Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 79

She called Cecilia and me into the office and made things crystal clear.

“Director Irwin, it’s a bummer we can't hit up the party together this time, but don’t sweat it. there'll be plenty more shindigs in the future we can crash,” | reassured her.

Cecilia's eyelids drooped as she murmured, “I'll roll with whatever Wallis says.

After dropping that, she ducked out of the office, her face a billboard for disappointment.

| thought, if Hogan caught a glimpse of that, he’d probably be all torn up inside.

Wallis saw it too and, with a ton on her mind, muttered, “This ain’t over yet.”

| looked at her, and when our eyes met, she added, “Cecilia brought it up in the work chat, remember? Hogan's in that chat too.” | got Wallis’s drift; she figured Cecilia did it on purpose.

| had a bad feeling about it too.

But sometimes what you dread just heads your way, and just before quitting time. Wallis sent me a screenshot of her chat with Zachary.

[Mr. Zade’s idea is to have President Lott figure out a way to bring Ms. Irwin to the soirée tomorrow night.] Zachary was being all subtle, but Wallis and | couldn’t miss the subtext. Only two could go to the party, and Hogan was asking Wallis to pick between me and Cecilia.

Wallis was livid, “Usually playing favorites is one thing, but what’s the deal with tomorrow night? What's a green girl with no degree got to do with it? Has Hogan lost his mind to lust or what?”

Wallis shot down Zachary’s suggestion, “The company’s ours, and as the boss, | sure as hell get to call the shots on this.” | knew she was sticking up for me.

But | also knew if it was Hogan’s wish, he’d move heaven and earth to see it done.

| didn’t want Wallis in the line of fire, so | took the initiative to ring him up.

“Ms. March, what’s up?”

| hesitated for two beats before asking. “Mr. Zade, you got a sec? About tomorrow night’s bash. I’d like a word.”

There was a pause on the other end before | heard Hogan ask, “Where?”

He was all business, like he couldn’t stand wasting words.

| picked the same coffee shop Hilary had booked for our meet-up the day before.

Half an hour later, Hogan and | were sitting face to face, the man’s expression stony as he waved away the menu, cutting to the chase. “I’ve got ten minutes, I’m taking Cecilia dress shopping after.”

The words “dress shopping” clogged my throat.

So. Hogan wasn’t giving us an inch, huh?

“Well?” Hogan saw | was speechless, his brow furrowed, “Ms. March, what is it you want to say?”

| tried to reason with him, “Mr. Zade, you’re a man of stature. Surely, getting Cecilia into a party isn’t too tough for you?” “I've said it before.” Hogan’s gaze was icy, “I don’t want her to be the subject of gossip.”

I clenched the mug tight, forcing calm, and blurted out, “Mr. Zade, are you dead set on passing the invite to Director Irwin?*.

Hogan stressed, “It’s not about passing it on. Ms. March, you should understand that the opportunity goes to whom the person in charge decides.”

And he was that person in charge, wasn’t he? | figured if Wallis and | defied him, Hogan had a hundred ways to make us fall in line. And | had no intention of risking the company’s future over something so trivial.

l arched an eyebrow and managed a strained smile, “Mr. Zade, if your mind’s made up, then let’s talk turkey.”