And, after the trip to the club earlier, Logan realised he had not been cured; Alessia was the exception.With a determined glint in his eyes, Logan stepped on the gas pedal.Alessia was a challenge—a challenge he was not willing to relinquish.***The challenge stepped out of the sleek black car, her heels clicking softly against the pavement.Alessia offered a polite nod to the driver, who met her with a curt acknowledgement before speeding away into the night.She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his stoic demeanour.It seemed that Logan’s employees shared his penchant for terseness.‘Guess not all of Logan’s minions are conversational,’ she muttered under her breath, the corners of her lips quirking in wry amusement.She adjusted the oversized shirt she was wearing, rolling up the sleeves and tugging at the hem.The pants were no better, requiring constant hitching as she made her way towards her apartment building.The lobby was a stark contrast to the opulent mansion she ha
Alessia’s desperation turned to fury.Without hesitation, she sank her teeth into Brayden’s hand, the sharp bite of pain causing him to release his hold.She shoved him away, her heart pounding, and sprinted past him into the building.Her mind raced as she bolted towards her apartment, thoughts swirling with a newfound determination.As she slammed her apartment door shut, Alessia leaned against it, her chest heaving.The encounter had left her shaken, her emotions a tumultuous whirlwind.‘D*mn it!’ she smacked her forehead with a palm. ‘I should’ve used the pepper spray on him!’She knew she couldn’t let Brayden’s intrusion affect her any longer.With a resolute exhale, she made a silent promise to herself—she would find a way to break free from the chains of her past.As she sank onto her sofa, waiting for the adrenaline rush to subside, Alessia’s gaze shifted to the window, the city lights painting an intricate tapestry against the night sky.A single thought echoed in her mind—a
Tickled by her own imagination, Alessia leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to Milo’s forehead.His sleep-ruffled hair tickled her lips.‘Morning,’ she said softly. ‘Breakfast’s on the table, honey. Aunt Veronica will take you to school later.’Milo’s eyes fluttered open, still groggy from sleep.His voice held a hint of protest as he murmured, ‘You’re leaving already? It’s only six thirty.’Alessia brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, her smile warm and reassuring. ‘Mommy has to go into work early today.’Her mind buzzed with the tasks that awaited her—she needed to organise her notes from the previous night, to produce a first draft of the cocktail party fluff piece, and to go over the order of upcoming interviews with Miss Hicks.She was happy to be busy; it meant her career was moving forward.Milo’s voice pulled her from her thoughts as he offered a sleepy goodbye.She pressed another kiss to his cheek, her heart swelling with maternal affection. ‘Goodbye, my love. Be go
Alessia’s gaze hardened. ‘We all have our struggles, Connie. I’m not responsible for yours. Excuse me, I have to get to work.’With that, Alessia turned and started walking away.‘Brayden never loved me!’ Connie shouted. ‘I know that. We’ve been married for six years, but I know he still loves you.’Alessia’s steps faltered.She let out a frustrated sigh, her patience wearing thin as she turned to face Connie. ‘What’s wrong with you and your husband? Can’t you take your family drama elsewhere and stop turning up like an unwanted penny? I’m busy with work.’Tears streaked down Connie’s cheeks, smudging her carefully applied makeup, and Alessia winced at the clownish sight.‘It’s been six years,’ Connie continued, her voice quivering with raw emotion. ‘But everything I’ve done is just a joke to him. He doesn’t love me. That night six years ago, you lost a boyfriend, and I lost my dignity.’Alessia’s frustration mounted, her voice laced with exasperation. ‘Must you dredge up the past at
Wilda shook her head. ‘Alessia, you know that won’t cut it. This article is the lead in our series, and I want it to be perfect. I want you to get Mr Wilde to sign off on it. If that means buttering him up or kissing ass, then so be it. It’s all part of the game, part of how things work in this industry.’Alessia let out a resigned sigh.As much as she wanted to avoid Logan, she knew that Wilda was right.This was her job, her career, and sometimes she had to make uncomfortable concessions to ensure success.She nodded reluctantly. ‘Fine, I’ll go.’Wilda’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. ‘That’s the spirit, Alessia. I know you can handle this. Just remember, charm him, and make sure he signs off on that article. It’s essential for our series.’***Alessia dragged her feet down the gleaming halls of Skye Tower, her steps deliberate as if she had a point to prove.Each click of her heeled boots echoed through the opulent expanse, a rhythm of defiance against the polished marble floo
‘I lied.’ Logan’s lips curled into a smirk. ‘No cameras here.’Before Alessia could protest further, his lips descended onto hers.Her resolve wavered as she felt his familiar taste, her mind hurtling back to the dream last night.The kiss was a tempestuous collision of conflicting desires – his relentless pursuit against her stubborn resistance.Her heart raced, a fierce battle between the longing she had suppressed and the fear that held her back.Logan’s fingers tangled in her hair as he deepened the kiss, his dominance asserting itself with each caress.He could taste the hesitation on her lips, the struggle within her.His hand travelled slowly down her back, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.Alessia’s breath hitched as his hand settled at the curve of her waist, his touch igniting a fire within her.She could feel his desire, his hunger, but her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.She pushed against his chest, breaking the kiss with a gasp.‘No, Logan,’ she breathed
Alessia leaned back against the mirrored walls, her fingers pressed against her still-racing heart.The memory of Logan’s gaze, his teasing words, and that last reminder lingered in her mind.Truth be told, he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t wait for the week to be over.The lift doors opened, and Alessia stepped out into the bustling lobby, the energy of the city enveloping her.***The weekend stretched ahead, uneventful in its calm.Alessia welcomed the peace that settled around her like a comforting embrace.She spent the days with Veronica and Milo, the laughter of her little family becoming the soundtrack of her world.The absence of Brayden and Connie felt like a sigh of relief, a temporary respite from their overbearing presence.As the days rolled on, a sense of quiet contentment settled over Alessia.She found solace in the simple pleasures of life – shared meals, bedtime stories, and endless giggles.Yet, beneath the surface, a restlessness lingered, a craving for somethin
Tuesday dawned with an air of anticipation that clung to Alessia like a second skin.Restless energy coursed through her veins from the moment she woke up, an undercurrent of anxiety that refused to be ignored.Each passing hour felt like an eternity, the hands of the clock mocking her impatience.Then, like a lifeline in the midst of her restlessness, the phone call came.She snatched up her phone, her heart pounding, and hit the answer button with trembling fingers.‘Miss Jansen, this is Dr Schmidt from the hospital,’ the voice on the other end began. ‘I’m calling to inform you that the DNA report you requested is now available for collection.’Alessia’s breath caught in her throat, her pulse quickening.The moment of truth had arrived.She had been waiting for this, hoping for it, dreading it – all in equal measure.She fought to steady her voice as she responded, ‘Thank you, Doctor. I’ll come to collect it today.’Miss Hicks granted her the leave she needed, and Alessia wasted no