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.

said, “Alright, let’s eat it together.”

was actually quite

the server politely informed me that Darren had already

treat next

and as he spoke, he refunded the transfer right in

didn’t agree and suggested we go Dutch, to which Darren chuckled as if he had something on me, “I treat

at a loss for

time the outing wrapped up, it was already 9 PM, and

11-38

Chapter 15

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

hoop–throwing game he’d

burst his bubble, so I went along,

kind of attention, so I

always knowing when to advance and when

off.

change, but as soon as I closed my

came to

tonight was the night Hogan would formally introduce Cecilia to the

me, who had been humble for six years, didn’t even know which way the

contrast was

from two years ago, Hogan and I were on different paths.

matter was

knock interrupted my

was

“It’s me.”

made it through the crack of the door

voice, no mistake.

he supposed to be at the