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?”

sounded pretty worried.

timing of my call might not have been great. I said, with a hint of apology. “You free tonight? Your coat’s

decisively, “How about after six?”

“Works for me.”

time, and there I was,

only been two years, but being back in this place, filled with memories of

approached me in a light brown

asking. “Didn’t

head stuck in coding? It’s off–duty

to just take off, so I

say no

would’ve thought, Darren took me to the student cafeteria to the spaghetti section.

12:20:

“Ketchup spaghetti?”

was a

during my college days–cheap and filling, but how did Darren know?

got me an extra cup of hot

trying to save me some

“Not really,

me, “Finish your spaghetti, and the

morning exercises with the discipline book, dubbed ‘Nanny Darren by the students, and I couldn’t help but

used to take care of everyone

finished, Darren ficked my forehead gently