sweet as cherry wine.

ZEHRA OZDEMIR | owner of sea glass boutique | 35.

[zehrahq]

[cisfemale and she/her] Welcome to Aurora Bay, [ZEHRA OZDEMIR!] I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like [MELISA ASLI PAMUK]. You must be the [THIRTY-FIVE] year old [OWNER OF SEA GLASS BOUTIQUE]. Word is you’re [INDEPENDENT] but can also be a bit [STUBBORN] and your favorite song is [FROM EDEN BY HOZIER]. I also heard you’ll be staying in [AURORA BAY DRIVE]. // @aurorabayaesthetic

CHARACTER BASICS

NAME: zehra raeywen ozdemir (quinn) NICKNAME: zehra AGE: thirty-five DATE OF BIRTH: january 1, 1988 ZODIAC SIGN: capricorn GENDER & PRONOUNS: cisfemale, she/her ORIENTATION: pansexual STATUS: married but they’re not really together anymore HEIGHT: 5′8″ OCCUPATION: owner of sea glass boutique / model NEIGHBORHOOD: aurora bay drive

BIOGRAPHY

zehra grew up in a world of affluence wherein her father was a hotel tycoon, while her mother was a former supermodel. her parents spoiled her and her siblings to their heart’s content and she was pretty much treated like a princess. being the middle child, they didn’t ask much of her. and by that, they really expected nothing of her except that she should marry someone her father has chosen when the time comes. as a young girl, she was taught proper etiquette, how to conduct herself like a lady and to never raise her voice against the men in their family. she lived in a patriarchial home and as a young child, she didn’t see anything wrong with this.

during middle school, she was finally enrolled to a private school after being homeschooled for so long. it was a culture shock to the meek girl who wasn't really used to socializing with kids her age. however, that was also around the time she realized just how unjust her father's teachings are to them. that’s when her worldview began to change. their teachers didn’t simply teach them to be meek; they studied literature wherein girls were empowered and people were on equal footing no matter what their gender is. the sheltered young girl who always said yes slowly unfolded into this beautiful young woman who can stand her ground.

in college, she wanted to study business management with a specialization in hotel management since it was their family’s business, but her father simply laughed at her. he told her that she didn’t have the heart for something like it and that she would be better off studying something for women. besides, what use would she have of it when she’s never gonna apply it in real life anyway? her father wanted her to follow her mother’s footsteps who gave up on her career to be a housewife. however, zehra had different plans in mind and she didn’t want to just stay at home.

in order for her to get what she wants in the long run, she decided to appease her father and took a degree in interior design instead. she has an eye for beautiful things and creating beautiful living spaces anyway. the plan was for her to study business management as her second degree after she has proven herself to her father. however, things didn’t exactly go according to plan when she met nelson quinn during her last year of college. it was a whirlwind romance that resulted in them getting married after just a month of knowing each other. her father wasn’t exactly overjoyed by what happened and almost disowned her for that. as for zehra, she found this as an opportunity to break away from her family and to start her own while keeping her dreams alive.

just like most marriages, they were off to a wonderful start but their honeymoon phase soon turned sour at the death of nelson’s older brother. the two started traveling together, but the tragedy continued to loom behind the shadows as she felt the distance between the two of them growing and growing with each passing day. her own dreams were laid forgotten as she tried her best to just keep on making their crumbling marriage work. and as much as she loved him, she couldn’t stay with him anymore—she couldn’t keep picking up after his hedonistic lifestyle. it wasn’t like she woke up and decided to just leave him—it was a long hard thought decision for the woman and part of her didn’t want to leave him, but she had to put herself first this time.

zehra went back to college after the fallout, taking a degree in management wherein she graduated with high honors. to pay for her studies, she also did a bit of modeling at this time and she almost considered on making it a full time career. it was also around this time that she reconnected with her husband and although the two are living separately, they have an amicable relationship and they’ve decided that they are better off as friends. living in the us away from her family, she slowly made her way up the corporate ladder in the different hotels she managed. through sheer dedication and unwavering focus, she reached the pinnacle of her career as the general manager of a prestigious luxury hotel chain in new york.

her father's pride found its way to her accomplishments, offering an invitation to manage their own family hotel. yet, zehra knew she had grown beyond the constraints of her past, and respectfully declined the offer. it didn't take long for fate to reveal its fickle nature, as rumors and scandal engulfed her workplace, malicious whispers of how she slept her way to the top, which were all false. soon enough, she was relieved of her duties and no hotel in new york would take her in because of these baseless rumors.

everything she worked hard for came down crumbling again, but she refused to crawl back to her father and become a pawn to his game. instead, she found her way into this serene coastal town and bought her own little boutique. currently, she's renting a place in aurora bay drive and has been staying here for a few months now.

one could describe zehra as someone who walks with an air of elegance around her as her upbringing seems to still follow her. she also has a taste for designer clothes and expensive things as someone who was raised in that lifestyle. she is also headstrong and doesn’t like to lose in arguments, but she also has a penchant for playing along when she’s planning her next move. however, she can also be affectionate with the right people. she does have a big heart even though she may seem a little cold at first.

WANTED CONNECTIONS

friends/close friends/acquaintances

unlikely friends / new friends

enemies / rivals / frenemies

childhood friends (she grew up in europe but i’m still deciding on where exactly since her mother is dutch while her father is of turkish descent)

drinking buddies

gym buddies

ex/ex flings (could be on good terms or bad terms)

hookups (past or current) / friends with benefits / enemies with benefits

enemies who are attracted to each other

someone who's crushing on her because she's not the type to have a crush anymore smh

or anything you may have in mind tbh. just give this a like if you want to plot and i’ll slide into your inbox.

CURRENT CONNECTIONS

husband: nelson quinn

ex-gf: veronica herrera

family friend: tuncay celik

friend from new york: emira dursun

[thevaleriaxortiz]

open - @aurorabaystarter

where - four leaf during st. paddy's

While Valeria had years of waitressing under her belt, she never really had to work during a holiday like this, and she just sighed as she cleaned off a table, figuring the person nearby may be waiting to snag it "Sorry give me a sec. If I have to clean up neon green puke one more time tonight though I may quit."

[zehrahq]

maybe it was a bad idea to go out for a drink during these festivities since everyone seems like their drunk off their mind right now. zehra has half the mind to take a step back and maybe just go home but the waitress was already cleaning up the table. “oh no—don’t mind me and take your time. that honestly sounds disgusting though.”

[zehrahq]

" consider me impressed-- " zehra teased back though she definitely commends her for having the guts to do that. " it's not very ladylike, " she offered with a shrug, not that she cares much about that anymore. // @lucianaxalvarez

[lucianaxalvarez]

"if people want to touch me without my permission they will meet my fist. that's pretty much it." luciana shrugs her shoulders. "it may not be but allowing someone to touch you when they didn't ask, it's a typical shit they teach us in grade school. keep your hands to yourself."

@zehrahq

[zehrahq]

“and yet, some people has the understanding of a toddler—“ zehra trailed off as she pursed her lips together, before adding after a few moments, “oh wait, that might be a little offensive to a toddler since they do understand the word no.”

[zehrahq]

" just the mere sight of it is making me feel sick, " zehra added with a quiet huff since she could just imagine the hangover those drinks would bring. " when did we get so boring? i want to be able to do shots without a care, " the brunette sighed a little as she reminisced on those good old days. // @rominacortez

[rominacortez]

"I don't know that we got boring. Just started listening to our tired and overworked liver." Romina said with a laugh. "I've done pretty stupid things under the influence." Slept with random people, got herself arrested, even got married. "Half a bottle of wine is as far as I can go these days. If I drink more, I need to prepare beforehand." Ensure she had adequate medication and could preorder a hangover meal. / @zehrahq

[zehrahq]

“what kind of stupid things? i think we all did our fair share of those—“ zehra trailed off though she wanted to believe that she has more control of her whims even when inebriated. however, that wouldn’t really be the case since as evident by her past mistakes. “i’m honestly good with just a glass of wine now. two if i’m feeling a little more daring,” she added with a quiet chuckle.

[the-nelson-quinn]

It was rare that anyone cooked for him at least other than the times he had a chef on hand. That sort of thing where when you were that wealthy you could just have people come in and do your cooking and cleaning for you, but from someone who didn’t work for him it was rare. It also seemed to mean a lot more since it came from a more genuine place. He appreciated that from Zehra cause she didn’t have to do it. “ you know what that’s fair. Cause I didn’t even think i was gonna get home till way later. But my brother got home early. Didn’t have to be on bedtime story duty for the kids. They hate that I can’t do the voices like their dad. “ Nelson noted shaking his head. He never envisioned himself with kids. He was too messed up to want to bring kids into this world but he loved his niece and nephew. They could be a handful sometimes though. “ you already saw them. Where am I gonna hide them now? “ Nelson added shaking his head before he walked around the island and handed her the bouquet. He was trying so hard to not screw up the delicate balance the our had now. It seemed actually less complicated when they were platonic and married but the intimacy that came back that one night was sort of terrifying and he was treading carefully. “ throw you out? God no. I’ve said from day one you could live here as long as you want to put up with me “ he joked before shrugging a bit. He didn’t know why he bought them but he did and he thought she looked nice with them. “ I saw them and thought of you” @zehrahq

[zehrahq]

as he spoke about his niece and nephew with evident affection, zehra found herself swept away by the imagery his words conjured. in her mind, she pictured him tenderly telling bedtime stories, then gently tucking them under their blankets, while she lingered in the doorway, silently observing the scene unfold before her. at some point, it wasn't his niece and nephew anymore, but it was their little family--one that she had dreamed of a long time ago. but now, time has passed and honestly, zehra wasn't sure if she wanted kids at this point. it doesn't help that she's ageing and even if she decided that she wants them, it would be harder to conceive. shaking off her reverie, the femme offered him a soft smile, " you're great with them, you know. probably the coolest uncle they could ask for, " she remarked warmly, her admiration evident in her tone. as he made his way around the kitchen island to present her the bouquet of roses, zehra accepted them graciously, the gesture not lost on her. a dozen roses, each bloom a reflection of her style, filled the air with their sweet fragrance as she cradled them in her arms. " thank you, canım, " she murmured softly, her voice filled with gratitude as she leaned in to press a tender kiss on his cheek. zehra couldn't help but chuckle, her heart fluttering slightly at the thoughtfulness behind the gift. " beautiful and thorny? " she quipped, a playful glint dancing in her eyes as she joked with him. @the-nelson-quinn

[erickxng-deactivated20240930]

the compliment sits nicely on eric, glad to know he hadn't lost his touch in regards to being the gracious gentleman he was always taught to be. however eric was wildly out of practice, and despite the familiarity of this role it still seemed like an unfamiliar script to recount. "you really do look lovely." he repeats, as if to confirm his prior observation came out of honesty rather as a formality. once zehra is settled in her seat, eric finally allows himself to retreat back to his own. a waiter brings the pair water, but he's too nervous to drink anything right now. "no, you're right." his expression rests somewhere between acceptance and sheepishness, running an index finger over his thumb in circles. "it's my first date in a very long time. so please forgive me if i'm a bit... clueless." his mind drifts back to his last conversation with elijah, about how this might be good for him, regardless of the outcome.

@zehrahq

[zehrahq]

the compliment elicited a subtle flush in her cheeks, a rarity for someone not typically prone to blushing, yet perhaps it was the intimate ambiance of the restaurant. raising her glass of water to her lips, she took a delicate sip, allowing the cool liquid to linger on her tongue as she attentively listened to him speak. he appeared noticeably nervous, a departure from their usual interactions at the gym, but zehra found it quite endearing in its own right. leaning forward ever so slightly, she met his gaze with warmth and understanding. " i haven't been on a date in quite some time either, so i'm not entirely sure about the protocols anymore, " zehra admitted, her voice soft and reassuring. " but I suppose we can navigate them together, don't you think? " a gentle smile curved her lips as she returned his gaze, her eyes reflecting a sense of openness. // @erickxng

[juliet-harkness]

"I'm Juliet." She smiled, she knew her mother and after 33 years she knew the woman wasn't going to change, at least she learned to be herself around her, and let the critics not bother her as much. "They are perfect, she will love them." Juliet pointed out. "What else you have that is timeless classic?"

@zehrahq

[zehrahq]

" juliet from romeo and luliet? " zehra mused aloud, a knowing smile gracing her lips as she acknowledged the iconic association that often accompanied the name. it was a reference deeply ingrained in popular culture, one that instantly conjured images of star-crossed lovers and tragic romance. as the customer considered her options, zehra's gaze shifted to the pearl jewelry set on display nearby. with a graceful gesture, she directed the customer's attention to the matching pearl necklace. " we also have a pearl necklace that would complement those earrings beautifully. " // @juliet-harkness

[beautyxnthefire]

"But I'm so good at terrorizing boys who think they're men" she said calmly, evenly, all while glaring at the driver. Mia knew her resting face could give some people chills but the boy was positively ready to wet himself. In a bad way. "Too much?" she asked the other woman with a small smirk. || @zehrahq

[zehrahq]

zehra couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips at the woman's comment. she could easily understand why the other person might be terrified by the woman before them. after all, there was an undeniable intensity to her presence, an aura of authority that demanded attention. " you're gonna give that boy nightmares, " she remarked with a wry grin, her voice tinged with amusement. " but i bet they would deserve it for being such a reckless driver. " // @beautyxnthefire

[the-nelson-quinn]

Closed for @zehrahq

Nelson get like he had a lot to make up for when it came to Zehra. When he opened his home to her it wasn’t so that he could try to sleep with her again and then bring a series of men and women home to ridicule her by sleeping with them. He was just bad at relationships and he always had been. It was why they broke up in the first place and despite how much he still loved her, he wondered if his chaotic ass was too much to deal with. He wanted to make it up to her on some level, but he didn’t know where to start. The best place he could think of was to show her that he wasn’t a complete asshole. He was just trying to steal deal with some shit and had never been given the tools to cope. As he walked in to their shared living quarters he stopped short at seeing her in the kitchen. The whole surprise he had of giving her flowers seemed to be revealed instantly. “ well this is awkward. Cause these are for you and I was hoping to give them to you in a better place not over my kitchen island “

[zehrahq]

zehra stood at the kitchen sink, methodically drying off the dishes as the sound of footsteps announced nelson's arrival. without glancing back at him just yet, she called out over her shoulder, " i've made some chicken pesto and left yours in the fridge since i wasn't sure what time you were coming home. " or if he was coming home for that matter, but evidence would suggest otherwise. turning around to face him, she raised an eyebrow at the sight of him holding a bouquet of flowers. as he began to explain himself, his sheepish demeanor only served to amuse her, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. " should I turn back around and pretend I didn't see them so that you can surprise me with flowers later? " she teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she set the kitchen towel aside. despite her playful banter, she couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her at the unexpected gesture. there was no special occasion, and yet here he was with flowers in hand. " what's the occasion anyway? you're not throwing me out onto the streets, are you? " she quipped, a hint of curiosity laced with amusement in her voice. they had recently worked through some issues, and she couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this sudden display of affection. their dynamic had shifted slightly, and she found herself cautiously optimistic. // @the-nelson-quinn

[erickxng-deactivated20240930]

this was the first date eric had been on in over five years. the last one was with his fiancee, well technically ex now as she thought he was dead, where he decided he was going to prepare to propose to her. it was elijah's meddling that got eric to attend this blind date, which originally he was quite pissed off about. but he knew it came with relatively good intentions, elijah simple wanted his friend to get out and enjoy life a little more — and eric couldn't really scold him for such. luckily, the date wasn't as blind as he feared. he recognised the brunette as soon as she stepped into the room. there was a sense of relief that settled on his shoulders. zehra. "hey." he smiles, quickly standing up to greet her. we wipes the notion of her being late away with his hands as if it hung in the air, "you look lovely — please, sit." like his mother taught him to, eric pulls out the chair for his date with a smile of promise that this night, regardless of what ended up from it, would be a pleasant one.

@zehrahq

[zehrahq]

zehra complimented him genuinely as he pulled out a chair for her to sit. her eyes danced with appreciation as she settled into the seat he had offered. " a proper gentleman, too, " she couldn't help but tease, a playful glint in her eyes as she regarded him. it was refreshing to see him in this setting, far removed from their usual encounters. although she has no troubles speaking with strangers in her line of work, a blind date feels more personal.

just as she was about to speak, the waiter arrived to pour her a drink, and she offered them a grateful nod before turning her attention back to her companion." so--i didn't expect to meet you here. forgive me if i'm wrong, but you didn't really seem like the type to go on blind dates, " she observed, curiosity lacing her words as she leaned forward slightly. // @erickxng

[zehrahq]

closed starter for @erickxng

the vibrant hues of zehra's orange silk top caught the light as she hurried through the bustling restaurant in her stilettos, her heart pounding with the realization that she was running late for her blind date. apologies formed on the tip of her tongue as she scanned the room, searching for her designated table.

finally spotting the figure with his back turned towards her, zehra took in a deep breath and made her way towards him. as she approached the table, the brunette reached out to touch the man's shoulder gently, her voice soft yet apologetic as she began to speak. " i'm sorry for being late, " she started, her voice soft and contrite. " it was quite busy at the store and— "

her sentence ground to a halt as she caught a glimpse of the man's profile, recognition dawning on her. " eric? " she exclaimed, a hint of amusement lacing her tone as she processed the unexpected turn of events. she hadn't expected to encounter the doctor outside of their usual gym setting, let alone in such a formal setting. yet, as she took in his well-dressed appearance, she couldn't deny the pleasant surprise it brought.

[beautyxnthefire]

"Alive and kicking" Mia told the woman. And quite frankly she was ready to kick the other driver's ass. Did people not look around when driving? There were other cars, pedestrians...oh hell. "If I kick his ass, do me a solid and bail me out." she said while pausing to stand next to the her while glaring at the direction of the other vehicle. || @zehrahq

[zehrahq]

" i would--but maybe, there's no need to let things escalate to that level, " the brunette replied in a measured tone, her voice calm despite the escalating tension. the other driver remained steadfast, refusing to emerge from their vehicle. from the distance between them, the brunette strained to discern the features of the person behind the wheel, but all she could discern was a vague outline, suggesting someone relatively young. // @beautyxnthefire

[the-nelson-quinn]

“ must be busy then” Nelson noted with his expression verging on being playful. He picked up on her tone and while he was just as much fault as the next person he knew that he had to take accountability on his end. That was something he was still learning how to do, but his move to Aurora Bay was doing wonders for him lately. That still didn’t mean he was able to deal with tension. He knew their night together was a bad idea and yet he missed Zehra so much. He still loved her but he couldn’t fully admit it to himself. How could he when he was emotionally stunted in a way only the richest of the rich wound up being. “ Christmas flowers?” He asked with an amused look on his face. “ all to myself? I hate the quiet. I can’t let it be all to myself for too long “ he noted. The implications of what he meant on the tip of his tongue but never left his mouth @zehrahq

[zehrahq]

she wanted things to go back to being easy the way it was before, but how could it when neither of them could act like adults and talk about what happened? the implications of his words weren't lost on zehra, however, she wasn't quite certain if she wanted to acknowledge them. biting her bottom lip as she fluttered her lashes at him as her chocolate hue locked with his, she muttered the words under her breath with a teasing tone, " you can just say you missed my company, you know? though i doubt it'd be very quiet tonight. if you need me to make myself scarce later, just give me a text. " despite her light tone, there was a trace of vulnerability in her words, a subtle acknowledgment of the reality they both faced. after all, he had arrived at the party with a pretty woman on his arm, and zehra couldn't help but assume he would leave with her as well. // @the-nelson-quinn

[juliet-harkness]

"I'm sure, and trust me, I might need a lot of gifts over the year." She smiled at it, she loved her mother, but the woman wasn't easy. "Pearls for sure." Gemstones were complicated, she could complain about the color and the cut, but pears were a classic.

@zehrahq

[zehrahq]

" is that so? then i suppose we'll get to know each other better. i'm zehra, " she introduced herself with a smile as she held out her hand to the brunette. as the customer expressed her interest in pearls, zehra led her through the display with effortless grace. with a gentle sweep of her hand, she directed the brunette's attention to an array of pearls, each one more exquisite than the last. " ah, may i recommend this one? " she suggested, her fingers delicately tracing the outline of a set of pearls with a subtle pinkish hue. " they're a timeless classic, perfect for any occasion. " // @juliet-harkness

[beautyxnthefire]

Open to all || @aurorabaystarter Location: Any road in town

Parked on the side, Mia kept her eyes on the screen; texting back and forth with LA, when a bump shook her and the car. "Urgh!" she exclaimed frustrated as a string of curses -in Spanish, mind you- left her lips. Unfastening her seatbelt quickly, she stepped out of the car and went to see the extend of the damage. "Are you kidding me!?" she exclaimed.

[zehrahq]

" you alright there? " the brunette questioned with concern written all over her face as the other woman stepped out of the car. she heard the thud from where she was standing near the sidewalk, but she wasn't really sure what caused it either. // @beautyxnthefire

[juliet-harkness]

"I know, but the longer I avoid this the worse it will be and hopefully I can distract her with the gifts for a few seconds and she will have something else to talk about it.

@zehrahq

[zehrahq]

" if you're sure about it then i won't stop you--i mean, it's my business after all that you're patronizing, " the brunette added with a lighthearted laugh as she directed the woman towards the shelves. " what kind of earrings do you think she'd like? we do have some nice pearls here or if gemstones are her things, we have a couple as well. " // @juliet-harkness

[drjuliasato]

Giving her a look that spoke the words ‘suit yourself’ Maisie took another drag herself instead, turning her head to blow the smoke so it wasn’t directly in the other woman’s face. Maybe it was a female thing but even before she spoke about how cliche her issue was she could deduce that it was something to do with a significant other. Likely a man but there was every chance her gaydar was having a well earned day off. “Oh yeah? So it’s a dude.” Taking a stab in the dark as she raised her eyebrows, smirking softly.  @zehrahq

[zehrahq]

" is it that obvious, then? " zehra responded with a chuckle, a subtle tilt of her head causing her brown hues to wander, fixating on the stars that adorned the night sky above them. one of the aspects she adored about aurora bay was the clarity with which the night sky unfolded, a stark contrast to the obscured view she experienced back in new york. " actually, it's my husband—or ex-husband, for that matter. i'm not quite certain anymore, " she trailed off, a sense of introspection coloring her words. she pondered why she found herself divulging such inner thoughts to a woman who, despite making her acquaintance and skilled hands at the spa, remained largely a stranger at the deeper levels of connection. " i guess it's just the birthday blues. " // @maisielenny