Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 31

I thought I heard it wrong.

But seeing Cecilia hemming and hawing, I knew Hogan’s Invite was legit.

Or was it just lip service?

I didn’t want to be a pain in the neck, so I politely declined, “Thanks for the kind offer, Mr. Zade, but I’ve got work to tackle. I’ll treat you next time.”

Hogan wouldn’t take no for an answer, “You’ve got to eat no matter how busy, right?”

His voice oddly pitched a notch higher, made me feel like I was too dumb to appreciate his goodwill.

Cecilia stood there with her head hanging low, murmuring, “Hogan, maybe Xaviera really has

her reasons.”

Look at that, his baby girl had an opinion.

I stood there, waiting to see how Hogan would handle the situation.

After a moment, he said with strained patience, “Cecilia’s been at your company for over al month now, Ms. March. She must have caused you some trouble, so I ought to give a proper

thanks.”

I immediately read between the lines of Hogan’s implication.

Turns out, he was settling a debt for Cecilia.

Cecilia caught on, too, her pale face finally breaking into a small smile, “Hogan Is so thoughtful, Xaviera, maybe you shouldn’t refuse?”

Full of sincerity.

I felt a bit miffed inside, but face–saving is still a thing.

So, I ended up hitting the restaurant with Hogan and Cecilia.

The place had class, and there was even someone tickling the Ivories in the corner. The plano music helped ease the blockage in my heart a bit.

But one thing I couldn’t figure out: in such a romantic restaurant, wouldn’t it be better for Hogan to enjoy a cozy world for two with Cecilia?

me along,

enough, I got my answer.

a force

she saw me, her angry face clearly flickered with surprise, “Xaviera,

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Cacter 31

knew I was out

Hogan still dragged me

casually chewed on my steak. “Mr. Zade and Ms.

down, asked the waiter for an extra set of cutlery, and whether deliberately

girls,” she started with a snide tone, eyeing

the fork, clashing with the plate with an

She was clenching the knife and fork so

Pretty awkward.

cool as a cucumber, served up a freshly cut steak and naturally swapped it

of considerate.

looking surprised and

glanced cautiously at

a startled little

to the first time I

had a buffet together.

now, but her attitude wasn’t much better

crayfish season, and just because she mentioned she liked

smelled like

a “pretty clever” from

across, silently eating, not

he was cutting steak for Cecilia right

couldn’t stand it. “She’s got hands, doesn’t she? Does she need you

was passing a napkin

man replied without batting an eye, “You

left speechless, storm clouds

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Chapter 31

Into their drama, I changed the subject, “Mrs. Hilary, the pan–seared cod here is

smiled, “Xaviera knows best, not like

was like a roller