Echoes of Unrequited Love ( Hogan Zade )
Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Hundred–day. I chew over this phrase, and when I thought back to that guy’s lust–filled eyes last night, it was like I suddenly bit into an unripe olive nothing but bitterness in my mouth.

I honestly thought that someone like Hogan, who was so busy he didn’t know whether he was coming or going and always so frigid and serious, wouldn’t remember these “trivial” dates he always talked about.

But not only did he remember, but he also carefully booked a private room, planning to celebrate with Cecilia.

In the six years our paths had crossed; this kind of thing had never happened before. And Cecilia, she chose this day, one that was supposed to be a cozy twosome affair, to invite me.

“Is that really cool?” I thought about Candy’s future and, pushing down the discomfort in my chest, I asked, “What if we tick off Mr. Zade? We’d be in deep trouble.”

I already rubbed him the wrong way last night; couldn’t afford to stir up more trouble now.

Hearing this, Cecilia quickly reassured me, “There’s nothing wrong with it, Xaviera. It’s just a ‘coincidence‘, after all. Plus, on such an important day, whatever I ask Hogan for, he will say yes.”

She was so sure of herself; I know that was the confidence Hogan had nurtured in her day and night.

I curled my fingers and said, “Thanks for going to all this trouble, Director Irwin.”

“Oh, Xaviera, it’s nothing.” Cecilia giggled, batting her big eyes, “I can see everyone’s been running around like headless chickens over this, and I feel really bad about it, too. After all, it started with me, and I don’t want there to be any hard feelings later on.”

Cecilia looked so sincere when she said this, so genuine that I couldn’t bring myself to doubt its truthfulness.

“Besides, don’t you want to smooth things over between Hogan and Professor Yearwood?” Cecilia, seeing that I didn’t respond right away, looked at me expectantly, whispering, “I feel like there’s some kind of misunderstanding between them. Wouldn’t it be better to clear things up?” She made a good point, but for some reason, I was a bit resistant. Still, considering her good intentions, I stuck to the facts, “You think you can convince Mr. Zade?”

Cecilia’s eyes crinkle with certainty, “Xaviera, you should know. Hogan’s not one to sweat the small stuff. Right now, he’s just hot under the collar. But tonight, on our hundred–day, he’s bound to ask me what gift I want. When I bring up making amends, he’ll have no reason to say. no.”

Yeah, how could Hogan ever refuse his darling, the apple of his eye? Since Cecilia didn’t mind, why should I hold back?

Chapter 102

After all, once they got tangled up in legal stuff, things could get pretty thorny. I had to be rational.

Cecilia seemed to read my mind and asked again, “What do you think of my idea, Xaviera?”

“It’s good,” I said, though my heart was not in it.

“Oh, and the recording pen.” Cecilia opened her backpack and handed me the recorder, “Yesterday was so hectic; I forgot to give it back to you.”

I looked at Cecilia, words on the tip of my tongue.

She carefully explained, “Don’t worry, Xaviera. I haven’t listened to a single word on it.”

Her words brushed away the worries in my heart. It made sense, if Cecilia had actually listened to the recording, with her temperament, she probably wouldn’t be so eager to make peace with

Us.

Thinking this, I nodded, “Then let’s do as you suggest.”

In the face of Candy’s future, my own pride didn’t count for much.

Such a rare moment of harmony. But when I shared this with Wallis, pouting, she barbed, “That lady is young, but she sure is crafty.”