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 this fancy restaurant on the outskirts of

town.

fancy decor, and even the waitstaff were

high these days.

at me in surprise, “Why

“He’s busy.”

eyes narrowed with suspicion before she continued, “No worries, Hogan’s still on his way.

the teacup tightened.

was coming tonight too?

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

introduced Cecilia

Chapter 12

professional, “I don’t really cross paths with Mr. Zade much,

at Rainbow Capital yesterday and overheard

from a designer,

eyes were fixed on me after she said

to check with Mr. Zade directly on that.”

not my monkeys, especially

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 Hogan

Hilary’s book, Cecilia wasn’t good enough for Hogan.

was surprised.