Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 32

| went back to my place boiling with anger.

After coming out of the bathroom, | noticed my phone lighting up like a Christmas tree. It wasn’t until I got closer

that | could see the number flashing on the screen.

Curse my good memory-| recognized it as Hogan's number in a heartbeat.

But why the sudden call at this hour?

After hesitating for a few seconds, | answered the call anyway.

“Are you home?” The man’s voice was hoarse, tinged with weariness.

Playing dumb, | asked, “Who's this?”

There was a pause on the other end before | heard Hogan ask, “Xaviera, did you delete my number too?”

Deleted. Two years ago.

And | never saved it again.

He should have seen it coming: Hogan was smart enough to figure that out.

Rubbing my temples, | asked, “Is there something you need, Mr. Zade?”

Then Hogan went silent.

0

With the wind chill from my walk hgivinga splitting headache, my patience was thinner than usual. He

wasn't talking, and | wasn’t in the mood to wait, so | said, “If there's nothing else, I'm going to get srest.”

histone

“Addback on your Whatfriend list,” Hogan finally spoke, his tone on the gruffer side.

Then my hand froze mid-temple rub.

Then | heard him say, “Today's effort shouldn't go to waste for you, Ms. March.”

Ah, that’s what this was about.

He was calling to pass on Cecilia's thanks.

| wasn’t sure exactly which incident he meant.

But whatever it was, | wasn’t about to turn down a perk that landed in my lap.

| flattered, “Mr. Zade, you're too kind. Just a moment.”

Before | could finish, he had already hung up.

12

12:18

Moments later, a notification popped up-a transfer notification.

Followed by a voice message.

Just as | was about to play it, the message was retracted.

After a two-second ponder, | sent Hogan a bowing emoji as a thank you.

Suddenly, | didn’t feel so choked up inside.

Thanks to Cecilia.

The next day was business as usual at work. As soon as | walked into the office, Zora at the front desk told me,

“Xaviera, Director Irwin is in the meeting room; the meeting starts at ten.”

I was a bit dazed.

When | saw Cecilia in the meeting room, she explained, “Xaviera, you forgot? The interface color adjustment we

discussed yesterday.”

She spoke so naturally, and just so happened to be overheard by Candy walking into the meeting room.

Candy, our art department head, a young art school grad about Cecilia's age, looked atand asked, “Xaviera,

what's this about?”

| was planning to discuss this with Candy when Wallis got back, but it seemed the meeting couldn't wait.

So Cecilia, Candy. Jack, and | all entered the meeting room.

After hearing the case. Candy exploded. “I spent two whole months on that interface, and now just because she

says so, we're supposed to change it?”

Her words were directed atbut her dissatisfaction was aimed at Cecilia.

Just as | was about to explain, Cecilia spoke up. “This decision was made by Mr. Zade, Xaviera, and myself. If

you're getting paid, shouldn't you be willing to make the changes?”

Her tone was gentle, but between the lines, there was an unusual air of haughtiness:

Candy, incredulous, retorted, “So what? Throwing money around is impressive? I'm not unwilling to change it,

but I just think the pink is tacky, you get that?”

Cecilia's cheeks flushed a fiery red, “Without funding, this project wouldn't even be possible.”

Hearing that, | inwardly cursed. Before | could intervene, | saw Candy stand up, “Whoever wants to do it, do it.

I'm not your maid!”

| hurried to stop her but heard Cecilia’s sobs behind me.

Turning around, | saw her in tears.

| sighed, handing her a tissue, and gently said, “Director Irwin, | know you're thinking of the project, but we're all

on the steam here, and we need to be more careful with our words.”

Using Hogan might be a deterrent, but a company’s cohesion wasn’t built on external pressure but on each

member's heartfelt passion..

Like Candy, willingly working overtat hout of love for the project

But Cecilia shot back at me. “So Xaviera, you think I'm wrong too?”

All I could do was console her, “Don’t worry, I'll handle it.”

After this episode, the whole stuwas inexplicably shrouded in gloom

That afternoon, | called Candy and asked her to meetat the coffee shop downstairs.

“Xaviera, you know how much | care about this project. Candy spoke indignantly. “Cecilia can act all cute in front

of the investor, but when it comes to work, she doesn’t deserve the title of gdirector. And now she even

wants to meddle in my jcc.”

| soothed her, “Taste is subjective, but if the investor has given the green light, let's take the good and leave the

bad. Plus, I trust in your abilities-this is just a minor hurde, right?”

Candy sighed, looked at me, and said, “Xaviera, I'm doing this for you. You know our interface is fine.”

That's when I finally relaxed, but then | looked up and saw Hogan and Cecilia standing not far

away.

| had no idea when they arrived or how much they'd heard.

Hogan had a dark expression, while Cecilia bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears.

A bad feeling washed over me.

The next second, | heard Cecilia's choked voice, “Xaviera, is this really how you guys see me?”

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