Three Thousand Miles To You

by Delia Longford

  Adrian if you were that then why are you not in jail? I was twelve the authorities didn’t act on it because I was so abused they said I was the victim but I wasn’t alanna.

  Can you please tell me what happened?

  No not right now not while you are in danger.

  Adrian I am here sitting in this house with all around security there is nothing going to happen to me right now please tell me.

  I can’t I will tell you soon I promise.

  Ok then Adrian but please know that whenever you want to share this with me I am here.

  I know you are remarkable I don’t deserve you.

  I thought I told you not to say that?

  You did but it doesn’t stop me from thinking it.

  I sigh as I put the phone down I reflect on all the things Adrian has said. I was a little surprised how he acted about Michael after all I would think he would be happy that I get on with his family. He seems to think that Michael wants to be more and that I should be careful of the way I act around him. I am so confused right now I want to be honorable to Adrian but at the same time I don’t want this time here with Michael to be awkward. I thought I had it all sorted but now I am not sure. I fear that if I be nice to Michael then he will think that I am leading him on. And I don’t want to distance myself from him either. I enjoy talking to him and I do like him I don’t know what I can do for the best. “Miss Hart” I hear Maggie at my door so I run over and open it “how can I help you Maggie?” “it’s time for lunch” “I am not really that hungry right now” “dear you have to eat and if Mr. Black finds out that you are skipping meals then that’s not even worth thinking about” “can’t you just tell him that I ate?” “No dear come on I made your favorite” how does she know my favorite I don’t even know that! I give up and follow her into the kitchen were Michael is sitting waiting. “Now take a seat dear I will dish out” I walk over and sit next to Michael a little unsure of how to act around him. Maggie hands over two plates filled with salad and then she gives us a huge platter filled with roast chicken and bread. “Wow Maggie this all looks great” I say trying to make her feel good. And I am not dishonest the food looks delicious! “Now help you self’s and miss hart make sure you take a big helping we don’t want Mr. Black getting mad” I smile and she heads out into the hallway. Michael turns to me as he takes a huge piece of chicken and several pieces of bread “Bon appetite!” I smile and begin to take mine. As we sit and eat Michael talks like there is no tomorrow going on about the weather and the latest movies that are on the cinema and he even says that we should go see a movie sometime. I begin to think that maybe I have lead him on however I change my mind and instead I choose to believe that I have just became friendly with him and that I have acted in the way a friend would. So I agree that we should see a movie. Once dinner is over I try to head into my room but Michael is having none of it. “Alanna why don’t we bring the cinema here?” He says holding up a few DVD’s in his hands. I don’t want be rude and at the same time I don’t really feel like sitting in my room all night alone. So I say “why not I will go ask Maggie if she has any popcorn” I walk along the hallway and into the room that Maggie uses for relaxing when she is not cooking. “Maggie do we have any popcorn?” “Yes I believe we have I will go make it for you ok?” “Thanks” I walk back along to the lounge and I see that Michael has about twenty DVD’s all lined out onto one of the sofas. “What kind of movies do you like?” “Anything you choose” “I never thought I would see the day a girl lets the bloke choose the movie!” I smile and sit on one of the armchairs. “You know I feel guilty about choosing the movie can’t you at least tell me what ones you like?” “I like old movies but if you don’t then it is fine” “ok old movie it is” he picks up gone with the wind a choice that I would never have expected him to make. He sits on the chair right next to me. And Maggie comes in with the popcorn. She has put the popcorn in one big bowl so we have to share and I feel a little bummed by that. Sharing food is mainly what couples do and I feel that if I do then maybe I will be leading him on further. So I ask Maggie if she could put the popcorn in a separate bowl and to my relief Michael agrees. We watch the movie for about an hour in silence but then I see Michael look over as if he has something he needs to say to me. “Alanna what would you be doing if you never met Adrian?” I am taken back by his words I don’t really know how to answer him. “I guess I would be at college and studying for finals and graduating on time with honors” “alanna what is it that you want to do with your life?” Michael says turning fully around in his chair so that now all he can see is me. “I would like to help children who are underprivileged I would love it if one day I could own a private orphanage so that I could at least make it a kind of happy experience for children who are suffering” “you are amazing you know that” “no I don’t think so” “you are who else do you know who cares about stuff like that?” “There are many people who care about others” “who? Not your friend Sophie all she cares about his herself” “hey she is still my friend don’t be slating her” “I am not I am just saying that no young beautiful girl like you cares about stuff like that you are a one off alanna” “I just have guilt inside about my childhood and how good it was if I could just make one child have the same happiness as I did growing up” “alanna is that how you have a special bond with Adrian?” “no I don’t love Adrian because he has had a bad upbringing I love him because he is real he isn’t some shallow guy that only cares about himself he’s not like anyone I know I think that’s the connection I share with him” “alanna when he tells you about everything will you accept it?” “I have thought long and hard about that and every time I come to the same conclusion that is yes I will accept it” “alanna another might not be so understanding and Adrian knows that he can’t let you go but he fears what your action might be” “he knows me well enough now I think to know what my reaction will be” “then why he is worrying to tell you?” “the truth is I feel that he is scared, he has tried to put this out of his mind but I know that it eats him up inside he will never get over the what Alice and David did to him” “I know that he won’t but I also think that he can be happy with you however I do feel that he needs to tell you the truth” “I know but I can’t get him to” “alanna I don’t want to alarm you but there are people who want to kill you and when they have a target that target usually gets killed and I know you say that everything will be fine and that you love Adrian and you trust him but don’t you think that you deserve to know what you are putting your life at risk for?” hearing Michaels words they are alarming to me and I feel that he wouldn’t be saying these things if he didn’t love me. I can see the fear in his eyes when he talks about me getting hurt. I feel drawn to him like I want to hug him but I can’t I know that will only give him false hope. “Michael I really appreciate everything you are saying and I know that you care about me however I do trust Adrian and I know that nothing will happen to me” “how do you know that? Look where you are? If you weren’t at risk then you would be at college free to live to your life not here with me and surrounded by security” “I just have a feeling and all this is just a precaution” “alanna it’s not” I look down at the floor I am trying so hard to fight back tears I am trying to be strong and show that I am ok with this and that everything will be ok. But the truth is I am terrified.

  Chapter 23

  I wake early the next day and have a long shower I pick out some clothes and Maggie shouts me for breakfast. I sit at the breakfast bar surrounded by fresh bouquets of flowers I eat the massive feast that she has prepared trying my best to eat as much as I can knowing that she is reporting back to Adrian. Jackson has switched roles with the other security guard who is even huger than him. I don’t know his name he is not as talkative as Jackson and he has an aura of don’t talk to me about him so that’s exactly what I do. Michael is still in his room and I haven’t heard a peep out him all morning. So I walk to his room and give a little knock on the door. It takes him a wh
ile to answer but when he does he is only wearing a pair of dark blue jeans. He has an amazing body but I am trying so hard not to stare at him I try to focus my eyes on his face. “Michael is everything ok?” “Yes why wouldn’t it be?” “No reason I was wondering if we could go out somewhere today?” “Where do you want to go?” “I was thinking maybe shopping?” “Shopping? I don’t really do that” “oh” I sigh “don’t give me that face” “what face?” I look up into his eyes he is so tall that I feel like a little intimidated standing next to him. “Give me ten minutes ok?” “Okay” I say smiling at him and giving him another glance as I walk away. I head back to my room and put on a sweater as it looks cold outside. I fix my hair quickly in the mirror and apply some lip gloss. As I do I hear my phone it’s a text from Adrian.

  Alanna how are you today?

  I am good how are you?

  I am fine what are you doing today?

  I was actually thinking about going out?

  Out where?

  I have been in this house for two days now I need air. Ok but where are you going?

  Shopping

  Didn’t I get you enough stuff?

  No you did but I just need some time out you know? I see is Michael going with you?

  Yes he is do you not want him to?

  There is nothing I can really do about it.

  Adrian I thought we talked about this?

  Yes we did and I told you to be careful around him.

  Michael is great but I love you.

  Yes you keep saying that

  Don’t you believe me?

  No of course I do, ok then go out and enjoy your shopping trip if you look in one of the kitchen drawers you will find one of my credit cards take it and pay whatever you buy with it.

  No Adrian I can’t

  Yes you can I won’t let you go out unless you take it. How can you stop me?

  I control everyone in that house and if say don’t let you leave then they won’t so take the credit card ok?

  Okay I will take it but I don’t have to use it.

  Yes you will I will know if you don’t and I won’t let you out again.

  You are crazy you know that?

  Yes I know that, now alanna it’s really hard for me to let you out of that house so please whenever I text you make sure you text back within ten minutes ok?

  Okay

  And don’t leave the body guards not even for a second ok? I won’t Adrian please stop worrying.

  I can’t now can you remember everything?

  Credit card, stay with someone at all times text you back, I think I got it covered.

  Alanna please don’t joke

  I am not now I will text you later ok?

  Make sure you do!

  Until next time baby

  Jackson escorts us down the stairs and into the black escalade that is waiting at the front door to take us shopping. Michael has a look of worry on his face so I reach over and touch his arm slightly to comfort him in knowing that I will be ok. He smiles back and we sit in silence as the car pulls away. Jackson has also come along and from what I can tell he isn’t too happy that we are going shopping. And either is Michael who told me he hasn’t been shopping for years instead he buys everything online. That’s a thing I could never do I like the experience of shopping the hustle and bustle and I love to watch the people. We arrive at the Manhattan mall it isn’t exactly New York’s best shopping area but its low key and that’s the reason I chose it. Jackson gets out the car first and checks everything is ok then he instructs Michael to get out and then me. When we walk in through the doors I feel like everyone is staring at me. It’s hard not to considering I am with Michael every girl women even some men can’t take their eyes off him. And then there is Jackson so huge and bulky everyone must know that he is some type of body guard. As the stores are limited here I will have to take my time and to go round them if I am to make this day stretch out. I head for jc penny first as I walk around the store Michael and Jackson follow. I find myself in the home department somewhere I would never usually be. I look at the kitchen ware and the beautiful furniture they have I notice that Michael looks bored already so I start to talk to him as we stroll around the store “there is some really nice things here don’t you think?” “Yes lovely” “you don’t have to be sarcastic” “I wasn’t” “really?” “Okay maybe a little” “so you really hate shopping” “yes” “why?” I ask sounding like he is an alien for even thinking it “I think it’s mainly because my mother used to trail me everywhere with her and I used to hate it” “oh I see” “may I help you?” a shop assistant says. “No thanks we are just looking right now” “ok then my name is Lisa and if you need any help just call over ok?” “Yes I will” I say smiling at the girl. As I look more I see a new tableware set like the one my mom has but in a new pattern. “Michael” “yes?” he says looking like he is about to faint from the pressures of shopping “What do you think of that tableware?” “It’s ok” “my mom’s birthday is coming up and I know she would love it do you think I should buy it?” “Alanna buy whatever you want” I roll my eyes at how uninterested he is I go over and get the shop assistant Lisa and we begin to discuss combinations in which the table ware comes in. “I think twelve would be right for place settings do you?” “Yes twelve is the most popular number are you getting married?” I laugh at little at her. “No I am not getting married” “oh that’s a shame you two make a lovely couple” I see Michael shift around nervously to hear what I will say and I feel my face flush hot. “No he is my friend” “oh sorry but I really must say that you two look good together” again my face is flushing hot I look at Michael who looks uncomfortable. “Thanks but I have a boyfriend but I will take the table ware can please box it up for me?” “Yes no problem and again I am sorry for before” “that’s ok” the girl heads away and I turn to Michael he looks uneasy. “Are you ok?” “Yes alanna now are we done here?” “Yes I will pay then we can leave ok?” “No I don’t want to rush you I am sorry take your time” I smile at him knowing how hard this for him. We wander round the stores for a few hours and now I have bought way too many things I decided that the table ware wasn’t enough for my mom so I got her some new perfume as well. There was a sale on kids clothing in jc penny so I bought Penelope a whole new wardrobe. And my dad I got him some shirts and cologne as for myself I never bought anything. There is everything I could ever need at the house so there is no need to buy more. However as Michael carry’s some bags I notice that he has one of his own. I am not sure what he bought. I never saw him even looking at anything. Adrian has texted every hour to make sure I am ok and he has even called Michael making sure that he is looking after me properly. I really wish that he was here At least then I wouldn’t feel so guilty about Michael. I can now see that he cares about me and it’s hard on him. He clearly wishes we could be more but he knows as long as Adrian exists there is no way that will ever happen. I feel selfish for wanting Michael in my life I don’t want to be with him but I need him. I can’t explain how I feel about him. It’s like he is a piece of my life that has been missing. I know that Adrian wouldn’t approve of this but if I am to be with him then I will be around Michael and I can’t ignore him he means a lot to me and I hunger for him in my life. We sit quietly as the car drives us back home. When we arrive back Michael and I carry the bags up to the condo he still hasn’t said a word and I begin to worry what could be on his mind. He opens the door and there is the other guard he has no emotion on his face he just stands there. I walk over and place the bags on the sofa and have seat next to them. Michael does the same but he has a small bag in his hand. “Alanna I got you something” he says as he hands me the bag. I smile at him feeling excited to see what he has got me. “You didn’t have to” I say as I open the bag and find a small box at the bottom. I open it to see a pair of blue earrings set in diamonds with symbol of the evil eye. He looks at me as I take one out “do you like them?” “yes they are lovely” “good I hope they will
protect you” “I didn’t know you were into that kind of stuff” “I am not really but the girl in the shop said that you would like them so I bought them for you” “thanks Michael” “you are most welcome now can you excuse me there is few phone calls I have to make” “of course” I say and he walks away not looking back. I take the bags into my room and set them in the closet. I lay on my bed and I begin to think about Sophie. I think that this is longest I have gone without speaking to her I take out my phone and begin to compose a message.

  Sophie its alanna I think we need to talk about everything there is lots for us to sort out Hope I hear from you soon.

  I take out my laptop and sign into my emails there are so many that needing replying to as I do I receive an instant message. Porcha: hello

  I have not heard from her in a while and I just know she will have so many questions. And there is that whole thing about her and Chace I can’t ignore her after all she is one of my friends even though sometimes I don’t trust her.

  Alanna: hello porcha how have you been?

  Porcha: not so good alanna.

  Alanna: what’s wrong?

  Porcha: I don’t know if you have heard about everything with me and Chace?

  Alanna: I heard a little what actually happened?

  Porcha: he used me alanna, he pretended that he and I were together so that he could break up with Chelsea.

  Alanna: that’s Chace alright, how are you coping?

  Porcha: you know as good as to be expected how are you getting on with your new boyfriend?

  Alanna: my boyfriend?

  Porcha: yes the tall good looking British one!

  Alanna: oh yes its going fine.

  Porcha: someone said that you took a break from college? Alanna: yes I really needed a break from it all.

  Porcha: that’s the best thing if you are not feeling yourself. Alanna: what do you mean?

  Porcha: I heard you had a bit of a scare health wise.

  Alanna: yeah I wasn’t sleeping right and I had a funny turn but I am fine.