After parking the car, Vince and Alessia made their way out of the parking lot.Vince pointed to the crowd. ‘Look at those people who are smiling. They must be the family because they are genuinely happy for the newlyweds.’Alessia shifted her gaze to the crowd.There were some who were indeed smiling brightly.‘I bet those who have their faces screwed up into a frown are the ones who’re feeling sorry for their wallets,’ Vince said while pointing to a smaller part of the crowd. ‘Most of them are forced to be here because they’ve got the invitation and couldn’t figure out a polite way to turn it down.’Alessia’s eyes widened, and her mouth gaped open.She looked at Vince in astonishment. ‘Vince, I’ve only just discovered that you have such a nasty habit.’‘A nasty habit of saying the truth?’ Vince lifted an eyebrow and looked at her.With the sun beaming down on him, his handsome face looked even more attractive.‘No, the nasty habit of pouring cold water on some strangers’ wedding day
Logan saw the message.He didn’t bat an eyelid and proceeded to delete the message.Then, he handed the phone back to Terence and said, ‘I’ll be back in a short while.’‘Yes, boss.’Logan’s gaze swept across the area.Judging from the direction the photo was taken, it had to be that way across the corridor.In no time, he walked along the corridor and found Alex.Logan reached out his hand and gave him a pat.Alex was startled. ‘Sir?’‘Where is the restroom?’ Logan asked.Still feeling shocked, Alex immediately pointed in the direction of the restroom. ‘Miss Jansen had gone to that restroom just a moment ago.’Logan didn’t say a word and headed straight for the restroom.Watching his back slowly disappear from view, Alex was in a daze.Logan arrived at the door of the restroom.He looked at the ladies' signs on the door and hesitated for a moment.His face looked grim.Alessia happened to open the door after using the facilities.Before she could step out of the door, a dark shadow pr
Alessia scowled.She knew that Logan had gotten the wrong idea.But it did not matter to her as she had no intention to explain herself.‘That’s my business,’ she said firmly. ‘Let me go.’Seeing her so sickened by him and resisting him, Logan felt a jolt of anger.His lips twisted in a mirthless smile with a hint of bitterness.Alessia looked at his face in bewilderment, clearly not knowing what was on his mind.He was the one who wanted to part ways with her.Why was he acting like the jilted party?‘Let go of me!’ she pushed him fiercely.‘No.’In a fury, Alessia wrestled with all her strength using both her hands and legs.In the scuffle, she hit her back on the door handle.It hurt so much that she gasped in pain.She broke out in a cold sweat.Logan then grabbed her and trapped her between the stall door and himself. ‘You’re not allowed to fall in love with another man.’Alessia stopped struggling.She could feel his chest heaving with his heavy breathing.Her heart ached for so
Alessia pushed the door open and left without looking back.Still in a daze, Logan was frozen to the spot.‘Did you fall asleep in there?’ Vince teased Alessia as soon as he saw her coming out of the restroom.‘Let’s get out of here,’ she said calmly, giving away no emotion in her voice.Vince’s eyes fell on her face.Her lips were swollen. Her upper lip was cut and there was a trace of blood.The sight took him by surprise. He turned to look in the direction of the restroom with a sharp gaze.At the same time, a tall figure walked out.Vince instantly recognised Logan, but he didn’t acknowledge him. Instead, he put his arm around Alessia’s shoulder. ‘The dishes have been served. You’ve been away for so long and I was getting anxious.’‘I’m fine,’ Alessia said.Her mind was all over the place, and she did not notice Vince’s hand on her shoulder.Logan stared at their backs coldly as they left.Alessia had clearly moved on from him. He did not know what to do.‘Boss.’ Alex walked over
‘But women love to hear it.’ Heath rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t tell me you never said those three little words to Alessia.’Logan frowned. ‘Love is proven through action, not words.’‘But women care about stuff like that. Emotions and feelings. Why else do you think she chose to be with you?’Logan said nothing, but Heath read his mind. ‘Did you think she stayed with you for your money?’Logan shrugged. ‘You can’t deny that I’m rich.’Heath scoffed. ‘Oh, you’ve really underestimated her. Her father, Mitch Jansen, used to own one of the largest companies in Veridian. She had a pampered life until she left the Jansen family. If she really cares about money and power, why would she leave?’Logan stared at the floor and said nothing.Heath continued, ‘You pushed her away with your own hands. You didn’t like the fact that she has a son, but Vince doesn’t mind. One of my guys told me he heard laughter coming out of the apartment all evening. As you’re wallowing in self-pity, Vince has already m
Alessia sighed.She stared at the ceiling. ‘I have to get Milo’s relationship with Logan out in the open, but I haven’t found a suitable time. Sooner or later, I will have to talk to Logan.’No matter what, she couldn’t let the child remain fatherless.***The next morning, Vince drove Alessia to BuzzBeat.After stopping at the office entrance, Vince got out of the car and took out a big box out of the trunk.Alessia asked in confusion, ‘What’s this?’‘Chocolates.’ Vince said, ‘It’s for your colleagues.’‘When did you prepare this?’‘I bought it for a client, but it turned out that he had diabetes, so he couldn’t have them. I didn’t want the entire box to go to waste.’‘Oh. I thought you bought it for me.’ Alessia heaved out a sigh, relieved.Vince smiled. ‘Well, it’s yours now.’‘Well then, I’ll take it inside and share it with my colleagues. Thank you.’‘Go ahead.’ Vince gave the box to her. ‘Don’t tell Milo, though. I didn’t take it out yesterday because I was afraid that the kid w
When Logan came into the BuzzBeat office, the others all greeted him. ‘Good morning, Mr Wilde.’‘Mr Wilde!’ Gloria stood up and exclaimed excitedly. ‘It’s good to see you again. And we all thank you for the chocolates!’Logan looked puzzled.‘Alessia gave us chocolates.’ Gloria pointed to the big white box on a table nearby.Alessia was about to speak when Logan beat her to it. ‘Those are not from me, but if you guys fancy some...Terence, call Truffle Treasures and order a variety box for everyone.’‘Yes, sir.’ Terence took out his phone.Gloria’s mouth gaped open. ‘Mr Wilde, that’s so generous of you.’Truffle Treasures was a high-end chocolaterie under Wilde Enterprises.It offered a luxurious and varied selection of chocolate and desserts.Their chocolates were handcrafted and made in small batches to ensure the highest quality and freshness.Their signature truffle collection included 24 decadent flavours, such as Grand Marnier, Raspberry, Crème de Menthe, Mocha, and Amaretto.Glo
Alessia recalled what had happened more than six years ago and why she had dropped out.She was somewhat embarrassed as she explained, ‘Personal reasons. Something happened in my… family.’‘Oh.’ Professor Hurley smiled to indicate that he understood. ‘I’ll look into it and see how to work that out.’‘That’s…great. Thank you.’A surge of warmth welled within Alessia.She looked at Vince gratefully.She did not expect him to be so thoughtful.The interview with Professor Hurley was very successful.When the interview concluded, it was already noon.Vince proposed, ‘Let’s go get lunch. My treat.’During the meal, Alessia found out that Vince was once one of Professor Hurley’s most outstanding students, up until Vince decided to switch from Media Studies to Finance, though the professor was vague about the reason.By the time Vince drove her back to BuzzBeat, it was already half past two in the afternoon.As the car slowed to a stop, Alessia turned to Vince. ‘I can’t thank you enough for
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