“I know what’s wrong with her!” Adrian says firmly as my heart begins to race. “She doesn’t like you, she told me as much today.” Adrian laughs down the phone. “I couldn’t care less if she likes me or not, but she doesn’t have the right to manipulate Jeff into making a stupid decision. Notonly has he quit on me, but he is threating to sue the company for millions.”I feel guilty at Adrian’s words as I know that his torment is at the hands of one of my friends. Katharine used to be so carefree and nice, but now she has a heart of ice and she knows exactly what she wants – money and power. I always knew that she wanted more out of life, but to stoop to the levels she has is beyond a joke.
“On what grounds is he suing you?” “He is claiming that I owe him millions because I took an unplanned break from the company. He is saying that I left him to deal with everything on his own and that I didn’t pay him as a CEO.” My heart is racing as this is also my fault. Adrian took a break from work because he came to New York to be with me. I lured him away from his business and I am the reason that he is being sued. I hate that I cause him so much anguish –why does he put with me?
“I am sorry, it’s all my fault.”
“Baby, why would think that this is your fault?” “It’s my fault because you took a break from work so that you could be with me. Of course this is my fault and I cause you so much torment, why do you continue to stay with me?”
“Alanna, don’t you ever think like that. I would rather have no company than be without you. You are the single, most important thing in my life. Don’t ever feel that you cause me torment, if anything I am the one who causes you pain. You stand by everything that I do and you stick with me when I tell you about my secrets. I am thankful every day for you and I don’t want to hear those words pass from your lips again, do you understand me?” I smile at his words, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling guilty. I gently close my eyes as I agree with him as I don’t want upset him by disobeying his orders.
“I love you so much and I will always stand by you.”
“I…Love…you.” Adrian says through clenched teeth. He always grits his teeth when he shows emotion and I find it sexy as it shows his tormented side. “Anyway baby, your friends are arriving at 5pm, I have arranged for a car to pick them up and I shouldn’t be far behind them. Are you going to the orphanage, today?”
“Yes, but don’t worry I will be home before five.” I say as I rush out of the kitchen and into the hallway. I grab my bag and car keys and I rush out of the house as I continue my phone call with Adrian.
“Okay, please drive safely those roads are slippery today and your car is a death trap on ice.”I laugh at his words and then I ask him about William.
“Are we having William over, tonight?” Adrian pauses before he answers and I can hear is steady breathing as he considers his options.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to have him over when your friends are coming to stay?
“I don’t think that they would mind, but if you feel that it would be awkward then perhaps it’s for the best if he doesn’t come.But it’s totally your call.” “Yes, well I will think about it and make a decision.” Adrian’s voice is shallow as he bids me goodbye. “I will see you later and don’t forget drive safely and text me when you get there.”
“Yes, yes, I will now bye.” I jump in my car, start the engine and push my foot on the gas pedal as I try to forget the drama that has unfolded today. I drive in the direction of the orphanage with an image of Adrian in my mind.
Fourteen
My day at the orphanage starts out great. When I arrived I was met by a bunch of excited, screaming kids. Every Monday I am faced with the same affection as the children always state that they miss me terribly when I have my days off. I always return their affection as I gush at how much I have missed them and if I am totally honest, I probably miss them more than they miss me.
When I first arrive the children are usually eating their breakfast, but as I arrived a little later than usual today, the kids have already eaten and now they are on to their studies and play groups. The olderchildren sit at the computers as Janet hovers over their shoulders. I really admire her and I just love her sense of humour. If the children misbehave then shewill shout at them until they do as she says and once they obey she is back to being their best friend. The children respect her and they understand how much she has sacrificed to look after them. Janet doesn’t have a life outside the orphanage she lives and breathes for these kids and I admire her for that. She doesn’t seem to care about the outside world and she would rather spend her nights mopping up sick than out at some fancy restaurant. She knows that helping the children and caring from them is the most satisfying thing that she could ever do.
I make my way out of the old, rustic kitchen and I head over to the smaller children and I present them with a platter of fruit. Their little faces light up and I am stunned because I have never met children before who actually like to eat fruit. Penelope will not touch a fruit or vegetable and no matter how hard my mom tries encourage her to eat healthy, she will not and she always wins against my mom.
The children tuck into their snack and as I watch them I smile. I take in their little faces and their smiles and I feel a sense of accomplishment. I feel that I am helping them and that I am making a difference in their lives. I adore my job here at the orphanage and I am thankful to Janet for giving me the opportunity to help.
“Miss Alanna, why do you look… sad?” I hear a faint voice ask. I turn around to see who the words have come from and that’s when Olivia flashes in front of me. She looks concerned as she sits at the table, chewing on a piece of banana. Her blonde hair is flowing and her big brown eyes are sparkling. She is so beautiful and I could stare at her all day. As she stares at me I can see that she looks, worried. I lean closer in towards her as I try to reassure her that I am not sad.
“Sweetie I’m not sad,” I say smoothly, but Olivia isn’t buying my answer. “Your eyes look funny, you have been crying.” I blush at her words – how can she tell that I have been crying? I thought that I took care of my make-up but obviously I haven’t. I scratch the bridge of my nose – nervously as I reply.
“I have been crying, but I’m fine,” Olivia drops her fruit down onto her plate and she stuns me when she leaps into my arms. Her hands are wrapped around my neck and she gently kisses my cheek.
“When I cry, Miss Janet hugs me and gives me a kiss and it always makes me feel better.” I gently laugh at her words and thenI hold her tighter. I can feel the warmth of her skin on mine and now with her affection, I cry again. Tears are running from my eyes and they are soaking intoOlivia’s bright pink dress. I squeeze her as I don’t want to let her go. She feels right in my arms and I feel as if I… love her. I want to care for her and I want to give her the life that she deserves.
After my emotional breakdown I head into the bathroom as I check my makeup. My eyes are red and are stinging and my cheeks are flushed. I quickly wipe away my mascara with a soft tissue and then I splash some cold water onto my face. I stare at myself in the mirror and I am little scared by what I see. My eyes are red and heavy and my skin is very pale. I have cold sweat building on my forehead and my lips are as dry as a cork. I frown at my reflection and then I switch off the light in the bathroom as I burst out into the hallway.
I walk back along the hall and as I pass by Janet’s office, I can hear her talking on the phone. Her voice is serious and very alarming, I move closer to the open door and I gently lean my head against the wall as I try to listen in on what she is saying.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” She saysfirmly down the phone. Her voice is sharp and as I peek through the glass window of the door; I can see that Janet is sitting at her desk. Her face looks tense and she is nervously tapping her hand against the surface of the wooden desk. I quickly look away as she begins to talk again.
“Please don’t make me do this, I feel strongly about her and I don’t want to break the g
irls heart.” She says in a strong voice, but as I look at her again I feel that she is fighting a losing battle. I duck my head away again as I fear that Janet might catch me listening in on her phone call. I stand for another few moments as Janet pleads with the person on the other end of the phone. After several failed attempts to try to convince her mystery caller otherwise, she agrees with whatever he or she has asked. Janet hangs up the phone and she slams it onto her desk. I can’t help but wonder what has her so rattled and if I am honest I would love to know what it is. After all I do work here now and if it’s something regarding one of the children then I feel that I deserve to know. I have become attached to every child and I would hate to think of them being hurt.
As I begin to walk away from Janet’s door, she shouts on me and I blush when I realise that she knows that I was eavesdropping. “Alanna I know that you are there, please would you come in here a moment.” I flush hot as I push the door open further and Iwalk into her large office. She smiles at me and I blush again as I feel bad that Iwas listening in to her private phone call. Janet alerts me to close the door behind me and to take a seat at her desk. I do as she says and then I smile at her as I try to make up for what I did.
“I need to talk to you about… something.” She sounds serious and I straighten my face as I alert her to continue.
“Go on,” I say smoothly. Janet begins to fidget as she nervously bangs her pen against the wood. I can feel my heart racing as I await her words. “I have been thinking about your work experience here and I feel that you have gained enough experience now. I think that it’s time for you to move on and to further your horizons. I will be sad to see you leave, but I feel that it would be for the best.” My heart is pounding, how can Janet do this to me?
“I have only been working here for a few weeks and I haven’t had enough experience yet. I want to stay and I want to help the children. Please don’t do this to me.” As Janet frowns at me I realise that her phone call was about me. Someone has called her and asked her to fire me. I scowl as I can’t believe this. Who would do this to me? I stare at Janet as confront her on this.
“Someone called and asked you to fire me, right?” Janet looks down at the table – nervously. “You have to tell me who it was.” Janet scowls at me as she leans closer towards me. Her eyes are fixed on mine and her smile has faded into a straight line. I stare at her as I try to hold back my tears.
“Yes you are right, but you still have to leave.”
“Why?” Janet considers her words before she talks and I impatiently wait her next confession. “Believe me dear, I don’t want you to leave, but it is for our own safety that I must insist that you give up your job here at the orphanage.” I can’t take in her words and my head is now pounding. I need answers and I need them quickly as my heart is about to burst from my chest.
“Janet you have to tell me who has called you and exactly what they said. I can’t leave until I know all of the facts.” Janet sighs and then she nods at me. Her eyes have filled with water and I reach over and take her hand as she explains everything to me.
“A chap called me and he said that he knows you and Adrian. He said that he knew that you worked for me and he also said that he has been threatening you. He told me that if I want to save your life then I must fire you from your job. I am scared that he is genuine in his threats, therefore I must ask you again to leave.” Janet squeezes my hand and as soon as her words pass from her lips, I agree exactly with what she is saying. I have been threatened in so many ways and I know that the danger that I am in is genuine and I have the scars to prove it. I would never put anyone else at risk for the sake of me and especially not Janet and the children of this orphanage, so I will quit my job as I don’t have any other choice.
“I will go and say goodbye to the kids.” I begin to stand up from the chair, but Janet pulls my arm and I land back onto the seat.
“I need to talk to about Olivia,” I immediately take notice of her words and I listen intently. “A family has approached us about adopting her.” “Wow that’s amazing, right?” Janet’s lips curve and she releases a deafening laugh. I slightly jump from the sound, but I manage to compose myself as she begins to explain about Olivia’s potential parents.
“Yes its wonderful news and they seem like really good people. They are both doctors and they have already have an adopted child. They were at the visiting day and when they saw Olivia, something inside of them clicked with her.”
“That’s really good news, Olivia is an amazing child and she deserves to have a great life. With wonderful parents who will love and provide for her. I truly couldn’t be happier about this news.” Janet smiles at me and then she stands up and walks over to me. I stand as she hovers over me and when I am positioned in front of her, she pulls me close fora hug. Her warm arms are holding onto my as she whispers.
“You have a kind heart and one day you will have our own orphanage and those kids will be the luckiest children in the world because you are there to care for them. Never forget your kindness as it makes you the most special girl that I have ever met.” I pull back from Janet and then we walk side by side along the hallway until we reach the lounge. As weenter Janet alerts the children that she needs a moment of their attention.
“Children,” she urges and all of the kids instantly stop their playtime as they turn to face us. I can feel my throat drying up as I hate goodbyes and know that I am going to break Olivia’s heart by leaving. I promised her that I would always be around and now I have to break that promise. Her heart will break and I will feel terrible, but I know that there is no other way to keep her safe.
“Now today is a very sad day because Miss Alanna has decided that it’s time that she moves on from us. I don’t want any tears or protests it’s just the way life goes. Now come and say your goodbyes.” A few of the younger children rush over to me and they give me gentle hugs as they say goodbye. I grip them tightly as I wish that I didn’t have to leave. I hold back my tears as I hug every child in the orphanage – expect for one. I scan the room in search of Olivia and when I spot her, she is standing over by the back wall with her arms folded and with tears in her eyes. I march over to her and when I reach her I kneel down to her level. I gaze into her eyes as I gently stroke her cheek.
“Sweetie, aren’t you going to say goodbye?” “No, I don’t want to say goodbye. I want you to stay, why are you leaving me?” I try to soothe her as I move my hand onto her arm. She looks furious with me and I hate to see her like this. Olivia means a lot to me and I hate that I have broken our bond and I feel that I need to try to explain my reasons for leaving as I don’t want her to hate me.
“Sweetie, I need to leave.”
“But why,” Olivia insists. I exhale as I look at her sad eyes. “I need to leave because if I don’t then everyone here will be in danger. There are people out there who aren’t very nice and they don’t want me to stay here with you. I want to keep you and your friends safeand the only way I can do that is by leaving. I want you to know that nothinghas changed, I still care about you and you will always be in my heart.” Olivia accepts my explanation as she lunges into my arms. I grip her tightly and I stay in her grasp for what seems like – forever.
Fifteen
When I arrive home after my terrible day at the orphanage, I am drained. All I feel like doing is curling up into a ball and never moving again, but that isn’t an option as it’s less than an hour until Sophie and James arrive. As I prepare for their arrival, I begin to think about my ordeal of the day. I woke up this morning and everything was awesome and now my worldhas shattered. I have no job and I have lost one of my dear friends and to top it all off, I was followed and threatened by someone in a black Lamborghini. I don’t know what I have done to deserve such a punishment. I have lived a good and honest life, but maybe that’s my downfall. I always see the good in everyone and I always try to put a positive spin on everything that happens.Maybe I deserve to be punished because of my honesty and for the
love that I have for Adrian.
I finish preparing the guest bedroom and then I head back downstairs as I begin to prepare dinner for my guests. I whip up Sophie’s favourite meal – chicken parmesan and then I set the table, making sure that I have an extra place setting just in case Adrian decides to have William over. I light a few candles whilst I keep the food warm in the oven and then I leap into action when I hear the doorbell ring. I stride into the hallway and I check myself in the mirror before I open the door. I smile as I am looking a little fresher than I did earlier on. I take a deep breath and then I open the door to reveal Sophie and James.
“Hello,” they greet me as I step out into cold to hug them.
“It’s been forever, come on in.” I urge as I take Sophie by the arm. James follows behind us as he carries their bags.
“Where will I put the bags?” He softly asks. “Just set them down there,” I say as I point to the end of the staircase. “Adrian will take them upstairs when he comes home.” James obeys my orders and once their bags are set down, I lead them into the lounge. When we enter James compliments me on the house and then he stares at me – a little awkwardly. I try to brush off his intense stare as I offer them something to drink.
“Would you like something to drink?” Sophie laughsand then I laugh with her
– but I am not sure what we are laughing at. Sophie straightens her face and then she glances at James before she answers my question.
“Water will be fine,” I smile at her and then I make my way into the kitchen. I rummage in the fridge and I take out a large bottle of Evian. I grab a few glasses from the counter and then I head back into the lounge. When I enter I notice that Sophie has taken off her coat and now I am seeing her baby bump for the first time. My eyes light up as she glows, her bump is quite prominent but at the same time it’s very cute. I march over and I set the glasses and the bottle of water down onto the drinks cabinet. I slowly begin to pour three glasses of water and then I take two of them and I glide over James. As I hand him his drink, he begins to stare at me again. I feel a little annoyed and tense and I wish that he would stop. I try to ignore him as I head over to Sophie.
Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) Page 20
