Three Thousand Miles (54 page)

“Yes, I hope you don’t mind that she is here?” Dr James smiles as he takes my hand.

“It is fine, Emma and I have talked and I have moved on. Speaking of which would you like to dance?” Dr James says as he holds out his hand for Sophie. She instantly takes him up on his offer and she smiles back at me as he leads her onto the dance floor. I am relieved that he and Emma have worked things out and I am excited about how he seems to feel about Sophie. I watch as they dance and they look like the perfect couple.

I search the room again but I still cannot see Adrian. I frown as I make my way over to the bar.

“What can I get you miss?” The server says as I tap my hand of the surface of the bar.

“Water please,” I again glance around the room but I still cannot see Adrian. I wonder where he is and I wonder what is taking him so long. I jump as I feel a hand on my back. I turn around and I see my dad standing before me. I lunge into his arms and he laughs at my actions.

“Happy birthday,” he says as he lets go of me. I look at my dad and I take in his handsomeness. He is dressed in a black tuxedo and he has opted not to wear a
mask. His thick brown hair is flat and his big brown eyes are sparkling in the light. 

“Thanks dad,” I say in a smooth voice. One of my dad’s business associates interrupts us.

“Jack just the man I have been looking for.” A tall grey haired man says as he embraces my dad with a handshake. My dad quickly introduces me and then he again wishes me a happy birthday as he heads off with man. I sigh as I turn back around to the bar. I lift my water and I take a sip. I again glance around the room and but I am yet to see Adrian. My mind is going into over drive and I fear the worst. What if he has been hurt, or what if he has decided not come? My heart races, as my emotions spin. I try to compose myself as I see Michael heading in my direction. I smile at him and he is breathtakingly beautiful. Michael has chosen a dark blue suit with a white shirt underneath. His black hair is strangely and his eyes are piercing blue as he stares out from his black mask.  He glides over to my side and he gently kisses my cheek as he wishes me a happy birthday. I close my eyes at his touch and I lose myself in his beauty. He orders a scotch as he hands me a little black box. I gaze at him and I cannot hold back my smile.

“What is this?” I say as I lift the box from the surface of the bar. Michael lets out a laugh as he responds.

“Open it and you will find out!” He says as he sips his drink. I again smile at him and then I slowly begin to open the box.

“Michael you shouldn’t have,” I say as I stare at a huge pair of diamond earrings. Michael rolls his eyes at me and then he takes the earrings from the box. I look at him in wonder and then I blush as he gently puts the earrings into my ears. He smiles at me.

“They suit you,” I blush again but I manage to thank him.

“Thanks they are beautiful!” Michael finishes his drink and then he looks as if he has something to say.

“Where is Adrian?” I remember that Adrian is not here and I again scan the crowd for him. I still cannot see him and Michael notices my disappointment.

“He is not here yet.” I confess. Michael narrows his eyes at my words and then he reaches out for my hand.

“Would you like to dance with me, while you wait for Adrian?” I don’t even have to think about it. I instantly grab Michaels hand and he leads me onto the dance floor.  Michael pulls me close to him and he slides his hand onto my waist. I blush again at his touch but I manage to compose myself as I take his hand. With my other, I slide it onto his broad shoulder. He smiles at me and then we begin to move the music. I briefly close my eyes as I remember that I dreamt about a night exactly like this one.

“I love this song,” I whisper as I take in the words of
Lady Antebellum
-
need you now.

“Me too,” Michael says as he grips me tighter. I look up at him and I love the way he makes me feel. His hands are strong and safe and I feel like I am different person when I am with him. I stare at him through my mask and I feel that something is bugging him. I gently rub his shoulder as I begin to pry.

“You look tense is everything okay?” Michael rolls his blue eyes and then he gently exhales.

“I have something that I need to say!” My heart sinks as I hear his words. I look at him again.

“What is wrong?” Michael shakes his head.

“Nothing is wrong, I just need to tell you something.” My throat dries as we continue to move with the music. Michael straightens his face and I wait for his revelation.

“Alanna you know how I feel about you, right?” Michael says in smooth voice. I do not reply with words I simple nod in agreement.

“Good I am glad that you understand, but that is what I have to talk to you about.”

“Okay, I am listening,” I say in quiet tone.

“From the very first moment that I saw you I have been addicted to your beauty. I love everything about you and in my eyes there will never be another girl quite like you.”

“Michael…” I say but he prevents me from speaking my mind as he gently pushes my lip with his finger.

“You need to let me finish,” he says firmly. I again nod to him and he continues.

“You mean the world to me Alanna and you will always have a special place in my heart. However, I know that you do not love me in same way as I do you. I know that you love Adrian and I can see that he makes you happy. My heart cannot stand another beating from my pain as I say these words. I feel that it is time for me to let you go. You have been through so much and I know that my feelings for you cause you heartache. Now is when I have to set you free. I have a chance for happiness with Emma and I am going to take a risk on her. I am sorry Alanna but I cannot do this anymore.” I gasp at his words and I cannot breathe. I do not want to hear these words and I cannot think of losing him. I gaze at him and I cannot hold back my protests.

“Michael you can’t break up with me,” I instantly feel stupid at my words. I am not with Michael therefore he cannot break up with me. Michael looks at me in amazement.

“Alanna that’s crazy,”

“I know it sounds crazy but that’s how I feel. I feel as if you are breaking up with me. I feel like your girlfriend and I feel that you are breaking my heart. I cannot lose you Michael. I care about you so much and I… need you. Please don’t leave me!” Michael smiles at me as he gently touches my cheek with his finger.

“Alanna you won’t lose me.” I shake my head violently at his words.

“No, you wouldn’t be saying this if you weren’t about to leave my life!” I snap. Michael clutches my face in both of his hands and I try to hold back my tears.

“Listen to me, you won’t lose me. I am just giving you the space that you need to be with the man that you love. You deserve happiness and as hard as it for me to say this, Adrian is the right bloke for you.” I close my eyes so that I don’t have to look into his eyes as he breaks my heart.

“Alanna open your eyes,” Michael says in smooth voice. I reluctantly open my eyes and I focus them on his.

“Michael I feel as if… I love you,” I choke out as Michael smirks at me.

“Alanna I know that you love me. However, the love you have is purely platonic; Adrian is your one true love. You need to be with him and please do not worry about me. Emma is a wonderful girl and I feel strongly for her. I will still be in your life Alanna; you cannot get rid of me that easily.” I gently laugh at his smug words and then I shift my hand onto his face. We are standing very close as we clasp each other’s faces in our hands. Michael’s sweet breath is tickling my forehead and our noses are lightly touching as he bends to me level. I hold him tightly and I almost want to kiss him. I have to hold back my urge as I reply to his words.

“Promise me that you will remain my friend!” Michael smiles at me.

“Taking that bullet for you was the best decision of my life. I will always be your friend Alanna,” I stare at him as a gentle tear drips from my eye.

“Kiss me,” I whisper. I close my eyes as I await his lips and there they are. His full, soft lips are on mine and they feel amazing. His hand is on my hair and I tightly grip onto his back. I squeeze him, as our lips remain connected. Michael pulls back from me and I gently open my eyes.

“That was the perfect way to say goodbye!” He says as he strokes my hair, I smile at him and then I hear shouting.

“Alanna!” I hear a husky voice say, as I break free from Michael. My heart drops as I see Adrian heading over in our direction. My heart races as I realise how that must have looked. Adrian is striding over with plenty pace and his eyes are raging. He is dressed in a black Armani suit and a mask to match. I cannot breathe as he stands before me. I realise that I need to explain and fast.

“Adrian that wasn’t what it looked it,” I try to reassure him but he remains furious.

“Don’t Alanna!” He shouts. I crumble and I cannot hold back my tears.

“Michael please tell him!” I say through my broken voice. Adrian shakes his head as he lunges towards Michael.

“Save it, Alanna come with me!” He snaps. I wipe away my tears as I look up at him. Adrian turns to walk away and glare at Michael. He looks at me and he says.

“Go Alanna,” I press a smile from my dry lips and then I turn to Adrian. He takes me firmly by the arm and he leads me out of the building. I turn back for one last look at Michael but I notice that he is no longer there. Michael has gone and I pray that he remains faithful to his promise.

Adrian loosens my arm as we pour out of the building.

“Alanna I cannot believe what I have just seen!” He shouts. I try to compose myself as I need him to understand.

“Adrian you need to let me explain,” he rolls his eyes at me as he lunges towards me.

“You have one minute before I run in there and rip off his head!” I frown at him and I can tell that my reaction has only annoyed him more.

“What you saw was a goodbye kiss. Michael has told me that he no longer wants to come in between us. He is moving on from me and he is happy with your sister. Adrian I promise you that it was nothing more, I love you.”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

“Yes, because it is truth. He wants me to be happy and he knows that you are the only person who can make me happy. Please Adrian you have to believe me!” Adrian shakes his head as he nervously runs his fingers through his hair.

“You kissed him!” He shouts as he takes me firmly in his hands. He is trembling and his eyes are bolting. I try to break free from him but his grip is too tight.

“Adrian you are hurting me!” I snap. He instantly loosens me and he takes a deep breath.

“You have to see it from my point of view Alanna. You do not know what I went through to get to you tonight and when I finally arrived, I saw you, with him. For months now, I have been ignoring your affection towards him but I cannot do it any longer. I did not fly three thousand miles to have this jealousy.”

“Adrian please you know that I love you and I am sorry that you had to witness that but it was only a goodbye kiss.”

“How can I be sure?” Adrian snarls at me. I walk over to him and I grip onto his arms.

“I need you to remember last night. Remember the way it felt and remember my touch. Adrian those memories are all the proof that you need!” Adrian looks at me and then he slides his arm out of my grip. He gently places his finger onto my chin and then he leans in and kisses me. I breathe a sigh of relief and then I am nervous again when he pulls back. He reaches into his jacket pocket and he takes out a red box. He takes a few steps back from me and he throws me the box. I catch it and my heart races as I open it. The square cut diamond ring that is inside is spectacular. I cannot catch my breath as I look at the ring. Adrian breaks the silence.

“Marry me!” He says firmly. I look at the ring and then I look at him. I shake my head and he rushes over to me.

“If you love me then you will marry me. Michael is no longer fighting for your affections so you don’t have to choose.” I stare at him and I cannot breathe. I do not know what to say. I love him but I cannot shake off my fears of him leaving me. If I say yes then I will live with that fear forever, if I say no then I will lose him. I take in his stunning beauty as we stand in the starlight of Manhattan. The air is surprisingly crisp for June and the traffic buzzes by. The music is loud from my party that goes on without me and I search deep in my soul as I let go of Adrian’s hand. I take a deep breath as I tell him my answer.

Alanna and Adrian’s story continues in

Three Thousand Miles
–
Forever
- 2013