Love Over Everything (Zanara's Story)

Mark was studying when he heard the sound of tapping heels approaching his room and stopping right in front of the door. He was sure it must be his wife who had been looking for him since he was no longer in bed.

He hurriedly opened the door that was locked. He wanted to caress his wife a little in this place to create a different atmosphere for them. Unfortunately, it was not his wife-Zanara-who stood before him, but Laura-or Bernadette.

"What do you want? It's late; you should be getting rest with your son." Mark took a step back and was about to close the door. However, Laura quickly pushed the door back open.

"He's also your son, Mark. Please don't deny it! Why are you so scared, Mark? You've been avoiding me for a while now. Why?"

"Why don't you stop, Laura? Our relationship is over."

"Give me what I want, and I will keep my mouth shut so your beloved wife knows nothing," the woman with copper-colored hair said to the man with the chiseled jaw before her. It was clear that the man had refused her request.

That's why she pulled out the final move; a threat.

"What do you want?" the man asked, finally.

The woman with the synthetic body of a Spanish violin brought her lips to the man's ear, wanting to tell him what she wanted. But erotically. Because, of course, she didn't want anything ordinary.

Not something ordinary, but more than what the man had imagined.

"I want you, Mark. Right here, right now!" she whispered in the ear of the man she called Mark.

The man suddenly moved his body away.

"You're out of your mind, Laura! You want me to betray my wife in my own home? What if she finds out? What if-"

"What if she not? She still sleeps, Mark, and I promise you not to scream as we did in the past."

The woman called Laura didn't wait for Mark's answer but silenced the man's words with wild strokes. Finally, Mark succumbed to the passion increasingly spoiled by the touch and temptation blown by Laura.

At that very moment, Mark turns into another person, no longer a man who upholds loyalty to Zanara-the only woman who can master all his soul and body and whom he has loved for a long time. He even considers Laura a mere incarnation of Zanara, and his love for Laura will never match his passion for Zanara.

What happened to Mark was no longer the case. He had forgotten how he fought for the woman of his heart to become his wife-the mother of his unborn baby.

The man groaned, enjoying the play by the woman who moved freely above him. All were happening right in front of Zanara.

Zanara could not and would never forget that moment, ever.

HONK HONK!!!

The sound of the horn was deafening and took Zanara's mind away from the time dimension she had traveled to a few hours ago.

She was now on the road, trying to escape, of course. Zanara doesn't know where she's headed, but certainly not Evermont-a place full of memories that taught her many lessons-whether it was sweet or bitter.

One thing is for sure; she will never forgive the man who she considered half her life but betrayed her.

Zanara drove the car in a hurry. Mark must be chasing her now. She didn't care where to stop or where to get help. It was impossible to ask Gabriel for protection since Alice was always with him.

She could still imagine how Mark seemed to enjoy himself when he made love with Laura, his ex-girlfriend. And what hurt Zanara even more was that the two lovebirds were committing indecent acts in their home-Zanara and Mark's home. It was a betrayal that Zanara found hard to forget.

Zanara finally stopped the car at the airport. She had brought everything she needed. Especially the few bills and savings that were safe in her bag. She didn't know where she was going-anywhere, as long as she could escape Mark and her past with him.

Occasionally she rubbed her growing belly. Her pregnancy was seven months old, and she was supposed to give birth in two months. Unfortunately, the fantasy of being able to give birth happily accompanied by her husband would not happen.

"Excuse me, where is the plane's destination that will fly shortly?" Zanara asked the ticket officer.

The uniformed employee stood before she checked the computer screen, then turned back to Zanara, who was waiting for reassurance. It was clear that this prospective passenger had not yet decided where she was going.

"Destination Istanbul, Turkiye, ma'am. They were departing in three hours. Will you be choosing that destination?" the ticket agent asked, prepared for the prospective passenger to choose the destination she had mentioned.

Zanara nodded hesitantly.

She had promised herself that she would never run away from anything again. And this was the second time she had run away. However, she had a good reason for doing this.

She couldn't stay with a man who had betrayed her. And ... it's exactly what Brandon said when they last met. Mark had a secret that might interfere with their married life. And now it was proven.

"Do you already have the ticket?"

This time Zanara shook her head.

"Can I buy them here?"

The employee said yes, helped Zanara with the purchase and registration, and let her go to the waiting room.

She moved hesitantly. In a situation where she needed Mark's attention and care-because she was about to give birth to their daughter-this was precisely what she had to deal with.

Zanara didn't want to wait long. She hurried to the place directed by another airport employee. She had no idea what Turkiye was like, nor did she know anyone there. However, it would be better if she wanted to escape so that no one would recognize her and know where she was.

Especially Mark.

Bursa - Turkiye, three years later

"Welcome. What kind of cake would you like-" Zanara's sentence was cut short when she saw who was standing before her. The man flashed the most charming smile, then held a bill to Zanara standing at the counter.

"What do you want?" Zanara hissed sharply. The look in her eyes exuded annoyance. The man seemed to be out of work for coming in almost every day at lunchtime and ordering a portion of shortcake and tiramisu to share with Marion-Zanara's daughter. And Zanara's biggest mistake was bringing Marion to work again today.

"Calm down, Zee ... I want to see Marion; you don't need to be so angry. Strawberry shortcake for my date and tiramisu for me. Thank you."

Zanara grabbed the money in Jayme's hand irritably. "Don't forget that Marion is my daughter, Doctor Demir."

"Ah, you have such a heart for me. Even now, you still call me that formally." Jayme sighed loudly. "I don't know what else to do to melt your heart."

"Don't digress. My customers will be reluctant to buy cakes at my shop if you keep coming in like a mentally ill person. Eat, then get out of here!"

Zanara thrust the tray with two pieces of cake in front of Jayme and was about to turn around, but Jayme's hand caught Zanara's arm.

"You ... don't want to come to eat with me? Have you eaten yet? You must take care of your health for Marion's sake, otherwise-"

"PAPA ..."

Jayme turned her head instantly when he heard Marion's call, which was like an alarm for Jayme. He liked the little girl, apart from liking her strict mother. Let's say that Marion comforted him after getting those offensive words from Zanara.

Jayme squatted down to align his height with the little girl wearing a tutu skirt with her reddish hair tied up. There was a small ribbon decorated there; Marion was indeed lovely like her mother.

"Hi ... here comes my favorite girl. How are you? Did you and your mom have lunch? Why don't you take Mommy out to eat with you?" Jayme leaned closer to Marion's ear while squinting, then whispered. "Your mama won't take me to lunch."

"Don't influence my daughter with your nonsense, Doctor Demir!" snapped Zanara, busily arranging the cakes in the display case. The shop was quiet this afternoon, and the cakes were almost run out. Maybe in the afternoon, she could close up her shop and return to their apartment.

Jayme stood before the counter, facing Zanara and staring into her beautiful hazel eyes.

"Let's have lunch with me. I know you'll make time for that; I mean eating and resting. However, I just wanted to make sure you did. Please."

Zanara didn't reply but sank into a deliberate preoccupation because she was nervous about Jayme coming to her shop. It wasn't that she liked him, it was that she had closed herself and her life off from men for so long, but this one guy kept sticking to her like used gum.

"Don't push it, Dokter Demir! Marion and I are fine."

Jayme sighed; he walked out of the shop, then dialed a number on his cell phone. A motorcycle with a big box with 'PizzaPaw' written on it stopped in front of Jayme, who was still standing where he was.

He received two pizza boxes and brought them inside, thrusting them in front of Zanara, who still couldn't get enough of the man.

"You don't want to eat out, so that means you want to eat here, right? Come with Marion and me. We'll eat together."

Zanara wanted to refuse, but it would be useless to do so when dealing with this man. This stubborn man had not stopped approaching her for two and a half years, to the point where Marion thought of him as her father. However, it was no loss for Zanara because Jayme loved Marion like her daughter.

As proof, he is now enjoying his meal while holding Marion on his lap and feeding the little girl a slice of pizza while she does her doll's hair.

"Marion, you can eat by yourself. Sit in your place and eat properly, okay? Let Papa-I mean, let Uncle Jayme enjoy his meal," she admonished, then sat down opposite Marion and Jayme, who were now sharing a smile.

Hearing Zanara-who, even though she had only casually called him papa-already made him feel as if he was flying to the seventh heaven.

He was so tacky and embarrassing right now. But that did not matter. It allowed him to enjoy his lunch and finish the few slices of pizza before him. He disliked pizza; he would rather eat kebabs or Zanara's butter sauce chicken. However, Zanara and Marion loved pizza.

"Enjoy it," Jayme said as he gently rubbed the top of Marion's head.

He then got up and exhaled, relieved that Zanara had finally-albeit half-heartedly-agreed to sit and eat with her.

"All right, Marion. Papa has to go to work; you're fine here with Mama. If you need anything, you know where to call, okay?" Jayme whispered to the little girl. Marion nodded, then smiled, showing her neat teeth.

Jayme then turned his attention to Zanara, still eating her pizza. He didn't want to disturb Zanara, but it didn't feel right to leave. Although, in the end, his goodbyes would only be met with a cold or stony response, he was used to that. That was the Zanara he knew, and Jayme was okay with that.

"Zee ... I'll take my leave. I have a lot of things to take care of, and I hope you won't hesitate to call me if you or Marion need anything. Thank you for the cake."

Jayme smiled without waiting for a response from Zanara; he then carried his briefcase and turned around to leave the woman's pastry shop.

Today his task was done, but there was still tomorrow and beyond to face. It would probably be the same as today, with no fresh air, just a grumpy and unfriendly attitude from Zanara. But He was okay with that. He liked Zanara just the way she was.

Although Jayme's life was complicated, even too complicated-because, after all, he was a man who also needed an outlet, but only to that extent, he still could not deny that he could not get rid of Zanara's shadow since the first time he met her.

Zanara's cell phone rang loudly just as Jayme was about to step out. The man failed to leave but turned around and stood directly behind Zanara.

Although the woman had never told him about the terror of the unknown number, Jayme knew all about it. He assumed it was the work of someone from Zanara's past.

"Same number?" the man asked, which made Zanara almost drop the flat object in her hand. She turned to Jayme, who had been behind her back.

"How did you know?" she replied, curious because she had never once given Jayme any information about her problems.

"Give me your cell phone."

"W-what are you going to do?" Zanara tried to snatch her phone back, but her efforts were futile, and she was now very close to the man.

The two stared at each other, and it was as if time had stopped. Neither Jayme nor Zanara realized it. Both stood still until Zanara remembered the object in Jayme's hand.

"My cell phone is ..." Zanara extended her hand while bowing-however, not Jayme.

The man still locked his gaze on one object. Only on Zanara. And soon, he handed over the object he had been asking for.

"Zee," he called without looking away. The woman answered briefly. "You have something on your face."

Zanara panicked instantly, and took a small mirror from the pocket of her apron, checking what was on her face. Is it dirt?

There was nothing there, and Jayme irresponsibly smiled to herself.

"Don't joke around! What's on my face?" asked Zanara, slightly exasperated.

Jayme shook his head.

"There's beauty over there. Alright ... I'll go first. Here's your phone; I've finished cleaning it from that intruder, so you're safe now."

Jayme then turned his body and swung away, leaving Zanara, who just stared at Jayme's retreating.

She was relieved that Jayme had finally left and would probably return after a few days. His job as a psychiatrist made Jayme stay at the hospital more often than at home. And on his days off, he would come to see Zanara and spend time with Marion.

Does he have no family to go to, so he always comes to Zanara?

Even though Zanara had always been rude to the man, Jayme seemed to have no qualms about coming again and again, with the excuse of meeting Marion, even though she missed Marion's mother.

Jayme had been approaching Zanara for a long time. Even since Marion was born, the man acted as if he had a responsibility towards Marion, so he always came and spent time playing with the little girl, who was getting used to even knowing that Jayme was her father.

"Mama, is papa going to stay with us? He always leaves and comes back after a few days," Marion asked innocently as they chatted on the balcony of the apartment.

Zanara stroked her daughter's hair which instantly reminded her of Mark. However, she quickly dismissed the thought. There could be no more of that man in Zanara or Marion's lives. For Zanara, Mark was dead.

"Marion, what should I tell you? Uncle Jayme is ... he's ..." Zanara sighed, resigned when she realized Marion was now asleep on her lap. Zanara smiled at the beautiful and innocent face in her arms.

Her memory went back to three years ago when she caught Mark doing something painful in front of her eyes. If she hadn't left home then, who knows what would have happened to her now?

Zanara's cell phone roared. Shienna's name was on it. It had been so long since her sister had contacted her, and now she finally made the call that the woman, who was now 33 years old but still looked as young and beautiful as a twenty-something, was looking forward to.

"Hey, how are you?" greeted Zanara, who was immediately greeted with an annoyed sigh. "What's wrong?"

"You know, Zee. Mark came to see me again to ask for information about you. Are you all right there?" asked Shienna after reporting what had just happened.

Zanara had asked Shienna not to tell anyone about her whereabouts. She did not want anyone to know where on earth she stood now. Her and Marion's life was already happy; she didn't want anyone to ruin it.

Zanara wanted her and Marion's life to be undisturbed by anything. And Jayme was an extraordinary occurrence. She never expected him to come into her life.

"I'm fine, as of now. Safe and still have my voice."

"That's good. How is that handsome doctor? Does he still visit you often?" Shienna slowed down this time, afraid that Zanara would get angry at her repeated questions about Jayme.

"That again. Please don't start, Shie ... I'm too lazy to talk about it. She had come earlier, and my mood suddenly became gloomy. How about just for you? His name is almost the same as your ex-husband."

Shienna laughed as she heard Zanara's words. "Are you kidding me? I don't want to get my heart broken again, Zee. All men, if they choose you, then they will stick to their stance. Even though we're twins, you remember how Mark-oops, sorry, Zee ... I didn't mean-"

Zanara let out a tired sigh. "No problem, Shie. Never mind, let's not talk about that. What about Aaron? Has he started school yet? I miss you guys so much. It would be best if you came here sometime. You'll love this place."

And chatter flowed between them as a way of letting go. After being forced to be apart for so long, there was naturally a longing in their hearts for each other. However, Zanara was confident that one day they would be reunited.

She is grateful that with Shienna, she doesn't feel alone because she still has someone who can be her best friend.

"Alright then, I just wanted to say that and check how you two are doing. I miss you, Zee. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up there soon. Bye ... I love you."

The call ended and left Zanara thinking about what Shienna had just said. Was Mark looking for her? Had he and she gone their separate ways? Wasn't the last she heard; Mark was engaged to that woman named Laura. Whether it was Laura or Bernadette, it was inevitable that the woman had ruined the harmony of Zanara and Mark's marriage.

However, it wasn't just Laura's fault because if it was love, no matter how strong the temptation, Mark would never waver. The reality was quite the opposite.

Reminiscing will never end, but it will only reopen the wound in Zanara's heart.

Zanara turned back to her phone screen and dialed the number of Melika, Marion's nanny. She needed her help tomorrow, as she no longer wanted to bring Marion to work. She didn't want Jayme to have an excuse to keep coming over. If he wanted to see Marion, he could meet her at home.

Zanara didn't want to meet that man, even by accident.

"Yes, Mrs. Miller?" greeted Melika from the other side. The 20-year-old girl sounded excited every time she received a call from Zanara. Another person loved Marion beside herself. And Jayme, of course.

"Hey, Melika. Can you keep Marion company all day at home tomorrow? And if you want, I want you to start doing it every day because starting tomorrow, I won't be taking her to work anymore."

"I will, ma'am. Thank you very much. I'll come early tomorrow. Thank you."

One problem had been solved. Now it was just a matter of organizing how to keep Marion from whining about coming with her to work. Marion was still a child, after all, so there would be times when she would ask to be clingy with her, fussing and all the antics that were sometimes adorable, even if they also annoyed Zanara.

However, her love for Marion is beyond measure. She would even die for the happiness of her only daughter.

Zanara then got up, lifted Marion's tiny body, and carried her into the room. She looked back at the little girl, rubbed her head, and kissed her lovingly. She left the girl to sleep while she began to prepare the ingredients for the bread she would sell tomorrow.

In the middle of her busy day, Zanara's cell phone rang for the umpteenth time. Another call from an unknown number. She had no idea how many times she had gotten such a call. And for the umpteenth time, despite her doubts, she was forced to accept the call.

"Hello," she greeted, hoping it would be one of her friends or family members. Or, if necessary, an unknown person or wrong number. However, what she received was just the opposite.

The voice of someone she could never forget for the rest of her life, who she had been trying to banish from the back of her mind.

"Hello, Zee. How are you ... and our daughter-what's his name? I miss you guys so much."