‘I overheard part of a conversation in Dr Johnson’s office,’ Alessia explained, then quickly added, ‘I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.’‘So…you know about Uncle Ralph?’ Logan stared at her.Alessia nodded. ‘Is he okay?’‘He’s still in post-op recovery, not entirely out of the woods yet.’‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Alessia played with her fork, debating if she should ask about the friend—Sirena Barrett.But she didn’t get the chance.Logan’s phone rang just as he sat down.He glanced at the caller ID, then looked at Alessia. ‘Sorry, I have to take this.’‘Go ahead.’Logan walked over to the French window and hit Answer. ‘Elaine?’‘Logan, can you come back to the hospital?’‘Now?’‘Yes. Ralph woke up and said he wanted to see you. He has something to tell you.’‘Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to see him now?’‘I know you’re worried about his health, but he insists on talking to you.’Logan pursed his lips.He glanced back at Alessia, at the candlelit dinner prepared meticulously by his b
Alessia hesitated.It was a strange request, for her to meet with Logan’s ex-girlfriend’s father.Elaine must know this too, as she added hastily, ‘I know it’s a lot to ask, but I think it’s worth a shot. I agree with Naomi’s assessment; you are a sensible lady. Besides, Logan kept insisting that the birth of the child was an accident but wouldn’t elaborate. Naomi and I are hoping maybe you can shed some light on that.’Alessia pondered the request.She never met Ralph Barrett and felt no obligation to help, but then she thought of her own father.Losing an only child must be a devastating blow to any parent.Inevitably, she also thought of the baby she lost six years ago.Alessia sat up in bed. ‘Okay, I’ll come and talk to him. I need to be at the office by nine, so we’ll have to do this quickly.’‘That’s great! Thank you, Alessia. I’ll meet you at the hospital entrance.’‘I’ll be there in half an hour.’When she arrived at the hospital, Randal Torres, Ralph’s private nurse, was shoc
Naomi stared at Alessia with tears welling up in her eyes.She sighed. ‘Miss Jansen, what you said is right. We are being too much. Ralph has really made things difficult for Logan. I hope you can forgive us.’Alessia shook her head. ‘It’s not my place to forgive you. You’ll have to talk to Logan.’Alessia took her leave after saying goodbye to the Barretts.She’d done all she could.If Ralph’s mood still didn’t improve, there was nothing else she could do.Alessia declined Elaine’s offer to walk her out.The moment she stepped outside and turned left, she was greeted by the sight of Logan leaning against the wall, staring at her with an almost scorching intensity.‘How long have you been standing here?’ She walked up to him.She noticed his wind-tousled hair and misbuttoned jacket.He must have gotten here in a hurry.‘Could you give me a lift?’ Alessia swung her purse over one shoulder. ‘I really have to go now. I’m running late for work.’Abruptly, Logan pulled her into his arms an
‘Professor Sawyer, it’s an honour to meet you.’ Alessia was thrilled.‘Well, if Vince introduced us to each other earlier, we would have met sooner,’ Yvonne said meaningfully. ‘Vince, bring us a pot of tea. Oh, young people like coffee.’She turned to Alessia. ‘Do you drink tea or coffee?’‘Either is fine for me, Professor Sawyer.’‘Tea it is, then,’ Vince said. ‘But we’ll have to drink it later.’‘Oh, that’s right. The salon.’ Yvonne stood up and stretched. ‘Let’s go then.’‘Wait.’ Alessia was confused. ‘I thought we were doing an interview.’Yvonne laughed. ‘Yes, but not here, and not with me. Vince has asked me to introduce you to a couple of artists at the salon. Painters, sculptors, illustrators, what have you. Then you can do a series, like what you did with Professor Hurley and his students.’‘Wow. That’s a wonderful idea. Thank you. Thank you so much.’ Alessia was both surprised and touched.This was a huge favour.Yvonne winked at her. ‘Don’t thank me. Vince made me do it.’‘
Alessia was a special woman, able to constantly surprise him.She was ceaselessly strong and independent.She had her principles, but at the same time, she was magnanimous.‘Is there anything you want to ask me?’ he said.Alessia pondered the question. ‘If Sirena were still alive, would you still want to be with me?’‘I’m destined to be with you,’ Logan said. ‘Sirena and I were doomed to go nowhere.’In fact, if not for her sudden and shocking demise, Sirena would be just another ex-girlfriend to him, consigned to a corner of his memory and eventually forgotten.‘You and I were destined to meet and be together,’ he said earnestly. ‘Alessia, you are different from everyone else.’Alessia nodded. ‘Okay, I believe you.’They enjoyed a quiet and rejuvenating swim together.When they got out of the pool, Logan put his arms around her waist.This time, she didn’t pull back.Taking that as an encouraging sign, he lowered his head and kissed her gently on the forehead.‘I’m starving,’ she sai
‘Because my boss would dock my pay, and I don’t see the need for it.’ Alessia glanced around. ‘If you’d like to talk, we can do it right here. There’s a diner on the adjacent street, Uncle Erasmo’s. He doesn’t serve lobster, but makes some pretty decent grilled fish.’‘A diner?’ Albert scrunched up his nose. ‘Too crowded. Too noisy. I bet they serve food on disposable plates.’Alessia shrugged, her attitude clear: take it or leave it.‘Fine.’ Albert yielded.Alessia led the way.Uncle Erasmo greeted her with his usual enthusiasm and showed them to the private booth.Alessia ordered for the two of them. ‘Isn’t your assistant joining us?’‘He’s on duty.’ Albert gestured for his assistant to leave.Alessia got straight to the point. ‘Mr Wilde, what brings you here?’‘You’re a straightforward person,’ Albert commented approvingly. ‘So I’ll be frank as well. It’s about Logan. You should know that he’s my only grandchild, and I have high hopes for him. In fact, I’ve spent the past year sear
Early in the morning, Alessia took Veronica to the hospital.Veronica had been running a slight fever all night, showing no signs of improvement even after Alessia gave her some over-the-counter antipyretics.At the hospital lobby, they heard someone calling, ‘Alessia!’Turning around, Alessia spotted Brayden Scott.He was dressed in a suit and leather shoes but looked thinner and a little gaunt.‘Brayden?’ Veronica was equally shocked and felt a pang of disgust at the sight of him.Alessia shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’Brayden strode towards the two sisters.Looking at Alessia, his deep eyes flashed with a trace of affection.They hadn’t seen each other for weeks, and Brayden felt Alessia had become even more beautiful.She was dressed in a simple white lace blouse with ruffles on her sleeves, giving her a cute appearance.Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, making her look neat and young, revealing her slender neck and fair skin.Red lips bright and plump, she stood out in the cro
Alessia shuddered at the sight of Connie’s sinister smile.An impossible thought suddenly occurred to her.She grasped Connie’s wrist. ‘D-did you hurt him?’Connie just kept smiling.Alessia grabbed her shoulders and shook them hard. ‘Tell me, did you have something to do with my baby’s death?’‘You’ll never know,’ Connie said.Then she threw her head back and laughed.The maniacal laughter made Alessia shiver.That was when she confirmed Connie had really gone insane.The next instant, Connie lunged forward, going for Alessia’s throat. ‘I’m going to kill you!’‘Connie!’ Brayden threw himself in front of Alessia and grunted in pain as Connie elbowed him in the stomach.Veronica yanked Alessia back, out of harm’s range. ‘Brayden, she belongs to a mental institution!’‘I know,’ Brayden wheezed out.The cameras were now trained on Connie as she screeched and clawed at Brayden.‘I’m sorry.’ Brayden subdued a struggling Connie. ‘I’ll get her out of here.’***Throughout the rest of the day