Chapter 105
“Not at all,” the guy was all business in his tone.
Cecilia clasped her hands together in delight, sincerely wishing, “For my first wish, I hope that for every hundred days from now on, Hogan can stick by my side.”
After she said that, she looked at Hogan with all the feels, waiting for his comeback.
I was super curious too, wondering how Hogan would respond to such a straight–up confession. But Hogan, instead of replying, shot back with, “And what’s your second wish?”
Cecilia hesitated, treading carefully, “If it’s cool with you, Hogan, I’d like to bury the hatchet with Candy.”
The mention of Candy perked me right up, but when I looked up, I found myself locked in Hogan’s deep, unfathomable eyes.
In the dimly lit private room, our gazes inexplicably collided. It was like we were in sync or something.
And in his eyes, I caught a glimpse of teasing and a dash of sarcasm.
“Hogan,” Cecilia tugged at Hogan’s arm to snag his attention back, “I know you’re feeling for me, but look, I’m happier right now than anyone else in the world. Can’t we just let bygones be bygones?”
Hogan leaned in to look at Cecilia, paused for a sec, and then relented, “I have no idea what to do with you.”
His voice was soft; seemed like he was on board with making peace, just like Cecilia had promised me.
It should’ve been a happy moment, right? So why the heck wasn’t I feeling it? It just showed me, once again, how important Cecilia was to Hogan.
After the ceremony, Darren suggested we toast to Hogan and Cecilia
“Much obliged to Hogan and Ms. Irwin for your generosity.” He sald earnestly, “Xaviera and I would like to raise a glass to you both.”
Hogan eyed the glass Darren handed him, a slight smirk on his face, and said, “How does this involve Professor Yearwood? This mess was Ms. March’s lack of guidance among her team, wasn’t it?”
Darren was caught off guard. I bet Hogan was itching to see where I stood. So I lowered my glass, bowed slightly, and said politely, “Mr. Zade, you’ve got a point there. This drink, I’ll toast to you alone.”
Before he could say anything, I downed it in one go.
One drink followed another. The booze was Hogan’s fave, La Romanée–Conti – good stuff, but
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Chapter 105
after a bit too much, my stomach started to protest.
I excused myself and hit the restroom, dry heaving over the sink for a good while before I felt any better.
Stumbling out of the bathroom, I somehow caught Hogan’s scolding voice.
“Just a simple meal, why all the bells and whistles?” His tone was sharp, each word cutting, “Blacklist this event planning company, no more deals! And you, a ten–thousand–word written self–criticism, not a word less.”
Event planning company? Written self–criticism? So, Hogan wasn’t happy with tonight’s setup and shindig?
But honestly, as an outsider, I’d give it a solid B+. And our girl of the hour, Cecilia, she was clearly having a blast.
So, what exactly was Hogan not digging? Anyway, the big boss’s thoughts weren’t something I could just poke my nose into.
However, just as I was tip–toeing away, Hogan’s deep voice hit my ears again, “Ms. March’s acting skills are getting pretty darn masterful.”
I stopped dead in my tracks, looking up at Hogan, only to see him leaning against the wall, his face obscured by backlight, ambiguous and unclear, with only the dim glow of a half–smoked cigarette between his fingers.
I suddenly found myself at a loss for words. Just as I expected, Hogan had pegged me as the mastermind behind tonight’s so–called coincidence. No point in more talk.
“What’s up, felt like last night’s trick didn’t cut it, so you roped in some reinforcements to try a new angle?”
He kept talking as he walked towards me, and in a flash, I was engulfed in his shadow, “Tell me, you doing all this, Darren’s cool with it?”
