Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 69

Capitalists sure didn’t just hand out their cash willy-nilly.

| responded with a “Roger that. Mr. Zade” and then hung up the phone. Now, I'd totally lost the mood to watch any movies.

The next afternoon, Hogan hit me up on WhatsApp asking about my progress. | sent him a screenshot and it took him a while to reply. [Swing by Rainbow Capital later, let’s talk face-to-face]

He seemed pretty serious.

| had no choice but to cook up some excuse to leave right after work.

In the president's office. | ran into Zachary again.

“| was wondering why Mr. Zade suddenly canceled tonight's plans, turns out he’s got a date with you, huh?”

He got it wrong again.

But Hogan had plans tonight?

Looks like he really went the extra mile to whip up this surprise for Cecilia.

Once in the office, Hogan was still buried in work, so | didn’t dare to disturb him. | just sat by the coffee table, coding and waiting. “How’s the progress?”

His deep voice echoed by my ear, and when | looked up, ready to reply, | realized Hogan was standing right by my side, leaning in close.

We were so near | could even see his freshly trimmed stubble.

The crisp and sharp scent of soap enveloped me, making my heart skip a beat.

“I've sent both versions to your email.”

Hogan didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving, simply saying, “Open it up, let's see.”

| reluctantly pulled up the webpage.

After he looked it over, he was not impressed, “Tacky.”

I'd used Cecilia’s favorite, dreamy pink.

| was sure Cecilia would love it, but cautiously suggested, “Maybe we should get Director Irwin’s take on it?” “No need,” Hogan said firmly, pointing at several button widgets, “Change these, and this, to a different color.” 09:54

The cash cow had spoken; what could | say? | just had to follow orders.

But when | showed Hogan the revisions, he frowned slightly and said, “How about a gradient?”

It sounded similar to my first version.

If | didn’t know better about Hogan’s picky nature from the get-go, I’d think he was just messing

with me.

Luckily, my tech skills weren’t just for show, but by the time | was done, it was pitch dark outside.

“If there’s nothing else. Mr. Zade. I'll take my leave.”

“It’s late. I'll give you a ride.”

| figured he probably wanted to swing by Cecilia’s.

But considering the delicate nature of our relationship. | made up an excuse, “I need to head back to the office.”

| saw Hogan’s hand holding the car keys pause momentarily.

Stepping out of Rainbow Capital | breathed a sigh of relief and looked at my palm, only to find a thin layer of sweat. | guess Hogan was just too upfront to have considered keeping a distance from me.

He could afford to be that way, but | sure didn’t want to invite trouble.

So the next morning. | gently informed Hogan that I’d caught a cold by accident and would have to update him online. Hogan didn’t reply. ¢

That night, alone in the empty office, warming my hands with a heater, | happily tapped away at the keyboard. Then the door chime rang, and my brows knitted together in surprise.

Hogan had actually shown up.

| cleared my throat and pointed towards Cecilia’s office. “Director Irwin has already left for the day.”

Hogan stepped closer, placing a few boxes of medicine in front of me. “I’m here to see you, Ms. March.”

| looked down and, lo and behold, the boxes read ‘Cold Granules‘. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.