When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 43: Gone mad?

Chapter 43: Gone mad?

Timmy’s mind raced as he watched Samuel spinning in his chair. The pressure his boss was under—the return of James, the inheritance issues, the weight of the company’s troubles—was more than any man could handle. And yet here was Samuel, grinning like none of it mattered.

Timmy took a step back, his heart pounding in his chest. "What if he’s finally snapped?" he thought, fear crawling up his spine.

Samuel had been under so much strain. The stock prices were crashing, and the board of directors was demanding answers. Now, with Zinnia in the picture again and James’s return, everything was in chaos.

But instead of losing his temper or showing signs of stress, Samuel was spinning in his chair, laughing like a kid. It made no sense.

Timmy felt sweat gather on his forehead, his eyes darting around the room. If Samuel lost it, if he started smashing things, Timmy needed an escape route. He stood frozen, not daring to move, as Samuel repeated, "It’s going to be a good day, Timmy."

"Y-yeah, sure, boss," Timmy stammered, his voice shaky. He forced a smile, though inside, he was wondering if he’d make it out of the office alive.

Just then, Samuel’s phone rang, breaking the tension in the air. Timmy recognized the ringtone immediately. It was the special one Samuel had set for Zinnia. Timmy’s heart skipped a beat. "Oh no," he thought. "Is he going to snap at her too?"

Timmy gulped, feeling the tension rise in his throat. Samuel wasn’t known for being gentle on calls, especially with Zinnia. He silently prayed that Zinnia wouldn’t be on the receiving end of Samuel’s anger today.

But to Timmy’s utter surprise, Samuel’s face lit up even more when he saw Zinnia’s name on the screen. His grin widened, and without hesitation, he picked up the phone. "Good morning," Samuel greeted warmly, his voice soft in a way Timmy had never heard before.

"Good morning," Zinnia replied, her tone equally gentle.

Timmy’s eyes widened in disbelief. He had expected Samuel to be cold, distant, maybe even harsh. But what he was hearing now was the complete opposite. Samuel’s voice was calm, caring, and full of warmth.

"I just wanted to thank you for breakfast," Zinnia said. "It was really thoughtful."

"You’re welcome," Samuel replied. "I hope it was good. I wanted to make sure you had something nice after yesterday."

Timmy blinked, the shock hitting him like a wave. Samuel wasn’t just being civil—he was being... kind. Timmy scratched his head, trying to make sense of it all. Then it hit him. Of course! Yesterday, Samuel had decided to cook for Zinnia. He had even told Timmy he was going to show her his true feelings. How could Timmy have forgotten?

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Timmy slapped his forehead. How could he have jumped to conclusions, thinking Samuel had lost his mind? This was Samuel finally letting his guard down, opening up to Zinnia. The happiness he was seeing now wasn’t madness—it was something real, something human.

"Are you busy today?" Zinnia asked over the phone.

"I’ve got a few meetings, but nothing too heavy," Samuel said, his voice light. "What about you? Going to take it easy today?"

"Yeah, I think I’ll just rest," Zinnia replied. "Yesterday was a lot, but it was good. Thanks again for being with me."

"I’m glad you had a good time," Samuel said, his smile clear in his voice. "Take it easy, okay? Rest up."

"You too," Zinnia said. "Good luck with your meetings."

"Thanks. I’ll talk to you later," Samuel finished, his voice softening even more as they said their goodbyes. "Have a great day."

"You too," Zinnia replied, and the call ended with a gentle click.

Timmy stood there, his mouth slightly open. Had he just witnessed a miracle? Samuel Lucas, the man who was always so closed off, had just had the softest, most pleasant conversation with Zinnia. Timmy was stunned.

Slowly, Timmy pieced it together. Samuel had been changing. He was opening up to Zinnia. This was no longer the guarded, cold boss he had known for so long. The Samuel Lucas in front of him was different, and it all came down to Zinnia.

Timmy took a deep breath, calming himself. His boss wasn’t losing his mind—he was in love. And it seemed like things were finally going well for Samuel and Zinnia. The smile on Samuel’s face, the happiness he had shown—it all made sense now.

But before Timmy could revel in this revelation, he remembered why he had come in. Clearing his throat, he stepped forward, a bit more confident now. "Uh, boss," he began, his voice steady. "The board of directors has been asking for a meeting. They’re worried about the falling stock prices and want to discuss a plan."

Samuel, still smiling, nodded. "Of course. Tell them I’ll be ready by noon."

Timmy nodded, relief washing over him. The Samuel he had known—the one who was calm under pressure—was still there. Only now, there was something more. Something warmer.

Timmy left the room with a grin on his face. Maybe this was the start of something good. Not just for Samuel, but for all of them.

---

Zinnia sat at the kitchen table, happily eating the breakfast Samuel had prepared for her. The food was still warm, the flavors rich and comforting. Each bite felt special, and she couldn’t help but smile, thinking about Samuel’s gesture.

Earlier that morning, she had woken up feeling hungry. She had gotten out of bed, planning to head to the kitchen and figure out what to make for herself. But when she walked in, she was met with an unexpected surprise.

Laid out on the counter was a perfectly prepared meal, ready to be reheated. Zinnia blinked in disbelief for a moment, her eyes scanning the kitchen. It was spotless, and everything had been left just for her. She couldn’t believe Samuel had gone to the trouble of making her breakfast.

Then she noticed a small note placed beside the plate. Picking it up, she read Samuel’s handwriting: "Thanks for bringing me to your gallery yesterday. A special morning treat for you. Hope you like it! -Samuel."

Her heart warmed as she read the note. She couldn’t help but smile as she sat down to enjoy the meal. It wasn’t just the food—it was the thoughtfulness behind it. Samuel, who was usually so distant and focused on his work, had taken the time to do this for her.