Three Thousand Miles (18 page)

“What can I do? I have
talked to him about this and he assures me that he won’t hurt her.” I protest. Sophie shakes her head as she grazes her long black ponytail.

“Do you believe him?” She asks.

“I have to.” I admit.

“Does he know that Adrian is back?” I exhale and twiddle my fingers on the glass surface of my dressing table.

“No, I don’t think so and I am dreading when the two of them come face to face.” I clench my teeth as that thought enters my head. The love of my live has returned but the guy who saved my life could soon leave it for good. Adrian might not be as understanding as he says he will
be.
I fear that he could make me choose between them. I know that Adrian would be
my
first choice every time but I still do not want to live without Michael.

“There is a storm coming and I would hate to be caught up in it,” Sophie says and I am shocke
d by her words. I am confused as to
what she means by her comment.

“What do you think will happen?” I ask. Sophie rolls her eyes.

“Alanna, you have to wake up. Adrian will not sit around while Michael swoons in. He will fight for you and Michael will fight back. I cannot picture this ending good Alanna and you have to make a choice. The sooner you choose the better it is for everyone.” I hold my head in my hands and I search for a reply. The truth is
that
I know what Sophie is saying is the truth. Adrian will not watch as Michael flirts and tries it on with me. I only want Adrian but I cannot explain the need that I
have for Michael. As long as that
need for him is there, then I will hold out for him and I will not make a choice until I absolutely have to.

Seven

I smile as I hear the bell that signals the end of today’s classes. I quickly gather up my books and I ram them into my bag. I jump from my seat and I march out the door. I walk swiftly along the hallway with a smile bigger than New York on my face. Just as I reach my room, I slow down as I notice Michael. He is standing alone and he has an irritated look on his face. He automatically sees me and he begins to walk over.

“What took you so long?” He says in an angry tone. I look at him and I can tell that he is not in a good mood. I slowly walk past him and I open the door to
my room. I walk in and I throw
my bag onto the floor. I stride over to my bed and take a seat. Meanwhile I leave the door open for Michael. He bursts in and the anger in his eyes is infuriating. He begins to pace around the room and I do not know how to react to his actions. I simply wait for him to speak.

“I hear that lover boy is back.” He says
in
a very sarcastic voice. I look down to the floor, as I do not want to look him directly in the eye.

“Alanna look at me.” He insists, I weakly lift my eyes from the carpet, and I gaze at Michael.

“Adrian is back,” I whisper. Michael rolls his eyes very heavily and I begin to feel annoyed with him.

“So the idiot finally shows his face
,
after a month.” He blurts out and my annoyance is beginning to grow. I stand up and walk over to him.

“Don’t talk about him like that. He is your brother and it is not fair to punish him like this. You know about his past and sur
e
ly if I can forgive him for not being there then so can you.” I say harshly.

He takes my hands in his and he gently squeezes them. “I will never forgive him,” he says in a husky British accent. I try to pull my hands free from him but his grasp is too tight. I look into his icy blue eyes and I force out a smile.

“Michael, please don’t be angry. Nothing has to change I am still here and I want you in my life.” My words are sincere as they blurt from my lips.

His grip on my hands begins to get tighter and his broad nostrils are flared. His eyes a bolting and I begin to feel scared of him. I try again to loosen his grip but he is too strong.

“Michael you are hurting me.” I say desperately.

He does not even flinch at my words and the fear inside of me is growing. I have never seen him like this before and I do not like this violent side to him. I briskly move my arms trying my best to fend him off, he looks at me with passion and he leans in and kisses me hard on my lips. I shake him off me and he finally lets go of my hands. I step back from him and I see that he is shocked by his actions. He tries to lean in again but I push him away. He comes closer and now he has his hands on my face. I wriggle my head and I push him firmly away. He does not pay attention to my actions and again he tries to make a move on me. He grabs me by the waist and he roughly pulls me towards him. I manage to push him away and he stumbles back against the dressing table. He looks at me and
he is amazed. I almost feel as if
that was not him. It was as if something had taken over his body and he was not in control. However, the anger I have towards him is deep and I am not going to let him off with that behaviour.

“Michael, what was that?” I ask as I place my hand on my hip. He looks devastated by hi
s actions and I almost see a tea
r run from his eye.

“Alanna
,
I cannot tell you how sorry I am. That wasn’t me and I don’t know what came over me,” he says very apologetically.

“That was out of order. “ I say almost shouting. He walks over to me and he tries to catch my hand. I immediately push him away and Michael looks distressed.

“I know it was but it will never happ
en again. Can you forgive me?” H
e says as he runs his fingers though his hair. I narrow my eyes at him and although I am highly annoyed with him and I almost cannot bear to look at him. I still feel connected to him, he saved my life and I feel obliged to him. I know what he did was completely unacceptable but something is screaming out that this guy
is hurting. I look into his blue eyes and now I am positive that there is a tear. He quickly wipes it away as he awaits my response.

“Michael, I am mad at you. This behaviour cannot continue and I will not tolerate it much longer. If you want me to forgive you then there has to be some ground rules.” I say confidently.

He looks at me and says, “I need you, so what is your rules?”

“You have to accept the fact that I am with Adrian and you have to stop your rude comments about him. I will not stand for you slating him every second of the day. I also need you to move on from me. You are with Katharine yet you forced yourself on me. It’s not fair to string her along so end things with her if you are not serious about her.” I say proudly. Michael steps back and he looks down at me.

“It is done. Whatever you say goes.” I wrinkle my face at his agreement. I wonder why he is agreeing to my rules so easily. I look up at him and I say.

“As long as we are clear,” He nods
.

“It’s crystal clear.”

I shift nervously as I hear a knock at the door. Michael looks towards the sound and his eyes look panicked. I quickly march over the door and I open it to reveal Adrian. He smiles at me and pushes into the room. His smile soon fades when he sees Michael. I look at the two of them as they stare at each other
-
like gunslingers. I soon realise that my worst fear has now came true. I am caught in the middle of two brothers and as Sophie said, there is a storm coming and I was unlucky enough to feel the wrath of it earlier on. I walk over and stand by Adrian he takes my hand as he locks his eyes on Michaels.

“Brother, it is nice to see you.” Adrian says. My heart races as I wait for Michael to respond. I notice him rack his brain for what to say and then I see him walk over to us. Michael glances at me and then he holds is hand out to Adrian.

“It’s nice to see you too, no hard feelings?” Michael says and I cannot explain my relief. I feared this moment ever since Adrian came back. I stare up at
Adrian as he lets go of my hand and firmly shakes Michaels. I breathe a sigh of relief at the two brothers.

“I must thank you for what you did. I will always owe everything to you.” Adrian says kindly. Michael resists the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he presses out a smile.

“I just did what anyone would. Now if you can excuse me, I have a girlfriend to get to.” Adrian nods at Michael as he heads out the door. I quickly turn around and glance at him as he leaves. He shortly returns my gaze and then he is out of sight. I turn to face Adrian.

“Thanks for being so understanding. I was worried about what might happen when you two met.” He moves closer to me and grabs me by the waist. He softly kisses me on the neck and whispers.

“Baby, you worry too much.” I smile at his touch and I slide my hand along his strong back.  He pulls back from me and he takes a small box from his jacket pocket. My heart races and I remember when Sophie told me that Adrian was going to purpose. He notices the anxiety on my face and pauses before he hands over the small black box.

“Don’t worry it is not what you think it is.” I blush at his words and I feel slightly disappointed by them. He carefully places the small box into my hand. I pause as I open it,

“Adrian you don’t have to buy me things.” He gently lets out a puff of air and he alerts me to open the box. I sigh and I open the box to find, a thin white gold chain with two small letters hanging from it. I take out the necklace and I hold it up. The letters AB hang from the chain and I smile at the sight of the diamond initials. Adrian smoothly takes the delicate necklace from my hand. He makes his way to the back of me and he slowly clutches my hair into a single strand. He pushes it forward and begins to place the necklace onto my neck. His long thin fingers touch my skin lightly as he buttons the clasp. I must have a look of confusion on my face and Adrian quickly notices it.

“Right
now this necklace signifies me but
one day it will stand for Alanna Black. I want you to wear this as a symbol of my love until that day.” I instantly turn
to face him and I place a hand on each broad shoulder. He pushes my hair from my face and he gently stokes my curls as he glides them down my back. I glare into his eyes and I cannot catch my breath. He pulls me close to him and he holds me tightly. I catch a whiff of his strong cologne and I bask in the scent. He whispers softly to me.

“I cannot live without you and I will never let you go.” His smooth London accent rings in my ears as I hold onto him.

I rummage through my closet as I look for a suitable outfit. Adrian has asked me out on our first official date and I want to look perfect. I glance over at him as he talks rapidly on his phone. He catches me staring and he quickly smirks at me. I flash him a smile and I turn back to massive pile of clothes that lie on the floor.

“Just pick something Alanna.” Sophie says as she stands in my closet with me.

“I want everything to be perfect.”

Sophie smiles, “you have Mr p
erfect what else do you need?” S
he says in a slow sarcastic voice. I
pout
my lips at her and I begin to sort through my pile of jeans. After throwing out several pairs, I finally choose a dark blue pair that still has the label on them. I reach over and select a black turtleneck sweater. I gather my outfit and I head into the bathroom to change. I throw on my outfit and I scrunch my hair into a loose bun. I quickly wipe my face with some cleansing wipes and I apply some soft light blush. I use a shimmer of gold eye shadow and add a few strokes of mascara. I finish with a light pink lip-gloss and I take out my hair tie. I swish my hair around my face and I apply a touch of smoothing serum. I step back and I take a good look at myself in the mirror. I feel that I look fine, however I also fell that do not match up to Adrian. I sigh and I can hear Sophie and Adrian talking in the other room. As childish, as it is I place my ear close to the door and I listen to their words.

“So where are you taking her tonight?” I hear Sophie ask Adrian.

He quickly responds. “It is a secret but I am sure that she will tell you later on.”

Sophie lightly giggles and she begins again. “Adrian if you don’t mind me asking,
why did you decide to come back,
” I hear Sophie bravely ask.

“The main reason I came back is that I could not stay away any longer. I was a total mess without Alanna. Nothing mattered to me and I could not focus on the business. I tried to go back to London but I did not make it past
-
check in.”

I am surprised by Adrian’s openness and especially to Sophie. It was not that long ago he was telling me to be aware of her. I shake my head and I still cannot believe how things have changed in such a short space of time. I clasp my ear again to door as I hear Sophie respond.

“You really love her, don’t you?”

“There is something about her that completes me. I know that my life would be over if she was not in it. I knew that I loved her from the first time
that
I saw her.” Adrian gushes and I beam at his confession.

“I was very wrong about you and I apologise for treating you the way
that
I did.” Sophie sounds sincere in her words.