The hustle and bustle of the city life below seemed like a distant hum, while the serene atmosphere of Logan’s office provided a sanctuary.A luxurious sitting area, complete with a coffee table and exquisite décor pieces, was strategically placed near the windows.This was probably where Logan often held meetings with clients, showcasing the grandeur of Wilde Enterprises and its top executive.Behind the desk, Logan’s executive chair was a masterpiece in itself—crafted from fine Italian leather and ergonomic design, it provided the utmost comfort and support during long hours of work.The desk itself was clutter-free, with state-of-the-art technology neatly arranged—a reflection of Logan’s efficiency and sharp business acumen.The office also boasted a private bar, stocked with the finest wines and spirits.Alessia silently admired the place, wondering how many years she’d have to work before she could afford an office like this—probably never.As she turned around, her eyes locked o
Brayden stammered for a moment, seemingly caught off guard by the question. ‘Well, it’s a long story,’ he finally managed to say, trying to sound nonchalant.Logan’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, his voice laced with scepticism. ‘A long story, huh? You still seem pretty interested in your ex-girlfriend despite being married, don’t you?’Brayden shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes darting towards Alessia before averting his gaze. ‘Look, it’s not what you think. Alessia and I, we have a history, but it’s not just about romance,’ he said, attempting to justify his lingering feelings.Alessia’s fists clenched under the desk, her patience wearing thin at Brayden’s audacity to air their past like it was an open book.Logan noticed her irritation and decided to put her on the spot. ‘Is what he’s saying true, Miss Jansen? Did you and Mr Scott have something more than just a romantic relationship?’Alessia’s jaw tightened, and she shot a glare at Brayden, silently telling him t
Brayden was taken aback by Logan’s tough stance, unable to find a suitable response.His eyes shifted uncertainly between Logan and Alessia.Finally, he relented. ‘Fine, Mr Wilde. I’ll agree to twenty-five. When can we sign the contract?’Logan looked up. ‘Whenever convenient for you.’‘Tomorrow then,’ Brayden rushed to reply.‘Sure,’ Logan responded flatly.‘Since our business is concluded, can I have a word with Miss Jansen in private?’ Brayden asked.Logan smiled slightly and said, ‘I’m fine with that. But it’s not my call to make.’Then, he looked at Alessia.Alessia frowned. ‘Sorry, Mr Scott, I’m busy. And I have nothing to say to you. Goodbye.’‘Maybe some other time.’ With frustration evident on his face, Brayden left the office.The sleek modern office seemed to crackle with tension even though no one spoke for a long time.Logan narrowed his eyes.In a voice laced with a hint of jealousy, he asked, ‘Is Brayden Scott your ex-boyfriend?’Alessia’s expression remained composed a
Logan’s possessiveness was starting to irritate Alessia, but she didn’t want to create more drama. ‘Fine, I’ll take them. But I don’t owe him anything,’ she mumbled under her breath.Logan stood at the open doorway, his voice sharper than ever. ‘You can eat it or throw it away for all I care.’Alessia rolled her eyes, refusing to let his words get to her.Why must the man turn a kind gesture into a bossy order?She opened one of the lunch boxes and found a delicious spread of her favourite dishes.Despite her irritation, she couldn’t help but appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gesture.As she savoured the food, she couldn’t deny that Logan’s chef knew exactly how to make her taste buds sing.The flavours were exquisite, and she found herself enjoying the meal more than she wanted to admit.Alessia sat back in her chair, feeling content and satisfied after the delicious lunch.The flavours of the mouth-watering wagyu beef carpaccio still lingered on her taste buds, and she couldn’t h
Alessia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.Logan wanted her to be his girlfriend for real?She couldn’t help but ask again, needing confirmation. ‘Are you serious?’Logan nodded. ‘Yes, Alessia. I want you to be my girlfriend.’‘Girlfriend, as in, the woman you go on dates with, watch movies with, the one you introduce to your family and friends?’ she pressed.Logan chuckled, finding her cautious approach amusing. ‘Exactly. I don’t do things half-heartedly, Alessia. You’ll be my girlfriend in every sense of the word.’Alessia’s expression turned sceptical, and she couldn’t help but sneer. ‘Do you remember what you said to me before?’Logan raised an eyebrow. ‘What do you mean?’Alessia sighed, trying to keep her emotions in check. ‘The first time we met at the Grand Opulence hotel, you offered me money to spend the night with you, treating me like a... a hooker.’The memory still stung.‘Alessia, that’s not what I meant,’ Logan tried to explain.‘Oh, really? Enlighten me then. What
Alessia had to admit that his persistence was starting to wear down her defences.‘You never give up, do you?’ she remarked, her voice tinged with both frustration and a hint of amusement.A smug grin appeared on Logan’s lips when he sensed she was starting to relent. ‘I didn’t get to where I am today by quitting after failing just a couple of times.’Alessia rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. ‘Well, no one can say you haven’t tried.’Logan leaned closer to her. ‘So what’s your answer? Be my girlfriend. Yes or no?’Alessia almost blurted ‘yes,’ but she caught herself.She knew she was attracted to him, but she had to be cautious.‘Your grandfather wanted you to go on blind dates,’ she reminded him. ‘He probably has a long list of girlfriend candidates picked out for you.’Logan’s expression hardened slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. ‘I’m the one dating you, not my family. And I don’t take orders from anyone about who I choose to as
Alessia’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Mrs Scott—Connie Jansen.It had been six long years since she last saw her older sister, and the memories that flooded back were far from pleasant—Connie ending up in bed with Brayden, Connie getting engaged with Brayden, Connie rushing her to the hospital when Alessia’s water broke, and Connie standing by her bedside when Alessia woke up, groggy and in pain.Alessia could never forget how she felt as she listened to a tearful Connie tell her that she’d given birth to twins but unfortunately, one of them was stillborn.That was the day her life was turned upside down.She thought she had put it behind her, that six years were enough time to heal most wounds.But she realised no amount of time could heal the pain of losing a child.And Connie’s name would always be associated with the most painful period of her life.Logan’s eyes narrowed as he watched Alessia’s face pale visibly.‘What’s wrong?’ he asked. ‘Are you feeling unwell?’Aless
‘I didn’t know you had a sister,’ Logan said.‘Two, actually,’ Connie said. ‘Alessia’s the second oldest. I’m the eldest, and we have a younger sister too.’The mention of Alessia seemed to bring a mix of emotions to Connie’s face, and Logan sensed that there was more to the story than she was letting on.‘You mentioned Alessia left Veridian about six years ago,’ Logan probed further. ‘You haven’t seen her or had any contact with her since then?’Connie looked away, a hint of sadness crossing her features. ‘No, I haven’t seen her in six years,’ she admitted. ‘After some… unfortunate misunderstanding, she left home and the city. I tried to find her—I hired six different private investigators, but it was like she vanished without a trace.’‘It must have been tough for you.’Connie nodded. ‘It was. Especially because I had to take over as the CEO of Redwood Group when my father passed away. I was just twenty-two, still in college, and inexperienced. Saving the company took all my energy,
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