Chapter 350 Vacation To Remember
Ella
The day had taken a sudden turn, and the collision with Logan was something I didn’t see coming. He was the last person I wanted to meet after our passionate-and very much accidental-encounter at the party over the weekend, but there he was, looking as unbothered as ever.
“Logan?” My voice betrayed my surprise. “What the hell are you doing here?”
He only smirked, that signature, infuriating smirk of his, and he gestured to the coffee in my hand. “Let me pay for that for that for you.”
I raised an eyebrow, my hand tightly gripping my cup. “I already paid, and I was just leaving.”
I started to move past him, feeling the need to create some distance, but he followed me, trailing like an unwelcome shadow. My footsteps were brisk, but it didn’t matter. With his long strides, he kept up easily.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, not slowing my pace. “You didn’t even get your own coffee.”
“Didn’t come here for the coffee.” There it was again. That playful tone in his voice, implicating something more beyond a random chance encounter.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Logan cleared his throat. “One of the undercover bodyguards I hired for you saw you handling that Rogue, and I was in the area. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
My stride faltered for a moment. He was still having me watched? It was an intrusion, an annoyance, but I decided to let it slide, at least for now. We walked together, the silence stretched between us like a tightrope.
“Here,” Logan said, gesturing to a nearby park. “Let’s walk through here. It’s quicker this way, right?”
I nodded. The park was an easy shortcut, but I rarely walked through there. It was safer for me to stay on the crowded sidewalks, away from the spots where people hid behind trees, looking for unsuspecting women to rob. But with Logan, I felt at ease. And I was in a rush.
Logan guided me through the park in companionable silence. At the center, amidst the swirl of trees, stood an old statue with a fountain at its base. It no longer ran, only a shadow of its former glory.
“This fountain,” Logan began, his voice softer, a hint of nostalgia coloring his words, “it used to run all the time when I was a kid. The statue… it was beautiful.”
I could see the memories dancing in his eyes, a time of innocence and joy that had faded away long ago. “My mom used to bring me here,” he continued. “We would have picnics, right there.” He pointed to a shaded spot under a towering oak tree.
I could almost see the image, a young Logan with his mother, laughter and love filling the air. “Was Harry there too?” I asked, wincing almost as soon as I uttered that loathsome name.
Logan hesitated, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes. “Yes, Harry was there too. But even as a kid, he was trouble.”
His words painted a picture of a troubled childhood, marred by the contrast between two brothers. “One day,” he continued, his voice strained, “Harry threw a tantrum because mom didn’t pack the right sandwiches. Ruined the whole day. She cried later. Broke my heart.”
I could feel a sense of sadness and frustration emanating from him, the shadows of the past still lingering. Harry seemed to have been a problem since childhood. “Sounds like he was a narcissist from the start,” I mused, trying to piece together the puzzle of his brother’s personality.
Logan looked at me, his blue gaze deep, contemplating. “I’m not sure about narcissism, but something was off with him from the start. Could probably write a whole book about it.” His voice held a mix of sorrow and resignation, a lifetime of dealing with a difficult sibling etched in every word.
“But,” he added, a note of reverence in his voice, “mom never played favorites. It was hard on her, I could see it, but she always had a smile on her face.”
It was a touching revelation, a glimpse into the depth of his mother’s love and strength. “That’s sweet,” I said softly, my heart warmed by the image of a loving mother, enduring and nurturing despite the challenges. It reminded me of Moana.
We paused, our gazes locked on the statue, its silent strength a testament to the past and the love shared there. “I’ll contact the parks and recreation department,” I found myself saying. “See about restoring this fountain.”
Logan looked at me, his eyes softening. “That’s very nice of you.”
I glanced at my watch, realizing that time was slipping away, and work was waiting. “I need to hurry to work,” I said, a bit rushed.
“I’ll walk you,” Logan offered, and I didn’t refuse.
We walked for a while longer in silence. Eventually, the top of the law firm came into view, signifying the official start of my day. As we approached, we paused for a moment at the end of the walkway leading up to the large building before Logan turned to face me.
He broke the silence, his voice casual. “Have you thought about my proposition?”
I hesitated, his words from the other night echoing in my mind. A visit to my hometown to meet my parents, all under the pretense of us being a couple. It was ludicrous, risky, yet, perhaps it was necessary. I had almost forgotten about how bad this city could be until I was harshly reminded of it over the past couple of days. Having my parents visit here could be a problem.
“Fine,” I found myself saying, much to my surprise and his delight. “We can go to my home city to meet my parents, but we’re getting separate hotel rooms.”
Logan only smirked again, a twinge of amusement in his eyes. “That can be arranged.”
“And you’re paying for everything, since you’re the one so keen on going,” I added, a bit of defiance in my tone.
His smirk broadened, his voice smooth as silk. “It would be my pleasure.”
He walked me to my workplace, the atmosphere around us charged with unspoken words and tensions. As we reached the entrance, he leaned down, attempting to kiss my cheek. Instinctively, I shoved him away.
“Don’t-“I started, but he cut me off, grabbing my arm with a firm yet gentle grip.
“We need to act like a couple, Ella,” he insisted, his voice stern yet low. “People are watching. If they see you shoving me away, it will spark gossip.”
I sighed, reluctant but realizing the truth in his words.
“Fine. Make it quick.”
Logan smirked. I sensed that he felt as though he got his way, and maybe, deep down, I didn’t hate that. But it didn’t change the fact that we weren’t supposed to be together, and after what happened at the wedding shower… Things were different now. I needed to be more careful than ever.
Tilting my head to the side, I allowed him to kiss my cheek, feeling a blush creep up my face despite my resistance. Ema was beyond thrilled, her thoughts a whirlwind of excitement.
“A vacation together?” she cooed inside my head as I parted ways with Logan and began to make my way inside. “This could be interesting.”
