When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 86: Excited

The rest of the day at work passed in a blur for Zinnia. She had meetings, calls, and endless emails to go through, but there was a lightness in her step, a sense of anticipation that made the hours fly by. She was already looking forward to going home, to seeing Samuel again, and the thought kept her going through the more stressful parts of her day.

In the late afternoon, Zinnia found herself in the elevator, heading down to the lobby. She was lost in thought, imagining what Samuel might cook for dinner, when she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Zinnia!"

She turned to see Trish, one of the most famous actresses in their company, standing by the exit. They had only met earlier during a meeting for the voice rehearsal schedule. Zinnia had been there but didn’t say much; she just observed the movie cast briefly before leaving as soon as Marcos called her out.

Zinnia knew Trish as always polite, but there was a curious, almost probing look in her eyes this time. "Hey, heading out?" Zinnia asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Yeah," Trish said, walking over. "I was just about to leave, and I saw you. So, I thought I’d say hi." She glanced at the parking lot, where Zinnia’s car was parked. "That’s your car, right?"

Zinnia followed her gaze and nodded. "Yeah, it is."

Trish’s eyes lingered on the car for a moment before she looked back at Zinnia, her expression thoughtful. "I’ve always wondered... what exactly do you do here? I mean, I see you with Sir Marcos a lot, and you’re always up on the top floor, but I’ve never really figured it out."

Zinnia felt a slight pang of unease at the question but kept her smile in place. "I work closely with Sir Marcos," she said, keeping her tone neutral. "Kind of like a liaison, I guess."

Trish’s eyes widened slightly, as if she had just confirmed a long-held suspicion. "I see," she said slowly. "Must be nice, getting to work so closely with him. I bet a lot of people would love to be in your position."

Zinnia could sense the unspoken question behind Trish’s words, but she didn’t want to get into it. "I’m grateful for the opportunity," she said simply. "Anyway, I should get going. Have a good evening, Trish."

Trish watched as Zinnia walked away, her eyes narrowing slightly. She couldn’t quite figure out who Zinnia was. She seemed important, yet so low-profile, driving a modest car and blending in with the other employees. It didn’t add up, and the more Trish thought about it, the more curious she became.

Meanwhile, Zinnia got into her car, oblivious to the scrutiny. She was too focused on getting home, on the thought of walking through the door and seeing Samuel. It was a strange, new kind of excitement, one she hadn’t felt in a long time, and she wasn’t quite sure what to do with it.

As she drove, the city lights blurred past, and she found herself smiling, humming softly to herself. The day had been long, but the promise of a quiet dinner with Samuel made it all worthwhile. She was still smiling when she pulled up to their home and stepped out, feeling a bit lighter than usual.

The house was quiet when she entered, but she could already smell something delicious wafting from the kitchen. She set down her bag and made her way over, peeking inside to see Samuel busy at the stove, stirring something in a pot.

"I’m home," she said, her voice soft but clear, and Samuel turned, his face lighting up at the sight of her. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Welcome home, Zia," he said, his tone warm, and just like that, everything felt right.

Samuel’s smile was gentle, and there was a calmness about him that made Zinnia feel at ease. He wiped his hands on a kitchen towel and motioned to the dining table, where two plates were already set.

"I hope you’re hungry," he said, sounding almost shy. "Dinner’s just about ready."

Zinnia felt her heart soften at the sight. Samuel had laid out everything so neatly, even down to the folded napkins beside each plate. She hadn’t expected this kind of effort, not after all the strained, awkward meals they had shared before. It felt like he was trying, really trying, and that meant more to her than she could express.

"I’m starving," she said, giving him a genuine smile. "It smells amazing."

Samuel’s face brightened, and he turned back to the stove, where a pan was sizzling. "Good. I made steak with red wine sauce, just like you like it. And there’s creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus on the side."

Zinnia watched as he carefully plated the steak, drizzling the rich, dark sauce over it, letting it pool around the perfectly seared meat. He moved with a sort of quiet confidence, each motion smooth and precise. She could tell he had been practicing, probably more than he’d ever admit.

He brought the dishes to the table, setting them down with a touch of pride. "I’m not a chef, but I did my best," he said, almost as if he was waiting for her approval.

Zinnia picked up her fork and cut a piece of the steak. The meat was tender and juicy, and the sauce added a deep, savory flavor that melted on her tongue. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the taste, and when she looked up, Samuel was watching her, his expression a mix of hope and nervousness.

"It’s perfect," she said softly. "Really, Sam. Thank you."

He visibly relaxed, letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. "I’m glad you like it," he said, and there was a softness in his voice that Zinnia was starting to get used to. "I was worried I’d mess up the sauce."

Zinnia shook her head, her smile widening. "No, it’s just right." She took another bite, letting the flavors fill her senses, and then tried the mashed potatoes. They were smooth, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. She coming to realize she is getting used to this kind of meal, this kind of quiet, easy moment.