Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 2

I glanced down, casually withdrew my gaze, and reached out to press the elevator button.

Neither of us spoke.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over me, a strong reek of alcohol enveloped me, and I felt a tight grip around my waist as Hogan pulled me into his embrace.

His husky voice tickled my ear, “Xaviera, you still care about me, don’t you?”

As he spoke, Hogan gently nuzzled my neck, his tone laced with a hint of charm.

This was something I hadn’t experienced in the past six years.

I couldn’t help but think of how he’d been sweet–talking Ms. Irwin at the party an hour ago.

Care about him?

That was Cecilia’s thing.

The heavy scent of booze was a dead giveaway that he was plastered.

I lifted my head wearily and reminded him, “Sorry, I’m not Ms. Irwin.”

Hogan, still holding me, froze for a moment.

When our eyes met, I tactfully stepped aside, catching a glimpse of his stiff expression from the corner of my eye.

The atmosphere turned awkward for a second.

walked out with an expressionless

but as the door was about to close, Hogan suddenly barged in, pinning me against the foyer

long legs encroached decisively, and in an instant, I was trapped

live here?”

chilling, a coldness enveloping him.

the same apartment we’d shared two years ago.

said, ‘Old customers get a $30 discount each

corporate drones, every penny counts.

my answer, sneering.

on the light and pointed to the newly rearranged interior, retorting, “Does it look like it?”

Chapter 2

been replaced by a lively design, completely

away, furrowed his brows, and after a two–second pause, said, “You need

Hogan was still hung up about.

and lived in were long gone, and besides, he

Hogan cleared up my

explained it.

a small world.

each other; he must have just seen Cecilia home.

gone to great lengths to avoid any misunderstandings on her part.

the apartment’s dated fixtures and suggested, “You could get Ms. Irwin a better place.”

CBD with a view of the

never an

“I don’t want her to

was firm, and had I not witnessed it, I’d have never imagined the aloof Hogan could be so considerate

after a moment, I calmly

the university area, cheap, with a subway line directly to the office –