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

that avatar in the company

realized Hogan’s ‘on my way‘ was quite literal.

to live

the palm of my hand and silently

was just a dream.

in my palm rang again, I steadied myself

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

was a bit stunned, “I’m fine, what’s

heard from Jack that you’ve been pulling all-nighters these past days and haven’t been

was initially recommended by Darren to join the

1/2

11:38

he was probably worried I’d work

handbag he’d given me earlier, my

was rare to have such a friend looking out for me In this vast Rivertown.

suggested. “Are you free tomorrow night?

“Huh?”

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

too.”

up and send me a message,

Darren arrived at the studio

a white embossed crew neck sweatshirt, dark brown casual pants,

also carrying a shopping bag.

headed to the pantry with