‘What do you think about having a mother?’ Logan looked straight at his son.Arlie blinked in surprise.After a moment’s consideration, he replied, ‘Sure.’Logan studied him, pausing before speaking again, ‘You don’t seem too thrilled, though.’‘No,’ Arlie shook his head gently, ‘It’s not a big deal to me. But, Dad, you do need a wife.’Logan was taken aback. ‘So, you’re not interested in having a mother?’Arlie shrugged nonchalantly. ‘It doesn’t really matter to me. I’m content with having you, Great-grandpa Albert, Uncle Penshaw and Sunny in my life. Besides, whoever you find should be someone willing to spend their life with you, not me.’Logan found himself surprised by Arlie’s maturity.His hand reached out to ruffle his son’s hair. ‘You’ve got a way of putting things that’s beyond your years.’Arlie acknowledged the compliment with a nod. ‘What kind of wife are you searching for, then? She must be pretty amazing to win you over.’Logan held his son’s gaze for a long while, then
‘Nothing!’ Alessia said hastily. ‘It’s just a little inconvenient. I live with my sister.’Logan was relentless. ‘Why? You don’t want to introduce me to her?’‘It’s not that. She’s already asleep. I don’t want to disturb her.’‘I’m sure even an apartment as small as yours has a living room.’‘It’s better if we talk outside.’ Alessia threw on a coat. ‘I’m already out the door. I’ll see you downstairs.’She hung up without giving him a chance to reply.Logan was pacing outside the apartment, smoking.He turned around at the sound of footsteps.He was clad in a dark silk shirt, which gleamed expensively under the streetlight.From his clothes to his shoes and his watch, the man seemed out of place in the shabby neighbourhood.Alessia slowed.He fixed his gaze on her. ‘Come here.’Her heart quivered.With every step, her nervousness amplified.She drew nearer to him.Oddly, she felt shy, more so than when she shared a bed with him.‘Um, thank you for driving all the way here.’ She glanced
Half an hour later, Alessia found herself once again drained of energy.Logan had left her breathless, her body sprawled inertly over the backseat like a puddle of water, hardly able to muster a blink.Logan, on the other hand, was tireless.He draped his coat over her and checked his watch. ‘Huh, still got fifteen minutes to spare. Slightly quicker than expected, but judging by that expression on your face, I’d say I didn’t do too badly.’‘S*x maniac,’ Alessia muttered under her breath.Logan was unabashed. ‘I have lots of lost time to make up for.’Six years, three months and two weeks, to be exact.He settled into the driver’s seat. ‘Buckle up.’‘I can’t lift my finger.’That elicited a smug smile from him.Logan carried her to the front passenger seat and strapped her in.He started the car and glanced at her. ‘How about coming back with me?’‘No. I want to sleep in my own bed.’This past half-hour had proven to be more taxing than the entire previous night combined.She barely mo
Alessia’s embarrassment turned into exasperation as she groaned, ‘Don’t even start.’Veronica grinned. ‘All right, I’ll stop. But remember, I’ve got eagle eyes.’Alessia shrugged off her coat, which invited another amused giggle from her sister.‘Veronica!’‘Okay, okay, I’ll stop now, for real.’ Veronica shifted to a more serious tone. ‘Did you tell him about Milo?’Alessia paused. ‘No, I didn’t get the chance.’‘I bet.’ Veronica winked.Alessia changed the topic. ‘Is Milo asleep?’‘Out like a light.’ Veronica nodded.‘Great. I’m going to shower,’ Alessia said, pointing to the take-out box. ‘There’s food there if you are hungry.’Veronica shook her head, her hands patting her satisfied tummy. ‘I’m still full from dinner. I won’t be needing that.’She added with a smirk, ‘But I bet you do. You know what they say about post-s*x munchies.’Alessia just shook her head and stepped into the bathroom.After a quick shower, she collapsed onto the bed, fatigue hitting her like a ton of bricks.
Logan glanced at Alessia, his eyes searching hers. ‘Perhaps it’s a bit of both.’‘Either way, it’s your fault,’ she insisted.Logan grew defensive. ‘If you’d gone home with me last night, you wouldn’t be in this state now.’Alessia rolled her eyes at him.She was starting to regret leaving the comfort of her home early in the morning to bicker with him.Staying in bed after taking her medicine seemed like a much better idea now.‘Are we just going to sit here and talk?’Logan chuckled. ‘You didn’t want to come. Now look who’s in a hurry all of a sudden.’He started the car. ‘Terence called ahead. There’ll be a doctor waiting. And I’ve arranged for you to stay at a VIP ward till you recover.’Alessia blinked in surprise. ‘Staying in the hospital for a cold?’‘If it turns out you’ve caught some dangerous virus, quarantine might be necessary,’ Logan reasoned.‘But I don’t want to stay in the hospital.’‘That’s for the doctor to decide, not you.’‘You are being a tyrant.’‘And you are bei
Alessia tried to stifle a laugh and ended up coughing violently.She shook her head, amused.Typical Logan.Even when he was defending her, he would not miss the chance to blow his own trumpet.Connie refused to give up so easily.She lost a multimillion-dollar project with Wilde Enterprises and was now fighting with Brayden on a daily basis.If her life was miserable, why should Alessia get to enjoy the attention of such a handsome, powerful man?Connie stood in Logan’s way. ‘Mr Wilde, there’s something you should know about my sister. She’s not one to fall in love easily, but when she does, it’s for a lifetime. Brayden hasn’t gotten over her, and I think the same goes for her feelings for him.’Logan turned to Alessia with an arched eyebrow, as if seeking the truth of Connie’s statement.Alessia scoffed. ‘Do you think she knows me better than I know myself?’When she sneezed again, an idea struck her. ‘Connie, I have a cold. Or could be a viral flu. If you are not concerned about yo
This place must cost more than a night at a five-star hotel.‘What if I am?’ Logan said, his tone low and his face devoid of expression.There was no trace of jest in his eyes.Alessia reached out a hand. ‘Hand me my bag.’Logan held onto her purse. ‘What’s the matter? Are you leaving?’‘Yeah.’ Alessia nodded. ‘I can’t afford to stay in such an expensive place. They probably charge by the minute.’‘Are you implying you want me to cover the bill?’ Logan looked intently at her.‘I’m implying that when you asked your assistant to book this place, you probably didn’t think it all the way through.’ Alessia stared right back at him. ‘Not everyone’s loaded like you, Mr Wilde.’Logan pursed his lips.Alessia shrugged. ‘I can’t afford such a ward. Even if I could, it feels like such a waste for a mere cold.She yawned and felt her eyes water again.Alessia pulled her bag from his grip. ‘I’m going to head back and grab some meds from a pharmacy on the way.’But Logan refused to yield.He held o
Logan’s lips curled into a chilly smile as he uttered, ‘I’ve got plenty of time, but none to spare for you.’Connie’s surprise was evident, but she didn’t let it rattle her.With composure, she responded, ‘Mr Wilde, no matter what, I’m still Alessia’s sister.’‘Really?’ Logan’s voice dripped with sarcasm. ‘Could’ve fooled me that you’re related to Alessia. Did she even acknowledge you?’‘Mr Wilde, whether she acknowledges me or not, blood ties are unbreakable.’ Connie’s lips curved into a serene smile. ‘That’s a fact.’Logan’s gaze turned steely. ‘What’s that got to do with me?’And with that, he pivoted and began to walk away.Unhurried, Connie called out, ‘Mr Wilde, I’ve got an old photo album of my sister. I’ve been meaning to return it to her. Maybe it’ll remind her of the sweet memories from the past—the beautiful moments she shared with Brayden.’She clutched a slightly worn photo album, its pages filled with nostalgia.Logan was on the verge of leaving but her words stopped him