Chapter 161
Adrian gently led Lysander closer, and the three of them sat down facing each other. โZinnia, hereโs the menu. See what youโd like,โ Adrian said, sliding it over to her.
They hadnโt expected their guest to be such a young girl. Had they known, they wouldnโt have chosen to meet at a club. They werenโt accustomed to dealing with someone her age. Theyโd never had a girl in the family before; seeing someone as young as Zinnia, they honestly didnโt know what to do.
โIโm good, I actually have something to do later,โ Zinnia said, quickly producing a bottle from her bag and placing it on the table. โLysander, this is the medicine my master made for you.โ She was eager to return to Maisie.
โWe trust the medicine made by Mr. M,โ Lysander replied with a gentle smile.
After ordering pastries, Adrian put down the menu, holding a fancy box. He offered a small gift of thanks. โYouโve already paid my master,โ Zinnia said.
โThat was for Mr. M, and this is for you, Zinnia,โ Adrian explained. โYou made a special trip to bring the medicine. This is our way of saying thanks.โ
Zinnia, knowing the gift probably didnโt mean much to them, didnโt refuse. โIโll take my leave then,โ she said. Maisie would worry if she didnโt hurry back.
โWait a second, Zinnia,โ Adrian said. โI already ordered pastries. Iโll have them packed for you. Theyโre all handmade and delicious; Iโm sure youโll love them.โ
Hearing she was leaving, both Lysander and Adrian felt a sudden sadness. Adrian quickly stood, stopping her while signaling the waiter to pack some pastries.
Zinnia said, โNo, thanks.โ
โZinnia, these pastries are rare and delicious,โ Lysander said kindly. โIf you need to go, I wonโt hold you, but please take them. Theyโll be packed quickly.โ
โYour master trusted us to care for you and told us how much you love soft, chewy pastries,โ Lysander added, looking at Zinnia with gentle eyes.
She felt genuine kindness from him. โThank you,โ Zinnia said.
Adrian had already begun arranging everything, so Zinnia couldnโt leave. She thought, โI didnโt expect Master to tell them so much. They even know I love pastries. It seems Master truly trusted them.โ
Adrian soon returned, carrying several beautifully packed boxes of pastries. โZinnia, are you going home? We can arrange a ride for you,โ he said as he approached.
Zinnia politely replied, โNo need. Iโm meeting friends at the mall.โ
โAdrian, walk Zinnia out,โ Lysander instructed.
โLysander, thereโs really no need,โ Zinnia said politely, not wanting to trouble them.
โItโs no trouble at all. Let me walk you out,โ Adrian offered. For some reason, he wanted to spend more time with Zinnia. Even he found this urge perplexing.
โGrandpa, wait for me here. Iโll be right back,โ Adrian said, turning to his grandfather.
Lysander gave Zinnia one last long look. โZinnia, why not add Adrian on Facebook? Mr. M asked us to look after you. Weโll be in Jington for the next six months. If you need anything, you can always ask him.โ
Adrian had already taken out his phone. Since they were the people Master trusted, Zinnia felt she had no choice but to comply. She thought, They are the backup Master set up for me.
โIf they can reach Master, heโll definitely worry if I donโt add them,โ she reasoned, adding him. As Adrian looked at her profile picture, a small smile appeared on his face.
Zinnia walked out with Adrian. Lysander watched from behind, his wise eyes fixed on Zinnia. โHow could her eyes look so much like my sonโs?โ he wondered.
Outside the club, Zinnia stopped. โI can handle the rest myself.โ
โAlright, Zinnia. Donโt hesitate to reach out if you need anything,โ Adrian said, handing her the box.
โOkay,โ Zinnia replied, taking the box. Adrian watched her disappear into the mall, then returned to the club. Lysander remained seated, his gaze lingering on the empty chair.
โDid you see her off?โ Lysander asked.
Adrian nodded. โYeah, I only came back after seeing her go into the mall.โ He added, with a teasing smile, โGrandpa, do you have a soft spot for Zinnia?โ
โDonโt you think she looks a bit familiar?โ Lysander asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
โGrandpa,โ Adrian said, โMr. M told you to cut back on coffee.โ
Adrian quickly stepped forward and gently took the coffee away, unsure why Lysander had said that.
โIโm dying, and this is the only pleasure I have left! You wonโt even let me drink it?โ Lysander grumbled, glaring at his grandson.
โOnce youโre fully better, you can drink as much as you want,โ Adrian said firmly. โYou just got out of the hospital, so I need to watch you.โ
โAdrian, donโt you feel something strange about that girl?โ Adrian looked at him helplessly, then sighed, โI should never have brought you back with me. Now I canโt even enjoy a good cup of coffee.โ
Adrian turned to face him. โGrandpa, you feel it too?โ
Lysander said, โZinniaโs eyes are very much like yours.โ Both had that slight upward curve at the outer corners.
โGrandpa, my parents only had me. If Mom finds out Dad cheated, heโll come crying to you,โ Adrian teased.
Lysanderโs face darkened, his tone losing its gentleness. โMaybe you should get your head checked.โ
โWait, are you saying sheโs Uncle Galenโs daughter? But heโs never even been married. How could he have a kid?โ Adrian blurted out, surprised.
Lysander sighed. โRemember heโs a playboy? If Zinnia really is the child from his reckless youth, then our whole family failed her.โ
Lysanderโs instincts were always accurate. He knew Zinnia had to be part of the family.
Adrian fell silent, thinking back over ten years to when his uncle was known as a notorious playboy. Heโd cleaned up his act after some troubleโฆbut with all his past flings, maybe he had left a child behind.
After meeting Zinnia, that strange feeling of familiarity made it seem plausible. โLook into her background. Better to check than miss this chance,โ Lysander said.
They never had a girl in the family. โIf only she really belonged to the family,โ he thought wistfully.
โIโll look into it,โ Adrian agreed, feeling excited inside.