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,

meal was actually quite enjoyable.

when it came time to pay, the server politely informed me that Darren had already taken

next time, is that okay?”

as he spoke, he refunded

go Dutch, to which Darren chuckled as if he

was momentarily at a

up, it was already 9 PM, and Darren insisted on walking

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

the hoop–throwing game he’d taken me to after

I went along, and it was clear he was

of attention, so I

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

off.

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

came to

wasn’t wrong, tonight was the night Hogan would

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

was stark.

two years ago, Hogan and I were on different

pressing matter was

interrupted

was totally

“It’s me.”

it through the crack of

was Hogan’s voice, no mistake.

supposed to be at the family dinner

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