Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 15

By the time I realized what was happening, I hastily switched the camera.

Through the earpiece, Hilary’s voice had an unmistakable hint of disbelief, “Sorry about that, Xaviera. You see, I got carried away chatting your ear off. Let’s catch up some other time, shall we?”

Before I could even respond, Hilary had already hung up.

I awkwardly turned to Darren and said, “Sorry about that, Hogan’s mom might have…”

“Rough, huh?” Darren blurted out unexpectedly, with a touch of concern in his voice.

I looked up at him, unsure which kind of ‘rough‘ he was referring to.

Work, or dealing with my ex–boyfriend’s mother.

Seeing that I didn’t say anything. Darren handed me a blueberry, “For your eyes, they help with the fatigue. Have some more.”

I felt a bit off inside but changed the subject, “It’s about time for lunch, let’s go.”

Darren tactfully dropped the topic.

At the restaurant, I looked at the mountain of plates in front of me and sheepishly said, “Darren, it’s not often I treat someone, so please eat up.”

After speaking. I politely pushed the salmon his way.

Darren gave me a look and said, “Xaviera, you’re too skinny. Health is the real wealth, especially

if you want to conquer the business world. You can’t afford to be under the weather.”

And he pushed the salmon back to me.

him and said,

actually

came time to pay, the server politely informed me that Darren had already taken care of

next time,

and as he spoke, he refunded the transfer right in front of me.

Darren chuckled as if he had something on me, “I treat once,

momentarily at a loss

was already 9 PM, and Darren insisted on walking

11-38

Chapter 15

the streetlight, his shadow stretched out long and thin, but he showed no sign of leaving.. After a moment, he

game he’d taken me

along,

not really used to this kind of attention, so I just said, “Thanks for today, be

and when to retreat, wished me goodnight and

off.

returned to my place and turned in early for a change, but as soon as I closed my eyes, sleep

came

wrong, tonight was the night Hogan would formally introduce Cecilia

years, didn’t even know

contrast was

years ago, Hogan and

pressing matter was something

knock interrupted

was

“It’s me.”

the crack of

was Hogan’s voice, no

supposed to be at