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

but chuckle, “Darren, you really do have

him off, “If you guys keep ribbing me

wisely backed

was often bossed around by Tina and Kevin to attend

wonder our paths

me to various unique anime promotion techniques. I

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

at Aurora

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

and asked, “This guy looks familiar, Xaviera. Is he your new boyfriend?”

record straight when Darren beat me to it,

hand, “Handsome young man,

thought, frowning

replied politely, “and I’m a classmate

sooner had he spoken than

asking Darren to go ahead and order while

happy to see you

Only

makeup was a bit off, with powder caked

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

away, looking like she was about to

with it. There’s nothing between mother and son that can’t be

just worried about those people in the Zade family.”

stopped and then returned to the private room, not before making plans

hang of this

me, still hustling for my daily bread.

tonight; we were all old classmates, reminiscing

was surprised.

I felt a strange sense of contentment,