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 quite enjoyable.

time to pay, the server politely informed

treat next

was gentle and modest, and as he spoke, he refunded the transfer right in front of me.

as if he had something on

at a loss for

9 PM, and Darren

11-38

Chapter 15

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

referring to the hoop–throwing game

along, and it was clear he was having a blast.

used to this kind of attention, so I just said, “Thanks for today, be careful on

to advance and when to

off.

for a change,

words came to mind.

tonight was the night Hogan would formally introduce Cecilia to the Zade family.

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

was

ago, Hogan and I were on different

was something else entirely.

interrupted my

I was

“It’s me.”

crack of the

Hogan’s voice,

wasn’t he supposed to be at the family dinner with Cecilia