I guess not. Alanna it is 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 sure all I know is that I am dreading it!
You will be fine!
I know see you when I see you!
Ten
After I am finished packing, I walk over to the window to have one last look at the streets of London. I see the tourist information point where I went 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 is the dark haired man, who I saw with Adrian Black last night. I am sure of it, I lean closer and yes, it is the guy from last night. I think why he is here. Maybe Adrian Black has been staying in this hotel, while I was here. Possibly the dark haired man 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. I cannot, he would think I was crazy, right? On the other hand, maybe not, I try to convince myself that it is the only thing to do. 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. However, this time there is no card, no bellman and no earrings just a simple red rose. I step back into the room and rush over to the window. There I see the black car still sitting there, but now there is not one man in the car but there are two and one may just be Adrian Black. As quickly as I can breathe, the car speeds away and all that 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. Sitting 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 is 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 and 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?”
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 bellman 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. I throw them into my wash bag and head out the room, all the while I cannot get that dream out of my head. I cannot believe I dreamt that Adrian Black was my husband, of all things how random. Still it was a dream that I did not want to wake from. I hand over all my suitcases to the bellman 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 would.
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.”
Eleven
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 was saying how much she wished she were there. 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 did not have to go into the city. However, I really cannot 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 does not, 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, says something, and starts to walk over to me.
“Alanna what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say quietly.
“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 feeling guilty after my outburst.
“Sorry Alanna I should have guessed, you had a long flight and you 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 cannot help but wonder is he fishing to see if I know that 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 right, that was 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 you before the New Year?”
“Marco,” I say in a soft tone. “I can’t say that I have, I think it would be better if 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 ne
ed 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. 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 are you sick of me 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.” 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 cannot just let that be the last time I see him, I cannot 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 as if he talks to girls like they are dirt, everyone you talked to in London told you he was messed up perhaps they are right.”
“I don’t think he is messed up, he possibly has a few issues, but who hasn’t?”
“Alanna listen to yourself, 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 that 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.”
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 cannot believe Sophie’s reaction; I do not understand why she is acting this way. She has never even laid eyes on Adrian Black so why should she get to judge? I cannot help but think if this were Sophie, if she was the one who met him, then she would be acting in the very same way.
Twelve
By the next morning, I feel much more rested and more like me. I rush into the bathroom and take a long hot shower. I blow dry my hair and quickly change into today’s outfit. I head down the stairs and pour myself a coffee. I take a seat and open up my laptop. As I scroll through my emails, I find one from Portia and with a little excitement; I open up the email to read,
Hi, Alanna I hear your home from London how was your trip. We must catch up soon Portia.
I reply, Portia hi,
Yes my trip was great I would love to catch up just say when, Alanna. I hit send and go back to my inbox, no more emails to reply to so I shut my laptop and slide it out in front of me. KNOCK! There is someone at the door, I go over and open it to find a deliveryman with a little red bag.
“Miss Hart.”
“Yes,” I say looking surprised. I never thought that Marco would still be sending gifts after what had happened yesterday. I take the bag from the man and ask once again.
“I don’t suppose you know who this is from?”
“Miss, I do but I was told not to say.”
“Huh.”
“Now if you would excuse me I must go.”
“Wait,” I shout. “You can’t just walk off, please tell me who is sending me these gifts.”
“I can’t miss, I would get sacked.”
“Just one clue please Sir.” The man turns and walks over, “Miss there will be a lot more of this, every day in fact, I have been given a load of boxes, little bags flowers, chocolates that sort of stuff and I have to deliver one to you each day. In time, sooner than you think he will reveal himself to you.”
“What,” I choke out, “But why?”
“Isn’t it clear Miss, he loves you.”
With that, the man is gone. I go back into the house. I take a seat in the living room and try to wrap my head around all this. Why was someone going to all this trouble? Why was I the recipient of these gestures? I try to compose myself as I hold the little red bag. I look inside and there are two little boxes. A black one and the other, is white with a love heart on the front. I open up the first box and what I find is a key. Not to a house but it looks like a key to a car. I lift out the key to have a closer look and there written on the other side are the words (Lamborghini). I quickly close the box and open the other one. I find a circular black diamond pendent hanging from a white gold diamond chain. I smile at the sight of the necklace but wonder about the car keys. It is an expensive luxury car and I could not imagine anyone giving one away as a gift, I rack my brain but there is no answer to why. I lift up the keys again and gaze at them, I have the key to Lamborghini, but the car is nowhere in sight.
Who is he? I wonder as I sip coffee, when it was just a few bouquets of flowers and pair of earrings, I was so sure that it was Marco. He was the only person I thought at the time, who could possibly be doing this. Somehow, now I do not feel as if there is any chance at all that it is Marco. He does not own a Lamborghini actually; I know that he does not even like them. The time and effort in which has been put into this whole thing speaks for itself. I have never known Marco to plan anything in life, let alone care enough about someone to go to all this trouble. I cannot lie and say that I am not a little worried about this. Although, it seems like a sweet thing that someone cares enough to send me all these little gifts and beautiful flowers. Out there, somewhere is the man that is doing this. How do I know that he is not a stalker? How do I know that he does not watch my house every night? Am I sure that this man is not dangerous? It all seems a little obsessive to me. However, I would be lying if I said I was not intrigued. An hour or so later, I am cooking dinner and I am feeling a little uneasy being in the house alone. Therefore, I have locked all the doors just in case. When Sophie comes home to find all the doors locked, I see that she is rather worried; I try my best not to let her see the fear that is inside me. So instead, I make her believe that my dad heard there was some weirdo on the loose and has insisted that I keep all my doors locked, all of the time. After all Sophie was a little judgmental yesterday when I was talking to her about Adrian Black, I really hate to think what she would make of all this. I have decided not to say anything to her. Whatever gifts I receive from now on, I will hide them up the stairs in an old shoebox under my bed. The only thing I will have to worry about is if Sophie answers the door to the deliveryman. If that does happen I will have to concoct a story so perfect that she simply has no
doubts.
“Dinner smells good,”
“Yeah it will be ready in ten minutes.”
“I just had the most stressful day.” Sophie says holding her head in her hands. “What happened?” I say.
“I had to go back over to Columbia today to pick up my revised schedule.”
“Yes.”
“On my way out of the office I ran into Chelsea.”
“Never,”
“Yes it was the most painful conversation I think I have ever had in my entire life.”
“What did she say?” I ask.
“Just saying she was sorry, she never meant to hurt me, but she loves Chace and she wishes that we could put all this behind us and try to move on.”
“The cheek what does she thinks she is?”
“I know but the worst thing is almost felt sorry for her.”
"How could you possibly feel sorry for her?”
“I just felt as if maybe she really didn’t mean to hurt me, maybe she and Chace are meant to be together and that I maybe have a different path to follow.”
“Sophie,” I begin to say but stop myself.
Is Sophie actually moving on from Chace? Has she finally come to terms with what happened?
“Sophie I think that is a really brave thing for you to do, it just shows that you are the much bigger person.”
“I have been moping around for weeks but somehow now, I feel at peace with everything. I don’t know if it was the whole New Year thing but I feel different Alanna.”
I am so glad,” I say going over to her and giving her a hug.
“I really couldn’t have got through this without you Alanna.” I flash her simile.
After dinner I go up to my bedroom and switch on my laptop I lay back on my bed and log into my emails I look over to right of the screen and have a quick glance to see who Is online Jessica’s name sticks out at me so I open the instant message chat box and compose a message,
Alanna: Hi Jessica
I tap my finger rapidly on my laptop as I await a reply
Jessica: Hello, Alanna how are you?
Alanna: I am fine thanks, and you.
Three Thousand Miles To You,(Three Thousand Miles, Series, Book #1) Page 6
