SWNOVELS Chapter 9
Chapter 9
“Hogan, talk about a coincidence.” Hilary stuttered while kicking off the
conversation, “Xaviera’s back in Rivertown, and she’s got herself a boyfriend.”
Elders sure know how to hit the nail on the head.
But this topic didn't tickle Hogan's fancy. He just glanced indifferently at his watch
and reminded her, “The auction's about to start.”
“Shoot, almost forgot why we're here.” Hilary said enthusiastically, grabbing my
hand, “Xaviera, let's do lunch sometime soon, and bring your boyfriend along so I
can give him the once—over.”
Just polite chit—chat. I didn't take it to heart, just nodded along to play nice.
But Hilary
ry seemed to feel that wasn’t enough, shooting Hogan a look and saying, “Come
on, say
something, will you?”
Hogan let out a cold snort, “You two close or something?”
The temperature in the room dropped to freezing in an instant.
But Hogan was right, without him, Hilary and I were like two ships passing in the
night.
I found my own way out, “Mrs. Hilary, Mr. Zade, I've got to run.”
It took me a moment to muster that line.
I'd paid my dues to the money god, now it was time to make my exit.
In the background, I could vaguely hear Hilary asking, “Why does Xaviera call
you Mr. Zade?"
There was a hint of probing in her tone.
I rubbed my throbbing temples and silently headed to the home appliances
section.
It was half an hour later when I finally bought an air purifier. The vendor was
decent enough to offer free delivery, which put me at ease as I headed
downstairs.
When I passed the third—floor food court in the elevator, a lively crowd headed
my way, led by none other than class rep Darren.
Dressed in a black collared jacket over a white tee, dark casual pants, and
sporting silver-rimmed glasses, he looked every bit the family man.
Truth be told, he didn't join a big company after college but stayed on campus to
teach.
If I was not mistaken, those tagging along were probably his students.
He had always been Mr. Popular.
I was debating whether to say hi when Darren spotted me.
He walked briskly towards the elevator, smiling, “Xaviera, what are the odds?”
11:37
Chapter 9
His young companions followed suit, their curious eyes on me. One of them
joked, “Professor. Yearwood, you're quite the charmer, aren't you?”
“Cut it out.” he said with his usual humility, “She's Xaviera, my former classmate.
Technically, she’s your senior.”
The youngsters straightened up and chorused, “Hello, Xaviera!”
Their antics were amusing.
When we hit the ground floor, the bunch scattered like they'd planned it, not
before asking me to look after their Professor Yearwood.
Darren had been drinking.
We headed to the parking lot together, and I called him a ride.
He asked when I wasn't getting in, “Aren't you joining?”
“Not on my way.” I said truthfully, not wanting to burden him, “I've called for a
ride.”
Darren sighed, stepping out of the car but now holding a beige plaid business
bag.
“Thanks for the website help last time,” he said earnestly, “Consider this a token
of my gratitude.”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
Whether by coincidence or not, the
bag matched my Sa om
Perea Ityvasi hely afted,
hig quality leather, obviously
expensive. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
I declined, “This isn't right, I hardly did anything.”
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“Is it not to your liking?” Darren's tone
was one of gale eR
ne Sdefis Tm no good
atpicking gifts.” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
“That's not what I meant.”
“Then take it,” he insisted unusually firmly, “I was presumptuous this time, can we
not make a habit of it?"
After showing a face like he was ready to reflect on his actions, I knew I had to
accept the kindness, so I nodded reluctantly.
Only then did Darren seem reassured, getting back in the car but reminding me
to message him once I got home.
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Watching the car fade away. I turned
towards the subway entranced,
after Justa gauelof ips, the crisp
sb hdof a lighter caught my
attention. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
I glanced over, puzzled, and there was Hogan, not too far off.
His face flickered uncertainly through the wafting smoke.
I moved forward without a word, only to hear his chilling voice, “Is that the new
design you've picked out?”
11:37
Hogan's gaze rested on the business bag in my hand as he spoke.