Forced to Be Stepmom
A Little Wound of Zara's Past

Police held a press conference over the ambush of an online gambling center that had previously occurred.

"Yes, we have made an ambush and all have been secured. We have also had some evidence regarding the flow of funds and all this time they have been doing". Said the police chief who wanted to do an interview with some media.

There is also Tofan yang and Nino who can only be silent with the decision of the police chief to conduct the interview.

"Sir, why don't you stand there and hold a press conference? This case is your job and you who have worked hard to catch those people. Why must the police chief stand as a hero?". Nino spoke in an annoyed tone and eyes that kept staring cynically at her own police head.

"Don't say that. He is our superior. It's important for him to take responsibility for all the cases handled by our police station". Tofan responded with a calm demeanor and a clear smile even though it was a forced smile.

"We would also like to express our special thanks to Mr. Radit Nugraha's family for his eldest son having helped us during the ambush".

Tofan and Nino were very surprised when they heard the question from their superiors.

"How could he do that?" nino's murmur was also heard by Tofan.

"I also don't understand what he means. What is clear is that he's doing it deliberately to take the attention of everyone or maybe he's planning something?". Tofan muttered as he thought about what the police chief was planning.

...****************...

Lathan School.

Zara was sitting alone in the garden enjoying the drink she bought. He kept staring at the other student who was joking with his friend while laughing together.

"How could they laugh like that?" muttered Zara who continued to look at the student with a confused face. He propped his chin with one hand as he looked at her.

"Of course they do it because they are happy and have no burden at all" Lathan said, speaking behind Zara's back

Zara was very surprised when Lathan was suddenly behind her. He stood up and looked at Lathan

"You! How did you get here?!" zara asked in a slightly high tone and frown.

"Of course I walked here. You think I can fly?". Lathan responded with a teasing smile on her lips.

"What are you here for?" ask Zara cynically.

Lathan looked at the student in front of her with a smile.

"Why are you afraid to laugh like them? Hm.. ? But ... You're not afraid to live happily with me, are you?" lathan asked with a thin smile on her lips and both eyebrows raised together.

"What do you mean?" zara asked with cynical glaring eyes.

"Is it still unclear? I want you to always be by my side and live happily with me" Lathan said with a teasing smile.

"Crazy! You're really crazy!"

"Yes you're right. I've gone mad because of you". Lathan teases Zara more and more and that makes her misbehave.

"You .. you .. " said Zara who misbehaved Lathan's words.

Lathan looked at Zara fixedly with a gentle gaze.

"I don't know what you're afraid of, but I will try to always make you happy. Although there are no laughs like them, but I want to make you smile".

Zara looked deeply into Lathan's eyes, who seemed to be speaking sincerely.

Lathan fell silent with a gaze that remained gentle. He tries to convince Zara that he really wants to be in a relationship with Zara.

"Because I like you. I don't like the other girl you said that. I just want to be close to you and be a part of your life. What would you fear if I were close to you? Why do you always shy away from getting closer to other people except Fandy?". Lathan looked at Zara with a questioning look.

Zara looked at Lathan with a confused look. He didn't know how to give an answer to Lathan's question.

"I have to go back to class. There's a task I haven't done".

"Ra, wait! You haven't answered my question!"

Zara immediately went up and left before Lathan without waiting for a response from her. He continued to step quickly leaving Lathan who was looking at him with a confused and curious look on his face.

Zara continued walking with quick footsteps without looking back and forth. He continued walking straight with his head bowed as if to hide what was in the look of his eyes. He didn't even realize Fandy was right in front of him.

Bruk!

"Aduuh …". Zara falls to the ground after colliding with Fandy

"I'm sorry. You're not papa?". Fandy, who did not know it was Zara, extended his hand to help.

"I'm not papa". Zara responded to Fandy without raising her head. He also did not welcome Fandy's hand. He still kept his head down with teary eyes.

Slowly Fandy realized it was like Zara. He bent his body and stared fixedly at Zara's face.

"Ra, are you okay?".

Zara finally lifted her head after realizing the person in front of her recognized her.

"Mrs …". Zara called out Fandy's name in a soft voice. Her tears slowly flowed without being able to be dammed again.

"Come on. Let's find a seat first". Fandy helps Zara stand up and breaks her into a quiet place to talk.

"What's going on? Did anyone hurt you?" . Fandy asked after they arrived at the back of the school building and gave him a tissue to wipe away Zara's tears.

Zara shook her head slowly while wiping away her tears.

"Do I deserve to be liked by someone?" asked Zara interrupted her sobs with her head bowed.

Fandy was silent and did not understand.

"What's going on? Why do you ask such a thing?". Fandy increasingly did not understand by sitting the problems faced by his cousin.

"Fan, I caused my brother to die. Don't I deserve to be happy? But what if it turns out that I start expecting happiness that until anytime I do not deserve it? I'm afraid Fan. hiks...hiks...hiks". Zara began to tell stories on the sidelines of her sobs.

"Ra, who said you didn't deserve to be happy? It wasn't all your fault. Forget about your past and live according to what you want! Your brother wouldn't like to see his sister always locked up in the past". Fandy tries to speak softly to convince Zara.

"Fan, if it's not my fault .. Then why are my parents cold to me and ignoring me since my brother died? Why don't they ever notice me and they never say I'm prettier when I smile? Why Fan? Wh why? When all parents spend more time with their children, my parents prefer to work than see me. Even to hear my voice ..they never like it. You know for yourself that they always ignore me when I talk. Fan, is that what you said with all not my fault?".

Fandy just fell silent while patting Zara's shoulder slowly. He didn't know how to calm Zara down.

Behind one of the walls, Lathan listens to Zara's complaint to Fandy.

"What have you experienced until you were so afraid to live happily and chose to be wary of anyone near you?"