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.

couldn’t argue with him and said, “Alright, let’s eat it

actually quite enjoyable.

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

you treat next time, is that

gentle and modest, and as he spoke, he refunded the transfer right in front

Dutch, to which Darren chuckled as if he had something on me, “I treat once, you treat once;

a loss

up, it was already 9 PM, and Darren insisted on walking me down to my building.

11-38

Chapter 15

he adjusted his silver–rimmed glasses and said,

was referring to the hoop–throwing game he’d taken me

his bubble, so I went along, and it was

used to this kind of attention, so I just

advance and when to

off.

change,

came to

wrong, tonight was the night Hogan

years, didn’t even know which way the Zade family’s front

was

ago, Hogan and

matter was something

interrupted my

there?” I was totally confused.

“It’s me.”

through the crack of the door before

was Hogan’s voice,

at the family