Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 162

| should've known these trust—fund types loved to get all fancy with their games, so | dodged a bullet by skipping ‘Truth or Dare.* But man, | never saw it coming — they really didn’t treat me like an outsider.

As Timothy’s plus one, | totally got how tricky that question was.

If | sang his praises, I'd practically be spreading rumors in front of everyone. But saying no would put Timothy in an awkward spot.

Talk about a rock and a hard place.

After hesitating for a couple of seconds, | reached for a glass of booze on the table.

Since | couldn’t say squat, | guessed I'd just have to take a penalty drink as an apology.

But before my hand even got halfway. Timothy stopped me, “Mess with me all you want, but why give her a hard time?” “Come on, Timothy, don’t be like that. We’re just playing a game,” the asker said with a smirk, “What, are you chicken?” Timothy raised an eyebrow and said coolly, “Of course not!”

“Xaviera, rein your man in, will ya?” the girl next to the rich boys chimed in, “If the max score for kissing is a ten, what would you rate Timothy?”

| glanced at Timothy and saw a flicker of impatience in his eyes. He said, “Enough already, how could we share that kind of private stuff with you all? Here, I'll take a penalty. Three shots okay for you?”

“No way, Timothy. Do you always have to play the knight in shining armor for your girlfriend?” the rich kid immediately protested, “If you're gonna play like that, we'll just have to spice up your drink.”

As he spoke, he started mixing a few different spirits into the glass in front of Timothy, clearly looking to pull a prank. Timothy didn’t flinch and said, “You're out to get me, huh? Alright, if | don’t drink it all, call me a sissy.”

After he rolled up his sleeves and geared up to chug it down, | couldn’t help but feet bad and blurted out, “Eight. I'd give an eight out of ten.”

| wasn’t loud, but as soon as the words were out, everyone froze like they were hit by

14

a stun gun.

| felt a tad awkward and when | glanced over, | locked eyes with Hogan’s deep, inscrutable gaze.

| saw a frown on his face and a chilly air about him.

Was | imagining it?

“Seems like Xaviera thinks highly of Mr. Temple,” Cecilia said in a soft, sweet voice, “That’s quite enviable.” The last bit was aimed at Hogan.

The man looked at Cecilia and retorted, “Looks like | need to step up my game, otherwise my own girlfriend might start getting jealous of others.”

His tone was casual, with no hint of anything off.

Makes sense — he was Hogan, after all, a man with his heart’s desire. Why would he be bothered by my insignificant remarks? Then there’s Cecilia, opening and closing her mouth, mumbling, “No way, I’m just happy for Xaviera.”

Happy for me?

Happy about what exactly?

| didn’t respond, just changed the subject by spinning the empty bottle.

The game went on for another round, everyone was getting tipsy, and the mood was heating up. Suddenly, the bottle pointed straight at Hogan without warning.

“Mr. Zade, truth or dare?”

The asker was buzzed and looked eager.

Hogan swirled his drink nonchalantly and said, “Dare.”

As soon as he spoke, the crowd got rowdy, “That's the big boss of Rainbow Capital for you — bold as brass!”

“So what's the dare for Mr. Zade?”

“I've got an idea,” the asker’s eyes flitting between Hogan and Cecilia, “Choose a lady. among the ladies present and give her a passionate kiss for three minutes!”

This was obviously a free pass for Hogan. 2/3Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

11:00

And that was when | started to admire the sharpness of these high rollers.