When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 62: Packed food

Chapter 62: Packed food

They spent the next hour going through documents and files. Her father explained the company’s structure, the key employees, and the projects they were handling. He outlined the upcoming meeting with Lily Oceanic Industries and emphasized how crucial it was for the new movie project.

"You’ll need to be prepared," her father said, handing her a thick folder. "Familiarize yourself with their operations and how they’re involved."

Zinnia nodded, trying to absorb it all. The pressure weighed on her chest, but she knew she had to face it. There was no turning back now.

"I’ll be ready," she replied softly, though the words felt heavy. Tomorrow would be important, and she wasn’t about to let her family down.

They wrapped up quickly after that. The conversation wound down, and her father smiled, patting her hand lightly. "You’ve done well today, Zinnia. I’m proud of you."

Her mother poked her head around the corner, her smile soft and welcoming. "Before you go, I packed some food for you to bring home. For you and Samuel."

Zinnia blinked, feeling the warmth behind her mother’s gesture. "You didn’t have to do that, Mom."

Her mother chuckled, already walking toward the kitchen. "Nonsense. You’re too busy to cook these days, and Samuel works so hard. I just wanted to make sure you both have something homemade."

Zinnia followed her into the kitchen. Her mother had neatly packed the food into containers, sealing them with care. The smell of the garlic shrimp and chicken stew filled the room, making Zinnia’s stomach growl.

"Thanks, Mom," Zinnia said quietly, taking the bag from her. She held it gently, as if it meant more than just food.

Her mom smiled warmly, resting a hand on her arm. "Take care of yourself, sweetheart. And give Samuel my best."

Zinnia nodded, her heart softening. She pulled out her phone as she stepped outside the kitchen and typed out a quick message to Samuel: Mom packed some food for you. I’ll bring it home.

She waited for a reply as she gathered her things, then heard her phone buzz. Samuel had replied: Just got home. Thanks. Looking forward to it.

Zinnia smiled at the message. She texted back: I’ll be home soon.

His response came quickly: I’ll wait for you.

She pocketed her phone, feeling a small flicker of warmth. It was rare for their exchanges to feel this casual, this normal.

She hugged her parents goodbye. Her father squeezed her shoulder lightly. "You’ll be fine tomorrow."

Her mother kissed her cheek and smiled. "Don’t forget to rest, Zinnia."

Zinnia smiled, nodding. "I won’t. Thank you for everything."

She stepped out of the house, holding the food and the documents from their meeting. The evening air was cool, and the sky had dimmed into shades of blue and purple. The day had stretched long, and her body was tired, but the weight of tomorrow kept her mind awake.

She sat in her car for a few minutes, her hands resting on the steering wheel. Taking over the family business? It was never something she planned, but here she was, with no other choice. Her father’s illness loomed over them all, and if stepping up could help in any way, she had to do it.

With a deep breath, she started the car and drove home. Her mind was already spinning with thoughts of the meeting. Lily Oceanic Industries was massive, and she didn’t know the first thing about dealing with a company that large. The name itself felt intimidating.

The drive passed in silence, and by the time she pulled into the driveway, the sun had set completely. A soft glow from the house lights greeted her. She turned off the engine and sat there for a moment longer, letting the exhaustion sink in. The day had been long, but tomorrow promised to be even more draining.

Zinnia grabbed the food and documents, stepping out of the car. When she entered the house, Samuel was already there, leaning against the wall near the door.

"Here, let me help you," he offered, moving toward her.

But Zinnia shook her head, holding up the bag of food. "I’ve got it. My mom packed this for you."

Samuel blinked, surprised. He took the bag from her hands carefully, almost as if it were something precious. "She didn’t have to do that."

Zinnia smiled. "You know how she is. Always looking out for everyone."

He stared down at the bag, a wave of warmth flooding him. All his life, Samuel had never known the love of a mother. His own mother had been distant, cold even. He had always craved that gentle, nurturing care that he saw in others’ families.

Zinnia’s parents were different. Whenever he visited, they treated him like one of their own. That warmth, that feeling of belonging—it was something he rarely experienced. He held onto it, cherished it.

"Tell her thank you for me," he said, his voice quiet.

Zinnia nodded. "I will. I’m going to head to my room for a bit."

"Alright," Samuel replied, his gaze lingering on her as she walked away.

Once she was out of sight, Samuel opened the bag and inhaled the familiar smells. He had already eaten earlier, but the thought of food made especially for him was too much to resist. He sat down at the dining table and dug in, savoring each bite. It tasted like home.

Even though he had no hunger, he ate every last bit, feeling a deep sense of gratitude toward Zinnia’s mother. It was more than just food—it was care, something he’d longed for all his life.

After cleaning up, he sat in the living room, waiting for Zinnia. She came down shortly, her face calmer than before. She sat across from him, fiddling with the edge of her shirt.

"I’ve been thinking," she started, her voice low. "I might have to take over the company. My father’s been pushing me to get involved."

Samuel watched her closely. "And how do you feel about that?"

Zinnia hesitated, her eyes flicking to the side. "I don’t know. It’s overwhelming. I’ve never wanted to run a business. But if it helps him, I have to do it."

He nodded, understanding. "It’s a big responsibility, but you’re capable. And if you ever need advice, you can always come to me."

Zinnia smiled softly. "Thanks. I might take you up on that."

Samuel offered her a small smile in return, but inside, guilt gnawed at him. He had kept something from her. The news about James—he still wasn’t sure if he was alive or not. He didn’t want to give Zinnia false hope, not until he had solid answers. But the thought of hiding it from her weighed heavily on him.

When the time was right, he would tell her. He just needed more time.

The conversation tapered off, and soon they both said goodnight, retreating to their separate rooms. As Zinnia lay in bed, her mind raced with the thoughts of tomorrow’s meeting. She could still hear her father’s words, his quiet confidence in her.

But beneath it all, she knew he was afraid. His illness had been worse than she had realized, and despite his calm demeanor, she saw the fear in his eyes. The idea of losing him terrified her.

She turned over, trying to push the thoughts away. Eventually, her exhaustion took over, and she drifted off into a restless sleep, her dreams filled with board meetings and looming decisions.