Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 28

Hogan glanced at the insulated food container In Darren’s hand and asked, “What’s this?”

Before Darren could say a word, Cecilia jumped in. “The food container? Hogan, you’re out of the loop. Mr. Yearwood knew Xaviera wasn’t feeling well and whipped up a special dinner with some TLC.”

Hogan gave Darren the once–over, then turned to me and said, “Ms. March, you are not just a coding whiz, but also ace at keeping her friends close, huh?”

His voice was even, but I detected a hint of sarcasm in his words.

Darren, ever the gentleman, said, “Xaviera’s often lent me a hand. She’s been under the weather with a stomachache these past couple of days, so I thought I’d check in on her.”

It sounded like he was sticking up for me.

After hearing this, Hogan snickered, “One day it’s ‘that time of the month,‘ the next it’s a stomachache. Ms. March’s health sure is full of surprises.”

I looked at Hogan in disbelief.

What was he getting at?

Thinking I was faking it?

Cecilia, catching on, chided, “You don’t get it, Hogan. A girl’s period can indeed lead to other discomforts.”

It was like she was trying to explain on my behalf, but it almost made things worse.

“Is that so?” Hogan gave me a look, the smile on his lips ambiguous, “Well then, Ms. March, you’d better take good care of yourself.”

me

‘Take care.‘

from Hogan, it was dripping

I replied calmly. “Of course, Mr. Zade, you have put so much money into us, I’ve gotta take care

quivered, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

about to waste my time on this kind of idle chatter and spoke up again. “Mr. Zade, we’ll be on our

saying that, I shot Darren a

a slight nod, Darren followed by my

the street in

11:42

me, worry mingling in his eyes, as

work too.

looked at me, and asked, “Xaviera,

fingers slightly and

relationship with

the

breathe a sigh of relief and, with a smile, said, “If

he just

money, get back to cranking code,” Darren pointed to his wristwatch, “if you

knew how to tease

did go back to coding in all earnestness.

I returned to my apartment

building and looked up