Chapter 196
Zinniaโs transfer to Evershine High dramatically altered her living environment, significantly impacting her. Her academic performance was a concern, but her emotional well-being was paramount. At only seventeen, most girls would be overwhelmed, yet she maintained high scores in reading, writing, and languageโa testament to her hard work. Science, however, remained a challenge, requiring sustained effort to catch up.
โYannis,โ Zinnia asked, โif you donโt care about my grades, why did you ask if I had anything to tell you after I returned?โ
After spending time with Yannis, Zinnia could discern his seriousness. Knowing he didn't care about her grades, she shed her guilt and brightened. Staring at him, she mused, โHe seems unaware that I failed or snuck snacks, but his reaction suggests otherwise. Why?โ
โWonโt you have a parent-teacher meeting?โ Yannis inquired. Having attended Evershine High, he was familiar with its policies.
โYes, we will,โ Zinnia replied, puzzled.
โWho are you planning to invite as your guardian?โ Yannis asked, his gaze fixed on her. He thought, โShe seems carefree. Has she already chosen someone?โ
โMom, of course,โ Zinnia answered.
Yannis thought, โOh, right. I forgot Yvette is her mother now.โ He raised an eyebrow. โDo you think she can cover for both you and Maisie?โ
โWhy not? Maisie and I are family,โ Zinnia said, confused.
Yannis, expression unchanged, replied, โEven so, she canโt appear as the parent of both of you. Do you think she can handle both your situations simultaneously? What if she gets things mixed up?โ
โIf not, Iโll ask Charlie for help,โ Zinnia said. Unfamiliar with Evershine High's rules, she found his words sensible given his serious demeanor. She thought, โThe meeting will be long. If Mom hears about both me and Maisie, sheโll be overwhelmed. Does Charlie have time? I should check with him later.โ
Yannis said, โCharlie has been busy lately.โ He thought, โI canโt believe her first thought was to turn to the Lynn family.โ
โMaybe I should check with Jackson,โ Zinnia said, though aware of his likely commitments.
Yannis said, โJackson has also been busy lately. Heโs running around like a headless chicken.โ
Chapter 196
โWellโฆโ Zinnia decided against bothering Jackson. She thought, โMaybe I should ask Grandma and Grandpa.โ
Yannis said, โYour grandparents are getting on in years. Parent-teacher meetings can be long, and sitting for that long could affect their health.โ
Zinnia thought helplessly, โNow thereโs really no one I can ask. Even Master isnโt here.โ
โHow about Perry?โ Zinnia asked. She considered him due to his friendship with Yannis and his suitability for the meeting.
Yannis said, โPerry is busy with some messy family business. He doesnโt have time for you.โ He wryly thought, โShe even considered Perry. How could she not think of me? Iโm a perfect option right in front of her.โ
โYannis, do you have any suggestions? Even Toby would do,โ Zinnia pleaded.
All her options were exhausted. She thought, โIf no one can make it, Iโll just have to represent my guardian myself.โ
Yannis replied, โToby is busy with work.โ He thought helplessly, โGreat. She even thought of Toby, but I never crossed her mind.โ
โIf it really comes to that, could you go for me, Yannis?โ Zinnia asked.
Observing Yannis dismiss every suggestion, Zinnia wondered about his seemingly intimate knowledge of everyoneโs schedule. Feeling hopeless, she thought, โIf Yannis doesnโt have time, I might ask Benedict for help.โ
โAlright. Friday afternoon, right?โ Yannis replied.
โYes.โ Zinnia studied him, sensing he awaited her invitation.
โWhat are you looking at?โ Yannis asked, suddenly realizing his hasty agreement. Awkwardness flickered across his face.
โYannis, were you just waiting for me to invite you to attend my parent-teacher meeting? Arenโt you busy? My other brothers are occupied, and you just got back from overseas. Shouldnโt you be even busier?โ Zinnia asked.
Zinniaโs certainty grew. She had considered inviting him, but his current workload seemed insurmountable. He'd been at a party the previous day, and she'd overheard comments about his demanding schedule at the peak of his career. The meeting would consume almost an entire afternoon, so sheโd hesitated to bother him. She often saw his study light on late at night, further reinforcing her reluctance to impose. Most importantly, she knew he disliked being disturbed and didn't want to appear as a constant source of trouble, especially after already asking him for so much. For something so minor, she deemed it unnecessary. Therefore, she was extremely surprised by his swift agreement, as if heโd rehearsed it countless times, merely awaiting her request.
Chapter 196
โWasnโt this your invitation? Now that youโve asked, how could I possibly say no? Tell me, have I ever turned you down before?โ Yannis asked.
Sensing Zinnia's increasing perceptiveness, Yannis straightened and adopted a serious expression.
Zinnia said, โYannis, if youโre busy, I can ask Benedict instead.โ
โDonโt worry. Iโll attend your parent-teacher meeting, even if I have to make time for it,โ Yannis said, pointedly ignoring her alternative suggestion as he stood to clear the dishes.
โYannis, you were just waiting for me to invite you, werenโt you?โ Zinnia pressed.
Yannis ignored her, extending a hand. โPass me the plate.โ
โYannis, if you wanted to attend my parent-teacher meeting, you could have just said so. Why beat around the bush and make me so anxious?โ Zinnia said.
Zinnia handed him the plate, momentarily speechless as his silence revealed his true intentions. She thought, โHoly crap! He beat around the bush just to get me to invite him. I see right through him now.โ
Zinnia glared angrily. โSuch a sly businessman. He always plays mind games. He couldโve just told me. God, he scared me so much. I confessed everything, even about secretly eating snacks.โ
Yannis raised an eyebrow. โYou did something wrong and confessed without my questioning. Now youโre blaming me?โ He thought, โShe always twists the blame. Now I become the villain just for teasing her.โ
Zinnia huffed.
โAlright. My bad. I promise I wonโt tease you again,โ Yannis apologized, smiling. Her carefree spirit was infectious; watching her made it impossible for him not to smile.