Heath couldn’t help but tease his friend. ‘You can’t even sit up straight now?’Logan lifted his gaze, but he remained immobile, as if the world had crushed him.He muttered, ‘Eh.’Heath walked over and took a seat across from Logan. ‘What happened?’Logan didn’t respond immediately.Instead, he rubbed his brows wearily with slender fingers and croaked, ‘I don’t want to talk.’Heath was undeterred. ‘I know something happened between you and Alessia.’Logan’s response was instant and intense. ‘Don’t bring up that name!’Heath couldn’t resist a wry smile. ‘Are you so naive to think that not mentioning her will make you forget?’Logan snapped back, ‘I’ve told you not to mention it.’‘If I were you, I’d go to Alessia right now and sort things out face to face. I hate seeing you suffer like this.’Heath knew that if Logan went to Alessia’s house, he’d meet Milo, and the truth would come to light.Veronica made him promise not to tell Logan, but there was no law forbidding Logan from discov
Alessia shrugged. ‘Doesn’t matter now. I have made up my mind. By the way, about the meeting, it’s better that you don’t bring me up. I think he may not want to hear anything about me.’Wilda nodded in agreement.***Half past ten in the morning, in Wilde Enterprises, Terence was nervously standing in the president’s office.The air was thick with tension, and the scent of tobacco hung in the air.Terence informed Logan, ‘Boss, Miss Hicks is here to see you.’Logan, leaning lazily on the sofa, replied with a poker face, ‘Let her in.’Wilda entered the room.She put on a thin smile. ‘Mr Wilde, I’m here to discuss the investment deal with you, as per our previous agreement.’Logan nodded with indifference. ‘You can confirm the details with Terence.’Terence was confused as the task was usually handled directly by Logan himself.He couldn’t understand why the boss was passing it on to him.Logan turned to him. ‘There’s a file on the desk. Sort out the details with Miss Hicks.’Terence pi
‘Your dad has quite a temper, was he born with it?’ Milo said with a sneer.Arlie pouted. ‘Milo, why are you venting your anger on my dad? Your misfortune is not caused by him.’‘I know. If it’s your dad who caused it, do you think I’d be talking nonsense here with you?’ Milo shrugged and looked up at the sky again. ‘But you’re right. I’m indeed a little mad at your dad. Forget about it, it has nothing to do with you.’‘Why are you so angry?’‘You won’t understand even if I tell you. I’m in a really bad mood now.’‘Do you know who your father is?’ Arlie asked again.‘Of course.’‘Then why don’t you go to him?’‘I’m not in a hurry. I’m plotting something to catch him by surprise.’ Milo gnashed his teeth.‘Milo, why are you holding a grudge against your father? What did he do?’‘Nothing. And that’s the problem.’Arlie fell silent, contemplating his friend’s words.***Alessia had just sat down and had a sip of tea when her phone rang.She glanced at the screen and immediately picked it
Alessia knocked on the door of Logan’s office and pushed it open.Logan sat behind the imposing desk, staring at her impassively.She took out the cheque from her bag and set it down on the desk. ‘This is the cheque you asked Heath to give it to me yesterday. I’m giving it back to you now.’Logan’s expression changed.His gaze was still tightly locked on Alessia, with his eyebrows tightly knitted.She looked beautiful as always.It seemed like she was not affected by the breakup at all.On the contrary, he was a mess.Logan had an unsettling feeling in his heart, and just stared at her.Alessia took a deep breath. ‘You humiliated me by giving me the cheque. But I’ve committed my share of mistakes, too. I should have told you that I have a son, and I apologise for that.’‘Ha!’ Logan sneered. ‘Are you admitting that you lied to me so I’d be tricked into accepting your son?’‘Yes.’ Alessia nodded. ‘I hoped that after you’ve developed feelings for me and accepted me into your life, then y
Inside his room, Milo was staring at his computer screen.His face was twisted into a scowl.‘Juvenile?’ he snorted. ‘You are the stupid big bear who is juvenile.’He was about to reply when a knock came from the door.‘Milo, can I come in?’ Alessia asked.Milo immediately turned off the display. ‘Yes, Mommy.’Alessia entered the room and saw that Milo was sitting in front of his desk, with his computer screen turned off.Feeling strange, she walked to him.‘What are you doing?’ Alessia asked while sitting down on the bed.She took a glance at the computer.Milo tapped on a few keys and the screen lit up.It was showing his favourite game.‘I was playing,’ Milo answered. ‘Mommy, why are you looking at me like that?’He was indeed sharp.Alessia said with a smile, ‘I realise that you’ve been very busy lately. What are you up to? Just playing games?’‘Yes.’ he nodded seriously. ‘I’ve recently discovered a new game. It’s about beating up a silly big bear.’‘A silly big bear?’ Alessia ask
Sharp jawline, dazzling eyes, dashing eyebrows, firm nose, and a thin mouth.Vince Norman looked perfect, good enough to be on the cover of magazines.And he seemed to be very close to Alessia.Which made Logan feel extremely uncomfortable.Logan’s constant glances at the adjoining room had attracted Vince’s attention.He had been watching Logan for a long time.An enigmatic smile appeared on Vince’s face. ‘Mr Wilde, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Please take a seat.’Logan gave him a smile.But the smile did not reach his eyes. ‘Pleased to meet you, too. I’ve heard a lot about you.’‘I hope those are good things you’ve heard.’ Vince chuckled.They sat down across each other.Vince glanced at Logan. ‘Hold on, Mr Wilde. Let me ask my…good friend to make us some coffee.’Then, he stood up and headed to the staff lounge.Logan stared at Vince as the man went into the adjoining room.Good friend?He didn’t even know that Alessia knew Vince.Logan’s eyes became cold again.Vince pull
Alessia knew that Vince was not insane.She felt that he was probably going through a difficult phase in his life.She had never asked Vince about it out of courtesy.Over time, Vince became a sort of adopted member of the family.It had been a long time since they last met.Alessia was curious to find out what Vince had been up to, but she never anticipated running into Logan at Vince’s office.After returning to the lounge, Alessia sat down and took a deep breath, feeling lost.Should she leave?***‘Please have a try on the coffee, Mr Wilde,’ Vince said.Logan’s eyes fell on the cup of coffee and he stared at it without blinking.Without needing to taste it, Logan could tell that the coffee was well brewed just by smelling it.He had never known about Alessia’s barista skills.In fact, he hadn’t really known Alessia that well when they were still together.Logan then took a sip of the coffee.At first, he could taste the bitterness of it, then the fragrance of the coffee lingered i
Vince took a deep breath. ‘You mean he doesn’t know that you have a son?’‘He knows I have a son, but doesn’t know he’s Milo’s father,’ Alessia said. ‘It was a one-night stand, a mistake. He had totally forgotten about everything.’‘But his reaction during the meeting doesn’t seem like a man who’s kept in the dark.’‘That’s because we dated for a while not long ago, and it didn’t end well.’ Alessia sighed. ‘Anyway, stop sticking your nose into it, okay?’Vince remained silent.Alessia picked up her bag. ‘Let’s go. I’m starving.’Vince walked behind Alessia.Soon, they were out of the building.Vince looked out and spotted a car parked on the other side of the street.He squinted his eyes and said to Alessia in a low voice, ‘Looks like he hasn’t left yet.’‘Who?’‘You know who.’Alessia glanced ahead and a familiar black Bentley came into sight.She turned to Vince. ‘So what if he hasn’t left yet? You can talk to him if you need to. If not, let’s get out of here.’‘Why would I need to
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