Chapter 11 Not a Nice Guy

As promised, twenty minutes later, Alessia trudged through the door, her weary body longing for the comfort of her two-bedroom apartment on the ninth floor.

Fatigue weighed her down, yet she summoned the last reserves of energy to announce her return.

‘I’m back,’ she called out.

From the cramped living room, both Milo and Veronica rose from the worn-out sofa, their attention immediately drawn to Alessia’s presence.

Veronica, with her characteristic sweet smile, welcomed Alessia, her genuine affection radiating like a warm embrace.

Milo, on the other hand, wore his usual inscrutable poker face, his grey-blue eyes mirroring the enigmatic allure of someone Alessia couldn’t ignore.

As Alessia caught sight of her son’s striking resemblance to Logan Wilde, her mind wandered into a realm of contemplation.

Milo and Logan shared an undeniable connection, one that went beyond mere physical appearance; even their personalities mirrored each other.

Milo preferred spending his time in the company of books or his computer to playing with kids his age, while Logan also appeared to be rather unapproachable.

It was a realisation Alessia couldn’t escape—an inevitable conclusion that tugged at her heart.

Milo, ever the perceptive soul, noticed the cloud of melancholy hovering over his mother. ‘What’s wrong, Mom? You look unhappy.’

His innocent yet probing observation yanked Alessia back to reality, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She marvelled at Milo’s maturity, his ability to perceive the emotions that danced beneath the surface.

A soft smile curved Alessia’s lips as she embraced her son, her touch a balm against the weariness that clung to her. ‘It’s nothing, my love. Just a long day.’

Veronica also picked up on Alessia’s distracted state and the lingering scent of alcohol that clung to her.

Concern flickered in her eyes as she pressed Alessia for the truth. ‘Alessia, something’s not right. You seem off, and you’ve been drinking, which is unusual for you... is there trouble at work?’

‘No trouble at work, actually,’ Alessia confessed. ‘In fact, I just secured a full-time position at BuzzBeat. The late dinner was meant to celebrate with my colleagues.’

Though, after witnessing the way Jeramy acted tonight, Alessia was having second thoughts about her future at the company.

Veronica’s eyes sparkled with pride and joy for her sister’s accomplishment, but her concern remained. ‘Are you sure that’s all, Alessia? You seem lost, like there’s something else on your mind. Are you sure you’re okay?’

Alessia hesitated, the weight of her thoughts heavy upon her.

She couldn’t bear to burden Veronica with her inner turmoil, not when her sister had her own responsibilities to tend to.

With a forced smile, Alessia dismissed Veronica’s concerns. ‘It’s nothing, really. I’ll be fine, just need some rest. And you? Aren’t you running late for your convenience store clerk job?’

Veronica grabbed her backpack hastily. ‘Shoot, I’m already running late.’

She headed for the door. ‘I’ll be back at eight in the morning.’

Alessia called after her. ‘Be careful, Veronica. Watch out for yourself out there.’

Veronica nodded. ‘I’ll be fine, don’t worry. Bye, sis. Bye, Milo.’

With a final wave, Veronica disappeared into the night.

Alessia’s exhumation resurfaced, her body craving the solace of rest.

Yet, the echoes of resemblance between Milo and Logan lingered in her mind, like a melody that refused to fade away.

She sat on the sofa, Milo nestled on her lap, their connection providing a sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty that loomed over them.

‘How was your day, my little scholar?’ Alessia asked, her voice filled with a mother’s warmth and curiosity.

She admired Milo’s intelligence and his ability to surpass his classmates, a reminder of his exceptional mind.

Milo shrugged, his eyes reflecting a hint of boredom. ‘It was okay, Mom. The classes were pretty dull,’ he replied, his voice tinged with a touch of apathy.

Alessia couldn’t help but smile, proud of her son’s intellectual prowess.

She ruffled his hair gently. ‘You’re too smart for them, my love. You’ve always been ahead of the game.’

Milo’s perceptive nature kicked in once again, his gaze sharpening as he sensed his mother’s distraction.

He leaned closer, his voice laced with concern. ‘Mom, is something bothering you? You’ve been acting different since last night.’

Alessia marvelled at her son’s perceptiveness, his ability to read her like an open book.

She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts.

Milo deserved to know, to be a part of the decision-making process.

She shifted on the sofa, ensuring their eye contact remained unbroken.

‘Well, my love, I may have encountered someone who could potentially be your father,’ Alessia confessed, her voice tinged with trepidation. ‘But he, um, he doesn’t seem to be a very nice guy.’

She recalled Logan’s aloofness and domineering attitude, and his disregard for the law when he took Lara Morris away.

She watched Milo’s reaction closely, searching for any flicker of emotion.

The boy’s expression remained calm, his brow slightly furrowed, mirroring the contemplative nature of the man who had left an indelible mark on Alessia’s life.

Alessia couldn’t help but draw parallels between Milo’s response and Logan’s enigmatic presence.

Her heart swirled with emotions as she pondered the man who had left her a bundle of cash and a blood-smeared note six years ago.

The man had taken her first time, only to vanish without a trace.

Milo’s voice broke the silence, his tone measured and composed.

‘If this man doesn’t seem like a good person, maybe it’s best if we don’t acknowledge him or tell him about us,’ Milo suggested, his voice reflecting a maturity that resonated with Alessia. ‘There’s no point in wasting our time on someone who doesn’t deserve it. I’m content with our life.’

Alessia sighed, a mix of relief and melancholy washing over her.

Her son’s words held weight and truth.

She wrapped her arms around him. ‘You’re right, Milo. I will respect your wishes. I’m content with our life the way it is, too.’

***

The following morning, Alessia called Lara on her way to work.

When Lara finally answered, Alessia sensed the weariness in her voice, the weight of the previous night’s events evident.

‘Lara, are you okay?’ Alessia asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

She could almost hear the exhaustion and strain in Lara’s hoarse reply.

‘I’m fine,’ Lara murmured. ‘Just resting at home.’

Alessia pressed further. ‘What did Logan do to you last night?’

Lara’s voice trembled as she recounted the harrowing experience.

She was taken to a grand house with an expansive yard, where she spent almost half an hour being chased by dogs set upon her by Logan and his men.

‘They didn’t bite me, but they sure scared the hell out of me,’ Lara said, her voice trembling.

Alessia’s heart ached at the thought of her colleague in such distress.

‘And, um, Alessia, I’m sorry. I had to tell them that you were the one who took the photos.’

‘It’s fine, Lara,’ Alessia said.

She had been ready to reveal the truth anyway.

As the sun began to cast its warm rays upon the city, Alessia made her way to the bustling office of BuzzBeat.

Glancing around, her eyes were drawn to the sleek Land Rover parked just outside the building, its polished exterior gleaming in the morning light.

The rear left car window slid down, revealing the captivating visage of none other than Logan Wilde.

His chiselled features and piercing gaze sent an electric jolt through Alessia, causing her to grip her bag tightly, her heart quickening its pace.

There we go. She told herself. Let storms rage against me much stronger!