Chapter 1

I was having a completely ordinary Tuesday in Istanbul when Lucas Johnson invited me to the Oscars.

……..

"If we looked at these action steps alongside your vision, how well do you think they align?"

Lucas paused. "Hmm. I've never really thought about it that way."

"If it works for you, rate them on a scale of one to ten—ten being perfectly aligned. Where would you put yourself?"

"Five. Maybe six." He nodded slowly. "Okay, I get it. We should revisit these. Thank you, Maya. Talking to you always helps."

"That's what I'm here for. Same time next week? We can start with the revised action steps."

"Perfect. See you then."

We smiled and waved as the Zoom window closed.

My next session didn't start for another thirty minutes. I made myself a coffee, settled into the chair by the window, and watched the street below.

The trees were starting to bloom.

My favorite season.

Spring had come to Istanbul.

…………

I'd been Lucas's functional medicine health coach for a year. He lived in Los Angeles, but that had never been a problem. Maybe that was the pandemic's most unexpected gift—you didn't have to be in the same room anymore. The same screen was enough.

How I ended up in coaching is another story.

I'd studied economics in Ankara, one of those degrees parents dream about. The plan was simple: get a job at a major company and keep climbing.

I did everything I was supposed to do. Long hours, strategic finance, endless reports and presentations. But somehow it never came together the way I'd imagined. Every performance review ended the same way.

"You're doing well. You work hard. But there's no narrative. Let's revisit next year."

I never quite mastered the art of climbing the corporate ladder.

Eventually, I admitted I didn't want that life anymore.

I stumbled across an American coaching program. In Turkey, hardly anyone had heard of it, so I focused on building a presence in the U.S. The first years were rough. Eventually, I built a client base in both countries.

…………

Lucas had come into my life completely out of nowhere.

I'd just gotten home from the gym when a WhatsApp message popped up. In English.

"Hello, could we schedule an introductory call for coaching?"

"Of course," I replied.

A Zoom link followed. I clicked it.

A young, polished American woman appeared on screen.

"I was hoping to speak with Ms. Maya."

"Hi—I'm Maya."

"I wanted to reach out on behalf of a client of mine. I'm interested in functional medicine myself—I heard about you from a friend. If you don't mind, let me bring him in... Lucas?"

A young man with light brown hair appeared on screen.

My eyes went wide.

Lucas—an actor whose name was just beginning to mean something. I'd actually loved one of his shows.

"You're... Lucas Johnson?"

"Yes."

"Oh wow. I'm so sorry. I love your show."

"Thank you," he said with a smile.

I pulled myself together, explained my approach, and walked him through the concept.

"You have a very warm, calming presence."

"Thank you... let's give functional medicine the credit."

We agreed on a trial session the next day.

The moment I met Lucas, I liked him. I had a feeling we'd work well together.

We did the trial.

From that day on, we met every week.

…………

Over time, Lucas and I had built something real. Our coaching sessions gradually became less frequent, but Lucas wasn't ready to stop completely.

Fair enough. He was under enormous pressure, and he'd told me the sessions were helping. We spent a lot of time working on stress management.

I still remember the day he opened Zoom and, before even saying hello, shouted,

"I got invited to the Oscars, Maya!"

He was laughing. Almost bouncing.

"Can you believe it? The Oscars. The night I've been dreaming about since I was four years old. The biggest stage in cinema. I got invited. I still can't believe it."

His voice was shaking.

Lucas was genuinely talented. I'd known that since our first session. All he'd ever wanted was to act. Small theaters, indie films, tiny roles, and whatever jobs paid the bills in between. Retail. Driving. Waiting tables. There were thousands of kids like him in Los Angeles.

Lucas was one of the lucky ones.

The small roles became bigger ones. Then films. Then leading roles.

"I'm so happy for you," I said. "Honestly, I'm not even a little surprised. Every event you've gone to, you've been the most magnetic person in the room. And I have a feeling..." I smiled. "One day that little gold statue will end up in your hands."

"God, you're the best. I was starting to spiral again, and now I'm already coming back." He paused. "Now for my real question. Will you come with me?"

I leaped out of my chair.

My coffee went flying. Some landed on the screen, some on me.

"What? Me? Why me? Why not your sister, your actor friends, your best friend? Are we really talking about the Oscars?"

All coaching, all composure—gone.

Honestly, when in the history of coaching had a client ever invited their coach to the Oscars?

Lucas burst out laughing.

"Look at Ms. Maya! The woman who says anything can be handled—completely lost it!" He winked. "Why you? Because if I fall apart that night, you're the only person who can pull me back together." His voice softened. "And... I actually want to meet you. We've been talking for over a year. Is there a better reason to come to America than this?"

I went quiet.

"So... are you in? Come on. Please, please, please."

"If I come... we'd have to end our coaching relationship."

I didn't love saying it, but the professional boundaries were clear. There was nothing wrong with becoming friends after the coaching relationship ended, and we'd already worked together for a year.

"Wait... why?"

I explained.

He thought for a moment.

"Fine," he said. "My schedule is turning into a disaster anyway. And having you as a friend sounds even better."

I laughed.

"Okay. Deal. How much time do we have?"

"Two weeks."

My visa was still valid.

I thought for a second.

"Alright... what am I going to wear? My Zara mini dress probably isn't going to cut it."

Lucas barely held back a laugh.

"That's already taken care of. Francis will handle everything." He winked. "That night, we're going as Mr. and Ms. Diamond."

"Everything is going to be perfect."

……………………

When I stepped off the plane in Los Angeles, the first thing I did was breathe in.

Every city has its own smell. Los Angeles, in the cool spring air, smelled of mist and exhaust, a hint of the ocean, flowers, and something like lemons.

This was my second time here. The first time I'd been a tourist. This time, someone was waiting for me.

Lucas.

Sometimes I forgot who he was when I saw him every week on Zoom. But the world was starting to recognize him, and tomorrow I was going to the Oscars with him. That thought excited me almost as much as it excited Lucas.

I grabbed my bags and stepped outside.

The first thing I noticed was the billboards.

Pablo Calieri posters were everywhere. The Madrid-born singer had become impossible to miss over the last few years. I'd discovered him through some of my American clients, and I loved his music.

A thought crossed my mind.

Would he be at the ceremony?

I hadn't properly fangirled over anyone in years, but this man had awakened something left over from my early twenties.

I imagined him suddenly appearing in front of me. Me freezing completely. Him wondering who on earth I was.

Even in my own daydream, I couldn't move.

I laughed at myself.

"Stop it."

He was probably on tour anyway.

Good thing, I thought.

The reason I liked him so much probably had something to do with how much he reminded me of us—of Turks. Someone who cared about his country, spoke his mind, and somehow still found time to make beautiful music.

I won't even get into the cheekbones.

I hailed a cab.

…………

My hotel was on a beautiful, tree-lined street. I woke up the next morning buzzing with excitement. Lucas and I were finally going to meet in person.

Would it be awkward?

I didn't have long to think about it. My phone rang.

"Heeey, good morning!" Lucas said, already full of energy.

"Good morning!"

"Come downstairs. I'm outside. Let's get breakfast."

He was already here.

I got ready quickly and headed downstairs. My heart sped up a little in the elevator. I took a deep breath, crossed the lobby, and stepped outside.

There was Lucas in all his warmth. He stood up the moment he saw me.

"I don't believe you," he said. "You're even slimmer in person than on Zoom."

I laughed. He opened his arms, and we hugged.

Just like that, every bit of awkwardness disappeared. He was exactly the same person I'd spent a year talking to on Zoom. We fell into conversation as if we'd known each other forever.

Because, in a way, we had.

The Oscars were the next day.

"We'll head to the hotel around noon," Lucas said. "My manager booked us a suite. We'll get ready there."

"Wow. We're extremely fancy people."

"That's actually my favorite part. The outfits, the hair, the makeup. They turn you into the best version of yourself."

"I thought we'd do a little sightseeing today, and I'd like you to meet my sister Laura."

"Perfect."

Laura welcomed me just as warmly. We spent the whole day exploring the city together.

The next afternoon, I saw my dress waiting in the suite.

Burgundy.

A stunning gown.

"Will I even fit into this?"