Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 35

Hilary and I went up to greet him at the same time.

“Didn’t you say you’ll stay for several days?” she asked, taking the rolling suitcase from Hogan’s hand. “Have you eaten?”

His piercing eyes suddenly landed on my face, and Hogan frowned. “Why is she here?”

The disdain in his voice couldn’t be more obvious.

It seemed that he was about to show me the door.

“Xaviera was invited over by me.” Hilary defended firmly. “Be nice.”

Hogan glanced at the red wine on the table, his frown deepening. “Drinking again?”

Clearly not pleased.

I admitted casually. “Just had a bit with Mrs. Hilary.”

Hogan’s face turned to steel a look demanding an explanation.

Hilary couldn’t stand it said soothingly. “Come on, it’s just a minor slip–up at work, isn’t it? Is it really such a big deal?”

She thought the beef between Hogan and me had to do with work

But Hogan, smart cookie that he was, smelled a rat from just one sentence and scoffed coldly. “Now you’ve started snitching too?”

“Xaviera didn’t say anything, it’s my guess.” Hilary cut in standing up for me with a glare at Hogan, “Now that it’s out in the open, let’s just put it behind us.”

Hogan kept at it. “Encouraging subordinates to badmouth others, shouldn’t there be a lesson?”

Just a few fair words from me, and in Hogan’s eyes, I was stirring up the troops.

I bowed my head, forcefully swallowing the discomfort in my heart..

But Hilary caught the crux of the matter, incredulous. “The “others you’re talking about, you don’t mean Ms. Irwin, do you?”

Hogan paused for a moment.

Not my fault, he’s the one who let it slip.

time, Hilary switched into

carefully said, “Mrs. Hilary, Mr. Zade,

anger subsided, and pointing at Hogan she said. “It’s so late, you should see Xaviera

out.”

C35

thorough, must’ve called a

took the hint. “Yes, it’s almost here.”

that, I left.

I had to steady myself on a green plant at the entrance, barely standing

aftereffects of the wine were strong.

walked and summoned a ride, but this

myself to trudging forward with feet

temperature difference between day and night in Rivertown was huge, and the chilly night breeze was freely invading my collar, making my teeth chatter in

mentioned over the phone and, in a

Alone.

shone from behind, and I stopped, puzzled, only

window slowly rolled down, revealing the man’s sharply carved

good bone structure, smooth facial lines, definitely

appearance reminded me of that icy, merciless

memony.

“Get in

actually spoke to me.

God has finally

to look at those hands gripping the steering

pale, just like Hogan’s hands.

snowy mountains

much did you drink?”

beside

window, then heard Hogan warn.

deep breath,

1219

Chapter 5

tone was ic “Thinking of achieving your goals through indirect

is right

he

couldn’t keep anything from