When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 163: Familiar Moments

Chapter 163: Familiar Moments

Zinnia and Samuel stepped into the house together, the quiet hum of the evening settling around them. Samuel glanced at her as they walked through the living room.

"I’ll go and heat the food," he said, his voice calm but carrying a note of purpose.

Zinnia paused for a moment, setting her bag on the side table. "Okay," she replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I’ll go and change my clothes first."

Samuel nodded, already turning toward the kitchen. "Go on. The food will be ready when you come back."

Zinnia smiled lightly and headed upstairs. The day had been long, and the thought of sitting down for a warm meal was comforting. In the room, she quickly changed into a loose shirt and soft pants, letting out a sigh as she combed through her hair.

When she came back downstairs, the smell of food filled the house. She walked into the dining area to find Samuel sitting at the table, the dishes neatly arranged in front of him.

On the table was a comforting spread—steaming miso soup, a plate of golden shrimp tempura, teriyaki salmon, and a side of perfectly cooked rice garnished with fresh herbs. A bowl of lightly dressed cucumber salad and small plates of pickled radish and kimchi added a vibrant touch. It was a meal more elaborate than their usual evening dinners.

Zinnia stopped, her eyes lighting up as she took in the sight. "Wow, this looks delicious," she said, moving to her seat across from Samuel. "Thanks for the food, Sam."

Samuel looked up at her, his lips curving into a small, pleased smile. "Glad you like it," he replied, handing her a pair of chopsticks.

They started eating, the clinking of chopsticks against plates filling the quiet space. Zinnia took a sip of the soup and let out a small hum of satisfaction. "This is so good," she said, glancing at him.

Samuel chuckled softly, picking at his salmon. "You’ve had a long day. You deserve a good meal."

After dinner, they moved to the living room. Samuel sank into the couch, his arms resting along the backrest, while Zinnia curled up at the other end. The warmth of the meal lingered, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

"So," Samuel began, his tone casual but curious. "How was your day? You seemed really busy at the office."

Zinnia leaned her head back, letting out a breath. "It was hectic," she admitted. "We had a meeting to finalize everything for the movie shoot tomorrow."

Samuel’s expression shifted, a shadow of concern passing over his face. "So you’ll be staying on the ship again?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

She nodded. "Yes, for about a week. That’s how long it’ll take to get to the next port. We’ll be shooting while we’re on board." She hesitated, her gaze softening. "I just hope nothing like last time happens again."

His brows drew together, and he looked at her, his sadness clear. "A week is a long time," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Zinnia noticed his reaction and leaned closer, her hand brushing against his arm. "Don’t worry," she reassured him. "I’ll come back as soon as we reach the first port stop. It’ll go by faster than you think."

Samuel’s lips pressed into a thin line, and he let out a quiet sigh. "Take care," he said finally, his eyes meeting hers. "And don’t forget to call me."

"I won’t," Zinnia promised. "I’ll be fine. You know I can handle this."

He studied her for a moment before nodding. "I know," he said softly. "But still, be careful. Call me when you can."

Her lips curved into a small smile, the warmth in his tone reassuring. "I will. And don’t forget to save some of that amazing cooking for when I get back."

Samuel’s expression softened, a ghost of a smile breaking through. "I’ll think about it," he teased, though his eyes betrayed how much he was going to miss her.

Zinnia tilted her head slightly, the moment tugging at her memory. The scene felt familiar, almost like déjà vu. It struck her—this was how they had talked the last time she prepared for a shoot on the ship. She smiled at the thought, finding comfort in the familiarity.

Soon, they bid each other goodnight. Zinnia lingered in the living room for a moment before heading upstairs, her mind already shifting to the tasks awaiting her.

In her bedroom, she pulled out her tablet, double-checking the schedule and making notes for the shoot. Her fingers hovered over the screen as she thought back to Samuel’s expression earlier. She hoped everything would go smoothly this time, with no unexpected incidents.

On the other side of the city, Victoria sat in her dimly lit office. Papers were scattered across her desk, but her focus was on the phone in her hand. She dialed the number she knew by heart and waited as the line connected.

A calm yet authoritative voice came through. "Victoria, is this about the studio?"

"Yes, Ms. Aquila," Victoria replied, sitting straighter. "I wanted to inform you that the movie shoot with Lopez Digital Studios will resume tomorrow. Everything has been finalized, and the crew is preparing to board the ship."

There was a brief pause on the other end before Lily Aquila spoke again. "Good. This project needs to stay on track. But we can’t afford any more setbacks like last time."

Victoria nodded, even though Lily couldn’t see her. "I understand. Extra precautions have been taken this time to ensure smooth operations."

Lily’s tone shifted, sharp and demanding. "What about Cain? Has there been any progress on his case?"

Victoria’s grip tightened around the phone. "The authorities are moving forward, and all the evidence is against him. It’s only a matter of time before the new charges are added to his sentence."

"Not good enough," Lily said firmly. "Make sure he rots in jail. That man caused too much trouble for everyone involved. I won’t tolerate another disruption."