Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 29

Talking about that, I just realized what got Hogan’s goat was me axing him from my friends‘

list.

That was ancient history, happened days ago.

He just found out today?

But the dude was an investor, so I couldn’t exactly give it to him straight, can I?

That would make me look petty.

I had to save face and say, “Oops, sorry Mr. Zade, my friends list is crazy long, must’ve been a mistake.”

Right after I finished, Hogan couldn’t help but let out a snort, “Xaviera, can’t you come up with a better excuse? It’s just a WhatsApp friend, what’s eating you?”

Hogan had his usual confident tone when he said that.

That kind of confidence that says he’s seen right through me.

Suddenly, his confidence hit me hard, and I locked eyes with him and shot back, “Yeah, just a WhatsApp friend, what’s it to you, Mr. Zade?”

Hogan was clearly taken aback, speechless for a moment.

There we were, standing at the entrance of the corridor like a couple of loons, staring each other down without another word.

My fingertips were digging into my palm.

My heart was trembling, bittersweet.

said, “Xaviera, you

I took a deep breath and it took a while before I could shake

didn’t bother adding

if Hogan really had something work–related, he could use any of those to get

to hear his

I still spent

Hogan was all self–righteous, threatening to pull his investment, and I woke up

to the office with bags under

11:42

Chapter 29

my downbeat vibe, Cecilia was all smiles, looking like the

out coffee and croissants

me come in, she greeted me with a smile, “Your

bout of gastritis a couple of days ago, so naturally, I couldn’t just grab any coffee, but I couldn’t snub her kindness.

“Thanks.”

the coffee and then heard Zora’s excited voice, “Wow, a Cartier Love bracelet with diamonds, so

immediately spotted the rose gold bracelet shining on Cecilia’s wrist.

making her wrist look

a domineering CEO like him

“It’ll happen for

only to hear Zora say, “Mr. Zade is so romantic, not just giving you a love token

“matching avatars” made me pause for a moment.

help but

with a bow tie,

quite

days in a row, and I got a piece

saying she’d be