Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 6

The word “babe hit me like a bolt from the blue, making my chest explode with surprise.

When I turned to look at Hogan, I saw Cecilia’s little face, full of shock and confusion.

Somehow, our gazes met in mid–air.

Inudged her. “Mr. Zade’s calling you.”

The lingering, reluctant tone of his voice definitely wasn’t meant for me.

Cecilia blinked, pouted, and gave Hogan’s prominent nose a playful scratch, whining, “Hogan, the party isn’t over yet.”

Hogan lifted his eyelids at the sound, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

That confirmed my hunch.

Watching the Maybach drive away, Wallis elbowed me, her tone soothing. “Tough night, huh?”

I quipped half–jokingly, “How ‘bout something tangible, President Lott?”

Wallis just shot me a look..

to drop me off at my apartment complex and even

mental compensation finally made

night, I

in my dreams, his figure appeared, holding

grip my waist and coax me

was a side of Hogan

desires, overpowering

it was

I was sleepless.

I spilled out of the subway like a sardine, only to find one

Maybach parked not too far away. There, Hogan, all dapper in his suit, was opening the passenger door like the perfect gentleman. In a moment, Cecilia emerged from the car in an orange–pink cinched dress, vibrant

11:37

in the morning sun.

drove her to

is on the opposite side of town

morning Hogan had to commute an

the days I used to wake up early to make breakfast and coax him out of bed, and a bitter taste

attitude could

to avoid them.

took a step, Cecilia’s soft greeting reached my ears, “Good morning.

face calm, my eyes briefly sweeping over Hogan,