© 2021 Phylicia Joannis
Zinnia whistled in awe as she looked up and down the regal gates that encircled the estate of Donna and Richard Ellison. They were definitely rich. Zinnia guessed the snobby, obnoxious kind.
No way they’d let Miracle in here.
“Zinnia?” A familiar voice shook her out of her thoughts and she turned.
“Ryan?” She smirked. “What are you doing here?”
Ryan looked uncomfortable. “I should be asking you the same question.”
She nearly answered, but something in his demeanor made her hesitate. “Answer my question first.”
Ryan gave her a sideways smile. “What, no hug?”
“Why would I hug you?” Zinnia scoffed. “As soon as you were cleared from the hospital you disappeared. Like none of us mattered to you.”
“You matter to me, Zinnia.” Ryan angled closer.
“Then why haven’t you called?” Zinnia rolled her eyes and took a step back. “Let me guess? You lost my number, which, by the way, I put into your cell phone for you. Or maybe it’s because your phone got snatched by someone on the street. Or maybe it fell into a sinkhole, that’s pretty common these days. Or wait! Maybe it’s not the cell phone that got lost.”
She glared at him as he stood in a stupor.
“Tell me, Ryan. Did you lose your nerve? Am I so intimidating that the idea of picking up the phone and calling, or heck, even texting, just totally freaked you out? You ghosted me. Without so much as a ‘Hey Zinnia, how’s life after being trapped in a subway together?’”
“Zinnia.” Ryan grabbed her by the hand. “I’m sorry, ok? Things are complicated in my life right now.”
“Take a number.” Zinnia pulled her hand away. “We’ve all got problems, and right now I need to find Miracle.”
“She in some kind of trouble?” Ryan asked.
“I’m not sure.” Zinnia shook her head. “She came here looking for answers, but I doubt they’d let her into a place like this, especially with the news she had.”
“What news?” Ryan furrowed his brow.
Zinnia sighed. “If you’d kept in touch, you’d know that she’s been looking for her birth mother. Turns out she lives here.” Zinnia waved a hand at the mansion behind the gate.
“One of the staff here?” Ryan guessed.
“Nope,” Zinnia replied. “Donna Ellison. The lady of the house. Or her majesty, the queen, judging by the palace sitting back there.”
“Did you already try to get in?” Ryan asked.
Zinnia shook her head. “No, I just got here.”
Ryan pulled Zinnia gently by the hand. “Come with me.” His voice sounded normal, but his eyes gave Zinnia pause.
“Why, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Ryan pulled her towards him and away from the gate. “It’s just, you’re right. These people aren’t likely to talk to someone like Miracle, let alone someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” Zinnia cried, indignant.
“My point is,” Ryan continued. “You’re not going to get any answers knocking on that gate. Go home, okay?”
“I’m not leaving until I know whether or not Miracle was here.” Zinnia stood, resolute.
“Tell you what? I know a guy who works here. I’ll ask him to ask around, see if anyone’s seen her, ok?”
“Who do you know here?” Zinnia asked.
“It’s not important.” Zinnia gave him a pointed look, and Ryan rolled his eyes. “Alright, one of the mechanics who works on the cars is an old gambling buddy. I came to settle a debt, ok? Trust me, I’ll find out about Miracle. Just go home, alright?”
“Your debt or his?” Zinnia asked.
“What difference does it make?” Ryan rolled his eyes again. “Zinnia, just go home, ok? Promise me you won’t come back here.”
“Only if you promise me you’ll find Miracle.” Zinnia stared hard at Ryan.
“You have my word.” Ryan placed his hand on her cheek, and Zinnia softened.
“Is the word of a thief and a liar any good?”
“It is when it’s you, Zin.” Ryan kissed her on the cheek. “Now please go?”
Zinnia nodded grudgingly. “Find Miracle.”
“I will. I promise.”
Zinnia placed a hand on his shoulder, then headed back to her car. She could trust Ryan, right?
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