Chapter 134
As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized I was oozing displeasure.
Zachary picked up on it too. His smile froze for a sec, and he tried to smooth things over, “Got it, hangovers are brutal. You were also taking quite a few for Mr. Zade last night, probably still recovering.”
His words seemed more for Hogan’s benefit than mine.
Given our business ties, I couldn’t just throw shade, so I went along with Zachary, saying. “Indeed, I’ll excuse myself.”
“Shouldn’t you grab something to eat first, with a hangover and all?”
His icy tone hit me, and I looked up to see Hogan still sitting there, stone–faced. Maybe it was the aftereffects of the booze, but he looked pale, his sharp profile exuding a distant. unapproachable air.
At the thought of the chat I’d overheard, my heart sank bit by bit. Yeah. Hogan, always on top of the game, even at the poker table he was the one setting the rules. Was him inviting me to dine some kind of favor?
I couldn’t help but tug the corners of my lips, keeping my distance. “Thanks for the offer, Mr. Zade, but I’ll pass.
After saying that, I went to open the door, only to hear him grumble, “Xaviera, have I been spolling you too much these past days?”
My hand froze mid–air on the doorknob. When I looked at Hogan, I saw him staring at me intently with a livid expression.
Our eyes locked, and a dull pain struck my chest, I couldn’t help but retort, “You’ve got quite the sense of humor, Mr. Zade.”
Spolling me? That was rich coming from Hogan.
‘Mrs. Zade, Mr. Zade’s”
“Zachary,” I cut him off, dead serious, “Call me Ms. March.”
I noticed, with every word I spoke, the anger in his eyes deepened. But I was at my limit.
Even if he was the money man, so what? With things having come this far, I wasn’t naive enough to think we could end things amicably.
It was a standoff, silent, Hogan and I just staring at each other, neither of us uttering another word. Until the doorbell rang, breaking the silence.
And then Shirley’s bubbly voice filtered in, “Mr. Zade, you up?”
My mind was a mess. It was like whatever I dreaded most was bound to happen.
docomo
OKIOMI 134
Shirley was always lukewarm towards me, and seeing me in Hogan’s room first thing in the morning, I’d be screwed, unable to clear my name even if I put all my efforts into explanation.
“Mr. Zade, not up yet?”
The soft voice pressed on my ears. I steadied myself, glanced at Hogan sitting by the dining table, who was cool as a cucumber, like nothing was wrong.
Realizing my own slip–up, I steadied myself and decided to go all in, opening the door right in front of Hogan.
Shirley saw me, her voice hitching in her throat, the smile on her face fading a bit. “Ms. March is
here too.”
After sizing me up, her sly eyes landed on the hotel slippers I hadn’t had time to change out of. Then she hall–joked, “Ms. March, you’re here early.”
At that, my temples started throbbing, my heart instantly sinking. I knew then, the harmony I’d tried to maintain was as shattered as a broken mirror.
And the instigator? He was still sitting there, all high and mighty, sipping his hangover soup.
