Chapter 281
Nathanโs return felt like a change, and yet, somehow, nothing had really changed.
Yannis came home alone. He stared at the quiet house for a long moment before finally clearing away the cold food on the table. He sat quietly in the living room for what felt like an eternity, gradually easing the loneliness in his heart.
He and Zinnia had been around each other for so long that solitude felt unfamiliar now. Yannis rubbed his forehead, thinking, โFunny how easily habits form and how hard they are to break.โ
He had gotten used to the noise and the feeling of someone always waiting at home. Now that she was suddenly gone, the silence was harder to accept than he expected.
Zinnia blocked the doorway as Nathan tried to see her out. โYou donโt have to do this. Just stay home and get some rest. Iโll be back after school and bring you something delicious, okay?โ
She knew he had flown back overnight and hadnโt had a proper rest.
Zinnia looked at Nathan with concern. โYour cough is pretty bad. You really shouldnโt take it lightly. Just rest at home, okay? If you need anything, just order it on your phone.โ
Nathan took the backpack from Zinniaโs hands. โIโm not tired at all. This is my first time walking you to school here in Jinston. Honestly, Iโm quite curious what your school is like.โ
โDidnโt you want to keep who you are secret? With your striking looks, youโll be noticed the moment you go out,โ Zinnia protested, blocking his way.
Nathan was all covered up yesterday, only his eyes showing above the mask, but still, that was more than enough to draw peopleโs gaze.
Besides, Zinnia heard that someone was targeting her, and all she could think about was whether Nathan would get caught up in it.
โIโll just stay in the car. I promise I wonโt get out,โ Nathan said after a momentโs thought.
Zinnia hesitated briefly and said, โAlright then.โ
They took the elevator down, and as soon as they reached the ground floor, they saw Emily and Stephen, who stared at Nathan warily.
โEmily, this is my mentor. Yannis knows him. Heโs taking me to school, so you donโt have to come with me,โ Zinnia said.
There was too much going on last night, so Yannis didnโt have time to tell Emily and Stephen about Nathan yet.
โWhatโs wrong?โ Just then, Yannis came out of the elevator, drawing their attention.
After learning what had happened, Yannis explained, โThereโs no need to be on guard. This gentleman is Zinniaโs family. And you donโt have to follow her to school this morning.โ
Only after Yannis explained did Emily and Stephen finally lower their guard. Because of the rise of the underground forces, they had no choice but to stay alert around any strangers who approached Zinnia.
Besides, Nathan kept his mask on, his cap low. To people who didnโt know him, that was reason enough to be wary.
After Emily and Stephen left, Nathan said to Yannis, โThanks for protecting her.โ
โNo problem,โ Yannis replied with a gentle smile.
Zinnia noticed the faint dark circles under Yannisโ eyes. โDidnโt you sleep well last night?โ She asked with concern.
His skin was pale, so the dark circles under his eyes stood out, especially after two nights with barely any sleep.
Zinnia thought, โIs Yannis still haunted by what happened seventeen years ago? No way. He already talked it through with James. He shouldnโt be losing sleep over it.โ
โAre you still having trouble sleeping? Let Nathan check on you. Heโs much better at medical skills than I am.โ As Zinnia spoke, she reached out to pull Nathan over for an examination.
She thought, โHe canโt go on like this. Guess my medical skills still arenโt quite there. Itโs time for Nathan to step in.โ
Nathanโs eyes softened with concern. โAre you feeling unwell?โ
Yannis shook his head. โIโm fine. Iโm not losing sleep anymore. I just had some work last night and stayed up late.โ He really couldnโt sleep last night, but it wasnโt because of what happened seventeen years ago.
Zinnia studied him carefully. โReally? Youโre not lying to me, are you?โ
โI swear Iโm not. If I feel unwell, Iโll definitely come to you two,โ Yannis said with a light chuckle. โAre you heading off to school?โ
Zinnia nodded. โYeah.โ
โIโll drive you there,โ Yannis said.
Zinnia hesitated, intending to refuse. โDonโt you have to go to work?โ
To everyoneโs surprise, Nathan nodded and agreed to Yannisโ proposal. Then they accompanied Zinnia to school.
โHey, Maisie!โ Zinnia called out, seeing Maisie waiting outside for her. She pushed open the door, jumped out, and dashed straight toward Maisie.
Due to the potential dangers surrounding Zinnia, Maisie always accompanied her at school for protection.
Nathan watched through the window as Zinnia bounced along with Maisie toward the school gate, his eyes filled with tenderness.
It wasnโt until Zinnia was completely out of sight that Nathan reluctantly withdrew his gaze. โYannis, thank you for taking such good care of Zinnia all this time.โ
โHaving Zinnia around has been more of a pleasure for me,โ Yannis replied with a faint smile. โAre you going home? I can give you a ride.โ
โLetโs find a cafรฉ and talk,โ Nathan said gently.
โAlright,โ Yannis responded, sensing the seriousness in Nathanโs tone.
Nathan took off his mask in a private room in the cafรฉ.
Yannis took a seat across from Nathan, and between them sat a coffee table, with freshly brewed coffee on it. Yannis said, โTry this.โ
Nathan held the cup and took a sip. โIt tastes amazing,โ he said with a smile. He recognized this as the flat white that had been highly recommended online recently.
Yannis said, โZinnia told me you like this.โ
Nathan lowered his gaze with a soft smile. โZinnia even told you about that, huh? Looks like you two are close to each other.โ
Yannis looked at Nathan and said gently, โShe cares about you. Sheโs been worried sick about you ever since you left.โ
Nathan looked at Yannis with a gentle gaze. โYannis, what do you think of Zinnia?โ
What do you mean?โ Yannis blinked, not sure why he was asking this question.
โI just need you to be honest with me,โ Nathan said gently.
Yannis fell silent for a long moment before he finally said, โSheโs a good girl. Nathan, you must be very proud of her.โ He couldnโt pinpoint what he liked about Zinnia because, to him, everything about her was perfect.
Nathan smiled. โWould you be willing to take care of Zinnia from now on?โ
Yannis remained silent for a long time with a rare look of confusion. He had no idea why Nathan would say something like that, so he hesitated.
Nathan stared at Yannis with a serious look, saying slowly, โI can feel how much Zinnia relies on you. You mean a lot to her.
โAfter we got back last night, I asked if she was doing okay in Jinston. She said she was fine and mentioned a lot of people. The one she mentioned the most was you. She kept saying how good youโve been to her.
โBecause of what Zinnia has been through since she was little, her emotional awareness isnโt as strong as most peopleโs. Even so, she can feel how genuine you are. You must have put in so much effort.โ
Yannis suddenly felt that something was off. He asked, โIs something wrong with your health? If you ever need help, Iโm here for you.โ
โJackson was right about you being smart,โ Nathan said with a gentle smile, โIโm good, and if I need anything, I wonโt hesitate to ask.
โIf Iโm still alive after this is all settled, Iโll take her back to Mealinia for a few years, but if something happens, I want you to look after Zinnia.โ