Three Thousand Miles (42 page)

“I will be twenty-three on my birthday.” Emma nods and I feel that she has more that she would like to say.

“Adrian is two years older than you?”

“It is almost three years actually, his birthday is soon - I think.”

“Oh… Alanna does the age gap bother you?” Emma asks in a concerning voice.

“No I don’t feel that it is big age gap.”

“No, I don’t suppose it is but don’t you think that Adrian acts older than he is?” I am a little worried about Emma’s words and I am starting to think that she has worries of her own.

“Yeah, I suppose he does act older than he is. You have to understand that he is a very successful businessman and a lot of his time is spent with older people. He has tons of responsibilities and sometimes I feel that he forgets that he is only twenty-five. But it is just who he is and I know that he does not act in the average way but as his family we have to accept that.”

“Yeah, you’re right but sometimes when I look at him I think that he is bored with all the business. I would love to take him out and get him drunk and show him how to be young.”

“No, he doesn’t drink and he would never go out to a club or anything like that. He would prefer it if you took him to a nice dinner or the opera.” Emma rolls her eyes as she downs a glass of champagne.

“Oh no, I could never sit through an opera show. I just feel like we have not spent any time together. I feel that we are yet to bond as siblings. I would really like to get to know him better but he doesn’t seem to like the things that I do.” Emma says firmly. I feel compassion towards her and I feel that she really wants to spend time with her brother. As I am his girlfriend, I fell that it is my duty to get the two of them together.

“He likes to watch movies,” I say as I smile at Emma.

“I bet he likes boring movies?” She says as she smirks.

“No he watches all sorts of movies, from romance to action to comedy. He doesn’t really mind and I think that he would enjoy a night in at the movies.”

“Do you think that you could arrange it?” Emma asks sweetly.

“I don’t see why not.”

“Baby,” Adrian gushes as he makes his way over to the table. A tall blonde haired guy is with him. I smile as Adrian reaches me.

“Baby, I want you to meet Jeff,” he says as he gently kisses my cheek.

“Hello Alanna,” Jeff says in a cool voice. I shake his hand as I take in his looks. He is very tall and his tight curly hair is a very light blonde. His eyes are a dark shade of blue and he is dressed in a black tuxedo. He is a good-looking guy but his looks are overshadowed as he stands next to Adrian. I watch as the girls lock their eyes on him and smile at their charming rudeness.

“Well, hello Jeff
,  it
is nice to finally put a face to that voice.” I joke as I remember our little rant about his accent the other day. He gently laughs as he folds his arms casually.

“Who are your friends Alanna?” He says he eyes up the girls. Adrian quickly jumps in.

“These
are  Alanna’s
friends, Sophie and Katharine and this is my sister Emma.” He says as points to his sibling. Jeff nods at the girls.

“Well girls it is lovely to meet you.” He says very coolly. I turn my attention to Katharine and I see that she is gazing freely at Jeff. To my shock, Jeff is returning Katharine’s stare. He is practically licking his lips as he takes in her beauty. I quickly make a dashing look towards Adrian and he instantly smiles at me.

“Alanna would you mind if I asked your friend Katharine to dance with me,” Jeff says as he holds his hand out for Katharine.

“No, not at all,” I say and without hesitation, Katharine lunges from her seat. Jeff gently slides his hand on her waist as he leads her onto the dance floor.

“He doesn’t waste anytime does he?” Sophie says rather bitterly. Adrian does not respond to Sophie’s words instead he takes the seat next to me. He turns to Emma and Sophie.

“Now girls I have something special planned for Alanna, so would mind if we said goodnight?” I gaze at him and I wonder what surprise he has. Adrian notices my wonder but he does not say a word to me. He stares at Sophie and Emma as he awaits their reply.

“Of course we don’t mind,” Emma reassures him. Sophie on the other hand is not so supportive.

“You are just going to leave us here?” Adrian frowns at her.

“No, I will leave the car for you. Now, I really must say goodnight.” Adrian rises from the seat and I quickly do the same. He urges me to take his arm as he leads me away.

Adrian walks me to the back of the room and along a narrow hallway. I gaze at him in wonder.

“Adrian I think that the exit is the other way.” I say softly.

“No, it is this way,” he insists. I resist the urge to disagree with him. We finally reach a door that opens to massive flight of stairs.

“Come on baby we are going to the top of the building.” I shake my head at him.

“Not in these shoes,” I say, as I gently stretch my foot out to reveal a six-inch heel. Adrian grins at me and with one swift movement, he swoops me into his arms. I let out a giggle as Adrian begins to climb the stairs. I still cannot contain my laugh as Adrian carries me up the massive flight of stairs. He stops for a second as he says.

“Baby what is so funny?”

“Nothing it is just so romantic,” he rolls his eyes heavily at my words as he again begins to climb the stairs. I stare at him as he glides and I notice that he is not even out of breath.

“I am not romantic Alanna,” I laugh at his words.

“Are you joking? You are like the most romantic guy in the world.”

“No, I am strange and the things that I do for you are weird.” I frown at him.

“What are you talking about?”

“Well don’t you think that I am a little bizarre? I know I do, I am not like other blokes Alanna.”

“You are not weird and, you are right, you are not like everyone else. No one on this planet even comes close to you.” Adrian again rolls his eyes.

We reach the top of the stairs and Adrian gently releases me. I hold onto him as I thank him.

“Thanks doll, for carrying me, I would never have made it if you hadn’t.” Adrian leans in a kisses me and then he opens the door. We step out into the cold night and as Adrian said, we are on top of the building. Adrian walks me over to the middle of the rooftop and he points to the sky.

“Baby our ride is on its way.” I gaze into the night sky as I notice a helicopter approaching the building. It gets closer and then it finally lands onto the rooftop. Adrian clutches me by the waist as he leads me over to the black aircraft. He opens the door and gently pushes me inside. I smile nervously at him as I try to hide my fear. I vividly remember the last time that I was in a helicopter and a shudder runs down my spine. It was a few years ago and my dad had booked a helicopter for his sister’s wedding. I was all dressed up in my bridesmaid dress and I was ever so happy that my aunt was getting married. My dad, mom, Penelope and I all entered the helicopter with such excitement. However, our excitement quickly faded when the helicopter broke down in mid-air. Something had happened to the rotators and the pilot began to lose control. The aircraft dropped thousands of feet and to this day, I still do not know how we survived. The rotator began to spin again and just in time. The pilot and my entire family were convinced that was the end. I shudder again at the thought and Adrian notices.

“Baby, is there something wrong?” I sigh at him as I feel that he has gone to a lot of trouble in planning this evening. However, my heart is racing and I feel that I cannot stay another second in this helicopter.

“Adrian I have to get out.” I confess as I try to rise from the seat. Adrian gently pushes me back down.

“Why what’s wrong?” He says almost shouting.

“Adrian my family and I had a very bad experience with a helicopter and you need to let me off.” I say almost shouting back at him. He gives in to my demands and he opens the door. He gets out and he reaches out for my hand as I quickly step out. I gaze at him and I feel that he is mad at me. He makes a signal to pilot and soon after the helicopter takes off from the rooftop.

“Adrian I am sorry,”

“Don’t apologise,” he says as he walks over to me. He pulls me tight and he kisses me softly.

“Have I ruined our evening?”

“No baby.”

Twenty-Three

The next morning I wake to the sound of Adrian talking on his phone. His voice sounds tense and I open my eyes so that I can see him. He is gazing out of the window onto the streets of London. He is dressed casually in a crisp white shirt and dark blue jeans. His thick hair is messy and his face is clean-shaven. I gaze at him and I realise that I am in his room. I gently close my eyes as last night I must have made my way into his room - again. Every night without fail, I manage to sneak into his room and I huddle into him until morning. Every night I wake at the same time and it is usually after a vivid dream of Michael. I lightly shake my head as I wish that I could stop my dreams of Michael. I have no idea why I dream of him every night, but I do. What alarms me most about my dreams is that, I am always in love Michael. He is the one that I cannot live without and Adrian does not even come close. I feel very irritated by my dreams and I blush every time that I think of them.

I sit myself up into the bed as Adrian ends his phone call. He walks over to me and gently sits on the bed next to me.

“Good morning baby,” he says as he kisses me. “You must get up as we have to leave soon.” I smile at him as I try to hide my dread. Today Adrian and I will be driving to Surrey to Mr and Mrs Jenkins country estate. It is their anniversary and they are having a massive party that spans over the entire weekend. Adrian has informed me that everyone will be there. A whole list of Adrian’s business colleagues will be attending and even local celebrities are invited. In
total there are about 450 guests but only family and close friends are expected to stay at the country house over the weekend. The rest of the guests will arrive on Sunday and just in time for the main party. I again try to hide my anxiety about the weekend as I think of Michael. I have not seen or heard anything from him since that night at his parents’ house. I really must have upset him even though I don’t know what I did to him. Surely Michael cannot blame me for his relationship with Katharine ending. Then there is Chad and Tabatha, I have no idea of how they will react to me and I petrified about coming face to face with them. I try to shake off my anxiety as I break a smile from my lips.

“Okay doll, I will go and get ready,” Adrian kisses me as I jump out of the bed. I rush into my room and I immediately head into the bathroom. I quickly shower and blow-dry my hair and then I make my way into the closet. I reach for my overnight bag and I begin to throw in a few pairs of jeans, sweaters and of course a selection of evening dresses. I zip the bag and I fling it out into the room.  Quickly I get dressed into, black skinny jeans, my Jimmy Choos and a white turtleneck sweater. I grab my coat and my luggage as I head out into the lounge.

“Baby you ready to go?”

“Yes,” I say as I smile at him.

Adrian carries my bags as we head out into the hallway. We walk along to my friend’s room and Adrian firmly knocks onto the door. Emma answers and she stands in the doorway with her hair flowing down her face and she is dressed smartly in black jeans, black shirt and black leather jacket.

“Are you ready?” Adrian asks his sister. She smiles at him as she rushes back into the room. She quickly returns and she is holding a blue overnight bag.

“I am ready,” she says as she steps out into the hallway. Sophie rushes over to us as she hears our voices.

“So you guys off then?” She says in a curious voice.

“Yes, now are you sure that you do not want to come with us?” Adrian asks with kindness in his voice. Sophie briefly smiles but soon her smile fades.

“No thanks; Katharine and I are going to spend the weekend out on the town.” I let out a little giggle as Sophie embraces me with a hug. She gently closes the door and Adrian, Emma and I head down to the car.

“So how long does it take to get to Surrey?” Emma asks once we are settled into the car. Adrian turns to her and he releases a dark laugh.

“Just over an hour,” Adrian pushes his foot hard onto the gas pedal as he speeds off.

Our journey is quiet as Adrian drives steadily along the country roads. I smile out the window as we pass by the gorgeous countryside. The gaping landscape goes on forever and I could gaze at the view all day. The trees are calm and they are beginning to get green again after the long harsh winter. The sun is lightly beaming but the air is still crisp. However, we feel no cold as we sit toasted in Adrian’s black Range Rover. The radio is playing lightly as we sit in silence. I glance at Adrian for a moment and he quickly notices my action.