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

eighth delivery, it turned out to be allergy

sender’s name, “Still Mr. Zade? Dang. easy on

barely concealed joy, blushed and closed the door, unpacking

seeping into my ears, was too

to the office.

have, Hogan. That must’ve cost a pretty

I treat you to

hear the response, but Cecilja giggled and

my notebook and

11:37

Chapter 10

wanted, couldn’t hold a candle to gifts picked out for

Jack handed me the code he finished last night for review. After a

Cecilia was fiddling

designer brand, starting at a cool grand,

Zade sure doesn’t pinch pennies,

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

you get with the work I

face, “I’m so sorry, Xaviera, I just set up the new laptop, haven’t started on the code yet.”

Predictable.

you can get a piece done before

“I’ll try my best.”

I didn’t push. But back at my desk, I

was the boss‘ pet, she was also part of our tech team.

simple stuff needed to be