Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 10

His gaze was sharp as a tack.

I had no clue when Hogan popped up and why he was nitpicking over someone’s handbag.

Puzzled, Cecilia’s question from earlier in the studio suddenly flashed through my mind.

My guess was Hogan thought I’d switched to a new laptop.

What was his deal with old versus new, anyway?

I met Hogan’s gaze head–on and said coolly, “Isn’t that none of the investor’s business?”

Hogan’s expression froze, he took a drag on his cigarette, then stubbed it out hard and took off. Talk about a mood swing.

My bad.

Crossing the cash cow was not a smart move, I should’ve bitten my tongue.

The last thing I want was for Wallis to come back from a trip to find the place turned upside down because of me.

The next morning. I got to work as usual, and thankfully, didn’t run into Hogan downstairs.

I felt a bit relieved, but that feeling got jumbled up real quick with one delivery after another.

“Ms. Irwin, please sign for your laptop.”

“Ms. Irwin, your computer bag is here for you to sign for.”

“Ms. Irwin…”

t

time Cecilia opened the eighth delivery, it turned out to

sender’s name, “Still Mr. Zade? Dang. easy on the eyes and doesn’t mind splurging, what

blushed and closed the door,

melodramatic voice from the corridor, uncontrollably seeping into my ears, was too

to the office.

have, Hogan. That must’ve cost

about I treat you to dinner then?”

response, but Cecilja giggled and covered her mouth,

at my notebook and smirked wryly at

11:37

Chapter 10

licking boots just for a prize nobody really wanted, couldn’t hold a

for review.

was fiddling with her new

gold, designer brand, starting at a cool grand,

doesn’t pinch pennies,

me a sheepish look and said, “Sorry, Xaviera, I had no Idea Hogan would send so many gifts out of the blue. Hope

with the work

went wide, innocence written all over her face, “I’m so sorry, Xaviera, I

Predictable.

can get a piece

“I’ll try my

said she’d try, and I didn’t push. But back at my desk, I

also part of our tech team. If she was going to take credit, she gotta

simple stuff needed to be done.