Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 39

When she heard my response, Cecilia’s expression clearly froze for a sec.

She couldn’t squeeze out a word for the longest time.

Then Hogan couldn’t stand it anymore, gave me a quick look and said to her, “Just be yourself. no need to copy anyone.”

When Hogan said “anyone,” his piercing gaze landed right on my face.

Talk about beating around the bush.

Cecilia looked at him, all surprised and fluttery eyelashes.

Guess she was touched.

I didn’t want to waste my time watching this soap opera unfold, so I said “Excuse me,” turned on my heel and left.

Turned out I actually found that dry cleaner Cecilia mentioned.

At three in the afternoon, the owner of the dry cleaners gave me a ring, saying my suit was ready.

I thought about it for a moment and dialed Darren’s number.

Soon after, the call connected, and I heard Darren ask in a hushed voice. “Xaviera, what’s up?”

pretty

my call might not have been great. I said, with a hint

“How about after

“Works for me.”

set the time, and there I was, carrying the

in this place, filled with memories of

me in a light brown trench coat, puffing and panting,

him the suit, asking. “Didn’t

head stuck in coding? It’s off–duty hours

right to just take off, so I offered, “Well,

contentedly. “Wouldn’t say no

who would’ve thought, Darren took me to the

12:20:

“Ketchup spaghetti?”

a bit

during my college

we sat down, Darren also got me an extra cup of

you trying to save me some

cutlery and said, “Not really, just been craving this spaghetti for

didn’t say anything, he reminded me, “Finish your spaghetti, and the

in college, herding us all to do morning exercises with the discipline book, dubbed ‘Nanny Darren by the students, and

puzzled, and explained, “Just remembered how you used to take care of everyone back in the

gently with his finger, “Xaviera, focus