Echoes of Unrequited Love

I had a night when I just played it cool, like nothing happened.

Back in the day, I might’ve taken a moment to clear the air with Hogan, but now, it feels like there’s no need to make a fuss about it.

It’s just a bowl of soup. If Hogan put his mind to it, this little hiccup wouldn’t even make him

break a sweat.

Why should I bother?

Especially now, with the timing being so delicate, if I went out of my way to butter him up, people might take it the wrong way and think I’ve got an ulterior motive or something.

I’m better off spending my time on work.

But what I didn’t see coming was that Cecilia didn’t keep at me. Instead, the gal went off to Jason’s hospital room. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

And she brought her mom, Sibyl, along for the ride.

When I pushed open the hospital room door, there was Sibyl, ladling out soup for Jason with all the warmth in the world. It was lunchtime, and his little table was decked out with a full

spread–chicken, fish, you name it. Quite the feast.

Seeing me, Sibyl flashed a big grin and came over, chuckling, “Ms. March, what brings you here? Hope Cecilia and I aren’t cramping your style at work.”

“You’re looking out for Jason–that’s something I should be thanking you for,” I replied, trying hard to keep my voice even and to keep my discomfort at bay.

Then Sibyl went, “Ms. March, you’re too kind. You’ve always looked out for Cecilia at the company. It’s only right we come to see Jason, isn’t it?”

Yep, the mother–daughter duo dropping by to see Jason without giving me a heads–up–pretty

sly.

Picking up the fish from the table, I calmly said, “The wound’s heating up, and the doc’s already warned against eating anything too ‘rich.‘ You forgot about that, Jason?”

After handing the fish to the nurse, I caught Sibyl and Cecilia’s gaze, who both seemed taken aback.

Sibyl was quicker on the uptake; she clapped her hands and said, “Hey, look at me, my memory’s just not what it used to be. Ms. March, please don’t be mad. I just wanted to give Jason a bit of a boost, my bad.”

I forced a smile and said, “We appreciate the thought, but the doctor said Jason needs lots of rest.”

Sibyl paused, probably not expecting me to be so upfront, and then she nodded, “You’re right,

10:58

Ms. March. Cecilia, didn’t you have something to discuss with Ms. March? Why don’t you two step outside?”

Reminded by Sibyl, Cecilia awkwardly pulled a smile and glanced at me timidly, “Xaviera, is that okay?”

I had a hunch that this mother–daughter duo had an angle, so Cecilia’s question didn’t surprise

1. me.

Out in the corridor, Cecilia fidgeted with the hem of her clothes and gave me a cautious look before murmuring, “Xaviera, about yesterday–I was wrong. Can we just let bygones be bygones?”

With her voice being soft, and her eyes downcast, she was the picture of a wounded little flower.

“It’s cool, I get it. You’ve been under a lot of pressure lately.”

I knew Hilary’s type all too well. If she wanted the moon from the bottom of the sea, she’d make everyone around her jump through hoops to fetch it. Time and again, it’s no surprise that Cecilia couldn’t take it.

And wasn’t she the one who got splashed with fish soup last night?

Cecilia breathed a sigh of relief at my response and mumbled, with her head hanging, “Not gonna lie, Xaviera, I’ve been having a tough time lately.”

I glanced at the young woman and got straight to the point, “So what exactly does Director Irwin want to talk to me about?”

Cecilia looked up, all stunned, and after a moment’s freeze, she said pitifully, “I know you’re great at cooking, Xaviera. I was hoping to learn how to make soup from you.”

The word “soup” almost made me burst out laughing.

So that’s what this was all about.

“The key to making soup is all about the simmer. It takes time with a gentle flame,” I said, not calling it out though I’ve seen right through her, “But you know how things are at the company right now, Director Irwin. I’m afraid I don’t have the luxury to hold your hand through it.”