Her hand now captive in his, Alessia’s heart pounded wildly in her chest.Panic-stricken, she blurted, ‘I’ll do it myself.’With a gentle tone, Logan countered, ‘You can’t see your own face.’Alessia found herself at a loss, unsure of how to proceed.Confusion clouded her thoughts, and she desperately sought to regain control of the situation.‘Don’t move,’ Logan commanded, releasing her hand momentarily before resuming his touch on her face.His fingers travelled to the corner of her mouth.A wave of anxiety washed over Alessia, her body trembling with unease.‘M-Mr Wilde…’ she stammered.Logan’s frown deepened, clearly displeased with her interruption.Alessia took a moment to collect herself. ‘Mr Wilde, thank you for the ointment. Could we just get to the point? Just tell me what you want from me.’His finger brushed against her lips, freezing in place, suspended in the charged atmosphere.The temperature inside the car soared rapidly, intensifying the moment.Nervousness gripped A
The dogs’ growls began to soften, their eyes curious.Alessia extended her hand cautiously, allowing them to sniff her scent.Minutes turned into what felt like an eternity as Alessia patiently interacted with the dogs, slowly earning their trust.She used gentle strokes and soothing words to convey her intentions.Eventually, the fierce facade melted away, and the dogs wagged their tails, licking Alessia’s hand.She had won them over.Logan, watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but be impressed by Alessia’s determination and ability to connect with the animals.His frown deepened, and a sharp glint flashed across his eyes.He drew a long drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly.His thin lips moved, and he emitted a high-pitched whistle.The dogs perked up their ears at the sound of the whistle, their attention now focused on Logan.He whistled again.The dogs glanced up at him, then hung their heads in shame, realising they’d ignored their master for almost half an hour.Aless
Logan’s smile grew gentler as he whispered, ‘That’s good. You have three minutes. Otherwise, I’ll be more than willing to assist you.’With that, he released his grip on her, opened the door, and exited the room, leaving Alessia to her own devices.Once Logan left the room, he leaned against the wall, his hand pressed against his bulging desire.He closed his eyes, furrowing his brows in distress.It was perplexing.Even doctors couldn’t explain what was wrong with him.He hadn’t been able to be intimate with women for almost six years.But this woman on the other side of the door had the power to stir his desires, igniting a flame that defied all reason.She didn’t even have to do anything; just a look, a single word, or even her very presence was enough to drive him mad.Logan’s distress painted his face, a mix of confusion and longing.Meanwhile, inside the changing room, Alessia contemplated the three minutes Logan had granted her.Hastily, she opened the wardrobe, revealing a col
Logan held her in his piercing gaze before abruptly releasing her and climbing out of the water, making his way to the changing room.Alessia hesitated to leave the pool, consumed by the fear of encountering Logan in the changing room.Paralysed by apprehension, she remained rooted in the water, unwilling to make a move.Ten minutes passed, yet Logan didn’t make an appearance.Alessia’s anxiety intensified, her eyes darting around the area.Just then, a voice echoed from a distance, breaking the tension.‘Miss Jansen, Mr Wilde has already left. I’ll escort you back to the office,’ Terence called out.Relieved, Alessia let out a sigh and nodded gratefully.‘Take your time to change,’ said Terence. ‘I’ll be waiting in the front hall.’Once Terence departed, Alessia hurriedly made her way to the changing room.Soon, Alessia arrived at the front hall, where the assistant awaited her with a smile. ‘Miss Jansen, I’ll take you back to the office now.’Alessia was surprised but grateful for h
Lara curled her lips into a suggestive smile. ‘But I guess every cloud has a silver lining, huh? Now that you’ve become good friends with Mr Wilde, you’ll have a solid foothold in our company.’The way she emphasised the words ‘good friends’ left Alessia in no doubt about what kind of relationship Lara thought she had with Logan.She choked on the water she had been drinking, coughing uncontrollably.Lara asked, ‘Are you okay? Sorry about that.’Alessia finally managed to catch her breath. ‘It’s fine. I just choked.’Unfazed, Lara continued with her inquiry, curiosity burning in her eyes. ‘So, Alessia, where did you go with Mr Wilde today?’‘It’s a house somewhere on the outskirts of the city, I guess,’ Alessia said, eager to end the conversation.‘And what did you do?’ Lara prodded, undeterred by Alessia’s lack of enthusiasm.Alessia hadn’t expected Lara to be so nosy.‘We had a brief chat. I apologised sincerely, and that was that.’Lara was clearly unconvinced, her gaze fixed on Al
Plucking up his courage, Terence added, ‘If you genuinely desire someone’s company, there must be a better way, sir.’Logan glared at Terence, his displeasure palpable.‘D*mn, I’m so getting fired today,’ the assistant thought to himself. ‘Maybe it’s time to polish up that resume.’‘Get lost!’ Logan roared.Hastily, Terence made himself scarce.He returned to his own office and wondered if he should start looking for a new job.Mr Logan Wilde was a generous boss, but his mercurial moods made it hard for his employees to anticipate his demands.Just as the assistant was lost in his thoughts, his phone abruptly rang, jolting him back to reality.He picked up the call. ‘Wilde Enterprises. How may I help you?’A female voice came through the line. ‘Mr Baird, this is Olivia Anderson. I would like to see your boss.’Terence arched an eyebrow, recognising the name. ‘Miss Anderson, I’m sorry, but Mr Wilde is not available at the moment.’Undeterred, Olivia persisted. ‘Your boss must have hear
Alessia took a deep breath and reluctantly acquiesced. ‘Fine, I’ll go with you.’Soon, they arrived at the waiting van, where one of the bodyguards pulled open the sliding door.Sitting in the middle of the back row, radiating an air of arrogance, was Olivia Anderson.Her disdainful gaze locked onto Alessia, and she greeted her with a sardonic smile. ‘Miss Jansen, we meet again.’The actress leaned back against the headrest, her visage adorned with intricate makeup that accentuated her elegance.Alessia observed her carefully, knowing all too well that the recent scandal had only bolstered Olivia’s position in the industry.Misunderstood as Logan Wilde’s secret lover, Olivia had effortlessly cemented her place in the show business world, reaping the benefits of her association with the young and successful entrepreneur.Alessia maintained a composed exterior, neither humble nor pushy, as she prepared herself for the impending confrontation. ‘Miss Anderson, what can I do for you?’‘Com
Alessia couldn’t help but find the situation absurdly amusing. ‘If you can dish it out, why can’t you take it?’A surge of fury shot through Olivia. ‘You insolent little—’ she began, only to be interrupted by Alessia’s cool and collected response.‘What? Were you expecting me to just take it and turn the other cheek?’ Alessia shot back, her own anger rising.Today had been a day of unexpected slaps—one from Jeramy Chavez and now one from Olivia Anderson.If she didn’t stand up for herself, they would continue to trample all over her.Olivia, her voice quivering, pointed an accusatory finger at Alessia. ‘But you slapped me twice!’Alessia smirked, a glimmer of satisfaction dancing in her eyes. ‘Consider the second slap as interest,’ she quipped.Roaring with rage, Olivia raised her hand once more, determined to deliver another blow.However, Alessia had anticipated this move.As Olivia’s hand descended, Alessia swiftly intercepted, catching Olivia’s wrist in a vice-like grip.The space
The city lights shimmered through the window, casting a soft glow over Alessia’s hotel room.She sank into the plush armchair, exhaling a weariness that settled deep into her bones.The day had been a whirlwind of interviews and deadlines, leaving her both physically and mentally drained.With a flick of her wrist, she loosened the tight bun that held her long hair, letting it cascade down her shoulders in unruly waves.The laptop on the polished mahogany table beckoned, a testament to the professional demands that consumed her day.Alessia leaned forward, fingers dancing across the keys as she organized her interview notes, a meticulous symphony of clicks and clacks.She paused, her gaze shifting to the phone by her side.Two missed calls from an unknown number flashed on the screen, and her heart skipped a beat.For a moment, hope surged through her—perhaps it was Logan.But as she listened to the voicemail, disappointment settled in.It was merely a wrong number, a mundane interrup
With the briefcase in hand, Logan left the office and got in his car.He did not involve Terence; the meeting could be dangerous.Besides, he had backup.Logan raced through the city streets, weaving through traffic with a desperate determination.The clock was ticking, and the warehouse loomed ahead like a dark, ominous secret.As he approached the entrance, the flickering neon lights buzzed overhead, casting eerie shadows on the crumbling walls.Logan stepped into the darkness, the echoes of his footsteps the only sound in the desolate space.A figure emerged from the shadows, wearing a hooded jacket to conceal their identity.Logan’s pulse quickened, his senses on high alert.‘I brought the money, now show me Sirena,’ he demanded, his voice steady but edged with a simmering rage.The figure chuckled, the sound echoing eerily through the cavernous space. ‘Impatient, aren’t we?’He pulled out a phone from his pocket.With a swift motion, he tapped the screen, and a small screen on th
The city lights glittered below as Alessia and Vince sat in a trendy rooftop bar in Hamborough, taking in the breathtaking view.The change of scenery had indeed granted Alessia a temporary escape from the complexities of her life back in Veridian.Alessia raised her glass, sipping a colourful cocktail. ‘Here’s to new beginnings and escaping the chaos,’ she said with a half-smile.Vince clinked his glass with hers. ‘To new beginnings,’ he echoed, a faint smile playing on his lips.As the evening unfolded, the atmosphere became more relaxed.The city buzzed around them, providing a backdrop for a momentary reprieve.Alessia found herself enjoying Vince’s company, appreciating the unspoken connection they had cultivated over the years.Amidst the clinking of glasses and the distant hum of the city, Alessia sensed an opportunity to share the intricacies of her life.She turned to Vince, her eyes reflecting a mixture of weariness and determination.‘You know, Vince, Logan’s first marriage
Logan’s office at Wilde Enterprises was a haven of order in contrast to the chaos unravelling in his personal life.The sterile hum of fluorescent lights bathed the room as he sifted through paperwork, attempting to find solace in the routine of his professional responsibilities.His phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with Heath’s name.Logan’s heart skipped a beat as he answered the call, the outside world fading away as he focused on the voice at the other end.‘Heath,’ Logan greeted, his tone carrying the weight of worry.‘We found her,’ Heath’s voice crackled through the phone. ‘She was at the BuzzBeat office. Got into a bit of a scuffle with Alessia.’Logan’s temples throbbed in response, the news striking him like a physical blow. ‘Alessia? Is she okay?’There was a pause on the line, and Logan could almost feel the hesitation in Heath’s response. ‘According to the colleague who filed the police report, she’s got a couple of scratches, but otherwise, she’s fine.’Relief washed
The room was cloaked in a muted glow from the bedside lamp, casting a warm light on the framed photographs that adorned the walls.Sirena moved silently, her eyes scanning each corner of her parents’ room as she began the meticulous search for anything of value.Ralph was still in intensive care, which meant Naomi wouldn’t leave his side, giving Sirena the time she needed for a thorough search.Her fingers brushed against the cool surface of a polished wooden dresser, adorned with small trinkets that echoed the laughter of her childhood.A porcelain figurine, a relic from a family vacation, stood alongside a faded picture of her parents and a much younger Sirena.The memories were bittersweet, a reminder of the life she had left behind.As Sirena opened drawers with deliberate care, the soft rustling of papers mixed with the creak of aged furniture.In one drawer, she found a stack of handwritten letters tied together with a ribbon.Memories of birthday wishes, expressions of love, an
The Veridian airport bustled with a kinetic energy that only a major transport hub could exude.Travellers weaved through the expansive terminal, navigating a sea of bustling crowds and rolling luggage.The air hummed with the constant murmur of announcements, the clatter of footsteps, and the intermittent symphony of departure gates chiming to life.Alessia, her eyes scanning the digital departure board, stood amidst the organized chaos.The Veridian airport, a sprawling architectural marvel, boasted high ceilings adorned with sleek modern designs.Concourse shops beckoned with an array of luxury goods, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air from the bustling cafes.It had been a long time since she flew—juggling a job and raising two kids hadn’t left a lot of time for the luxury of flying.‘Hey, I thought that was you.’ Someone tapped her on the shoulder.Alessia, startled, turned around to find Vince, a smile playing on his lips.‘Vince, what are you doing he
Naomi scoffed, bitterness lacing her tone. ‘Make things right? Can you bring back the peace we had before you barged in with your promises and complications?’Logan shook his head. ‘I can’t change the past, Naomi, but I can help with the present. Let me take care of Ralph’s medical bills. It’s the least I can do.’Her expression hardened, and she retorted, ‘Money won’t fix the damage you’ve caused. Sirena is missing, Ralph’s heart is failing, and our lives are in shambles. Don’t pretend you can fix it with a cheque.’Her words were still ringing in his head hours later.Logan stood on the roof, smoking, lost in thought, until his phone rang with an urgency that cut through the air like a serrated blade.He glanced at the caller ID, and a sinking feeling gripped his stomach as he answered.‘Logan, what the hell is going on?’ Albert’s voice, usually a bastion of calm, resonated with a furious edge. ‘Alessia called me, all cold and distant, calling me Mr Wilde instead of Grandpa. And she
‘Ralph! Naomi, call an ambulance!’ Logan’s urgency cut through the stunned silence, and Naomi, her face pale with shock, fumbled for her phone.Panic swirled in the room as Ralph clutched his chest, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.He toppled backwards.‘Ralph!’ Logan caught the old man in time.Within moments, the wail of an ambulance echoed through the quiet neighbourhood.Naomi and Logan hurriedly helped Ralph onto a stretcher, his face strained with agony.The ambulance doors slammed shut, trapping the trio in a suffocating bubble of uncertainty.The ambulance tore through the city’s arteries, its siren piercing.Inside, the confined space thrummed with urgency.Naomi clung to the edge of her seat, her eyes unblinking as she watched the paramedics work on her husband.Ralph lay supine on the stretcher—his heart just stopped.The heart monitor emitted a relentless warning beep.Naomi’s hands trembled as she tried to steady herself, the medical jargon exchanged by the paramed
Naomi stirred the simmering chicken soup, the aroma filling the kitchen with warmth.She glanced at Ralph, who was grabbing his keys.‘Ready to head to the hospital?’ he asked.‘Absolutely,’ Naomi replied, wiping her hands on her apron. ‘Hand me the thermos.’They were only allowed to visit Sirena once each day, the visit lasting no longer than half an hour.The doctor explained that the restricted visits were important to establish routine in Sirena’s life.As they prepared to leave, they heard a knock on the door.Surprised, they exchanged a puzzled glance before opening the door.Standing on their doorstep was Logan. ‘Can we talk?’Naomi and Ralph exchanged a wary look but nodded, allowing him inside.Logan took a deep breath, eyeing them both. ‘I’m sure you know why I’m here. I need Sirena to sign those divorce papers.’It had been almost three days since Sirena’s hospitalisation, and Logan had waited long enough.Naomi’s lips trembled. ‘Logan, we can’t believe you’ve moved on so