Chapter 382
The tension between the two men was palpable. Zinnia stared at her overflowing bowl in silence, feeling awkward and caught in the middle as they squared off.
She frowned and protested, “That’s enough. I really can’t eat anymore.”
Yannis gently placed a piece of smoked rib in her bowl and said, “These have always been your favorite.”
Though four years had passed since Yannis and Zinnia last saw each other, not a trace of distance lingered between them. Though Zinnia had forgotten Yannis, she found herself not resisting his attentive care in the slightest.
Yannis didn’t seem to treat their four-year separation as anything significant, nor did he act like they were strangers now. The way he looked after Zinnia felt so natural and familiar, as if he’d never stopped caring for her.
“Just this last one, please. I really can’t eat any more,” Zinnia said softly.
For some reason, Zinnia couldn’t bring herself to do anything that might hurt Yannis, not even something as small as turning down the food he offered her. She was afraid Yannis might get upset or even cry if she did.
“Alright,” Yannis conceded gently.
Only then did Zinnia take small, delicate bites of the smoked rib. The food at this restaurant truly suited her taste. She especially loved the dishes Yannis had recommended. She thought, “It’s like he knows my preferences inside out.”
Edward gently placed a piece of fish onto her plate and said, “Zinnia, eat some fish.”
Zinnia frowned and said, “Edward, please, I really can’t eat anymore. I’m stuffed, I promise.”
She had no sooner finished speaking than Yannis picked up the fish from her plate with his fork.
Seeing this, Zinnia and Edward fell into an awkward silence.
Yannis took a bite of the fish. Then he looked at Edward and said coolly, “Didn’t you hear Zinnia say she’s full? She has a delicate constitution, and overeating could make her unwell.”
Though he wasn’t sure if Zinnia had fully recovered, Yannis couldn’t help but keep an eye on her health.
Over the years, Yannis had trekked through countless poor villages, witnessing firsthand how difficult it was for so many people just to get enough to eat. These experiences instilled in him a deep respect for food. He never wasted a single bite.
Edward rubbed his temples in frustration. “I didn’t think you would be this kind of person, Mr. Perkins,” he muttered. He’d expected Yannis might be tough to handle, but honestly hadn’t imagined he’d be this relentless.
Yannis said calmly, “Wasting food is shameful. Cherishing every grain is part of our tradition. And Mr. Hanover, as a doctor, shouldn't you know that overeating can cause indigestion and harm your health?”
Zinnia chimed in, “Yeah, it’s a great tradition.”
Edward thought, “Every word Yannis says is setting me up to look like I don’t care about Zinnia.” He turned to Zinnia and said, “Zinnia, if you can’t eat any more, that’s perfectly fine.”
Zinnia nodded and replied, “Alright, I understand. Please don’t worry about me. You both should eat now.”
The rest of the meal passed in a tense but civil silence.
With the meal concluded, Edward prepared to depart with Zinnia. He stood up with a polite smile and said, “Thank you for your hospitality today, Mr. Perkins. It’s getting late, and Zinnia and I have other commitments, so we’ll take our leave now. Zinnia, let’s go.”
Zinnia stood up, casting a hesitant glance at Yannis. “Alright,” she murmured.
Yannis stood up and gently grasped Zinnia’s wrist. He said, “Zinnia, let’s exchange contact info. If you want to recover your memories, I can help you with that, just like I always have. I remember so much about your past.”
Zinnia looked into Yannis’s eyes, then took out her phone. “Alright,” she said softly. She simply couldn’t bring herself to refuse anything Yannis asked.
After exchanging the contact info with Yannis, Zinnia said, “Then we will leave now.”
Yannis said, “Wait just a moment. I’ve had my assistant pack up some desserts you used to love. Take them home and enjoy them at your leisure.”
Edward frowned and said, “That’s not necessary. I can have my assistant pick up some for Zinnia.”
Yannis explained, “That bakery has limited daily quantities and is only open three days a week. They don’t take reservations. It’s strictly first-come, first-served, and only available in the mornings. If you’re late, you’ll miss out. This is probably the last one for today; if you miss it, you’ll have to wait another four days. The bakery sells brownies, cheesecake, cobblers and crumbles, and waffles. They are all tasty. And it is Wednesday today.”
Zinnia’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Just hearing about these desserts made her mouth water. She thought, “I loved every dish Yannis recommended at lunch. If he said these are good, then they have to be extraordinary.”
She looked at Edward with eyes full of anticipation.
Yannis said, “Mr. Hanover, surely a few more minutes won’t hurt, will they?”
Edward looked down at Zinnia’s sparkling eyes, sighed in resignation, and couldn’t bring himself to leave. He thought, “It is clear Yannis knows exactly how to appeal to Zinnia. Their past relationship was quite special!”
Before long, Toby returned carrying several boxes of exquisitely packaged desserts. He handed the boxes to Edward.
Edward accepted the boxes with a polite nod. He said, “Thank you for your hospitality today, Mr. Perkins.”
Yannis replied, “You’re welcome. Zinnia, if you ever need anything, just reach out to me anytime.” As he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on Zinnia, a gentle warmth in his expression meant only for her.
“Okay,” Zinnia murmured. She found herself genuinely enjoying Yannis’s company. She felt completely at ease in his presence and never minded their closeness.
Zinnia said, “Well, we’ll get going now; Edward has hospital rounds this afternoon.”
It was true. Edward did have hospital duties later, so they weren’t just making excuses.
Yannis seized the opportunity to suggest, “Since Mr. Hanover needs to visit patients at the hospital this afternoon, that leaves you alone, Zinnia. How about I show you around Jinston? It might help jog your memory.”
Zinnia hesitated, meeting Yannis’s gaze with uncertainty. She asked, “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”
She pondered, “Edward has to go to the hospital. Since I am not familiar with Jinston, and staying alone at the hotel sounds less than ideal, Yannis’s suggestion sounds like a good idea.”
More than anything, she felt so comfortable and at ease whenever she was with Yannis.
Yannis responded without a moment’s hesitation, “Of course not, Zinnia. There’s no need for such words between us. You’ll always be my top priority.”
He thought, “How could she ever be a bother? I wish I could just take her home right now.” Afraid of frightening Zinnia, he lowered his gaze, forcing down the intensity in his eyes.
Zinnia had lost her memories. Yannis felt they needed to get to know each other properly this time. He didn’t want her first impression of him to be fear.
He thought, “I’ve already waited four years. What’s a little more time helping her recover those memories?”
Edward frowned in concern as he softly called out, “Zinnia.” As a man, he could sense the storm of emotions Yannis was barely keeping in check. He feared Yannis might end up hurting Zinnia.
Zinnia tugged lightly at Edward’s sleeve and said, “Edward, I’d like to tour Jinston with Mr. Perkins. It might help me regain my memories faster.”
She wasn’t afraid of Yannis. A part of her longed to stay by his side, even though she couldn’t remember their past.
Yannis’s expression cooled slightly. He said, “Mr. Hanover, Zinnia is her own person. She has every right to make her own choices in life.”
Edward ignored Yannis’s pointed remarks. He thought, “He’s always trying to drive a wedge between Zinnia and me!”
He knew Yannis couldn’t stand him, and frankly, the feeling was mutual. In his eyes, Yannis was just a pig trying to get his hands on Zinnia.
Edward gently ruffled Zinnia’s hair and said, “Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay,” Zinnia replied with a bright smile.
The sight caused a pang of jealousy in Yannis.