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.

“Xaviera, you think too highly of yourself!” and then vanished

and it took a while before I could shake

I didn’t bother

Hogan really had something work–related, he could use any of those to get in touch, no need to go crawling back just because of a word or two from

really didn’t need to hear his

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

and I woke up in a cold sweat, sleep out

I went to the office with bags under my

11:42

Chapter 29

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

and croissants to everyone, one

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

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

“Thanks.”

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

the rose gold bracelet shining on Cecilia’s

look even more delicate and fair.

CEO like him pick me up in a Maybach, I

replying, “It’ll

“Mr. Zade is so romantic, not just giving you a love token but also matching avatars, how are we single

words “matching avatars” made me pause for a moment.

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

bow tie, matching Cecilia’s

looked quite

in a row, and I got a piece of

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