I've been a loyal follower of Hogan Zade for six years, but it never earned me a second glance from him. After a long separation, that girl smiled and told me, "The one who isn't loved is the third party." He smiled and took her hand. At that moment, I realized all sincerity is just a joke. It wasn't until I chose to let go and get married to someone else that he, with tears in his eyes, said, "Don't go, I beg you." My love faded away, while the flames of his passion blazed brighter than ever.

Chapter 1By the time I made it to the alumni gathering, everyone was already having a blast.Among the crowd, Hogan Zade sat solemnly at a round table, bathed in the halo of light refracted from the chandelier above. His prominent nose and sharp features looked as if chiseled from fine jade – cool, aloof, and impeccable.Next to him was a girl with a pretty face.His hand rested casually behind her, every move he made was filled with tenderness.The bottle for truth or dare just happened to point at the girl.A busybody, eager to stir the pot, said in a pleasing tone, "Pick someone of the opposite sex here and kiss for two minutes."After hearing this, the girl shyly bowed her head and gave Hogan a look that practically screamed 'rescue me', and no one's heart would not go out to her.Hogan shot the crowd a look, and in a soft voice said, "Cut it out, she's shy."When he said 'cut it out', nobody dared to push her further. But out of respect for the game rules, Hogan still downed his drink.It was pretty clear he was looking out for her.The teasing and jeering continued, but nobody noticed me standing in the corner.I touched the scar on my wrist, turning away quietly."Xaviera, did you just get here?" Darren Yearwood, the class rep, asked, drawing everyone's attention."It's Hogan's wife."The title I once wore with pride now felt like a joke.In an instant, all eyes were on me. I forced a smile and said calmly, "Long time no see."No response.The room fell into an awkward silence.You could hear a pin drop.After all, Hogan seemed to have found his match now. Who would bother with me, someone who's been fawning over him for six years?My appearance was indeed ill-timed.But then, the girl by Hogan's side broke the ice, "I know you, Xaviera March, the famous top student belle from our department's previous years!"She was sweet-looking and spoke so softly, it was impossible to dislike her."Hi Xaviera, I'm Cecilia Irwin, also from the computer science department," she introduced herself. Then, turning to Hogan, she whispered, "Hogan, why didn't you tell me Xaviera was coming tonight?"Hogan glanced at me indifferently and said with a nonchalant tone, "An insignificant person, why bring her up?"Insignificant.So that was how Hogan saw me.But when I thought about it, he was not wrong.Otherwise, how come I never had the chance to sit by his side openly, even after six years?He never acknowledged me, let alone stand up for me.The irony was, I always thought Hogan, being so reserved and self-controlled, didn't drink.When the party ended, we all headed downstairs.Hogan and Cecilia were surrounded by people at the front.I overheard her tender voice, "I told you to drink less, you see, you're uncomfortable now, right?"Hogan's response was on point, "You know the reason."Cecilia's eyes teared up as she said, "Hogan, don't walk me out, it hurts to see you like this."Whatever Hogan replied made her laugh through her tears instantly.The two of them were lost in each other, oblivious to the world, while I received sympathetic glances from the back row.I was feeling a bit down.I had planned to network with some folks from the investment circle at this alumni event.Now, that plan had fallen through, and I'd been the butt of the joke all evening.Darren couldn't stand it any longer and offered to walk me to the subway entrance."Sorry, I didn't know Hogan would come," Darren said with regret. "He never attends these kinds of gatherings."Darren was telling the truth; Hogan's name wasn't even on the alumni list.I replied evenly, "It's okay, it's all in the past. I'll be counting on you to pull some strings for me in the future."Darren nodded, "I've got your project proposal. I'll contact you as soon as I have news."See, talking business was so much easier than dealing with emotions.An hour later, I was on my way back to my apartment complex with a hangover cure in hand.The elevator door opened, and standing before me was a familiar tall figure. On closer inspection, it was none other than Hogan.He was holding a cigarette, his lighter hanging in mid-air, and his navy-blue striped tie hung loosely around his neck. He looked a bit defeated.Seeing me, his gaze faltered, and his eyes trembled slightly as his lips pressed tightly together.I glanced down, casually withdrew my gaze, and reached out to press the elevator button.Neither of us spoke.Suddenly, a shadow loomed over me, a strong reek of alcohol enveloped me, and I felt a tight grip around my waist as Hogan pulled me into his embrace.His husky voice tickled my ear, "Xaviera, you still care about me, don't you?"As he spoke, Hogan gently nuzzled my neck, his tone laced with a hint of charm.This was something I hadn't experienced in the past six years.I couldn't help but think of how he'd been sweet-talking Ms. Irwin at the party an hour ago.Care about him?That was Cecilia's thing.The heavy scent of booze was a dead giveaway that he was plastered.I lifted my head wearily and reminded him, "Sorry, I'm not Ms. Irwin."Hogan, still holding me, froze for a moment.When our eyes met, I tactfully stepped aside, catching a glimpse of his stiff expression from the corner of my eye.The atmosphere turned awkward for a second.With a "ding," the elevator reached the floor, and I walked out with an expressionless face, faintly aware of his gaze that seemed to follow me.I walked briskly into my apartment, but as the door was about to close, Hogan suddenly barged in, pinning me against the foyer wall.His long legs encroached decisively, and in an instant, I was trapped in his little world."Xaviera, you live here?"Hogan's voice was chilling, a coldness enveloping him.It was the same apartment we'd shared two years ago.I told him the truth, "The landlord said, 'Old customers get a $30 discount each month.'"Thirty bucks, for us corporate drones, every penny counts.Hogan clearly wasn't happy with my answer, sneering, "On purpose?"I flicked on the light and pointed to the newly rearranged interior, retorting, "Does it look like it?"His preferred minimalist style had been replaced by a lively design, completely the opposite.Hogan looked away, furrowed his brows, and after a two-second pause, said, "You need to move out, I'll cover the difference."I wasn't sure what Hogan was still hung up about.All those corners we'd slept in and lived in were long gone, and besides, he wasn't coming back, was he?The next second, Hogan cleared up my confusion, "Cecilia lives upstairs."Well, that explained it.Talk about a small world.No wonder we'd bumped into each other; he must have just seen Cecilia home.He'd gone to great lengths to avoid any misunderstandings on her part."The solution's pretty simple," I glanced at the apartment's dated fixtures and suggested, "You could get Ms. Irwin a better place."Hogan could easily afford a swanky high-rise suite in the CBD with a view of the city lights at night.Money was never an issue for him.Hogan ignored my suggestion, refusing, "I don't want her to be misunderstood."His tone was firm, and had I not witnessed it, I'd have never imagined the aloof Hogan could be so considerate of someone.A sting of pain brushed my heart, and after a moment, I calmly responded, "Sorry, I don't want to move."This place was near the university area, cheap, with a subway line directly to the office – very convenient.But to avoid any unnecessary friction, I said sensibly, "Don't worry, Ms. Irwin and I won't cross paths.""Nor will you and I."I added silently in my mind."You better keep your word."After giving me a warning look, Hogan slammed the door and left.I stood there, feeling a lump in my throat.The jarring ring of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts.It was a call from my boss and friend, Wallis Lott."Get ready, you're coming with me to meet a new investor tomorrow morning."The assertive voice of a thirty-something career woman burst through the receiver, shattering any lingering confusion in my heart.Thinking about the monthly bills, I snapped back to reality.But when Wallis' car pulled up in front of Rainbow Capital, I lost my cool.Rainbow Capital, the rising star in the investment banking scene, and its founder, Hogan.Before hopping out of the car, I learned from Wallis that the chance to meet the big shot was courtesy of her knocking back vodka last night.When it came to her career, she had always been one to go all-in.In fact, I had occasionally caught glimpses of Hogan in the financial news over the past couple of years – the guy with the Midas touch, never taking a hit. Especially after taking over that internet behemoth half a year ago, he had been making waves in the investment world.It was no surprise that the former finance wiz kid has become the darling of the capital scene. It was both expected and totally reasonable.That was also one of the reasons he was the belle of the ball at last night’s alumni gathering.By all accounts, as his ex who was supposed to be out of the picture, I should have kept my distance. But seeing Wallis' face caked in makeup, I bit the bullet and went upstairs.I figured, we were just a no-name indie game studio; Hogan probably wouldn't have the time to meet with us personally.Turned out, my hunch was spot on.Inside the meeting room, three spiffy-looking execs sat in a row, listening patiently to Wallis and me pitching our hearts out.Q&A, back and forth – the whole shebang took a good two hours.One of the execs escorted us downstairs, where Wallis, smooth as ever, made lunch plans with him. I just stood there, grinning awkwardly.Then, a sugary voice hit my ears, "Xaviera, is that really you?"I turned around and there they were – Hogan and Cecilia, not too far away.Hogan was all dressed up, his suit tailored to perfection, enhancing his already impressive stature, with his chiseled features making it hard to look away.Next to him, Cecilia, in a sky-blue blouse and black slacks, exuded both innocence and a touch of sass.On closer inspection, the sapphire cufflinks on Hogan's wrist subtly matched Cecilia's blue earrings.Quite the pair – if you ignored that brief flicker of displeasure in Hogan's hawk-like eyes.As they came closer, Cecilia, ever the curious one, asked me, "Xaviera, are you here to talk business?"Pretty sharp.Wallis, quick on the uptake, sensed something off. Stepping forward, she reached out to Hogan with a grin, "Mr. Zade, I've heard so much about you from Xaviera. It's an honor to finally meet you in person."Standard Wallis schmooze, but today, she was about to hit a brick wall.Sure enough, Hogan gave her a cursory glance and looked past her at me, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, really?"Thinking back to my own overconfident bluster last night, I felt like I wanted to sink into the floor."Have you guys had lunch yet?" Cecilia chimed in enthusiastically. "Our company canteen is legendary. Why don't you stay and eat before you go?"That was when I realized Hogan had already brought Cecilia into his company fold.A priceless opportunity for a senior still in college.He was already looking out for her.I remembered how back in the day, I'd shamelessly seek him out in the library, only to be seated across from him as if I'd tarnish his high-and-mighty image.Back then, I took pride in that, considering it an honor."No, thanks," I managed to find my voice, "we have another appointment soon, so we'll be on our way."After signaling Wallis with a glance, I caught a glimpse of her 'you can't be serious' expression.Once we were back in the car, Wallis stared at me, clearly not amused, "Not going to explain yourself?""He's not going to invest in us," I sighed, "I didn't want you to waste your effort."Wallis frowned, hesitated for a couple of seconds, then her mouth dropped open, "No way, Xaviera, your scumbag ex is Hogan?"The cat was out of the bag."Great," Wallis concluded, "What if Hogan actually reads our project proposal?"We locked eyes, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation.Because in our romance game, one of the lead male characters, the finance genius, was written as a 'simp' – the kind who tried everything he could but never won over the girl he loved.The game's prospects didn't look too bright.All I could hope for now was for Hogan to swiftly toss the project proposal in the bin without a second glance. At least then, we wouldn't be accused of deliberately causing trouble.With Hogan's clout in the investment world, he could indeed make things very difficult for us if he wanted to.Chapter 2By the time I made it to the alumni gathering, everyone was already having a blast.Among the crowd, Hogan Zade sat solemnly at a round table, bathed in the halo of light refracted from the chandelier above. His prominent nose and sharp features looked as if chiseled from fine jade – cool, aloof, and impeccable.Next to him was a girl with a pretty face.His hand rested casually behind her, every move he made was filled with tenderness.The bottle for truth or dare just happened to point at the girl.A busybody, eager to stir the pot, said in a pleasing tone, "Pick someone of the opposite sex here and kiss for two minutes."After hearing this, the girl shyly bowed her head and gave Hogan a look that practically screamed 'rescue me', and no one's heart would not go out to her.Hogan shot the crowd a look, and in a soft voice said, "Cut it out, she's shy."When he said 'cut it out', nobody dared to push her further. But out of respect for the game rules, Hogan still downed his drink.It was pretty clear he was looking out for her.The teasing and jeering continued, but nobody noticed me standing in the corner.I touched the scar on my wrist, turning away quietly."Xaviera, did you just get here?" Darren Yearwood, the class rep, asked, drawing everyone's attention."It's Hogan's wife."The title I once wore with pride now felt like a joke.In an instant, all eyes were on me. I forced a smile and said calmly, "Long time no see."No response.The room fell into an awkward silence.You could hear a pin drop.After all, Hogan seemed to have found his match now. Who would bother with me, someone who's been fawning over him for six years?My appearance was indeed ill-timed.But then, the girl by Hogan's side broke the ice, "I know you, Xaviera March, the famous top student belle from our department's previous years!"She was sweet-looking and spoke so softly, it was impossible to dislike her."Hi Xaviera, I'm Cecilia Irwin, also from the computer science department," she introduced herself. Then, turning to Hogan, she whispered, "Hogan, why didn't you tell me Xaviera was coming tonight?"Hogan glanced at me indifferently and said with a nonchalant tone, "An insignificant person, why bring her up?"Insignificant.So that was how Hogan saw me.But when I thought about it, he was not wrong.Otherwise, how come I never had the chance to sit by his side openly, even after six years?He never acknowledged me, let alone stand up for me.The irony was, I always thought Hogan, being so reserved and self-controlled, didn't drink.When the party ended, we all headed downstairs.Hogan and Cecilia were surrounded by people at the front.I overheard her tender voice, "I told you to drink less, you see, you're uncomfortable now, right?"Hogan's response was on point, "You know the reason."Cecilia's eyes teared up as she said, "Hogan, don't walk me out, it hurts to see you like this."Whatever Hogan replied made her laugh through her tears instantly.The two of them were lost in each other, oblivious to the world, while I received sympathetic glances from the back row.I was feeling a bit down.I had planned to network with some folks from the investment circle at this alumni event.Now, that plan had fallen through, and I'd been the butt of the joke all evening.Darren couldn't stand it any longer and offered to walk me to the subway entrance."Sorry, I didn't know Hogan would come," Darren said with regret. "He never attends these kinds of gatherings."Darren was telling the truth; Hogan's name wasn't even on the alumni list.I replied evenly, "It's okay, it's all in the past. I'll be counting on you to pull some strings for me in the future."Darren nodded, "I've got your project proposal. I'll contact you as soon as I have news."See, talking business was so much easier than dealing with emotions.An hour later, I was on my way back to my apartment complex with a hangover cure in hand.The elevator door opened, and standing before me was a familiar tall figure. On closer inspection, it was none other than Hogan.He was holding a cigarette, his lighter hanging in mid-air, and his navy-blue striped tie hung loosely around his neck. He looked a bit defeated.Seeing me, his gaze faltered, and his eyes trembled slightly as his lips pressed tightly together.I glanced down, casually withdrew my gaze, and reached out to press the elevator button.Neither of us spoke.Suddenly, a shadow loomed over me, a strong reek of alcohol enveloped me, and I felt a tight grip around my waist as Hogan pulled me into his embrace.His husky voice tickled my ear, "Xaviera, you still care about me, don't you?"As he spoke, Hogan gently nuzzled my neck, his tone laced with a hint of charm.This was something I hadn't experienced in the past six years.I couldn't help but think of how he'd been sweet-talking Ms. Irwin at the party an hour ago.Care about him?That was Cecilia's thing.The heavy scent of booze was a dead giveaway that he was plastered.I lifted my head wearily and reminded him, "Sorry, I'm not Ms. Irwin."Hogan, still holding me, froze for a moment.When our eyes met, I tactfully stepped aside, catching a glimpse of his stiff expression from the corner of my eye.The atmosphere turned awkward for a second.With a "ding," the elevator reached the floor, and I walked out with an expressionless face, faintly aware of his gaze that seemed to follow me.I walked briskly into my apartment, but as the door was about to close, Hogan suddenly barged in, pinning me against the foyer wall.His long legs encroached decisively, and in an instant, I was trapped in his little world."Xaviera, you live here?"Hogan's voice was chilling, a coldness enveloping him.It was the same apartment we'd shared two years ago.I told him the truth, "The landlord said, 'Old customers get a $30 discount each month.'"Thirty bucks, for us corporate drones, every penny counts.Hogan clearly wasn't happy with my answer, sneering, "On purpose?"I flicked on the light and pointed to the newly rearranged interior, retorting, "Does it look like it?"His preferred minimalist style had been replaced by a lively design, completely the opposite.Hogan looked away, furrowed his brows, and after a two-second pause, said, "You need to move out, I'll cover the difference."I wasn't sure what Hogan was still hung up about.All those corners we'd slept in and lived in were long gone, and besides, he wasn't coming back, was he?The next second, Hogan cleared up my confusion, "Cecilia lives upstairs."Well, that explained it.Talk about a small world.No wonder we'd bumped into each other; he must have just seen Cecilia home.He'd gone to great lengths to avoid any misunderstandings on her part."The solution's pretty simple," I glanced at the apartment's dated fixtures and suggested, "You could get Ms. Irwin a better place."Hogan could easily afford a swanky high-rise suite in the CBD with a view of the city lights at night.Money was never an issue for him.Hogan ignored my suggestion, refusing, "I don't want her to be misunderstood."His tone was firm, and had I not witnessed it, I'd have never imagined the aloof Hogan could be so considerate of someone.A sting of pain brushed my heart, and after a moment, I calmly responded, "Sorry, I don't want to move."This place was near the university area, cheap, with a subway line directly to the office – very convenient.But to avoid any unnecessary friction, I said sensibly, "Don't worry, Ms. Irwin and I won't cross paths.""Nor will you and I."I added silently in my mind."You better keep your word."After giving me a warning look, Hogan slammed the door and left.I stood there, feeling a lump in my throat.The jarring ring of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts.It was a call from my boss and friend, Wallis Lott."Get ready, you're coming with me to meet a new investor tomorrow morning."The assertive voice of a thirty-something career woman burst through the receiver, shattering any lingering confusion in my heart.Thinking about the monthly bills, I snapped back to reality.But when Wallis' car pulled up in front of Rainbow Capital, I lost my cool.Rainbow Capital, the rising star in the investment banking scene, and its founder, Hogan.Before hopping out of the car, I learned from Wallis that the chance to meet the big shot was courtesy of her knocking back vodka last night.When it came to her career, she had always been one to go all-in.In fact, I had occasionally caught glimpses of Hogan in the financial news over the past couple of years – the guy with the Midas touch, never taking a hit. Especially after taking over that internet behemoth half a year ago, he had been making waves in the investment world.It was no surprise that the former finance wiz kid has become the darling of the capital scene. It was both expected and totally reasonable.That was also one of the reasons he was the belle of the ball at last night’s alumni gathering.By all accounts, as his ex who was supposed to be out of the picture, I should have kept my distance. But seeing Wallis' face caked in makeup, I bit the bullet and went upstairs.I figured, we were just a no-name indie game studio; Hogan probably wouldn't have the time to meet with us personally.Turned out, my hunch was spot on.Inside the meeting room, three spiffy-looking execs sat in a row, listening patiently to Wallis and me pitching our hearts out.Q&A, back and forth – the whole shebang took a good two hours.One of the execs escorted us downstairs, where Wallis, smooth as ever, made lunch plans with him. I just stood there, grinning awkwardly.Then, a sugary voice hit my ears, "Xaviera, is that really you?"I turned around and there they were – Hogan and Cecilia, not too far away.Hogan was all dressed up, his suit tailored to perfection, enhancing his already impressive stature, with his chiseled features making it hard to look away.Next to him, Cecilia, in a sky-blue blouse and black slacks, exuded both innocence and a touch of sass.On closer inspection, the sapphire cufflinks on Hogan's wrist subtly matched Cecilia's blue earrings.Quite the pair – if you ignored that brief flicker of displeasure in Hogan's hawk-like eyes.As they came closer, Cecilia, ever the curious one, asked me, "Xaviera, are you here to talk business?"Pretty sharp.Wallis, quick on the uptake, sensed something off. Stepping forward, she reached out to Hogan with a grin, "Mr. Zade, I've heard so much about you from Xaviera. It's an honor to finally meet you in person."Standard Wallis schmooze, but today, she was about to hit a brick wall.Sure enough, Hogan gave her a cursory glance and looked past her at me, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, really?"Thinking back to my own overconfident bluster last night, I felt like I wanted to sink into the floor."Have you guys had lunch yet?" Cecilia chimed in enthusiastically. "Our company canteen is legendary. Why don't you stay and eat before you go?"That was when I realized Hogan had already brought Cecilia into his company fold.A priceless opportunity for a senior still in college.He was already looking out for her.I remembered how back in the day, I'd shamelessly seek him out in the library, only to be seated across from him as if I'd tarnish his high-and-mighty image.Back then, I took pride in that, considering it an honor."No, thanks," I managed to find my voice, "we have another appointment soon, so we'll be on our way."After signaling Wallis with a glance, I caught a glimpse of her 'you can't be serious' expression.Once we were back in the car, Wallis stared at me, clearly not amused, "Not going to explain yourself?""He's not going to invest in us," I sighed, "I didn't want you to waste your effort."Wallis frowned, hesitated for a couple of seconds, then her mouth dropped open, "No way, Xaviera, your scumbag ex is Hogan?"The cat was out of the bag."Great," Wallis concluded, "What if Hogan actually reads our project proposal?"We locked eyes, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation.Because in our romance game, one of the lead male characters, the finance genius, was written as a 'simp' – the kind who tried everything he could but never won over the girl he loved.The game's prospects didn't look too bright.All I could hope for now was for Hogan to swiftly toss the project proposal in the bin without a second glance. At least then, we wouldn't be accused of deliberately causing trouble.With Hogan's clout in the investment world, he could indeed make things very difficult for us if he wanted to.Chapter 3By the time I made it to the alumni gathering, everyone was already having a blast.Among the crowd, Hogan Zade sat solemnly at a round table, bathed in the halo of light refracted from the chandelier above. His prominent nose and sharp features looked as if chiseled from fine jade – cool, aloof, and impeccable.Next to him was a girl with a pretty face.His hand rested casually behind her, every move he made was filled with tenderness.The bottle for truth or dare just happened to point at the girl.A busybody, eager to stir the pot, said in a pleasing tone, "Pick someone of the opposite sex here and kiss for two minutes."After hearing this, the girl shyly bowed her head and gave Hogan a look that practically screamed 'rescue me', and no one's heart would not go out to her.Hogan shot the crowd a look, and in a soft voice said, "Cut it out, she's shy."When he said 'cut it out', nobody dared to push her further. But out of respect for the game rules, Hogan still downed his drink.It was pretty clear he was looking out for her.The teasing and jeering continued, but nobody noticed me standing in the corner.I touched the scar on my wrist, turning away quietly."Xaviera, did you just get here?" Darren Yearwood, the class rep, asked, drawing everyone's attention."It's Hogan's wife."The title I once wore with pride now felt like a joke.In an instant, all eyes were on me. I forced a smile and said calmly, "Long time no see."No response.The room fell into an awkward silence.You could hear a pin drop.After all, Hogan seemed to have found his match now. Who would bother with me, someone who's been fawning over him for six years?My appearance was indeed ill-timed.But then, the girl by Hogan's side broke the ice, "I know you, Xaviera March, the famous top student belle from our department's previous years!"She was sweet-looking and spoke so softly, it was impossible to dislike her."Hi Xaviera, I'm Cecilia Irwin, also from the computer science department," she introduced herself. Then, turning to Hogan, she whispered, "Hogan, why didn't you tell me Xaviera was coming tonight?"Hogan glanced at me indifferently and said with a nonchalant tone, "An insignificant person, why bring her up?"Insignificant.So that was how Hogan saw me.But when I thought about it, he was not wrong.Otherwise, how come I never had the chance to sit by his side openly, even after six years?He never acknowledged me, let alone stand up for me.The irony was, I always thought Hogan, being so reserved and self-controlled, didn't drink.When the party ended, we all headed downstairs.Hogan and Cecilia were surrounded by people at the front.I overheard her tender voice, "I told you to drink less, you see, you're uncomfortable now, right?"Hogan's response was on point, "You know the reason."Cecilia's eyes teared up as she said, "Hogan, don't walk me out, it hurts to see you like this."Whatever Hogan replied made her laugh through her tears instantly.The two of them were lost in each other, oblivious to the world, while I received sympathetic glances from the back row.I was feeling a bit down.I had planned to network with some folks from the investment circle at this alumni event.Now, that plan had fallen through, and I'd been the butt of the joke all evening.Darren couldn't stand it any longer and offered to walk me to the subway entrance."Sorry, I didn't know Hogan would come," Darren said with regret. "He never attends these kinds of gatherings."Darren was telling the truth; Hogan's name wasn't even on the alumni list.I replied evenly, "It's okay, it's all in the past. I'll be counting on you to pull some strings for me in the future."Darren nodded, "I've got your project proposal. I'll contact you as soon as I have news."See, talking business was so much easier than dealing with emotions.An hour later, I was on my way back to my apartment complex with a hangover cure in hand.The elevator door opened, and standing before me was a familiar tall figure. On closer inspection, it was none other than Hogan.He was holding a cigarette, his lighter hanging in mid-air, and his navy-blue striped tie hung loosely around his neck. He looked a bit defeated.Seeing me, his gaze faltered, and his eyes trembled slightly as his lips pressed tightly together.I glanced down, casually withdrew my gaze, and reached out to press the elevator button.Neither of us spoke.Suddenly, a shadow loomed over me, a strong reek of alcohol enveloped me, and I felt a tight grip around my waist as Hogan pulled me into his embrace.His husky voice tickled my ear, "Xaviera, you still care about me, don't you?"As he spoke, Hogan gently nuzzled my neck, his tone laced with a hint of charm.This was something I hadn't experienced in the past six years.I couldn't help but think of how he'd been sweet-talking Ms. Irwin at the party an hour ago.Care about him?That was Cecilia's thing.The heavy scent of booze was a dead giveaway that he was plastered.I lifted my head wearily and reminded him, "Sorry, I'm not Ms. Irwin."Hogan, still holding me, froze for a moment.When our eyes met, I tactfully stepped aside, catching a glimpse of his stiff expression from the corner of my eye.The atmosphere turned awkward for a second.With a "ding," the elevator reached the floor, and I walked out with an expressionless face, faintly aware of his gaze that seemed to follow me.I walked briskly into my apartment, but as the door was about to close, Hogan suddenly barged in, pinning me against the foyer wall.His long legs encroached decisively, and in an instant, I was trapped in his little world."Xaviera, you live here?"Hogan's voice was chilling, a coldness enveloping him.It was the same apartment we'd shared two years ago.I told him the truth, "The landlord said, 'Old customers get a $30 discount each month.'"Thirty bucks, for us corporate drones, every penny counts.Hogan clearly wasn't happy with my answer, sneering, "On purpose?"I flicked on the light and pointed to the newly rearranged interior, retorting, "Does it look like it?"His preferred minimalist style had been replaced by a lively design, completely the opposite.Hogan looked away, furrowed his brows, and after a two-second pause, said, "You need to move out, I'll cover the difference."I wasn't sure what Hogan was still hung up about.All those corners we'd slept in and lived in were long gone, and besides, he wasn't coming back, was he?The next second, Hogan cleared up my confusion, "Cecilia lives upstairs."Well, that explained it.Talk about a small world.No wonder we'd bumped into each other; he must have just seen Cecilia home.He'd gone to great lengths to avoid any misunderstandings on her part."The solution's pretty simple," I glanced at the apartment's dated fixtures and suggested, "You could get Ms. Irwin a better place."Hogan could easily afford a swanky high-rise suite in the CBD with a view of the city lights at night.Money was never an issue for him.Hogan ignored my suggestion, refusing, "I don't want her to be misunderstood."His tone was firm, and had I not witnessed it, I'd have never imagined the aloof Hogan could be so considerate of someone.A sting of pain brushed my heart, and after a moment, I calmly responded, "Sorry, I don't want to move."This place was near the university area, cheap, with a subway line directly to the office – very convenient.But to avoid any unnecessary friction, I said sensibly, "Don't worry, Ms. Irwin and I won't cross paths.""Nor will you and I."I added silently in my mind."You better keep your word."After giving me a warning look, Hogan slammed the door and left.I stood there, feeling a lump in my throat.The jarring ring of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts.It was a call from my boss and friend, Wallis Lott."Get ready, you're coming with me to meet a new investor tomorrow morning."The assertive voice of a thirty-something career woman burst through the receiver, shattering any lingering confusion in my heart.Thinking about the monthly bills, I snapped back to reality.But when Wallis' car pulled up in front of Rainbow Capital, I lost my cool.Rainbow Capital, the rising star in the investment banking scene, and its founder, Hogan.Before hopping out of the car, I learned from Wallis that the chance to meet the big shot was courtesy of her knocking back vodka last night.When it came to her career, she had always been one to go all-in.In fact, I had occasionally caught glimpses of Hogan in the financial news over the past couple of years – the guy with the Midas touch, never taking a hit. Especially after taking over that internet behemoth half a year ago, he had been making waves in the investment world.It was no surprise that the former finance wiz kid has become the darling of the capital scene. It was both expected and totally reasonable.That was also one of the reasons he was the belle of the ball at last night’s alumni gathering.By all accounts, as his ex who was supposed to be out of the picture, I should have kept my distance. But seeing Wallis' face caked in makeup, I bit the bullet and went upstairs.I figured, we were just a no-name indie game studio; Hogan probably wouldn't have the time to meet with us personally.Turned out, my hunch was spot on.Inside the meeting room, three spiffy-looking execs sat in a row, listening patiently to Wallis and me pitching our hearts out.Q&A, back and forth – the whole shebang took a good two hours.One of the execs escorted us downstairs, where Wallis, smooth as ever, made lunch plans with him. I just stood there, grinning awkwardly.Then, a sugary voice hit my ears, "Xaviera, is that really you?"I turned around and there they were – Hogan and Cecilia, not too far away.Hogan was all dressed up, his suit tailored to perfection, enhancing his already impressive stature, with his chiseled features making it hard to look away.Next to him, Cecilia, in a sky-blue blouse and black slacks, exuded both innocence and a touch of sass.On closer inspection, the sapphire cufflinks on Hogan's wrist subtly matched Cecilia's blue earrings.Quite the pair – if you ignored that brief flicker of displeasure in Hogan's hawk-like eyes.As they came closer, Cecilia, ever the curious one, asked me, "Xaviera, are you here to talk business?"Pretty sharp.Wallis, quick on the uptake, sensed something off. Stepping forward, she reached out to Hogan with a grin, "Mr. Zade, I've heard so much about you from Xaviera. It's an honor to finally meet you in person."Standard Wallis schmooze, but today, she was about to hit a brick wall.Sure enough, Hogan gave her a cursory glance and looked past her at me, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, really?"Thinking back to my own overconfident bluster last night, I felt like I wanted to sink into the floor."Have you guys had lunch yet?" Cecilia chimed in enthusiastically. "Our company canteen is legendary. Why don't you stay and eat before you go?"That was when I realized Hogan had already brought Cecilia into his company fold.A priceless opportunity for a senior still in college.He was already looking out for her.I remembered how back in the day, I'd shamelessly seek him out in the library, only to be seated across from him as if I'd tarnish his high-and-mighty image.Back then, I took pride in that, considering it an honor."No, thanks," I managed to find my voice, "we have another appointment soon, so we'll be on our way."After signaling Wallis with a glance, I caught a glimpse of her 'you can't be serious' expression.Once we were back in the car, Wallis stared at me, clearly not amused, "Not going to explain yourself?""He's not going to invest in us," I sighed, "I didn't want you to waste your effort."Wallis frowned, hesitated for a couple of seconds, then her mouth dropped open, "No way, Xaviera, your scumbag ex is Hogan?"The cat was out of the bag."Great," Wallis concluded, "What if Hogan actually reads our project proposal?"We locked eyes, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation.Because in our romance game, one of the lead male characters, the finance genius, was written as a 'simp' – the kind who tried everything he could but never won over the girl he loved.The game's prospects didn't look too bright.All I could hope for now was for Hogan to swiftly toss the project proposal in the bin without a second glance. At least then, we wouldn't be accused of deliberately causing trouble.With Hogan's clout in the investment world, he could indeed make things very difficult for us if he wanted to.