Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 104

I was using a self–deprecating tone, sort of trying to cut the awkward air at the time. But Hogan kept his poker face on, making it crystal clear he wasn’t in the mood to deal with us.

Cecilia stepped up to smooth things over, “Talk about a coincidence; did Xaviera and Professor Yearwood reserve a private room? If you don’t mind, we could share a table.”

This was the scene we’d agreed on earlier. I was just about to chime in when I heard Hogan say, “On such a significant night, are you sure you want a couple of outsiders crashing our party?”

His voice was even, but he deliberately put some sting into the word “outsiders“. He wasn’t wrong, even though we once had a closeness that “outsiders” never had.

Cecilia didn’t seem fazed, her dimples showing, “How can Xaviera and Professor Yearwood be outsiders? Besides, the more the merrier.”

Her voice was sweet, ending on a playful, soft note, her girlish charm making her hard to refuse. Darren, the guy left in the dark, sensed something was up and curiously asked, “What’s so special about today?”

Cecilia’s eyes, bright as a doe’s, brimmed with joy, “Not to hide it from Professor Yearwood, today marks the hundredth day of my relationship with Hogan.”

Darren’s first look was at me. There was a flicker of pity in his eyes. He held his tongue.

see, then it’s really not cool for us two outsiders to intrude at this time. Professor Yearwood, let’s meet up separately.”

fine; just depended on how Cecilia

hand, giving it a shake, her pleading eyes

and Hogan softened

voice wasn’t exactly warm, but he clearly gave Cecilia face. I thought, any normal

actually agreed. I thought someone as principled as him would’ve said no on the spot. Reality, however,

pink and white balloons filled every corner, and beneath bouquets of roses

like hot cocoa. Clearly, a lot of thought had gone into the setup.

cream cake on the table had miniatures of

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Chapter 104

It was a far cry from the Hogan

of the story, just as stunned, her hands over her mouth. After marveling, she looked at Hogan and said, “Did you do all this for me, Hogan?”

and then gave a soft