Echoes of Unrequited Love ( Hogan Zade )
Chapter 199

Chapter 199

The two elders looked like the kind–hearted types, pretty reasonable at face value.

But the mother–daughter duo on the right were a whole other ball game–one was all grace and elegance, yet the other was so dolled up that even her nails were decked out. They were obviously the stars of today’s matchmaking scene.

When they saw us, their expressions did a one–eighty. The middle–aged lady pulled a long face and went, “Mr. Yearwood, what’s the deal here? After you made us wait for half an hour, your bring someone else along. What’s that about?”

Aaron Yearwood was clearly mortified and, trying to keep his cool, he asked Darren, “You had a time set, man. What’s with the lateness? Go on, explain yourself to Belinda.”

Darren, all politeness, responded, “Sorry, Belinda. My girlfriend had a last–minute thing, which held us up. Apologies for the wait.”

Belinda, hearing Darren’s explanation, turned her irritated gaze on me and said, “Girlfriend? Her? Mr. Yearwood, are you and your nephew playing me for a fool?”

With that, she stood up, grabbed her daughter, and stormed off.

Aaron tried to follow, but the mother–daughter team was too quick, leaving him in their dust.

A moment later, he turned back to us; he gave me a once–over, then fixed his eyes on Darren and said, “Kid, you usually have your act together. What got into you today; why did you pull a stunt like this?”

Nancy Yearwood chimed in too. “Darren, you’ve really crossed the line this time. If the old man gets wind of this, it won’t be something you can just brush off.”

Then, out of nowhere, I felt a warmth on the back of my hand. I looked down and found Darren’s broad palm covering mine.

His voice, soft yet resonant, was close to my ear. I heard Darren say, “If grandpa’s really got a beef, then I’ll just have to take Xaviera and go apologize. Anyway, my heart is taken. Aaron, Nancy, you don’t need to worry about my love life anymore.”

The words were meant to show defiance, but when they came from Darren, they were delivered with a gentle firmness.

The atmosphere froze for a second, and I could see the astonishment and displeasure on the elders‘ faces. So I made an excuse to head to the restroom.

I really shouldn’t get too tangled up in the Yearwood family’s business.

After all, we’re just pretending to be a couple, not the real deal.

In the restroom, I sat on the toilet taking deep breaths, and carefully wiped the sweat from my palms.

Chapter 199

I was about to get up when a familiar sweet voice drifted in.

“Mom, don’t you think you’re rushing things? Hogan and I haven’t even, you know, and here you are talking wedding with his mom. What’s he going to think of me?”

It was Cecilia’s voice, sounding pretty anxious.

“You mean to tell me you didn’t manage to seal the deal with Hogan last time at Pinecrest Hollow?”

“There was a lot going on, and Hogan wasn’t in the right headspace.” Cecilia’s voice was tinged with a plea, “Mom, can you please not pressure me?”

“Alright, alright, no rush,” Sibyl’s patient tone reached my ears, which seemed to be soothing Cecilia, “But mom didn’t do anything wrong. The Zade family’s loaded–a measly million for a wedding is chump change to them. Don’t worry, honey, mom’s got it all figured out for you. As for any other obstacles, I’ll take care of them too.”

Hearing this, I felt my head start to spin.

So Hogan and Cecilia, after dating this long, still hadn’t done the deed?