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

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

Darren answered decisively, “How about after

“Works for me.”

and there I was, carrying the

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

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

him the suit, asking. “Didn’t interrupt your work,

head stuck

I offered, “Well, Darren, let me treat you to

smiled contentedly. “Wouldn’t say no to

me to the student cafeteria to the

12:20:

“Ketchup spaghetti?”

was a bit

food during my college days–cheap

we sat down, Darren also got me an extra

to save me some

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

“Finish your spaghetti, and the milk too,

the discipline book, dubbed ‘Nanny Darren by

“Just remembered how you used to take care of everyone back

ficked my forehead gently