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.

rolled around, and I showed up at this fancy restaurant on the outskirts of

town.

fancy decor, and even the waitstaff were dressed to the nines

high

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

“He’s busy.”

narrowed with suspicion before she continued, “No worries, Hogan’s still on his way. Let’s order first.”

grip on the teacup tightened.

coming tonight

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

introduced Cecilia to the fam

Chapter 12

really cross paths with Mr.

was at Rainbow Capital yesterday and overheard the

an expensive cocktail dress from a designer, for a

eyes were fixed on me after she said that.

might want to

my monkeys, especially when it’s

regular background, her family runs a snack shop, nothing special academically. I just can’t fathom what Hogan sees in

simple – in Hilary’s book, Cecilia

I was