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 floor, and I walked out with an expressionless face.

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

instant, I was trapped in

you live

voice was chilling, a

we’d shared two years ago.

the truth, “The landlord said, ‘Old customers get

bucks, for us corporate drones, every penny

clearly wasn’t happy with my answer, sneering. “On purpose?”

and pointed to the newly rearranged interior, retorting, “Does it

Chapter 2

had been replaced by a

pause, said, “You need to move out,

was still hung

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

cleared up my confusion, “Cecilia lives

that explained it.

about a small

bumped into each other; he

lengths to avoid any

apartment’s dated fixtures and suggested, “You could get

suite in the CBD with a view

never an issue

refusing, “I don’t

it, I’d have never imagined the aloof Hogan could be so considerate of

brushed my heart, and after a moment, I calmly responded, “Sorry, I don’t want to move.”

cheap, with a subway line directly to the office