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 you asleep yet?”

avatar in the company group;

Hogan’s ‘on my way‘ was quite

pampered princess just happened to live

hand and silently got out

just

my phone in my palm rang again, I steadied myself

rare impatience came through, “Xaviera, are

stunned, “I’m fine,

these

recommended by Darren to join the studio.

1/2

11:38

Darren’s tone, I thought he was probably worried I’d work myself to

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

was rare to have such a friend looking out

you free tomorrow night? I’d like to treat you

“Huh?”

mouth, I felt it was a

too.”

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

arrived at the

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

carrying

that I was still coding, he confidently headed to the pantry with a box