When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 122: Small Moments, Big Smiles

Chapter 122: Small Moments, Big Smiles

Victoria had confirmed that the preparations on their end were moving along smoothly.

"Thank you, Victoria," Zinnia murmured to herself, her heart swelling with relief and joy. She quickly composed a reply, her words full of appreciation. "Victoria, I’m so grateful for everything you and your team are doing. It means a lot to have such dedicated partners. Here’s to making this project a huge success together!"

She hit send, feeling her excitement rekindle. The project felt more real, more achievable, knowing that they had such strong support from their partners.

---

Miles away, in the sleek, modern offices of Lily Oceanic Industries, Victoria leaned back in her chair, her eyes scanning Zinnia’s email. A smile broke across her face, and she shook her head in amazement. "She’s always so thoughtful," Victoria murmured. But what really caught her attention wasn’t the email itself—it was her boss, Lily Aquila, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Victoria often wondered about Lily, her mysterious and serious boss. Even though her name and face were not introduced to the public, Lily, as the CEO, was known in the business world for being sharp, calculative, and fiercely intelligent. She was also very strict when it came to company guidelines, procedures, and safety protocols. It wasn’t often that Lily displayed any emotion beyond a professional, calm demeanor. But today, Victoria thought she saw a flicker of something different.

"Miss Aquila," Victoria called, unable to hide her curiosity. "I just got an update from Zinnia. She sends her thanks."

Lily turned, her face expressionless at first, but then something surprising happened. The slightest smile pulled at her lips. It was a small thing, barely there, but for Victoria, it was like seeing the sun break through a cloudy sky.

Lily nodded, her voice steady but warm. "That’s good to hear," she said, a rare hint of softness in her tone.

Victoria’s eyes widened slightly. Lily Aquila smiling, even a little, was an unusual sight. Her boss was always composed, businesslike, and almost unreadable. For Lily to react to Zinnia’s message was... well, it was unexpected. But Victoria didn’t dare pry. She knew better than to question her enigmatic boss.

Lily’s thoughts drifted, though no one would have guessed from her composed expression. Pride filled her chest as she thought about Zinnia. Her best friend was thriving, handling her responsibilities with grace and determination. But Lily kept those feelings hidden. In business, she was used to being a fortress, giving away nothing.

"She’s doing well, then," Lily finally said, her voice thoughtful.

Victoria nodded, still surprised. "Yes, it seems everything is on track," she said. The faint smile she’d seen from her boss was already fading, but the memory of it stayed with her.

Lily turned back to the window, her gaze distant. Beneath her calm exterior, she was brimming with pride for Zinnia. Watching her friend grow and succeed filled her with a sense of fulfillment that few would ever see. But Victoria, still marveling at the rare glimpse of humanity from her boss, couldn’t help but wonder about the mystery of Miss Aquila.

Well, their whole family is a mystery.

---

Meanwhile, on Samuel’s side, inside his office, a smile played at the corners of his lips. The stress from earlier seemed distant, almost laughable. Sitting down at his desk, he couldn’t help but grin as the images of Zinnia’s smile danced in his mind.

"She really has a way of making everything feel lighter," he murmured to himself, tapping a pen against the desk absentmindedly. For a moment, all the corporate stress seemed insignificant compared to the joy she brought him.

Timmy, Samuel’s loyal assistant, was nearby, gathering up paperwork and tidying up loose ends. He couldn’t help but notice the relaxed, almost cheerful expression on his usually serious boss’s face. It was rare to see Samuel like this, and Timmy felt a sense of hope bloom inside him.

"Boss," Timmy said, his voice light, "you seem happier today." He stacked a few reports on the edge of the desk, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Did something good happen?"

Samuel glanced at him, his smile widening. "You could say that," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "Had a nice lunch with Zinnia. She always knows how to make a day brighter."

Timmy couldn’t help but chuckle, his own spirits lifting. "Miss Zinnia, huh? Well, that’s great to hear," he said. He straightened a folder, still smiling. "Maybe things are looking up for both of you."

Samuel’s eyes softened. He didn’t want to jinx it, but he felt like maybe Timmy was right. The future didn’t seem as uncertain when he thought of Zinnia. "Yeah, maybe," he said quietly.

---

Timmy glanced at his watch, realizing the day was nearly over. He still had a few more tasks to wrap up before his long-awaited vacation started. The thought of a break made him giddy, but he didn’t want to leave any unfinished business hanging over Samuel.

"Speaking of good things," Timmy said, gathering his courage, "tomorrow’s the start of my vacation." He paused, grinning. "But don’t worry—I’ve taken care of everything urgent. Just a few last things to handle today, and I’ll be out of your hair."

Samuel gave him an approving nod. "You deserve it," he said, appreciation clear in his voice. "Go and enjoy yourself, Timmy. You’ve more than earned it."

Timmy beamed, feeling proud of his hard work. "Thanks, boss," he said, shuffling a stack of documents into a neat pile. "But before I go, I’m hoping to hear some good news about you and Miss Zinnia. Maybe even a wedding date?" He raised an eyebrow, teasing gently. "It’d be a dream to come back from vacation and hear it’s all set."

Samuel’s expression softened, a hint of longing passing through his eyes. "We’ll see," he said, though the thought made his heart race. He tried to hide it, but even the idea of that future brought a touch of hope to his voice.

Timmy chuckled, feeling an unexpected burst of happiness. "I’m rooting for you, boss," he said. "You and Miss Zinnia deserve all the good things." He moved to the door, giving Samuel a parting wave. "Now, let me finish these last few things so I can start my vacation guilt-free."

Samuel laughed, a genuine sound that filled the room. "Go on, then. Enjoy every second of your time off," he said.

Timmy nodded and disappeared out the door, his mind already drifting to beaches and rest.