*I live just downstairs. You can come find me if you need anything,” Zinnia said, her voice gentle yet a little awkward as she tried to comfort him
Zinnia had never comforted anyone before—it was always others who comforted her. The only one she’d ever soothed was Sunny, her dog. And the more she looked at Yannis’s pitiful expression, the more he resembled Sunny.
Every time Sunny got picked on outside, he’d come running back to her, whining and butting his head against her for comfort.
Once Zinnia started thinking of Yannis as Sunny, she visibly relaxed, her actions becoming almost instinctive. “If you ever need anything, you can just call me, okay?” she added gently.
Can’t reach you, or even find my phone?”
“But what if one day I collapse at home and
Yannis sighed and said, “You know how it is–I’m not getting any younger. What if one day I just collapsed at home? I could die and no one would even
notice.”
Yannis let out a sigh, putting on an air of he
as
if Zinnia was now his only anchor in the world.
Seeing how precarious Yannis’s mental state was, Zinnia couldn’t help but agree.
Yannis beamed, “I know you are the best.”
Yannis smiled again–a breathtaking sight. His eyes sparkled with amusement, all traces of melancholy gone as his voice returned to its usual state.
Zinnia watched him and smiled, secretly breathing a small sigh of relief. ‘He really does look so much better when he smiles,‘ she thought to herself.
“Come here, Zinnia,” Yannis said, moving aside and motioning for her to add her fingerprint.
Zinnia didn’t hesitate this time as she added her fingerprint, all the while wondering how she could help Yannis keep his health.
His health really wasn’t great. Especially considering he likely went through some major trauma as a child, his mind had been perpetually on edge.
If he didn’t take good care of himself, it could shorten his lifespan. Even if Yannis was only being kind to her because Jackson had asked him to, Zinnia still genuinely didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.
“Zinnia?” Yannis called out to her, a hint of confusion in his voice.
Zinnia snapped out of her thoughts and noticed a pair of brand new, creamy yellow slippers by her feet–petite, with cute little bunny ears on top.
Zinnia slipped her feet into them, a perfect fit.
“These are brand new slippers I got just for you,” Yannis said, taking off his coat and hanging it by the entrance.
Zinnia glanced at the creamy yellow slippers, then at the bunny ears. ‘A bit childish,’ she thought, yet a quiet happiness bloomed in her heart.
‘He really kept his word–he wasn’t lying, Zinnia thought.
Following Yannis into the living room, Zinnia immediately noticed some changes. The space, once strictly monochrome, now featured a light blue desk on the balcony, with a few plush toys hanging from it.
The balcony window was open, letting in a gentle breeze that made the wind chime on the desk emit clear, tinkling notes. Plush rugs were spread around the coffee table, giving the whole space a cozy, inviting warmth.
At first glance, not much had changed, yet the once cold apartment now felt noticeably warmer and more inviting.
“Zinnia, I set up a desk for you in the living room, perfect for doing your homework. There are snacks and milk in the cabinet next to the desk, so help yourself if you get hungry. I’ll be making dinner now,” Yannis said.
1/2
Chapter 139
Yannis set down her backpack, then smiled as he watched her gaze at the desk.
Zinnia nodded. “Okay.”
Zinnia had been here before, but after everything that happened yesterday, it was clear to anyone that she and Yannis had grown much closer,
Zinnia pulled out her homework and settled at the desk, while Yannis headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Tonight’s dinner was another mouthwatering spread: refreshing shredded cucumber with chicken breast, Southwest chicken, golden salt and pepper chicken wings, and succulent garlic butter shrimp.
Zinnia’s eyes visibly lit up as she watched the dishes being placed on the table one by one, unable to hide her excitement.
“Sit down and eat,” Yannis said, handing her a piece of bread and a fork.
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