When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 114: Morning rush

Chapter 114: Morning rush

The next morning arrived with soft sunlight filtering through the windows. Zinnia was up early, her mind already racing with the day’s tasks. She dressed quickly, excitement pushing her forward. There was so much to do, and she was eager to start.

She stepped into the kitchen, where Samuel was pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee. The warm aroma filled the air, creating a cozy, familiar atmosphere.

"Morning," he greeted her, offering a gentle smile.

"Morning!" Zinnia replied, grabbing her bag from the counter. "I need to be early today. I’ve got to go first. Bye, Sam! See you later at dinner."

Samuel’s brows furrowed slightly. "How about breakfast? You should take something before you go."

Zinnia paused, glancing at the clock. "I’m in a hurry," she admitted, shaking her head. "I don’t have time for it right now."

He didn’t press her but nodded thoughtfully. "Just wait a second," he said. "I’ll pack it up so you can eat it at work."

Before she could object, he was already moving to the counter, gathering the breakfast he had prepared earlier. She watched him, her lips curving into a small smile as he packed it up with care, making sure everything was just right.

He placed a neatly wrapped breakfast sandwich into a container, followed by a small fruit salad, each piece cut into bite-sized chunks. A yogurt cup went in next, followed by a granola bar tucked to the side, in case she got hungry later. He added a folded napkin and silverware, then carefully closed the lid.

"Almost done," he murmured, his focus intense as he quickly poured freshly brewed coffee into a thermos and secured it. Zinnia couldn’t help but feel a warm gratitude at the sight. He was making sure she had everything, even though she’d been ready to rush out without a second thought.

When he finally handed her the packed breakfast, she took it with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Sam," she said, her voice soft with appreciation. She tucked the container into her bag and gave him a quick smile, the warmth lingering in her gaze.

Samuel returned her smile, his own expression softening as he watched her hurry to the door. "See you, Zia," he said quietly, a hint of pride in his voice.

"See you!" she called, glancing back with one last smile before heading out the door.

He followed her to the porch, waving as she got into her car. As she pulled away, he watched until she disappeared down the street, his heart warmed by her energy and eagerness. After a moment, he turned back inside, finished his coffee, and prepared to head to work himself.

---

Zinnia arrived at her office just in time, her mind already on the day’s agenda. As she entered, she saw Marcos waiting by her desk, his posture relaxed but his gaze alert. He looked up, a friendly smile lighting up his face.

"Good morning, Miss Zinnia!" he greeted her with a hint of enthusiasm.

"Morning, Marcos!" she replied, matching his energy. "Ready to dive in?"

"Absolutely," he nodded, already reaching for the schedule they’d worked on the day before.

They sat down, spreading out scripts, notes, and schedules in front of them. Zinnia reviewed the final details, her eyes scanning each line carefully. She felt the weight of each decision, knowing how crucial every moment would be once filming began.

"So, we’ll start with the cargo ship scenes," she said, glancing at Marcos. "The location setup is confirmed, right?"

"Yes," Marcos replied, nodding. "Lily Oceanic Industries has everything ready. They’re even offering extra crew members for safety measures while we’re onboard."

"Good," Zinnia said, tapping her pen thoughtfully. "I want to make sure every actor is comfortable with the environment. It’ll be intense shooting on a ship."

"Of course," Marcos replied. "I’ll talk to the production team, make sure everyone’s briefed."

They moved through the script together, Zinnia making small notes in the margins while Marcos outlined the cast’s schedule. They went over each scene, coordinating times, locations, and the specific equipment they’d need on the cargo ship provided by Lily Oceanic Industries. The level of detail was intense, but Zinnia felt her confidence grow with each decision.

"We also need to get final confirmations from all the cast by the end of the week," she added, typing a reminder into her laptop.

"I’ll follow up with their agents," Marcos assured her. "I’ll make sure we’re all set."

As they worked, the reality of the project took shape. They discussed the logistical challenges of shooting on open water, making plans for transporting heavy equipment and managing the safety protocols for every scene.

"We’ll need to be extra careful with the storm scenes," she said, glancing up at him. "Those are going to be rough on everyone."

"Already noted," Marcos replied with a reassuring smile. "The crew’s prepared for long hours. And we’ve got the best team handling the visual effects afterward."

Feeling a surge of gratitude for her team’s dedication, Zinnia gave him a nod. "I appreciate it, Marcos. I think it’ll all pay off."

After finalizing their plan, Zinnia opened her email, drafting a quick message to Victoria at Lily Oceanic Industries to inform her about the start of the shoot and to confirm the equipment list.

---

Across town, Victoria was seated at her desk when the email notification popped up. She clicked it open, reading Zinnia’s update. Just as she finished, she glanced up at Lily, who was seated across from her, reviewing some documents.

"Ms. Aquila," Victoria said, breaking the silence. "The filming with Lopez Digital Studios will be starting soon. Zinnia just informed me about it."

Lily looked up, a slight smile crossing her face as she absorbed the news. "Help them with whatever they need," she replied. "Make sure everything’s well-prepared, and above all, ensure everyone’s safety on board."

Victoria nodded, her fingers already moving across her keyboard as she made notes. "Understood," she said. She wasted no time, forwarding Zinnia’s email to her team and outlining the preparations they would need to start right away.

With Lily’s words in mind, she coordinated with their logistics department, arranging the final steps needed to ensure a smooth and safe experience for the cast and crew.

_______________________

Author’s Note:

A special thank you to PurpleLight for the magic castle gift! Also, thank you to Momoka for the daily comments and to LotusLin for the inspiration capsules every day.

And, of course, thank you to everyone for all the power stones, golden tickets, and gifts you’ve sent, as well as to those who keep buying my privileged Chapters. I appreciate them all.

Love you, my Little Flowers!