Three Thousand Miles (28 page)

“I would love to, but won’t Adrian mind?” She asks as she walks over to me.

“No it was actually his idea. So are you in?” Sophie lets out a massive giggle as she pulls me close.

“I am totally in.”

I lay on my bed and I play nervously with my phone. I have not heard from Adrian today and I am beginning to get worried. I again check my phone and still there is no contact from him. I give in to my own temptation as I quickly dial his number. I wait p
ati
ently as the phone rings and a smile comes to my face when I hear his cool British accent.

“Hello baby, what’s wrong?” He immediately asks.

“Nothing is wrong I just wanted to check in and see what you were doing?” The phone is silent as I await his next words.

“I was busy all day with paperwork but I am on my way over to you. I will see you soon and baby there is something
that
I need to ask you.” My heart races as I wonder what he wants to ask me. My mind flashes back to when Sophie told me Adrian was going to
p
r
o
pose. I quickly shake that thought from my mind.

“Okay, see you soon.” I say as I hang up the phone. I quickly rush into the bathroom as I prepare for Adrian. I instantly loosen my ponytail and I let my hair fall freely down my back. I apply some lip-gloss and then I make my way back into my room. I sit anxiously on my bed as I wait for Adrian. I quickly jump from my bed when I hear a knock at the door.

“Hello Adrian.” I say as I pull open the door. I quickly look up at the tall guy that stands before me and I gasp when I see Michael.

“Sorry to disappoint you, it’s only me.” He says rather sarcastically. I cannot hold in my smile as I gaze at him. I quickly turn away and Michael follows me into the room.

“What’s up?” I say as I lock my eyes on his. He smiles at me and he says.

“Nothing’s up, I just came to
see
my favourite girl. How are you Alanna?” I quickly reply to him and I pretend that I never heard his
s
ark
y
comment.

“Fine, I am just waiting for Adrian.” Michael gently rolls his eyes as he walks over to me. He fills the gap between us and he lightly takes my hand in his.

“Ah yes
,
you belong to my brother.” I narrow my eyes at him.

“I don’t belong to anyone.” I insist. Michael smirks at me as he lets go of my hand.

“I heard that you are going to be spending some time in London.” I sense that he is happy about this and I quickly reply.

“Yes, I cannot wait I adore London. Are you going back over the summer?” He again smiles at me and I begin to lose myself in his ice blue eyes.

“Do you want me to?” He asks smugly. I gently push back the hair that has fallen around my face as I respond to his question.

“Don’t be smug Michael; you know that things wouldn’t be the same without you.” He laughs at my response and he gently walks over to me. He places his hand on my shoulder as he gazes into my eyes.

“You always know how to put me in my place and that’s what I love about you, Alanna.” I stutter for words as I hear Michael’s confession. I do not know how to respond so I simply flash him a smile. He moves a little closer to me and to my surprise; he takes me in his arms. I do not fight him off yet I know that this is inappropriate. I give in as I rest my head into his shoulder, I take a deep breath and I catch the scent from his cologne. I gently close my eyes as I grip onto my saviour.

The door opens and I instantly break free from Michael. I turn around quickly and I see Adrian standing in the doorway. I walk over to him and I feel guilty at what he has just witnessed.

“Hi,” I say in a quiet voice. I stand on my tiptoes as I place a soft kiss onto his cheek. Adrian stands motionless as he glares at Michael. I look up into his green eyes and I see that they are full of rage. His fists are clenched and his nostrils are flared. I sense the tension as I stare at the two gorgeous men. I cannot speak I just stand frozen as they lock eyes on one another. Michael is too smug and Adrian looks furious.

“Hello brother,” Michael says in a smug tone. Adrian runs his fingers nervously through his hair as he stares at Michael.

“Yes hello Michael, may I have a moment with my girlfriend?” Adrian says in harsh tone. Michael quickly smirks as he walks over to me. I feel uneasy as Michael takes my hand. He gently places a soft kiss onto my skin as he says.

“Goodbye beautiful.” My heart races and I flash Michael an awkward smile. He quickly makes his way out of the room and when I hear the slight bang of the door I instantly turn to Adrian.

“Adrian that’s not what it looked like, Michael just came to say hi and…” Adrian places his finger into my lip as he signals me to stop talking. He gently leans in and he kisses me softly. I pull back in confusion and widen my eyes at him.

“Aren’t you mad at me?” He gently smirks at me as he plays with my hair.

“No baby I am not mad at you.” I cannot contain my smile as I jerk his head towards mine. I look deep into his eyes.

“Adrian I love you.”
I whisper just as our lips meet
. He kisses me and then he pulls back. He lens into my neck and he whispers.

“Alanna, I know you do.”

After a moment of kissing Adrian pulls back and he begins to pace around the room and I take a seat onto my bed as I watch his movements.

“Baby, I need you to do something for me.” 

“Anything,” I say quickly. He walks over to me and kneels by the bed.

“Baby, I need you to call Maggie and tell her that I want to
meet
her and Emma. Can you do this for me?” I smile at him as I gently stroke his hair.

“Of course,
” Adrian quickly takes out his phone and he dials Maggie’s number. The phone rings as I hold it to my ear. I wait patiently for Maggie to answer.

“Hello,” a woman says in a strong voice.

“Hello, am I speaking with Maggie?” I say in a soothing tone.

“Yes who’s calling?”

“
I don’t know if you remember me…
it’s Alanna Hart?”

“Oh
,
of course
,
I remember you dear. I was heartbroken when I heard that you were attacked. How are you dear?” I smile at her kind voice and I quickly reassure her that I am fine.

“I am good, listen Maggie there is something
that
I need to talk to you about. Is now a good time?”

“Yes, go ahead dear.” I quickly glance at Adrian as I begin to explain the situation to Maggie.

“Adrian would like meet you and Emma. Would that be something you are interested in?” I quickly take Adrian’s hand as I see his anxiety building. Maggie takes a while to respond and as I wait for her to reply, my heart begins to race.

“I have been talking with Emma about Mr Black and she would like to meet him. She is home just now if he wants to stop by?” I smile at Adrian and he quickly smirks at me.

“Okay, we won’t be long and thanks again Maggie.” I hang up and I quickly hand Adrian his phone. He slips it into his inside jacket pocket and then he gently takes me by the hand. He leads me out into the hallway and we start for the door.

Adrian escorts me into his black Rolls Royce that is waiting by the front doors of Columbia. As the car pulls away, Adrian reaches over and grips my hand.

The car comes to
a
stop and I look out
of
the window to our surroundings. I quickly realise that we are in Harlem. Adrian notices the emotion on my face as he opens the door for me.

“Adrian this
is
a poor neighbourhood.” I say as I step out into the cold street. Adrian takes a deep breath as I link my arm into his. He walks me up the front stoop of the building and I again look around. The streets are messy and there is
graffiti
all over the walls of the building. Loud bangs and police sirens fill the air. I quickly glance to Adrian; he stands in a three-piece suit with a massive gold Rolex on show.  His hair is pushed back and he has a little stubble on his face. I try to conceal my fear as Adrian buzzes Maggie’s apartment but inside I am shaking.

“Hello,” Maggie quickly says. Adrian quickly responds.

“Hello, its Adrian,” I hear the buzz as the door unlocks. Adrian quickly escorts me up
the
two flights of stairs and he turns to me as we approach Maggie’s apartment.

“Baby, I need a kiss before we go in.” He quickly pulls me towards him and he ushers me with a nervous kiss. I break
free
from him.

“Adrian everything will be okay. Maggie is lovely and I am sure
that
Emma is too.” I try to reassure Adrian all the while my heart is pounding. We slowly walk up to Maggie’s door and Adrian knocks firmly. It does not take long for Maggie to answer and when she does, I can see that she is in a state of shock.  She is dressed in a blac
k turtleneck sweater and
dark blue cords. She quickly smiles at me but she cannot tear her eyes away from Adrian.

“Hello, please come in.” S
he says quietly. Adrian gently pushes
me in the through the door
and then he follows. I glance around at Maggie’s apartment and my heart sinks. The apartment is small and has a few pieces of old tired furniture here and there. Her kitchen is tiny and
very
cluttered. She walks us over to the sofa, Adrian
and I take a seat as Maggie hands us a coffee each. Maggie quickly sits down on the chair opposite us and she smiles as she again stares at Adrian.

“Well, how is everyone?” Maggie asks as she takes a bite of chocolate cake. Adrian gently lays his coffee down onto the table that sits directly in front of us. He clears his throat as begins to talk.

“Maggie, firstly I would like to thank you for looking after my Alanna she told me that your cooking was the best she ever tasted and I thank you for forcing her to eat.” I gently slap his leg as he laughs at his own words.

“I would also like to thank you for meeting with me.” Adrian flashes Maggie a deep smile as he awaits her response.

“You are welcome but I would like to thank you for wanting to meet us. Most people in your situation would not want to know anything about their absent fathers family. I must say Mr Black,”

“Please call me Adrian.”

“Adrian, you look incredibly like your father. I was very surprised when I laid eyes on you.” Adrian glances around the room and I can tell that he is looking for his sister.

“Emma won’t be long she just stepped out for some fresh air.” Maggie says as she notices the wonder in Adrian’s eyes. I shift a little nervously as I gaze around Maggie’s home.

“And
,
how are you Alanna?” Maggie says to me. I quickly turn and I lock my eyes on hers.

“I am fine,” I say as take a sip of coffee.

“What about Michael, how is he?” I take a deep breath as I hear Michael
’
s name. My face flushes hot as I remember Adrian walking in and catching me in Michael’s arms. I am still confused at his reaction I would have thought he would have been a lot angrier than what he was. I am brought out of thought as I the door pushes open. In walks, Emma and I gasp as I lay eyes on her
-
she is gorgeous. She is around five foot ten and very slim built; her long
,
thi
c
k
,
dark
hair is hanging freely around her face and her eyes are glowing green. She strides over to us and she gently takes a seat next to her mother. I glare at her and I cannot believe her beauty. She resembles Adrian more than I thought
and I cannot tear my eyes away from her. She notices that I am staring at her and she quickly smiles at me.

“Hello Emma
,
I am Adrian and I guess I am your brother.” Adrian says in a slow tone. Emma quickly adjusts her position and she leans over to Adrian.

“It’s nice to meet you, now I can see where I get my good looks from,” she says in a jokey tone. I let out a giggle as I take another sip of the coffee.

Adrian and I spend over an hour talking to Maggie and Emma. We have talked about everything from college to music and films. Emma reminds me of Adrian in so many ways. Her eyes are identical to his and when she smiles, I feel that I am looking at Adrian. She genuinely seems happy to meet Adrian and I watch him beam as he talks to her. I cannot contain my smile as I gaze at Adrian. He looks overjoyed at meeting his sister and this moment overrides the awful thoughts
that
I have about Adrian’s childhood. I really hope that he and Emma can have an amazing relationship. Adrian deserves to have a real family and now he finally has a chance of that with Emma. Maggie is also smiling from ear
-
to
-
ear as she watches her daughter talking to her long lost brother.

“Which college do you attend?” Adrian asks Emma. She begins to smile as she explains her college situation.