I've been forced to rest for the past few days while they run one test after the other to make sure I'm okay. I find this unusual, and I think Logan might be being my being here for so long, but the doctor here has been our family doctor for years and he has known me since I was a child so I guess he's being extra cautious. I like to think it was just one small accident even though I can barely move, to stop myself from raging over the fact that someone tried to kill me.Logan has spent every night here with me since the accident, only leaving me in the afternoons to freshen up and come back. He's also been doing most of my work, running the hotel, investigating my near-death experience and trying to help me regain my credibility.I've earned nothing but pity so far as news has spread of my condition, but I need to get out of here if I'm going to fix things for good before I go out of business.I'm alone in the private ward for only a few hours before the nurse enters with a tray, fo
"You. Give us some privacy.""He's not going anywhere," I say, glaring daggers at her. What on earth makes her think she can walk in here and give orders?"Whetever you have to say, you can say it in front of Logan.""Fine. We'll have this discussion some other time then," she says. Taking the fruit basket from Edwin, she leaves it on the table."You brought this for her, she should have it," she says. He just stands there like a wimp, letting her do little things like that that gives everyone in the room the idea that she has control over him."I'm surprised you can still afford a room like this," she says waving her hand around."I can't believe how insensitive you are. You're not even trying to hide it. You're petty enough to show up here at a time like this when all of this is your fault. Do you really think you can intimidate me?" I say, looking into her eyes. "And you," I turn to Edwin. "Why are you still here.""Edwin and I are on the same team," she informs me. "What? Are yo
"There she is," Logan says. I lean off the walls of the building behind me and we follow her down the sidewalk. Apparently, she's one of the members of an underground team of hackers that get paid to do all kinds of stuff.She seems young, maybe a teenager. We pick up the pace and circle her, stopping right in front of her. She freezes, staring between us, and then backs away with a nervous laugh."Can I help you?""You're Annie, right? My name is Hazel Ambrose and this is Logan," I say with a smile.Her eyes grow even wider when she recognises me, but she's smart enough not to run."We need to talk," I add. She thinks about it for a while before she says, "okay.""We can talk over lunch," I say turning to lead the way while Logan moves behind her to make sure she doesn't escape.We watch her devour a sandwich and wait patiently. Once she's done, I ask, "are you a member of a group called 'daydream'?""I know who you are and I know what this is about. But I can't tell you anything," s
Somehow, Annie convinced Hazel to let he spend the night. Hazel must have agreed because she thought we could take care of this little situation in the morning. Well, not anymore. At around 1am, the girl escapes. I decide to let her know. She should know. She wouldn't want the girl to leave on her own even though she's an adult. Plus, she shouldn't live with the memories of what happened yesterday. We can't trust her. I knock on her bedroom door and hear her stir under the sheets. I enter before she tells me to and she switches on her bedside lamp, squinting through the dark room."What time is it?" She groans."I'm sorry to bother you but I thought you should know. The girl is gone.""Annie?" She scrambles out of the sheets, careful not to tamper with her writst. "What do you mean gone?""She sneaked out about five minutes ago.""And you just let her leave?" She scolds. Of course I did. To prove that the girl is stubborn and deserving of what's about to come her way. I couldn't ha
He said my name.He called me Hazel. For the first time since I signed the contract. Not calling me by my name was his way of keeping the distance between us. We weren't anything more than business partners. Not even friends.He didn't think about it when he said my name. The way he stood between me and a bullet was also instinctive. Like a natural inclination. Like he couldn't help himself. Even when my orders stated otherwise."Stay down. Don't move. And whatever you do, do not look up."With my head bowed, ears covered, and my eyes screwed shut, I wait.I know he's immortal, but I'm so devastated that he's already been shot that I can't think straight. I'm sobbing, my throat is dry, and I can barely breathe.I need this to be over. When I remove my palms, I know it's not completely silent around me.But the ringing sound in my ears is so loud that I can't hear what he says to me after he removes his jacket from the top of my head and helps me up.In fact, I'm completely out of
White roses. He always loved the colour white.I take in a deep breath, watching the dark clouds gather above me with the promise of heavy rain, mirroring the way my tears gather, stinging my eyes as a shadow of despair surges through me, threatening to spill at any second."Please, Miss. You have to stop crying," Linda says softly for the last time. She understands how important it is for me to retain my composure even at a moment like this.Right. I use Linda's words to keep myself from bawling my heart out at my father's grave.Fooling around in public with puffy, red eyes would be bad for my image as the new CEO. The people I work for don't care that I'm burying my father, because as far as they are concerned, my image is more important than my grief.But how does anyone expect me to shake the heavy feeling in my chest.My eyes sting again. Dammit! There are hundreds of people around me. I can't lose myself in front of all these people. I can't show any signs of weakness. I can't l
I remember the first time I met her. Everything about her seemed so robotic. I wondered how my father didn't see it. But whatever mid-life crisis he was having that caused him to marry this barbie doll didn't stop me from supporting him. I didn't have any siblings. It had always been just the three of us. And only after my mother died did I realise how lonely it got to live in a big, empty house. So, I focused on business school. I buried myself in all the schoolwork until I knew everything that the family business required. It was my only distraction. A coping mechanism for all the pain. And when I met Edwin, I thought I would never feel lonely again. Well, I still do. He's everything I ever hoped for when I could no longer distract myself from the emptiness burning an insatiable hole in my chest. And when I found him, he made me feel like a new person. One that wasn't weak or clueless, but strong enough to chase after my dreams. Strong enough to carry on the legacy. And Shannon,
Dammit why won't he pick up!?I tap my foot impatiently in the lift as I give Edwin one last call. He's never ignored my calls for so long. And now I'm worried sick.I storm into the house. It's so dark and empty even though it's only 10 o'clock in the morning. Somehow, that only enhances the sick feeling in my stomach. I flick on the lights and draw back the curtains, wondering why Linda hasn't done this. Where is she anyways? Perhaps she’s asleep"Linda?"In a few minutes, she comes rushing into the living room."Miss Ambrose," she gasps. "I didn't know you'd be back this early. Is there anything you need?" I stare blankly at her for a few seconds. There’s nothing she can do to help. Even I can’t help myself right now. She stares back eagerly. I sigh. "Where's Edwin?""He left an hour after you did. Didn't say where he was going,” she replies. I curse under my breath."Is there a problem, Miss?" she asks. She sounds so concerned that I must reassure her, not wanting to transfer an
He said my name.He called me Hazel. For the first time since I signed the contract. Not calling me by my name was his way of keeping the distance between us. We weren't anything more than business partners. Not even friends.He didn't think about it when he said my name. The way he stood between me and a bullet was also instinctive. Like a natural inclination. Like he couldn't help himself. Even when my orders stated otherwise."Stay down. Don't move. And whatever you do, do not look up."With my head bowed, ears covered, and my eyes screwed shut, I wait.I know he's immortal, but I'm so devastated that he's already been shot that I can't think straight. I'm sobbing, my throat is dry, and I can barely breathe.I need this to be over. When I remove my palms, I know it's not completely silent around me.But the ringing sound in my ears is so loud that I can't hear what he says to me after he removes his jacket from the top of my head and helps me up.In fact, I'm completely out of
Somehow, Annie convinced Hazel to let he spend the night. Hazel must have agreed because she thought we could take care of this little situation in the morning. Well, not anymore. At around 1am, the girl escapes. I decide to let her know. She should know. She wouldn't want the girl to leave on her own even though she's an adult. Plus, she shouldn't live with the memories of what happened yesterday. We can't trust her. I knock on her bedroom door and hear her stir under the sheets. I enter before she tells me to and she switches on her bedside lamp, squinting through the dark room."What time is it?" She groans."I'm sorry to bother you but I thought you should know. The girl is gone.""Annie?" She scrambles out of the sheets, careful not to tamper with her writst. "What do you mean gone?""She sneaked out about five minutes ago.""And you just let her leave?" She scolds. Of course I did. To prove that the girl is stubborn and deserving of what's about to come her way. I couldn't ha
"There she is," Logan says. I lean off the walls of the building behind me and we follow her down the sidewalk. Apparently, she's one of the members of an underground team of hackers that get paid to do all kinds of stuff.She seems young, maybe a teenager. We pick up the pace and circle her, stopping right in front of her. She freezes, staring between us, and then backs away with a nervous laugh."Can I help you?""You're Annie, right? My name is Hazel Ambrose and this is Logan," I say with a smile.Her eyes grow even wider when she recognises me, but she's smart enough not to run."We need to talk," I add. She thinks about it for a while before she says, "okay.""We can talk over lunch," I say turning to lead the way while Logan moves behind her to make sure she doesn't escape.We watch her devour a sandwich and wait patiently. Once she's done, I ask, "are you a member of a group called 'daydream'?""I know who you are and I know what this is about. But I can't tell you anything," s
"You. Give us some privacy.""He's not going anywhere," I say, glaring daggers at her. What on earth makes her think she can walk in here and give orders?"Whetever you have to say, you can say it in front of Logan.""Fine. We'll have this discussion some other time then," she says. Taking the fruit basket from Edwin, she leaves it on the table."You brought this for her, she should have it," she says. He just stands there like a wimp, letting her do little things like that that gives everyone in the room the idea that she has control over him."I'm surprised you can still afford a room like this," she says waving her hand around."I can't believe how insensitive you are. You're not even trying to hide it. You're petty enough to show up here at a time like this when all of this is your fault. Do you really think you can intimidate me?" I say, looking into her eyes. "And you," I turn to Edwin. "Why are you still here.""Edwin and I are on the same team," she informs me. "What? Are yo
I've been forced to rest for the past few days while they run one test after the other to make sure I'm okay. I find this unusual, and I think Logan might be being my being here for so long, but the doctor here has been our family doctor for years and he has known me since I was a child so I guess he's being extra cautious. I like to think it was just one small accident even though I can barely move, to stop myself from raging over the fact that someone tried to kill me.Logan has spent every night here with me since the accident, only leaving me in the afternoons to freshen up and come back. He's also been doing most of my work, running the hotel, investigating my near-death experience and trying to help me regain my credibility.I've earned nothing but pity so far as news has spread of my condition, but I need to get out of here if I'm going to fix things for good before I go out of business.I'm alone in the private ward for only a few hours before the nurse enters with a tray, fo
"Penny for your thoughts."She's been spaced out for so long. I'm guessing it's something completely random. "Are you going to be with me until I die?" She asks. It's just as I thought. "Yes," I reply. "As per the terms of our agreement."She hesitates, but asks the next question anyway. "What if I get married?" she asks. "My husband wouldn't approve." Approve?"Are we going to worry about the approval of men? You and I make unstoppable pair." Also, I don't need the approval of anyone. Except you. "Answer the question," she insists."You can always set boundries with me. You could order me to stay away, or only to do specific tasks that you think your spouse would approve of. But remember, Miss Ambrose. We have a bond. A supernatural bond that makes me feel what you're feeling and drives me to protect you."She spaces out again. But this time, it's different. She seems dazed, lost in whatever she's now thinking and feeling. It's unusual, and I've only seen this happen once before.
Of course, Andy is stunned when we show up at his headquarters with Sydney and they have a little chat after which she signs with him and leaves. She seems nice.I wpnder how Logan was able to pull this off overnight. "I have to say I didn't think you would actually follow through but I'm impressed," Andy says as we settle down in his office. "I couldn't allow you to underestimate me. But i want you to consider this a gift. That way we can end our petty rivalry," I reply. He smiles. "You're still trying to get me on your side?" It comes out much more like a statement than a question. I roll my eyes. He needs to be humbled."You're the one that should be working hard to get on my good side now. I know the key to everyone's heart and sooner or later, you will need me."He doesn't object. He knows I'm right. The tables are turning slowly, but surely.After we leave, I am suddenly very conscious of Logan. He's been with me all day, following me like a shadow without saying a word."You'
Clinging on to every bit of patience I have managed to recharge overnight, I sit with Sydney at the Claire de Lune guests lounge at noon. “Are you sure you want to have the meeting here?” I say, sitting across from her at a small round table.“Yes,” she replies. “Now, let’s get on with it.”Resisting the urge to sigh, I begin.“Any questions?” I ask rounding up and closing the folder.“No. Everything is well understood. And to be honest, I was going to sign the contract with or without your elaboration. But now that I see how desperate he is, sending one of his men to be at my service, I do have one request.”I stare blankly at her, waiting for her to say what it is. She stands.“Come and see me later. At night. And be prepared.”***I return to the hotel to meet with Sydney at night as she instructed. When she opens the door to invite me in, she’s dressed in a pink, silky robe, and a small gold chain peaks from under it just around her neck.She beckons me in and closes the door beh
It’s 9pm. I’m waiting with a name card when she appears, smiling as soon as she spots me and dragging her luggage along. “Miss Reid?” I confirm when she stops in front of me. She smiles brightly. “That’s me.”“I’m Logan. I’ll be at your service for as long as you choose to stay. Feel free to let me know if there’s anything you need.”“Logan…” she repeats, as if trying to memorize it. “Right. Take this then,” she says giving me her suitcase. “It’s exhausting.”I take it. “Of course. Right this way, then.”“How long have you been working for Mr. Park?” she asks once we’re both seated in the car. “Not long.”“How long until we get to the hotel?” she asks after a moment of silence.“I’d say forty minutes, but I sense traffic ahead,” I reply.She reaches into her purse, pulling out a small mirror and checking her face.“I look exhausted.”She doesn’t. Her face looks several years younger than she actually is, suggesting a kind of innocen