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 worried.

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

answered decisively, “How about after six?”

“Works for me.”

and there I was,

in this place, filled with memories of Hogan and my youth, I felt like a

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

asking. “Didn’t

eyes at me. “Got your head stuck in coding? It’s off–duty hours now.”

just take off, so I offered, “Well, Darren, let

smiled contentedly. “Wouldn’t say no to

who would’ve thought, Darren took me to the student cafeteria to

12:20:

“Ketchup spaghetti?”

a bit

college days–cheap and filling, but how did Darren

me

trying to save me

really, just been craving this spaghetti for a

me, “Finish your spaghetti, and

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

used to take

finished, Darren ficked my forehead gently