Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 48

I never expected the guy I was staring at to actually be Darren.

He was usually rocking those silver specs and had this laid–back artsy dad vibe going on. To put it bluntly, he gave off this slightly stuffy and old–fashioned air.

It was like he was a whole different person from the smooth charmer standing in front of me

now.

What a stark contrast.

“So, Xaviera, you’re disappointed to find out it’s me?” he teased.

I waved my hand dismissively, clarifying, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that your current look is a dead ringer for a character in our game, and that’s why I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

That probably came across a little rude.

Darren seemed taken aback, he sighed and said, “And here I was thinking you had a thing for

this version of me, Xaviera.”

I raised my eyebrows, momentarily at a loss for words.

Just then, Tina and Kevin came bounding over from the right and greeted me enthusiastically.

“Xaviera, you have no idea, before you got here, a bunch of chicks were hitting on Professor Yearwood,” Tina said with a hint of pride, lowering her voice, “and they even brought him coffee.”

Kevin mimicked in a falsetto, “Sweetheart, sweetheart, what flavor do you like?”

1

you really do have a chick magnet

you guys keep ribbing me like this, don’t bother calling me next time.”

wisely backed off.

the university professor, was often bossed around by

our paths crossed.

showed me around different areas and introduced me to various unique anime promotion techniques. I actually learned

a busy day, and I couldn’t let their help go unrewarded, so I suggested we all go out

at Aurora Eats.

we passed by a second–floor private room, we bumped into Hilary dining with a few

at Darren by my side and asked, “This guy looks familiar, Xaviera. Is he your new boyfriend?”

was about to set the record straight when Darren beat me to

extending her hand,

I thought, frowning slightly.

politely, “and I’m

sooner had he spoken than Hilary’s look became

Darren to go ahead and order

I’m actually happy to see you settling down well, unlike Hogan, who’s

Only

close did I notice that Hilary’s makeup was a bit off, with powder caked at the corners

to hide it from you, Hogan’s really been over the top lately. He’s even been pushing me to bring Ms. Irwin

face away, looking like she was about to

with it. There’s nothing between mother and son that

those people in

then returned to the private room, not before making

really getting the hang

for my

I actually enjoyed dinner tonight; we were all old classmates, reminiscing about our college

was surprised.

a strange sense of contentment, like maybe life had its moments.