Chapter 159
The next day, as Yannis drove Zinnia to the Jenkins residence, she looked at him and said softly, โIโm going to the Jenkins residence today. Make sure you eat properly while Iโm gone.โ
โZinnia, are you really worried about me?โ Yannis kept his eyes on the road. Stopping at a red light, he turned to look at her, his deep eyes shining with affection.
โYannis, Toby told me you get so busy with work that you forget everything. When Iโm not staying at your place, you donโt even bother to cook,โ Zinnia said, recounting what Toby had told her during her last office visit.
โHow dare he tell you? Iโll cut his pay when we get back,โ Yannis said, playfully raising an eyebrow.
Just then, Zinnia tugged on his sleeve. โI was the one who asked Toby to tell me, so donโt cut his pay,โ she said, giving his sleeve a soft shake.
Yannis looked at her fingers holding his sleeve, his voice full of fun. โZinnia, why are you being so cute again? Looks like I canโt say no now.โ
Yannis couldnโt help but wonder if she had figured out he was a pushover when it came to her. Last time, she tugged his sleeve for snacks; now, she was interceding for Toby.
โHow about I pay for what youโre going to cut from Toby?โ Zinnia suggested after a momentโs thought.
Yannis shook his head. โNo way.โ The light turned green, and the car moved forward.
โHow can I make sure you donโt cut his pay?โ Zinnia begged, sounding worried. โHeโs already poor. Any cut would hurt him.โ
โWhy donโt you tell me what exactly you were thinking when you looked at me yesterday?โ Yannis teased, still curious about a look he couldnโt decipher. Now was the perfect opportunity to get her to talk.
โHonestly, I looked at him several times yesterday. How would I know which look heโs talking about?โ she wondered.
โCan you at least give me a hint about which moment you mean?โ Zinnia asked.
Yannis grinned, teasing her. โSo what youโre saying is, youโve been looking at me many times, you even remember when?โ
โGo ahead and cut Tobyโs pay,โ Zinnia said. โItโs not my money. I donโt care. If anyone gets upset, itโs Toby, and if thereโs a grudge, blame his stingy boss.โ
โIf Toby knew you gave up on saving his paycheck so fast, heโd probably cry,โ Yannis teased, amused by her easy surrender.
โIf you cut his pay,โ Zinnia said, โheโll be clinging to your leg and crying. Not mine.โ
โAlright, Iโll give you a hint,โ Yannis said. โIt was when you and Jackson teamed up against me.โ He gently encouraged Zinnia to elaborate.
โWe werenโt ganging up on you,โ Zinnia protested. She hadnโt teamed up with Jackson; they were simply stating facts.
โAlright, if you say so, Iโll trust you,โ Yannis said. โBut what were you thinking at that moment?โ He wanted to know her perspective.
Zinnia hesitated, then looked at him. Remembering her thoughts from yesterday, she said, โI donโt think youโd want to hear it.โ
Yannis thought, โIโve already lost all dignity in front of you. Whatโs worse?โ
โAre you sure you want to hear this?โ Zinnia asked sincerely.
โGo ahead,โ Yannis encouraged.
Zinnia paused, searching for the right words. โI just thought you seemed pretty down-to-earth,โ she said softly, choosing her words carefully.
Chapter 159
Yannisโs smile froze. Zinnia added, โMaisie said, when people hold in their feelings until they break, they tend to go a little crazy.โ
โGreat, now I am a guy who freaks out,โ Yannis thought, his smile fading, his mouth drooping.
โI told you that you wouldnโt want to hear it,โ Zinnia whispered, stealing a quick look at his dark face.
He thought, โLook what sheโs done to my sweet girl. Her words are getting bigger, but theyโre all weird.โ
Yannis took a deep breath and said, โZinnia, how about I move you to another class? I can set it up. Sheโs really not good for you.โ
โYouโve been spending too much time with Maisie.โ
โNo way!โ Zinnia shook her head firmly. Yannis was only joking; he didnโt really want to move her to another class.
She had learned phrases about people parting ways, which made him uneasy.
Zinnia looked at him carefully and asked softly, โAre you really still going to cut Tobyโs pay?โ
โIf I say I will, will you call me a liar?โ Yannis asked, a little annoyed. She was still worried about Tobyโs salary.
Toby only said those things because Yannis had given him silent approval. But Zinnia didnโt know that. She was really worried Yannis might cut Tobyโs pay.
Zinnia didnโt say anything, but her steady gaze showed that was exactly what she thought. Yannis got annoyed but held tight to the steering wheel.
Zinnia saw his upset face and took a piece of candy from her bag. She fed it to him, softly saying, โDonโt be upset. Here, have this.โ It was a special treat from her master.
She could only have one a day, but she gave him the one meant for herself. โZinniaโs trying to cheer me up?โ Yannis asked, looking at the candy and her earnest face. Instantly, his mouth curled up into a smile.
Zinnia stayed quiet. She thought, โWas I trying to cheer him up? I didnโt know. Iโve never been good at this. But I just upset Yannis, and I didnโt want him to stay upset.โ
Her silent effort made Yannis smile happily. He took a bite of the candy. โWhere did you get this candy, Zinnia? Itโs really good. Tell me, and Iโll buy more,โ he said kindly. The special flavor of the chocolate melted in his mouth.
It was surprisingly tasty. He noticed a hint of hesitation in her eyes; she clearly didnโt want to give it up but still offered it. Just thinking about that made a warm feeling spread through his heart.
Yannis thought, โSo I do have a place in her heart. Sheโs trying to cheer me up. Though sheโs kind of awkward about it. Maybe sheโs never done this for anyone before. Maybe Iโm the first. That makes me happy.โ
Yannis thought he couldnโt refuse her attempt to cheer him up, but he could always buy more for her later. โThis was a giftโmade by someone special. You canโt buy it anywhere,โ Zinnia said.
Though she felt a little sad giving it away, the feeling soon passed. She truly didnโt mind giving it to Yannis. The candy worked its magic, and a bright smile returned to Yannisโs handsome face.
Yannis thought for a moment and said, โHow about we copy it? Or I could pay your friend to make more for you.โ
Yannis suddenly felt bad about taking the candy, but it was gone. All he could do was think of how to make it up to her.
Zinnia smiled softly, her eyes bright and clear, โDonโt worry, I still have plentyโmore than enough for myself.โ
Zinnia thought, โI donโt even know where Master is. Heโs always the one who contacts me. But I still have a whole jar of candies left. Once I finish them, he will come back. With that, the wait didnโt seem so long anymore.โ
Chapter 160