Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 36

Just my luck, it had to be after that incident.

Cecilia’s greeting snapped me out of my reverie.

Wallis and I exchanged a look before she opened the door.

Cecilia handed over a box of cakes with a gentle smile. “President Lott, Xaviera, I picked out this gift especially for you two.”

Wallis chuckled in response. “Director Irwin, you’re too kind.”

Cecilia’s eyes crinkled with mirth, “President Lott, Xaviera, I mishandled things earlier, please don’t take it to heart. I’ve already smoothed things over with Hogan, let’s all work together and shine bright from now on.”

She finished with a playful but earnest fist pump, making it hard to hold a grudge.

But when did she talk to Hogan about this?

“Last night,” Cecilia blinked her large eyes and said, “I messaged you, Xaviera, didn’t you see?”

I fished out my phone and checked the notifications, indeed there was a message from Cecilia.

[Xaviera, Hogan has agreed.]

It was sent shortly after I left Mountain Villa.

At that time, my mind was in a whirl, I hadn’t noticed.

So, Hogan had let things slide only after Cecilia’s intervention?

I felt like I had cotton stuffed in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Wallis texted me. [Anyhow, glad that’s settled Clear your evening schedule, I’m taking you out to unwind.]

the front and back ends of the project still incomplete, I wasn’t ip the

[Xaviera, after this ordeal, I’ve realized something – we shouldn’t put all our eggs in one basket, and that goes for

I caught on to

making money, she

I agreed.

the Bluebell Bistro &

hotel’s facilities to the dessert trays was

to Wallis, in my half–year at Rivertown, I’d been freeloading here often enough to become a bit of

Chapter 36

to get hitched.” Wallis handed me a

sipped my juice and asked, “What about that Rich Man? Has he

her watch and said, “What’s the rush? Big shots usually make a grand late entrance. Let’s snack first.”

bagel when I heard Wallis

enough, spotted the middle–aged man in a suit, looking like Winnie the Pooh, not too far

beeline for

you,” Wallis greeted with eager warmth, “We

Frank had turned

by

then, I heard Frank call out

up, there was Darren shaking hands with our

saw me too.

gaze flashed with surprise, his smile spilling over.

at are you

knows Frank?” Wallis, ever the bloodhound, elbowed

for it.”

positioned ourselves before Frank and

over and complimented, “You look lovely tonight.”

black dress, nothing special, but with Darren’s words, I felt

“You’re quite dashing yourself tonight, Darren.”