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.

and I walked out with an expressionless face. faintly aware of his gâze

the door was about to close, Hogan suddenly barged in, pinning

instant, I was

you live here?”

chilling, a coldness

we’d shared two years

the truth, “The landlord said, ‘Old customers

us corporate

wasn’t happy with my answer, sneering.

to the newly rearranged interior,

Chapter 2

been replaced by a lively design, completely

furrowed his brows, and after a two–second pause, said, “You need to move out, I’ll cover

sure what Hogan was still hung up

corners we’d slept in and lived in were long gone, and besides, he

Hogan cleared up my

explained it.

a small

bumped into each other; he

lengths to avoid any misunderstandings on her

solution’s pretty simple,” I glanced at the apartment’s dated fixtures and suggested, “You could

in the CBD with a view of the city lights

an issue

refusing, “I don’t want her to be misunderstood.”

witnessed it, I’d have never imagined the aloof

brushed my heart, and after a moment, I calmly responded, “Sorry, I don’t

with a subway line directly to