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.

a dark look on his face, said, “Xaviera, you think too highly of yourself!” and then vanished into the

it took a while before I could shake

I didn’t bother adding

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

really didn’t need to hear

as much as I said that, I still spent the night tossing and turning like

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

to the office with bags

11:42

Chapter 29

was all smiles, looking

coffee and croissants to everyone,

me with a smile, “Your black coffee, Xaviera.”

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

rose gold bracelet shining on

suited her, making her wrist look even more delicate

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

replying, “It’ll happen for you.

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

“matching avatars” made me

I couldn’t help but stealthily check the work group chat.

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

looked quite the pair.

two days in a row,

itinerary, saying