When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 38: Happy moments

Chapter 38: Happy moments
Coming down from his study, Samuel stood at the entrance of the garden, watching Zinnia move gracefully among the plants, carefully watering each one.
He hadn’t planned on joining her, but something about the way she smiled while tending to the flowers drew him in.
Without thinking too much, he walked over, picked up a spare watering can, and began helping, mimicking her gentle movements.
Zinnia glanced at him, surprised at first, but her surprise quickly turned into a soft laugh. "You’re coming to help?" she teased lightly.
"Maybe," Samuel replied with a playful smirk. "But it looks like you’ve got it under control."
They continued in silence for a while, working side by side. The atmosphere between them shifted, becoming lighter. Samuel felt the usual tension between them begin to ease, replaced by a sense of calm. It reminded him of simpler times, when their lives weren’t complicated by their engagement or the ghosts of the past.
Suddenly, Zinnia dipped her hand into the water bucket and flicked some at Samuel. "Oops," she said with a mischievous grin. Samuel raised an eyebrow, pretending to be annoyed, but the smirk on his face betrayed him. Without warning, he flicked water back at her.
"What are you doing?" she laughed, trying to shield herself with her arms. They splashed water at each other like kids, forgetting, if only for a moment, the weight of everything hanging over them. For that brief time, they were just two people, carefree and enjoying each other’s company.
Eventually, their playful banter came to a halt as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Zinnia placed the watering can down and sighed. "It’s almost lunchtime," she said, brushing dirt off her hands.
Samuel nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I’ll make lunch."
She gave him a curious look. "You’re going to cook?"
"I’ve been practicing," Samuel replied, sounding more confident than he felt.
Zinnia raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Alright, I’ll believe it when I see it," she said, amusement twinkling in her eyes. They both headed inside the house, going to their separate rooms to freshen up and change.
As Zinnia changed into a light, comfortable dress, she found herself wondering how Samuel would handle the kitchen. He rarely cooked, and the last time he did after their engagement, it hadn’t gone well. But she pushed the memory aside as she walked to the dining room, where Samuel was already preparing ingredients.
"Just sit and wait," Samuel said the moment she entered the room. His voice was firm but not harsh. "I’ll take care of everything."
Zinnia smiled softly and sat at the counter, watching him move with surprising confidence. Samuel noticed her gaze and smirked, a flicker of pride in his eyes.
This is my chance,
he thought.
Maybe she’ll finally see me differently—maybe even choose me over James.
He began chopping vegetables with precision, moving quickly but not rushing. His hands were steady as he prepped the ingredients for roasted herb chicken, garlic butter mashed potatoes, and a fresh summer salad. He seasoned the chicken with rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest before sliding it into the oven.
Zinnia watched in surprise. This was not the same Samuel she remembered from before. Back then, he had been clumsy, unsure of himself in the kitchen, and the meal had been a disaster. But now, he seemed completely at ease. His movements were smooth, focused.
The delicious aroma of roasting chicken filled the air, making her stomach growl. Samuel glanced over and noticed the look on her face. He smirked again, his confidence growing.
Zinnia couldn’t deny how good he looked while cooking—confident and even a bit charming. She watched him furrow his brow in concentration as he mashed the potatoes to creamy perfection and whisked together a vinaigrette for the salad.
Wow,
she thought,
who knew he could cook like this?
Though she kept a calm demeanor, inside she was impressed. Her mouth watered as the smell of the food intensified, and she found herself hoping lunch would be ready soon.
When Samuel finally finished, he carefully plated the dishes and set them in front of her with a proud smile.
Zinnia stared at the meal in awe. "Samuel, this looks incredible," she said, unable to hide her surprise. "You’ve really outdone yourself."
Samuel blushed at the praise but shrugged it off. "Wait until you taste it," he said with a grin.
They sat down to eat, and Zinnia eagerly took a bite. The moment the food hit her tongue, her eyes widened in disbelief. It was delicious—far better than she expected. "Oh my God, Samuel, this is amazing!" she exclaimed. "If you keep cooking like this, I might ask you to make all my meals."
Samuel blushed harder, his face turning a light shade of red. He was relieved that everything had turned out well, especially with her watching so closely.
Inside, he exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Thank God I didn’t mess it up,
he thought. He needed this to go right, to show her that he could be the man she needed.
"I’m glad you like it," he said softly. "I was worried I might burn something."
Zinnia laughed, shaking her head. "You did great. Really."
After they finished eating, they moved to the living room to relax. Samuel leaned back on the couch, feeling content. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he sat up quickly. "I forgot to tell your mom about you," he said, guilt creeping into his voice. "I should’ve told her when we found you."
Zinnia, startled by his sudden movement, smiled. "Relax," she said gently. "I already told her when I woke up in the hospital. She knows I’m fine."
Samuel sighed in relief, sinking back into the couch. "I can’t believe I forgot," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Zinnia smiled, finding his concern endearing. After a moment, she turned to him. "You have no work today?"
"I took the day off," Samuel replied. "What about you? Any plans?"
Zinnia thought for a moment. "I don’t have any plans, but I was thinking of visiting my gallery."
Samuel’s expression faltered slightly, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I see," he said quietly.
Noticing his reaction, Zinnia chuckled. "Would you like to come with me?"
Samuel’s face brightened at her offer. "Is that okay?" he asked, hope evident in his voice.
"Of course," Zinnia replied, her voice warm.
Samuel’s excitement was hard to contain. "I’d love to!" he said eagerly.
They sat together in comfortable silence, both feeling the warmth of the connection they had rediscovered, a connection that had been missing for far too long.