When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 79: Package

Chapter 79: Package

Samuel leaned back in his chair, glancing at the clock. After his meeting, he knew exactly what he wanted to do next. He called out to Timmy, his trusted assistant, who hurried into the office, looking curious.

"I need you to do something for me," he said, a small smile playing on his lips.

Timmy was used to his boss’s sudden requests, but this felt different. "Sure, boss. What do you need?"

Samuel hesitated, then continued. "I want you to buy a bouquet. Not just any bouquet. Pastel roses, with white lilies and a touch of eucalyptus. Make it look elegant, but not too flashy. And add a light blue satin ribbon."

Timmy scribbled down the details, trying to hide a smile. "Got it. Anything else?"

"Yes," Samuel said, leaning forward. "I’m cooking lunch. Get the freshest ingredients—salmon, baby potatoes, asparagus, and a lemon. I’m making a grilled salmon lunchbox, with roasted veggies and a light sauce."

Timmy’s eyes widened. "You’re cooking, sir?"

Samuel nodded. "Yes. Make sure everything is top quality. Nothing less."

Timmy’s heart swelled. This was a side of Samuel he rarely saw. "Of course, sir. I’ll make sure it’s perfect."

Samuel watched Timmy leave, feeling lighter. He could already see Zinnia’s expression when she saw the flowers, the way her eyes would brighten. Just thinking about it made him smile. He wanted to remind her of his presence, even when she was busy at work. Little gestures, that’s what he planned.

Timmy, on the other hand, was practically skipping as he left the office. "Finally!" he muttered, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. Samuel was usually serious, always about work, but this was different. "If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what will," he thought, silently rooting for his boss.

Back in his office, Samuel sat through his morning meetings, but his mind was elsewhere. As soon as they ended, he rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen. He laid out the ingredients neatly, each movement precise. He wanted everything perfect.

He started with the salmon, seasoning it carefully before placing it on the grill. The kitchen soon filled with the savory aroma, and Samuel felt a small sense of pride.

Next were the vegetables. He roasted the baby potatoes until they turned golden and crispy. The asparagus, he blanched, keeping their vibrant green color. He whisked the sauce, tasting it until it had the right balance of creaminess and tang.

The whole time, he thought of Zinnia. He imagined her reaction, how she might smile when she saw the flowers, how she’d take a bite of the lunch and think of him, even for just a moment.

Once he finished, he packed everything into a neat lunchbox. The salmon sat next to the vegetables, with a small container of sauce on the side. Simple, but thoughtful. He placed the flowers and the lunchbox together, admiring how they looked.

Samuel called Timmy back. "Take these to Zinnia’s company. Make sure she gets them."

Timmy’s eyes sparkled as he took the items. "Of course, sir. I’ll make sure they’re delivered directly to her."

At Lopez Digital Studios, Zinnia had just finished a meeting when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the message from the lobby and read it quickly. "A package? From Samuel?" She excused herself and made her way downstairs, curious and a little excited.

When she reached the lobby, the receptionist greeted her with a warm smile, gesturing to the packages. "You have a delivery, Miss."

Zinnia’s eyes widened when she saw the bouquet. Soft pastel roses mixed with white lilies and eucalyptus, all tied with a light blue ribbon. It was delicate and beautiful. She picked it up carefully, admiring the arrangement.

"From Samuel?" she whispered, almost not believing it. The receptionist nodded, smiling at her reaction. Then, she saw the lunchbox, and her heart skipped a beat.

Flowers were already surprising, but Samuel sending food too? That was unexpected. She peeked inside the bag and saw the neatly arranged lunchbox. It was still warm. "He actually cooked for me," she whispered, a soft blush rising to her cheeks.

She felt a rush of warmth as she headed back to her office. It was lunchtime, and she couldn’t wait to see what Samuel had made. As she walked, she noticed people glancing at her, their eyes drawn to the bouquet. Normally, gifts weren’t allowed at the company, especially with so many celebrities working there. Fans would flood the place with presents if they could, so strict rules were in place.

But Zinnia had special permission. Not many knew who she was, but the guards and lobby staff did. It wasn’t public knowledge, and they kept it that way. She was, after all, the daughter of Ricardo Lopez, the chairman. Most employees didn’t recognize her. It had been years since she last visited often.

During her engagement to Samuel, videos and news clips about them surfaced briefly but were quickly taken down to protect their privacy. Now, three years later, their faces were almost forgotten. Even her fans knew her more as an artist than as the daughter of a powerful businessman. She rarely showed her face during live streams, focusing the camera on her paintings instead.

As Zinnia reached her floor, she noticed curious stares from colleagues. Some whispered, their eyes on the bouquet.

Trish Watson, a well-known actress who had recently been cast in their new movie, had been in the lobby earlier when Zinnia received the package. She watched, curious, as Zinnia took the flowers. "Wait, they let her receive gifts?" she muttered, puzzled.

Trish was used to strict rules. As a big name, she often had fans trying to send her presents, but she had to decline them all. It was a company policy to avoid chaos. So, why was Zinnia different?

She watched Zinnia head back upstairs, her mind buzzing with questions. Who was this woman who could bypass the rules? "I’ll have to ask around," Trish thought, intrigued.