Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 27

I know my own body like the back of my hand.

After sleeping on it. I woke up the next morning without that burning pain, but I didn’t let my guard down. Back at the office, I made sure to pop some stomach meds, no funny business

there.

As the investor, Hogan was all heartache over his precious girl, and I was all about babying the project. After all, we were counting on this game to make us a pretty penny, so I gotta keep myself in tip–top shape.

However, eagle–eyed Jack caught me red–handed taking my stomach medicine and, with a sheepish look, he said, “Xaviera, it’s on me, I shouldn’t have left you to work late alone.”

So, after seven in the evening, he didn’t take off either.

I felt pretty touched by that and suggested we treat ourselves tonight, but Jack nixed the idea, “No, dinner’s on its way.”

I thought Jack had called for takeout, but in no time, I saw Darren bustle in with a big, square

box.

His glasses fogged up, he looked all rushed and flustered.

I gave him a puzzled look and asked, “What brings Darren here?”

“Come on, Darren, you’re dragging your feet. Xaviera and I are starving here.”

and Darren, eyes finally settling on the big box, “Don’t tell me that’s

gave a sly smile, “Pretty

four dishes

had steam rising off

the thermal box,”

bursting with flavor,” Jack praised after a sip of the

smile without a word, and then served

and in a mock–whiny voice said, “Darren, I want some

and I couldn’t

I looked over to see

Chapter 27

comeback.

then landed on the food on the table. With at smile, she said, “Mr. Yearwood,

a beat, and then politely offered, “Ms. Irwin, have you eaten? If you

Cecilia sweetly declined, “I’m just

as she went into her office, Darren’s expression momentarily stiffened, and his

walked Darren down, only then learning

hour, I was worried about traffic jams. Jack said your stomach was

he braved the subway just to make sure the food didn’t get cold?

must have

guilty, I urged him, “Don’t go to all that trouble

with a humble demeanor, “Teaching can be dry, so working on my cooking skills is a way to