Echoes of Unrequited Love

“Chill out, Xaviera, I’m totally on top of the company stuff,” Cecilia blurted out, her voice shooting up a few decibels, “I’ll have a word with Hogan and guarantee to nip this issue in the bud before the year’s out, how about that?”

My brows knotted as my gaze landed on Cecilia’s face, and just then I caught that smug sparkle in her almond eyes.

It was fleeting.

And in that flash, a wave of restrained nausea surged up inside me.

It was like a game of poker. Cecilia knew full well that the moment she offered to help persuade Hogan for the company, I wouldn’t be able to turn her down.

As for me, even though I really hated this kind of bargaining, it was still a pretty sweet deal if looking at the bigger picture.

Of course, the premise was that Cecilia genuinely wanted to help.

With that thought, I toned down my voice a bit and said, “Mr. Zade has always been one to keep work and personal life separate. Wouldn’t it be a bit off to bother Director Irwin with this?”

I was throwing her words from yesterday back at her.

Cecilia must have caught the subtext because her smile stiffened before she obediently replied, “Xaviera, if you can find time in your busy schedule to teach me how to make soup, then it’s no biggie for me to persuade Hogan. Plus, you know how he is – all bark and no bite.”

All bark and no bite.

I chewed over the phrase silently, and helplessly curled the corners of my mouth.

I mean, after dealing with Hogan for so long, I’d only ever witnessed his bite, and never have I seen the mythical soft heart of his.

His soft side was probably reserved for Cecilia alone.

Today, with Cecilia bringing Sibyl along, they were clearly here to cash in oh some old favor. Seeing their determination, they’d likely hassle Jason if they didn’t get their way.

After a brief ponder, I replied more amicably, “I’ve almost wrapped up today’s work, and I might be free later.”

At this, Cecilia beamed, and clasped her hands in front of her chest with glee. “You’re the best, Xaviera. Alright, I’ll head to the supermarket later. Oh, what ingredients do we need for the soup?”

At the mention of “crucian carp soup,” I couldn’t help but clench my palms, then responded, “I’ll send you the list of ingredients later.”

Cecilia seemed to take a chill pill, and her demeanor became much more relaxed. She blinked those pretty almond eyes and tentatively asked, “So, are we doing this at your place or mine?”

Her question caught me off guard.

Seems like she was all–in for a bowl of soup.

If she were a bit more observant, she should have guessed that my place was once shared with her current squeeze.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Not interested in satisfying her curiosity, I answered, “Let’s go to your place.”

Cecilia’s eyes curved into a smile, “Okay, I’ll head back first and wait for you, Xaviera.”

When quitting time rolled around, I drove back to my familiar digs and stood in the familiar elevator, stretching out my hand to silently press for Cecilia’s floor.

Her apartment number was perpendicular to mine.

Even the door locks of us were of the same brand.

For some reason, my mood started to get complicated.

After I rang the doorbell, the door quickly opened. Cecilia, donning a tender pink apron, greeted me with a politeness that was almost over the top.

I stood mechanically at the door, stepping into the apartment only to freeze in my tracks.

The interior wasn’t decked out in pink tones but the familiar, chic minimalism.