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.

with him and said, “Alright, let’s eat

meal was actually

politely informed me that Darren had already

about you treat next time,

and as he spoke, he refunded the transfer

and suggested we go Dutch, to which Darren chuckled as if he had something on me, “I treat once, you treat once; that’s still going Dutch.”

momentarily at a loss

it was already 9 PM, and Darren

11-38

Chapter 15

but he showed no sign of leaving.. After a moment, he

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

bubble, so I went along, and it

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

and when to retreat,

off.

turned in early for a change, but as soon as I closed my

came

was the night Hogan would formally introduce Cecilia to the

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

contrast was

Hogan and I

was something

knock interrupted

was totally confused.

“It’s me.”

crack of the door before I stood there, stunned.

Hogan’s voice, no mistake.

to be at the