I will but please you have to give me something I can’t go on not knowing a thing!
Ok alanna!
When I was a child you know I didn’t have the best upbringing, my dad left when I was two and Alice never got over it. She went from guy to guy sleeping around and staying out for days at a time drinking. One time when I was six Alice locked me in the cupboard under the stairs with nothing to eat and a single candle for light. All I remember was being so scared and cold and I was sure that she was never coming back.
That’s terrible Adrian did she ever come back?
Yes she came home three days later with her face all covered in bruises. Her clothes were ripped and she stank so bad I couldn’t stand near her.
Adrian I don’t know what to say I am so sorry that you had to go through that.
You said you wanted to know so here I am telling you. Can you not handle it? Are you seeing me differently now?
Of course not I am just a bit shocked that’s all please go on.
Things started to get a little better in the months after that Alice got a job and started spending a little more time with me. She actually took me to the park and to me that was the best feeling in the world. Until one night she got so drunk that she striped herself naked and was lying on the floor she looked as if she had passed out from drink so I tried to through an old ripped sheet over her and to take away the alcohol she had but she wasn’t asleep and what she did next I will never forget she lifted a black leather belt that was sitting on the one chair we had in our living room and began to hit me so hard on the back of my neck with it that I couldn’t even cry with the pain. That wasn’t the first time she had beat me but it was one of the worst times. I still have the scares today and always remember that feeling of pain. Alanna I wish that I had never had to share these awful memories with you.
No I am glad you did Adrian now I can begin to understand the real you it’s all becoming clear now and I can’t thank you enough for sharing this with me. I know it must be so hard to think back on such a terrible event!
I have had to so much pain and misery in my life you are the one pure and honest thing I have ever had I don’t feel like I don’t deserve you!
Don’t think like that Adrian!
You know the reason I always go for blonde haired women? I have no idea!
It’s because Alice had dark hair and I never wanted to be reminded of her in anyway. I never had anything but pain and misery from her and there is no way I could ever be with a dark haired girl fearing they would do the same to me as she did!
Then it’s a good thing I have blonde hair you know I would never hurt you?
I know you wouldn’t and even now with all this dark stuff around me you still don’t even flinch and try to get away from me. Alanna I have never met anyone like you before you are so pure and kind I don’t deserve you! I am not good enough for you!
Adrian I told you not to think like that I wouldn’t be here with you if I thought you weren’t good enough.
I know you wouldn’t but I don’t see what you see in me I am bad alanna doesn’t all this tell you that?
I don’t think you’re bad you can’t blame yourself for what she did to you, you were just a child.
I know but what I did it doesn’t even bare to think about! Adrian what did you do?
That’s the part I can’t tell you alanna it would be too much for you to accept!
Can’t you let me be the judge of that?
No alanna!
Alright then!
Do you have any classes today?
No I am studying all day.
I have to go just now I am late for a meeting I will email you later on to check if you’re ok.
Okay then Adrian black!
I can’t believe what Adrian just told me how awful it must have been for him. What kind of woman would do all that to her son? I have no Idea what kind of person she must be and I can’t begin to deal with how he must have felt. Alone in the dark for three days wondering if she would ever come home? The beatings she gave him were just unforgivable. I can’t hold back my tears as sit there and reflect on all this. I can’t help but feel grateful that my own childhood was as happy as it was. Sure there were a few minor arguments between my mom on and dad but never anything like that. When I was a child I could have never imagined another child going through that. Adrian was so young at the time there is no other way describe Adrian’s childhood but as abusive!
Chapter 15
The next few days are taken up by studying and going all over town with Michael. The story is that Michael is an exchange student from Oxford and other than being here to protect me he I also here on business so a lot of time I am trailing around company’s and waiting outside offices for him to finish whatever business he is doing. Unlike when we first met Michael isn’t so talkative now he barely speaks to me and when he does is just “are you ready”, “let’s go” and “come this way”. I don’t know what I did to offend him? For peace sake I don’t even attempt to ask him. Meanwhile Katharine is following him round like a little puppy dog. She said she can’t get over his looks and she would like to go out sometime with him. I feel that wouldn’t be such a good idea giving his nature. He never says or does anything he is always on his phone talking to some client that he can’t get enough of. But even though it is hard with him I do feel safe around him. I have a sense of ease that only I have in his company. I don’t know what it is but something about him just screams out safety. It’s almost like he is my own personal bodyguard and he is centrally built for the job of one. Today he has me going to some meeting with him. So thinking that it might take a while I pack my iPod and a magazine. He usually is here by now and he says that his meeting is at one. I go out to hallway to check if he is anywhere to be seen I see him and he is leaning against the lockers talking to Katharine. He has a sneaky smirk on his face and Katharine is smiling from ear to ear. Not wanting to seem like a buzz kill I walk over slowly and say to Michael “don’t you have a meeting today?” he looks over at me quickly straitening his face “yes alanna I was just about to come get you!” he says in a harsh tone. “may I remind you that wall street is at least a thirty minute cab ride away and its now 12.45!” “They will have to wait then” I shake my head and walk away back to my room. I close the door and put my head in my hands. What is his problem? I don’t know why I am even wondering that because I know what the answer is! He doesn’t like me He doesn’t want to be here he doesn’t think that I am worth protecting! “Alanna!” I hear as the door bursts open I turn around and I see Michael there glaring at me. “Why did you do that?” “Do what” “come over and cause a scene like that” “cause a scene what scene did I cause?” “That whole thing about me being late” “you are late I just thought maybe you lost track of time so I came out to find you” “and this has nothing to do with the fact that I was standing there talking to Katharine?” “No not at all!” “I think its best you know that I like her and I will be asking her out!” “Okay that’s fine with me!” he pauses as he begins to talk. “I didn’t think you would approve of that?” “Why wouldn’t I?” “Because of the way I have treated you” “Michael I know this is hard on you to Your far away from home you don’t like me and being around me here probably feels like the last thing you want to be doing” “I do like you what I don’t like is this situation with Adrian” “what do mean by that?” “I feel like you would be better off without him in your life” “what?” “The way you are in danger all the time is not good for any relationship! And especially not one with Adrian!” “What does that mean? Why are you talking about him like this?” “I am not slating him in any way I just want you to make the right choice!” “What choice?” “There will be a time when you find out about Adrian and when you do please make the right choice!” “He has told me about his mother Alice” “when? What did he tell you?” “A few days ago he told me how she drank a lot and beat him” “alanna that’s not even a shadow of what happened!” �
��So are you saying that he is lying?” “No he’s not lying it’s just that’s not the full story” “then what is?” “Adrian has made it clear that he doesn’t want you to know why are you pushing this.” “Because don’t you think that I deserve to know?” “Yes alanna you do but it’s not my secret to tell I don’t wish to discuss this with you further please don’t ask me about this anymore” “fine I won’t”. There is absolute silence during the cab ride to Michaels meeting. When we arrive at the shiny dark grey building I feel as if I have been here before even though I am pretty sure I wasn’t! We walk in the front door and there is a tall skinny dark haired man waiting by the front desk. “Good day Mr. Jenkins we have been waiting” the man says. He quickly escorts us along the massive white hall way and into the elevator. “That’s a pretty girl you have with you today are you his girlfriend miss? “I look over to the man wondering why on earth he would think I am with Michael. “No I am not his girlfriend” I say in a tone to icy for someone I just met. “Ok miss you will have to wait in here” the man points over to a small room at the end of the hallway there is glass doors so I can see that there is no one else in the room witch is a good thing. I feel there is nothing worse than sitting I a room with someone you don’t know hoping that they won’t start small talk. On any other day that wouldn’t bother me but today I really have no time for it. “Wait in there text me if you need anything!” I nod instead of forcing out words. I walk along the hallway and push open the glass doors there is a huge table in the middle of the small room that has six small vases all lined up with oversized bouquets of white lilies. There is a massive window at the back of the room that’s looks over the city. I walk over and sit on the window ledge as I look down at the streets below I see the black Lamborghini again and this time there is no driver. I try to focus my thoughts as I wonder what to do for the best Michael did say to text if I needed anything well I don’t exactly need anything and I am already in his bad book so do I really want to risk angering him more? I take a deep breath and think that I am in a public place there is no way I can be harmed here and how do I know that it’s the same car? With no one sitting in the car it could belong to anybody and I am sure there is more than one black Lamborghini in New York. I decide to take a seat over by the door then at least I will be able to see if there is anyone approaching I take a seat on one of the black leather chairs and not containing my nerves my foot starts to tap violently against the plastic of the chair I hear my phone so I rummage in my bag until I find the white blackberry I see that I have a new email from Adrian. I open up the message keeping one eye on the hallway.
Adrian: alanna my love how is your day?
I don’t want to alarm him about the car so I reply,
Alanna: fine so far how is yours?
Adrian: I was working all day Are you with Michael?
Alanna: yes he is in a meeting right now so I am just waiting for him.
Adrian: please alanna be careful don’t talk to anyone you don’t know.
Alanna: I won’t I think Michael likes my friend Katharine I caught them two this morning chatting in the hall.
Adrian: is that what he is doing when he is supposed to be looking after you?
Alanna: no he is looking after me don’t worry so much. Adrian: how is that possible for me?
Alanna: you have to try I am being careful and Michael is here It’s not good for to worry.
Adrian: alanna you are worrying about me when it’s you that’s in danger?
I begin to type out a reply to Adrian when I see the dark grey haired man from the Lamborghini I saw the other day walking up towards the room I am sitting in. I shift nervously keeping my head down. The door opens and in he walks he takes a good look at me and says “miss hart please can you come with me?” I look up at him with a look of despair on my face and my chest beating hard “I won’t hurt you I promise I just need to talk to you ok?” “then talk to me here I am not going anywhere with you” “please don’t make this difficult for me if you have any sense then you will do as I say” “I am with someone and he will be back soon if I go with you then he will wonder where I have gone” “I can assure you miss that Michael Jenkins will not care that you have gone” “what he is here to protect me I think he will care” “protect you? The only person you need protecting from is Adrian black!” “How do you know Adrian?” “Miss I will be happy to answer all your questions but please come with me” I know this is wrong but what if he is telling the truth what if he is the one to tell me what Adrian’s secret is! So I lift my bag and head over to the door. The grey haired man takes me along to another hallway and into a dark office. “Please have a seat” I sit on one of the black chairs at the front of the big white desk. “Now” the man says as he opens one of the drawers and pulls out a large brown envelope. “This must be difficult for you but I need your cooperation so anything you know you must tell me ok?” “Okay” I say. He starts to open the envelope and brings out what looks like some photographs. “Have you ever seen this man before?” he shows me a picture of slightly older man with balding hair. “No” “ok what about this woman?” I am stunned because she does look familiar but where have I seen her before and then I hits me it’s the old lady from the beach the one that was so rude to me. Only in this picture she looks much younger. “I don’t know her” I say felling that to tell this man that I saw her here in the vicinity of New York would be one of the worst things I could do. “Ok then what about this man do you know him?” he shows me a picture of Adrian I can’t lie about this one he knows I know him. “Yes I know of him” “miss this man has done an unthinkable crime he must be punished in the way the victim was do you understand?” “I don’t because I don’t know what he did?” “He hasn’t told you then?” “No” “that’s odd tell me miss does he love you?” this man is staring to give me the creeps there is no way I am letting him know how Adrian feels about me. “No he doesn’t love me” “are you sure?” “Yes I am positive he doesn’t love me he only sees me as someone to pass his time with” “miss you would not be lying to me now would you?” “Sir I know you have been following me for a while now tell me this have you ever seen Adrian here in New York with me?” “No I haven’t” “then doesn’t that tell you that he doesn’t care about me?” “You don’t have to be around someone every day to love them” “well no” “miss I don’t think you understand the serious ness of this there are people out there that want to kill you!” “Then why are you telling me this?” “Because young girls like you are not really the type I feel like killing! Do you know how long I have had to try to get them to let me have this talk with you” “why is so important for you to talk to me if you want to kill me?” “I have a daughter about your age I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to her I wanted this time with you to try to make you see sense that Adrian black is bad for you!” “I don’t care about Adrian really I don’t” I feel so guilty even thinking it let alone saying it. “miss please don’t say you weren’t warned” “I am leaving now” I get up and walk over to the door I look back and say to the man that’s sits behind the desk the same face that I am so terrified to even look at the wrong way. “Sir what would you do if it was your daughter that knew Adrian would you let them kill her?” “No I would die first”. And with that I close the door and begin to walk so quickly up the hallway that I trip and everything in my bag is all over the floor. I rush to the floor and franticly try to put everything back in as I do I hear Michael “alanna where have you been!” “Michael please get me out of here!” he rushes me down the stairs and out the door onto the streets. “What was all that about alanna where were you?” “The guy from the Lamborghini came and I went with him to an office at the other side of the hallway” why would you do that are you crazy?” “He said I basically had no choice what could I do?” “Not go you should have come and got me!” “I was scared I didn’t know what to do” “you are making this so hard for me alanna what do you think Adrian will say when he finds out?” “A
re you going to tell him?” “Of course he will go crazy alanna you are so stupid!” “Hey please don’t shout at me!” my words choking out as I begin to cry. “Don’t do that alanna” I start to sob and to my surprise Michael takes me in his arms and holds me tight but gentle at the same time. His arms strong and wise I catch the scent of his cologne as the wind passes by I feel safe in his arms safer than I ever felt before!
Chapter 16
Adrian called me later on that night to ask me about what had happened today when I finally told him He got so angry and began to shout. “Alanna have you been listing to anything I have been saying? Why are you being so stupid? Why would you put your life at risk like that?” I said a few harsh words back to him and I think we have had our first fight. Adrian has not texted or emailed in over four hours and I can’t sleep wondering what one earth he is thinking by staying mad at me for so long. I think back over the day’s events and I my mind keeps on flashing back to the picture of the lady that I saw at the beach. I can’t seem to fit her in all this. Who could she be? Why did she look so familiar to me in the first place? I feel so stressed about everything I don’t feel myself. I have never been so distant with my family and friends. Everyone is beginning to see the strain that’s on me. I am missing important events for my dad. I haven’t seen Penelope since before I left for London. I know it’s terrible and I do wish I could spend more time with my family but since I have to have Michael go everywhere with me I don’t see how I can act normal around my family without them suspecting something is wrong. It was hard enough for me to come clean to Sophie about Adrian I can’t imagine telling her all this as well. The only person I can confide in is Adrian and right now he is mad at me for what I did. I don’t like the feeling of having him not talking to me. He is my world right now and I can’t ever think of not having him around even if it means that my life is in danger. I think that I am in love with him. Something has changed and I feel that I don’t only just care about him. The words in which he told me about his mother are stuck in my head for ever. I will not be able to go one day without thinking the pain he has suffered. I know what ever his secret is that it will not be enough for me to leave him. I know I have only laid eyes on him twice and I know that it all seems crazy that I can fall in love with someone over texts and emails but it’s true I have I love him I love Adrian black!
Three Thousand Miles To You Page 9
