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.

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

answered decisively, “How about

“Works for me.”

and there I was,

been two years, but being back in this place, filled with memories of Hogan and my youth, I felt like

me in a light brown trench coat, puffing and

handed him the suit, asking. “Didn’t

rolled his eyes at me. “Got your head stuck in

feel right to just take off, so I offered, “Well, Darren, let me treat

say no

thought, Darren took me to the student cafeteria to

12:20:

“Ketchup spaghetti?”

was a bit surprised.

my college days–cheap and filling, but

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

to save me some

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

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

do morning exercises with the discipline book, dubbed ‘Nanny Darren

me, puzzled, and explained, “Just remembered how you used to take care of everyone

finished, Darren ficked my forehead gently with his finger, “Xaviera,