Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 22

Hogan and Cecilia’s private room was right next door.

Talk about a crazy coincidence.

“It’s fate.” Darren said with his usual chill vibe, his voice gentle. “Hogan, mind if we have a drink. together?”

Hogan’s response came cool and distant, “Is that appropriate?”

There wasn’t any emotion in his voice.

Darren joked half–seriously, “Mr. Zade, are you giving me the cold shoulder?”

After that, he called them over to sit down.

The head of the table.

Cecilia had just taken her seat when her eyes suddenly landed on Darren’s camera bag. She exclaimed in surprise. “Wow, the camera bag Xaviera was so choosy about turned out to be a gift for Mr. Yearwood.”

Darren paused. “Choosy?”

Cecilia, ever the social butterfly, said in her sweet, soft voice, “Yeah, in the middle of broad daylight, Xaviera ran off to the mall. The sales lady said she took ages to decide.”

After Darren heard this, he glanced my way, a twinkle in his eye.

me feel kinda

all, it was a return gift: too expensive or too cheap wouldn’t be right. Of course, I had to

it this way, it seemed like I’d gone to great

hoping to get the meal

then, Jack’s reminder came, “Xaviera,

to the seat next to Darren.

school buddy of Darren’s, didn’t know

that, with his cue, all eyes, as

stubbornly refused to go over, it would be a

scene and quietly took my

gaze brushing past me, and when I looked

11:40

cleaning utensils for Cecilia.

fingers I thought were only made for holding a pen were now tainted with the scent of everyday life, all because of

food and drinks were served, and after toasting the birthday

percent full when Cecilia’s sweet voice floated over from two guys away, “Xaviera, Mr. Yearwood, thanks to you both, I’ve had a delightful evening. Here’s a toast to you.”

stood up, her glass filled with juice

put extra

slight discomfort that had lingered in my chest all night suddenly spread in that second, rushing to my

about to burst out.

you are mistaken. Xaviera and I are just friends,