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 you asleep yet?”

had seen that avatar in the company group; it was Cecilia.

realized Hogan’s ‘on my

just happened to live right

hand and silently got

was just

an instant, my phone in my palm rang

with rare impatience came through, “Xaviera, are you alright?”

stunned,

all-nighters these past days

recommended by Darren to join the studio.

1/2

11:38

was probably worried I’d work

during dinner and the handbag he’d given me earlier, my feelings were

looking out for me

night? I’d like to treat you

“Huh?”

was a bit abrupt and corrected myself,

too.”

night,” Darren said eagerly, “finish up and send

next afternoon, Darren arrived at the

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

carrying a shopping

still coding, he confidently headed to the