Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 29

Talking about that, | just realized what got Hogan’s goat was me axing him from my friends‘

list.

That was ancient history, happened days ago.

He just found out today?

But the dude was an investor, so | couldn’t exactly give it to him straight, can |?

That would make me look petty.

| had to save face and say, “Oops, sorry Mr. Zade, my friends list is crazy long, must've been a mistake.”

Right after | finished, Hogan couldn't help but let out a snort, “Xaviera, can’t you come up with a better excuse? It’s just a WhatsApp friend, what’s eating you?”

Hogan had his usual confident tone when he said that. That kind of confidence that says he’s seen right through me.

Suddenly, his confidence hit me hard, and | locked eyes with him and shot back, “Yeah, just a WhatsApp friend, what's it to you, Mr. Zade?”

Hogan was clearly taken aback, speechless for a moment.

There we were, standing at the entrance of the corridor like a couple of loons, staring each other down without another word. My fingertips were digging into my palm.

My heart was trembling, bittersweet.

Amoment later, Hogan, with a dark look on his face, said, “Xaviera, you think too highly of yourself!” and then vanished into the chilly night.

Leaning against the wall, | took a deep breath and it took a while before | could shake it off. In the end, | didn’t bother adding Hogan back.

Emails, work group chats, phone calls if Hogan really had something work-related, he could use any of those to get in touch, no need to go crawling back just because of a word or two from him.

| really didn’t need to hear his snark anymore. But as much as | said that, | still spent the night tossing and turning like a loser.

In my dream, Hogan was all self-righteous, threatening to pull his investment, and | woke up in a cold sweat, sleep out of the question.

So | went to the office with bags under my eyes.

11:42

Unlike my downbeat vibe, Cecilia was all smiles, looking like the cat that got the cream. She was handing out coffee and croissants to everyone, one by one.

Seeing me come in, she greeted me with a smile, “Your black coffee, Xaviera.”

| had just had a bout of gastritis a couple of days ago, so naturally, | couldn’t just grab any coffee, but | couldn’t snub her kindness.

“Thanks.”

| reached for the coffee and then heard Zora’s excited voice, “Wow, a Cartier Love bracelet with diamonds, so pretty!” Following Zora’s gaze, | immediately spotted the rose gold bracelet shining on Cecilia’s wrist.

It suited her, making her wrist look even more delicate and fair.

“Mr. Zade sure is generous,” Zora said enviously. “If | had a domineering CEO like him pick me up in a Maybach, | could die happy.”

Cecilia blushed, shyly replying, “It'll happen for you.

| wasn't interested in joining their gossip and headed to my desk, only to hear Zora say, “Mr. Zade is so romantic, not just giving you a love token but also matching avatars, how are we single folks supposed to live?”

The words “matching avatars” made me pause for a moment.

After sitting down, | couldn’t help but stealthily check the work group chat.

Hogan’s avatar had changed from a sunset to a cat with a bow tie, matching Cecilia’s avatar of a cat in a pink hat. They looked quite the pair.

Cecilia had treated everyone to coffee two days in a row, and | got a piece of that action too.

Wallis just confirmed her itinerary, saying she’d be back tomorrow afternoon.

That meant I’d have to go to Rainbow Capital alone for the weekly report summary this

afternoon.

| was considering postponing it when Cecilia bounced over, all excited, asking, “What time are we heading out, Xaviera?” It took me a couple of seconds to realize she was talking about the Rainbow Capital briefing.

It was pretty sudden.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

But after a bit of thought, | felt that it made sense.

After all, she was the new manager of the planning department, so it was only fitting for her to go to Rainbow Capital to present. Chapter 29

So | said. “Three o'clock, | guess,”

Cecilia chirped a “Okay,” and buzzed off to “get ready.”

Right before we left, | found out her idea of getting ready was putting on a full face of natural makeup.

Soon after, we arrived at Rainbow Capital's building.

The receptionist greeted Cecilia with a polite “Ms. Irwin” and respectfully ushered us to the executive elevator.

Their attitude couldn't have been more courteous.

| thought back to a month ago when Wallis and | first came here, and the receptionists was acting all high and mighty, like they were too good for us.