When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 179: Going Back Home

Chapter 179: Going Back Home

The next sequence was key to understanding Victor’s mindset. As he paused at the edge of the woods, he stood still for a moment, his breath coming in shallow bursts. His lips twisted into a grim smile, knowing that his enemies thought he was dead.

"Agent Daniel," he muttered low, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you’ve won? You think I’m dead, like the rest? But you underestimated me. That was your first mistake."

Marcos gave a nod of approval, though he wasn’t fully satisfied yet. "That’s the spirit. Julian, when you say your lines, make sure it’s chilling. Let the audience feel the weight of what’s to come."

Julian took a deep breath and repeated the lines. "You took everything from me. My plans, my resources, my empire—gone because of you. But it’s not over. Not yet."

Sophie Tran, standing off to the side, watched intently. "It’s perfect. This scene is shaping up to be exactly what we need."

---

As Victor made his way deeper into the forest, the camera crew followed, their movements smooth and silent. The scene was coming together, each moment building toward Victor’s inevitable return to power. The forest was his sanctuary, his place of planning and plotting, and it was only a matter of time before he would rise again—stronger, more dangerous than ever before.

By the time the sun had dipped completely behind the horizon, the crew had wrapped up the final shot. Marcos clapped his hands, signaling the end of the day’s work. "That’s a wrap, everyone! Great job!"

Zinnia smiled as she watched Julian, still in character, stand in the dimming light. "You were incredible," she said, her voice filled with admiration.

Julian gave her a half-smile, his eyes gleaming. "Just doing my job."

Sophie came over, adjusting her jacket as the night air grew cooler. "Excellent work, Julian. We’re almost there."

---

The crew began to disperse as the final light of the day faded. Equipment was packed into cases, and goodbyes echoed through the quiet forest clearing. Despite their exhaustion, everyone seemed lighthearted, knowing they had wrapped up a challenging but successful week.

"Safe travels, everyone!" Marcos called out, his voice carrying over the gentle hum of conversation. "See you all next week."

Zinnia smiled as she adjusted her coat against the cooling air. She exchanged a quick hug with Katherine. "Take care, Kat. Rest up—you deserve it."

Katherine chuckled, already scrolling through her phone. "You too, Zinnia. And please don’t let Marcos rope you into planning over the weekend."

"Not a chance," Zinnia replied, though her grin suggested otherwise.

Julian passed by, his bag slung over one shoulder. "Good job today, Zinnia. You kept things running smoothly as always."

"Thanks, Julian," she said, offering a small wave. "You were fantastic out there."

One by one, the cars pulled away from the makeshift parking lot, leaving only a few stragglers. Zinnia stood by the edge of the road, her hands tucked into her pockets as she waited for a taxi.

She was scrolling through her messages when she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. A familiar figure stood beside a car parked along the curb, waving enthusiastically. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized who it was.

"Zia!" Samuel called, his voice warm and unmistakable. He stepped closer, his smile broadening. "I’m here to pick you up!"

Zinnia’s breath caught as she looked at him. Even though they had spoken almost every night, seeing him in person was entirely different. His presence, his voice, the way he stood there looking so happy to see her—it was overwhelming.

"Sam!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly. Before she could think, her feet moved on their own. She walked toward him, her bag forgotten at her side.

As soon as she was close enough, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Samuel’s arms came around her just as firmly, holding her like he never wanted to let go.

"I missed you," she whispered, her face buried against his shoulder.

"I missed you more," he replied, his voice soft but filled with emotion. They stayed like that for a while, simply holding each other, letting the week of distance melt away.

Around them, a few passersby began to notice the scene. A soft murmur rippled through the small crowd, and a couple of onlookers even squealed quietly. Zinnia didn’t notice at first, her focus entirely on Samuel.

But when Samuel pulled back slightly, his cheeks flushed, she followed his gaze. The whispers and gazes around them finally registered. They both froze for a second before stepping back awkwardly.

Zinnia’s face turned red as she brushed her hair behind her ear. "Uh, sorry about that," she mumbled, avoiding eye contact with the curious onlookers.

Samuel cleared his throat, equally flustered. "No need to apologize. But maybe we should, uh, get going." He reached for her bag, lifting it effortlessly. "Come on."

They hurried toward his car, their heads lowered as they tried to ignore the whispers and stares. Samuel opened the passenger door for her, and she slipped inside quickly. He walked around to the driver’s side, got in, and started the engine.

Once they were inside, the tension eased slightly. Samuel glanced over at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Ready to go home?"

Zinnia looked at him, her earlier embarrassment fading into a warm sense of gratitude. "More than ready," she said. "Thank you for coming to get me."

Samuel shrugged, his smile turning playful. "You didn’t think I’d let you take a taxi after a week away, did you?"

The drive home was peaceful, the city lights casting a soft glow over the streets. They talked about the week, about the little things they had missed while apart.

When they pulled up to the house, Zinnia’s excitement was palpable. She unbuckled her seatbelt and practically jumped out of the car, her steps quick as she made her way to the front door.

Samuel followed, carrying her bag and watching her with an affectionate smile. Her energy was contagious, and he couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath.

As they stepped inside, Samuel closed the door behind them and set her bag down near the entryway. He turned to her, his expression warm and sincere. "Welcome home, Zia."

She turned to him, her eyes shining. "It’s good to be home," she said softly. For a moment, they simply stood there, taking in the comfort of being together again.

Zinnia glanced around the familiar space, her heart swelling with a sense of belonging. She turned back to Samuel, her smile widening. "Thank you, Sam. For everything."

Samuel shook his head, his voice gentle. "You don’t have to thank me, Zia. I’m just glad you’re here."