Echoes of Unrequited Love ( Hogan Zade )
Chapter 117

Chapter 117

The next second, he cranked up the volume right in front of me.

“I wouldn’t dare. Hand the phone to the security guard: I’ll talk to him.”

It was like I got the green light. I followed Timothy, slipping into the art exhibition without a hitch.

But then, things took a turn I didn’t see coming.

No sooner had we entered the place, a pair of folks, a guy and a gal, both Timothy look–alikes, made a beeline for us, giving me the once–over.

“Wow. Timothy, I thought I was seeing things.” Said a well–dressed man, eyeing me up and down, “Got quite the taste.”

I coughed lightly, suddenly at a loss for words.

“Cut it out.” Timothy scoffed coldly. “This is Xaviera March. Show some respect, will ya?”

“Sean Abbott.” The dude who had spoken earlier extended his hand to me, “Timothy’s childhood buddy, responsible for this Art Gallery, nice to meet you.”

Hearing the words, I couldn’t help but give the man in front of me a few glances. If he was the big cheese, could it mean he was clued in on who FreeMan was?

“Xaviera.

Timothy’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I tilted my head up slightly, only to realize he had somehow snuck up close, whispering in a playful tone. “Is he that good–looking?”

He was pretty tall, easily over six feet, and as he leaned in, it was almost too much to handle.

I shifted to the side a bit and said. “Just thought he looked a bit familiar.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, Sean cracked a smile, laughing as he said, “Timothy, your friend here is quite the wit, huh?”

I immediately ditched the idea of asking this man any questions. Way too unreliable.

Timothy seemed to pick up on my vibe, chuckling. “This guy’s always a clown; don’t stoop to his level.”

Sean pouted, “Choosing chicks over pals, huh?”

I was just about to set things straight when I felt a piercing gaze from not too far away. When I looked up, I locked eyes with Hogan’s stoic ones.

As our eyes met, the corners of his mouth dipped slightly, revealing a smug smirk. At that moment, Cecilia was standing by his side, the young lady dressed in a cute Audrey Hepburn–style dress, sporting an adorable topknot – both chic and pretty.

docomo

Charter 117

But the fancy outfit didn’t seem to help Cecilia get comfortable in this social environment. After exchanging a few words with a guest next to her, she turned her big, pitiful eyes towards Hogan.

It was a look that screamed for help. But Hogan didn’t notice, his gaze fixed emotionlessly on

1. me.

I didn’t feel like making a fool of myself, so I quietly looked away. We were, after all, rivals now.

Judging by their expressions. I figured they probably hadn’t seen FreeMan in the flesh yet. I pulled myself together, and just then, I heard Cecilia’s sweet, soft voice, “Hogan, isn’t that Xaviera? I’m not mistaken, am I?”

Great, there was no escaping now.

Timothy, standing beside me, caught the commotion too. He glanced at me, then at Hogan and Cecilia not far off, and curiously asked, “Xaviera, friends of yours?”

Friends. I mulled over the word, a bitter feeling spreading through my chest as if I’d swallowed a mouthful of bitter herbs.

When I looked up again, Hogan and Cecilia had already closed in. The young lady’s eyes unabashedly fell on Timothy, and then with a smile, she asked, “Xaviera, who’s this gentleman? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”