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.

face, said, “Xaviera, you think too highly of yourself!” and then vanished into the

against the wall, I took a deep breath and it took a

end, I didn’t bother

work group chats, phone calls if Hogan really had something work–related, he could use any of those to get in

to hear his snark anymore.

said that, I still spent the night tossing

and I woke up in a cold sweat,

I went to the office with bags under

11:42

Chapter 29

looking like

croissants

she greeted me with a smile,

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

“Thanks.”

heard Zora’s excited voice, “Wow, a Cartier Love bracelet

rose gold bracelet

look even

Zade sure is generous,” Zora said enviously. “If I had a domineering CEO like him pick me up in a

“It’ll

joining their gossip and headed to my desk, only to hear Zora say, “Mr. Zade is so romantic, not just giving you a love token but also matching avatars, how are we

“matching avatars” made me pause for a

but

a cat with a bow tie, matching Cecilia’s avatar of a cat in a

looked quite the

to coffee two days in a row, and

confirmed her itinerary, saying