Chapter 278
โYannis, is there anything you want for your birthday?โ Zinnia asked.
Yannis had kept vigil by Jamesโ bedside all night. When Devin suggested he take Zinnia back to rest, he agreed and left the hospital with her.
On their way home, Zinnia frowned, thinking about Yannisโ upcoming birthday. She didnโt know what he liked or what kind of gift to get him.
His birthday was just a month away, and Zinnia had no idea what she should prepare. She thought, โMaybe I should just ask him directly. After all, I donโt want to give him anything he doesnโt want.โ
Yannis turned to her with a playful smirk. โAre you thinking of getting me a gift?โ
Zinnia answered honestly, โYeah, itโs your birthday. I want to get you something you like, but I really have no idea what that is.โ
Yannis said, โIt doesnโt matter. Iโm just glad that you care about me.โ He had never really cared about his birthday before, but now he found himself genuinely looking forward to it.
โAlright then. Iโll figure something out,โ Zinnia said. She felt it would be awkward to press him further about his preferences.
After going home, Zinnia had a sound sleep and it wasnโt until the afternoon that she got a call. It was from an unknown number.
โHello? Whoโs this?โ Zinnia said, and there was still a lingering drowsiness in her tone. She rolled over, snuggling deeper into her blankets. Seeing the phone still silent, she said again, โHello?โ
Still, there was no answer.
โHello?โ Zinnia repeated, rubbing her messy hair. She fixed her eyes on the strange number, and a sudden intuition hit her. โNathan?โ
Zinniaโs voice was cautious, tinged with unease. She could hear faint, hurried breathing on the phone, and her grip on the phone tightened. However, before she could say anything, she heard a soft voice. โZinnia.โ
Zinniaโs mind went blank. That voice was so familiar, and she missed it so much. In an instant, she threw off her blanket and sat bolt upright, saying in a trembling voice, โNathan.โ
Zinnia stumbled out of bed, and when she opened the door, she saw Yannis standing outside. He was going to call her for dinner.
Yannis caught her as she rushed out and asked, โWhatโs wrong?โ
Zinnia grabbed his arm, her eyes shining with overwhelming joy as she looked up. โNathan is back.โ
Yannis froze in place. After a short pause, he said, โGo get dressed. Iโll take you to him.โ
Yannis looked down, noticing that Zinnia had rushed out in nothing but her pajamas, barefoot. Her feet sank into the soft carpet.
โOh, okay.โ Zinnia was just too excited. Under Yannisโ urge, she hurried back into the bedroom to change her clothes.
The door shut in front of Yannis. He stood frozen outside, body tense, his skin tingling. For a split second, even his breath faltered.
The dishes on the table were gradually cooling down. After thinking for a while, he took out his phone and called someone.
โYannis?โ Jackson answered, but Yannis remained silent for a long while.
โAre you back?โ Yannis finally said. He kept his tone calm, but there was a rawness in his voice he couldnโt hide.
โYeah,โ Jackson replied.
Zinnia threw open the door, her voice bubbling with excitement. โYannis, Iโm ready. Letโs go.โ
Chapter 278
Yannis drove Zinnia to the airport. With no time to arrange a private jet, Jackson and Nathan had to take the available flight.
โYannis, turn right up ahead, near the airport," Zinnia peered out the window at a passing flower shop and urged quickly.
Yannis pressed the brakes and asked in a calm tone, โWhatโs wrong?โ
โI want to buy some flowers.โ Zinnia pointed eagerly at the flower shop nearby.
Yannis hesitated, but he still did as she wished and pulled over in front of the shop. Then they walked in together.
โHi, could I get a bouquet of roses, a bunch of jasmine, and-โ Zinnia paused, glancing back at the quiet Yannis behind her. โSome orchids, please?โ
Yannis reached for his phone to pay, but Zinnia pressed his hand down. โIโll pay for the flowers myself.โ
Yannisโ expression darkened a little. He thought, โOh, so when it comes to flowers, itโs your master who gets all the love, huh? Iโve been traveling for work all this time, and where were my flowers?โ
Zinnia took out her phone and paid before the staff member handed them the carefully wrapped bouquets. The total was about 250 dollars.
โWhy three bouquets?โ Yannis asked as he helped her carry the flowers.
โOne bouquet for Nathan, one for Jackson.โ Zinnia held two bouquets in her arms, while Yannis held a bouquet of orchids.
โAnd the last one?โ he asked.
โItโs for you,โ Zinnia said, glancing at the orchids in his arms.
โReally?โ Yannis didnโt expect that. โWhich one is for me?โ
โThe one youโre holding,โ said Zinnia.
Yannis looked down and found that the bouquet in his arms was a mix of orchid and daisy. The orchids symbolized freedom, happiness, and joy, while the daisies symbolized blessing and gratitude.
โI hope youโll always be free and happy, and never let the past hold you back,โ Zinnia said earnestly. She also wanted to thank him for all his care, but she kept that to herself.
A simple โthank youโ would hardly do, and given how well she knew Yannis, she knew it might only annoy him more.
Hearing her words, Yannis felt much happier. He said, โLetโs go pick up Nathan.โ He gently touched the orchids, looking quite satisfied.
After getting into the car, Zinnia turned to look at him. โYannis, are you still upset?โ
โWhy?โ Yannis carefully placed the bouquet on the armrest, fussing with his jacket to pad it and wrapping it gently so the flowers wouldnโt get crushed.
Zinnia noticed his meticulous care. She could tell from his face that he was a little unhappy. โAre you worried that after Nathan comes back, Iโll start ignoring you?โ
Yannis froze. His voice tightened as he asked, โWill you?โ
Yannis had thought before, between him and Nathan, who mattered more to her. And the answer was always Nathan. However, when Nathan was back, he couldnโt help worrying she would start drifting away from him.
He thought they would have more time, but Nathanโs sudden return caught him completely off guard. He knew the person beside Jackson must have been Nathan when he called him yesterday.
Thinking it over, Yannis couldnโt really blame him because if he were Nathan and knew Zinnia was in danger, he would have rushed back immediately too.
Chapter 278
Yannis just didnโt expect them to be back so soon.
โYannis, Iโll never forget what youโve done for me,โ Zinnia said softly, gently touching the flowers he had carefully arranged.
Zinnia meant it. Yannis had spent the past few months doing everything he could for her, so there was no way she would just push him aside just because Nathan was back.
โIโm so glad to hear that,โ Yannis said and stared at her. His eyes brimmed with mixed feelings, all of which melted into quiet satisfaction. All he wanted was for her not to forget him.