When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 67: New recruit?

Zinnia glanced out the window as her father’s car pulled up in front of Lopez Digital Studios. She had been quiet during the ride, her mind drifting back to the events of yesterday’s meeting. Ricardo Lopez, her father, was beaming, his smile wide and bright. She wondered what had him in such high spirits.

As they stepped out of the car and made their way into the building, Zinnia noticed how heads turned. Employees passing by paused, eyes widening with curiosity. She kept her head high, but she could feel the stares, hear the whispers, and sense the faint buzzing of gossip trailing behind them.

"Who is she?" someone whispered.

"Is she a new recruit? I haven’t seen her before," another said, glancing at her with interest.

"She’s stunning! Do you think she’s a new artist for one of our projects?" a third voice added, barely hiding their excitement.

"I don’t know, but why is she walking with the chairman?" another murmured. "He never walks around with new recruits."

"She must be someone important," someone else speculated. "Maybe she’s going to be a big star."

Zinnia caught bits and pieces of their conversation, but she kept her eyes forward, following her dad through the lobby. The employees’ curiosity was clear, their glances full of questions.

Even though Zinnia was a well-known painter, her fame had its limits. Her fans were mostly art lovers who followed her work closely. Unlike actors, her name didn’t echo in every household. Her face wasn’t on billboards or magazine covers. She was popular in her niche but outside of that, she enjoyed a certain level of anonymity.

Zinnia rarely appeared in public with her parents, except for high-profile events within their wealthy circle. News about her and her family was often kept under wraps, taken down quickly whenever it surfaced. It protected their privacy, so most people didn’t connect her to Lopez Digital Studios. To many, she could easily pass as a new trainee, maybe even an aspiring artist looking for a break.

"She’s gorgeous," someone said, almost in awe. "She looks like she could be the next big star."

"Her aura is different, though," another voice noted. "She has that elegance... Maybe she’s already someone important."

"I didn’t notice her yesterday. She came here with the chairman’s secretary," a colleague admitted. "We were all so busy. And let’s be real, pretty faces are common here, given our line of work."

"True, but the chairman? That’s different," someone else pointed out. "He never takes time to walk around with new recruits. This is definitely something worth paying attention to."

They finally reached the top floor, where their offices were located. Only the secretary was allowed on this floor, making it a quiet, exclusive space. Zinnia’s office was next to her father’s, a strategic setup for them to work closely together.

Ricardo’s smile hadn’t faded since they entered the building. He looked as if he was walking on clouds, and Zinnia could see how proud he was. It warmed her heart, even if she didn’t fully understand why.

"Dad, why are you so happy?" she asked, a teasing tone in her voice. "Your employees seem to think I’m some new recruit artist."

Ricardo laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Of course, I’m happy! Everyone is praising how pretty you are. I’m proud to have such a beautiful daughter. My daughter is the prettiest, and even those famous actresses can’t compare."

Zinnia blinked, surprised. "Really, Dad?" she said, trying to hide her embarrassment. "That’s why you’re smiling so much? Because they think I’m pretty?"

"Why not?" he chuckled. "Should I introduce you to everyone now, as the company’s Deputy CEO?"

Zinnia shook her head quickly. "No need, Dad. Let me get familiar with everything first. It’s actually a good thing they don’t know my position yet. I don’t want to feel pressured by expectations. I’d rather work quietly with Marcos for now."

Ricardo nodded, understanding. "I respect that. Take your time. But remember, I’m here to guide you until you feel comfortable handling everything on your own. If you need help or clarification with business matters, just ask."

"I will, Dad," she said, offering him a small, grateful smile. She felt relieved knowing he was there to support her. "Thank you."

Her father’s smile widened, and he nodded, clearly proud. "Alright, go on. I’ll be in my office if you need anything."

Zinnia said goodbye to him and entered her office next door. The room was spacious and modern, with a large desk and sleek furnishings. She took a deep breath, ready to dive into her tasks.

She sat down and started typing out the draft contract for their possible cooperation with Lily Oceanic Industries. Yesterday’s meeting had been her first official business engagement, and she wanted to make sure everything was perfect.

Her fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard. She carefully outlined the terms, making sure to address all the points they had discussed. She badly hoped Lily Oceanic Industries would agree to the collaboration. The deal was important, not just for the company, but for her as well. It was a chance to prove herself.

After hours of work, she finished the draft. She reviewed it once more, checking for mistakes. Satisfied with what she had written, she leaned back in her chair, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. This was a big step, and she wanted to get it right.

Zinnia opened her email and began drafting a message to Victoria. "Hi Victoria," she typed, "I’ve attached the draft contract for our potential cooperation with Lily Oceanic Industries. Could you take a look and let me know what you think? If there’s anything you want to change, just let me know."

She hit send and exhaled, letting her shoulders relax. Now, all she could do was wait for Victoria’s feedback. For now, she had done her part, and it felt good to see her efforts taking shape.

As she looked around her office, she realized how much had changed in just a short time.

She was no longer just a painter or a daughter hiding in her parents’ shadow. She had stepped into a new role, one that required her to navigate the world of business and make decisions that mattered.

Yet, she was still Zinnia. The same person who loved to paint, who found peace in colors and canvases.

With a sigh, she hoped she could balance both worlds because painting was her true passion.

After a few minutes, a reply from Victoria popped up on her screen. Zinnia opened it quickly, her eyes widening as she read the message.