‘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.’‘
Alessia was a special woman, able to constantly surprise him.She was ceaselessly strong and independent.She had her principles, but at the same time, she was magnanimous.‘Is there anything you want to ask me?’ he said.Alessia pondered the question. ‘If Sirena were still alive, would you still want to be with me?’‘I’m destined to be with you,’ Logan said. ‘Sirena and I were doomed to go nowhere.’In fact, if not for her sudden and shocking demise, Sirena would be just another ex-girlfriend to him, consigned to a corner of his memory and eventually forgotten.‘You and I were destined to meet and be together,’ he said earnestly. ‘Alessia, you are different from everyone else.’Alessia nodded. ‘Okay, I believe you.’They enjoyed a quiet and rejuvenating swim together.When they got out of the pool, Logan put his arms around her waist.This time, she didn’t pull back.Taking that as an encouraging sign, he lowered his head and kissed her gently on the forehead.‘I’m starving,’ she sai
‘Because my boss would dock my pay, and I don’t see the need for it.’ Alessia glanced around. ‘If you’d like to talk, we can do it right here. There’s a diner on the adjacent street, Uncle Erasmo’s. He doesn’t serve lobster, but makes some pretty decent grilled fish.’‘A diner?’ Albert scrunched up his nose. ‘Too crowded. Too noisy. I bet they serve food on disposable plates.’Alessia shrugged, her attitude clear: take it or leave it.‘Fine.’ Albert yielded.Alessia led the way.Uncle Erasmo greeted her with his usual enthusiasm and showed them to the private booth.Alessia ordered for the two of them. ‘Isn’t your assistant joining us?’‘He’s on duty.’ Albert gestured for his assistant to leave.Alessia got straight to the point. ‘Mr Wilde, what brings you here?’‘You’re a straightforward person,’ Albert commented approvingly. ‘So I’ll be frank as well. It’s about Logan. You should know that he’s my only grandchild, and I have high hopes for him. In fact, I’ve spent the past year sear