dormitory building. Eloise looked at the building with relief. "Once again, thank you very much, Ansel," she said sincerely. "You've been very helpful."

"You're welcome," Ansel replied. He was still looking at Eloise. There was something in the girl's eyes that made him feel interested. "Um… what major are you taking here, Eloise?" he asked a little nervously.

"I majored in art," Eloise answered with a smile. "I like painting and drawing."

Ansel's eyes lit up. "Art?" he murmured. "That's really cool. I like people who have an artistic soul." He felt a small spark in his heart when he heard Eloise's answer. This girl, with her innocent face and sweet smile, had caught his attention. For some reason, he felt attracted to Eloise, to her warm and innocent aura.

Eloise smiled again, making Ansel even more fascinated. "Thank you, Ansel," she said. "I have to go in now. See you later."

"See you later, Eloise," Ansel replied softly, looking at the girl as she walked into the dormitory. He felt something new growing in his heart, a feeling he had never felt before. He didn't know what it was, but he knew he wanted to get to know Eloise better. Since then, Ansel felt his days become more colorful, just because of his brief encounter with Eloise. He kept thinking about Eloise, her smile and her voice. He knew he had fallen in love at first sight.

The blurry video call on Dean's laptop flickered, the Turkish sun making Eloise's face glow. Dean leaned in closer, the glow of his desk lamp in the evening contrasting sharply against the bright background.

"Eloise! ​​You made it! How was the flight? Boarding?"

Eloise, on the other end, was practically jumping up and down, even though they were thousands of miles apart.

"Dean, it was amazing! The flight was long, but it was worth it. Istanbul... well, you wouldn't believe it. And the dorm was okay, not as exciting as our old place, but still manageable. But the BEST part..." She paused, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Dean chuckled, used to her drama. "Just sayin', El. You're so happy."

Eloise took a deep breath.

"Well, when I got here, I was dragging my very heavy suitcase through the lobby, and I ended up meeting someone."

Dean waited, "And?"

"And that's... Ansel," she said, her tone changing, almost dreamy.

Dean raised an eyebrow.

Ansel? The name immediately came to mind. "Ansel, you mean...?"

Eloise paused, and continued.

"I think he's helping the dorm staff, you know, translating or something. She saw me struggling with my suitcase."

Dean leaned back in his chair, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He had always pictured Eloise as the adventurous type, drawn to the unexpected. "A hero, huh? How brave."

Eloise rolled her eyes playfully, shaking her head slightly. "She picked up the suitcase like it was nothing, carried it straight up the stairs. Then she helped me find my room without breaking a sweat, and she speaks excellent English."

"Excellent English?" Dean repeated, a playful skepticism in his voice. "Didn't you think to ask her where she learned it, or why a local would be helping out at a dorm for international students?"

Eloise shrugged, her eyes sparkling in the light from her phone screen. "I've been busy and I forget what it's called, a cultural exchange program, I guess? So it's no wonder she's helping out."

"So, what about you? Any drama at home?" Eloise asked, quickly changing the subject.

Dean grinned. He knew Eloise well enough to know that she was saving the juicy details for later conversation, but the fact that she had met someone so attractive was enough to make him jealous of her.

"Not as attractive as you, honey."

When Eloise laughed again and said, "Oh, you're so funny."

Dean couldn't take it anymore. Without thinking, he reached for his phone, and pressed the red button hard, as if he was trying to quench the fire of jealousy from within.

"Dean?" Eloise said, her voice filled with shock and confusion.

"Sorry, honey, but I have to go," she said quickly, her tone suddenly cold. "I'll call you back later."

Without waiting for her answer, Dean ended the call. The dial tone went dead. He sat there, stunned even by his own actions, his sudden jealousy turning the calm and collected man into an impatient and overly emotional man and he realized that he had been unfair to Eloise, who was probably now confused or worse, hurt.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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