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.

the elevator reached the floor, and I walked out with an expressionless face. faintly aware of his gâze that seemed

to close, Hogan

encroached decisively, and in an instant, I was trapped

you live here?”

chilling, a coldness enveloping him.

same apartment we’d shared two years ago.

told him the truth, “The landlord said, ‘Old customers get a $30 discount each

corporate drones, every

wasn’t happy with my answer, sneering.

light and pointed to the newly rearranged

Chapter 2

by a lively design, completely

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

Hogan was still

long

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

that explained it.

a

we’d bumped into each other; he

great lengths to avoid any

solution’s pretty simple,” I glanced at the apartment’s dated fixtures and

a swanky high–rise suite in the CBD with a view

an issue for him.

suggestion, refusing, “I don’t want

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

sting of pain brushed my heart, and after a moment, I calmly responded,

near the university area, cheap, with a subway line