Echoes of Unrequited Love (Xaviera and Hogan) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14 

The ambiguity finally ended. 

My heart pounding against my chest felt like an invisible slap across my face. 

I snapped to my senses in a second. 

“Your phone is ringing.” 

I jolted, shifted slightly, and suddenly noticed something had slid to my feet. Looking down, I saw Hogan’s suit jacket. 

I pretended not to notice, fixated on the flashing name on my phone. 

It was a call from Darren. 

“Aren’t you going to answer?” Hogan reminded me again, his tone neither warm nor cold, “It’s been ringing for a while.” 

I gripped my phone tighter, looked out the window, and realized the car had stopped in front of my apartment building. 

I said my thanks. “Thanks for tonight, Mr. Zade. Get some rest early.” 

“No worries, just on my way.” 

His voice was soft, betraying no emotion. 

If not for the thunderous beating of my heart, I might have doubted that everything just now was merely my own illusion. 

As my gaze swept past Hogan, I saw him open a pink kitty avatar and ask with a tender tone. “Are you asleep yet?” 

I had seen that avatar in the company group; it was Cecilia. 

That was when I realized Hogan’s ‘on my way‘ was quite literal. 

His pampered princess just happened to live right above me. 

I pinched the palm of my hand and silently got out of the car. 

It was just a dream. 

In an instant, my phone in my palm rang again, I steadied myself and answered. 

A warm voice tinged with rare impatience came through, “Xaviera, are you alright?” 

I was a bit stunned, “I’m fine, what’s up?” 

“I heard from Jack that you’ve been pulling all-nighters these past days and haven’t been replying to messages.” 

Jack was initially recommended by Darren to join the studio. 

1/2 

11:38 

Judging by Darren’s tone, I thought he was probably worried I’d work myself to death. 

Considering the message he sent during dinner and the handbag he’d given me earlier, my feelings were mixed. 

It was rare to have such a friend looking out for me In this vast Rivertown. 

So I suggested. “Are you free tomorrow night? I’d like to treat you to dinner.” 

“Huh?” 

As the words left my mouth, I felt it was a bit abrupt and corrected myself, “Another day is fine 

too.” 

“Tomorrow night,” Darren said eagerly, “finish up and send me a message, I’ll come pick your up.” 

The next afternoon, Darren arrived at the studio as promised. 

Dressed in a white embossed crew neck sweatshirt, dark brown casual pants, and white sneakers, he looked relaxed and artsy. 

He was also carrying a shopping bag. 

Seeing that I was still coding, he confidently headed to the pantry with a box of blueberries. 

I started packing up my desk to leave.