Chapter 158
โSheโs my one and only darling. Everyone was fighting over her, and I barely managed to win her. If you donโt bring her back, Iโll die of heartbreak!โ Yannis replied with a playful grin, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
Hearing Yannisโs lazy words, Zinnia felt her cheeks warm. She thought, โMaisie and the others call her that all the time. But when it comes from Yannis, it feelsโฆhot. Does he talk to everyone like this?โ
โWhat are you looking at?โ Yannis asked, sensing something familiar in Zinniaโs eyes.
โSmirking like a little devil, with all those sweet words. How many girls have you charm-talked like this?โ Zinnia muttered.
Yannis said, โHey, canโt I even smile? Zinnia, donโt get me wrongโyouโre the only one Iโve ever called โdarlingโ!โ
โWow, this girl is getting bolder every day,โ Yannis thought, feeling wronged.
Zinnia mumbled, โWho knows? Maybe youโve called other girls that before.โ
Yannis turned to Jackson. โIโm a good guy. I barely ever talked to girls before.โ Seeing her doubtful look, he sought backup.
Zinnia looked at Jackson and said, โJackson is a real gentleman. Not like you, always spouting sweet words.โ
Jackson said, โZinnia, donโt believe a word Yannis says. When he was abroad, he was a total heartthrob. With that face, he was irresistible. Crowds of fans, both guys and girls, would gather outside his apartment every day.โ
Jackson noticed their banter, feeling a strange mix of emotions.
โLiar,โ Zinnia said, stepping away from Yannis and toward Jackson. She gave Yannis a sly look, enjoying his stunned expression.
โAh, itโs so unfair! You two are ganging up on poor little me,โ Yannis said.
After just one month, Yannis had been called a โlittle devil,โ โhoney-tongued,โ and โliar.โ Groaning inside, he swallowed his frustration. He thought, โCan you really blame me? My dad cut off my allowance, so I had to rent a shabby place with no security. Even with a mask, people still stared.โ
โWant me to call you a shrink?โ Jackson teased.
โWant me to check on you?โ Zinnia turned, noticing Yannisโs lively, crazy side. She found it oddly interesting and kept watching him.
Yannis thought, โWhat new label is she putting on me? I was totally confused by her mysterious stareโcanโt tell what she was thinking, but it wasnโt a compliment.โ โI really need to ask her. I want to count all the labels sheโs given me. What kind of guy does she think I am?โ
Yannis rubbed his face, his lively demeanor gone. He looked at the siblings with a defeated expression. โFine, do what you want,โ he thought.
โCome on, letโs go upstairs,โ Yannis said to Jackson.
Zinnia remembered her homework. With plans to go out, she knew she had to finish it quickly to enjoy herself without worries.
Chapter 158
Once inside the living room, Zinnia headed straight for her favorite snack cabinet. She wanted to see if there were any new treats.
Every time Zinnia came home, she found her snack cabinet filled with new snacksโall made just for her, thanks to Yannis working the factory overtime.
โOnly one bag of chips today. Close the window when you do your homework,โ Yannis called after her, holding Zinniaโs backpack.
Jackson, arms full, gave Yannis a teasing look. โSo now youโre playing both big brother and housekeeper, huh?โ
Yannis had told Jackson about Zinniaโs health a few days earlier: โIf I donโt watch her, sheโll always sneak extra snacks.โ
While Yannis changed his shoes, Zinnia had already grabbed a bag of chips, a box of cookies, and two chocolate barsโthen rushed to her room.
โI bet James has never seen you act like a mom before,โ Jackson said, surprised at how well Yannis cared for Zinnia.
Jackson thought, โAt first, I thought Zinnia would just stay here for a while. But now, itโs like heโs raising her, worried about every little thing.โ
โYou left her to me, so I have to be careful. If something happens to Zinnia, youโll come after me,โ Yannis said as they walked to the living room.
โYour place used to be so quiet. Now that Zinniaโs here, itโs lively and full of energy. Isnโt that better?โ Jackson said.
Jackson thought, โLast time I was here, I was in such a rush I didnโt see much. But now, it feels like the place got a total makeoverโlike a whole new home.โ
โThatโs true,โ Yannis agreed, smiling.
โLook, you should thank Zinnia. Sheโs giving you lots of practice for when you have kids someday,โ Jackson said, noticing the child-proof corners and princess chair. โYouโre actually doing pretty well as a temporary parent.โ
Jackson thought, โAll my worries are goneโfor now, at least.โ
โIf I had my own kids, Iโd just hire a babysitter. But with Zinnia, I wouldnโt trust anyone else,โ Yannis said, hanging her backpack and making Jackson coffee.
Yannis thought, โIf I had kids, I wouldnโt need to do all this. My family members would fight over who gets to care for them. Iโd barely even hold my own child.โ โBut I wouldnโt trust anyone else with Zinnia. Sheโd just stay quiet if wronged, so I better keep a close eye on her myself.โ
Jackson felt Yannis was more like a real brother to Zinnia than he was. He couldnโt give her the care she needed; Yannis seemed better suited to the role.
Yannis chuckled softly, raised his cup, and clinked it with Jacksonโs. โThanks for trusting me. I wonโt let you down.โ
Jackson leaned back comfortably. โAlright, what did you want to talk about? Youโre not just here to brag about how good you are as a parent, right?โ
Jackson sat up straight as Yannis dropped a big surprise: โNathan might still be alive.โ