When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 164: A Week Ahead

Chapter 164: A Week Ahead

Victoria hesitated but quickly replied, "Yes, Ms. Aquila. We’re working with the legal team to guarantee he gets what he deserves."

Lily’s voice softened slightly, but the steel in her words remained. "And what about safety measures for the crew? I need assurance that what happened before will never happen again."

Victoria glanced at the detailed plans spread across her desk. "We’ve taken every precaution. Additional security personnel have been assigned, and the crew will follow strict protocols. We won’t allow any unauthorized individuals near the set."

"Good," Lily said, her tone carrying finality. "Victoria, I trust you to handle this. Take extra measures if necessary. I can’t have another incident tarnishing our reputation."

"Yes, Ms. Aquila," Victoria said, her voice steady. "We’ll do it according to your instructions. The crew’s safety is our top priority."

There was a moment of silence before Lily spoke again, softer this time. "I’m counting on you. This project means too much for us to let anything go wrong."

"I understand," Victoria replied. "Everything will be managed properly."

"Very well," Lily said, a note of finality in her tone. "Keep me updated. Call me if anything changes."

"Of course," Victoria assured her. "I’ll keep you informed."

The line went dead, and Victoria leaned back in her chair, letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her mind was already racing with the next steps, ensuring every detail was accounted for.

She glanced at her notes again, highlighting key points in her planner. The weight of Lily’s expectations sat heavy on her shoulders, but Victoria was determined not to let her down. This time, nothing would go wrong.

---

The morning light streamed through Zinnia’s curtains as her alarm buzzed softly. She blinked awake, stretching her arms and taking a deep breath. Today marked the start of a busy week, and she needed to prepare herself for the long hours ahead.

After a quick shower, she carefully checked her bag, ensuring everything she’d packed last night was still there. Her scripts, notes, and personal essentials were all accounted for. Satisfied, she slipped on her comfortable yet stylish outfit, tied her hair back, and grabbed her bag.

As soon as she opened the door to her room, a delightful aroma greeted her. The smell of roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, and something sweet filled the air. Her lips curled into a smile, and her heart warmed. Samuel must have woken up early to prepare breakfast for her.

She followed the scent to the kitchen, where she found Samuel sitting at the dining table. He was sipping coffee from his favorite black mug, the morning sunlight highlighting his sharp features. A spread of food was laid out before him—grilled salmon fillets, avocado toast topped with poached eggs, a colorful quinoa salad, and a bowl of mixed fruit with a drizzle of honey. It was the kind of meal designed to energize her for a long day.

Zinnia leaned against the doorway, unable to contain her grin. "Good morning, Sam," she said cheerfully.

Samuel looked up from his coffee, his expression softening as he saw her. "Good morning, Zia," he replied. "Breakfast is ready. Let’s eat."

She placed her bag by the counter and walked over to the table, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the food. "This looks amazing! You’ve outdone yourself again."

Samuel shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I figured you’d need something good to keep you going today."

They sat down together, and Zinnia took her first bite of the salmon. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and she hummed in appreciation. "This is so good, Sam. Thank you."

He chuckled softly, watching her enjoy the meal. "You’ve got a long week ahead. I just wanted to make sure you started it right."

As they ate, Samuel kept glancing at her. His gaze lingered a moment too long each time, and Zinnia couldn’t help but notice. She smiled to herself, already guessing what he was thinking. It was the same as last time. He was going to miss her.

After finishing her plate, Zinnia leaned back in her chair and looked at him mischievously. "So, you’re driving me to the port this time, right?"

Samuel smirked, setting down his coffee. "Of course. What gave it away? Are you good at reading minds now?"

She laughed lightly, her eyes sparkling. "Hmm, maybe just yours. It’s like I have a Samuel-decoder or something."

Her playful remark caught him off guard, and for a moment, he was completely captivated by her smile. The way her eyes lit up, the way her joy filled the room—it made his chest tighten. He thought to himself, How am I going to survive a whole week without this?

After washing the dishes, he cleared his throat, stood up, and grabbed her bag. "Alright, let’s go. We can’t have you being late."

Zinnia nodded, still smiling as she followed him out. He walked ahead, carrying her bag effortlessly, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful for his thoughtfulness.

The drive to the port was quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. Samuel’s hand rested on the steering wheel, his focus on the road, while Zinnia gazed out the window, mentally preparing for the day.

When they arrived at the port, Samuel parked the car and got out, opening her door for her. He handed her the bag, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Take care of yourself, okay? A week isn’t too long, but it’s still long enough for me to worry."

She smiled warmly, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Don’t worry, Sam. I’ll be fine. I’ll call when I can."

He nodded, but the sadness in his eyes was evident. "I’ll hold you to that. And... try not to forget about me while you’re off making blockbuster movies."

Zinnia laughed, stepping closer to him. "As if I could ever forget you. You’re the one cooking me amazing breakfasts, remember?"

He chuckled, but his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Watching her walk away, he couldn’t help but wish the week would pass in the blink of an eye.

Zinnia, on the other hand, was already switching gears. She spotted the production crew near the ship and quickened her pace, her excitement bubbling to the surface. "Good morning, everyone!" she called out, her energy infectious. "I’m so excited for today’s shoot. Let’s make it a good one!"