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.

I walked out with an expressionless face. faintly aware of his gâze that seemed to follow me.

to close, Hogan suddenly barged in, pinning me against the

in an instant, I was trapped in his little world.

live

a

we’d shared two

said, ‘Old customers get a $30 discount each

corporate drones,

happy with my answer,

the light and pointed to the newly rearranged

Chapter 2

been replaced by

two–second pause, said, “You need to move

was still

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

next second, Hogan cleared up my confusion, “Cecilia lives upstairs.”

that explained

about a small world.

into each other; he must have

to avoid any

solution’s pretty simple,” I glanced at the apartment’s dated fixtures and suggested, “You could get Ms. Irwin a better

afford a swanky high–rise suite in the CBD with a view of the city

an issue

don’t want her

witnessed it, I’d have never

moment, I

with a subway line directly to the office – very