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 project

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

when I caught on to

it comes to making money,

I agreed.

set at the Bluebell Bistro & Bar, a go–to for

from the hotel’s facilities to the dessert trays was exquisite.

I’d been freeloading here often enough to become

Chapter 36

a raspberry mousse and said, “The new chef’s skills

juice and asked, “What about

and said, “What’s the rush? Big shots usually make a grand late

I heard Wallis exclaim, “Here comes

man in a suit, looking like Winnie the Pooh, not too far

a beeline

Wallis greeted with eager warmth,

Frank had

by the big

then, I heard Frank call out a familiar

there was Darren shaking hands

me

surprise, his smile

at are you

the bloodhound, elbowed me,

for it.”

ourselves before Frank

looked me over and complimented, “You look lovely

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

“You’re quite dashing