章節 17: meet his parents
Two weeks had passed, and Logan was still in London for Fashion Week, his last event before returning to New York. Accompanied by Soraya and Mark, he sat among the other models after finishing the runway show.
"Sir..." Mark leaned closer to Logan's ear. "Your father is here."
"Really?" Logan frowned. "What is he doing here?"
"I don't know, but I met one of his confidants." Mark gestured toward a man standing near the entrance.
Logan sighed, glaring at the man with a clenched fist.
"I think he wants you to meet him," Mark whispered.
"That's insane! I don't want Soraya to find out," Logan whispered back angrily.
"Um..." Mark glanced at Soraya, who was engrossed in her phone, then bit his lower lip and leaned in again. "Pretend you're going to the restroom. I'll distract Soraya while you sneak out."
Logan remained silent but nodded subtly. He slipped his phone into the pocket of his gray pants and stood up.
"Logan?" Soraya looked up, admiring how dashing he appeared in a sheer white shirt that revealed his toned, shiny chest.
"I'm heading to the restroom," Logan said casually.
"Alright, don't take too long. You need to be back on stage soon," Soraya replied with a smile.
Logan said nothing more and made his way toward the restroom. He mingled with other models who were chatting or fixing their makeup, glancing back to ensure Soraya was now talking to Mark. Seizing the moment, he quickly slipped out through the main door, where his father's confidant awaited him.
"John…" he greeted curtly.
"Mr. Hart..."
"Don't call me that!" Logan snapped, cutting John off. "What do you want? Why are you here?"
John lowered his head slightly before leaning closer. "Your father knows what you've been doing in New York... This is about your relationship with a certain girl."
"Damn it!" Logan cursed under his breath, tightening his jaw and clenching his fists as his father's face flashed in his mind. "What does he want? Why can't he let me live my own life?"
"It's best if you meet him. He's waiting at his new mansion… with your mother."
"Fine. Take me there now!" Logan demanded, storming off.
John followed and ushered Logan into a sleek black car that was already waiting for them.
During the ride, Logan stared silently out of the window, his thoughts filled with Grace, the woman he had only recently started dating.
"I just found you… convinced you that we could make this work… just as we hoped. I won't let anyone stand in my way. I just want you," he murmured anxiously before pulling his phone from his pocket.
He noticed a few messages from a contact saved as "My Lovely Shasha."
My Lovely Shasha:
"Hey... I saw your video on social media. You look stunning. I love the outfit you modeled."
"I hope you're doing well. Don't worry, I won't get jealous if you're around other models. I trust you. Just focus on your career."
"I went on a bit of a shopping spree today... I hope we can have dinner together when you're back. I'll cook for you!"
"Um... actually... I miss you."
Logan couldn't suppress a smile as he read her messages, then bit his lip and replied:
Me:
"I miss you too…"
He exhaled deeply, shifting his gaze to the night view outside, wondering what awaited him.
Minutes later, the car stopped in front of a grand, classic mansion dominated by deep brown tones. Logan stepped inside, immediately greeted by his mother, Lisa—a middle-aged woman in a flowing blue dress, her hair cascading elegantly, holding a plate with a chocolate cake.
"Oh, my son!" she exclaimed, smiling warmly at Logan.
"Mom…" Logan returned her smile and embraced her briefly before his expression hardened upon seeing his father, William Hart, approach. I won't let him ruin my life, he thought.
"I made this for you," Lisa said with a bittersweet look. "Honestly, I always cherish moments like these when I can see you. It's a blessing you're working in the city we live in," she added.
"I'm not staying long," Logan replied, taking the cake and moving to a black sofa, where he began eating it piece by piece.
Lisa glanced at William before sitting beside Logan, her eyes filled with concern.
"Son... why can't you stay longer? Don't you miss me?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
"I miss you," Logan replied between bites. "But... I need to focus on my career. You know I'm building something important right now."
"You don't need to push yourself so hard just to become successful," William interjected, seated on another sofa. His presence exuded authority, his graying beard and hair adding to his dignified demeanor. "I've decided to hand you one of my companies in New York. I know you love it there, and it's your rightful inheritance as my son," he continued.
Logan stopped eating, his expression turning blank.
"I also know about your relationship with a woman who might soon be your wife," William added. "That means you need to make yourself worthy of her, starting with a better career."
Logan's gaze hardened. "You know that? And you even know that she older than me?"
William's response was a faint smile.
Taking a deep breath, Logan set the plate aside and faced his father directly.
"You've been spying on me, haven't you?" he accused. "Why can't you respect my privacy? This is my life, my choice! Why can't you let me live the way I want?"
"Listen," William said tersely. "I only want what's best for you, okay? I'm not here to meddle. I've given you freedom, haven't I?"
"Then don't force me to run your company!" Logan snapped, his eyes blazing. "I have no clue how to manage a company. What will your other children think? They'll mock me, sabotage me, humiliate me!"
"Son…" Lisa gently placed her hand on his arm.
William sighed heavily, lowering his gaze.
"Keeping your distance as my father is something I've appreciated. I liked it that way," Logan added coldly.
"You don't understand," William said, lifting his head. "I've always strived to be fair to all my children, whether from my first marriage or my second. I know you've endured the injustice of being unacknowledged as my son. You've faced people questioning your lineage. I understand how hard it's been for you, and now, I want everyone to know you're my youngest son. I love you, and I care about you," he finished, his voice filled with regret.
Logan remained silent.
"I don't mind if you're dating an older woman. That's your choice. I won't interfere in your relationship," William assured him.
"Don't try to redeem your fault by controlling my life," Logan muttered before his father could continue. "If you love me, let me choose my own path. Let me succeed on my own, starting from zero, without your help."
"But being a model will drag you into issues that could stress you out. It's more complicated than running a company!" William countered calmly. "Imagine if you became a CEO and started learning now. In a few years, life would be much easier for you. Being a model means constantly performing, pretending to be someone you're not. It'll also leave you with little time for your partner," he added.
Logan bowed his head, appearing to absorb his father's advice.
"Your girlfriend isn't in her twenties anymore. She needs a man who's serious, who can provide security, love ...not someone constantly away working. And modeling? She'll see you with other beautiful women—perhaps more stunning than her. That could make her insecure, filling her with doubts. You wouldn't be giving her the true happiness she deserves," William reasoned, but Logan abruptly stood and left the room.
"Logan!" Lisa called, rising quickly.
William exhaled sharply, leaning back against the sofa.
"You're pressuring him too much!" Lisa scolded before hurrying after Logan.
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