Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 13
The meal was so bland I could hardly taste a thing.
I was gritting my teeth, hanging out with Hilary for a quick drink.
Hogan didn’t join in; between us, we barely exchanged a few words during the
entire dinner.
But his phone was buzzing non-stop.
Hogan wasn't annoyed, though. He patiently replied to each message, a smirk
occasionally crossing his lips, barely touched his food, too.
Didn't need a crystal ball to know who was blowing up his messages.
Hilary saw it all the worry in her eyes growing by the minute. Seizing the chance
when Hogan stepped out, she vented to me, “Xaviera, what's gotten into Hogan?
He's acting like he’s possessed or something.”
I got it.
After all, the old Hogan wouldn't dream of spending all his time texting back and
forth.
Now he had changed.
After the meal, the Zade family’s driver was waiting outside the restaurant. Hilary
glanced at Hogan, still buried in his messages, and instructed, “It's late. You take
Xaviera home.”
Hogan acted as if he heard nothing..
I found myself an out, “Mrs. Hilary, I've called a ride.”
A flicker of guilt crossed Hilary's eyes, rare for her.
Soon, it was just me and Hogan left in front of the restaurant. I was app when
Hogan's deep voice reached my ears, “Let's go.”
I looked at him, surprised, realizing he meant to drive me home.
“Thanks, Mr. Zade, but I've got a ride.”
firing up the rideshare
Hogan stopped in his tracks, he calmly studying my face, then said with a hint of
sarcasm, “What, worried your boyfriend will get the wrong idea?”
I dropped the act.
I mean, why waste seven or eight bucks on a ride if I could help it?
I'd got to say, the comfort of a luxury car was hard to beat.
And sure enough, no sooner had I settled into the passenger seat than my
eyelids started squabbling with each other.
I'd been running on fumes for two or three days straight, and the alcohol was
nudging me
1/2
11:38
Chapter 11
towards sleep.
Somehow, Hogan picked up on that and said softly. “Sleep. I'll wake you when
we get there.”
His voice was unexpectedly kind.
I hesitated for a mere two seconds before sleep snatched away my willpower.
I didn’t know how much time passed, but I vaguely heard the vibration of a phone
and cracked
my eyes open.
Through the fuzziness, I saw Hogan up close.
He was staring at me.
But those familiar eyes weren't sharp and cold as before; they were tender as
water.
Illusion or reality?
The familiar scent of soap filled my nostrils.
The crisp fragrance was eroding my senses in this confined space.
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My gaze drifted down, and I noticed
Hogan's usually neat nlaihe eame
a spmepoit révealing a
osdh of pale skin and the edge of his
straight collarbone. The content is on
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Just like in countless dreams, he sat there, reserved and alluring.
But if this was a dream, why would those cool eyes suddenly flicker with a vivid
spark?
Oddly out of character.
The night was silent, and we just looked at each other quietly.
But a dangerous vibe was growing like mildew after rain, uncontrollably
burgeoning deep within
1. me.
My heart fluttered, my breathing grew heavy.
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My sanity started to crumble, and
next thing I knew, ot and reacted
ou on it§ QW, Ga ing Hogan's tie
and pulling him closer. The content is
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It was just a dream, right?
My breaths were erratic as I heard myself whisper, “Babe.”
In an instant, the scorching breath brushed my neck, too real to be a dream.
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I belatedly tried to pull back, but
Hogan's icy fingers. grippedney m
Et
possessive. The content is on
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No, this wasn’t a dream.
My eyes snapped open, and as Hogan leaned in, I turned my face away without
a second thought.