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.

and said, “Alright, let’s eat it

actually quite enjoyable.

to pay, the server politely informed me that Darren had already taken care of the bill.

next

he refunded the transfer

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

at a loss for words!

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

11-38

Chapter 15

long and thin, but he showed no sign of leaving.. After a moment, he adjusted his silver–rimmed glasses and said, “You see, aside from coding. there’s a lot of fun

hoop–throwing game he’d taken me

so I went along, and it was clear he was having a

I just said,

when to retreat, wished

off.

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

words came

night Hogan would formally introduce Cecilia to the

humble for six years, didn’t even know which way the Zade family’s

was stark.

two years ago, Hogan and I

was

interrupted my

there?” I was totally confused.

“It’s me.”

the crack of the door before I stood there, stunned.

was Hogan’s voice, no

he supposed to be at the family dinner with