Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 10

His gaze was sharp as a tack.

| had no clue when Hogan popped up and why he was nitpicking over someone’s handbag.

Puzzled, Cecilia's question from earlier in the studio suddenly flashed through my mind.

My guess was Hogan thought I’d switched to a new laptop.

What was his deal with old versus new, anyway?

| met Hogan’s gaze head-on and said coolly, “Isn’t that none of the investor’s business?”

Hogan’s expression froze, he took a drag on his cigarette, then stubbed it out hard and took off. Talk about a mood swing. My bad.

Crossing the cash cow was not a smart move, | should’ve bitten my tongue.

The last thing | want was for Wallis to come back from a trip to find the place turned upside down because of me. The next morning. | got to work as usual, and thankfully, didn’t run into Hogan downstairs.

| felt a bit relieved, but that feeling got jumbled up real quick with one delivery after another.

“Ms. Irwin, please sign for your laptop.”

“Ms. Irwin, your computer bag is here for you to sign for.”

“Ms. Irwin...”

t

By the time Cecilia opened the eighth delivery, it turned out to be allergy medicine.

Zora at the front desk loves a good show, pointing at the sender's name, “Still Mr. Zade? Dang. easy on the eyes and doesn’t mind splurging, what kind of dream boyfriend is that?”

Cecilia, her eyes sparkling with barely concealed joy, blushed and closed the door, unpacking parcels and calling.

Her melodramatic voice from the corridor, uncontrollably seeping into my ears, was too close

to the office.

“You really shouldn't have, Hogan. That must’ve cost a pretty penny, huh?”

“How about | treat you to dinner then?”

| couldn't hear the response, but Cecilja giggled and covered her mouth, “Hogan, you're teasing me again.”

| looked down at my notebook and smirked wryly at myself.

11:37

Six years of licking boots just for a prize nobody really wanted, couldn't hold a candle to gifts picked out for a girlfriend.

After lunch, Jack handed me the code he finished last night for review. After a moment's thought, | knocked on Cecilia’s office door.

When | walked in, Cecilia was fiddling with her new laptop. Rose gold, designer brand, starting at a cool grand, at least. Mr. Zade sure doesn’t pinch pennies,

She shot me a sheepish look and said, “Sorry, Xaviera, | had no Idea Hogan would send so many gifts out of the blue. Hope it didn’t bother everyone.”

“How far did you get with the work | gave you yesterday?”

Cecilia’s eyes went wide, innocence written all over her face, “I’m so sorry, Xaviera, | just set up the new laptop, haven't started on the code yet.”

Predictable.

“Think you can get a piece done before we clock out?”From NôvelDrama.Org.

She looked troubled, “I'll try my best.”

She said she'd try, and | didn’t push. But back at my desk, | took over her work anyway.

Although she was the boss‘ pet, she was also part of our tech team. If she was going to take credit, she gotta show she’d earned it.

The simple stuff needed to be done.

Otherwise, it could rub the other colleagues the wrong way.

Since she didn’t finish, it's up to me to pick up the slack.

And just like that, | was busy till the moon was hanging high. Glancing at the time, it was already past seven in the evening. | looked over at Cecilia's office: she was still there, typing away at a message

Sensing my gaze, Cecilia stood up, clutching her laptop, and stepped out.

“Xaviera, | wrote a bit, can you take a look?” she asked, her voice tinged with eagerness.

It made me feel a bit awkward, actually.

| quickly scanned the code and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Maybe I'd been too hard on her.

Just as | was about to speak up, the girl’s eyes suddenly welled up. “Am | too dumb, Xaviera?” Before she could finish, the studio door swung open without warning. | looked up and there was 11:37

Hogan in the doorway.

His gaze instantly landed on Cecilia’s face, and she looked back, surprised. Then, her lashes fluttered down, and she bit her lip gently, looking pretty downhearted.