Chapter 339
Zinnia slept until dawn. When she came downstairs, the living room was quiet. Nathan wasnโt there, nor could she see Jackson or the others.
Zinnia called out, โNathan.โ The moment she couldnโt see him, a wave of anxiety washed over her. She couldnโt help but worry about his health.
โZinnia,โ Yannis said as he stepped in from the courtyard, cradling a freshly cut bouquet of vibrant flowers. Their brilliant, lively colors were a perfect reflection of his own radiant presence.
โYannisโฆโ Seeing him, Zinnia felt her anxious heart settle slightly.
โYannis, whereโs Nathan?โ Zinnia asked.
Yannis noticed the worry in her eyes and quickly assured her, โNathan took Jackson out for a walk to look around. He was worried about leaving you alone, so he asked me to stay with you.โ
Hearing that Nathan had gone out with Jackson, Zinnia felt slightly relieved, but then her worry about his condition resurfaced. โBut Nathanโs healthโฆโ
Yannis said, โNathan looks quite well today, and heโs got good energy, too. Besides, Jackson is a sensible person. If he sees that Nathan isnโt feeling well, he wonโt make him walk if heโs not up to it.โ
Yannisโs words put Zinnia at ease. He placed the flowers in the vase on the living room coffee table and then walked over to Zinnia. โWhat would you like to eat? Iโll cook it for you,โ he said gently.
Zinnia said, โIโd like some noodles.โ
โAlright, wait just a moment. Iโll make it for you,โ Yannis said with a warm smile.
Yannis went into the kitchen, while Zinnia waited in the living room.
โWhere could Nathan and Jackson have gone?โ Zinnia wondered as she pulled out her phone.
Yannis poked his head out of the kitchen. โOh, by the way, Zinnia, donโt forget to take the bag on the table.โ
Following Yannisโs words, Zinnia was surprised to spot a bag on the table.
Zinnia reached for the bag and asked curiously, โWhatโs inside?โ
The bag was stuffed to bursting, and through a gap she caught a glimpse of small boxes.
โThose presents are from James, Raymond, your grandparents, your parents, and your cousins,โ Yannis replied from the kitchen.
โPresents!โ Zinnia exclaimed as she opened the bag, and immediately a cascade of them tumbled out.
There was a pile of boxes of all sizes, most bulging so full that they resembled bricks.
Zinnia had never received so many presents before. She thought to herself, โThis is just the limit of the number of presents, not the limit of the givers.โ
James, Layla, Henry, Sofia, her three older cousins, and Raymond had all given her presents. As for her parents, Maelis and Donald, they did the same.
Since Zinnia couldnโt go back home, her family sent her presents. Still, nothing felt as festive as receiving real presents for Christmas.
Knowing that Yannis was coming over, they all prepared presents for him to bring to Zinnia.
Yannis called out from the kitchen, โThey couldnโt make it themselves, so they asked me to bring the presents for you. It got pretty late last night, and I totally forgot to give them to you.โ
โWow, so many!โ Zinnia scooped up the scattered presents and started opening them one by one. Some contained cash. Others held checks, and a few even had necklaces and bracelets.
Some even had gemstones gleaming with a bright sheen, a sight that brought instant delight.
Zinnia even found a property deed for a downtown apartment among the dozens of presents. Her eyes widened. When she tallied up all the presents, the total value easily reached tens of millions. For a moment, Zinnia felt as if sheโd struck it rich overnight.
Just as Zinnia finished opening the presents, Yannis brought out steaming bowls of noodles, their delicious aroma drifting right to her nose.
Yannis watched Zinniaโs face light up with joy. โYou look so happy with these,โ he teased. She reminded him of a kitten whoโd just gotten her favorite treat. If she had a tail, he was sure it would stick straight up.
Yannis glanced at the items Zinnia had placed on the coffee table. The most delightful were the small gemstones, followed by the property deed. Yannis recognized at a glance that it was from his grandfather, James.
The coffee table was piled high with gifts. As Yannis placed a bowl in front of her, Zinnia looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. โYannis, whereโs your present for me?โ
Yannis chuckled, โYouโve already gotten so many presents, and you still want one from me?โ
Zinnia blinked playfully at Yannis. โEveryone else got me a good present. Donโt tell me you didnโt prepare one for me, Yannis?โ
Yannis sat down beside her with a playful smile and teased, โWould you be disappointed if I said I didnโt have one?โ
โWell, I donโt believe you didnโt prepare one for me,โ Zinnia said with a pout. She was sure of it. Anyone else might forget, but not Yannis.
Even when he was away on business, Yannis would remember the delicious pastries Zinnia had casually mentioned and go out of his way to buy them for her.
When they lived together, no matter how busy Yannis was after work, heโd always come home at night with all kinds of little surprises.
Sometimes, it was a pretty hairpin, ice cream, a balloon, a cute doll, or delicious candy. And as for Christmas presents, Yannis would always prepare one for her.
โZinnia, Iโm afraid Iโll have to disappoint you this time,โ Yannis said, meeting her expectant gaze with a small, apologetic smile. โI really didnโt have a present for you. I came over in such a rush, and Iโve just been so exhausted lately.โ
Seeing Yannisโs reaction, Zinnia realized he really hadnโt prepared a present for her. For a brief moment, she felt a pang of disappointment, but it quickly faded.
She flashed a bright smile and said, โItโs okay. Having you here is the best Christmas present I could ask for!โ
Yannis didnโt miss the fleeting disappointment in her eyes. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. โLet me make it up to you later, okay? I promise youโll love the present.โ
Yannis thought to himself, โSheโll absolutely love that Christmas present. Jacksonโs already tracking some leads and has people following up. Itโll just take a little more time.โ
โSure,โ Zinnia responded absentmindedly, not picking up on the hidden meaning in his words. She gripped her fork and twirled a bite of noodles.
Zinnia thought, โItโs been ages since Iโve had Yannisโs cooking. I missed it so much. The sweet and sour broth mixed with the silky noodles is simply delicious.โ
โYannis, have you eaten yet?โ Zinnia asked, twirling a forkful of noodles into her mouth. As if suddenly remembering something, she paused and turned to look at him.
Yannis nodded as he helped her sort through the presents. โI already ate,โ he replied.
It was already past eight in the morning. Zinnia had stayed up late the night before and ended up sleeping in, a rare treat for her.
Seeing that he had already eaten, Zinnia focused on her noodles. โNathan said I should take you and Jackson to the town center to see if we need anything. Since Jackson isnโt here, wanna go with me?โ
Zinnia dabbed her mouth with a napkin, still remembering the errand Nathan had assigned her last night. Since Yannis and the others had just arrived and would likely be staying for several days, there were some essentials theyโd need to pick up in town.
โOf course, Zinnia. Iโd love to see what the small town where you grew up is like,โ Yannis said warmly.
Yannis had always wanted to see the small town where Zinnia grew up. Now that he finally had the chance to go with her, he wouldnโt dream of refusing.
โAlright,โ Zinnia said, โIโll go upstairs to change, then weโll head out. Yannis, could you get the electric scooter out of the storage shed?โ