Second Chances and Secret

CHAPTER 4: Paths Crossed

"Yes, my younger brother. He has his own business in Italy. His name is Logan." He explained.

"You have nothing to be worried about. Whatever I am doing for you right now is the most natural thing to do for a stranger who needs help." He added as he saw the mixed expression and fear on my face.

"Do you mean it?" I asked again to be sure that I heard him correctly as my eyes turned glossy.

"Yes, of course. My mind tells me to help you and I have a good feeling about this" He replied with a bright smile on his face.

"Thank you so much. I don't think you realize what you are doing for me but I promise to pay you back once I get back on my feet." I spoke as tears streamed down my face.

"It's alright dear, I will lodge you in a hotel and your flight will probably be in some days, so we can get your documents ready. Okay?"

"Yes, that's fine. Thank you once again." Everything felt surreal, London was once my dream place but it took everything away from me. I honestly couldn't see myself staying here without the memories haunting me.

Landon's driver came into the restaurant, to remind him of his flight. We exchanged numbers and he left promising to get in touch as someone else came to take me to the hotel.

*********************

"Yes, I am already there," I spoke to Landon over the phone as I landed in Italy.

"Alright, Logan will be there any minute from now to pick you up. He's very tall and attract-"

"That's enough Landon," I said giggling, and ended the call. I knew he was trying to set me up with Logan. By now, I knew everything about him from his constant talks.

I noticed a guy that fit his description towards the gate and went up to him.

"Logan?"

He turned and looked at his phone, probably to confirm if it was me.

"Anastasia?"

*************************

5 Years Later.

Anastasia's POV.

"Mom, Mom." Jayden and Jordan scurried towards me immediately when I entered the house.

"How are you, my babies? I dropped my bag and carried them both. I already felt better as I had a hectic day at the office.

"Fine Mom, Jayden took my snack," Jordan reported to his twin brother. Looking at both of them reminds me of Jared every time.

"Jayden, what did I tell you about taking your brother's food?". I slightly scolded him.

"I'm sorry Mom, I'm sorry Jayden." He apologized.

"It's alright. I have got something for you both but first, you have to go take your bath. Go to your rooms, I will meet you there." I said dropping them to the ground. They quickly ran upstairs and I smiled.

My babies. They had kept me sane throughout the years and every decision I took was because of them. I am in a much better space now. I was working as Logan's secretary and my twin boys are in school.

Once in a while, I still thought about Jared and what he would do if he found out about the twins. I quickly got rid of the thought, not wanting to imagine such.

"Hello, gorgeous." Logan's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Hi, how are you? What are you doing here?" I asked throwing the questions at him unconsciously.

"Woah, you want me to leave?" He asked with a smirk.

"No, no. Sorry, that came out wrong. You usually don't come here often, that's all. I said taking a cup of my coffee.

"Well, that is because you banned me from coming here often. You know if you give your blessings, I don't mind coming here every day." He said with a smirk.

"Really?" I said signaling to him that I was not buying his jokes.

"I'm just kidding. Anyways, I need a favor." He turned serious.

He hardly asked me for anything so I am sure it has to be something very serious. "What's the matter?" I asked curiously.

"Well, you know that product launch event coming up that everyone has been talking about?" He asked, carefully studying my face.

It was an event that happens every two years. The event opens the door for more collaboration with bigger brands and whoever wins the product pitching will be announced as the winner of the exclusive contract. The owners of the biggest companies were going to be there.

"Yeah, what about it?" Are we participating this year?" I asked wondering where he was heading with this.

"Yes, we are participating and I also need you to be my date." He dropped the bomb still looking into my eyes.

"Common Logan, I can do a lot of favors for you but this is a bit too much. Do you know the amount of headlines that would be up the next day if I agreed? I mean I could go as your secretary but your date?" Logan was a very handsome man and might as well add that he is a billionaire. I don't think I am ready for that kind of drama.

"I think you are overthinking this, Ana. It wouldn't be that bad. Besides, I have to show up with someone so that the media can stop spinning useless stories about me. Please, just this once." He begged.

I thought about everything. Logan and his brother Landon had helped me and my boys a lot and I owed them quite a lot. Anyone would think Logan is the twin's father considering how he treats them like his own. I knew this would raise gossip at the company, however, what they had done for me was way more and I had to put him first for now.

"Alright, when is it?" I asked, earning a smile for him.

"It's next week and I will send you a dress and everything you will need so you don't have to worry about anything. We will talk about the details of the pitching at work tomorrow."

"You don't have-"

"No please, I insist. Just let me do this. I'm so grateful Ana, I hope you know." He said cutting me off and could see that look in his eyes again.

When I first moved, I knew Logan had a liking towards me but with the twins and everything I had been through, I wasn't interested. I wasn't even sure if I had completely gotten over Jared.

Common Ana, you said you would stop thinking about him. My subconscious warned.

I let out a huge sigh.

Logan and Landon got the hint after a while and stopped any form of advancement and I was very grateful even though Landon had always rooted for the both of us.

Now, he was spotting that look he always had any time he was speaking with me. Anyone could tell that he had some sort of feelings for me.

The boys are upstairs, in case you want to see them before leaving. I have some work to do." I changed the subject, wanting to avoid any awkward conversation with him.

I quickly put the twins to sleep and tried to convince myself that nothing was going to go wrong before I finally fell asleep.

***************

Today was the product launch event and my nerves were skyrocketing. I just had a bad feeling about today.

I made sure to finish up with all the necessary documents needed for the product pitching early so I could leave work on time.

The twins were back from school but sleeping when I got back so I quickly took a shower and got dressed. Logan would arrive in two hours.

I saw a dress lying on my bed once I stepped out of the bathroom. It was a sleeveless, royal blue silly dress with an open back. It was perfect for the night. I had put it on and it fit me like a glove, I wondered how Logan knew my size.

When I was done with my makeup, I was impressed. It had been a long time since I dressed up.

I heard a knock on the door and opened it.

"Oh darling, you look so beautiful and breathtaking," Logan said as he could not stop staring at me with those leering gazes in his eyes.

I cleared my throat to break the awkward silence between us as he could not stop staring at me, making me blush.

I took a look at him and he looked very handsome, not as handsome as Jared but he cleaned up very nicely.

Ana!!!, Urghh, What was wrong with me? I rebuked myself. It's been five years!!!.

I met Logan's gaze again and he was spotting a full-blown smile. I smiled back and relaxed a bit.

"Ready?" He asked like a gentleman.

"Yes, let's go," I responded.

We entered his limo and he drove to the destination.

The journey was a bit awkward as Logan was giving me subtle glances while I was nervous about the event. I couldn't even pay attention to whatever he had in mind.

We finally reached and millions of flashlights started coming our way.

"Is she your new girlfriend?"

"What's your relationship with her Mr Perez?"

"Is she carrying your child?"

Most of the questions were ridiculous, and I knew this was just the start of the night.

"You aren't gay, Mr Perez?" A reporter shouted, earning a few giggles. I almost broke out laughing, that was a new one.

Logan saw me smiling and nudged me.

"That isn't funny." He tried to be serious. I could spot the smile threatening to break out of his face.

"If you insist," I replied, smirking and we walked into the hall.

The event started and different companies and small business enterprises were pitching their brand products which was the main event before the dinner night.

Logan was talking to some of his associates and I decided to use the bathroom.

While I was in the bathroom stall, I heard some women come in.

"Have you seen him?, He looks so hot!!." One of them said.

"Really?, I haven't seen him but I can imagine. I once spent the night with him but he hasn't picked up my calls since then." Another voice responded sounding frustrated.

I got out of the bathroom, ignoring their hard stares and pretending not to have heard their conversation.

Immediately I got out, someone bumped into me. I looked angrily only to be met with the eyes of the last person I wanted to see right now.

"Ja-Red?" I stammered.