Logan adjusted his bear doll costume and continued to gesticulate in front of the amusement park. It was his part-time job to dress up and stand at the entrance to entertain the kids and visitors who came to the amusement park.
Logan had decided to buy a nice ring for his girlfriend because he finally wanted to propose to her the next week. Their relationship was what he wanted forever and he just couldn't wait to tie the knot.
With a smile on his face, Logan pulled off the mask and decided to give her a call. He wanted it to be a surprise, he wanted to make her happy with the best gold ring ever. After the first ring, she didn't pick up and Logan decided to call her again. "Hello, honey, how are you doing today," he said happily and she just hummed.
"Why are you calling me, Logan? I'm still at work," she replied flatly, not even bothering to exchange pleasantries with him.
"I was hoping that we could meet," he said softly.
"You should know that I'm still at work, Logan," she replied heatedly.
Logan apologized for bothering her and asked if she could come over for a date later that day. "I would love us to hang out later tonight, like a date," he said.
"A date?" Rita asked, she sounded surprised over the phone and he affirmed that he wanted them to have a date.
"Yes, I could meet you up after__" he started to plan but she cut him in, saying that she wouldn't be able to show up.
"Don't bother, Logan, I won't be available tonight," she replied impatiently.
Logan sighed and asked why, he really wanted to meet her and pop the question and although he didn't know how much he had for the ring, he was sure he wanted to propose to her soon. "Why? Are you sure you can't make it, I could wait__"
"No, Logan, I told you before. It won't work today, I'm going to work late," she said rudely and then added that she had to go back to work and he should quit bothering her.
Logan ended the call and shrugged, "Maybe she had a bad day. Work can be pretty stressful," he mused as he looked down at his own outfit.
The bear costume was very warm as he stood under the heat of the sun. But he couldn't help it, he needed the extra cash to get the kind of ring that Rita deserved.
He walked to the stool by the door and sat down to count the money he had. Pulling out the crumpled notes, he sorted through the change and then counted all he and. "I can't get anything good with this," he said disappointingly.
Logan had hoped that the job could get him enough money for the sort of ring that he wanted for his girlfriend. But he needed more if not, he was going to have to settle for a cheaper ring.
Still musing and worried over his lack of cash, he didn't see one of the staff at the amusement park run to him until he was already right beside him. "Hey Logan," he said hurriedly and Logan jerked a little, shoving the cash into his costume pocket.
"Hey, Sam, what's up?" He asked, trying to put on his costume again. The management didn't like anyone slacking on the job.
"Do you have time for some gig?" Sam asked him in a rush. Logan looked at his costume. "I'm still on shift though," he replied.
Sam shook his head, "Come on, it doesn't matter. It's still in this park, it will only take a couple of minutes and you'll get an extra 100 dollars tip," he replied.
Logan's eyes widened, 100 dollars would help him get a much better ring and the job was quite easy too. "I'm in, what do I need to do?" He asked excitedly.
Sam handed him a bunch of flowers. "Here, all you have to do is hand over these flowers to a girl. There's a very rich man that's here to propose and he needs someone to hold the flowers for his girl, that's your job," Sam instructed him.
"That's all I have to do for 100 dollars?" He asked incredulously.
Sam nodded, "We don't have much time, are you in?" He said impatiently.
Logan nodded eagerly, of course, he was in. He couldn't believe someone would pay so much for just holding a bunch of flowers. That was actually a very easy task for such a huge amount of tops. He couldn't wait to get it done and get his money. He was already visualizing the ring that he would buy for Rita once he had enough money.
Sam led him to the Ferris wheel and that was when he saw the couple standing under it. The man got down on one knee and pulled out a ring.
"Oh my God!" The girl gasped as the man dropped to his knees. Everyone was attracted to the scene and they all cheered as the man took her hands.
"Will you marry me?" The man asked, smiling lovingly at her. The crowd erupted in cheers and some of them pulled out their phones to take pictures and videos of the scene.
The staff nudged him and whispered to him that it was time for him to do his job. "Hand her the flowers now," he said.
Logan held the bouquet and walked close to the couple. He could see the excitement on their faces as well as those around them. Everyone seemed really thrilled at such a grand proposal.
The man held her fingers and slid in the ring just as Logan held out the bouquet to her. It was right at this moment that the girl in question raised her face and Logan gasped as he looked into the eyes of his own girlfriend, Rita.
Another man had just proposed to her and she said yes and behold, he was the one handing her flowers.
Logan was stunned as he looked at the man and his girlfriend. He was frozen, staring at them with wide eyes. He was so stunned that he looked down at his bear costume and thought he had appeared to them - like a clown, dressed in some outfit just to entertain the crowd. His hands froze and despite the whispers from the staff for him to hand over the flowers, that it was time, he couldn't hear anything. He couldn't feel anything at all, he went numb."Of course, yes!" Rita replied with a wide smile, she didn't even look at Logan, she simply snatched the flowers from his hands and everyone cheered. "Such a beautiful couple," someone gushed from the crowd excitedly. They all looked at them with smiling faces. "Kiss her!" One man hollered and then the crowd all cheered, "Kiss her!" They chorused. Rita smiled lovingly at the rich man who grabbed her by the waist and bending to her height, sealed her lips in a deep kiss. Logan felt his gut tighten. He wanted to throw up, he had never b
Logan watched the staff walk away. He was interested in going to the restaurant and eating some expensive meal that was bought by the one man who took his happiness away. He felt dead inside and no food or money could make it any better. To think that he'd been very thrilled to find some job to give him enough money to buy the ring, now he just looked at the dollar bill on the floor and couldn't bring himself to pick it up, he simply walked away from it and left the amusement park. Logan looked like the Walking Dead. His body was still coated with sweat from wearing the costume all day and he felt like a freaking zombie as he trekked down the streets aimlessly, hoping that anything could take his mind off the hurt and pain that he felt inside. At this time, he wandered close to a bar and decided that maybe drinking would help with his pain. He leaked through the doors and could see that the place did have a lot of patrons. "Perfect, I'll be at peace here," he said softly and leaped
Logan finally came to consciousness. His head was banging like a South African gong. He didn't know where he was or what had happened to him in the past hours. "What time is it?" He mumbled to himself and then rolled over. How could he make it to work when he was feeling like a man but by a train? Groaning, he turned to the edge and that was when he felt a body next to him. He jerked up and blinked his eyes open. Right there on the bed was a lady and she was still. The woman stirred in her sleep as she felt a hand on her stomach. Her head was so fuzzy that for a second she didn't even want to wake up. Heavily came open her and she nearly curled back into bed when she felt a presence to her left. She flinched and sat up at once, her eyes widening as she saw him, "Argh!" She screamed and threw her hands up in shock. "What are you doing in my bed?!" She snapped and grabbed the pillow on the bed, throwing it at Logan. Logan grabbed the pillow as it fell on his shoulders. He looked at
As the lady walked out of the door and slammed the door, Logan pocketed the wad of cash in his pocket and began a search for his shoe. The hotel room was so big that he doubted he would find it. But thankfully he found it under the bed and quickly pulled it open. Buttoning his shirt too and heading for the door. The weight of the cash in his pocket couldn't help but remind him of the events of the previous hour. How did he just end up in bed with a stranger and somehow get paid for it? Just as he clicked the door behind him, he was faced with his girlfriend, Rita and the rich guy from the amusement park coming out of the hotel elevator too. He was shocked to see her but he quickly recalled that the man had mentioned that he would be going to have a great time alone with his new fiance. Logan looked at them with scorn. He was angry at Rita for the way she had just abandoned him. He blamed her for his drunken spell and what had just happened with the strange woman. If she hadn't brut
Logan tried to run as the guards formed a circle around him. "You shouldn't have done that, you'll get the beating of your life!" The rich man sneered and nodded at the guards. Without a second wasted, they descended on Logan aggressively, dragging him by the head and pushing him to the floor. Fists fell on his head and shoulders and all he tried to do was protect his face. "You dared lay a hand on our boss?" One of the men snapped at him angrily and kicked him in the face. Rita stood there, not the slightest terrified or concerned over what was happening, she even had a pleased look on her face as did the man beside her. "He's getting what he deserves! Loser!" She said, urging the men to teach him a lesson. "What's going on?" One of the staff came to the lobby and saw the scene. Logan was already bloodied and bruised on the floor. He couldn't move, his hands shielded his face as the men continued to hit him, blow after blow, kick after kick. "You're going to kill him!" The staff
Logan was very confused. He looked at the manager oddly. He didn't know what he was talking about. His name was Logan Russel and he wondered how the man knew that. "How did you know my name?" He asked the manager who was still too stunned to speak. He just looked at him oddly and then shook his head, as if still in shock. "I know that a ring can only belong to one person, and you have possession of it," he replied. Logan sighed, he had already run into enough trouble by talking to the rich man and Rita, and the last thing he wanted was another round of trouble. "You really are the young master," the manager said, his eyes wide with both surprise and excitement. "I'm not the young master, don't worry, I'll get out of your hotel, I'm sorry for causing a scene," Logan said and was about to walk out but the man stopped him. "You don't have to leave. Please don't leave, I know who you are. You're Logan Russel." The manager stated. Logan shook his head, "I think you have mistaken me
The old man walked to Logan and hugged him tightly, he had his eyes filled with excitement and joy. He looked at Logan again and then turned to the manager. "It really is him, I can't deny the resemblance, it's uncanny," he stated happily. Logan was still very confused, he didn't even know who the old man was or how he ought to take the information that he was now a very rich member of some family. "I don't know what to say, this is all strange," he had to admit. The old man smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and told him that everything was going to be fine, he would explain everything to him. "First, we have to get you back home, you have been away for such a long time," he said. "Who are you?" Logan asked. It was the anger that spoke next. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce him to you, young master, this is the butler of the Russel family, he's your butler, and has been with your family for such a long time," he stated. The butler nodded, "Yes, I have been with your parents. I watc
Slowly, Logan got into the helicopter, he was very nervous and also excited to be in there. He hadn't flown in a chopper before, it was his first time. The butler had him strapped in and handed him a headphone for the loud rumbling of the engine, then he settled down beside him and told him that they were heading to the hospital. "We have to make sure you're in perfect shape, going master," the butler said at the top of his lungs so that Logan could hear him over the loud rumbling of the chopper. Logan didn't want to be a crybaby. He guessed he would be able to take the pain and tough it up, after all, he'd gone through worse. But the old man refused, saying that he needed professional medical care. Soon, they arrived at the hospital. Logan looked down with wonder, he knew the hospital that they had arrived at and it was one of the best hospitals in the city. It was also the most expensive and no one could afford it without being freaking wealthy. Logan was shocked but he didn't s
After Andre was shot by Logan and he picked jersey up hurrying out of the hallway to get help from his men, things happen so fast after that.Just like he predicted, Andre's men scattered the moment they found that their leader was gone, not even bothering to put off a fight since in their words… ‘it was not worth it’. Instead of feeling relieved and satisfied that he got the upper hand, Logan sent some of his men after them to make sure that every member of Andrews team was nullified.Thankfully, Jackson was on standby to oversee the rest of the operations because Logan didn't even bother waiting back, jumping into the ambulance to take Josie to the hospital.Calling for reinforcements on his way there, Logan kept hoping that they weren't too late.Already, Josie's pallor was ashy and her breathing was slow.Even her hands seemed cold and clammy, although the latter part might just be his hand.Immediately, they got to the ER, Logan took over, commanding the nurses to get a doctor do
Logan's heart dropped to his stomach as he stared at Josie in surprise, wondering what the hell she was doing back here.She must have known he'd feel the same way because her eyes flicked up to his and she mouthed the words ‘I'm sorry’.“Looks like I didn't have to go so far to cause you anguish, Logan.” Andre laughed. “She came straight to me.”Logan took a step towards them. “Hey, look Andre. You don't have to do this, she's innocent in all of this!”“How so? Don't talk to me like I'm an illiterate, I know she's behind all of the plannings you've taken recently… so maybe she wasn't part of this before but you certainly knew how to welcome her into the lifestyle.” Andre chuckled, twisting his gun around so it was pointed directly at her heart.In all of Logan's years dealing with enemies, territory fighting and impeachment from subordinates, he never was once a scared as he was right now.It was now he knew what it meant to have your weaknesses directed at you. Logan would gladly giv
Waving his gun in front of Logan's face, Andre smirked, cocking his head to the side. “Well, well, well… What's going to be a lover boy? Are you going to shoot first or should I?”Logan didn't even flinch at the empty threats. “If you wanted me dead, you could have done so the moment my team walked in through the front door of the building.”Andre clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “That's true but you getting shot randomly by one of my men wasn't the plan. It would only rob me of the joy I would get from shooting you in the face by myself and taking the crown while the blood leached out of your body.”Logan chuckled softly which then grew into full-blown laughter, only serving to irritate Andre.“What the hell is so funny, huh?’ Andre grunted, taking a step closer.Logan ignored him, laughing on for as long as he wanted, only slowing the sound down to a trickle a couple of minutes later. “I'm just amused…” “I didn't realize that my words were that funny.” he huffed
Chapter 167: The Final Showdown Logan's team stood victorious. Eclipse was defeated. Andre was gone. But questions remained. Why did Andre target Logan's family? What secrets did Eclipse hide? Logan's eyes met Ethan's."Time for answers," Logan said. Ethan nodded."I'll tell you everything," Ethan promised. Logan's grip on Ethan's shoulder tightened."Brother," Logan said. Ethan smiled."Home," Ethan whispered.Logan's team gathered around Ethan in a secure facility. Ethan's eyes scanned the room nervously. Logan's expression softened."Tell us, Ethan," Logan encouraged. Ethan took a deep breath."Eclipse wanted Dad's research," Ethan began."Research on what?" Rachel asked. Ethan hesitated."Artificial intelligence," Ethan revealed."AI?" Jackson repeated. Ethan nodded."Dad's AI project. Code-named 'Erebus'." Sophia's eyes narrowed."Erebus?" Sophia repeated. Ethan's voice dropped."Dad's creation. A powerful AI.Capable of global control." Logan's eyes widened."That's why Andre
Chapter 165: Rescue Mission Logan's team huddled around the tactical map, their faces illuminated only by the faint glow of the computer screens."Alright, here's the plan," Logan said, his voice low and steady, his eyes locked onto the layout. "Rachel, take point. Jackson, you're with me. We'll breach from the east wing."Rachel nodded, her piercing green eyes scanning the blueprint. "I've hacked the security feeds. We've got a 30-second window before they realize we're in."Jackson checked his gear, his rugged features set with determination. "I'm ready to take out their comms."Logan's gaze locked onto the mission objective, his jaw clenched. "Josie's being held in the central cell block. We need to move fast." The team nodded, their faces set with resolve, their breathing steady. They moved out, their footsteps silent as they approached the heavily fortified facility. Rachel took point, her pistol leading the way, her movements fluid."Security team incoming," she whisper
Logan's team had been searching for Amber for weeks, and finally, they had her in custody. The dimly lit interrogation room was eerily silent, the only sound coming from the hum of the fluorescent lights above. Amber sat calmly, her hands cuffed to the metal table. Her eyes locked onto Logan, who stood at the far end of the room, arms crossed."You're a hard woman to find, Amber," Logan said, his deep voice firm.Amber smirked. "You're not the first to underestimate me, Logan."Logan's team leader, Rachel, stepped forward. "Let's get down to business. We know you're involved with Andre's operation. Tell us what you know."Amber leaned back, a calculated glint in her eye. "I'll tell you everything, but first, I want immunity."Logan raised an eyebrow. "You think you're in a position to negotiate?"Amber's smile widened. "I have information you desperately need. Josie's location, for starters." Rachel's eyes snapped to Logan, who nodded curtly."Deal," Rachel said. "But if you're lying,
Logan ran his hands all over her body, brushing away her hair so he could clearly scrutinize every bruise or cuts the marred her perfect face. “Are you sure you're okay?”She nods, smiling. “Yes. Even though for a mom and dad feared that I might not make it out alive but…you made hold on a little while longer.”Logan nods, a picture of happiness and contentment on the outside but on the inside, he was actually boiling, livid that he wasn't able to get to her in time before that animal, Andre put his hands on her. *It's okay, you're safe now and I promise you that Andre's not going to hurt you anymore.” He promises, looking into her eyes.Her smile never wavered, even though it got a little shaky at the mention of Andre's name. “I really don't care. I'm safe and I'm here with you, that's all that matters.”Logan kept talking to her, making sure to avoid asking her what went down during her kidnapping, trying to reassure her as best as he could.A couple of minutes later, he could see Ja
Josie was working on her laptop when she got a text. It was from Amber and the tone of the text screamed urgency.Amber: Josie, please where are you? I need your help!Spooked by the weird way Amber was trying to text her, Josie reached for her phone and tried to call Amber.Unfortunately it wasn't going through and that only made Josie more worried, so she texted back.Josie: Where are you? What's going on?Almost immediately, a response dropped but it wasn't the type that she was looking for.It was a pin to her location with the words ‘hurry’ in capital letters next to it.Josie debated on reaching out for help or talking to Logan about it but she decided that it to be too late to help if the matter really was as urgent as Amber was making it out to be, plus the location she dropped was less than 30 minutes away.If she drives straight there and right back, she would be back before Logan was aware.With that decision made, Josie slammed her laptop closed, reaching for her jacket,
“Start talking and maybe I'll not start slicing off your flesh,” Logan ordered, his patience wearing thin.There's no way he'll allow Andre to get his way, even if it means giving up everything he's worked so hard for.He didn't know when it happened, but Josie was like a nasty bug, one that gets under your skin whether you want it to or not.Amber wets her lips, darting her eyes towards Jackson's figure. For some reason, she seems to be more scared of Jackson than the man who's sliced into her skin like a piece of meat.Logan snapped his fingers to gain her attention. “I was asking you a question! What do you know about Josie's kidnapping and Andre's plans all along?”Logan made sure to waggle the tip of the bloody life in front of her face. Once her eyes landed on it, she went pale swallowing up spit. “Okay, okay! I'll tell you what I know!”Logan sat back, waving his hands. “Start talking.”“Um…” she smacked her lips. “Can I get a glass of water, please?” Jackson grunted and she qui