The soft chime of a text message echoed through Logan’s car, drawing his attention away from the road.He glanced at his phone, seeing Sofie’s name on the screen.She was persistent, he had to give her that.Another reminder of her proposal, another inquiry about his thoughts.With a sigh, he tapped out a response. ‘I’ll think about it.’Tossing his phone onto the passenger seat, he took a deep breath and guided his car through the familiar streets towards Albert’s house.As he pulled up to the driveway, he noticed the house was quiet.Only Sunny, the vibrant cockatoo, greeted him with raucous squawks as he stepped into the living room.The bird was flying madly around the space like it was trying to evade a predator. ‘No! No!’Logan’s gaze shifted to the figure of Penshaw, the eccentric house manager, who was scolding the bird for its antics on the sofa cover.‘Ruining the sofa again, aren’t you?’ Penshaw muttered, shaking his head. ‘This is why you can’t have too many nuts. Humans g
Logan’s irritation flared at the implication. ‘You guessed wrong. Get that team back in place. I need to know what she’s doing.’‘Yes, sir.’ Terence nodded and excused himself to make the arrangements.As the door closed, Logan leaned back in his chair, his mind whirring with thoughts that refused to be suppressed.Alessia’s absence from his life for the past week gnawed at him, her sudden disappearance a puzzle he needed to solve.Why hadn’t she reached out?What was keeping her occupied?He ran his fingers through his hair, his mind churning with possibilities.The only justifiable excuse for her silence was if she was away on a business trip.Otherwise, why wouldn’t she call or at least text?A sense of restlessness settled over him, a nagging feeling that demanded his attention.He was used to being in control, to having answers to every question.But with Alessia, it was different.She had managed to slip through his carefully constructed defences, leaving behind a trail of intri
Alessia couldn’t make out the man’s face, but his very presence exuded malevolence, his features obscured by the shadows.She forced herself to stay calm as her fingers fumbled behind her back, working to untie the rope that bound her wrists together.The man walked closer.‘What do you want?’ Alessia asked, her voice steady despite the tremor in her heart.The man laughed, a chilling sound that cut through the air like an ice blade.He stepped closer, finally revealing himself.He was tall and muscular, with a shaved head and thick, bushy eyebrows.He was wearing a black leather jacket and jeans, and he had a cruel smirk on his face.His small eyes were gleaming with a malevolent intensity.Alessia smelled something foul, like stale beer mixed with greasy takeout food.She squinted her eyes and studied him, her mind racing to place him.But she came up empty.She was positive she had never seen this man before.Alessia swallowed hard.Her voice carried a mix of bravado and desperatio
The man wasn’t so sure anymore. ‘Really? You are Logan Wilde’s girlfriend? How come no one knows about it?’Alessia’s throat and mouth had gone dry.She licked her lips. ‘Logan wants to keep our relationship low-key. Just ask your source, he can confirm it. Logan came to the BuzzBeat office to pick me up several times, and even stood up for me and punished the ex-chief editor on my behalf.’Something flickered across the man’s eyes, confirming Alessia’s suspicion.He contemplated for a while, then gave Alessia’s legs a hard kick. ‘Fine, I’ll make the call. It’s not like you are going anywhere.’Then he added, ‘But if I find out you are lying to me and wasted my time…’He bent down and pinched her breast.Alessia had to bite down hard on her lip to prevent herself from screaming.She kept her eyes wide open, committing the man’s face to memory.He straightened up, then strolled out of the factory, his phone pressed to his ear.Then the iron door was swung shut and locked, leaving Aless
Back when they were still married, Wilda had given the front door combination to Jeramy.But since she bought the property at The View long before their marriage, it didn’t come up during the divorce proceedings and she’d forgotten all about it.Apparently, Jeramy hadn’t.What the hell was he doing there?Wilda got in her car and gave the address to her driver.As the engine started, she sent a text to Lee. ‘Let me know once you have eyes on Alessia.’***The pounding of blood in her ears drowned out Alessia’s racing heartbeat as she continued grinding the rope with a fierce determination.Her wrists were sore and bleeding, but she knew she couldn’t stop.The metallic clanging signalled the return of her abductor.Alessia remained very still.The iron door creaked open.The man stepped into the dimly lit space, carrying a plastic shopping bag with one hand.Alessia kept her gaze steady, not allowing herself to show any sign of fear.‘I hope you are not getting bored,’ the man said wit
Logan called Wilda Hicks.The chief editor’s surprise was evident in her voice as she answered, ‘Mr Wilde?’‘Wilda, have you heard from Alessia?’A brief pause followed, and Logan could sense the hesitation in Wilda’s tone. ‘No, I haven’t. I sent one of my staff to her house. He says the door’s locked and no one appears to be home.’‘She didn’t apply for leave?’‘No. Which is why I’m getting so worried. This isn’t like her. Alessia was supposed to go for an interview this afternoon. She’d put in a lot of work to prep for it. I don’t think she’d just pull a vanishing act like this.’Logan’s gut twisted with dread. ‘Thanks, Wilda. Call me the minute you have an update.’Logan hung up and rubbed his temples, worry and unease gnawing at him.Then he made another call. ‘Heath, it’s Logan. We might have a problem.’‘What’s going on?’‘Alessia,’ Logan’s voice was taut. ‘She might be missing. I need your help.’‘Tell me everything you know.’Logan’s words came in a rush. ‘Alessia’s gone AWOL.
‘I was married to her for more than seven years,’ Jeramy said. ‘I’m familiar with her routine. I can give you the time and place that’s easiest for you to grab her.’The two of them lit up a cigarette each and smoked in silence for a while.Shad’s voice sliced through the smoky haze, laden with suspicion. ‘Tell me, Jeramy, is that Alessia woman really Logan Wilde’s girlfriend?’‘She’s lying.’ Jeramy snorted with derision. ‘She’s not his girlfriend. A side piece, at most. You know how these rich men like to have different flavours of the month.’Shad’s eyes narrowed as he leaned in, his voice a low rumble. ‘So, this woman is really involved with Logan?’Jeramy said vaguely, ‘Looks that way. But that was before I got fired from BuzzBeat. I wouldn’t know what the status of their relationship is now.’He studied Shad’s face. ‘You’re not thinking about calling Logan to demand ransom, are you?’When Shad said nothing, Jeramy exploded in rage. ‘Are you f*cking stupid? Alessia’s seen your fac
The phone call came abruptly, shattering the silence in Logan’s office where he’d been pacing for the past half an hour.Heath’s voice was sharp. ‘Logan, I tried again. Alessia’s phone is switched off, but I reached out to her network provider. I’ve got the IMEI number. Her last active location was Lavender Street at 7.55 am today.’Logan connected the dots in an instant. ‘Lavender Street? That’s the BuzzBeat office. She was on her way to work.’‘Yup. I’ve requested access to traffic cam footage on that street. My team is already combing through the recordings, trying to identify her. I’ll update you the moment I have something.’‘Thanks, Heath.’Logan hung up and then made another call. ‘Wilda, it’s Logan. Have you heard from Alessia?’‘I’m afraid the answer’s still no.’‘I need to ask you something.’‘Sure.’‘Does Alessia have any enemies?’Wilda took a moment to think it through. ‘Not any that I know of. Alessia gets on well with most of her colleagues. But then again, I’ve only be
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