Samuel led Zinnia toward the kitchen, a small but knowing smile playing on his lips. "Of course, I know you miss this while onboard the ship," he said, gesturing to the dining table. The spread was warm and inviting, a testament to his careful preparation.
The table was filled with dishes that would make anyone feel at home after weeks away. A steaming pot of hearty chicken adobo, glistening with its soy sauce glaze, sat at the center. Nearby was a platter of freshly fried spring rolls, golden and crispy. Bowls of garlic fried rice, the aroma wafting through the room, were paired with sautéed vegetables that glistened in vibrant colors. For dessert, there was a simple yet comforting flan, its caramel top shimmering under the soft light.
Zinnia’s eyes lit up as she took in the sight. She let out a soft gasp, her excitement unmistakable. "Samuel," she said, her voice breathless, "you made all of this?"
He chuckled, a warm sound that filled the room. "Of course. Eat as much as you can. You’ve had a busy week, and you deserve this."
She nodded eagerly and quickly took a seat at the table. Her hands rested on the edge of the table as she gazed at the food, practically gulping in anticipation. Samuel grabbed a plate and began serving her, carefully portioning out the dishes.
"You love spring rolls, right?" he asked, adding a few to her plate.
Zinnia smiled up at him, her eyes brimming with gratitude. "You remembered."
"How could I forget?" he replied, handing her the plate. "Now, eat. No excuses."
She wasted no time, picking up her fork and taking a bite of the chicken adobo first. The flavors melted on her tongue, rich and familiar. She let out a satisfied sigh, glancing at Samuel. "This is amazing. Thank you so much."
He sat down across from her, watching her eat with a soft expression. "Seeing you eat like that makes all the effort worth it."
Zinnia paused mid-bite, her cheeks slightly pink. "It’s not just the food, Sam. It’s you. This... it feels like home."
Samuel’s smile deepened, his chest tightening at her words. He had missed her more than he realized. The house felt cold and empty in her absence. Watching her now, happy and relaxed, made everything feel right again.
---
After dinner, they moved to the living room, Zinnia settling onto the couch with a contented sigh. She placed a hand on her stomach, laughing softly. "I think I ate too much."
Samuel smirked, sitting beside her. "Good. You deserved a good meal."
Zinnia turned to him, her eyes warm. "Thank you, Sam. I really missed the food you cook."
"No need to thank me," he replied, his tone gentle. "I’m happy to do it for you."
She tilted her head slightly, studying his face. "So, what’s next for you? After this week’s madness, I mean."
Samuel leaned back, his arm resting on the back of the couch. "Nothing much, really. Just the usual at the office. Thankfully, Timmy’s back, so I don’t have to handle everything alone anymore."
Zinnia’s brow furrowed as she caught his words. "Wait. Timmy just came back? So, you were managing everything on your own this past week?"
He noticed the worry etched on her face and smiled reassuringly. "It’s fine, Zia. Things are better now that you’re both back."
She didn’t look entirely convinced but let out a small sigh. "I still feel bad. That must’ve been so hard for you."
Samuel shook his head, his expression softening. "Don’t worry about me. I survived."
He paused, his expression growing thoughtful. "But Timmy seems... off. He’s been distracted, always staring at his phone like he’s waiting for something."
Zinnia tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Did something happen while he was away?"
"I’m not sure," Samuel admitted. "He didn’t say much about his trip, but he looks sad. Maybe something happened, or maybe he just doesn’t feel like being back at work yet."
Zinnia nodded slowly. "You might be right. Coming back to work after a relaxing break can be tough."
Samuel gave her a small smile. "Enough about him. You should go relax and get some sleep. You’ve had a long week."
She grinned, giving him a mock salute. "Yes, sir."
They both stood and made their way toward their bedrooms. At her door, Zinnia turned to him, her voice soft. "Goodnight, Sam."
"Goodnight, Zia," he replied, his voice warm.
---
The next morning, Zinnia decided to stay home and relax while Samuel headed to the office. The house felt peaceful, filled with the warmth of her presence once more.
At the office, Samuel walked in to find Timmy at his desk, staring at his phone again. His brow furrowed as he approached. "Timmy," he called, his voice firm but gentle. "Are you okay? Is something wrong?"
Timmy quickly looked up, startled. He hesitated before shaking his head. "No, sir. Everything’s fine."
Samuel wasn’t convinced. "You’ve been acting distracted since you got back. If there’s something going on, you can tell me."
Timmy hesitated again, glancing down at his phone. "It’s... nothing, really."
Samuel sighed, leaning against the edge of Timmy’s desk. "Whatever it is, I’m here if you need to talk."
Timmy managed a small, grateful smile but didn’t say more. Samuel nodded, deciding not to push further. Whatever was bothering Timmy, he’d figure it out eventually. For now, there was work to be done.
After settling into his office chair, Samuel leaned back and stared at the ceiling, his mind wandering to recent events. The last press conference had been a whirlwind, with questions flying about the company’s future after the Cain and Revilo case was made public. Yet, what followed had been eerily quiet—too quiet.
The board of directors, a group known for their sharp tongues and constant meddling, had been... cooperative. There had been no heated debates, no thinly veiled insults, and, most unusual of all, no one had questioned his decisions.