Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 14

The ambiguity finally ended.

My heart pounding against my chest felt like an invisible slap across my face.

I snapped to my senses in a second.

“Your phone is ringing.”

I jolted, shifted slightly, and suddenly noticed something had slid to my feet. Looking down, I saw Hogan’s suit jacket.

I pretended not to notice, fixated on the flashing name on my phone.

It was a call from Darren.

“Aren’t you going to answer?” Hogan reminded me again, his tone neither warm nor cold, “It’s been ringing for a while.”

I gripped my phone tighter, looked out the window, and realized the car had stopped in front of my apartment building.

I said my thanks. “Thanks for tonight, Mr. Zade. Get some rest early.”

“No worries, just on my way.”

His voice was soft, betraying no emotion.

If not for the thunderous beating of my heart, I might have doubted that everything just now was merely my own illusion.

past Hogan, I saw him open a pink kitty avatar and ask with a tender tone. “Are

seen that avatar in the

when I realized Hogan’s ‘on my way‘ was

to live right above me.

my hand and silently got out of the car.

just a

palm

rare impatience came

bit stunned, “I’m

been pulling all-nighters these past days and haven’t

Darren to join the studio.

1/2

11:38

was probably worried I’d work myself

sent during dinner and the handbag

friend looking out for me In this

night? I’d like to treat you

“Huh?”

words left my mouth, I felt it was a bit abrupt and corrected myself, “Another day is

too.”

and send me a message, I’ll come pick your up.”

Darren arrived at the studio as

a white embossed crew neck sweatshirt, dark brown casual pants, and white sneakers, he looked relaxed

also carrying

that I was still coding, he confidently headed