‘Miss, it’s unlikely we can obtain a strong DNA sample from this suit jacket for a conclusive test. It would be better if you could provide another sample,’ a staff member from the DNA Diagnostic & Research Laboratory informed her.‘Can’t you find strands of hair from this jacket?’ Alessia refused to give up on her only lead.‘We can, but it won’t be the kind of hair we need,’ the man explained patiently. ‘The shaft of the hair does not contain any nucleated cells and cannot be used for a paternity DNA test.’‘Then what kind do you need?’ Alessia asked quickly.‘Hair that contains the root. At least six to eight of them. You need to store them in a clear plastic bag which must be dry.’Alessia left the hospital with Logan’s jacket and stood on the crowded sidewalk, at a loss for what to do next.Since Lara already gave her the day off, Alessia took a bus home.The next morning, she reported for work at BuzzBeat.As soon as she stepped through the doorway, she sensed an abrupt shift in
Alessia furrowed her brow.What was Jeramy implying?The editor continued, ‘We’ve been hearing things about you lately. You have a, ahem, special relationship with Mr Wilde. You hugged him in front of the office the day before yesterday, and you two were together yesterday. You skipped work to spend time with him, right?’Alessia felt anger surge within her. ‘That’s not true! Mr Wilde and I—’‘Don’t be upset. I’m not blaming you,’ Jeramy cut her off. ‘I’m not saying it’s a bad thing that you and Mr Wilde are…involved.’He smiled and said, ‘What I meant is, it would be a waste not to take advantage of such a powerful connection. And I’m not asking for myself. It’s for the good of the paper.’‘Mr Chavez.’ Alessia took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing. ‘I understand. Maybe I could pass on Mr Wilde’s contact information to my colleagues in Marketing and let them take it from there. After all, they are the experts.’Jeramy raised an eyebrow.He hadn’t expected such an artful
‘Well, since you are already here…’ Alessia ignored his jibe and forged ahead. ‘I could take you out to lunch if you like.’‘I don’t eat lunch with married women,’ Logan retorted.‘Terence, let’s go.’ He turned to his assistant. ‘I’m busy. I don’t have time to waste on married women.’Terence shot Alessia a commiserating look.He had been working for Logan for almost half a decade and this was the first time he discovered his boss had such a…juvenile side, for lack of a better word.‘You don’t have time for married women in general,’ Terence thought, ‘but you sure have time for this one.’He happened to be in the office when Logan took the call and witnessed first-hand how his boss had jumped up from his chair the moment he hung up, grabbed his coat, ran a hand through his hair and then dashed out the door, sprinting for the lift.But he knew better than to voice those thoughts.So Terence just nodded. ‘I’m ready to go whenever you are, sir.’Logan’s smile oozed satisfaction as he add
‘How else would you explain your fascination with me?’ Logan folded his arms and sneered. ‘Your insistence on seeing me less than twenty-four hours after our last meeting is proof enough.’Alessia feigned innocence, her voice laced with amusement. ‘Me? Fixated on you? Don’t flatter yourself, Mr Wilde. Your mercurial temper isn’t exactly a turn-on.’Logan’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned in closer. ‘Is that so? Because from where I’m standing, your fixation on me speaks volumes.’Alessia’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and defiance. ‘You wish. Don’t get ahead of yourself.’They stared at each other.They thought they were arguing, but to Terence, it sounded so much like flirting, he was half afraid they’d tear off each other’s clothes right there on the doorsteps.The assistant shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat. ‘Um, sorry to interrupt, but I believe we should focus on the matter at hand.’Startled, Logan and Alessia broke eye contact.Alessia nodded. ‘Y
‘Please have a seat, Miss Jansen,’ Terence offered, summoning a secretary. ‘Would you like coffee or tea?’‘No, thanks. I’ll be leaving right after the meeting with Mr Wilde.’ Alessia took a seat on the nearest sofa.With Brayden and Connie in the same building, beverages were the last thing on her mind.‘Let’s go with coffee then,’ Terence suggested.Alessia shook her head. ‘No, let’s stick with tea. I’m not much of a coffee person.’‘All right.’After a brief wait, green tea was brought in.The secretary smiled, serving the tea, and nodded before discreetly leaving.Alessia admired the secretary’s professional attire and demeanour.‘With a dress like that, she probably earns double what I make at BuzzBeat,’ she thought.Terence settled into a chair opposite Alessia. ‘Miss Jansen, what did you wish to discuss on behalf of BuzzBeat?’‘Well, we’re interested in securing a portion of your company’s advertising budget.’ Alessia got straight to the point. ‘As you know, we are a tabloid pa
Connie’s voice remained collected. ‘Brayden, patience is our virtue now. Knowing what we know about Logan Wilde, waiting for five minutes instead of twenty is already a blessing.’Brayden let out a sigh of resignation. ‘Connie, your composure never ceases to amaze me.’‘Well, of the two of us, someone has got to keep a cool head. As Redwood’s CEO, I can’t act any way I please.’‘Connie, dear, I know how much you’ve sacrificed for the company,’ Brayden’s voice was gentle and soothing. ‘But remember, you don’t have to face any of it alone. You still have me.’Then came a long silence.Alessia guessed the lovey-dovey couple were either exchanging a passionate kiss or gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes.Then she heard a hiss of pain from Connie.Brayden’s voice changed to one of concern. ‘Are you okay? What’s wrong, Connie?’Alessia strained to catch every word, pressing her ear against the wall that separated her from the couple in the next room.Connie must have said something, too
Alessia left the Skye Tower and found herself standing on the kerb, waiting to hail a cab.Her mind was filled with all kinds of thoughts.How would she deal with Jeramy, who was bound to fly into a rage when she returned empty-handed?‘Alessia?’Startled, she around to find Brayden Scott stepping out of a car, striding towards her.Seeing him, memories of past pain and betrayal flooded Alessia’s mind.Instinctively, she looked down, relieved to find she was wearing pants today but disappointed when she realised she didn’t have her pepper spray.‘Alessia, what are you doing here?’ Brayden approached, standing in front of her with a mix of curiosity and delight.Glancing at the empty car, Alessia wondered where Connie was.She thought the couple were going shopping together.Something seemed amiss.Remaining silent, Alessia kept a safe distance, taking a step back.Brayden’s expression faltered as he witnessed her caution.Pain flickered in his eyes, overshadowed by a sense of embarras
‘An old friend?’ Logan’s eyes narrowed.Alessia and Brayden Scott knew each other?She never told him that.But then, there were so many things she didn’t tell him, and whatever she did reveal could very well end up being a lie.Logan smiled slyly. ‘I didn’t get a good look at her face, but judging from the view behind, she’s got quite a figure, with long, luscious locks. Must be a stunner, then. I take it that by “old friend,” you really mean “old girlfriend,” huh?’Brayden felt a chill in Mr Wilde’s cold, almost interrogative, stare.He shuffled his feet, suddenly uncomfortable. ‘Mr Wilde, if my wife were to hear this, it would easily lead to an argument.’Logan’s eyes turned steely.He smiled faintly and said, ‘So it’s really an ex-girlfriend, then.’Brayden didn’t attempt to clarify.In Logan’s eyes, Brayden’s silence was an admission.‘Chatting with your ex-girlfriend in your wife’s absence?’ he sneered. ‘I may not be married, but even I know that’s a recipe for disaster. If you