Three Thousand Miles To You

by Delia Longford

  Adrian sits on the chesterfield sofa and has a bottle of water in his hand His eyes are glowing green and his face is mesmerizing I can’t tear my eyes away from him. “Alanna why are you staring at me?” I blush I didn’t realize that he noticed this I look at him and can’t catch my breath as I lock my eyes on his I finally manage to say “I can’t help it does it bother you?” he smirks “no it doesn’t bother me but I find it strange” “Adrian I think you are gorgeous!” I say and Adrian raises his thick dark eyebrows and has a massive smirk on his face he looks to me and says “alanna do you really think that?” “Yes I do I have never seen anyone look as good as you ever!” he smirks again this time he can’t contain his laugh I have never heard him laugh before and I like this side to him “Adrian don’t laugh at me!” “I am sorry it’s just weird” “how is it weird? You know you are drop dead gorgeous!” he straightens his face “alanna I don’t think of myself like that in fact I don’t know what you see in me” I look at him and can’t believe he thinks that “Adrian you are crazy! Every place you go it doesn’t matter if it’s a woman or a man every one stares at you doesn’t that tell you something?” “I don’t know alanna can we change the subject please?” I smile at him knowing that what he says goes. “Where in London do you stay?” “I live in an area called Belgravia” “is it a house or condo type?” “No it’s a flat” “flat? Is that like an apartment?” he laughs again and the sound is captivating “yes alanna it’s a two bedroom apartment I bought it last year but I have hardly ever lived in it” “why?” “as you know I spend a lot of time in the south of France however when I am in London I mostly stay in hotels” “you never really answered my question Adrian” “I did you asked what area I live in and I told you Belgravia” “yes but you said that you don’t live there much so which area do you live in most?” he smirks again at me and takes my hand “alanna you miss nothing do you?” I smile but don’t say anything “I mostly live at The Dorchester” “I would love to stay there” “then you will!” he reaches over and kisses me when he pulls back I smile at him and he begins to ask me something “alanna what kind of car do you drive?” “I have a Mini Cooper” “how long have you had it?” “About two years I think why?” “I just wonder about your safety is it an older car?” “It’s about five years old?” “Does it drive ok? “Yes its fine” “do you want me to buy you a new one? “No Adrian my car is fine I don’t need a new one” “please alanna what kind of car do you like?” “None my car is fine” “would you like me to buy you a Rolls Royce?” “No!” “Which color? Black or white?” “None Adrian you can’t buy me a car ok?” “Why can’t I?” “You just can’t promise me you won’t? “I can’t promise anything!” I slightly shake my head at him “what kind of car do you drive?” “I have many cars” “what kind are they?” “Alanna do you really want to know?” “Yes” “I have an Aston Martin a Porsche I have two BMW’s and a few others but I mostly drive a Range Rover” “you really like cars then?” “It’s like an addiction I can’t help but buy a new one every few months are you sure you don’t want me to buy you a new one?” “No Adrian!” “Alright then alanna” I feel guilty for the tone I used so I smile at him “Adrian which music genres do you like?” “Mostly Rat Pack” “really” “you seem surprised?” “I am I have only ever known older people to like the Rat Pack and I didn’t expect you to like it” “I have a deep connection with that style of music” what is it about that style you like?” “I love the era it’s from a time when men where men not like nowadays when woman rule the roost” “don’t be sexist?” “I am not I just feel that today women have to many responsibilities and I know men that sit at home while their wives go out to work” “some people prefer it that way” “yes there are career driven women out there but I don’t agree with that I feel that the man should provide I could never let you be like that” “like what?” “I would never expect you to provide anything finically I would take care of you and you would never have to work a day in your life!” “I want to work and I will Adrian!” “I know you do and I wouldn’t stop you but If you changed your mind then I would be elated!” I look at him wondering if he means that I couldn’t bear sitting at home all day and if I were to be with him long term would he hate the fact that I want to work? I gaze again at his wonderful face I change the subject back to music “who is your favorite from the rat pack?” he smiles “Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra when I listen to them it is like my problems disappear” “I never really listened to that style of music before” “ you must it’s like nothing you have heard before Alanna can you sing?” “I used to love singing when I was younger I wouldn’t say I was the world’s best but I can hold a note” “can you sing for me?” I laugh because I think he is joking then I see that he is not “I can’t” “why?” “Because I can’t” “go on alanna sing for me” he leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek and I feel that maybe I would want to sing for him. “But what could I sing? I don’t know any Rat Pack” “sing what you like please alanna I am waiting” I try to rack my brain for what I might sing but I can’t think of anything then it hits me I know what I will sing there could be no other song! I open my mouth and just before I begin I can see Adrian looking at me waiting and I can see hope on his face and I realize that this is important to him.

  “Oh my love my darling I’ve hungered for your touch a long lonely time and times goes by so slowly and time can do so much are you still mine? I need your love I need your love god speed your love to me!”

  I finish and I can see Adrian stare at me it almost looks like he has tears in eyes did I make him sad? “Alanna you have the most beautiful voice” I blush but a little flattered that he said that. “Do you really think so?” “Yes I wasn’t expecting what came out of your mouth it was amazing why haven’t you perused this?” “The thought never crossed my mind that I would be good enough” “alanna your voice is beyond words you have a gift” I smile at him and lean over and kiss him he holds me in his arms and we sit there in that moment for what seems like a lifetime!

  “Alanna can you come here a minute please” I hear Adrian from the other room. So I quickly stop packing and go to see what he wants. “I have Michael on the phone he wants to know if you want to go out to dinner tonight with him and Katharine” “yes I would love to” “okay that’s all” I smile at him and head back into my room to finish the packing. Adrian is going home tomorrow and I have to go back to college. I can’t help but feel sad that he is going again I have only just got use to him being here and he has to leave again. And I can’t say that I am at all excited about going back to college either. From what Sophie has told me everyone is wondering about me and Adrian there are so many rumors flying around that Adrian is all sorts. From an actor to a prince he has been them all. Sophie has told me that Marco has taken the news about me and Adrian pretty bad. He hasn’t been seen since I moved from college into Adrian’s suite. Apparently he took off to Italy in rage of anger that Adrian exists. I can’t say that I am at all interested in what Marco does. But one thing I will not stand for is anyone talking bad about Adrian. Sophie seems to like Adriana little more she was over for an hour or so last night all of which was Adrian’s idea he even rang her to ask her to come. So she couldn’t say no and when she left she told me that maybe she was wrong and he was a good guy and don’t let him go. I know I shouldn’t really need any ones approval of Adrian but I so wanted Sophie’s. She is usually never wrong about anyone but she has admitted that she got it wrong with Adrian. From what I hear and I will get all the details tonight, Michael has moved into the same room as Katharine. And they are according to Sophie in love with each other. As for her she is still going strong with Dan and to her delight chace and Chelsea have broken up He apparently cheated on her with porcha. None of which is concrete but it is however the latest gossip and Sophie couldn’t wait to share it. As for me I seem to have no interest in the silly lives of the New Yorkers anymore I have different priorities now and have no views or opinio
ns on manhattans elite. For all I care I could never hear a piece of gossip about boob jobs and cat fights ever again. I seem to have no time for the things I used to. It’s not that they have changed it’s that I have. I am more grown up now and I know what matters in life and it’s not all about the parties and back stabbing but instead it’s about love and the love I have for Adrian.

  As I get ready for dinner tonight I sit at the dressing table in the oversized bathroom. Adrian said it was quite a respectable place that we were going to and they require black tie. So I have on my new Chanel It’s white and loose at the top but tight and pink at the bottom. It is a little short but why not show some leg now and again. I start to run the curling iron through my hair when I hear a soft knock at the door “may I come in?” I hear Adrian say as he slightly opens the door. “Yes come on in” “you look stunning my love” “thanks” I say blushing. “I have something for you” “Adrian you didn’t have to get me anything” “no but I wanted to” he hands me a red Cartier box it’s long and not very wide. I open it to find an all diamond yellow gold tennis bracelet. “Adrian it’s beautiful, will you?” I say as I hold out my arm for him to put the bracelet on me. He smirks and takes the bracelet out of the box he carefully places it on my arm the feeling of his skin on mine is invigorating. He looks into my eyes and places one hand on my cheek he leans in and kisses me and it’s like my life is complete.

  We arrive at the restaurant and Michael and Katharine are already there waiting for us. Standing right there in front of me may just be the most beautiful couple I have ever laid eyes on. Michael with his jet black hair and blue eyes. Katharine so tall and lean with gorgeous strawberry blonde hair. The two really look so good together. When we are seated at our table at the back of the restaurant just before I have a chance to sit down Katharine pulls me to one side she whispers in my ear, “Look at us with the two most gorgeous guys ever” I flash her a cheeky smile. Katharine is the type of girl that is wholesome she has a tendency to say whatever pops into her mind and she has a little bit of reputation for being a little ditzy. But she is possibly the most loyal girl you could ever hope to meet. She has dated quite a few guys but none of them seem to ever work out. The thing that worries me about her is that she has the tendency to let guys take advantage of her. She is a people pleaser and I fear that she could be easy lead. I really hope that Michael’s intentions with her are honest and he doesn’t just see her as easy. “How are you feeling about going home tomorrow Adrian?” Katharine says as she takes a sip of her champagne. “I have work Katharine but yes if what you are referring to is me leaving alanna than no I don’t want to go” “wow your pretty intense how can you cope with him alanna?” Katharine says joking but I feel that Adrian maybe didn’t like that little comment. “He has his moments but I love him” I say trying to make nice. “Are you going back to London too Michael?” I say looking over at Michael with his light grey suit on and his strangely jet black hair lightly greased back he looks very smug and I get an odd felling from him tonight “Is that a hint?” he says “No not at all” “sorry to disappoint you but no I will be staying?” Adrian shoots Michael a disapproving look. “Maybe Michael should stay here all the time and leave you to do your own dirty work” Katharine says staring at Adrian. What’s going on here why are Katharine and Michael being so rude? I kind of half expected it from Michael but Katharine what’s her problem? “I don’t really like your attitude Michael is that the way you let your woman talk?” Adrian says locking his eyes on Michael but before he can respond Katharine jumps in “His woman? Hey look here I am nobody’s woman” “oh give it up Katharine you would be anyone’s woman all they would have to do is give you a smile and you are theirs!” I say harshly to Katharine “Okay let’s stop this now” Adrian says taking my hand I give him a smile and take a sip of champagne. The waiter comes over and we place our orders. But the atmosphere is not the best I can see Katharine making daggers at Adrian all the while Michael is glaring at me. I am still trying to process this and can’t understand why they would invite us out and act this way. I see Michael is about to say something to me. So I look over at him waiting. “Alanna have you seen Marco since the other day?” “No Michael you know I haven’t seen him since” “really because that’s not what I heard” “what did you hear then Michael” “just that you and him” “stop right there Michael” I hear Adrian say with ice in his voice. “I know what you are doing here, don’t bring that bloke into this again ok?” usually when Adrian tells Michael off he backs down straight away but somehow tonight he is not. “Adrian can you honestly tell me that there was never anything going on between her and Marco?” “Alanna told me that nothing ever happened and I have no reason to suspect that she is lying” “Michael look at me!” I say getting annoyed now. “You know that nothing ever happened with me and Marco Katharine knows so therefore you know, now I know that you don’t like me but to try and do this to Adrian your step brother is so low that I can’t even contemplate it” “I don’t really care what you can contemplate you have poisoned him you are just a little bitch!” Adrian stands up with fury in his eyes and at the same time Michael does to. I sit there so shocked by his outburst. And Katharine looks like she is about cry. I see the two guys staring into each other’s eyes. Then the worst happens Adrian punches Michael right in the face and he falls immediately to the floor “don’t you ever talk to her again” Katharine rushes to Michael as Adrian grabs my arm and leads me out the restaurant I look back to the horror that has unfolded how could a night that stared so well turn so bad? As I have one last look at Michael laying there on the floor with Katharine in floods of tears I can’t help but think that maybe the friendships that were are no longer. Adrian has a look on his face that I have never seen before it’s almost as if he disgusted with what he has just witnessed. “Are you ok?” I say taking his hand but he pulls away. “Alanna I can’t ok” “can’t what?” “Do this right now” “ok I am sorry let’s get the car” I take Adrian’s phone from his hand and dial the car service. As we wait Adrian paces back and forth at the front of the building. I am sitting on the front steps and looking at him. He is so angry I don’t know what to do. “Maybe you should come sit down for a minute” “no alanna I don’t want to sit” “ok then talk to me tell me what’s going on?” “I have no idea Michael has never did that before” “I hate to say it but maybe he is jealous of you” “no alanna this was more” “well tell me maybe I can help?” “He has been taking bad about you ever since he met you he hates the fact that I am with you” “why I have done nothing to him” “alanna he loves you!” Adrian shouts and I can’t believe the words that he is saying. “No you are crazy” “no I am not he has been trying to get me to break it off with you ever since I have been here he wants me to leave you” “what about Katharine?” “don’t let that fool you he is only using her” “Adrian I think you may be mistaken” “no alanna I am not he loves you” “he can’t possibly he hates me” “that it all just an act you don’t know him like I do that’s what he does to hide his feelings” “but he is your step brother how could he?” “Alanna things with us haven’t always been great” “but you told me that he was your brother and that he meant everything to you” “I know and all that’s true but he blames me for putting your life in danger he never wanted to come to New York I had to beg him to, believe me he is not here for me” “he never even seen me before he came here” “that’s all you think” “what?” “Let me ask you alanna did you by any chance receive a single red rose in London?” “Yes but you sent that?” “No I sent you the bouquets of flowers and the earrings Michael sent you the rose” “I don’t understand” “he saw you that night at the new year party he was so into you but too nervous to come say hi” “I saw him that night he was with you and you came over to me not him you have to tell me more” “the next day I phoned him and I asked him where he was I knew his father had plans for him to go to a shoot with him but he never showed up, he told me he had gotten with a girl an
d forgotten all about it, but he lied alanna I was watching your hotel I had a meeting nearby and I stopped there first to see If I could see you I thought maybe you could have been going out or something. Anyway what I saw was Michael I knew he was lying and later on that night I checked his car and there were two photos of you and roses all around the front seat” “Adrian I saw a car that day but it was the black Lamborghini” “yes that’s Michaels car” “what is he the person who is following me?” “No alanna he just has the same kind of car but he does love you” “Adrian I don’t care if he does I love you” “maybe Michael would be better for you at least with him you wouldn’t be in danger” “don’t say that I could never be with him I could never be with anyone other than you” Adrian doesn’t reply the car pulls up and we get in without saying a word. This is crazy I can’t deal with this. Why would Michael love me? He has never showed any interest he has given me more reasons to think that he hates me. I am starting to think that Adrian wouldn’t be saying all this for no reason he must have solid evidence that Michael feels this way. I don’t want to come in between two brothers. I love Adrian but in a way I feel sorry for Michael if he does have these feelings then think of how hard it must be for him to see me with Adrian. How he must feel knowing that I am in danger. As for Katharine I will have to talk to her I can’t have my friendship ruined with her. Adrian opens the door and we are back at the hotel. “I will wait here go and get your stuff I will take to back to your dorm” “what I thought I was staying here till you leave what’s going on?” “I need some time alone to talk to Michael I can’t leave things like this with him” “are you mad at me?” “How could I be mad at you?” “I don’t know I feel so strange about all this” he makes a face to me that signals me to hurry up and get my stuff. So I rush up the stair and into the room. “Oh you scared me what are you doing in here?” I say to Michael who is sitting at the dining table his shirt is half open and there is blood on his face. “Waiting for Adrian you got a problem with that?” “No I don’t” I start to walk away but I can’t I turn to him “Michael Adrian thinks that you have feelings for me” “what would give him that idea?” “I guess it’s just a combination of a few things” “don’t flatter yourself” how could this guy be capable of loving me? He acts as if he hates my guts there is no way he does Adrian has to have it wrong. “I won’t bother you Adrian is down stairs I am going back to the dorm tonight” “you better run along then you wouldn’t want to upset Adrian now would you” he says raising his eyebrows almost feeling sorry for himself. “Look if there is anything I can do” “actually there is” “Okay what?” “Could you please tell Katharine that it’s over between us?” “What?” “You heard me it’s over I don’t love her I never could” “Michael you can’t treat her this way” “she is pretty and fine for a while I don’t want to hurt her but I don’t want to be with her either” “why can’t you tell her yourself” “because I can’t she is your friend and you can tell her anything about me I don’t care” “you are a pig and you don’t deserve her” “so I take it that’s a yes?” “Fine” I shake my head at him and walk over to my room and I grab my suitcases that are lying on the bed I take one last look at the room. I have had an up and down time here. But I loved the up moments with Adrian. And for the down I hope I never have them again. On my way out I take another look at Michael wondering does he really care about me. When I meet Adrian again down at the car he is standing leaning on the door of the car. “What took you so long?” “Michael is up there” “what did he say?” “I am not going to lie I asked him about what you said” “and?” “He denied it Adrian are you sure you don’t have it wrong?” “No alanna” “now come on get in the car” I give him my bags and get in the car. On the ride over to Columbia Adrian like always when he is in a car doesn’t say a word. I just sit there wondering and looking at him. He looks as if he has so much on his mind. I can’t help but feel I am the cause of it all. Adrian walks me back to my room and kisses me goodnight and promises me that he is not mad at me and says he will be here first thing in the morning. He also warned me not to talk to anyone strange and to be careful if any one comes to the door. So I take my orders and bid him goodnight.