Yannis thought, โA girl from a small town could so casually make such valuable medicinal herbs. She seems clueless about most things, but when it comes to five million, she acts like it's barely worth noticing. She didnโt care if the Shaw family treated her well or not, since she probably had people in her life who treated her much better. To her, the Shaw family didnโt matter enough to get her attention.โ
โNow I want to change my price. How about one hundred million?โ Yannis asked, looking serious.
โI canโt keep you. Why donโt you open a restaurant? Iโll go there,โ Zinnia said.
Zinnia thought to herself, โThereโs no way I can pay that. Yannis is just too expensive. Iโd have to sell tons of herbs just to keep him. Master always said, โSpend money on a man, and heโll cheat you out of every penny.โโ Zinnia had always been a good student who followed her masterโs teachings exactly.
โZinnia, arenโt you even going to try?โ Yannis asked, annoyed that she backed off so quickly. She gave up at the first sign of trouble. โWell, I guess I am not likable.โ
Yannis lowered his head, the light in his eyes slowly fading. A bit of bitterness flickered on his face, his voice sounding lonely and sad, and his usually straight posture slumped a little. He looked like a sad, abandoned guy who had no one to love him. At that moment, Zinnia felt like she was seeing him the same as last night again. Her heart hurt a little, and she felt heavy in her chest.
โThatโs not true. I just donโt have much money right now. Give me some time to save up, and when I do, Iโll take care of you,โ Zinnia whispered, feeling her chest get tight. She bit her lip, clumsily trying to comfort him.
Yannis looked at her, his deep eyes unreadable. โZinnia, you wouldnโt lie to me, would you?โ
โI wonโt lie to you,โ Zinnia answered quickly.
Zinnia thought to herself, โA hundred million? Thatโs crazy! Even if I sold myself, I wouldnโt be worth that much. Since I wonโt have that money, itโs not really lying to him.โ At that moment, her mind started racing.
Yannis could see from her eyes that she was already planning some little scheme in her head, but he didnโt mind; all that mattered was she promised him. When he saw a little bit of light, he would hold on tight just to feel close and warm.
โArenโt you going to work?โ Zinnia asked suspiciously as he just sat there, staring at her while she ate. He always worked on weekends. She understood missing yesterday but wondered why he was still there today.
Yannis said, โIโll go after lunch. What about you, Zinnia? Any plans for the afternoon?โ It was almost lunchtime, and he wanted to eat with her before leaving.
โI donโt have any plans for the afternoon,โ Zinnia said. She had planned to check out the house her master gave her the keys to, but she wasnโt feeling well and didnโt have the energy to go out.
Since she felt sick, Yannis said, โZinnia, why donโt you come to the office with me? Iโd worry if you stayed home alone.โ He really didnโt feel good about leaving her by herself.
Zinnia thought, "Whatโs there to worry about? Iโve always been fine staying home alone."
Yannis said, โZinnia, since youโre not feeling well, Iโm worried about leaving you alone. If something happens, I might not get back in time. Come to the office with me. Bring your iPadโmy office is just as comfy as home.โ
The more Yannis thought about it, the more worried he became. It was better to just take her with him.
Zinnia ended up going to the office with Yannis. He said he was too lonely working alone and needed her company. When Yannis made that sad face, Zinniaโs heart just melted. She couldnโt say no to him.
Yannis led Zinnia into the private elevator, which took them straight to the 36th floor. As soon as the doors opened, his assistant Toby was waiting outside. Seeing Yannis holding Zinniaโs hand, Toby asked, โWho is this?โ
Yannis was holding Zinniaโs hand with his left, and in his right hand, he carried her favorite crystal water bottle and a bag of snacks they picked out together. With her pink purse over his shoulder, he looked like a caring dad.
Tobyโs eyes stayed on Zinniaโs face, which looked familiar, as he tried to remember. He thought, โWasnโt she accidentally trapped in the elevator?โ Toby still remembered how she looked at Yannis with disdain, making Yannis so flustered he didnโt dare talk back. He just remembered Yannis had ended up caring about her, like trying to make up for it.
Toby let his imagination run wild. His girlfriend had been watching romantic dramas lately, and heโd watched a lot with her.
โThis is Zinnia,โ Yannis said coldly. โIs everything I asked for ready?โ
โAll set, sir,โ Toby quickly responded, then greeted Zinnia formally.
Toby had never seen Yannis care so much about anyone before. Zinnia was obviously an exception. He ran away quickly. It seemed
Yannisโs voice got softer as he spoke to Zinnia. โZinnia, this is my assistant, Toby. If you need anything, just ask him. I have a meeting in ten minutes. Wait for me in the office, okay?โ
โHello, Toby,โ Zinnia said sweetly.
Toby couldnโt help but be surprised at his bossโs sudden change. โSo Zinnia is the girl at home Yannis was talking about,โ he thought.
โYou may go,โ Yannis said, waving Toby away, then gently led Zinnia toward his office.
As they walked past the secretarial office, all the secretaries, busy at their desks, stared, wide-eyed, since Yannis gently held a girlโs hand, acting soft and caring.
โHey Toby, who is that little angel Yannis is holding hands with?โ
โI want to have a daughter as cute as her!โ
โWhat a beautiful little angel. I just want to take her home. Iโve got tons of snacks at my deskโmaybe Iโll sneak some to her later. Toby, tell us! Whoโs that girl?โ
Toby answered, โThatโs Zinnia.โ
โDamn, she is way too pretty.โ
โItโs so not fair that I canโt hold her hands.โ
Zinnia and Yannis didnโt catch their chatter. They stepped into the office.
โZinnia, Iโll be working here. You can relax on the sofa. I had snacks and fruit prepared for you. If you want to nap, thereโs a break room inside. If you need anything, just ask Toby, or call me directly,โ Yannis said gently.
Honestly, he was busy. His desk was already piled high with paperwork.