Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 39

When she heard my response, Cecilia’s expression clearly froze for a sec.

She couldn’t squeeze out a word for the longest time.

Then Hogan couldn’t stand it anymore, gave me a quick look and said to her, “Just be yourself. no need to copy anyone.” When Hogan said “anyone,” his piercing gaze landed right on my face.

Talk about beating around the bush.

Cecilia looked at him, all surprised and fluttery eyelashes.

Guess she was touched.

| didn’t want to waste my time watching this soap opera unfold, so | said “Excuse me,” turned on my heel and left. Turned out | actually found that dry cleaner Cecilia mentioned.

At three in the afternoon, the owner of the dry cleaners gave me a ring, saying my suit was ready.

| thought about it for a moment and dialed Darren’s number.

Soon after, the call connected, and | heard Darren ask in a hushed voice. “Xaviera, what's up?”

He sounded pretty worried.

Only then did | realize the timing of my call might not have been great. | said, with a hint of apology. “You free tonight? Your coat’s all clean, | can drop it off.”

“Sure,” Darren answered decisively, “How about after six?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Works for me.”

We set the time, and there | was, carrying the suit to N University.

It had only been two years, but being back in this place, filled with memories of Hogan and my youth, | felt like a lifetime ago. Underneath the academic building. Darren approached me in a light brown trench coat, puffing and panting, “Been waiting long?” “Nope.” | handed him the suit, asking. “Didn't interrupt your work, did |?”

Darren rolled his eyes at me. “Got your head stuck in coding? It’s off-duty hours now.”

It didn’t feel right to just take off, so | offered, “Well, Darren, let me treat you to dinner.”

Darren smiled contentedly. “Wouldn't say no to that.”

But who would’ve thought, Darren took me to the student cafeteria to the spaghetti section.

12:20:

“Ketchup spaghetti?”

| was a bit surprised.

That was my go-to comfort food during my college days—cheap and filling, but how did Darren know?

When we sat down, Darren also got me an extra cup of hot milk.

“Are you trying to save me some cash?”

Darren passed me some disposable cutlery and said, “Not really, just been craving this spaghetti for a while.”

Seeing | didn’t say anything, he reminded me, “Finish your spaghetti, and the milk too, okay?”

Suddenly, | pictured Darren back in college, herding us all to do morning exercises with the discipline book, dubbed ‘Nanny Darren by the students, and | couldn't help but laugh.

Darren looked at me, puzzled, and explained, “Just remembered how you used to take care of everyone back in the day, Darren

No sooner had | finished, Darren ficked my forehead gently with his finger, “Xaviera, focus on your food.”

After eating. | headed back to the studio, only to bump right into Hogan as | walked in.

| stepped back, knowing my place, but his cool voice hovered near my ear. “Date’s over?” Date?

| was clueless.

Just then, Cecilia carpe out with her chain bag, saw me, and first her gaze sharpened, then she smiled and said, “Xaviera, are you and Professor Yearwood dating now?”

She actually called Darren Professor Yearwood. But why the sudden change of title? “We're just...”

“| get it,” Cecilia cut me off before | could finish, winked at me and said. “The forums are buzzing, saying you and Professor Yearwood are a perfect match.”

| had no idea how my trip to N University sparked this gossip. But considering Darren, | still explained, “We're just friends.” “Oh,” Cecilia replied, her voice sweet and coy, “I don’t think Professor Yearwood sees it that

way.

She drew out the last words, all innocent-like.