Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 111

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The mealing wrapped up with Hogas mira the Cecilia’s starving card, and despite Morgan’s best torts to keep up for a mea. Hogwww.hawngary df 11.From NôvelDrama.Org.

an Cleary, during this round of negotiation, with just a few warnin. Hogati flipped the script au ma shali Ptuation 50 W stuck

Out in the parking for the three of us stoods de by side (djust found out from Hasan—phone that Zachary was stuck at the intersection delore alcking him and Cell playing the waiting pame with their.

| noticed Cecilia was feeling low ever since we lett Morhies office, and now she seemed downright debates

The girl was at open book, hanging her head distilledly, nel face a billbound for her barrimed. — mood

Hogan caught oil too, and lished with a touch of concern, “Time47*:

Cicilia glanced my way with a half-hearted lock before sighing softly. That will when it hitimis that | was the third wheel big time Sa played it cool i said. Sorry Mr. Zade got an energinity fu ruh tail:

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Morgan’s vibe was a bit more chill than before. | thought by now we'd have something to show for all the hassle, but then he pulled a 180 and went. “But we all know FreeMan’s a hot-head, right? Unless the guy himself is down for a collab, no one else can call the shots for him.”

He kept it real, leaving some wiggle room, and was totally sincere — obviously putting on a show for Hogan. | couldn't for the life of me figure out if Morgan was playing it straight or just blowing smoke,

“No biggie, collabs are all about the vibe from both sides.” Hogan, who'd been as silent as a grave, finally piped up with his gravelly voice, “If our gig doesn’t float FreeMans boat, dragging him into a partnership ain’t cool. Right, Ms. March?”

Hogan’s sudden hardball stance caught me off-guard for a short while, but | rolled with it. “Mr. Zade’s got a point. But something tells me FreeMan’s gonna be stoked about our project once he gets the lowdown. What's your take, Mr. Paisley?”

| played it both ways, good cop, bad cop. Hogan and | had two different attitudes. He was the money man; he’d got the clout to be tough. Me? | was just a grunt, so | gotta keep it humble.

We complemented each other like peanut butter and jelly, so in sync it even surprised me. And Morgan, Mr. High—and—Mighty, finally showed a crack in his armor when he saw this dynamic

duo in action.

Guessed he couldn’t take the heat. After all Hogan’s presence alone was enough to make anyone sweat, even if he just sat there and did nothing.

The meeting wrapped up with Hogan pulling the “Cecilia's starving” card, and despite Morgan's best efforts to keep up for a meal, Hogan wasn’t having any of it.

Clearly, during this round of negotiation, with just a few words. Hogan flipped the script on our

whole situation.

Out in the parking lot, the three of us stood side by side. I’d just found out from Hogan’s phone that Zachary was stuck at the intersection before picking him and Cecilia up, so | was stuck playing the waiting game with them.

| noticed Cecilia was feeling low ever since we left Morgan’s office, and now she seemed downright deflated. The girl was an open book, hanging her head dispiritedly, her face a billboard for her bummed mood. Hogan caught on too, and asked with a touch of concern, “Tired?”

Cecilia glanced my way with a half-hearted look before sighing softly. That was when it hit me that | was the third wheel, big time.

So, playing it cool, | said. “Sorry Mr. Zade, got an emergency to run to.”

10:48-7

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At those words. Cecilia’s long eyelashes fluttered, her face flickering with delight, “You're not joining us for lunch, Xaviera?”

“Nah.” | turned her down without missing a beat, ‘Don’t really know my way around this parking lot; I'll head out and find my spot.”

gave myself a solid excuse to bounce. But as | hit the corner, | realized I’d left my phone back in Morgan’s office and had to U- turn.

Passing the spot where Hogan and Cecilia were, | couldn’t help but sneak a peek. Cecilia was giving Hogan the puppy eyes, choking up, “I just wanted to help share the load for you today. but it feels like you’ve got a better thing going with Xaviera. I’m just there, like an outsider: can’t even get a word in.”