Chapter 323
Under the gazebo in the courtyard, Fiona held her coffee, gazing at Nathan across from her. She asked, โNow that youโre back this year, how long are you staying?โ
Nathan had disappeared six months earlier, leaving Fiona clueless about his whereabouts. Heโd always been shrouded in mystery. She knew Nathanโs identity was far from ordinary. The small town was never meant to be a permanent home for Zinnia and Nathan. They were bound to leave eventually.
Nathan lowered his head and took a sip of coffee. โProbably about a month. Zinnia still needs to go back to school,โ he murmured. The rich aroma filled his mouth, gradually soothing the discomfort in his throat.
โOne month,โ Fiona murmured when she heard the timeframe, feeling sad that he was leaving again so soon.
Fiona looked up at Nathan and asked, โWhat do you think of me relocating my law firm to Jinston?โ
โFiona, youโre coming back?โ Zinnia asked, sitting beside Nathan and nibbling on the pistachios heโd shelled for her.
In front of the gazebo, Nathan had set up a screen for Zinnia, playing a movie. Christmas Eve was for late-night chats. Fionaโs folks had passed away in a crash when she was seven, so home meant being by herself. That was why she stayed with Zinnia and Nathan each year, finding solace in their company during the long night.
Fionaโs deep eyes curved with a smile. โExactly. With all of you back home, itโs been lonely for me overseas. My law firm is well-established now, and the company happens to be considering opening a branch office back home. This is the perfect time for me to return.โ
She said to Zinnia, โZinnia, now that youโre in Jinston, wouldnโt it be nice if I came to keep you company, too?โ
With everyone back home and having built a solid foundation for herself, Fiona longed to return and be by their side.
โFiona, thereโs no need to rush back. Focus on your law firm first. Iโm in 12th grade now, and who knows where Iโll end up after this,โ Zinnia said, glancing toward Nathan.
Their future was still up in the air. No one could say whether theyโd stay in Jinston or end up somewhere else. Even Zinnia herself wasnโt sure if sheโd remain in Jinston in the end. If something really happened to Nathan, she couldnโt begin to imagine what her life would become.
Fiona turned to Nathan, wanting to hear his opinion. โNathan?โ
Nathanโs eyes showed a hint of concern. โDid something happen while you were overseas?โ
Fiona shook her head. โNo, nothing happened. I just wanted to come back. Thatโs all. Honestly, I miss our life back home much more than overseas.โ
Fiona had built a thriving career overseas, yet she yearned to return home. She had gone abroad to better herself, and now that sheโd established herself, she wanted to return. After all, both Nathan and Zee were in the country.
Nathan said gently, โYouโve built a successful career overseas.โ
Fiona lowered her gaze slightly. โHe doesnโt want me back,โ she thought.
โOf course, the decision to return is entirely yours,โ Nathan said, his voice gentle and clear. โIf you want to come back, you can. Things are going well here, and with your abilities, you could easily make your mark.โ
He stated the facts objectively. All of Fionaโs professional connections were overseas, and she had graduated from a university in Germmiland. She was exceptionally capable. Despite her youth, she had already secured a leadership position at a domestic law firm. Building her career abroad would clearly be easier, but returning home would mean starting over completely.
Having grown up together, Nathan still hoped Fiona would think things through carefully before deciding to return, rather than coming back rashly.
Fiona gazed at Nathanโs face. She found his eyes were calm and serene, without a hint of personal bias. Her voice softened as she murmured, โIโll think it over.โ
Nathan nodded without another word. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zinnia wince from the spicy snack Cheetos. He picked up the warm milk from the table and handed it to her. โHere, drink some milk.โ
โUgh, these Cheetos are so spicy!โ Zinnia exclaimed as she took the cup of milk with both hands and obediently took a sip.
โToo spicy? Then donโt eat that,โ Nathan said, moving the Cheetos away from Zinnia. He got her some chips and cookies instead.
Zinnia hadnโt eaten much at dinner, so during the night chat, Nathan brought her some snacks.
Fiona watched as Nathan doted on Zinnia, a bitter smile touching her lips. โThe only one he truly cares about is Zee,โ she thought.
โYouโve got sauce all over your mouth,โ Fiona said with an amused yet helpless smile as she noticed the mess at the corner of Zinniaโs lips. She picked up a napkin from the table and gently wiped it away for her.
Watching her, Nathan chuckled and said, โDonโt spoil her. Let her wipe her own mouth.โ
Fiona shot Nathan a look and teased, โPot calling the kettle black. You spoil Zinnia just as much as I do.โ When it came to pampering Zinnia, Nathan was certainly no less guilty.
Since she was little, Zinnia was given everything she wanted and never had to lift a finger. The only hardship she ever faced was studying, but even then, Nathan paved the way for her.
Zinnia was truly Nathanโs most treasured one. She was spoiled rotten in the palm of Nathanโs hand since her childhood. No matter how much hardship he endured, Nathan always made sure Zinnia had nothing but the best.
Nathan just smiled quietly, saying nothing. Fiona remembered the first time she met Zinnia and Nathan. Both of them were dressed in tattered clothes, and Nathan was covered in wounds. Yet he protectively cradled a baby in his arms. Even though his hands were battered and bleeding, he never loosened his firm hold on the child.
When Nathan first arrived in the small town, he had nothing to his name but a set of acupuncture needles. To thank Giselle for the goat milk she gave them, he parted with the only set of needles he owned as payment.
Fiona gently wiped the sauce from the corner of Zinniaโs mouth, her eyes shining with a tender smile. โZee was born to be spoiled,โ she said.
โFiona, youโre so sweet. I wonder whoโll be lucky enough to win your affection someday. That person would be the luckiest,โ Zinnia said playfully. Having grown up being spoiled by them, sheโd long taken it for granted.
Fiona smiled and gave Zeeโs cheek a gentle pinch. โIโm completely smitten with you, Zee,โ she said.
โFiona, donโt tell me you like me? Oh, my, Iโd be so flattered!โ Zinnia suddenly blushed and covered her face with both hands.
With Fionaโs rare visit home and all the new faces and experiences around, Zinniaโs mood had noticeably lifted.
โExactly, I adore you, Zee,โ Fiona cooed, gently rubbing her on the nose.
Nathan watched as Fiona and Zinnia laughed and joked together.
Zinnia leaned back in her chair, glancing between Nathan and Fiona. โNathanโs here, and Fiona is, too. All weโre missing is Quincey. Wonder when heโll show up.โ
Quincey was the only one missing. Every Christmas, the four of them had always celebrated together.
Right then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Quincey walked in, tall and striking in a well-tailored black suit. โWhoโs been thinking of me?โ he asked playfully.
โQuincey!โ Zinniaโs eyes lit up in surprise.
โHeโs back,โ Nathan said, unsurprised.
Fiona teased Quincey, โYouโre really late this year. What kept you?โ
Quinceyโs usually rugged face flushed slightly when he saw Fiona. โSomething came up this year.โ
โNow that Quinceyโs back, weโre all together!โ Zinnia said cheerfully.
In the middle of their conversation, a sudden crackle of firecrackers erupted outside, followed by bursts of fireworks. Only then did they realize midnight had quietly arrived.
Zinnia beamed at them. โMerry Christmas, Nathan, Fiona, and Quincey!โ
โMerry Christmas, Zinnia,โ Nathan said softly, his eyes warm with affection.
Fiona turned to Nathan beside her. โMerry Christmas, Nathan,โ she said gently.
โMerry Christmas, Fiona,โ Quincey said, his gaze fixed on her. But when he noticed her eyes remained on Nathan, a shadow of disappointment crossed his face.