Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 12

No clue how Hilary got her hands on my digits.

And it was crystal clear that her dinner invite wasn’t just about the food she had got ulterior motives.

What was she fishing for?

Could it be that Hogan hadn’t spilled the beans about Cecilia to her yet?

Whatever it was, I was not keen on getting tangled up in the Zade family drama anymore.

So I said, “Sorry Mrs. Hilary, gotta grind at work tomorrow.”

She probably didn’t see that coming. There was a pause on the line before I heard Hilary start to gripe, “I heard from Hogan that Rainbow Capital’s backing your project. I’ll have to talk to him about not putting too much on your plate.”

Talk about pulling the investor–mom card to pressure me.

I rubbed my temples and relented, “Mrs. Hilary, is tomorrow night okay?”

“Sure thing! I’ll send you the address. Just remember to bring your boyfriend along, okay?”

Boyfriend? Since when?

Oh well, I would cross that bridge when I get to Hilary tomorrow.

at

town.

place was all decked out in fancy decor, and even the waitstaff were dressed to the nines – clearly, this joint

high these days.

well–kept woman looked at me in surprise, “Why solo? Where’s your

“He’s busy.”

“No worries, Hogan’s still on his way. Let’s

the teacup tightened.

coming tonight

silent, Hilary shot me a probing look, “Xaviera, your company’s working with Hogan, right? Know a girl named Cecilia?”

Cecilia to the

Chapter 12

“I don’t really cross paths with

Rainbow Capital

dress from a designer,

fixed on me

“Mrs. Hilary, you might want to check with Mr. Zade directly on

my circus, not my monkeys,

I wasn’t giving anything away, grumbled, “Xaviera, I’m just worried, you know. I’ve seen Ms. Irwin’s file regular background, her family runs a snack shop, nothing special academically. I just can’t fathom what

simple – in Hilary’s book, Cecilia wasn’t good enough

was