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 together.”

meal was actually quite enjoyable.

politely informed me that Darren had already taken care

about you treat next time,

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

Darren chuckled as if he

at a loss for words!

was already 9 PM, and Darren insisted

11-38

Chapter 15

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 stuff to do,

game he’d taken me to

went along, and it was clear he was

really used to this kind of attention, so I just said,

to advance and when to retreat, wished me goodnight and drove

off.

to my place and turned in early for a change, but

words came to mind.

the night Hogan would formally introduce

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

was

ago, Hogan and I were

matter was something

knock interrupted my

I was totally

“It’s me.”

made it through the crack

was Hogan’s voice, no mistake.

supposed to be at the family dinner with