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
Logan stood up. ‘It’s good seeing you again, Elaine. Please say hello to Naomi for me.’‘I will.’The moment the door closed behind Logan, his face changed.Gone was the polite smile.His brows were knitted tightly together, his lips pressed into a thin line.He found Alessia outside the pharmacy on the first floor. ‘Done?’‘Yes. Let’s go.’ Alessia noticed his grim expression. ‘What’s wrong?’Logan didn’t seem to have heard her.He took hold of her wrist and dragged her towards the front door.‘Logan.’ Alessia struggled to keep pace with him. ‘What’s going on?’He said nothing.‘You are hurting me!’ Alessia protested, panting.Logan was walking too fast.She hissed in pain and almost doubled over as another wave of stomach cramps hit.Logan finally stopped.He snapped back to the present and noticed the sweat on Alessia’s forehead. ‘I’m sorry. I was…distracted.’He bent his knees and lifted her into his arms.‘I can walk by myself,’ Alessia said through gritted teeth.Logan turned a d
Alessia paused. ‘Where is this coming from?’‘Just answer the question, please.’ Logan stared at her intently.Alessia gave it some thought. ‘I used to think you are a jerk.’‘And now?’‘You still are.’ She smiled. ‘But after seeing the way you took care of that lady back at the hospital, I’m ready to revise my opinion. You might have some redeeming qualities, after all.’Logan breathed out. ‘What if one day, you find out that I lied to you?’‘Well, did you lie?’‘It’s a hypothetical question.’Alessia took a closer look at him. ‘What’s wrong with you? What’s with all the questions today?’‘Just answer me, please. It’s important.’‘Fine.’ Alessia thought about her own lies regarding Milo.She sighed. ‘I guess sometimes lying is inevitable. I would be okay with it, but only if it’s for a good reason.’‘What would be a good reason to you?’‘I don’t know. Maybe to protect someone? Sometimes the truth hurts.’Logan felt the weight in his heart starting to lift.He was about to say somethi
‘Aunt Naomi, how are you feeling?’ Heath stepped forward.‘I’m fine. It’s good to see you again.’When Elaine told Naomi that Ralph was out of surgery, she cried.‘Don’t worry, Naomi, I’m sure Ralph will be fine.’ Logan offered to go down and check on him.Since he wasn’t allowed inside the ICU, he sought out the surgeon.‘Mr Wilde, Mr Barrett’s condition is not looking too good. He didn’t respond well after the surgery. Frankly, of all the renal denervation procedures I’ve done, he’s the first patient who didn’t wake up soon after the surgery.’‘Have you figured out the cause?’‘I’ve ruled out all physiological reasons, which means it must be neurological. To put it bluntly, he doesn’t want to wake up. And I guess I can understand why.’The surgeon was well aware of the Barretts’ family tragedy.‘Is there anything I can do?’ Logan asked, frowning.He couldn’t go back to Naomi with the news that Ralph might never wake up.‘Well, I guess we can learn from the treatment of coma patients
Strolling around in a department store, Alessia picked out several outfits for Milo and added a couple for Arlie as well.Passing the menswear section, she noticed a shirt on the rack.It had a simple design, yet somehow, Alessia felt it would look good on Logan.Thinking of the pile of expensive gifts Logan left in Milo’s room, Alessia decided maybe she should return the gesture.A sales assistant approached. ‘Miss, how may I help you today?’‘I would like to buy this shirt.’‘Excellent choice. May I know what size your husband wears?’‘He’s not my husband.’‘My apologies.’Alessia hesitated.It was her first time buying clothes for a man.‘I don’t know his size, but he is about 185 centimetres tall and in shape.’‘In that case, an extra-large size should be suitable for him. Please give me a minute. I’ll go check if we have it in stock.’Alessia found an ottoman and sat down, appreciating the assortment of men’s clothes.She had no idea there were so many patterns for a tie.‘Shoppi
‘Oh, I almost forgot.’ Alessia turned to the sales assistant. ‘Yes, please wrap it up.’Logan raised an eyebrow at the man’s shirt. ‘Isn’t that too big for Milo?’Alessia rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t be stupid.’‘So, it’s for me?’‘Uh-huh. Consider it a thank-you gift for letting Milo stay over.’‘He’s my kid, too. You don’t have to thank me. But I’ll take the shirt.’ Logan smiled.***Good friends to begin with, Milo and Arlie were now inseparable.They took turns staying at each other’s house and did almost everything together.Logan suggested that the four of them move into his villa, but Alessia refused.He gave her a credit card, but she kept it locked in a drawer.He offered to take them on an overseas trip for the weekend, but she said she had to work.Alessia knew what he was doing, but couldn’t cut him out of her life for Milo’s sake.In fact, she was starting to see a new side of him, a side which made her reconsider: maybe they could try again.But, cautious by nature, Alessia k
‘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