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.

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

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

an instant, I was trapped in his

live here?”

voice was chilling, a

we’d shared

“The landlord said, ‘Old

us corporate

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

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

Chapter 2

minimalist style had been replaced by a

two–second pause, said, “You need

what Hogan was still

in and lived in were long gone, and besides, he wasn’t

cleared up my confusion, “Cecilia

that explained

a small world.

wonder we’d bumped into each other; he must have just seen Cecilia home.

gone to great lengths to avoid any misunderstandings on

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

suite in the CBD with a view

was never an

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

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

a moment, I calmly

cheap, with a subway line directly to the office –