Chapter 224
Zionla, Yannik’s võlee came through the door, laced with concern, but he didn’t barge in.
"I just knocked something over while washing my hands,” Zinnia called back.
Thinking she was done, Yannis asked softly, “Mind if I come in?”
“Nope,” Zinnia replied.
When Yannis entered, he saw Zinnia bending to pick something up. He knelt quickly to retrieve it and glanced at her. “Wanna wash your hands?”
“Yeah.” Zinnia nodded.
At her confirmation, Yannis took her hand gently and guided it to the sink. The sensor faucet sprung to life as they approached.
As Yannis’s long fingers massaged her palm, Zinnia leaned against him, half-standing, which made her legs less tired.
Her left hand was wrapped in gauze, so he fetched a soft wet wipe, dampened it, and cleaned her fingers one by one, each movement precise.
Zinnia’s eyes fell upon his hands. They were long and slender, with nails trimmed neatly. Crystal-clear water droplets clung to his skin, giving it a subtle, luminous glow. The backs of his hands were smooth, veined with faint blue lines that pulsed gently.
After finishing washing, he gently clasped her hand and began to wipe each finger with slow, deliberate care.
“You’re too good at this. Have you taken care of other girls before?” Zinnia puffed her cheeks. Her lashes fluttered downward, a sudden ache in her chest somehow. ‘Maybe I’m not that special,’ she thought.
“Want to know?” Yannis paused, looking down at her. He seemed surprised by her question, which sounded a bit like she was jealous.
In the past, she seldom spared him a second thought unless he made the first move. Whenever he did her a kindness, she would go to great lengths to repay it, determined to keep things superficial.
Back when they first met, Zinnia often seemed lost in her own universe, detached. The outside world held no appeal; this unfamiliar city was just a place she could abandon at will.
Now, almost two months later, she finally showed some concern for him. That realization softened Yannis’ expression.
Zinnia looked away. “Just asking. No need to answer if you don’t want to.”
“You’re the only one,” Yannis said softly.
Before this, he’d always been the one being cared for. Even during his two years abroad, he shared an apartment with Toby, who was like an older brother, always looking out for him.
At home, it was no different. Devin and Layla always doted on him. While James was the only one who scolded him relentlessly, it was always James who ended up the most flustered after each scolding.
In short, Yannis had been genuinely pampered since birth. Elders doted on him, and even older figures like Jackson and Perry treated him like a kid brother, always ready to help.
Except for the incident over a decade ago and his insomnia, Yannis had known little hardship. Even during the period when James cut off his allowance for insisting on studying abroad, people secretly sent him money, afraid he’d actually suffer.
He’d lived a charmed life, the epitome of a golden boy. Even those who disliked him didn’t dare cross him. With James’s status, no one could force Yannis to care for others–unless he wanted to.
Yet here he was, waiting on Zinnia hand and foot, pampering her like a princess–she was the first and only person to get such treatment.
Since childhood, he’d watched James tend to Grace. James might act tough in public, but at home, he bound Grace’s finger. Years of observation let him absorb those gestures unconsciously–like father, like son.
Zinnia lifted her eyes to Yannis, stunned. She had never imagined that she was the only one he had ever cared for. She’d assumed he was a pro at caregiving.
Zinnia’s astonishment was plain on her face. Yannis chuckled, “Guess meeting you unlocked my caregiving skills—no practice needed."
He gently pinched her cheek, his eyes dancing with mirth. She had regained some color after eating, yet beneath his touch, he could still feel the hollowness of her cheeks.
“Yannis, that sounds like pickup lines from cheesy CEO romances,” Zinnia huffed playfully, meeting his smile with a pretend pout. ‘His flattery is getting too smooth,’ she thought.
Yannis turned to catch her evasive gaze, the corner of his mouth curving into a smile. He said, his voice smooth, “Who said it’s a line? I mean it, Zinnia. You’re different, the only girl I’ve ever cared for like this.
“My whole heart belongs to you. No matter where I am, I’m always thinking about you, wondering if you’re alright. So promise me you won’t leave me, okay?”
When Zinnia least expected it, she met his smiling eyes. He said he’d given his whole heart to her–even though she knew he was teasing–her heart did a backflip.
It tickled, but she didn’t pull away. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. As if afraid to startle her, the touch pulled back, then inched closer bit by bit, sneaking into her heart.
Zinnia couldn’t name the strange feeling. His words held depths she couldn’t fathom. With a coy smile, she teased, “How do I know if you’re serious?”
“Time will prove it.” Yannis could tell by her expression she wasn’t taking him seriously, and he didn’t press. With a soft laugh, he scooped her up. “Let me carry you out.”
Right now, all he wanted was to treat Zinnia right–to slowly win her over. He wanted her to know Nathan wasn’t the only one who cared about her. And next time something happened, he wanted to be the one she thought of.
Yannis carried her steadily back to the bedroom, settled her on the bed, and tucked the covers around her. The AC kept the room cozy, so she wouldn’t get cold.
“Yannis, go do your work,” Zinnia said.
Zinnia saw his computer notifications lighting up like crazy. Figuring he was swamped, she said, “Go deal with your work first, Yannis.”
Earlier, she’d half-awoken to his care: his fingers on her forehead, something gentle on her lips, and once, the brief warmth of his cheek against hers.
‘He’s been looking after me this whole time, putting his business on hold,’ she realized with a twinge of guilt.
Yannis bent to retrieve the tablet that had slipped under the covers. He activated the auto-scroll on her video app, then leaned over to brush a stray hair from her shoulder. “Call me if you need anything,” he said softly.
“Okay.”