❛❛ 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐔𝐒 , and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing our own skin.” ––––––––––––
name. cem cerkez
nicknames. cem
pronouns. he/him
age & birthday. november 7th, thirty six
zodiac. scorpio sun, capricorn moon, virgo rising
hometown. antayla, turkiye
sexuality. heterosexual + heteroromantic
residential area. downtown
relationship status. single
occupation. private Investigator @ rao investigations
length of time in briar ridge. 2 years
MUSINGS | CONNECTIONS | PINTEREST
❛❛ 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 ━
mother. melike cerkez
father. ahmet cerkez
siblings. pinar cerkez (younger sister)
niece. aysa cerkez (niece)
cousins. tba
❛❛ 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 —
trigger warnings: death, corruption, crime, torture
Cem Çerkez grew up in a well-established family in Antayla, Turkey. His father, a respected journalist, was often involved in high-profile investigations, while his mother was a university professor.
Despite his privileged upbringing, Cem always felt like an outsider in his own family. He was the quiet, observant type, more comfortable reading novels or working on puzzles than socializing at dinner parties.
His father’s intense work often kept him distant from the family, and his mother was too focused on her academic career to pay much attention to his personal needs.
When Cem was 18, his life was shattered by a brutal, unsolved tragedy: his father was murdered while investigating corruption within the Turkish government. The authorities dismissed it as a robbery gone wrong, but Cem knew it was much more than that. His father had enemies in high places. The case went cold, and the lack of justice left a deep scar on Cem.
Instead of following in his family’s footsteps and becoming a journalist or academic, he turned to something darker: the pursuit of justice, but on his own terms.
Determined to find answers, Cem began studying criminal law and investigative techniques on his own. He took odd jobs in security firms and later as a freelance investigator in Istanbul, slowly building a reputation for being sharp, relentless, and willing to get his hands dirty.
However, as he dove deeper into the murky underworld of corruption and deceit, his methods became more unorthodox. His obsessive drive to uncover the truth earned him a reputation as a man willing to break rules and challenge authority, which alienated many potential allies.
One particularly dangerous case in Istanbul nearly cost Cem his life. During an investigation into a powerful criminal syndicate, he was caught and tortured. Although he survived, the experience left him physically scarred and mentally exhausted. It was then that he decided to leave Turkey behind and start anew.
Cem moved to Briar Ridge, South Carolina, a quiet town far from the complexities and dangers of his past life. Seeking a fresh start, he opened up to the idea of working with Tanvi, an ambitious and intelligent private investigator who had already established a reputation for solving cases.
Their partnership grew quickly, with Cem bringing his sharp investigative skills and knowledge of the criminal world to the table, while Tanvi’s analytical mind and calm demeanor helped balance out Cem’s more impulsive nature.
Though he is no longer haunted by his father’s death in the same way, the dark memories of his past continue to linger. Cem struggles with trust and tends to keep people at a distance, even Tanvi, whom he deeply respects.
His past is a well-guarded secret, known only to a few, and he’s not eager to open up about it—especially as the cases they work on in Briar Ridge occasionally hit too close to home.
His experience with crime and corruption often leads him to view people in a cynical light, although he fights against this inner darkness by dedicating himself to uncovering the truth in every investigation..
❛❛ 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐒 ━
Highly skilled in surveillance and investigative techniques: Cem has a keen ability to notice details that others miss, and his background in criminal law makes him an expert at navigating legal loopholes.
Fluent in Turkish and English: His ability to speak multiple languages helps him in cases involving international connections or individuals with ties to the Turkish diaspora.
Self-defense and combat training: After his time in Istanbul, he became proficient in hand-to-hand combat and weaponry, skills that have saved his life more than once.
❛❛ 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒 ━
Role in Business: As Tanvi’s partner, Cem is the “field” investigator. He takes the lead on physical investigations, interviews, and surveillance, often working in the background while Tanvi handles the administrative and legal aspects of the business. His street smarts and ability to work under pressure make him an invaluable asset to the team. Though he’s not the one who usually deals with clients directly, when he does, his demeanor often makes an impression, and he’s known for extracting information in unexpected ways.
The Past That Still Haunts Him: Though Cem has started to rebuild his life in Briar Ridge, his past still follows him. He often gets drawn into cases that remind him of his father’s unsolved murder, and his thirst for vengeance and justice sometimes clouds his judgment. Cem is still trying to reconcile the man he was in Istanbul with the man he wants to be in Briar Ridge. And though he may never fully escape his past, he remains driven by the desire to uncover the truth, no matter where it leads.
Reluctant Hero: Cem didn’t set out to be a private investigator—he stumbled into it. After his father’s murder, he became obsessed with justice, not just for his father, but for the forgotten stories of people who never got closure. He took on cases to get closer to the truth, but every time he finds a clue or unravels a mystery, it brings him a step closer to his own emotional reckoning. Deep down, though, he often wishes he could walk away from it all. He hates the toll the work takes on him, but he can’t ignore the calling. Being a PI is more of a compulsion than a choice.
Coffee Addiction: Cem’s need for coffee is practically a survival mechanism. He has a stash of coffee beans from various parts of the world, and he’s always on the lookout for the best brew. His morning starts with a meticulously crafted cup of black coffee, no milk or sugar, just the bitterness of it grounding him. He takes it seriously—no instant coffee for him. When the stress of work gets overwhelming, he’ll brew several cups throughout the day. It’s his one indulgence in an otherwise controlled life.
Evasive About His Past: Cem isn’t the type to open up about his past. He’ll deflect with humor or vague responses when anyone tries to press him about his childhood or his parents. Only a few people—like Tanvi, whom he respects deeply—might be able to peel back the layers, but even then, he keeps a lot of his grief and anger locked up. The past is a dark place, one he tries to avoid. If pressed too much, he’ll shut down completely and distance himself emotionally.
Loves to Read, But Doesn’t Show It: Cem is an avid reader, but he hides it behind a tough exterior. He loves books—especially those that deal with the human condition, philosophy, and true crime—but he rarely talks about it. Most people assume he’s too busy with work to have time for literature, but when he’s alone, he’ll curl up with a book in a quiet corner of his apartment. He’s particularly drawn to books that challenge his worldview, making him think about morality, justice, and human suffering. It’s an escape, but also a way for him to make sense of the world he’s in.
Compulsively Organized, But Messy in His Own Way: While Cem is meticulous when it comes to his cases—every clue, every piece of information gets cataloged and organized—his personal space is a chaotic mix of clutter. His apartment is a bit of a disaster zone, with files, notebooks, and empty coffee cups strewn across the place. However, it’s organized chaos. He knows where everything is, even if no one else would be able to make sense of it. The mess is a byproduct of his work, but it also represents his inner turmoil—chaos he doesn’t quite know how to organize emotionally.
Holds Onto Sentimental Items: Cem isn’t the kind of guy to keep mementos from casual relationships or friendships, but he has a small collection of items that mean something deeply personal to him. He has an old pocket watch that belonged to his father, though he rarely takes it out. He also has a few photos from his time with his first ever girlfriend, carefully tucked away in a drawer. The memory of her is bittersweet for him, as he never allowed himself to fully open up to her. Despite his emotionally closed-off nature, these little things help him hold onto a past he can’t quite let go of.
Hides Behind a Smirk: When Cem does allow himself to show a bit of emotion, it’s usually through a smirk or a wry comment. It’s his shield—if he makes a joke or offers a sarcastic remark, he doesn’t have to deal with whatever emotions are bubbling underneath. His dry sense of humor is a defense mechanism, a way to hide his vulnerability. The people closest to him can tell when something’s off, but most wouldn’t dare push him to talk. It’s just easier to let Cem be Cem.
Can’t Stand Dishonesty: Though Cem himself can be guarded and secretive, one thing he can’t tolerate is dishonesty. Whether it’s a lie from a client, a colleague, or even a friend, Cem has a visceral reaction to being deceived. This is partly due to the pain of his father’s murder—the endless lies surrounding his father’s death, the deceit from people who should have been trustworthy. When he senses someone is hiding the truth, he digs deeper, even when it’s uncomfortable or dangerous. He sees truth as the one thing worth chasing, even if it costs him.
Has a Soft Spot for Animals: Despite his hardened exterior, Cem has a soft spot for animals. He doesn’t have any pets of his own (it’s too complicated for his lifestyle), but he’s often seen petting stray dogs or leaving food out for them. His heart softens when he sees animals in need. In a way, it’s an outlet for the care he doesn’t often express for people. If he ever settled down in one place long enough, he could easily imagine adopting a dog or a cat, though he’ll never admit it aloud.
Aware of His Flaws: Cem is self-aware in a way that makes his emotional distance even more tragic. He knows he’s closed off, he knows he’s not great at connecting with people, and he knows that his work sometimes consumes him at the cost of his own well-being. But instead of seeking help or trying to change, he just accepts it as part of who he is. He’s come to terms with his flaws, even if they make him a difficult person to love. He’s too stubborn to ask for help, but there’s a quiet desperation to his inner struggle, as if part of him knows he’s lost the ability to reach out.
Sees Himself as a “Watcher”: Cem doesn’t view himself as a hero. He sees himself as a “watcher"—someone who observes, uncovers the truth, but never gets involved emotionally. He’s a bystander in his own life. When it comes to the cases he takes on, he’s more of an investigator than a participant, and that mentality bleeds into his personal life. He watches from the sidelines, rarely stepping in when he should. It’s a protective instinct, a way to avoid getting too close to anything that could hurt him.
❛❛ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 —
ex/first love: tba.
business partner/boss: tanvi rao
fake dating/family friend: alara kaplan
crush/flirtationship: jiya santa
tolerates/reluctant friend: raj singh
