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, “Alright, let’s eat

meal was actually

the server politely informed me

next time, is that okay?”

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

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

momentarily at a

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

11-38

Chapter 15

stretched out long and thin, but he showed no sign of leaving.. After a moment, he adjusted his silver–rimmed glasses

to the hoop–throwing game he’d taken

didn’t want to burst his bubble, so I went along, and it was

this kind of attention, so I just said, “Thanks for today,

knowing when to advance and when to retreat, wished

off.

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

words came

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

years, didn’t even know which way the

was

years ago, Hogan and I were on different

most pressing matter was something else

interrupted my thoughts.

was totally confused.

“It’s me.”

it through the crack of the door before I stood there,

voice, no

supposed to be at the