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.

saw him open a pink kitty avatar and ask with a tender tone. “Are

that avatar in the company group; it

realized Hogan’s ‘on

happened to live

hand and silently got out

just a dream.

instant, my phone in my palm rang again, I

impatience came through, “Xaviera, are you

a bit stunned,

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

initially recommended by Darren to

1/2

11:38

he was probably worried I’d work myself to death.

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

such a friend looking out for me In this vast Rivertown.

free tomorrow night? I’d

“Huh?”

the words left my mouth, I felt it was a

too.”

Darren said eagerly, “finish up and send me a message,

next afternoon, Darren arrived at

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

was also carrying a shopping

that I was still coding, he confidently headed to