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.

kitty avatar and ask with a tender tone. “Are

the company

when I realized Hogan’s ‘on

pampered princess just happened to live right above me.

my hand and silently

was just a

an instant, my phone in my palm rang again, I steadied myself and answered.

warm voice tinged with rare impatience came through, “Xaviera, are

bit stunned,

pulling all-nighters these past

recommended by Darren to

1/2

11:38

thought he was probably

and the handbag

have such a friend looking out for me In

you free tomorrow night? I’d like

“Huh?”

a bit abrupt

too.”

eagerly, “finish up and send me a message, I’ll come

afternoon, Darren arrived at the studio as promised.

brown casual pants, and white sneakers, he looked relaxed and artsy.

was also carrying a shopping bag.

that I was still coding, he confidently headed