‘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
Alessia had to climb onto the chair and stand on tiptoe to reach it, her ankles protesting every movement.The window pane was missing, a lucky break for her.Through sheer will, she squeezed her body through the empty frame, mindful of the voices that could return at any moment.She dropped to the ground on the other side, her ankle twisting painfully.Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her skin paled from the agony.But she couldn’t afford to scream.She hobbled away from the factory, each step a symphony of pain and purpose.The suburban landscape she found herself in was unfamiliar.A field stretched before her, with tall grass that swayed in the breeze.Trees reached toward the sky, wildflowers dotted the ground.It was a scene of serenity that contrasted with her chaotic reality.The scent of earth and blossoms enveloped her, providing a stark contrast to the sterile captivity she’d endured.Birds chirped in the distance, the rustling leaves played a soft melody, and the
Alessia’s body went still, her breathing hitching as she turned, her gaze locking onto Logan’s face.Emotions swirled within her, a tumultuous storm that threatened to consume her.She opened her eyes wide, afraid to blink, believing Logan’s mirage would disappear if she did.She opened her mouth to speak, but before words could form, her world shifted.Darkness descended as her body surrendered to unconsciousness.Logan caught Alessia’s limp body just in time.He removed his suit jacket and draped it over her half-n*ked body.His heart clenched at the sight of her bloodied wrists and swollen face.Gingerly, he lifted her into his arms.He cradled her protectively and marched towards his car.Terence had just caught up with him, still catching his breath.‘Call the police,’ Logan ordered. ‘Have these two men arrested.’He carried Alessia to his car, carefully placing her in the backseat.The engine roared to life as he accelerated towards the nearest hospital.***Alessia’s eyelids fl
‘Um, about the medical expenses, I’ll pay you back later.’ Alessia tried hard to recall if she had insurance, but her brain was still slow.Logan breathed heavily. ‘Is that all you have to say to me?’‘I already said thank you.’‘And?’‘And what?’Logan clenched his jaw.This time, when Alessia tried to get up again, he was less gentle. ‘Where the hell do you think you’re going?’‘To the bathroom,’ Alessia replied matter-of-factly.‘Oh.’ Logan rose and made way.He watched her shuffle into the en suite bathroom, the IV stand trailing comically behind her.Through the closed door, he called out, ‘Need a hand in there?’Alessia shouted back, ‘No, thank you!’Emerging from the bathroom a while later, Alessia scanned the room.‘What are you looking for?’‘My clothes.’Logan’s question was tinged with exasperation. ‘Still trying to leave? Why are you being so stubborn?’‘The doctor said I don’t have to stay here. I’d like to leave.’‘You need to rest. You can’t go home like this.’‘I’m not
Alessia allowed herself to sink deeper, the water’s warmth enveloping her, wrapping her in a cocoon of solitude.The events of today seemed to ebb away, replaced by the tranquillity of the moment.With each breath, the tension that had clung to her shoulders began to loosen, the worries of the world fading into the distance.She drifted off.***Alessia’s eyes snapped open at the sensation of someone shaking her shoulders, jolting her awake.Her heart raced as her gaze met Logan’s.In the split second it took to process her surroundings, the realisation hit her—she was still submerged in the tub, utterly n*ked.Instinctively, her hands flew to cover her breasts, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of mortification and surprise. ‘What... what are you doing here?’His hands were still on her shoulders. ‘You’ve been in the bath for almost an hour. I knocked and called out, but you didn’t reply. I thought you might have drowned in here.’‘Oh.’ Alessia grimaced, embarrassed.Logan’s grip ti
Heath paused, as if deciding how much to reveal.Then he leaned forward. ‘Remember Donatella Pagano?’‘Sure.’ Alessia had helped Heath gather intel on the missing socialite.‘Turns out, her family and the police are not the only ones looking for her. During my investigation, I found out that the charity she’s involved in, Children’s Hope Foundation, sent men to track her down as well. I thought they were looking to recover the funds she’d embezzled, understandably. But that’s not all. After Mauro Benetti took over as the chairman, he’d slowly transformed the charity into a front for human trafficking. When Donatella absconded with his money, he knew the police would come looking and decided it was time to pull up stakes. So he sent a bunch of his operatives to abduct as many women as they could.’ Heath scoffed. ‘Shad said Benetti called it the last shipment.’‘How many women did they take?’ Alessia asked.‘Eighteen, as far as Shad can tell. Could be more. We are still looking.’‘I don
Logan stared at Alessia, a myriad of emotions flickering across his eyes. ‘Are you sure about this?’‘Yes.’In the heartbeat that followed, he dipped his head, his kiss a swift thief that stole her breath.The patience he had exhibited for hours crumbled, a façade of restraint that had been politely upheld.The mantle of gentlemanliness was cast aside, its weight unnecessary now.No longer confined by propriety, Logan wrapped Alessia’s legs around his waist and carried her to the master bedroom.His breath caressed her ear as he laid her down on the big bed. ‘You’re fully awake now.’Alessia blinked. ‘Yes.’She was, indeed, fully present in the moment, her thoughts unclouded.Logan’s gaze bore into her. ‘Alessia, are you absolutely sure this is what you want?’Alessia rolled her eyes.She raised her right hand as if to swear an oath. ‘I, Alessia Jansen, of sound mind and body, hereby declare that my decision to sleep with Logan Wilde is made of my own volition, free from any form of c
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