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 together.”

was actually

politely informed me that Darren had already taken care of the

next time,

spoke, he refunded the transfer right

which Darren chuckled as if he had something on me,

was momentarily at a loss

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

11-38

Chapter 15

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

to the hoop–throwing game

burst his bubble, so I went along, and it was clear he was

of attention, so I just said, “Thanks for today, be careful on the

when to

off.

for a change, but as

came to mind.

I wasn’t wrong, tonight was the night Hogan would formally introduce Cecilia to the Zade

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

was

two years ago, Hogan and I were

most pressing matter was something

interrupted

I was totally confused.

“It’s me.”

through the crack of the door before I stood

voice, no

he supposed to be at the family dinner