Alessia recalled what had happened more than six years ago and why she had dropped out.She was somewhat embarrassed as she explained, ‘Personal reasons. Something happened in my… family.’‘Oh.’ Professor Hurley smiled to indicate that he understood. ‘I’ll look into it and see how to work that out.’‘That’s…great. Thank you.’A surge of warmth welled within Alessia.She looked at Vince gratefully.She did not expect him to be so thoughtful.The interview with Professor Hurley was very successful.When the interview concluded, it was already noon.Vince proposed, ‘Let’s go get lunch. My treat.’During the meal, Alessia found out that Vince was once one of Professor Hurley’s most outstanding students, up until Vince decided to switch from Media Studies to Finance, though the professor was vague about the reason.By the time Vince drove her back to BuzzBeat, it was already half past two in the afternoon.As the car slowed to a stop, Alessia turned to Vince. ‘I can’t thank you enough for
‘Logan!’ Alessia squirmed and strained against the restraint. ‘Let go of me. Don’t do this.’Logan stared at her with an emotionless gaze, calm and collected.He sat down on the bed next to her.Instantly, Alessia recoiled, shrinking away from him.Logan’s gaze travelled over her face, lingered on her cleavage, and he gulped.Watching Alessia, he couldn’t ignore the fire of desire within him.The prospect of having her, the only woman capable of stirring his lust, made it difficult for him to sit still.He wanted to lean down, to rip open her blouse, to taste her, to claim her for himself, to make her cry out in ecstasy.In a low, hoarse voice, Logan warned, ‘Don’t move anymore. Your clothes are all loose.’Alessia, shocked, glanced down, finding her clothes in disarray.She could see the top of her bra.Blushing, she attempted to button up her blouse, but her hands were tied above her head.‘Release me,’ Alessia demanded.‘You’ll only run away if I do that.’‘I won’t. At least not un
Logan reluctantly agreed. ‘Okay, if that’s what you want.’With a heavy heart, he called for his butler. ‘Georg, please drive Alessia home.’Georg, always the discreet one, nodded. ‘Right away, Sir.’As Alessia and the butler made their way to the car, Logan couldn’t shake the feeling of loneliness settling over him.He watched her leave, his heart aching at the distance that had suddenly grown between them.Alessia, seated in the car, couldn’t help but glance back at Logan’s imposing mansion.A myriad of emotions played on her face — confusion, hurt, and a hint of longing.The car rolled away, leaving Logan standing alone in the doorway, a sense of emptiness settling over him.Meanwhile, inside the car, Georg, ever the perceptive butler, spoke to Alessia, ‘Miss Jansen, relationships can be complicated. Sometimes, the truth takes time to surface.’Alessia sighed. ‘I just need some space to figure things out.’He nodded sympathetically. ‘Take all the time you need. I just want to say:
Milo said, ‘Name it.’‘I want you to put in a good word for me with your mom,’ Vince said.‘What kind of good word?’ Milo tilted his head.‘Um…’ Vince scratched his head. ‘Just tell her that you like spending time with me.’Milo considered this. ‘Okay. I do like spending time with you.’‘Especially if I teach you how to hack into Logan’s website.’‘That’s right.’***Alessia took a long, hot bath, but it didn’t help her relax as she’d hoped.She sat cross-legged on the bed and stared at her phone.Then she made a call.‘Hello.’‘Heath, it’s Alessia. There’s something I’d like to ask you.’‘Sure. What is it?’‘It’s about Arlie.’‘How did you—? Logan told you?’Alessia didn’t answer the question. ‘He’s Logan’s son, isn’t he?’‘Well, since you already know about him…Yes, but he’s not Logan’s biological child.’Alessia gripped her phone. ‘What do you mean?’‘About five years ago, I rescued Arlie and a bunch of other babies and young kids from a human trafficking ring. Most of the kids wen
Logan asked, ‘Kid, what’s your name?’‘Milo.’‘Milo?’ Logan mentally searched for the name. ‘Arlie’s classmate?’‘Yes.’Logan was struck by a sudden realisation. ‘Alessia’s son?’Milo nodded.Logan stared at the boy in disbelief.This was Alessia’s son?Why did he look so much like Logan himself?Milo declared, ‘I’m the one who messed up your company’s website and sent those emails.’Logan, his mind pulled back to the present, gritted his teeth. ‘Kid, you’ve got nerve.’‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’‘Did Alessia put you up to this?’Milo wrinkled up his nose. ‘Do you always make accusations without evidence?’Logan took a deep breath. ‘Kid, tell me, who’s your father?’‘An arrogant, selfish jerk.’Logan stared at him.‘A supposed billionaire who doesn’t have enough money to hire a better IT guy,’ Milo continued.‘You are talking about me.’Milo spread out both hands. ‘Isn’t that obvious? You are not only arrogant, you are also slow.’Logan’s mind reeled as he processed the revelat
‘Alessia—’ Logan began.She raised a hand to stop him. ‘Don’t talk. Just…I need a minute to think.’Logan waited patiently.A long while later, she looked up. ‘Okay. Yes, it’s true. Milo’s your son. Now that you know, tell me, what are you going to do?’‘Be a father to him, of course.’Alessia nodded.‘I’ve asked Terence to look into properties near his school. Arlie knows about Milo as well. We are going to need a big house if the four of us are going to—’‘Wait, stop. What do you mean—the four of us?’‘You, me, Milo and Arlie. We are going to be living together as a family.‘Absolutely not!’ Alessia said vehemently. ‘You and I are not living together.’Logan sighed. ‘Alessia, I understand I’ve messed things up, but I want to make it right. I want us to be a family.’‘Look, I don’t want Milo to miss out on having a relationship with you. He deserves to know his father, and I won’t stand in the way of that.’Logan’s eyes lit up with hope.‘But you and I, we are not getting back togeth
Milo eyed the dishes with a hint of scepticism, his expression turning into a subtle pout. ‘What’s this green stuff, Mom? And why is there fish that looks like it’s wearing a fancy coat?’Alessia chuckled at Milo’s candid observations. ‘That, sweetheart, is a kale salad, and the “fish with a fancy coat” is lobster. It’s a delicacy.’Milo wrinkled his nose. ‘Well, I don’t like it. Where’s the pizza or burgers?’Logan, determined to win Milo over, leaned in with a smile. ‘Come on, champ, give it a try. You might discover a new favourite.’Milo eyed the lobster suspiciously, but he reluctantly took a small bite.After chewing for a moment, he made a face that clearly communicated his distaste. ‘Ugh, it’s too fancy. I’d rather have a hotdog.’Alessia couldn’t help but laugh, exchanging amused glances with Logan. ‘Alright, we can order some hotdogs for you next time. But let’s not waste these dishes.’‘Okay.’Logan, eager to connect with Milo, tried to strike up a conversation. ‘So, Milo,
Logan and Alessia were greeted by a friendly receptionist who, after speaking with Logan, directed them to Dr Elaine Johnson’s office.The sign on the door proudly declared her as the head of internal medicine.Dr Johnson, a woman in her fifties, welcomed them with a warm smile. ‘Logan, it’s been a while. How have you been?’Logan grinned. ‘Busy as always, Elaine. This is Alessia, by the way.’Dr Johnson’s eyes twinkled as she extended her hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Alessia. I’m Elaine Johnson. Logan and I are old friends.’‘Nice to meet you.’ Alessia shook her hand, feeling a sense of ease from the doctor’s friendly demeanour.Logan said, ‘Elaine, I brought Alessia here because she hasn’t been feeling well. Mind giving her a check-up?’Elaine, teasingly, looked at Alessia and remarked, ‘Well, Logan, bringing a lovely woman to the doctor. I’m impressed. Let’s see what’s going on.’She turned to Alessia. ‘You’re quite a beauty, dear.’Logan, quick on the draw, declared, ‘She’s my girlfri