Deon and David were in the conference room. Alice was presenting few slides for their upcoming project. According to the plan, they were planning to open few cafés in subways. Lisa came in amidst the discussion.
"Sorry to interrupt Mr. David."
"Go ahead Lisa." David looked at her.
"Mr. Albert asked you to come home before five."
"I forgot that. Ok thank you Lisa. Arrange a gift from the stores for Deniz and Zara." David said.
When the time was sharp five, Camillie visited the hall in the backyard. Zara was there with a menial. She was arranging the dishes in order. Table was full of everyone's favourite cuisine that could melt Camillie's mouth.
"Zara, table is beautiful."
"Isn't it, mom? I like this too." She said happily.
"David and Deon will be there soon. What about Deniz? I called him, but didn't he pick up." Camillie enquired Zara.
Zara wasn't aware of him either. She didn't get a call or a message. Zara looked at Camillie without an answer.
"Zara, didn't he call you?" She again asked.
"No mom, actually he told me, he would return today. I guess, he may be on the way home." Zara said.
"Call him now." Camillie suggested what Zara wanted to do. So she dialed his number and didn't get a response.
After some time, David and Albert came. Camillie got worried seeing them as Deniz wasn't there. She didn't want her son to be blamed all the time.
"Where's Deniz?" it was Albert's first question for Zara but she didn't know what to say.
"He's coming after a show dad. His flight got delayed so he'll be late." Camillie responded instead her.
"Let's start with Zara's special sugar free cheese tart grand pa. Deniz will join us soon." Deon came to the place with Alina concussing to the chat.
Albert looked upset but agreed to conduct the party for Zara. Zara served them with full of love.
"It's great Zara. Every piece is special." David said.
"That's right. This is scrumptious." Albert also praised her.
Everyone enjoyed the food while having a chat. But Zara was glancing at the door waiting for Deniz.
Zara was sent to the villa after the dinner. Since their stuff had been taken earlier, she didn't have much to bring except her hand bag. After having blesses of elders she got into the car and driver drove out fast and flew towards the outer villa of Arnauds'.
The area was calmer than previous one. There was a small lake next to the villa. Zara could experience the peaceful nature even before entering to the house. So, she took a visit around the house which was highly cheerful. The backyard was full of flowers and different species of herbs and there was a summer hut by the lake. Frequently, she could hear plummy tweets of birds. Hence, Zara enjoyed the beauty for a while after a long time.
She was welcomed there by the house keeper, Dalcy when she entered from the back door. It was a big two-storied house that had been built according to the French colonial architecture.
Zara was taken to the living room by Dalcy.
"Camillie madam told me you liked sweets. So, I'm preparing, a sweet corn soup." Dalcy told.
"Thank you. I'll have it before going to bed. Can you show me my room? I want to change." Zara politely asked.
"Second room, up-stair." Dalcy showed her room and went back to the kitchen.
Zara stepped up and opened her room's door. Surprising, Deniz was there on the bed watching a car game. She was glad seeing him after a long day. But Deniz even didn't care about her and continued watching his show.
"Everyone was waiting for you today. Grand pa was upset too." Zara broke the silence.
Deniz looked at her face and then again, started watching. "We're going to live here, hereafter. This is your house now. Don't worry about other things." He gave a reply after some time.
Zara unpacked her drapery to the cupboard. That room wasn't bigger like the previous one but there was enough space for them. Dressing room and bathroom were spacious too. Even though it was an old house which was built in early nineties, house was full of amenities.
"Zara" Deniz called.
"Yeah" She came to him. Deniz showed her a chair, she drew the chair and sat opposite to the bed.
"This is the agreement I have told you before the wedding." He gave her a paper. "It has clearly stated everything. But if you have any more suggestions, we can add them too."
Zara didn't respond. As mentioned, it was one-year agreement, which would be ended in their first wedding anniversary. Zara sighed looking at the conditions.
"Zara?" Deniz was waiting for her response.
"hmm.." She murmured.
"Do you want to add more?" He inquired again.
"No. I'm fine with this." Zara said while turning pages.
"Ok then, but Lisa told me you were seeking for a job. You can't decide them alone, right. Don't defame my family. If you need money you can ask me or my mom." His voice was stern.
"Since our marriage is an agreement, I can't just ask money Mr. Deniz. We're not that much related to do so." Zara told him.
"I'm not giving you free. You're going to work for me. And stop using that Mister part. No one should hear that. Specially, Dalcy." "She's our old maid who is more loyal to my family. So, she may tell mom if she finds about us." Deniz proceeded his talk.
"Ok. I won't" Zara replied lazily. "But what should I do for you?"
"I want you to be my manager." Zara looked at him amazingly. It was a dream job for many girls in the city. Even her colleagues wanted to work at his studio.
"Don't over react. I'm just using you to distract the media. They always make scandals with my managers. But when it's you, no attention, no scandal." He explained.
"Ah.. I can understand."
"Read the agreement well. Everything is there. After the divorce, you'll get your job at our company until then work for me." His eyes were shiny when he said. It was like he was eagerly counting days for his divorce.
Zara could clearly see them, so she said, "Agreement will end soon."
"But, the most important thing is, there shouldn't be a third party. Agreement should be confidential." Deniz said and attended back to his game.
Zara opened her bag, took out a pen and signed the agreement.
"Here, it is." She gave it to Deniz who was enjoying his show.
"You should read it once at least." He told Zara being amazed.
"If I can't trust you, how can we share a room? Even though, our marriage is a compromise, it's still an espousal. I believe it that way." Zara replied peeping to his eyes. Deniz was looking at her too. His face blazoned suavity.
Later, Zara brought a tiffin box from the kitchen and gave it to Deniz.
"What's this?" He asked. "Chocolate cake. Mom told me that was your favourite."
Deniz removed the cover and got delighted. He had few bites cravingly. "Mom knows me the best, I just wanted to have some strawberry cake" he devoured the complete piece hastily. Zara smiled looking at him.
After tidying up the room, she went for a bath.
When she returned after a shower, the whole room was sprawled with lily fragrance. And it was more than enough to take Deniz's attention within no seconds. Deniz was blissful seeing her in a red negligee, so he couldn't take out his eyes from her. Zara wiped her wet hair then applied lotion to her hands. Next, took a pillow from the bed and went to the sofa. Deniz which was on the other side of the bed was observing her act.
"Don't create new problems. You can sleep here. We had slept in the same bed earlier. Hadn't we?" Deniz scolded her then, went to sleep switching off lights.
Zara jumped into the bed and lied next to her arrogant husband. Since that was a rainy day, night was quite cold, so she shrank under a fluffy blanket.
When the alarm rang, it was six in the morning, but Deniz and Zara was in a deep sleep. Deniz threw the alarm clock in a slumber. He opened the eyes and happened to see Zara was lying peacefully on his chest. He could smell her hair which were spread around. Deniz tried to move her head but, she turned to him and hugged him from sleep. Even though, it was a misty morning, Deniz experienced Zara's warm clasp.
Zara woke up late after a long sleep and realized the situation there. She was shy and reticent, therefore Zara got up and stepped out like a rocket.
"I'm sorry." She whispered low. Then, ran to the bathroom. Deniz laughed seeing her defect.
She didn't come out for an hour after went in so, Deniz had to use another bathroom. After getting dressed for an event, he called out Zara, "Zara..Zara".
"I'm coming." Her squeaky voice came out from the dressing room.
He went down, had the breakfast and went to his car. Zara came running to him like an arrow, as Deniz had horned few times. Her fretful look made Deniz happy.
"Don't be late again. And don't act like a manager in front of people. Act as my wife." Deniz pretended to be tough while smiling.
"Had breakfast?" He asked her and Zara nodded 'no'.
"Henceforth, got up early. Then you'll have time for yourself." Zara was ashamed to hear those words. She diverted her head towards the roadside. Even though it wasn't their first drive together, she acted so.
They arrived to the place after fifty-minute drive which was crowded with Deniz's fans. Media was waiting for them too. Zara got funky seeing the crowd.
"Get down with a smile. Don't show your personal mood here." Deniz said.
"Your ring." Zara gave him the wedding ring before he getting out the car. Following his move, Zara stepped down too. Buzz became high seeing the couple together.
"Denizz.." his female fans yelled crazily. Deniz waved at them and went to the hall handing together with Zara.
Deniz joined his group and went to the stage. So, Zara had to wait in his makeup room all alone. Later on, a girl came to the room who looked fulgent and bossy. She didn't care about Zara's existence and changed the TV channel even without asking.
"I was watching that." Zara innocently said.
"But I don't like it." She replied in a harsh manner. Zara didn't want to argue, so she inclined towards magazines in the shelf.
"I can't believe Deniz got married to you." She expressed grudgingly looking at Zara. "I thought he had a good taste. But look at you."
"Your thought is absolutely correct Julie. I have a good taste." Deniz joined to the chat.
Julie hurriedly hugged him and kissed his cheeks. Unfortunately, Zara had to witness their dalliance alone. Deniz moved back and went to Zara. He didn't need Julie to judge Zara.
"Since my taste is good, how did you suspect me this time Julie?" He asked impassively.
"Don't say this is your choice Deniz. I know you better than Esmee." Julie was overestimated.
Deniz smiled at her, then dragged Zara and chewed her lips. After a while he turned to Julie and said, "Hmm. No change. she's still my favourite taste." And then, kissed Zara's forehead. Zara was happy but she didn't imply. Her face had been narrowed down.
Julie went out angrily leaving them. Zara was watching the incident while her heart was fluttering with butterflies.
"Can't you handle only one person?" Deniz asked after she left.
"I thought, she was your…"
Deniz interrupted fuming, "my what?...girlfriend? if she was that would be my past, but you are my wife. Act like one."
Zara remained, silent, she knew his anger. But he was worried as well, "Let's go for breakfast." He took her hand and went to the car. She copied his footsteps like a kid.
"How is the show?" Zara enquired behind him.
"It was good until I was there."
"So, did you leave it midway?" Deniz didn't mention anything when Zara asked, but he had left the show for Zara.
They drove to the subway which was less crowded, and arrived to one of their restaurants in the city, "I wanted to have Steak-frites. Do you?" Deniz asked.
"Yeah.. I love it." She gladly jumped out the car.
Camillie was sitting in the salle reading a novel. David came to her.
"You started reading again?" He mocked.
"I miss Deniz, David." She was sad.
"Truly, I'm missing him too. But this is better for him. Now he will learn things."
"Mom…" Alina came hurriedly carrying her phone. "Look at this." She showed them photos of Deniz and Zara. "They are dining out together." David and Camillie were satisfied seeing the photos.
"My boy is handsome." Camillie touched the phone's screen.
"I think dad is right Cami. Deniz will change soon." David proudly expressed.
Deniz dropped Zara at the hospital and went back to his office. It was an overwhelming victory for Zara to see Emmanuel's virtuous face again. When she went to him, he was watching television with his care taker.
"Zara." He called her lovingly.
"Did you come alone?" He looked at the door.
"Yes dad, why?" Zara didn't know that he wanted to meet his son in law.
"I thought you would come with your husband."
"Oh! my dad, he's busy. He's a famous singer he can't go everywhere like us." Zara pacified him. "I promise, you can meet him after you get discharged."
After spending her whole day at the hospital Zara departed. She went to the market and bought some utensils and groceries for the new house. Then called for a taxi. Since, the house was a bit far from earlier one it wasn't easy to grab a bus.
When Zara reached home, Dalcy was chopping vegetables.
"Dalcy, put these into the cupboard. I'll prepare dinner after having a shower." She gave her the bags and went to the room.
Zara had a list of Deniz's favourite dishes. So, she thought of preparing shrimp cheesy pasta along with sweet sour pork dish.
Julie was having a drink with Esmee at her apartment.
"What did Deniz tell?" Esmee asked.
"He got furious hearing your leave."
Esmee laughed, "He should learn the pain I went through."
"Are you really going back to Canada?"
"Let's see Julie. By the way it's fun to see Deniz hanging out with that cheap girl. He's ruining his own life." Esmee said while watching their pictures.
Deniz came back home after eleven. Except Zara all were asleep when he rang the doorbell. At the moment she opened the door, she could feel that he was sloshed a little.
"I didn't have a key." He told entering to the veranda.
"It's ok I wasn't asleep. May I heat the dinner?"
"I had dinner with Julie."
He went up. Even Zara didn't want to eat alone at that late hour. So, she put the dishes into the fridge again and went to bed.
"Esmee is leaving Paris." Deniz's voice came from the other side of the bed. "She's leaving me." He said. His tough voice had become sluggish.
"She will come back for you." Zara tried to console.
"Julie told me everything. She's her best friend."
"I thought Julie was your friend."
"She is my friend and my ex-manageress." Deniz said. "I didn't think Esmee would leave me easily." He became sensitive. Zara felt bad for him too. She turned towards Deniz who was lying beside.
"Girls are stubborn sometimes. But they never want to leave their love. They get angry because they love."
"Do you think she still loves me?" Deniz asked curiously. His eyes were hopeful.
"Anyone will love you." Zara said touching his head.
Deniz got closer to her and lied on her arm. Zara cuddled him with love.