D*mn it.
WHAT A MESS.
Alessia, sensing the weight of Olivia’s emotions, rushed to explain, desperation lacing her words. ‘No, Miss Anderson! It’s a misunderstanding. I am in no way involved with Mr Wilde. We were just—’
But before Alessia could finish speaking, Logan’s restraining arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
The sudden closeness sent a shiver down Alessia’s spine.
A flush of embarrassment coloured her cheeks as she realised the physical evidence of Logan’s desire pressing against her backside.
They stood together, facing Olivia, their bodies almost melding into one.
Logan shot a cold look at Olivia. ‘Have you seen enough?’
Olivia pursed her lips. ‘Well, aren’t you touchy? Fine, I won’t disturb you any longer. Carry on. Although, I suggest you take this party to a hotel room. Too many prying eyes here.’
Olivia shot Alessia one last look of jealousy before she turned and walked away.
The door closed once again.
‘Ugh!’ Alessia fumed, her anger mounting.
She elbowed Logan in the ribs.
The man let out a muted groan.
Finally breaking free from his grasp, Alessia swiftly took a step back, unable to hold back her frustration. ‘You jerk! Are you done taking advantage of me?’
Her face was flushed crimson from both anger and embarrassment.
However, this time, this man hadn’t said a word.
She raised her head, glaring at Logan.
Under the bright light, she could see his face clearly.
Alessia gasped.
The man before her bore a striking resemblance to her five-year-old son, with his strong jawline, sharp eyebrows, deep-set eyes, impossibly long eyelashes, straight nose, and even lips of the same shape.
Most important was the man’s eye colour, a unique blend of stormy grey and vibrant blue, just like her son’s.
Alessia knew that on a sunny day, there’d be flecks of silver dancing within the azure hues.
Milo was like a miniature version of this man.
A wave of guilt and confusion washed over Alessia.
Could he be...?
No, it’s impossible!
After a brief moment of shock, Alessia suddenly snapped out of it, avoiding looking at Logan.
This was no time to dwell on the man’s incredibly good-looking face.
She quickly turned around and hurried away, leaving Logan frowning after her.
Flustered and confused, Alessia made her way to the exit of the banquet hall, only to bump into Olivia again.
Olivia folded her arms. ‘Well, well, if it isn’t Mr Wilde’s mysterious date in the lounge.’
Alessia, undeterred by Olivia’s disdainful tone, held her ground. ‘I need to set things straight. There’s nothing going on between me and Mr Wilde. In fact, I don’t even know the man.’
Olivia’s sardonic smile widened. ‘Is that so? And why should I believe a word you say?’
Alessia’s eyes narrowed, her voice laced with defiance. ‘Believe what you want. It doesn’t change the truth. And maybe I shouldn’t have tried to explain myself to you. After all, it’s not as if you’re Mr Wilde’s girlfriend or anything.’
Olivia’s face flushed with humiliation. ‘At least I have a shot!’
She leaned closer, her voice dripping with contempt. ‘As for you? Hoping to be with Logan Wilde? Please, darling. Look at you. Twenty-dollar t-shirt, worn-out jeans, no makeup, no jewellery. You don’t belong here, and you don’t stand a chance.’
Alessia’s gaze remained steady, her tone calm but firm. ‘I couldn’t care less about your opinion, Miss Anderson. Perhaps you should focus on honing your acting skills instead of criticising a stranger’s wardrobe.’
Olivia’s lips curled into a sneer. ‘I don’t need advice from strangers like you.’
Alessia shrugged and turned on her heels.
***
As Logan stepped out of the luxurious lounge, he scanned the crowded banquet hall, his eyes searching for a glimpse of Alessia.
But she was nowhere to be found.
Frustration welled up inside him as he realized she had slipped away.
Just as he was about to give up, Olivia approached him with a coy smile.
She leaned closer, her voice a low whisper. ‘Logan, I’m sorry for earlier. It was rude of me to intrude. Can we forget about it?’
Logan barely spared her a glance, his focus still on finding Alessia. ‘I’m not interested in your apologies.’
Olivia tilted her head, studying him curiously. ‘Looking for that woman, are you? Well, she’s already left. Maybe she’s more your type?’
Logan’s eyes narrowed, his patience waning. ‘What I do or who I associate with is none of your business.’
Olivia’s expression shifted, a mix of surprise and amusement.
She smiled, stepping closer, her perfume filling the air.
But instead of the alluring effect she hoped to produce, it made Logan’s nose crinkle in distaste.
Unfortunately, Olivia was oblivious to his reaction.
She purred next to his ear, her voice dripping with implication. ‘Logan, why don’t we continue our conversation in my suite upstairs? I’m sure we can find other ways to entertain each other tonight.’
Logan’s thoughts were elsewhere, his mind still captivated by Alessia’s unadorned face and her intoxicating scent.
He quickly stepped back, creating distance between them.
His voice held a warning edge. ‘Olivia, if you ever dare to insinuate something like that again, I assure you, you’ll be blacklisted from the showbiz industry.’
A wave of panic washed over Olivia’s face, her arrogance faltering.
Logan turned away without another word, striding purposefully through the banquet hall.
His assistant, Terence Baird, approached, holding out a tablet. ‘Sir, I’ve gathered some information on the woman from the lounge. Her name is Alessia Jansen, twenty-five years old, recently joined BuzzBeat.’
Logan took the tablet, scanning the details briefly.
Alessia’s face stared back at him, igniting a spark of curiosity within him.
He could sense there was more to her than met the eye.
Leaning against the glass wall of the banquet hall, Logan gazed out into the night, lost in thought.
His mind replayed their brief encounter, the fiery exchange between them.
***
***
As Alessia stepped out of the hotel, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Without wasting a moment, she dialled Lara Morris, her supervisor at BuzzBeat.
The phone rang, and Lara’s voice echoed through the receiver. ‘Alessia, what do you have for me? I hope it’s a juicy scoop.’
Alessia couldn’t help but smirk. ‘Oh, it’s definitely spicy, Lara. It involves none other than A-list actress Olivia Anderson and our very own Mr Logan Wilde.’
Lara’s excitement grew, her voice practically crackling with anticipation. ‘Logan Wilde? The billionaire CEO? That’s huge! Tell me everything!’
Alessia’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. ‘Olivia Anderson and Logan Wilde are more than just acquaintances. They were caught in a, well, let’s call it a compromising position at the hotel.’
Lara let out a gasp. ‘Photos, Alessia! Do you have the photos?’
Alessia’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. ‘Of course, I do.’
When Logan asked her to delete the photos earlier, she did.
But he didn’t know that she’d already made a backup copy on her cloud drive.
Lara’s excitement skyrocketed. ‘Brilliant, Alessia! This headline will be explosive. Logan Wilde, the enigmatic billionaire, and Olivia Anderson, the stunning actress, embroiled in a scandal. Get back to the office immediately. We need to discuss how we’ll break this story.’
Alessia nodded, even though Lara couldn’t see her. ‘I’m on my way. I just left the hotel. I’ll take a taxi straight to the BuzzBeat office.’
As Alessia settled into the backseat of the taxi, her mind raced with thoughts of payback.
This news would teach Logan a lesson for his inappropriate behaviour towards her earlier.
She couldn’t help but relish the satisfaction that soon, the whole city would know about his indiscretions.
***
The next morning, the front page of BuzzBeat screamed with bold letters, capturing the attention of anyone passing by.
The headline blazed across the page, declaring the alleged tryst between Olivia Anderson, the A-star actress, and billionaire CEO Logan Wilde.
Accompanying the headline was a photo of Olivia in Logan’s arms, their expressions intimate and vulnerable.
As the news spread like wildfire, Veridian City was captivated by the scandal.
The rumour mills churned, and people hungered for every sordid detail.
Logan’s carefully guarded reputation was now at stake, and the city couldn’t get enough of the drama, casting curious eyes on Logan’s company—
Logan’s company, Wilde Enterprises, occupied the prestigious Skye Tower, an architectural masterpiece that loomed over the city skyline.
The president’s office, located on the eighty-eighth floor, boasted luxurious French windows offering panoramic views.
Standing in front of these windows was Logan Wilde himself, radiating an untouchable aura that sent shivers down the spines of anyone who crossed his path.
Terence Baird, Logan’s most trusted assistant, stood before the desk, a look of remorse etched on his face.
He knew he had let his guard down, failing in his duty to protect Logan’s image from the media onslaught.
‘I apologise, sir,’ Terence said, his voice laced with regret. ‘I underestimated the audacity of BuzzBeat. I never thought they would dare to publish something that could tarnish your reputation.’
Logan’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the article displayed on the tablet in front of him.
The headline screamed sensationalism, and the words beneath it threatened to unravel everything he had worked so hard to build.
With a dismissive flick of his hand, he tossed the tablet back onto his desk, frustration emanating from his every pore.
‘You should have been more vigilant, Terence,’ Logan said. ‘I trusted you to keep tabs on the media, especially the tabloids. It seems I’d overestimated your diligence.’
He added after a pause, ‘And I’ve also underestimated this Alessia Jansen.’
Terence’s confusion was evident. ‘But, sir, the article is attributed to Lara Morris, a senior reporter at BuzzBeat.’
Logan leaned back in his chair, his expression a blend of annoyance and self-reproach. ‘Alessia Jansen is the woman who took those compromising photos. I should have anticipated that she would have backup copies.’
But in the chaos of their encounter at the hotel lounge last night, he was too distracted by her scent and his own reaction to her.
Logan’s jaw tightened as he thought of Alessia.
The woman manipulated the situation, taking advantage of his momentary lapse in judgment.
And now, he was left to deal with the consequences.
Alessia stormed into Lara Morris’s office, her eyes burning with frustration.‘Why is the article under your name, Lara?’ Alessia questioned, her tone firm and accusatory. ‘I’m the one who took the photos and wrote the initial draft. We worked on the revisions together until late last night.’And then Lara sent her home, saying her son probably needed her.Alessia had been grateful.But now she realised her gratitude was misplaced.Lara leaned back in her chair, her expression cool and calculated.‘Alessia, you’re not officially on the staff yet,’ she replied, her voice tinged with condescension. ‘It’s only natural that my name was used.’Alessia’s eyes narrowed as she clenched her fists.She knew Lara was playing games, using her position to take credit for Alessia’s hard work.This wasn’t the first time Lara had taken advantage of their working relationship.Alessia refused to back down. ‘This isn’t fair, Lara. I deserve recognition for my efforts. I won’t let you diminish my contri
Alessia wanna cry. But she knew her urgent task was to find an excuse to stay away from the angry lion.She feigned ignorance, her voice dripping with innocence. ‘I’m sorry, but I think you have me confused with someone else. I didn’t write that article. Lara Morris did.’Logan’s jaw tightened, a flicker of frustration crossing his features.‘I was there,’ he retorted sharply. ‘I saw you taking those photos. Don’t play dumb with me.’Alessia’s eyes flashed with defiance as she shot back, ‘Yes, I took the photos, but I deleted them right in front of you. You saw it.’Logan’s gaze bore into hers, his steely resolve unyielding. ‘Someone clearly got their hands on those photos, and I have a feeling it’s not just a coincidence that they ended up in that article.’Alessia tried to find a way to divert suspicion. ‘Look, maybe someone else at the hotel took similar photos and used them for the article. It wasn’t me.’Logan’s frustration boiled over, his voice sharp with irritation. ‘Do you ho
The bodyguard obeyed without question, taking up his position alongside three others.The narrow hallway now stood as a blockade, with Alessia trapped within its confines.Alessia’s heart pounded in her chest.Her escape route had been cut off, leaving her feeling vulnerable and cornered.She couldn’t deny the flicker of trepidation that danced in her eyes as she faced Logan’s scowl.Her breath hitched in her throat as Logan forcefully closed the distance between them, his hands holding her in place.The aggression in his actions sent shivers down her spine, her body responding with a mix of fear and a raw, undeniable attraction.Alessia’s eyes widened as his lips crashed against hers once more, this time with an intensity that left no room for escape.Her mind raced, her thoughts tangled in a chaotic web of desire and confusion.Logan’s eyes closed as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth with an almost possessive hunger.Alessia’s eyes remained wide open, capturing ev
Alessia’s eyes flickered between Logan and the huddled figures on the sofa.Her instinct urged her to turn around and flee, to escape the intensity of the room and the piercing gaze of Logan Wilde.But her escape path was blocked by the imposing presence of the four burly bodyguards in the hallway.Reluctantly, she took a deep breath and stepped into the room, her eyes meeting Logan’s.Logan’s gaze fell upon her face, his penetrating eyes seemingly drawn to her lips.Alessia could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as her mind involuntarily replayed the memory of their earlier kiss.The urge to shield her lips from his intense scrutiny surged within her, but she resisted the impulse.With newfound courage, she locked eyes with him, refusing to back down.In that moment, Alessia’s attention was drawn to his lips—thin, yet undeniably masculine.The lighting in the room accentuated their vivid shade, akin to the colour of ripe roses.She tore her gaze away, feeling her cheeks burn with a
The room fell into stunned silence as all eyes turned toward Alessia.Surprised by her sudden outburst, even she couldn’t believe how forcefully her words had escaped her lips.Lara’s eyes pleaded with Alessia, silently urging her not to reveal the truth about the article.But it was too late—Jeramy had already let slip that Lara wasn’t solely responsible for the article.The truth was already halfway out of the bag.Alessia couldn’t bear to watch Lara face Logan Wilde’s wrath alone or witness her suffer the consequences of their shared secret.She knew that she, too, must shoulder her part of the responsibility.Summoning her courage, Alessia’s voice rang out in defiance. ‘You have no right to take Lara away,’ she declared, her tone filled with conviction. ‘It’s against the law.’Logan’s eyes narrowed, his gaze chillingly cold as he stared down Alessia.The weight of his dominance and authority bore down upon her, but she refused to back down.Terence offered a silent prayer for the
As promised, twenty minutes later, Alessia trudged through the door, her weary body longing for the comfort of her two-bedroom apartment on the ninth floor.Fatigue weighed her down, yet she summoned the last reserves of energy to announce her return.‘I’m back,’ she called out.From the cramped living room, both Milo and Veronica rose from the worn-out sofa, their attention immediately drawn to Alessia’s presence.Veronica, with her characteristic sweet smile, welcomed Alessia, her genuine affection radiating like a warm embrace.Milo, on the other hand, wore his usual inscrutable poker face, his grey-blue eyes mirroring the enigmatic allure of someone Alessia couldn’t ignore.As Alessia caught sight of her son’s striking resemblance to Logan Wilde, her mind wandered into a realm of contemplation.Milo and Logan shared an undeniable connection, one that went beyond mere physical appearance; even their personalities mirrored each other.Milo preferred spending his time in the company
Attempting to remain composed, Alessia averted her gaze and hurriedly made her way towards the glass doors of the office.However, her path was abruptly blocked by a figure that loomed before her.Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with Jeramy Chavez.‘Alessia, Mr Wilde is waiting for you. You can go with him now,’ Jeramy declared.Confusion swirled in Alessia’s mind as she met his gaze. ‘Mr Chavez, why should I go with Mr Wilde?’‘You’ll have to ask Mr Wilde himself. He’s right behind you.’Alessia turned around, her eyes falling upon Logan’s imposing figure standing by the Land Rover.A shiver danced down her spine as she took in his commanding presence.Summoning every ounce of her will, Alessia locked eyes with Logan. ‘Mr Wilde, why should I go with you?’Logan’s expression remained impassive, his voice laced with a touch of arrogance. ‘Lara Morris told me it was you who took the photos of Olivia and me.’Alessia’s eyebrows furrowed. ‘Even if I did take those photos, they
Her hand now captive in his, Alessia’s heart pounded wildly in her chest.Panic-stricken, she blurted, ‘I’ll do it myself.’With a gentle tone, Logan countered, ‘You can’t see your own face.’Alessia found herself at a loss, unsure of how to proceed.Confusion clouded her thoughts, and she desperately sought to regain control of the situation.‘Don’t move,’ Logan commanded, releasing her hand momentarily before resuming his touch on her face.His fingers travelled to the corner of her mouth.A wave of anxiety washed over Alessia, her body trembling with unease.‘M-Mr Wilde…’ she stammered.Logan’s frown deepened, clearly displeased with her interruption.Alessia took a moment to collect herself. ‘Mr Wilde, thank you for the ointment. Could we just get to the point? Just tell me what you want from me.’His finger brushed against her lips, freezing in place, suspended in the charged atmosphere.The temperature inside the car soared rapidly, intensifying the moment.Nervousness gripped A
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