Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 30

Sure enough, having someone to back you up really makes a difference.

“Xaviera, hang here for a sec, I’ll be right back,” Cecilia said politely as she reminded me while standing at the reception desk.

And just like that, she breezed Into Hogan’s office like it was her second home.

All I could do was wait.

But I didn’t expect that this wait would turn into over an hour.

Cecilia still hadn’t reappeared.

“Why are you hanging around here, Mrs. Zade?” I looked up to see Zachary, with a stack of papers in his hands, standing in front of me, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

“Assistant Zachary,” I took a deep breath and asked, “Is Mr. Zade still tied up?”

“Nah, just one meeting this afternoon, the one with you, Mrs. Zade” Zachary said, glancing at Hogan’s office door before kindly offering. “I’ll go check it out.”

“Hold your horses, no rush,” I stopped him, saying, “And hey, from now on, just call me by my

name.”

He probably didn’t know yet that Mrs. Zade had flown the coop.

Zachary paused, gave the office door a couple of glances, sighed, and said, “Mrs. I mean, Xaviera, don’t be mad.”

Before he could finish, the office door swung open, and Cecilia glanced at Zachary without a ripple of emotion, then turned to me and said, “Xaviera, come on in.”

Her voice was neither here nor there.

through my work report as usual. When I was done, I glanced at Hogan, who was sitting straight ahead, only to catch

girl was smiling, her eyes curved with joy, obviously in a

like a third wheel.

has no objections, I’ll take my leave

wasn’t keen on

usually silent Cecilia piped up. “Xaviera, I have a suggestion. I’m not

say. “You’re one of the project leads. It’s your

11:4

if waiting for my

speak,” I said, all business.

quite there.” Cecilia began, glancing at Hogan, “Our game is a romance simulation, so the overall palette should be bright and lively

being

silently, asking, “What kind

Irwin?”

hesitated, her eyes downcast, as if she had more to say but

had

gently, “Director Irwin, I’m just talking shop

“Ms. March isn’t stubborn for the sake of it, and

supposed to thank him

should be beautiful and dreamy. I think a pink

added, looking at Hogan,

a light

was to keep it bright and fresh, offering players a clean

experience.

it lacked that romantic

what’s your take?”

to the present, and looking up into Hogan’s eyes, I said, “I think the current interface is fine, but Mr. Zade, if you insist on

far as I was willing

project manager, I had to stand my ground.