Three Thousand Miles (32 page)

“Hi…
how
…
are you?” I say quietly.

“I am okay. I was wondering if you talked to Adrian yet.”

“Actually I haven’t.” The phone is silent as my words echo in my mind.                              

“I see may I ask why?”

“I have been busy with college work. Graduation is tomorrow, I guess I could talk to him after the ceremony.” Alice quickly responds.

“Actually I was hoping that you could talk to him tonight. I am going out of town tomorrow and I will not be back in New York for a while. I would really like to see him before I leave. Do you think that you could arrange that?” I roll my eyes as Alice is again putting me on the spot. I listen to the desperation in her voice and again I feel compassion towards her. I lightly exhale as I reply. 

“Adrian is staying at Chatwal Hotel. Come by around seven and I will make sure he is there.” Alice agrees and she thanks me.
I hang up the phone and throw
it onto my bed. I sit up fully in the bed and I begin to dial Adrian’s number.

“Alanna I was just about to call you.” Adrian says as answers the phone.

“Oh yeah what about,” I say coolly.

“I am on my way over to you. I am going round to Maggie’s and I need you to come with me.” Adrian says in a kind voice. I bite my lip as I reply.

“Okay, how long will you be?”

“I am about ten minutes away
.
W
hy?”

“Just wondering how long I have to get ready.” I say nervously. Adrian lets out a laugh.

“
Okay baby see you soon.”

I rush over to my closet and I begin to pick through my outfits. I slip on a black dress and I loosen my ponytail. I apply a touch of lip-gloss and I make my way back over to my bed. I sit nervously as I wait for Adrian.  I cannot believe that I am agreeing to meeting up with Alice. My heart is pounding as I think of Adrian’s reaction. I quickly try to reassure myself that everything will go smoothly and that Adrian will not be mad at me.

We sit in the car as we head over to Maggie’s apartment. I look at Adrian and my nerves are out of control. I begin to pull at the collar of my coat as I desperately try to convince myself that everything will be fine. Adrian talks on his phone and I am glad that he is. I would hate for him to see my anxiety as I fear
that
he would realise my plan as soon as he looked at me. The car comes to a stop and Adrian quickly ushers me out of the car. He takes me by the hand as he walks me up the stairs and into Maggie’s apartment.

“Hello,” Maggie greets us as she invites us into her small home. Adrian and I walk over to the same tired sofa and we gently sit.

“How have you two been since we last spoke?” Maggie says as she hands me a plate of finger sandwiches. I politely refuse, as I am too nervous to eat.

“We have been fine and how are you?” Adrian asks as he takes a bite of the small sandwich.

“Good, hold on I don’t think
that
Emma knows
that
you are here.” Maggie quickly rises from the seat and she makes her way over to a door. She firmly
knocks and Emma instantly opens the door. She smiles as she sees us and she briskly walks over.

“I had no idea you were stopping by.” She says as she flops herself down onto the seat. I gaze at again in astonishment. Her beauty is divine and I cannot tear my eyes from her.

“Maggie please come over here I have something for you.” Adrian says as he waves Maggie over. She quickly does as he says and now she is sitting opposite us. Adrian looks at me as he reaches into his jacket pocket. He takes out a gold key and he throws it to Maggie.

“What is this?” S
he asks as she catches the key from Adrian.

“It is the key to your new house.” Adrian says in a smug voice. Emma straightens herself in the seat as she leans over to her mother.  Maggie looks at her in astonishment and she is speechless. Adrian again reaches into his pocket this time he takes out a piece of paper. He leans over and hands the document to Emma. Her eyes almost pop out of her head as she reads the paper.

“Adrian I don’t understand, what is this?” Adrian smiles again and he turns to face Emma.

“That is the receipt for your new car. It is all bought and paid for you just have to collect it from the dealership tomorrow.” Emma cannot contain her smile as she hears Adrian’s words and Maggie finally breaks her silence.

“Adrian this all too much,” Adrian dismisses her words.

“No
,
it is exactly what you deserve, please enjoy my gifts.” Maggie is smiling from ear
-
to
-
ear as she rushes up from her seat. She walks over to Adrian and she leans down and gives him a tight hug. He is surprised at Maggie’s actions but he does not pull back from her. Instead, he lightly pats her shoulder as she grips onto him. Maggie pulls back.

“I cannot thank you enough,” Adrian straightens
himself
out.

“You are most welcome. Emma there is something that I would like to ask you.” Emma beams at Adrian and I gaze at him in wonder.

“I would like to get to know you more so I am
inviting you to spend two weeks
with Alanna and I in London.” Emma smiles and she instantly looks at Maggie.

“I think that is a wonderful idea.” Maggie says in a smooth tone. Emma smiles at her and she glances at Adrian.

“I would love to.” Emma admits. I watch her face light up at all the new possibilities
that
Adrian has provided her with. I also feel a little sorry for her as I feel
as if
she needed Maggie’s permission to accept Adrian’s offer. I nervously look down at my watch and I see that it is six o
clock
. Adrian notices my actions.

“Baby you seem nervous is there something bothering you?” I try to think of an appropriate response as I gaze into his deep green eyes.

“It is getting late and I thought we had dinner plans?” I say awkwardly. I try to avoid looking at Maggie, as I know that my words seem rude. Adrian nods at me and quickly gets up from the sofa. I follow him as he glides over to the door.

“It has been a pleasure seeing you again,” Adrian, says as he opens the door. Maggie rushes over to me and she gives me a hug. Emma quickly does the same and then I turn to Adrian.

“We are leaving for London tomorrow evening; I will send a car for you.” Emma gently slaps Adrian’s arm as she gushes.

“Thanks bro,” Adrian lets out a short laugh at her comment and then he tightly wraps his arm around my waist. He walks me down to the car and I slip once again into the back of his Rolls Royce.

Sixteen

We stand in the elevator as we make our way up to Adrian’s suite. My heart is racing with anxiety and I am trying very hard not to let Adrian see my emotions. The doors open and Adrian ushers me into the room. I walk through the door and a server immediately greets me. The massive dining table is laid out with all kinds of food. There are soft light candles and a huge display of white roses sits at the centre of the table. Adrian walks me over and he gently pulls out a chair for me. I sit down as I flash him an awkward smile. Adrian stands by my side as he pours me a glass of champagne. The server walks over and she begins to dish out the food. She fills my plate with, tender pieces of lamb and glazed vegetables. Adrian hands me a plate filled with bread and I politely refuse. He shakes his head at me as he insists on holding the plate in the front me. I give in and I take a piece of bread. I sit it casually down on the side of my plate. I slowly lift my fork and I place a small carrot into my mouth. Adrian stares at me and I am beginning to worry that he suspects
that
something is wrong. I quickly try to fool him otherwise.

“That was an amazing thing
that
you did for Maggie. She looked so happy and Emma is ecstatic about coming to London with us.” Adrian puts down his fork as he runs his fingers through his hair. His eyes are sinful and he is gently smirking.

“I am glad that I could help them. Maggie deserves to have nice things because she is a nice, kind woman.” I instantly look down to the ground and my heart again begins to race. I glance over at door and Adrian notices my emotions.

“Baby
,
you seem nervous tonight.” I lift my eyes to meet his and I smile to reassure him.

“I am just a little nervous about tomorrow.” I lie. Adrian reaches over and grabs my hand.

“Baby don’t worry about that, it will be fine.” He slowly rises from his seat as he slips the head from one of the roses into his hand. He walks over to me and he gently places it into my hair. He strokes my cheek and then my heart stops.

There is a firm knock at the door and Adrian begins to walk over. He looks back at me and I cannot breath. Just as he reaches for the door handle, I shout.

“Adrian, please don’t be mad at me.” He looks at me in confusion and he shakes his head. He opens the door and there is Alice.

Adrian pulls back from the door as Alice stares at him. He leans in closer to her and then he pulls back again. He looks at me as Alice pushes past him.

“Alanna what is she doing here?” He says very strongly to me. I quickly rise up from my seat and I walk over to his side. He looks down at me with those green eyes.

“Adrian, please do not get mad. I met Alice the other day at the community centre. We got into talking and I saw that she has changed. Please give her chance to explain.”

“Explain, Alanna how dare do you talk to that whore.” Adrian shouts. I pull back from him and Alice immediately jumps in.

“Now don’t talk to her like that she is only trying to help. If you want to be mad at someone then be mad at me.” Adrian turns to her and looks disgusted with her. He walks over to her and he takes her firmly by her arms.

“Okay you want me to be mad?” He says as he stares her directly in the eye. Alice fights him off but Adrian is too strong.

“Let go of me. If you would give me a chance to talk then maybe I could put things right.” Alice says in a firm voice. Adrian sarcastically laughs at her.

“You can never put right what you did, now leave.” Adrian says. Alice breaks free of him and she rushes over to me. Adrian notices her actions and he
immediately walks over to us. He grabs Alice by the arm and he drags her to the door.

“Leave, you disgust me.” Alice again fights back with him.

“I am your mother you cannot do this.” She shouts. Adrian looks at her.

“My mother is dead
,
now fucking leave.” Adrian stuns me and I watch as Alice gently begins to cry. I walk over to him and he instantly spins around to me.

“Adrian
,
why are you being like this, can you at least give her a chance to explain everything to you?” Adrian looks at me and he is furious his hands are trembling and his nostrils are flared.

“No I lived through it and I don’t need her pathetic excuses.” I roll my eyes at him.

“Adrian you are being an idiot. If you would just talk to her then you would realise that she has changed.” He laughs again at me in a very sarcastic way.

“You are even more naïve than I thought. You actually believe her lies?”

“Don’t you dare say
that!
I have stood by you through everything and now you won’t even do this for me?”

“Why should it matter to you if I talk to that bitch?” Adrian says in a slow quite voice. I shake my head constantly at him and I see the anger beginning to build in his eyes. He turns back to Alice and he takes her again by the arm.

“Come on, get out.” He says as he drags her into the elevator. Alice looks back at me and I watch as the tears ripple down her cheeks. I am motionless as Adrian glides back over to me. I sense him getting closer so I walk further into the room. He slams the door as he enters and he in
str
u
c
ts the servers to leave. He rips off his jacket and he loosens the button of his shirt. I gaze at him and I wonder what his actions might be.

“Why would you talk to her? I told you never to make contact with her and you disobeyed me.” My heart is racing at the sound of his words.

“Don’t start with that bullshit, you don’t control me. You may think that you do but I can assure you that you do not. I can speak to whomever I want and you cannot stop me.” Adrian rushes over to me and he grabs me by the hand.

“Alanna don’t talk back to me.” I break free from his grasp and I walk over to table. I quickly thro
w
back a glass of champagne as Adrian follows me over.

“You are not god
,
Adrian
,
and you are not immune from people talking back to you. I am your girlfriend and I was only trying to help.” Adrian lunges forward at my words and with one swift motion; he throws everything from the table onto the wooden floor. His eyes are raging as the plates and silverware smash against the hard surface. He lifts the vase that is full of flowers and he hits it off the wall. His breathing is heavy and I instantly step back from him. I am shaking and I am terrified of Adrian. I look around at the mess and I cannot believe my eyes. Adrian is like a different person and I cannot bear to look at him. He soon realises his actions and he quickly strides towards me. I instantly back away from him and he feels hurt by my reaction.