Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 88

“I’m at your door.” Hogan cleared up my confusion, “Xaviera, get back here pronto.”

Before I could even peep a word, Hogan hung up. The tone? His usual brusqueness.

Thinking about Cecilia, who was practically invisible at the party, I could relate. I bet Hogan came to stick up for his darling.

Gotta finish today’s business today, I calmly headed back to my place.

Trouble was knocking: gotta face it head–on. Even though I’d prepped myself mentally, catching sight of Hogan leaning on my door still sent a flicker of surprise through me.

The man had his eyes half–closed, looking all worn out leaning against the door, with his high–quality suit and tie off, which was casually draped over his arm, only sporting a white shirt. The usually neat collar was now loose, revealing a swath of fair skin.

In the dimly lit hallway, with his delicate features, there was an odd sense of brokenness about him, a far cry from the dazzling CEO of Rainbow Capital at the party. Seemed even more beat than me.

Suddenly, I had no clue how to even say hi. But just then, as if sensing me there, he lifted his lids slightly, revealing those deep–set eyes.

Our gazes locked and I heard Hogan ask, “Decided to show up, huh?”

His voice was already on the lower side, a bit standoffish when serious, but when he softened it, there was this indescribable warmth, just like now.

composure and said, “Mr. Zade,

dropped, eventually resting on my hand, and then he quirked a smile,

my hand; looked like he too had noticed

cool, “Speaking of which, you had a hand

frowned upon hearing this,

I wouldn’t even make the down payment,” I spilled

incredulous, he asked, “Xaviera, you used my money to cozy up

volume on those last

played it down, “the money’s yours,

Chapter 88

1?”

collar; then realizing the tie was already gone, he fixed his gaze on me, “Ms. March, after all that effort, did

fixated on the idea that my “sweet–talking” Darren was all about the cash. But what had got him

“So, what’s next? Ms. March planning to pull the same stunt on Darren that you did

more chatty than he’d be in a normal month. And what threw me was that he

gaze, I felt an uninvited irritation and blurted out, “What exactly are you so concerned about, Mr. Zade?”

too, and he quickly looked away, silent. Details were the devil – it

to clarify when Hogan threw another curveball, “What’s the deal