When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 23: Cooking lesson
Timmy paced back and forth around his desk, debating whether he should tell his boss about the last cooking lesson, especially after everything that had happened today. With all the news his boss had just learned, he wondered if Samuel was still in the mood for it.
Samuel noticed his assistant’s nervousness and called out, "What is it? Just tell me."
Timmy cleared his throat and answered carefully, "Sir, your last cooking lesson is set to start in about 20 minutes. Are you planning to attend?"
"It’s already the last one?" Samuel asked.
"Yes, sir. Your instructor said he’s taught you everything he knows. He doesn’t have anything else left to teach you. Today’s recipe will be the final one."
Without hesitation, Samuel stood up from his chair and started walking toward the office door. "I’ll attend," he said firmly.
Timmy quickly followed behind.
A few minutes later, Samuel was in the kitchen, cooking alongside his instructor, who guided him through the recipe. His movements were smooth, confident, and precise. The way he chopped the vegetables—clean, fast, and almost effortless—was far beyond what most would expect. His focus and skills made him look like a professional chef, maybe even better.
Timmy stood nearby, watching in awe. He couldn’t help but think about how far Samuel had come. When Samuel first started these lessons, he was clumsy in the kitchen—awkward with the knife, unsure of how to handle ingredients, and often burning or overcooking his dishes. But now, after three years of consistent lessons, Samuel could whip up dishes from all over the world with precision and grace.
As Timmy watched, memories of how it all began came flooding back. It was just a few days after Samuel and Zinnia had gotten engaged when Samuel had called him into his office.
"Set me up with cooking lessons," Samuel had instructed. "Find the best chef you can as my instructor."
Samuel had paused for a moment, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "My dad used to cook for my mom, and she loved it. I want to do the same for Zinnia."
Timmy had been caught off guard by the sudden sweetness in his boss’s voice, but he was quick to respond, "Yes, sir! I’ll get right on it."
He had rushed to find the best chef he could, thinking, My boss is going to make a great husband. I hope his wife appreciates it.
Just three days into his lessons, Samuel had been eager to try cooking for Zinnia. Timmy had shared in his excitement, hoping everything would go well.
The next day, Samuel had walked into the office looking defeated. Timmy had been ready to discuss the day’s appointments when Samuel spoke first.
"I failed," Samuel had said, his voice low with disappointment. But then, a small smile had broken through. "Luckily, my Zia is so kind. She didn’t mind how terrible it was and still ate it happily."
With renewed determination, Samuel had told Timmy, "But my Zia deserves the best. From now on, I’ll attend cooking lessons every week."
Timmy sighed, snapping back to the present. It had been three years since that day, and Samuel had become an incredible cook. But Timmy couldn’t help but wonder, Has he cooked for Miss Zinnia since then? I don’t think he has. With everything going on between them now, it might never happen again.
Timmy sighed again, feeling the weight of the situation. James’s sudden reappearance had thrown everything into chaos. He couldn’t help but feel for Samuel, still rooting for his boss’s love life with Zinnia despite the challenges.
By the time Samuel’s final cooking lesson ended, it was almost 8 p.m.
At their house, Zinnia paced back and forth, waiting for Samuel. She kept glancing out the window, hoping to see any sign of him coming home.
"I wonder how Samuel is," she murmured to herself, continuing her restless pacing.
She didn’t know that Samuel had decided not to come home. Instead, he drove to his parents’ house, unsure of how to face her after everything that had happened. As he entered the dark, empty house, he switched on the lights and headed to his room.
Once inside, Samuel changed out of his clothes and took a long shower. The warmth of the water soothed his body, but his mind remained in turmoil. After drying off, he slumped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Earlier, cooking had kept his mind occupied, but now everything he had been trying to push aside came rushing back. The news about James’s return, the uncertainty with Zinnia, and the company’s future played over and over in his head like a broken record. His expression darkened, his brows furrowed as he wrestled with his thoughts.
Unable to sleep, Samuel sat up abruptly and headed down to the wine cellar. He thought maybe a drink would help numb the pain, but when he sat down at the bar, something caught his eye. A folded piece of paper with his name written on it lay on the counter.
"This is Dad’s handwriting," Samuel thought, recognizing it instantly. His father had disappeared without a word after coming home from the hospital.
Samuel unfolded the letter, reading the familiar script.
"Sorry for leaving you behind without notice. I’ve gone to find your mother. I can’t live without her. My will remains as it is. I hope you marry Zinnia as planned. Take care of yourself and the company."
As Samuel read those words, one line stood out, freezing his mind in place: "I can’t live without her."
His chest tightened as he whispered to himself, "Me too. I’m scared of losing Zinnia. I don’t want to lose her." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
Tears rolled down his cheeks, the weight of his emotions too much to bear. But in that moment, something shifted inside him. He wiped his face, his resolve hardening.
"I’ll tell her. I’ll tell her I love her," he said out loud. "I hope she’ll give me another chance. This time, I’ll fight for her."
With newfound determination, Samuel rushed upstairs, grabbed his car keys, and bolted out of the house. He sped toward the home he shared with Zinnia, his mind racing with anticipation. All he could think about was finally telling her the truth, hoping it wasn’t too late.
