Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 13

The meal was so bland I could hardly taste a thing.

I was gritting my teeth, hanging out with Hilary for a quick drink.

Hogan didn’t join in; between us, we barely exchanged a few words during the entire dinner.

But his phone was buzzing non–stop.

Hogan wasn’t annoyed, though. He patiently replied to each message, a smirk occasionally crossing his lips, barely touched his food, too.

Didn’t need a crystal ball to know who was blowing up his messages.

Hilary saw it all the worry in her eyes growing by the minute. Seizing the chance when Hogan stepped out, she vented to me, “Xaviera, what’s gotten into Hogan? He’s acting like he’s possessed or something.”

I got it.

After all, the old Hogan wouldn’t dream of spending all his time texting back and forth.

Now he had changed.

After the meal, the Zade family’s driver was waiting outside the restaurant. Hilary glanced at Hogan, still buried in his messages, and instructed, “It’s late. You take Xaviera home.”

Hogan acted as if he heard nothing..

I found myself an out, “Mrs. Hilary, I’ve called a ride.”

A flicker of guilt crossed Hilary’s eyes, rare for her.

left in front of the restaurant. I was app when Hogan’s deep voice reached my ears, “Let’s

him, surprised, realizing he

I’ve got

the

calmly studying my face, then said with a hint of sarcasm, “What, worried your boyfriend

the

eight bucks on

got to say, the comfort of a luxury car was hard

into the passenger seat than

been running on fumes for two or three days straight, and the alcohol

1/2

11:38

Chapter 11

towards sleep.

on that and said softly. “Sleep. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

voice was unexpectedly kind.

a mere two seconds

how much time passed, but I vaguely heard the vibration of a phone and cracked

my eyes open.

the fuzziness, I saw

staring

sharp and cold as before;

Illusion or reality?

scent of soap filled

crisp fragrance was eroding my senses in this confined space.