When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 123: Promises and Possibilities

Chapter 123: Promises and Possibilities

Samuel leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the spot where Timmy had just left. The laughter his assistant left behind still echoed faintly, lingering in the air like a soft reminder of a moment that felt almost normal. A wedding date. The words sat heavily in his chest, stirring up feelings of both anticipation and fear.

The thought of marrying Zinnia was one he had carried with him, tucked away, surfacing in moments he least expected. But there were still shadows—ghosts of the past he couldn’t ignore.

He let out a deep sigh and forced himself back to the present. Zinnia’s laughter rang in his memory, vivid and warm. It wasn’t just her smile he remembered. It was the way she had leaned in, teasing him with a playful glint in her eyes. For a brief moment, she made him forget the crushing weight of expectations.

Samuel straightened up, focusing on the reports and emails scattered across his desk. Work no longer felt as suffocating. The idea of a future with Zinnia made everything he did feel more meaningful. He flipped through a financial projection, making quick notes in the margins.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He looked up, his easy expression hardening into something more professional. One of the company’s department heads, Mr. Caldwell, stood there, a thick folder clutched tightly in his hands.

"Sir, do you have a moment?" Mr. Caldwell asked, his voice cautious.

Samuel nodded, already slipping back into his role. "Of course. Come in." He sat up straighter, his focus sharpening. In this world, there was no room for anything less than complete attention.

Mr. Caldwell stepped forward, launching into an update about a pending acquisition deal. Samuel listened closely, asking questions, his mind quick and decisive. Numbers and strategies were discussed, the tension in the room palpable. He needed to be sharp, to make the right calls. Every decision carried weight.

The meeting was intense, but Samuel held his ground, guiding the conversation with authority. When it ended, he stood to shake Mr. Caldwell’s hand.

"Thank you for the update," he said firmly. "We’ll move forward as planned. Make sure the team is on the same page."

Mr. Caldwell nodded, looking relieved. "Yes, sir. I’ll handle it."

As the door closed, Samuel sat back, exhaustion sweeping over him. He ran a hand through his hair, his strength waning. But there was a comfort in that tiredness. He was doing this for her. For them.

His phone sat nearby, and he picked it up, thinking of sending Zinnia a message. Something simple, just to let her know she was on his mind. He hadn’t decided on the right words when another interruption broke his focus.

Timmy came back, a pile of documents in his arms. "Alright, boss," he said, his cheerful voice breaking the quiet. "This is the last of it. My vacation starts soon."

Samuel’s lips lifted in a small smile. "Enjoy it," he said, accepting the papers. "Make the most of your time off."

Timmy’s grin was wide and mischievous. "I will. And don’t worry, I won’t let anything big slip by." He paused, his eyes full of a playful light. "But you have to promise to take care of Miss Zinnia while I’m gone, alright?"

Samuel’s laugh was soft, genuine. "I’ll try my best."

Timmy gave a mock salute. As he left, he glanced back once more, noting the rare look of hope on Samuel’s face. It suited him, and Timmy couldn’t help but feel good about it. He was excited to see where Samuel and Zinnia’s story would lead.

Samuel watched him go, then turned to the window. The city’s evening lights stretched out before him. The world outside seemed full of possibilities, and he let himself, just for a moment, imagine a future where everything worked out. He wouldn’t let himself miss the chance this time. Regret had haunted him long enough. The word "what if" would no longer hold him captive.

He picked up his phone, a small smile returning. He typed a message to Zinnia, asking what time she’d be home.

---

Zinnia replied quickly, her response making him smile. I’ll probably be back a little late. Need to finish some work first. How about you?

Samuel’s fingers moved over the keys. Same here. Let’s try not to miss dinner together.

She sent back a simple, Deal.

---

The next morning arrived quietly, sunlight spilling through the windows. Samuel and Zinnia met in the kitchen, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. They shared breakfast, sitting across from each other at the wooden table. Samuel watched as she sipped her coffee, her hair falling over her shoulder, her eyes full of energy.

Zinnia hurried through her meal, checking the time on her phone. "I need to be early today," she said, her voice rushed. "I gotta go first. Bye, Sam." She grabbed her bag and gave him a quick smile. "See you later at dinner."

Samuel leaned against the counter, a soft look in his eyes. "See you later," he replied.

He watched her jog out the door and into her car. She waved once before driving off, and Samuel stayed there, watching until her car turned the corner.

---

After finishing his coffee, Samuel gathered his things and headed out. The drive to work was filled with thoughts of her, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down again. But he held on to the hope he had found, the feeling she had given him.

Once at the office, he fell back into the rhythm of work, tackling emails and meetings with his usual precision. It was a constant cycle, but now he had a purpose. Sadly, Timmy wasn’t around. He had to handle everything by himself.

---

Zinnia entered her office with a burst of energy. Marcos, her assistant, was already waiting, a stack of scripts in hand. He gave her a knowing smile.

"Morning," Zinnia greeted, setting her bag down. "Are we ready?"

Marcos nodded, holding out the first script. "Ready as ever. Let’s finalize these schedules."

Together, they dove into work, adjusting shooting plans, reviewing scripts, and ensuring every detail was perfect. She was so excited for the upcoming movie shoot.