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.

dark look on his face, said, “Xaviera, you

deep breath and it

the end, I didn’t

work–related, he could use any of those to

really didn’t need to hear his snark

as I said that, I still spent the night

all self–righteous, threatening to pull his investment, and I woke up in a cold sweat, sleep

went to the office with bags under my eyes.

11:42

Chapter 29

Cecilia was all smiles, looking like the cat that got the

was handing out coffee and croissants to

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

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

“Thanks.”

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

I immediately spotted the rose gold bracelet shining on

look even more delicate

Zora said enviously. “If I had a domineering CEO like him pick

“It’ll happen for you.

my desk, only to hear Zora say, “Mr. Zade is so romantic,

avatars” made me pause for a

couldn’t help but stealthily check the work

changed from a sunset to a cat with a bow tie, matching Cecilia’s avatar of a cat

quite the

two days in a row, and I got a piece of

confirmed her itinerary, saying she’d be back tomorrow afternoon.