Echoes of Unrequited Love ( Hogan Zade )
Chapter 108

Chapter 108

When the man heard me asking around, he snapped his head up and locked eyes with me. In that moment of eye contact, I caught a flicker of surprise in those killer eyes of his. But it was gone in the blink of an eye.

Then I heard him chuckle and say, “You’re a fan of FreeMan too?”

I didn’t jump right in with an answer, my gaze slid over his well–proportioned left hand, and I shot back. “Are you?”

“Kinga.” he said, all casual–like, “But if FreeMan knew he had a knockout fan like you, he’d be over the moon.”

“I heard FreeMan always draws with his left hand.” I didn’t beat around the bush and stared straight at Mr. Suspect in front of me, “You caught that stuff falling off the cart with your left hand too.”

“So?”

I cut to the chase, “He’s got a mole the size of a sesame seed between your thumb and index, just like you.”

The guy’s expression froze for a sec, and then he let out a light laugh. “You don’t think I’m FreeMan, do you?”

“I’m not ruling it out.” I said, dead serious, “Are you him?”

I must’ve freaked him out with my straight face because he finally dropped the act and said earnestly, “Miss, FreeMan’s been on the scene for ten years, and I just turned twenty–two. Given his rep as a renowned concept artist, that would mean I started creating at twelve, with a mind that’s quick and inspiration that never runs dry, right?”

Twenty–two, huh? That was miles off the rumor mill.

“Wow, so in your eyes, I’m some kind of genius, huh?”

I looked into those innocent eyes and said matter–of–factly, “The world hasn’t pegged down FreeMan’s age.”

I paused and added, “Plus, you seem to know a lot about him.”

I’d seen fans getting all hyped meeting their idols, but this guy was too chill, like he couldn’t care less.

“Ah, I’m FreeMan’s rabid fan.” He explained patiently. “No lie, I even gamed with FreeMan before. I’m the one who leaked the lefty thing.”

I was suddenly at a loss for words, “So, the news is fake?”

He just shrugged and didn’t say more. Turned out Wallis, that fox, got played by some little bird.

13:32

Chapter 108

“Are you mad, Miss?”

Not mad, just not cool with having my hopes dashed like that.

“Here’s my card.” I offered politely, hoping to tap into the fan network, “If you catch wind of FreeMan, could you hit me up?”

He took the card, curious, and smiled, “Xaviera, so it’s Xaviera.”

I wasn’t in the mood to hang around and got ready to leave when I heard him say, “By the way, Xaviera, I’m Timothy Temple. Till fate brings us together again.”

Half an hour later, the fan meet was a wrap, and Wallis and I left the resort with long faces. When the left–handed thing came up, Wallis was gobsmacked, “Looks like meeting FreeMan in the flesh is gonna take some extra effort.”

Back at the office, we bumped into Cecilia clocking out. She leaned in, all curious, “Xaviera, I heard you went to see FreeMan this afternoon. How was it? Did he agree to work with us?”

That was adding salt to Wallis‘ and my injuries.