He looked different—slightly older, a bit more handsome than before—but it was undeniably him.
How much did she miss those deep brown eyes? Those eyes that once looked at her with so much love, and the smile that made her feel like the only person in the world.
Zinnia's mind raced. Was this a dream? Was she imagining things because she wanted to see him so badly? But no, he was there, as real as the ground beneath her feet. The world around her seemed to blur as she tried to process what she was seeing.
She blinked, still trying to make sense of it all. James…? How…? she thought.
Then she noticed the difference. Her James had a soft demeanor and a gentle aura, but the man in front of her had an intimidating and aloof vibe.
When their eyes met, she realized she had been staring intently.
How can this be? He looks exactly like James but seems like a different person. Her mind was full of questions, but she still managed to apologize for her earlier behavior.
As if finally coming back to her senses, she thought, Oh, right, of course, it's a different person. James has been gone for so long.
Then she heard his voice, and her heart ached.
Oh God! I missed hearing that voice.
Her tears threatened to fall, but she held them back.
He sounds exactly like my James, but his tone is different. James spoke gently, while this man's voice is more assertive. Still, I love hearing it.
After hearing his words about being in a relationship, she blurted out hastily, "I agree."
She was desperate; she couldn't afford to lose any chance of seeing that face or hearing that voice.
She didn't know anymore. Her insides were a whirlwind of emotions she couldn't fully fathom or express.
Her heart, which she thought was numb after losing James, was now beating so fast. The sudden surge of emotions overwhelmed her.
She was lost in the moment and just wanted to keep looking at his face.
Then she heard him say, "I'll call you to discuss the details of the marriage."
Those words echoed in her ears, but what mattered most was, I will hear his voice again. I will see him again. That was all she thought at that moment, full of anticipation.
Everything happened so fast that she thought she was dreaming until her mom snapped her back to reality the moment she came home.
The tears she had tried to hold back finally came rushing out as she hugged her mom.
It had been so long since she cried in her mom's embrace.
Her parents had often called her while she was abroad. They visited her during the summer and occasionally video-called her. She hadn't introduced James to her parents during these visits because she was too shy. She didn't want her parents to tease her about prioritizing her love life over her studies.
During her high school graduation, her mom had fallen ill, so they couldn't attend. Her father was busy managing the company and taking care of her mom, so she didn't want to add to their worries.
She had kept everything to herself, especially the loss of James—her first love.
Now, everything was in the past. She was just thankful and happy. Thankful for her parents urging her to go on dates and setting her up with him. She was happy to have seen him again after so many years. Though he wasn't exactly James, he at least looked and sounded like him.
But there was something she had completely forgotten: the name! Yes, the name of the person who looked exactly like her James.
When she finally got the name, she was lost in thought. It felt oddly familiar. Samuel Lucas... James Lucas... Were they related? she wondered.
She hurriedly looked him up online as soon as she entered her room. All she found were details about Samuel Lucas being the heir to Lucas Realty Group, but nothing about James. No information suggested they were related.
So it's just a case of similar surnames but no connection. But how can they look exactly the same? she thought.
As she lay down on her bed, she sighed and murmured to herself, "Did God finally take pity on me? After taking away James, is He offering me Samuel, someone who looks exactly like my James? "
"Is this my second chance at love? Never mind! Whatever it is, I don't want to let go of any chance. I can't lose him again," she told herself.
"James, is this your way of coming back to me?," she asked as she drifted to sleep.
_______________
"I know where James is." Zinnia's mind was in turmoil after receiving this message.
She glanced around, searching for any sign of who might have sent it.
Suddenly, the crowd shifted. Zinnia's attention snapped back to Samuel, who was now surrounded by his friends. They were laughing and making jokes, and Zinnia noticed the way they looked at her—like she was an outsider, a source of amusement.
"Hey, Zinnia, come join us! "Samuel's friend, Mike, called out. His tone was mocking, but Zinnia forced herself to smile as she walked over.
As she approached, Mike leaned closer, speaking just loud enough for Zinnia to hear. "I'm surprised Samuel keeps you around. You're like his personal servant."
The comment stung. Zinnia's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, trying to ignore the hurt. She joined the group, her mind still on the message. The possibility that James might be alive was overwhelming, but she couldn't let Samuel see her distress.
Samuel's arm slipped around her waist as he guided her through the crowd, and Zinnia tried to focus on him to be the supportive girlfriend he expected. But her thoughts kept drifting back to the message and what it might mean.
Just then, Samuel's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting from casual to serious. "I need to take this," he said, stepping away from Zinnia.
Zinnia watched him walk to a quieter corner of the room, her anxiety rising. The message about James felt like a lifeline, but it was also wrapped in uncertainty. If James was really alive, what would that mean for her and Samuel?
Zinnia's phone buzzed again. Another message. She looked down, hoping for more information, but it was just a single line: "Be careful. Someone is watching."
Zinnia's breath caught. Her heart raced with fear and confusion. She scanned the room, trying to find any hint of someone watching her. Her eyes met Samuel's briefly as he returned from his call, and she forced a smile, hiding her worry.
"Ready to go? "Samuel asked, his tone brisk.
"Sure," Zinnia replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
As they left the party, Zinnia's mind was in turmoil. The message about James and the warning about someone watching her made her anxious.
_____________________
Author's Note:
At the start of this chapter, we revisit Zinnia's perspective from chapter 1 during the blind date. The portion where she receives the message about James picks up from chapter 2, bringing us back to the present.
I hope you found this chapter enjoyable.
Thank you for your support!