Chapter 93
When Zinnia returned to the private room, she found it still buzzing with laughter and chatter. Seeing her friends’ cheerful faces, she couldn’t help but smile.
Maisie waved her over. “Zinnia, you’re back! What took you so long? Are you full? We’re getting ready to leave.”
Zinnia walked over and said, “I’m full.”
Everyone had just finished eating and was getting ready to leave. After gathering their belongings, the group stepped out of the private room.
Yosef was nowhere to be seen, and Zinnia finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“You guys go ahead,” Maisie said. “I’ve arranged cars for everyone outside. I’ll take care of the bill.” As it was getting late, Maisie arranged rides for everyone to get home.
“Thanks for the treat today, Maisie. The food here was seriously amazing,” someone said.
“Yeah, it’s pricey, but totally worth it! Once I get more allowance, I’m definitely coming back here.”
“I’ll definitely hold my birthday party here.”
Everyone chimed in.
By the time everyone had gone downstairs, Maisie went to pay the bill, only to learn that Zinnia had already done it.
“Zinnia, I told you it’s my treat,” Maisie said, giving her a mock-disapproving look.
With the way things are for Zinnia in the Shaw family, Maisie thought they would not give her so much money, but now she spent so much.
Zinnia said with a soft curve of her lips, “You’re like my sis, so we’re family. What difference does it make who treats whom?”
“Oh, you,” Maisie said with affectionate exasperation, gently pinching Zinnia’s cheek.
“Maisie, I’m really happy today,” Zinnia said, leaning into Maisie and letting her pinch her cheek. She silently thanked Maisie for giving her a sister and parents.
“Zinnia, just because of the Shaw family, don’t ever think that no one in this world loves you. You’re so adorable. Everyone loves you.”
Maisie looked at Zinnia’s smile, feeling sad. She gently stroked Zinnia’s hair and thought, ‘Zinnia, you know, it’s not just the Shaws who can give you love. There are so many others in this world who care about you.’
“Yeah,” Zinnia replied softly.
After leaving the restaurant, Maisie was about to call a cab when she remembered Zinnia lived alone. Grinning, she asked, “Mind if I crash at your place tonight?” Zinnia smiled and replied, “Of course not! I’d love the company.”
Zinnia checked her phone and said, “Maisie, Yannis just texted–he’s asking where we are and says he’ll come pick us up.” She showed Maisie the message, timestamped ten minutes ago.
“Since when is Yannis this nice?” Maisie leaned over to read the message: [Zinnia, are you done eating? I will come pick you up.] The words sent a shiver down her spine.
Even though she knew Yannis treated Zinnia differently, seeing him send such a gentle message still made her tremble. She couldn’t help but think, ‘Is this really the sharp-tongued, cold-hearted Yannis?’
“I guess so,” Zinnia replied, not really sure why Maisie said that. The first time Zinnia met Yannis, he seemed a bit of a rogue; the second time, a little goofy; the third time, he gave her a gift.
Zinnia thought he was actually quite caring and loyal. The fourth time she met him, he cooked for her—his cooking was pretty good, so she figured he’d definitely be a sweet husband.
And today, the fifth time, he stood up for her. Honestly, she really thought he was a good guy.
To be honest, she never expected Yannis would actually come to the school. She was genuinely grateful he showed up. She’d already braced herself for him to say no—after all, they weren’t that close.
“Zinnia,” Maisie teased with a playful nudge, “I think Yannis’s really got a thing for you.”
Zinnia blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
Maisie said, “You have no idea. Yannis may seem all smiles on the surface, but honestly, he’s ice-cold inside. Very few people ever truly get through to him.”
Maisie explained, “He may smile a lot, but most of those smiles don’t mean much. Today though, that smile of his was totally genuine.”
“Really? Maybe it’s because Jackson asked him to take care of me. Since he’s been entrusted by Jackson, he can’t exactly put on a cold front, right?”
Zinnia thought, ‘Had none of those smiles been genuine? But every time I saw him, even if his smile was faint, I never sensed any chilly vibe from him.’
Then she realized, ‘He must be treating me so well because of Jackson.’
Maisie rested her hand on Zinnia’s shoulder, thought for a moment, then nodded seriously. “Yeah, maybe. Yannis is ice-cold–walking next to him feels like standing in a freezer.
When he actually smiles, you know trouble’s coming. You two haven’t known each other long, so maybe he’s only playing nice because Jackson asked him to help out, and he’s holding back his true nature.”
Maisie nodded again, her tone earnest. “If it’s because of Jackson, it makes sense. After all, he and Jackson get along pretty well, so Yannis would at least do him this favor out of respect.”
“Then how should we reply?” Zinnia asked, holding up her phone for Maisie to see.
Maisie nodded. “Come on, it’s a free ride in Yannis’s car—might as well take it. His car is seriously comfy.”
“Alright, I’ll say okay to him,” Zinnia said with a nod.
The reply came almost instantly: [I’ll be there in ten. Find somewhere comfortable to wait.]
Seeing messages like this again, Maisie just shrugged—she was already used to it. Zinnia was so lovable—even Yannis had been won over by her. ‘Impressive,’ Maisie thought.
[Okay.] Zinnia texted back.
Maisie and Zinnia took their time, waiting outside in no hurry.
Soon, a sleek black Bentley glided to a stop before them. The window descended, revealing a face so strikingly handsome it was almost unreal—his profile all smooth lines and effortless elegance, illuminated by the soft interior lights.
It was impossible not to think that the universe had truly played favorites with him.
Zinnia glanced over and thought to herself, ‘Damn, he’s gorgeous. No matter how I look at him, that face is just flawless. Honestly, I wish I could keep him in a giant golden cage and stare at him all day.
But then she shook her head, ‘No, I can’t lock up someone this beautiful. If I caged him, he’d lose that radiant energy that makes him so captivating.’
‘It’s his liveliness that makes him truly stunning. Even if I couldn’t have him all to myself, just sneaking a glance every now and then is enough to make my eyes feel in heaven.’
“Zinnia,” Yannis murmured with a slight smile, unable to ignore the way her eyes were fixed on him. Her gaze was pure admiration, never unpleasant, but there was something else beneath it, like yearning for something precious yet hesitating to claim it.
“Yannis,” Maisie said like a good girl.
“Hi, Yannis,” Zinnia greeted, snapping out of her thoughts.
“Get in,” Yannis said with a nod to them.
“Well, I’ll take the front seat,” Maisie said after glancing at the seats. She thought, ‘I’d rather not sit next to Yannis and endure his icy demeanor.
‘With Jackson looking out for Zinnia, he’ll behave himself, but if I sit beside him, I’ll probably just get the cold shoulder.’ Maisie knew Yannis all too well.
Yannis made no comment.
“Maybe I should take the front seat,” Zinnia offered. She couldn’t help but notice that Maisie seemed a bit intimidated by the gorgeous man. But then again, they’re family—if anyone should sit up front, it should be her.
“Zinnia, I call shotgun. I love the front seat.” Maisie blurted out, already yanking open Left with no choice, Zinnia had to sit beside Yannis. the passenger door and hopping in before Zinnia could respond.