Chapter 156

“You brought me snacks!” Zinnia exclaimed, her head dropping in delight at the sight of the colorful packages. She set her doll aside and reached into the bag, grabbing a pack of potato chips. Eyes sparkling with joy, she gazed up at him. Yannis gently ruffled her hair, a smile playing on his lips as he teased, “If I didn’t give you any, wouldn’t you be mad at me?”

Yesterday, after learning from Roderick that she had to limit her snacks, Yannis knew she’d be upset. That very night, he arranged for a special batch of all her favorite treats to be made just for her. He had his nutritionists develop special snack recipes for Zinnia, using only safe and clean ingredients—no bad additives. He didn’t trust store-bought snacks, preferring them to be made just for her.

Zinnia blinked, refusing to admit it. “I’m not mad, just a little upset.”

“Alright, Zinnia isn’t mad,” Yannis smiled. He said, “I had these specially made for you at a factory, so you can enjoy them without worry. But remember, only one pack a day, okay? For now, there are just a few flavors, but I’ll get you more soon.”

“You’re the best,” Zinnia murmured sweetly, her face full of happiness, eyes sparkling.

Yannis teased, “So that’s all it takes to get Zinnia’s favor? Just a few snacks? If someone else lures you away with treats someday, I will be heartbroken.” He thought Zinnia was way too easy to please and couldn’t help worrying that someone might lure her with treats.

“Zinnia, if there’s anything you like or want, just tell me. I will get it for you. But you can’t accept them from guys, okay?” Yannis bent down and gently pinched her cheek.

She had finally gained some weight after being looked after, but after the last few days, she’d gotten thin again. She still needed proper care. Zinnia had already torn open the bag of chips and popped one into her mouth. “Why?” she asked.

Yannis teased playfully, “Because you are too cute. There are bad people out there who might try to take you away. If that happens, you won’t see me anymore, won’t get to eat my cooking, and they might even starve you!”

“But you’re a guy too,” Zinnia said. “I was lured here by your food. Doesn’t that make you a bad guy too?”

“That doesn’t count. I’m a good guy. You can always trust me,” Yannis said with a gentle smile, happy to see how quick-witted Zinnia had become lately.

“Oh,” Zinnia said. He was so handsome that his words naturally made her trust him. Her fingers itched to touch his eyes as she looked at him. “Does that mean I can’t accept from Jackson, Charlie, or Isaac either?” she asked.

Yannis smiled and said, “Of course you can accept from them. But don’t trust those boys at school too much, Zinnia.” He thought, ‘If I told Zinnia not to accept their gifts, they’d probably come after me with fists flying.’

“Okay,” Zinnia replied.

Yannis said, “Alright, Zinnia, rest for a bit. I’m going to make dinner now. And that’s your only snack for today.”

Zinnia looked at him with her big, bright eyes and said sweetly, “Can I have some meat?”

“Alright,” Yannis replied with a warm laugh.

After Yannis went to the kitchen, Zinnia felt better after eating her snacks; even her stomach hurt less. She slid off the couch and followed him into the kitchen.

“Still worried I might trick you?” Yannis teased, a playful smile on his face as he turned around, the chopped chicken ready to wash, and saw her come in.

“No, I wasn’t,” Zinnia said, her eyes darting. She picked up a chip and offered it to him. “Here, try a chip.”

Zinnia held a chip between her fingers. Yannis saw her flustered face, then lowered his head and bit into the chip, his lips brushing her fingertips. She quickly pulled her hand back. ‘Why does my hand feel so hot all of a sudden?’ she wondered.

Zinnia tried to change the subject. “Did you make the soothing soup?”

“Not yet. I’ll make it soon,” Yannis said as he rinsed the chicken. Thinking about Zinnia’s great medical skills and the Moon Scar Cream, he looked at her curiously. “Zinnia, who taught you medicine?”

Whoever could teach Zinnia to make Moon Scar Cream and heal her broken body must be someone special. Only the Moores knew the cream’s secret, but they had all died in that explosion seventeen years ago. Yannis remembered his grandpa’s words. The massage technique Zinnia showed was similar to that of the Moores. A bold guess formed in his mind.

Popping another chip into her mouth, Zinnia said, “My master.”

“Zinnia, what’s your Master like? How old is he? Do you know his last name? Since he saved you, I should visit him.” As he spoke, Yannis peeled and diced potatoes.

Zinnia’s voice softened, a bit of sadness in her eyes. “My master was really good to me. I don’t know how old he was, or what his last name was. You don’t have to thank him. He’s already gone.” Her voice dropped, sad because she didn’t know anything. Deep down, she had her own guesses, but she didn’t dare think about it too much.

“I heard you made Moon Scar Cream. Did your Master teach you that too, Zinnia?” Yannis asked. He saw how her eyes lit up every time she talked about her master. Seeing that her master was very important to Zinnia, Yannis felt a strange jealousy.

Yannis could tell Zinnia wasn’t lying. The real sadness in her eyes showed she really didn’t know her master’s name or age. But the more mysterious her master was, the more suspicious it made him. Yannis hadn’t thought much before, but when he met Yvette, she couldn’t stop showing off that Zinnia had given her Moon Scar Cream.

Yannis thought, ‘Grandpa had bought all the Moon Scar Cream from the Moore family years ago. Now that a new Moon Scar Cream is coming out, I start to feel a little hope. Is Nathan still alive?’

“Yeah, my master is really amazing,” Zinnia said, her eyes shining.

At her answer, Yannis’s heart tightened. Only the Moores knew how to make it. But they died in that explosion. He thought, ‘I should meet Jackson. After all, he’s been looking into that explosion for years.’

He couldn’t believe Nathan was really gone. They had found only two burned bodies, but Nathan’s body was never found. Some said it was burned completely, others whispered the mastermind took it away. Rumors kept going, but Jackson never believed Nathan had died. They were childhood friends and grew up together. If Nathan hadn’t gone abroad that year, they would have been friends forever.

Chapter 157