When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 63: First day of work

Chapter 63: First day of work

The next morning came too quickly. Zinnia woke to the sound of her alarm, the sunlight barely breaking through the curtains. She rubbed her eyes and pushed herself up, feeling the familiar knot of anxiety tighten in her chest.

The meeting with Lily Oceanic Industries loomed over her like a dark cloud. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to handle it.

She shuffled to the bathroom, the cold tiles sending a shiver up her spine. After washing her face, she grabbed her toothbrush and squeezed a bit of mint toothpaste onto it. As she brushed, she tried to clear her mind, but the nervous thoughts swirled in her head. What if she messed up?

Once she finished brushing, she rinsed her mouth and turned on the shower. The steam quickly filled the small space, enveloping her in warmth. She let the water wash over her, allowing her thoughts to drift, but the anxiety wouldn’t dissipate.

After a few moments, she stepped out, feeling a bit more centered. She dried herself off, applied her moisturizer, and dressed quickly, choosing a smart navy blazer and tailored pants that made her feel professional.

As she slid her feet into her favorite loafers, her phone buzzed just as she finished getting ready. It was a message from her father.

"Good luck today. You’ll do great."

She stared at the screen for a second, feeling a swell of gratitude. She quickly typed a reply.

"Thanks, Dad. I’ll do my best."

Taking a deep breath, she headed to the kitchen, hoping to clear her mind with breakfast. To her surprise, she found Samuel already there, finishing up setting the table with an array of unusual dishes.

He had prepared an herb-infused quinoa bowl topped with poached eggs, garnished with a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Next to it, he had laid out savory sweet potato pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and topped with fresh berries. A steaming pot of ginger chai tea stood proudly beside it.

"Good morning! Breakfast is ready," Samuel said with a bright smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

Zinnia’s heart fluttered at the sight. "Wow, thank you so much for this! Why are you up so early?" She felt a wave of appreciation wash over her.

Samuel shrugged casually. "Well, I thought you’d be up early for your first meeting—or rather, your first day working in your family’s business. I wanted to make sure you had a good breakfast to give you energy for today."

"Seriously, this is amazing," Zinnia said as she sat down at the table. "You really didn’t have to go to all this trouble." She gestured for him to join her. "Come sit down."

Samuel hesitated but then took a seat across from her. "I wanted to do something nice. You’ve got a big day ahead, and I figured a healthy breakfast might help."

Zinnia felt her heart warm at his thoughtfulness. "I really needed this. Thank you," she said, digging into the quinoa bowl first. The flavors burst in her mouth, and for a moment, her anxiety faded.

They ate in comfortable silence, savoring the meal. Samuel occasionally glanced at her, as if gauging her mood.

"Are you ready for today?" he asked after a few moments.

"I don’t know," she admitted, setting her fork down. "I’m nervous. What if I mess up? This meeting could decide the future of the studio."

"You’ll be fine," Samuel replied, leaning forward, sincerity in his eyes. "Just remember, you’re capable. Your father believes in you."

Zinnia took a deep breath, trying to absorb his encouragement. "I hope you’re right. I just want to make him proud."

As they finished their breakfast, Zinnia quickly polished off the last bit of her sweet potato pancake. "I need to go now," she said, glancing at the clock. "Thanks for the breakfast. I really appreciate it."

"Good luck," Samuel said, standing up to clear the table. "You’ve got this."

Zinnia smiled, her heart a mix of nerves and determination. As she made her way to the office, she pushed down the nervousness building inside her. She could handle this. She had to. For her father, for her family.

But as much as she wanted to believe that, doubt lingered in the back of her mind.

Zinnia arrived at Lopez Digital Studios’ headquarters, a sleek building that towered over the city’s business district. She had grown up around this place, visited it countless times as a child, but today felt different.

Today, she was stepping into a role she had never expected to take on.

As she walked through the glass doors, the usual hustle and bustle of the office seemed overwhelming. People rushed from meeting to meeting, phones rang, and conversations blended into the background noise. She felt out of place, unsure of where to begin.

Her father’s assistant, Marcos, met her at the front. He was a tall, middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair and a calm demeanor that always put Zinnia at ease.

"Good morning, Ms. Lopez," he said with a smile. "I’ll be joining you for the meeting with Lily Oceanic Industries. It’s all set for 10 a.m."

Zinnia nodded, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Marcos. I’m... a bit nervous, to be honest."

"You’ll do fine," he assured her. "Just focus on the project. They’re excited about this partnership."

She followed him to the elevator, trying to absorb his words. The project was big, but it wasn’t just about making a movie. It was about securing the future of Lopez Digital Studios, something her father had built from the ground up. Now it was her turn to help keep it alive.

As they rode up to the executive floor, Marcos briefed her on the details. The movie, a large-scale action thriller, would involve multiple scenes filmed on cargo ships, and Lily Oceanic Industries had agreed to let them use their ships for authenticity. The deal was nearly finalized, but a few key points needed to be discussed in person.

"The film’s budget is substantial," Marcos explained. "We’re looking at a total of $30 million, and we need to make sure that Lily Oceanic Industries is on board with the investment."

"Do you think they’ll push back?" Zinnia asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

"It’s possible, but just remember that they want this deal as much as you do. The success of the film could be mutually beneficial."

By the time they reached the conference room, Zinnia felt slightly more prepared, though the anxiety still gnawed at her. She straightened her blazer and took a deep breath before walking inside.

The representatives from Lily Oceanic were already seated at the long table, their polished appearances matching the professionalism of their company. The Branch CEO, a woman named Victoria Chen, greeted Zinnia with a firm handshake.

"Ms. Lopez, it’s a pleasure to meet you," Victoria said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I’ve heard great things about your father’s work."

Zinnia nodded, feeling a bit stiff. "Thank you. I’m here on his behalf today."

Victoria’s gaze sharpened slightly, but she remained cordial. "I understand. Shall we begin?"