Three Thousand Miles To You

by Delia Longford

  The next morning I wake up nice and early after all I only have a few hours before I have to start packing for home. I finish my breakfast and go over to the side table where my phone is. I slide open the top drawer of the table and pull out the two little white envelopes and the small round black box. As I read the words again I start to think of who could be sending me these gifts. The thing that strikes me most about this is no one knows I am here except from my mom and Sophie but they were just as puzzled by this as me. I take out the round earrings that it is clear to see is real diamonds they are white and princess cut. They must have cost a lot but who would send them? And then it hits me “Marco” I can’t believe I never thought of it before. He knows I am in London and somehow found out where I am staying. It’s him he is the only person it can be. I sit on the bed and try to come to terms with what I have now found out I sit and try think of reason for him sending me the gifts after I turned him down. It is now clear for me see he sent the gifts he simply said “enjoy” each time trying to fool me into thinking it was someone else. The email in which I have never received before. The phrase “look what you’re missing.” The whole thing he said to me that night at the party “I will take you shopping buy you anything you want” that’s the reason for the earrings a clue for me to edge closer into thinking it was him all along. I reach over and grab my phone I quickly start to compose a text to Sophie,

  Sophie I think I know who is sending me the flowers and the earrings its Marco it has to be him there is no one else. Text back when you get this all my love alanna

  I place my phone on my lap and sit patiently as I await Sophie’s reply. I don’t know what I am feeling right now if it’s a relief that I now have a suspect someone to point all my frustrations at or am I sad that maybe just maybe I wished that on some level it would have been someone else someone I didn’t know. At least then I wouldn’t have to see their faces every day and wonder what on earth they were thinking. BLEEP!! My phone, I slide to unlock and see a message from Sophie,

  Alanna you are right it must be him

  I reply, but why?

  Isn't it obvious there is only one reason alanna and that is that he cares about you, I went into the city yesterday and I ran into Elliot and he told me that Marco is having a terrible time over in Venice he is laying in his room all day and didn’t even come out to wish his family a happy new year Elliot thinks it’s due the fact that he is pining away after some girl the girl is you alanna.

  I take a deep breath as I read her words for the third time. I don’t understand why I have such an effect on Marco it is not as if we have any type of history. I reply,

  Sophie I have no words to describe the way I feel right now. I simply just don’t understand Marco at all.

  Bleep!!! Another message from Sophie

  So is your flight home today?

  Yes tonight at six. I am totally dreading the packing

  How was your night last night? Did you have a happy new year?

  I had the event with my dad it was really boring without you however I did have a little fun!

  Oh do tell!

  Where do I start, I fill Sophie in on last night’s events not leaving out a single detail.

  I can’t believe someone like him exists how can you stand to be around him?

  Sophie if you saw him you would see my reason.

  Even so he sounds like an arrogant ass to me.

  Maybe he is but I feel that there is so much more to him. When I stared into his eyes I felt as if there was pain in them maybe a traumatic experience or something. There is more than meets the eye with this one!

  Sounds like you maybe have a little thing for him alanna? No I don’t I am just interested that’s all!

  And sheer fact that you describe him as the most beautiful living breathing thing you have ever laid eyes on has nothing to do with it?

  I feel a little stunned by Sophie’s words she is never as judgmental as this. I feel uneasy about the way this is going so I decide to change the subject.

  Any way Sophie what has been going on since I have been away any news?

  No just the same old stories the same old cat fights the same old Manhattan!

  Does it ever change is there ever anything going on that’s not to benefit some ulterior motive?

  I guess not. Alanna it’s time for me to go just now I am about to head out but I guess I will see you soon?

  I will be home tonight or maybe in the morning I am not really sure all I know is that I am dreading it!

  You will be fine!

  I know see you when I see you!

  Chapter 9

  After I am all packed I walk over to the window to have one last look at the streets of London. I see the tourist information point that I went to on my first day. Over in the distance quite far away I can see the London eye the place I had met Jessica. I look down at the sidewalk next to the door of the hotel and there is a black Lamborghini parked. As I look closer I can see a man sitting on his phone. He looks familiar to me but where have I seen him before? I rack my brain but nothing. Then it hits me it’s the dark haired man that was with Adrian Black last night. I am sure off it I lean closer and yes it’s him. I think why is he here? Maybe he has been staying in this hotel all the time while I was here maybe he is there sitting on his phone waiting for Adrian Black. I take a deep breath thinking shall I get out and talk to this man? Surly I can’t he would think I was crazy right? Or maybe not I try to convince myself that’s it’s the only thing to do and with a walk so fast that I almost trip again but this time I stay fully balanced. I open the door and step out unknowing I step on something rather jagged ouch my foot hurts I look down and there is a single red rose lying at my door. I pick it up and look around for a card. But this time there is no card no bell buy and no earrings just a simple red rose. I step back into the room and rush over to the window and there I see the black car still sitting there but now there is not one man in the car but there is two and one may just be Adrian Black. As quickly as I can breathe the car speeds away and all I am left with is this state of panic. I start to feel a little dizzy so I sit down on the bed as I lay I think that Adrian Black may just be the one thing that I don’t have all the answers for. Siting back up and as I wait for my eyes to clear I reach over and grab my phone I try to focus my eyes on the screen but it’s too hard my eyes are full of fog. I shut them then open them again but still they are not clearing. I lay back down resting my head against the pillow I close my eyes again but this time for longer. I start to fall asleep.

  I walk into a huge office where everything Is white there is massive white desk with a blonde haired man sitting behind it as he sees me he stands up to greet me “miss hart please right this way Mr. black is waiting for you” I follow the man up the long hallway and into a little room where there is a water dispenser at one side and coffee machine the other I look all around wondering what I am doing here what has Adrian black been waiting for? “Have a seat Amanda will be in shortly to show you where to go” “okay” I say so quite I am surprised he heard me. I take a seat and wait patiently. “Hello alanna” I hear a woman say as the door bursts open. “How are you today?” “A little confused” I say “why is that?” “I have no idea why I am here!” “Why dear you are here to see your husband Adrian!” “My husband? What when did that happen?” And with a loud bang I jolt up out of the bed and I am awake once again. I fix my hair a little and I go over to the door I open it to find a bell boy waiting there with a trolley for my suitcases. “All ready to go miss?” “Is it that time already?” “Yes I am afraid so miss.” “then come on in I will just get my bags I won’t be a second” I go into the bathroom and pick up a few of the hair products my toothbrush etc. through them into my wash bag and head out the room all the while I can’t get that dream out of my head! I can’t believe I dreamt Adrian black was my husband of all things how random. But still it was a dream that I kind of didn’t want to wake up from. I hand over all my suitcases to the bell boy
and check over the room in case I left anything behind. On the table I can see the first bouquet of flowers and next to it the second and there laying on the bed I see the single red rose that got me all flustered that I almost couldn’t see. I take one good long look out the window where I was so sure that I saw Adrian black. I close my eyes for a second and think back on his words “remember me” the one thing I was sure of was that I always will!

  My dad Julian and I all share a car to the airport. “Did you enjoy London” my dad asks. “Yes” I say.” You look a little sad sweetie is there something wrong?” “No nothing’s wrong I am just a little sad that we have to go home now that’s all” “I know it was just a flying visit but London will always be here you can always come back you know?” My dad says in a sympathetic tone. “I know but there is just something about now in London that feels it may never be the same a second time you know?” “I can’t say that I do but I am pleased you enjoyed it Even if you don’t want to come home with me” my dad says with a little smile. I let out a giggle and grab my dad’s hand “thanks for an amazing trip!”

  Chapter 10

  I am now home and back to reality Last night Sophie and I stayed up late talking about my trip and looking through pictures of London. Sophie saying how much she wished she was there. And me well all I could think of was that night when I first saw Adrian black! The way I was so mesmerized by his looks the cool aura of his presence will stay with me forever. “Alanna you ready?” “Yes” I say feeling so tired that I wish I didn’t have to go into the city. However I really can’t put it off any longer. Sophie and I have to go to Columbia and pick up our class schedules for next semester. When we arrive I go straight to the main office and ask for mine but Sophie doesn’t she gets distracted by some girl And stands for ages discussing god knows what! “Sophie” I say a little too loudly she turns around with a look of shock one her face! She turns back to the girl and says something and starts to walk over to me. “Alanna what’s wrong?” “Nothing” I say.” Come on alanna you all most brought the roof down I know there is something up?” “I guess I am a little tired” I say felling guilty after my outburst. “Sorry alanna I should of guessed you had a long flight and never slept much last night I am sorry for dragging you along today!” “Never mind” I say as I link into Sophie and we head for the main office once again. I wait outside as Sophie goes into the office. “Alanna” I hear someone shout “alanna” I hear again I turn around to find Marco standing there. “Oh alanna your home” “yes Marco here I am” “how was your trip?” he asks and I can’t help but wonder is he fishing to see if I know he sent the gifts? “Yes it was great Marco and yours?” “Same old nothing over exciting!” “It didn’t look that way from your photo Marco!” “Oh rite that just another day at the beach for me” “alanna” Marco says again giving me no time to reply to his previous comment. “Have you thought any about what I said to before the New Year?” “Marco” I say in a soft tone “I can’t say that I have I think it’s better that you know now that I don’t think of you that way” I see his face drain of color so I start again “if you want we can try to be friends” “friends?” he says looking annoyed “alanna I have so many friends do you really think I need another one?” “I don’t know if you care about me in the way you say you do then friends should be enough!” “No I don’t need you as a friend I don’t need you at all if that’s all you’re going to be!” “Marco I really don’t want to upset you but I feel you need to know the truth that I don’t want to lead you on or give you false hope I am not that kind of girl!” “No you’re just the kind of girl that’s thinks you are above everyone and everything!” “No I am not” “Marco you know I don’t think like that everyone knows I am not that type!” “Maybe alanna you have everyone fooled!” “Don’t say that Marco really why are you being like this?” “I am sick of you alanna” “why because I won’t go out with you?” “No” “then why Marco?” “You just annoy me alanna” “Marco I think this conversation is over” I say as I turn my back to him. “Alanna what was that all about?” Sophie says as she walks over. “Just Marco being Marco” “still it didn’t look very pleasant” “at least now he knows where he stands and hopefully he will get the message and won’t send any more gifts!”

  Sophie and I stop at our favorite coffee shop while we are here in the city. As we sit and sip our lattes I can hear Sophie talking but have no clue what she is saying. “Alanna what’s up with you?” “Nothing” I say. “Come on you have been acting strange all day I know when there is something bothering you!” and without me even saying a word Sophie says “it’s him isn’t it?” I look down at the table “Alanna why does he affect you so much?” I really don’t know Sophie he just does!” “What was so great about him apart from his looks?” “Everything the way he moves the way he talks his eyes!” “What do think is going to happen with you and him alanna?” “I have no Idea but I feel as if there is more to come I can’t just let that be the last time I see him I can’t go on not being around him I can’t live my life not knowing what his story is I know there is more there has to be!” “Alanna what can you do he lives in London! Did you ever stop to think this guy might be a weirdo?” “What do you mean?” “think about it alanna the guy only dates blondes your blonde he asks every girl he dates how many boyfriends she has had the guy seems likes he talks to girls like they are dirt everyone you talked to in London told you he was messed up maybe they are right!” “I don’t think he is messed up he maybe has a few issues but who hasn’t?” “Alanna listen to your self this is not you!” “yes it is” “I know you won’t want to hear this but alanna I am your friend and I wouldn’t be a very good one if I didn’t say this to you but I think you should forget him he seems like he is trouble and alanna you don’t need that in your life!” “Sophie I can’t forget him don’t you think I have tried?” “Alanna you seem consumed by this guy” and with Sophie’s words I look away and back to her again and I say “I have never felt this way in my life!” Sophie shakes her head and turns away. I can’t believe Sophie’s reaction I don’t understand why she is acting this way! She has never even laid eyes on Adrian black so why should she get to judge? I can’t help but think if it was her if she was the one who met him then she would be acting in the very same way.