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 into the

a deep breath and it took a while before I could shake it off.

I didn’t bother adding Hogan

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

really didn’t need to

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

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

went to the office with bags

11:42

Chapter 29

vibe, Cecilia was all smiles, looking like the

was handing out coffee and croissants to everyone, one by

come in, she greeted me with a

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

“Thanks.”

excited voice, “Wow, a Cartier Love bracelet with diamonds, so pretty!”

Zora’s gaze, I immediately spotted the rose

suited her, making her wrist look even more

enviously. “If I had a domineering CEO

shyly replying, “It’ll

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 single folks supposed to live?”

made me pause for a moment.

but stealthily check the work group chat.

to a cat with a bow

looked quite the

a row, and I got a piece of that

just confirmed her itinerary, saying she’d be