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.

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

took a deep breath and it

I didn’t bother adding Hogan

group chats, phone calls if Hogan really had something work–related, he could use any of those to get in touch, no need to go

really didn’t need to hear his

still spent the night tossing and turning like a loser.

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

to the office with bags under my

11:42

Chapter 29

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

handing out coffee and croissants to everyone, one by one.

she greeted me with a smile, “Your black

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.”

Zora’s excited voice, “Wow,

gaze, I immediately spotted the rose gold bracelet

suited her, making her wrist look even more

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

blushed, shyly replying, “It’ll

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

avatars” made me pause for a moment.

down, I couldn’t help but stealthily

a bow tie, matching Cecilia’s avatar of a cat in a pink hat.

quite the

two days in a row, and I got a piece of that action too.

her itinerary, saying