When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 196: Hopes and Messages

Chapter 196: Hopes and Messages

Samuel’s gaze lingered on the three-stone ring for another moment before turning his attention to the wedding band options. The attendant pulled out a tray of matching bands, each designed to complement the engagement ring.

"This one," she said, holding up a rose gold band with delicate diamonds embedded along its surface, "is part of the same collection. The diamonds add just enough sparkle to enhance the engagement ring without overshadowing it."

Samuel considered it carefully, running his thumb along its smooth edge. "And it fits perfectly with the other?" he asked, his voice thoughtful.

"Yes, Sir. Together, they create a seamless look. The engagement ring tells the story, and the wedding band completes it."

A faint smile appeared on Samuel’s face as he nodded. "This is it. These are the ones for her."

The attendant nodded and carefully set the pair aside. "Now, Sir, would you like to look at a wedding band for yourself?" she asked politely.

Samuel blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "For me?" he echoed.

"Yes," the attendant said with a smile. "A wedding is a bond for both partners, and we have options for men’s rings as well. May I show you a selection?"

Samuel hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "All right. Show me."

The attendant brought out another tray, this one filled with sleek and timeless designs for men. She picked up a classic rose gold band, smooth and understated. "This is one of our most popular choices. It’s simple but elegant, with a subtle warmth that pairs beautifully with the rose gold in your fiancée’s rings."

Samuel took the band in his hands, turning it over carefully. It was smooth and unadorned, yet its simplicity carried a quiet strength that appealed to him. "It’s... nice," he said, though the word felt inadequate.

Noticing his lingering indecision, the attendant pulled out another option. "If you’re looking for something a bit more distinct, this one has a brushed matte finish with a beveled edge. Still rose gold, but with a more modern touch."

Samuel examined it closely, running his finger along the edge. The design felt right—subtle but not plain, elegant but not overly decorative. It was strong, like the promise he wanted to make. "I’ll take this one," he said firmly, setting the ring down beside Zinnia’s.

The attendant smiled, pleased. "An excellent choice, Sir. Both rings will look perfect together."

Samuel reached into his pocket, retrieving the size Elena had provided for Zinnia’s finger. "Her mother gave me this," he said. "I trust it’s accurate."

The attendant carefully took the note and compared it to the rings. "Perfect match, Sir. And for your band?"

Samuel paused for a moment before providing her with his ring size.

The attendant nodded and prepared the final selections. As she finalized the purchase, Samuel’s mind raced with thoughts of Zinnia. He could already picture her wearing the rings, her smile glowing as brightly as the diamonds. The image brought a warmth to his chest he hadn’t felt in years.

When the attendant returned with the wrapped boxes, she handed them to him with a warm smile. "Congratulations again, Sir. I’m certain she’ll love them."

Samuel slipped the boxes into his pocket, his fingers lingering over them for a moment. "Thank you," he said, his voice softer now, almost reflective.

As he stepped out of the shop, the weight of the small boxes felt heavier than expected. They weren’t just purchases—they were promises, symbols of the future he wanted to build with Zinnia. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

He glanced up at the sky, the city bustling around him, but his focus remained on one thought. "She’ll say yes," he whispered to himself, a hopeful smile spreading across his face. "She has to. I really hope so."

---

Timmy sat at his desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of him. The usual rush of work was gone, and his focus had entirely shifted to something else. His eyes kept darting toward his phone, which lay just out of reach on his desk. Every few minutes, he glanced down, half-hoping to see a message from her. Lily.

The last message he’d received from her had been when she returned from her vacation, a simple two-word response. "Thank you!" it had said. He had wished her a safe journey home, and that was all. No follow-up from her. No messages asking how he was, or if he had enjoyed his break. Nothing. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of uncertainty press on his chest.

Should he message her first? He hesitated. Would she think he was being too forward? After all, she might be busy. Maybe she didn’t have time to talk. Was it okay to message her, or should he wait for her to message him first? His thumb hovered over the keyboard, uncertain of what to say.

What if she didn’t reply at all? The thought gnawed at him, making him feel even more restless. He sat there, staring at the phone, overthinking every possible scenario. Maybe he was just being paranoid, but the silence from her after that brief exchange had been enough to throw him off his usual focus.

Timmy couldn’t ignore it any longer. If he kept thinking about this, he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything. His mind would just keep drifting back to Lily and the strange sense of uncertainty that had settled over him. He had to know, at least.

With a deep breath, he picked up the phone and typed a message.

Hi! Lily! Hope you’re doing fine. Are you back at work?

He stared at the screen for a moment before hitting send. His heart skipped a beat as the message was sent, and his stomach twisted into knots. He quickly placed the phone back on the desk, forcing himself to look away. The wait was excruciating, the seconds stretching on forever. Would she reply? Or would he be left wondering once again?