"Mister, can you please speed up the car? "Zinnia asked the taxi driver.
She couldn't wait another minute. She almost wished she could fly or teleport to James instantly. If only that were possible, but alas, reality wasn't like that. All she could do was ask the driver to speed up.
When they finally reached the dock, she paid the fare and dashed out of the taxi, running in the direction where James might be waiting.
"James! James! Where are you? "She shouted, hurrying and searching for him.
James, who had been waiting for nearly three hours and looked like he had lost hope, finally heard her voice. The tears that had threatened to fall were replaced by a smile full of anticipation.
He stood up, looking around for the source of the voice, and saw her—Zinnia—finally arriving and searching for him.
"Zinnia, I'm here! "He called out.
Zinnia spotted him and let out a sigh of relief. Seeing James still there, his presence was a reassuring comfort. Her face softened into a grateful smile, and her eyes reflected a mix of relief and happiness. She waved at him and ran towards him with joy.
James, relieved and overjoyed, watched as Zinnia approached him. The worries and pain of waiting seemed to melt away. He was mesmerized by how elegant she looked, especially in her dress and hairstyle. 'She dressed up for me. My Zinnia looks more beautiful tonight,' he thought.
As Zinnia stood in front of him, his face lit up with gratitude. His eyes softened, and a warm smile spread across his lips. "Thank you for coming. I'm happy you're here," he said, his voice filled with heartfelt sincerity.
Zinnia met his gaze with genuine appreciation. "Thank you for waiting. I am more than happy to be here," she said, her voice warm and sincere.
James responded with a nod, his smile widening as he reached out his hand toward her. Gently, he took her hand in his and guided her toward the yacht.
As they walked, the yacht's crew, who had been worried about James's date, felt relieved and happy.
The captain said, "No wonder our boy rehearsed so hard and didn't give up—his girl looks so beautiful. I'm thrilled to witness this gorgeous couple tonight."
The chef replied, "Come on, let's go back to our stations and help the boy win her heart. I'm rooting for them."
The steward nodded and prepared to welcome the couple.
Onboard the yacht, Zinnia and James were greeted warmly by the crew. The captain, standing at the helm, gave a friendly nod. "Welcome aboard," he said with a smile. "We'll be here to make sure you have a wonderful evening."
The chef, busy in the galley, looked up and offered a cheerful wave. "Good evening! I've prepared a special menu just for you two. I hope you enjoy it."
The steward, standing by the entrance, gave a polite bow. "Hello and welcome. I'll be at your service throughout the night to ensure everything is perfect."
Zinnia and James exchanged excited glances, their faces bright with anticipation. They thanked the crew and followed the steward to a beautifully set table on the deck, where soft lights and a gentle breeze created a romantic atmosphere.
As they settled into their seats, Zinnia couldn't help but notice how handsome James looked tonight. He was wearing a well-tailored suit, and his hairstyle was different from usual, adding to his striking appearance. Inside, she was thrilled, thinking, "He looks so handsome! "
It wasn't until she looked around that she realized the yacht wasn't decorated for a birthday but for a romantic evening. The soft fairy lights, elegant table setting, and gentle breeze all pointed to something special.
Her heart raced as the thought hit her:So, he's really going to confess tonight? I might finally be saying goodbye to my single life and hello to the love of my life.
She was overjoyed but managed to keep her external appearance calm and shy. James noticed her reaction and felt his own excitement building.
Zinnia took a deep breath and smiled at James. "Happy birthday, James," she said warmly. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small box, handing it to him. "I have a little something for you."
James accepted the box with curiosity. He opened it to find a sleek watch inside. His eyes widened in surprise and appreciation. "Wow, Zinnia, this is amazing. Thank you so much," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I've needed a new watch for a while, and this is perfect."
Zinnia's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, I'm glad you like it. Now, you've got to pose like those guys in the commercials, you know, showing off your new watch."
James chuckled, playing along. "You mean like this? "He struck a pose, holding his wrist out with exaggerated confidence, just like the models in the ads. His playful grin matched his pose, and he glanced at Zinnia with a raised eyebrow.
Zinnia laughed, covering her mouth with one hand. "Yes, exactly like that! You should definitely be a model. Look at you, all professional and charming."
James laughed along, feeling more relaxed with her playful teasing. "I guess I'll have to thank you for both the watch and the modeling career. You've really made my birthday special."
After a pause in their conversation, James took a deep breath, his heart pounding. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box with a necklace inside.
He got up and kneeled on one knee in front of her. He opened the box with a firm hand, revealing the necklace.
"Zinnia," he began, his voice slightly trembling, "there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time. Tonight, under these stars—"
Before James could finish, the yacht suddenly trembled and shook. A massive wave crashed over it, swallowing it completely. The boat was tossed around violently, and everyone aboard was thrown into the water.
The next thing Zinnia knew, she was lying in a hospital bed.