Chapter 156
โYou brought me snacks!โ 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, โIf I didnโt give you any, wouldnโt you be mad at me?โ
Yesterday, after learning from Roderick that she had to limit her snacks, Yannis knew sheโd 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 ingredientsโno bad additives. He didnโt trust store-bought snacks, preferring them to be made just for her.
Zinnia blinked, refusing to admit it. โIโm not mad, just a little upset.โ
โAlright, Zinnia isnโt mad,โ Yannis smiled. He said, โI 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 Iโll get you more soon.โ
โYouโre the best,โ Zinnia murmured sweetly, her face full of happiness, eyes sparkling.
Yannis teased, โSo thatโs all it takes to get Zinniaโs favor? Just a few snacks? If someone else lures you away with treats someday, I will be heartbroken.โ He thought Zinnia was way too easy to please and couldnโt help worrying that someone might lure her with treats.
โZinnia, if thereโs anything you like or want, just tell me. I will get it for you. But you canโt accept them from guys, okay?โ Yannis bent down and gently pinched her cheek.
She had finally gained some weight after being looked after, but after the last few days, sheโd gotten thin again. She still needed proper care. Zinnia had already torn open the bag of chips and popped one into her mouth. โWhy?โ she asked.
Yannis teased playfully, โBecause you are too cute. There are bad people out there who might try to take you away. If that happens, you wonโt see me anymore, wonโt get to eat my cooking, and they might even starve you!โ
โBut youโre a guy too,โ Zinnia said. โI was lured here by your food. Doesnโt that make you a bad guy too?โ
โThat doesnโt count. Iโm a good guy. You can always trust me,โ Yannis said with a gentle smile, happy to see how quick-witted Zinnia had become lately.
โOh,โ 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. โDoes that mean I canโt accept from Jackson, Charlie, or Isaac either?โ she asked.
Yannis smiled and said, โOf course you can accept from them. But donโt trust those boys at school too much, Zinnia.โ He thought, โIf I told Zinnia not to accept their gifts, theyโd probably come after me with fists flying.โ
โOkay,โ Zinnia replied.
Yannis said, โAlright, Zinnia, rest for a bit. Iโm going to make dinner now. And thatโs your only snack for today.โ
Zinnia looked at him with her big, bright eyes and said sweetly, โCan I have some meat?โ
โAlright,โ 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.
โStill worried I might trick you?โ Yannis teased, a playful smile on his face as he turned around, the chopped chicken ready to wash, and saw her come in.
โNo, I wasnโt,โ Zinnia said, her eyes darting. She picked up a chip and offered it to him. โHere, try a chip.โ
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. โWhy does my hand feel so hot all of a sudden?โ she wondered.
Zinnia tried to change the subject. โDid you make the soothing soup?โ
โNot yet. Iโll make it soon,โ Yannis said as he rinsed the chicken. Thinking about Zinniaโs great medical skills and the Moon Scar Cream, he looked at her curiously. โZinnia, who taught you medicine?โ
Whoever could teach Zinnia to make Moon Scar Cream and heal her broken body must be someone special. Only the Moores knew the creamโs secret, but they had all died in that explosion seventeen years ago. Yannis remembered his grandpaโs 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, โMy master.โ
โZinnia, whatโs your Master like? How old is he? Do you know his last name? Since he saved you, I should visit him.โ As he spoke, Yannis peeled and diced potatoes.
Zinniaโs voice softened, a bit of sadness in her eyes. โMy master was really good to me. I donโt know how old he was, or what his last name was. You donโt have to thank him. Heโs already gone.โ Her voice dropped, sad because she didnโt know anything. Deep down, she had her own guesses, but she didnโt dare think about it too much.
โI heard you made Moon Scar Cream. Did your Master teach you that too, Zinnia?โ 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 wasnโt lying. The real sadness in her eyes showed she really didnโt know her masterโs name or age. But the more mysterious her master was, the more suspicious it made him. Yannis hadnโt thought much before, but when he met Yvette, she couldnโt stop showing off that Zinnia had given her Moon Scar Cream.
Yannis thought, โGrandpa 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?โ
โYeah, my master is really amazing,โ Zinnia said, her eyes shining.
At her answer, Yannisโs heart tightened. Only the Moores knew how to make it. But they died in that explosion. He thought, โI should meet Jackson. After all, heโs been looking into that explosion for years.โ
He couldnโt believe Nathan was really gone. They had found only two burned bodies, but Nathanโs 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 hadnโt gone abroad that year, they would have been friends forever.
Chapter 157