Chapter 278

“Yannis, is there anything you want for your birthday?” Zinnia asked.

Yannis had kept vigil by James‘ 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 Yannis‘ upcoming birthday. She didn’t 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, ‘Maybe I should just ask him directly. After all, I don’t want to give him anything he doesn’t want.’

Yannis turned to her with a playful smirk. “Are you thinking of getting me a gift?”

Zinnia answered honestly, “Yeah, it’s your birthday. I want to get you something you like, but I really have no idea what that is.”

Yannis said, “It doesn’t matter. I’m just glad that you care about me.” He had never really cared about his birthday before, but now he found himself genuinely looking forward to it.

“Alright then. I’ll figure something out,” 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 wasn’t until the afternoon that she got a call. It was from an unknown number.

“Hello? Who’s this?” 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, “Hello?”

Still, there was no answer.

“Hello?” Zinnia repeated, rubbing her messy hair. She fixed her eyes on the strange number, and a sudden intuition hit her. “Nathan?”

Zinnia’s 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. “Zinnia.”

Zinnia’s 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, “Nathan.”

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, “What’s wrong?”

Zinnia grabbed his arm, her eyes shining with overwhelming joy as she looked up. “Nathan is back.”

Yannis froze in place. After a short pause, he said, “Go get dressed. I’ll take you to him.”

Yannis looked down, noticing that Zinnia had rushed out in nothing but her pajamas, barefoot. Her feet sank into the soft carpet.

“Oh, okay.” Zinnia was just too excited. Under Yannis‘ 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.

“Yannis?” Jackson answered, but Yannis remained silent for a long while.

“Are you back?” Yannis finally said. He kept his tone calm, but there was a rawness in his voice he couldn’t hide.

“Yeah,” Jackson replied.

Zinnia threw open the door, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Yannis, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

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.

“Yannis, 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, “What’s wrong?”

“I want to buy some flowers.” 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.

“Hi, could I get a bouquet of roses, a bunch of jasmine, and-” Zinnia paused, glancing back at the quiet Yannis behind her. “Some orchids, please?”

Yannis reached for his phone to pay, but Zinnia pressed his hand down. “I’ll pay for the flowers myself.”

Yannis‘ expression darkened a little. He thought, ‘Oh, so when it comes to flowers, it’s your master who gets all the love, huh? I’ve been traveling for work all this time, and where were my flowers?‘

Zinnia took out her phone and paid before the staff member handed them the carefully wrapped bouquets. The total was about 250 dollars.

“Why three bouquets?” Yannis asked as he helped her carry the flowers.

“One bouquet for Nathan, one for Jackson.” Zinnia held two bouquets in her arms, while Yannis held a bouquet of orchids.

“And the last one?” he asked.

“It’s for you,” Zinnia said, glancing at the orchids in his arms.

“Really?” Yannis didn’t expect that. “Which one is for me?”

“The one you’re holding,” 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.

“I hope you’ll always be free and happy, and never let the past hold you back,” Zinnia said earnestly. She also wanted to thank him for all his care, but she kept that to herself.

A simple “thank you” 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, “Let’s go pick up Nathan.” He gently touched the orchids, looking quite satisfied.

After getting into the car, Zinnia turned to look at him. “Yannis, are you still upset?”

“Why?” Yannis carefully placed the bouquet on the armrest, fussing with his jacket to pad it and wrapping it gently so the flowers wouldn’t get crushed.

Zinnia noticed his meticulous care. She could tell from his face that he was a little unhappy. “Are you worried that after Nathan comes back, I’ll start ignoring you?”

Yannis froze. His voice tightened as he asked, “Will you?”

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 couldn’t help worrying she would start drifting away from him.

He thought they would have more time, but Nathan’s 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 couldn’t 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 didn’t expect them to be back so soon.

“Yannis, I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me,” 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.

“I’m so glad to hear that,” 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.