Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 198

A bunch of people swarmed around the entrance, suddenly making the spacious hall feel cramped.

Even the air seemed to freeze.

I thought to myself, if Darren hadn’t shown up just in the nick of time, I bet these folks would start thinking I was up to no good again, right?

And Darren, clueless as ever, didn’t seem to notice the mix of looks being thrown his way. He gave me a gentle glance and then politely said hi to Hogan and Hilary.

Hogan was his usual self, all cool, calm, and collected, without a flicker of emotion on his poker face.

But Hilary couldn’t take her eyes off Darren, with a hint of nosiness in her gaze, and she said, “Professor Yearwood is all dressed up today; I could hardly recognize him without a closer look.”

That’s when I noticed Darren had gone all out, wearing a charcoal grey single–breasted suit and crease–free trousers, which gave him a more businesslike and polished vibe, dialing down his usual casual and laid–back look.

Pretty snazzy.

responded in his even–keeled manner. “You flatter me, ma’am. To have tea with the elders, one should dress the part.”

standing by, chimed in, “Congrats Xaviera, it looks like you’re about to meet the parents with Professor Yearwood

got the idea that I was meeting Darren’s parents, I frowned slightly and lost

my breath on

straightforward guy he is, sincerely said. “Ms. Irwin, you’ve got it wrong. We’re just having tea with the elders. Besides, you and Hogan… are we going to be hearing

expect that question from Darren. She paused, then turned to Hogan with a helpless look,

didn’t give a straight answer. He glanced at my face briefly before shifting his gaze to Darren and said, “Since when is Professor Yearwood

was light, but there was a hint

to

to smooth things over by softly suggesting, “Shouldn’t we go to the elders? They might

at me, and our eyes met, then he quickly

Hogan, let’s not keep Xaviera and Professor Yearwood,” Cecilia sald understandingly, with a smile in

didn’t linger any

Hogan say, “Now that everyone’s here, let’s go in

after the other, and just as we were nearing our booth, Darren

“What’s up?”