Strolling around in a department store, Alessia picked out several outfits for Milo and added a couple for Arlie as well.Passing the menswear section, she noticed a shirt on the rack.It had a simple design, yet somehow, Alessia felt it would look good on Logan.Thinking of the pile of expensive gifts Logan left in Milo’s room, Alessia decided maybe she should return the gesture.A sales assistant approached. ‘Miss, how may I help you today?’‘I would like to buy this shirt.’‘Excellent choice. May I know what size your husband wears?’‘He’s not my husband.’‘My apologies.’Alessia hesitated.It was her first time buying clothes for a man.‘I don’t know his size, but he is about 185 centimetres tall and in shape.’‘In that case, an extra-large size should be suitable for him. Please give me a minute. I’ll go check if we have it in stock.’Alessia found an ottoman and sat down, appreciating the assortment of men’s clothes.She had no idea there were so many patterns for a tie.‘Shoppi
‘Oh, I almost forgot.’ Alessia turned to the sales assistant. ‘Yes, please wrap it up.’Logan raised an eyebrow at the man’s shirt. ‘Isn’t that too big for Milo?’Alessia rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t be stupid.’‘So, it’s for me?’‘Uh-huh. Consider it a thank-you gift for letting Milo stay over.’‘He’s my kid, too. You don’t have to thank me. But I’ll take the shirt.’ Logan smiled.***Good friends to begin with, Milo and Arlie were now inseparable.They took turns staying at each other’s house and did almost everything together.Logan suggested that the four of them move into his villa, but Alessia refused.He gave her a credit card, but she kept it locked in a drawer.He offered to take them on an overseas trip for the weekend, but she said she had to work.Alessia knew what he was doing, but couldn’t cut him out of her life for Milo’s sake.In fact, she was starting to see a new side of him, a side which made her reconsider: maybe they could try again.But, cautious by nature, Alessia k
‘Is Logan very close with the Barrett family?’ Alessia asked. ‘He said he felt responsible for Mr and Mrs Barrett.’‘Logan is very loyal,’ Heath said vaguely.‘I want to know how Sirena died,’ Alessia asked point-blank.Heath hummed and hawed. ‘We don’t have all the details.’‘Just tell me what you know. Please.’‘Fine.’ Heath sighed again. ‘Sirena died while on a volunteer mission abroad. That was about six years ago. She was a doctor, Elaine’s protégé.’‘Elaine, as in Elain Johnson?’‘Yes. I take it you’ve met her.’‘I have.’‘Anyway, Sirena was kidnapped by a local gang. The police were not sure if they were terrorists or just kidnappers looking for a payday. We never got the chance to find out. Some of the investigating officers believed she might have been beheaded. We never recovered her body.’‘But the tombstone…’ Alessia inhaled sharply. ‘I saw her tombstone at the cemetery.’‘There was no body inside. It was just a place for folks to visit when they miss her. When Uncle Ralph
‘Okay. Thank you.’ Alessia was relieved that Elaine had dropped the subject of her s*x life.Elaine scribbled on a prescription pad, tore off a page and handed it to Alessia.Alessia took it, thanked the doctor and was ready to bolt.She’d just opened the door when a figure rushed in, almost colliding with her.‘Sorry,’ the man in a white lab coat said to her before turning to Elaine. ‘Dr Johnson, Mr Wilde just called and asked you to check on Ralph. Said he’s not doing too well.’‘Got it.’Alessia closed the door behind her, wondering what she’d just heard.She remembered Ralph Barrett’s name; Sirena’s father seemed to be in a bad situation.Neither did she miss the mention of Logan.As she left the doctor’s office, Alessia wondered if he would still be available for dinner.***While Alessia was leaving the hospital, Logan was arriving.Minutes ago, he got a call from Ralph’s caretaker, saying his condition had taken a turn for the worse.When he rushed into the ward, he discovered
‘I overheard part of a conversation in Dr Johnson’s office,’ Alessia explained, then quickly added, ‘I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.’‘So…you know about Uncle Ralph?’ Logan stared at her.Alessia nodded. ‘Is he okay?’‘He’s still in post-op recovery, not entirely out of the woods yet.’‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Alessia played with her fork, debating if she should ask about the friend—Sirena Barrett.But she didn’t get the chance.Logan’s phone rang just as he sat down.He glanced at the caller ID, then looked at Alessia. ‘Sorry, I have to take this.’‘Go ahead.’Logan walked over to the French window and hit Answer. ‘Elaine?’‘Logan, can you come back to the hospital?’‘Now?’‘Yes. Ralph woke up and said he wanted to see you. He has something to tell you.’‘Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to see him now?’‘I know you’re worried about his health, but he insists on talking to you.’Logan pursed his lips.He glanced back at Alessia, at the candlelit dinner prepared meticulously by his b
Alessia hesitated.It was a strange request, for her to meet with Logan’s ex-girlfriend’s father.Elaine must know this too, as she added hastily, ‘I know it’s a lot to ask, but I think it’s worth a shot. I agree with Naomi’s assessment; you are a sensible lady. Besides, Logan kept insisting that the birth of the child was an accident but wouldn’t elaborate. Naomi and I are hoping maybe you can shed some light on that.’Alessia pondered the request.She never met Ralph Barrett and felt no obligation to help, but then she thought of her own father.Losing an only child must be a devastating blow to any parent.Inevitably, she also thought of the baby she lost six years ago.Alessia sat up in bed. ‘Okay, I’ll come and talk to him. I need to be at the office by nine, so we’ll have to do this quickly.’‘That’s great! Thank you, Alessia. I’ll meet you at the hospital entrance.’‘I’ll be there in half an hour.’When she arrived at the hospital, Randal Torres, Ralph’s private nurse, was shoc
Naomi stared at Alessia with tears welling up in her eyes.She sighed. ‘Miss Jansen, what you said is right. We are being too much. Ralph has really made things difficult for Logan. I hope you can forgive us.’Alessia shook her head. ‘It’s not my place to forgive you. You’ll have to talk to Logan.’Alessia took her leave after saying goodbye to the Barretts.She’d done all she could.If Ralph’s mood still didn’t improve, there was nothing else she could do.Alessia declined Elaine’s offer to walk her out.The moment she stepped outside and turned left, she was greeted by the sight of Logan leaning against the wall, staring at her with an almost scorching intensity.‘How long have you been standing here?’ She walked up to him.She noticed his wind-tousled hair and misbuttoned jacket.He must have gotten here in a hurry.‘Could you give me a lift?’ Alessia swung her purse over one shoulder. ‘I really have to go now. I’m running late for work.’Abruptly, Logan pulled her into his arms an
‘Professor Sawyer, it’s an honour to meet you.’ Alessia was thrilled.‘Well, if Vince introduced us to each other earlier, we would have met sooner,’ Yvonne said meaningfully. ‘Vince, bring us a pot of tea. Oh, young people like coffee.’She turned to Alessia. ‘Do you drink tea or coffee?’‘Either is fine for me, Professor Sawyer.’‘Tea it is, then,’ Vince said. ‘But we’ll have to drink it later.’‘Oh, that’s right. The salon.’ Yvonne stood up and stretched. ‘Let’s go then.’‘Wait.’ Alessia was confused. ‘I thought we were doing an interview.’Yvonne laughed. ‘Yes, but not here, and not with me. Vince has asked me to introduce you to a couple of artists at the salon. Painters, sculptors, illustrators, what have you. Then you can do a series, like what you did with Professor Hurley and his students.’‘Wow. That’s a wonderful idea. Thank you. Thank you so much.’ Alessia was both surprised and touched.This was a huge favour.Yvonne winked at her. ‘Don’t thank me. Vince made me do it.’‘