Three Thousand Miles To You

by Delia Longford

  Alanna: Adrian why?

  Adrian: I fear for your safety alanna I want him to look after you.

  Alanna: I don’t need looking after.

  Adrian: yes you do.

  Alanna: Adrian why are you like this?

  Adrian: like what?

  Alanna: so over protective.

  Adrian: I just care about you

  Alanna: no Adrian there is more to it than that!

  Adrian: I could never live with myself if something happened to you.

  Alanna: but what’s going to happen to me?

  Adrian: I have enemies’ dark people you don’t even want to know about if they found out about you then I don’t know what they would do!

  Alanna: Adrian you are making no sense what so ever what kind of enemies do you have?

  Adrian: alanna it’s not for you to worry about but please let Michael look after you and protect you.

  Alanna: I guess there is no point in me trying to get the truth out of you so ok then what time will he be here?

  Adrian: around twelve is that ok?

  Alanna: yes I suppose but where is he going to stay?

  Adrian: I have made arrangements for him to stay in your dorm don’t worry it’s all taken care of.

  Alanna: and Sophie what will I tell her?

  Adrian: tell her the truth alanna you care too much what other people are going to say.

  Alanna: I don’t, but Sophie is my friend and I am just glad she handled finding out about you the way she did But as to how she will act about Michael I am not so sure.

  Adrian: don’t worry my love now its late go get some sleep. Alanna: goodnight Adrian black!

  Adrian: until next time baby.

  The next morning I am woken by knock to the door. I rise up wondering if Michael was early. I open the door to find Katharine staring down at me. “Alanna come quick you have to see this” and without hesitation she pulls me out the door and into the hallway “what are we looking at exactly” I say “Wait you will see” “There” I look around puzzled trying to see what she is fussing about and then I see him The tall guy wearing a dark blue shirt and jeans his eyes piercing blue with thick black strangely hair. “Michael” I say “You know this guy” Katharine says folding her arms. “Yes I know him he is the step brother of” I pause “someone I know from London” “me likey” Katharine says with a huge smirk on her face I let out a giggle and We go back into my room Katharine starts to tell me about her Brother Leo’s latest conquest. “She has zero class” “Katharine you never like any of your brothers girlfriends what’s so bad about this one?” “For starters she is a slut I think half the guys in the dorms has gone out with her” “You don’t know that for sure and come on Leo is no saint!” “Far from it but he’s my brother and I frankly don’t care what he does but that doesn’t stop me from not wanting to see him get hurt” “I love Leo but come on He cheats on every girl he dates!” Leo is one of those guys that are so lovable you can forgive him anything and that’s exactly what everyone does I only got to know them when I started college they are from Brooklyn so it’s not hard to see why we never met Our social paths didn’t exactly cross before college which they get a lot of stick for it from the other students and that is absolutely horrendous why should they judge why should they think themselves better? Katharine is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever laid eyes. Five foot ten shoulder length strawberry blonde hair blue eyes really a stunning girl. She has her admirers but none of them are good enough to claim a stake on her. As for Leo he shares some of her looks but not as blessed I would say. He is also tall blonde haired and blue eyed but with a nose that’s a little big for his face. Still the girls around here think he is a god. “When are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Katharine says as she moves over to my bed. “You will meet him don’t worry” “is he staying for long then?” “To be honest I am not sure how long he is staying” “what’s his story?” “Don’t know” “I thought you said he knew him?” “I know of him” “so did you know he was coming?” “Yes my friend from London told me last night “your friend witch friend?” “A guy named Adrian black” “oh it’s a guy friend” Katharine says with a naughty smile. “Yes the most amazing friend” “sounds like you are more than friends!” “Maybe, there is definitely something between us” “oh alanna are you in love?” “I don’t know I have never felt this way before I can’t describe the way I feel” I hear a little knock at my door and it pushes open. “Hello alanna my name is Michael I am Adrian’s step brother” he says in a cool British accent. “Hi Michael it’s nice to meet you Adrian has told me about you” “likewise” “sorry this is my friend Katharine” “hello Katharine it’s also nice to meet to you” Katharine can’t contain her smile. “I hate to seem rude but may I have a moment with alanna?” “Of course” says Katharine and with that she heads out and shuts the door. “Alanna has Adrian told you why I am here?” “I am sure you know what he is like every question I ask he only gives half an answer” “yes I do rather dislike that about him however he has sent me here to watch over you” “what does he think is going to happen to me?” “Adrian has a past that sometimes follows him around and I guess he is just scared that it might catch up on him and retaliate in the only way it can by hurting you!” “Why would anyone want to hurt me over Adrian I just don’t get it?” “I know it’s hard for you to understand but you realize that Adrian cares about you more than any other thing in his life!” “I know he tells me all the time but what I can’t understand is why?” “Adrian has a really hard time trusting women it’s mainly because of the way his mother treated him” “I always ask him about his childhood but I always seem to have no luck in getting answers!” “Alanna I must go just now I have a few calls to make and other stuff that needs doing but would I be able to meet up with you later and we can discuss this further over dinner?” “Absolutely” “I have your number I will text you later to confirm ok? “Sure that’s fine see you later”. Full of anticipation for tonight’s dinner with Michael I decide I will go out for a coffee to try to kill sometime. I wrap up warm and start for the streets of New York. As I pass buy the rows of elegant stores I think to what Adrian must feel when he buys the gifts for me. Whenever I ask him the reason for the gifts all he says “it’s because I want to treat you right” Somehow that doesn’t wash with me I feel he maybe has another reason for it something from his past that makes him the way he is. The more I hear about his secret past the more I want to know. When all knew was that there was something that maybe he did or happened to him I could accept that but with all this talk about enemies and people coming after him and with Michael now here to watch over me it is a little unsettling. I take my regular seat by the window in the Starbucks I always go to. I sit and look out over the streets at the people of New York remembering the way I felt about the streets of London. The cool crisp air the history that oozes from within the sidewalks of the city. I look out again and to what I see is surprising. Parked a few doors down on the opposite side of the street I see the same black Lamborghini that followed me round the east Hampton’s. Only this time I can see that there is a dark grey haired man in the driving seat. I am startled to see him look straight over at me a rush of fear I felt that night comes flooding around my body. I quickly rise up and walk out into the street as I walk I take out my phone and dial Adrian’s number. I wait for him to answer “alanna hello” “Adrian” I say in such a quite tone. “Are you ok what’s wrong”! I hear him shout! “I think I am being followed” “what by who?” I don’t know Adrian” “alanna you have to tell me right now what do you see?” “A black Lamborghini” the phone goes quite. “Adrian you still there?” “I need you to go into the first public place you see and wait there for Michael” “Michael told me he had things to do you can’t disturb him!” “Alanna what do think the purpose of Michael being there is? I can disturb him anytime I want and anyway why did he leave you?” Adrian sounds angry a voice I haven’t heard before. “He didn’
t know I was going out he left me in the dorms we are going for dinner later on tonight?” “Tell me alanna how many times have you seen that car?” “Twice I think” “no wait I saw a similar one in London” “they know” “who knows” “alanna do as I say” the desperation in his voice I can’t help but think that maybe I should. “Ok Adrian” “I have to go get Michael on the phone can you text me the address of where you are?” “Adrian wait why did you send me the key to a Lamborghini?” “Alanna I didn’t”. “Then who did?” “I am guessing the same person that is in the car you see!” I turn around and the car is still sitting there I feel a pang of fear crawl up my spine why was I being followed? What was the reason? What did Adrian do that was so bad? Who is he? I go back into the Starbucks and wait for Michael to arrive I order another latte and sit by the window. Adrian phoned me to say that Michael was on his way and he would be ten minutes. I took the time while I was waiting to search the internet for some possible answer as to what Adrian could have done. I type in his name but nothing of any interest comes up. I try the name of Adrian’s company James and brooks to see who are his main rivals but still no luck. The only other name I can think to try is Mr. Jenkins I scroll through the pages and one thing that grabs my attention is that Mr. Jenkins has another son one that is not Michael or Adrian. His name is chad and according to this website he had a fallen out with the family and moved away to France. Could this be something of importance? “Alanna” I hear Michael say as sits down at the table. “I am ok a little bit shaken that’s all” “what happened?” “There is a black Lamborghini it has been following me for while” “and where is this car now?” “Over there if you turn around you will see” “wait right here” Michael quickly gets up and races out the front door as he does the car speeds away down the street and is out of sight” I get up and go out to Michael. “You see that’s not normal is it?” “No its not” “let’s get you back to the dorms”. Michael is very quiet on the way back to Columbia. I try to break the silence “Michael do you know why this is happening?” “alanna it’s not for me to tell you” “it’s clear to see that I am in some kind of danger and all I get from you two are vague non answers to every question I ask!” “Alanna this is not my secret to tell!” “Whatever he did must have been so bad that someone wants to kill him am I right?” I say shouting “alanna they don’t want to kill him it’s you they want to harm!” Michael shouts back. “Me what did I do?” “It’s because Adrian cares about you!” “So they want to hurt him by hurting me?” “Now you finally get it” he says a little too sarcastically. “You have to understand that all this is new to me I have never had to deal with anything like this before” “how do you think Adrian feels he has had to live with this his entire life!” I have nothing that I can I say back to him to. We walk in silence back to the dorms. When I walk in the though the door I am faced with a whole lot of curios faces looking at me and Michael together. Not least the one I can’t bear to look at right now Marco. I walk past him and I hear him say “can we talk a minute?” I look to Michael and say “It will only take a minute”. Marco leans against the pale yellow lockers with his arms folded, Michael stands near buy. “Alanna what has happened to us?” “What do mean Marco there were no us!” “You know what I mean the little cute arguments we used to have!” “Ok Marco I think you are little crazy if you thought they were cute, they were anything but!” “You don’t even talk to me anymore I want to know what your problem is.” “Marco I have had the worst day so please can we talk about this some other time?” “No it’s now or never!” “Then I guess it’s never goodbye Marco!” I try to walk away but I feel Marco’s hand pull me back and before I can breathe he has me pinned up against the lockers there is about an inch between our faces and the look of rage that’s on his face is terrifying! “Get off her now” I hear Michael shout he pulls Marco away from me and slightly pushes me to one side I gasp not believing what has just happened I look to Michael and now his hands are wrapped around Marco’s neck. “If you ever touch her again” “what will you do huh?” Marco says in a voice that is too smug “I will kill you!” Michael takes my hand and marches me back to my room. “Adrian was right that bloke is trouble!” “No Michael he’s really not I just wound him up that’s all” “alanna he was about to hit you or something even worse don’t you stick up for him!” “I am not sticking up for him but don’t you think we have more to worry about than Marco?” “Maybe but I will be telling Adrian about this!” “No please don’t?” “Why” “he has enough to worry about and I don’t want to give him any more stress!” “Stress you think that this is stressful alanna you have no idea what he has been through!” “No you are right I don’t because no one will tell me!” “You don’t deserve to know!” “What” “you heard me” “why are you being like this?” “Like what alanna honest cause that’s all I am being and I am honest when I say that I wish Adrian never laid eyes on you!” “Michael what is wrong with you?” “Nothing wrong with me” “then why are you saying these things?” “Because it’s the truth if he had not met you then none of this would be going on” “I was under the impression that this had been going on for a while long before I came along!” “Yes it was but you brought it back to the surface” “what on earth are you talking about?” “If he hadn’t met you then there would be no one for them to hurt and Adrian would be free to live his life!” “Surly you can’t blame me for that? How was I to know that there were people after him?” “You didn’t but the second he sent you those gifts you should have put a stop to it!” “How could I?” “It would have been easy enough you were just too desperate to tell him to go away!” “How dare you say that you don’t know me?” “No but I know your type and you always get what you want as long as it’s in your best interests, tell me do you even care about him?” “Of course I do how can you say a thing like that, you really think I would stay with him knowing that I am in danger if I didn’t care about him?” “I don’t know it’s like you say I don’t know you!” “Ok you can leave go on get out!” “Don’t worry I am gone!” he slams the door and I fall to my knees. I start to sob so violently that I start to pant I begin to feel short of breath but I manage to pick myself up off the floor and go over to the table next to my bed where I grab a bottle of water and the white blackberry. I check to see if have any messages from Adrian but there is none. I sit down on my bed and look over towards the mirror that sits on the dressing table across from the bed. Who is that girl face so pale and gaunt? Tear stained cheeks with no happiness in her eyes only sadness. I pull myself together and take a hot shower. I don’t want to worry Sophie when she gets in so I put on one of my face masks put my earphones in try to just for a little while forget everything.

  Chapter 14

  The next morning I wake and to find myself in tears. I must have been having a nightmare again but this time I can’t remember what it was about. “Alanna you are shaking” “I just had a bad dream that’s all Sophie” “No wonder you are having nightmares after what happened yesterday!” “How did you know about that?” “Everyone is talking about it.” “How did they find out?” “Marco assaulted you right there in the hallway with numerous witnesses how would everyone not know?” I feel relieved that it is the issue with Marco she is referring to and the other one! “Yes of course but it really wasn’t as bad as that” “no? What happened then cause everyone is saying he was about to slap you!” “I don’t think he was it was just one of the many heated arguments we have and this time it got a little out of hand” “I’ll say how could a tall muscular guy like that grab such a little delicate thing like you And with such fury!” “I would rather just try to forget all about it you know” “I wonder what your prince charming would say about all this? I bet if he was here then he would have knocked Marco’s front teeth out but I hear he may have some competition for you” “what?” “I heard some new guy jumped in and saved the day!” “No that’s no new guy that’s Adrian blacks step brother!” “Wait what?” “Yes he is his s
tep brother” “I got that but what is he doing here?” I know Adrian told me to tell Sophie the truth about Michael but I just can’t what would she say if she knew the truth? “He is an exchange student from oxford and He relocated here for better work opportunities!” “Wow what’s he like?” “He is ok.” “What just ok? Do you not like him or something?” “No he is a nice guy I don’t really know him” “is he hot?” “Sophie!” “What just wondering that’s all” I shoot her a disapproving look. “Well is he?” “I suppose so you will see him around so you can decide for yourself! But let me warn you I think he is spoken for by Katharine you should have seen her swooning over him!” “I don’t know what you take me for alanna I am with Dan now so there will be no swooning on my part!” “We will see” I say and both of us let out hysterical giggles! I start to take a shower but I hear my white phone buzzing in the background so I shut off the water and go over to check the phone. I have a new message from Adrian I take a deep breath as wait for the message to show.

  Alanna my love how are you feeling today?

  I am ok a little shaken though.

  I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am for all this.

  I know you are Have you spoken to Michael today?

  Yes he told me what happened yesterday.

  Really what did he say?

  He told me you two had words Alanna do not like Michael? He seems alright but I think that it is him that doesn’t like me!

  He does like you, it’s just he has a funny way of showing things he prefers to be the cold outcast type than be the hero!

  I suppose.

  You seem like you have something on your mind what is it?

  I am having a hard time coming to terms with all this I can’t understand why there is someone following me. And I know you say it’s because there is someone out to hurt you but again I don’t know why?

  Alanna I wish I could tell you but you will be safe with Michael please stay close to him at all times.