Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 89
I finally had that “aha” moment. So all those lines he dropped earlier were just a
warm-up act. What he was really itching to ask me about was this.
I played it cool and said, “Well, as Mr. Zade can see, I don’t wanna go, so I just
bail.”
As I spoke, I was a bundle of nerves, gripping my car keys like they were a
lifeline. Flashing through my mind was that day I handed over my hard—saved
money to the study abroad
agency.
The scrutiny for studying abroad wasn't ridiculously strict back then, but there
was this one non-negotiable: the proof of funds. That was the make—or—break
part of the application and there was only so much cash I, a student, could
scrape together.
But the kicker was when the agency told me our total savings would barely cut it
for just one of
us to go.
At the time, I thought, no biggie, with my skills, I could delay it a year or two. It
was not like I'd be missing out on much. And Hogan needed that break more
than I did.
So I kept my acceptance under wraps. I handed over my entire nest egg, that
precious ten grand, to Hogan.
“Why would you keep this from me?”
His voice, demanding and in my face, snapped me back to the present. I forced a
smile and said, “Giving up the study opportunity was my own call, Mr. Zade. No
need to dwell on it. If it really bugs you, just think of it as a fixed deposit at the
Bank of You, and now you're just cashing me out.”
“Xaviera!”
His roar startled me, and there was Hogan, looking at me with this incredulous,
stormy expression.
His eyes were storm clouds, his whole vibe screaming danger. I suddenly figured
that bringing up money right then was a pretty boneheaded move.
“Sorry,” I mustered the sincerest tone I'd use for my cooperative partner.
“Is that all it is, Xaviera March?” He called out my full name again, “Just that?”
For some reason, his question sent a shiver straight to my heart. Being head
over heels wasn't exactly something to brag about. I heard myself asking, “Or
what?”
Hogan snorted a laugh, and then headed for the elevator, claiming while walking
away, “Fine, a fixed deposit it is, then. I'll pay up with top interest, Xaviera. You
won't miss a penny.”
As the elevator doors closed, my legs turned to jelly; and I slumped against the
wall like I'd just been deflated.
Chapter 89
I finally had that “aha” moment. So all those lines he dropped earlier were just a
warm-up act. What he was really itching to ask me about was this.
I played it cool and said, “Well, as Mr. Zade can see, I don’t wanna go, so I just
bail.”
As I spoke, I was a bundle of nerves, gripping my car keys like they were a
lifeline. Flashing through my mind was that day I handed over my hard—saved
money to the study abroad
agency.
The scrutiny for studying abroad wasn't ridiculously strict back then, but there
was this one non-negotiable: the proof of funds. That was the make—or—break
part of the application and there was only so much cash I, a student, could
scrape together.
But the kicker was when the agency told me our total savings would barely cut it
for just one of
us to go.
At the time, I thought, no biggie, with my skills, I could delay it a year or two. It
was not like I'd be missing out on much. And Hogan needed that break more
than I did.
So I kept my acceptance under wraps. I handed over my entire nest egg, that
precious ten grand, to Hogan.
“Why would you keep this from me?”
His voice, demanding and in my face, snapped me back to the present. I forced a
smile and said, “Giving up the study opportunity was my own call, Mr. Zade. No
need to dwell on it. If it really bugs you, just think of it as a fixed deposit at the
Bank of You, and now you're just cashing me out.”
“Xaviera!”
His roar startled me, and there was Hogan, looking at me with this incredulous,
stormy expression.
His eyes were storm clouds, his whole vibe screaming danger. I suddenly figured
that bringing up money right then was a pretty boneheaded move.
“Sorry,” I mustered the sincerest tone I'd use for my cooperative partner.
“Is that all it is, Xaviera March?” He called out my full name again, “Just that?”
For some reason, his question sent a shiver straight to my heart. Being head
over heels wasn't exactly something to brag about. I heard myself asking, “Or
what?”
Hogan snorted a laugh, and then headed for the elevator, claiming while walking
away, “Fine, a fixed deposit it is, then. I'll pay up with top interest, Xaviera. You
won't miss a penny.“
As the elevator doors closed, my legs turned to jelly; and I slumped against the
wall like I'd just been deflated.
Chapter 89
I'd scored another sum of money. I should be thrilled, right? But that night, I
couldn't catch a
wink of sleep.
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Next morning, I got to the office early
and, lo and behold, I bumped Inta
Cecilia at the elevattir (Phegift had
her Porta ied up high, a folder in
her hands, looking all bright—eyed
and bushy—tailed. The content is on
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chapter there!
Didn't look like last night's drama at the party had fazed her. Seeing me, Cecilia
was surprised, “Xaviera, you're up with the birds too?”
Her voice was as sweet as ever. I nodded, “Director Irwin's an early bird, too.”
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I .

Well, after overhearing your chat
with Tack yesterday, I was so mn

» J
embarrassed,’ Cerila Qhanced at me
(Oils “
Se confessed, “So I went
home and crammed all night to get
5 5 ir
up to speed with our project.” The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
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I looked up, my gaze skimming over
Fad o

Cecilia's delicate features, and stayed
quiet. Then carne fidt kext Bombshell,
i ©) a

Btyobkw what, Xaviera? Digging
into it, I actually stumbled upon a

5 . ”

massive bug in our game.” The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!