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.

To have tea with the elders, one should dress the

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

meeting Darren’s parents, I frowned slightly and lost all desire to correct

on

sincerely said. “Ms. Irwin, you’ve got it wrong. We’re just having tea with

didn’t expect that question from Darren. She paused, then turned to Hogan with a helpless look, and said with her sweet, soft voice, “Well, I’ll go with

at my face briefly before shifting his gaze

was a hint

to hear.

“Shouldn’t we go to the elders?

at me, and our eyes met, then he quickly got the hint.

and Professor Yearwood,” Cecilia sald understandingly, with a smile in her eyes, “It’s not polite to make

linger any further and headed inside.

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

we were nearing our booth, Darren suddenly stopped and looked at me seriously.

“What’s up?”