CHAPTER 002
846 Words
Chapter 002
LOGAN'S POINT OF VIEW
The city never stops moving. In any case, this part of Los Angeles is constantly in motion. From my office window, red and white lights illuminated the streets, and occasionally, like a distant war drum, horns would blare. With a drink in hand, I leaned against the glass and watched everything unfold as if it were unrelated to me.
This is how it always feels—empty.
There is a lot of noise, but nothing is actually touching me.
"You need a wife."
I was startled out of my reverie by those words.
I slowly turned and furrowed my brow.
"Pardon me?"
My PR manager, Jared, leaned back in the leather chair with a sly smile, as if he had just dropped the greatest bomb ever.
Logan has a wife. Old money is fond of old customs. The Astors won’t merge with you unless you show them you’re one of them.”
I laughed. The laughter was sharp and brief. In this f*****g room, it didn't even sound right.
“You’re out of your mind.”
He gave a shrug. "Perhaps. Perhaps the only person here who understands the stakes is me.
A bit too forcefully, I dropped the glass onto the table. The air cracked with the sound.
"How about we give them a larger cheque instead of the fairy tale?"
Logan, they don't require your money. They require your image.
I fixed him with a fixed gaze. He wasn't retreating, as I could see. He's a jerk.
Worse, he was correct.
"All right. Who?
Harper West entered as if she owned the space. She walked in without even a knock. She always smirked like she knew too much.
"I have the perfect girl."
On my desk, she tossed a file. I remained motionless.
"This is something you should see."
More out of resentment than curiosity, I snatched it and flipped it open.
Then I caught a glimpse of her face.
Then everything came to a halt.
My chest constricted. My throat ached. The air was heavy and thick, as if it were trying to drown me.
She.
hair that is long and brown. His eyes gleam with an intensity reminiscent of unseen storms. The half-smile God.
That face was familiar to me. It haunted me like an unburied ghost.
West Riley.
No.
Not possible.
"Where did you purchase this?"
Harper folded her arms. "Calm down. It's only an image. My best friend is Riley. She is flawless. No scandals, no tangled family relationships. It is intelligent, elegant, and visually pleasing. The Astors will devour it.
There was nothing else that I could hear.
Not the sarcastic remark Jared made about her legs.
Not Harper's clumsy argument about public appearances and hashtags for phoney couples.
That night was all I could see.
I've never spoken about it before. I vowed that it would never happen.
Years ago, neither of us was supposed to be in a hotel room.
Riley.
I forced myself to remain cool by rubbing a hand down my face.
"Are you certain she'll pursue this?"
"She needs cash." She has debts that she doesn't discuss. Who can refuse a few million dollars and designer clothing? Let's face it.
Harper smiled like the devil she was.
"I'll take care of it."
"No."
They both looked at me.
"I'll speak with her."
Harper's eyebrows went up. "When did you start doing the groundwork?"
I didn't respond. I just turned and grabbed my coat.
I wasn't doing this for the deal.
This was not something I was doing for the picture.
I had to see her.
to find out if she recalled.
If she ever considered it. about me.
My hands scorched her skin. The way she pleaded with me to continue.
Like a damn fever, I shook the memory off.
I muttered, "Set it up," and rushed out before they could stop me.
The cold struck me in the face outside.
Excellent.
I required the sting.
I had to get my identity back.
A girl didn't make Logan Pierce weak.
Even if Riley West was that girl.
Even if she tasted like sin, and I never quite got her out of my system.
I slammed the door of the car and got inside.
My driver said, "Where to, sir?"
I paused.
"Not yet. Simply drive.
The city passed in a blur. neon indicators. Couples laughing. shouts of drunkenness.
Everything seemed like a joke.
I tilted my head back.
Was this a business? or an obsession that finally awakens?
I wasn't certain.
But there was an impending event.
I sensed it.
And for the first time in years, I wasn’t sure if I could control it.
She was going to return to my life.
And for heaven's sake, I wasn't sure if I would allow her to go this time.
Would she recall?
Would she flee?
Would she scuttle back into my bed like she used to?
A sardonic smile twisted my lips.
Riley, let's see.
Let's observe what transpires when ghosts arrive.
They also want blood this time.
- Writer
