Three Thousand Miles To You

by Delia Longford

  “Miss Hart” I look over and see Jackson holding a white piece of paper. “Yes” I say as I walk over to him. “The car is here are you ready?” “Almost can you give me a minute?” “Of course” I walk

  over to the kitchen and see Maggie standing sipping a coffee “miss hart you will be late for your exams” “no I have time, I just wanted to say how amazing you are” “for what dear?” “the way you handled things after Edward left you” “I just did what anyone would” “no you did more, I know someone who went through the very same thing and his mother chose a different way” “who my dear?” “Adrian his dad left him when he was two and his mother blamed him she became addicted to drugs and alcohol she never cared about him unlike you who put everything on hold so could look after your daughter, I wish that Adrian had someone like you!” “I didn’t know that Mr. Black went through that tell me dear how old is he?” “twenty five” “I see” Maggie looks as if she has one million things going on in her head, she looks worried and confused I see her try to take this in its almost as if she has something important to say. “Maggie what’s wrong?” I say moving closer to her “Nothing dear were in London is Mr. Black originally from?” “I am not sure exactly but I know that it was a very rough area” “I see what was his mother’s name?” “Alice she is an American” and his father what was his name?” “I don’t know, is there something more to this? Do you know something?” “Maybe, no I don’t go on get to your exam” “Maggie you do know something please tell me” “miss hart I don’t really know for sure but would you do something for me?” “Yes anything” “would you ask Mr. Black about his father?” “Do you know him?” “no but I want to know about him I think that I have heard of him and his mother Alice, tell me dear what does Mr. Black look like?” “He is tall and has light brown hair and the most gorgeous green eyes” “green eyes?” “Yes oh wait here I have a picture of him on my phone” I reach into my sweater pocket and take out my phone I flick through all the images until I come across the one of Adrian. Before I show Maggie the picture I take a second to have a look at it again myself I had to be so sneaky to get this shot of him, he was standing by the dinner table and was pouring a glass of water his hair was like silk and his eyes were glowing he was dressed in a dark blue suit with a white striped shirt he looked so amazing that I just stood there for ages looking at him he didn’t see me so I took out my phone and took his picture. I had asked him several times for one but he always said no. after I stare at the photo for seems likes hours I finally show it to Maggie as she claps eyes on Adrian she gasps and gives the phone immediately back to me. “Maggie what’s wrong?” she is staring blankly and is not saying word I move closer to her and again ask her what’s wrong. “That’s Edward” I am confused what does she mean? Does Adrian remind her of Edward? Or is there something more? “Maggie that’s Adrian” “yes I know but he is the spitting image of Edward” “how is that possible?” “Miss Hart I think that Edward may be Mr. Blacks father” “no how can he be? Adrian’s dad left him when he was only two no there has to be another reason he looks like him” “miss hart there is no other reason Edward Black is your boyfriends father” I can’t take all this in I feel I need to sit down or I will pass out. I take a seat and I kindly ask Maggie for a glass of water. “Did he ever mention Adrian to?” “Yes he told me he had a son and that he decided it was best for him to stay with his mother when they separated” “but they never separated he just left them, this means that Adrian has a sister?” I say not believing the word that are coming from my lips “Yes Emma Black is his sister” “I can’t begin to process this, how can this be? Does Adrian know?” I say taking a long sip of water “No I don’t think he has a clue to be honest” “where did he find you?” “I work for an agency who have chefs and cleaners nanny’s that type of stuff and Mr. Black called and asked for the best chef and let’s face it the money is great and I really needed it I must say that the name got me thinking but I never expected all this” “he will be amazed when he finds out he has always wanted a real family and now he can have the chance of that with Emma” “I would love it for them to meet but miss hart I think that it will be hard on them at first so we must be there for them you

  understand?” “of course this is overwhelming to think that you were here all along and knew his father and is the mother of his sister” “I know it’s such a small world and I really hope that Emma and Mr. Black can have some kind of relationship” “I am sure he would want that to” “what’s he like?” “He is a complicated type but very kind and generous he had a very rough time as a child and he carries around a lot of guilt and he can be very controlling as I am sure you know considering the circumstances here” “yes I find this whole thing a bit odd if I am honest” “I am sure you do but he is only doing this for my safety there is nothing more important to him than that” “are you in danger?” I don’t really want to tell Maggie anything that might scare her off and if she knew that people were after his loved ones then she would certainly think twice about letting Emma get to know him. “I am not in danger for sure it’s more of a precaution than anything else if knew Adrian then would understand” “yes well hopefully I will get to meet him” “he is on his way here I think” “really?” “Yes he told me last night although I haven’t heard from him today I am sure he is still coming” “tell me dear has he ever saw his father since he left?” “no I don’t think so he doesn’t remember anything about him I don’t think” “I can’t believe how much he looks like him it’s unbelievable” “I know you could never dream up such a thing” “to think that all this time my employer has been my daughters half-brother” “what does Emma look like?” “She looks like her father she has the same jet black hair and green eyes sometimes it scares me how much she is like him but having seen Mr. Black the resemblance is uncanny” “he will be thrilled by this I know it” “I hope he is, anyway dear you are most defiantly going be late” I check my watch and I see that I am late. I give Maggie a smile and get up and head over to Michaels room. I knock on his door but he does not answer, I knock again and still nothing. So I try the door handle and the door is unlocked. I push open the door and I see Michael lying on the bed with earphones in and again he is shirtless. He sees me and pulls out one earphone. “What do you want?” he says harshly “I am going to college I have my exam today” “I see and why are you telling me?” “I just thought that maybe you would like to come with me?” Michael’s ways out all the options in his head I can see his face changing as he decides. “Ok let me get a shirt” he gets up and lifts up his big carry bag which looks like Prada to me, he takes out a black shirt with a white collar. As he tries to put it on he can’t seem to do up the buttons and he is taking forever I fear that I will be late so I walk over to him and ask if I can help. He looks at me and says “go ahead” I undo all the buttons he has already done and start from the top and work my way down. I look at him and think of how gorgeous he really is. I don’t understand how he and Adrian feel way they do about me. I look so plain and ordinary compared to them they could have models for girlfriends not some little dainty girl like me. I finish doing up his shirt and he looks at me and says “thanks for that” I head out into the large hallway and wait for Michael. As we walk out the door I hear Maggie shout after me “miss hart good luck today” I smile at her and am still processing the fact of who she really is. When we get down stairs the car is waiting for us I quickly step inside and the car speeds off. I look over at Michael and Jackson they are sitting so quiet and motionless it’s as if they are statues. My phone beeps in my pocket and I take it out to see a message from Adrian.

  Alanna my love how are you?

  I quickly reply to him. I have no idea how I am going to break the news about Maggie to him.

  I am good how are?

  Fine I am at the airport I will be with you shortly Where are you exactly?

  Don’t get mad but I am heading to college

  I told you not to, but I understand how
important it is to you. What airport are you at?

  JFK.

  Really? You are here?

  Where else would I be?

  I thought you were just about to get on the plane Adrian there is something I need to talk to you about.

  What is there something wrong?

  No, it’s about Maggie.

  Who is Maggie?

  The chef you hired.

  What did she do?

  Nothing Adrian why are you so negative?

  Just used to people letting me down.

  Well anyway what I have to tell you is very important and very surprising so don’t get all worked up about it ok?

  Alanna just tell me what it is!

  I don’t know how to say it

  Alanna!

  Ok, when Maggie was in college she met this guy a journalist he was from Chicago and she got together with him and she had his baby.

  That’s very nice but what’s that got to do with me?

  I was about to tell you

  Go on then

  After the child was born things quickly turned sour he went from woman to woman and he wouldn’t come home for days. When the baby was one year old he left them his name was Edward Black.

  Alanna are you sure about this?

  Yes Adrian I am sure you have a sister her name is Emma. I don’t know what to say

  I was shocked to but Adrian Maggie is an amazing lady she dropped out college and worked two jobs she did everything for Emma.

  I really have a sister?

  Yes you have a chance to have a family with her.

  What if she doesn’t want to know me?

  Maggie thinks that she will and she hopes for you two to meet. How did she know about this?

  She didn’t she just told me about her struggles and about Edward I told her I really admired her for what she did for her daughter and I explained a little about you. She kind of put two and two together and came to the realization that you where Edwards son.

  It seems a little sudden to me are you sure that it’s true? Yes Adrian I showed her a picture of you and she knew immediately.

  Where did you get the picture?

  Does that matter?

  I don’t suppose so baby thank you for telling me this. What else what I do?

  Some girls would be jealous!

  Not this girl, Adrian I think that Maggie and her family really struggle for money.

  I see well I can help them if they let me.

  I am sure they will Maggie as I keep saying is really a lovely person.

  Yes I hope to meet to her, alanna are you at college yet? No it looks like we are stuck in traffic.

  We?

  Yes Jackson the guard and Michael.

  I wasn’t under the impression that he was there with you. I wanted him there.

  I see, and how are things with you and him?

  Not very good he says he is going back to London. How do you feel about that?

  I am not going to lie I am not happy about it.

  Do you want him to stay?

  Yes, I have grown very fond of him and I want him here he is a good friend to me.

  But he wants more?

  Yes he does but I have made it clear that nothing will ever happen.

  I know Michael this must be terrible on him.

  He says he can’t watch me with you so he has to go back to London.

  Did you ask him to stay?

  I did.

  What did he say?

  He said that I can’t have it both ways.

  I see I will try to talk to him ok?

  Please do I don’t want to see you two fall out over me. Alanna baby I have to go right now but I will see you soon ok? Okay I love you Adrian!

  As I put my phone back into my pocket I look over to Michael who looks even sadder than he did before. I hate to see him like this I want everything to go back to the way it was before. I wish he could see that there is a place in my life for him and that I need him before I am complete. I know that it is selfish of me to want the both of them in my life but it’s the way I feel. The love I have for Adrian consumes me and it’s not gravity holding me to the planet but it’s him. However the way I feel about Michael alarms me I know that a part of me would be missing if I didn’t have him and I really hope that he and Adrian can work things out. I could never survive with the thought of ripping two brothers apart. “Is everything ok alanna?” I am surprised to hear Michael say. “I was just taking to Adrian I found out today that he has a half-sister” Michael looks as shocked as everyone else did. “How did that happen?” “You know Maggie our chef?” “Yes” “she had a baby to Edward Adrian’s father but he did the same to them as he did to Alice and Adrian” “this is hard to take in” “tell me about it Maggie was with us all the time and we never knew a thing” “are you sure?” Michael says with a puzzled look on his face “Yes positive Adrian has a sister her name is Emma Black” “he will be happy about this he has always wanted a family and now he has a real sister” “I know it’s amazing I am so happy for him” “I am to Adrian is and will always be my brother despite everything with you” “Michael please don’t fight with Adrian over me anymore it’s not worth it” “you are worth it alanna” “no I am not I am just some girl you don’t argue with family over girlfriends” “but I do love you” “I know you do but please say you will at least try to mend things with Adrian?” “I can’t promise you that”. I turn my head away from him I don’t want to look at his sad eyes any longer I feel to guilty for how I make him feel. We sit in silence for a while but I see the driver of the car look over to Michael it looks like he wants to say something so Michael gets closer and the driver turns to him and says something into his ear. Michael quickly looks out the back window of the car and makes a dashing look towards Jackson. I know that something is not quite right so I decide instead of asking Michael what is wrong I will look for myself. I turn fully around and lean my head to side so I can fully see out the back window. At first I can’t see anything alarming but then I see what has got the guys flustered a black Lamborghini. “The Marshalls” I say out loud and Michael shoots me a glance. “Put your feet down loose them” Michael instructs the driver and that’s exactly what he does. As the car speeds forward I fall back in my seat a little from the acceleration. I hear the loud roar of the Lamborghini behind us the driver looks worried and says “there are wanting to chase us look how close they are” Michael turns round and has such a worried look on his face “lose them” “sir they have a Lamborghini that won’t be easy” “just do it!” Michael shouts and the car speeds on even faster. I don’t know what to do I just sit frozen this is really happening I never thought of it being as serious as this even with the bullet I thought that it was all just bluff but now this is real! The black escalade swerves and doges round bends and through red lights. The speed is over whelming and I can barely stay in my seat. Despite all the drivers efforts the Lamborghini is still right behind us chasing us down and not giving us a chance. The car speeds off again this time not as fast as the driver had hoped the black Lamborghini is now alongside us and I can see who is driving it’s no one that I recognize but someone who wants to kill me. I feel a shudder and I see that the black sports car is now bumping into the side of us. With the speed we are going the sudden bumps and hits are making the car lose its grip on the road. I see that Michael is scared out of his skin “go on faster lose them stay on the road” he shouts Jackson is still sitting motionless with a troubled look on his face. As for me I can’t speak I am froze in one spot and I am terrified for my life and for Michaels and Jacksons. I think of Adrian and how he will feel when he hears about this the guilt that he will have it doesn’t even bare to think about. The car again gets hit and the driver starts to lose control this time he can’t stop it the hit was too hard. The car is spinning round and round and is sliding off the road and onto the sidewalk. The car doesn’t slow down and instead is hitting everything in its path. Michael reaches over and catches m
y hand. He looks at me and says “you will be ok” I can’t say anything back I try but no words come out. The car slides and hits into one of the buildings I jolt forward with the impact. The car eventually comes to a stop and I look around to make sure that everyone is ok screams are coming from outside the car people are running away scared and kids and crying. I look out but there is no sign of the Lamborghini. “Mr. Jenkins we must get out of the car” Jackson says in a professional voice. He is still holding onto my hand. He pushes open the door and Jackson jumps out first then the driver. “Come on” Michael says to me as he eases me out the car. “Are you ok?” I look up at him I see he has a small scratch on his cheek and it begins to bleed so I take my hand a wipe it away. “Yes I am ok” I manage to say in a quiet voice. The noise is deafening that I hear so I turn around and there is the black car once again. This time it doesn’t keep driving but instead pulls over at the side of the road. “Alanna we must run come on” Michael says and he starts to run down the street pulling me along behind him. I turn and I see a figure coming out of the car and it begins to run after us. “Mr. Jenkins give me the girl” I hear Jackson say as he runs alongside us “no she stays with me I will not let her go” “I really must insist!” Jackson says in a firm tone “no I said she is staying with me I won’t let anyone hurt her!” “It is my job sir” “I don’t care follow us but she stays next to me ok?” Jackson doesn’t respond I can just hear his feet slam against the sidewalk as he runs. My feet begin to ache as I try to keep up with Michael I want to stop running I want all this to be over. “Michael my feet hurt can we please stop for a second?” “No alanna he is still after you we can’t stop!” I turn around and I see the man running towards us. I again look to Michael. “Michael I will be late for finals” “alanna I don’t care!” “but it’s important” “yes and getting away from this person who wants to kill you is important to” “Michael thanks for this” “thank me later when you are safe” we keep running for what seems like miles I am really out breath now and I can’t go on any longer. I look behind me and the man isn’t so close anymore in fact he is a distant figure that I still can’t make out. “Michael I need to stop for minute I can’t go on I can’t breathe” “alanna!” he shouts then he looks at me and stops. “I am sorry for shouting are you ok?” I gasp not able to speak I see Jackson panting and the sweat is dripping from him. I look to Michael who is not even out of puff. “How can you do it” I say still gasping “do what?” “Run like that you aren’t even breaking a sweat” Michael doesn’t answer he is looking franticly around him. I turn around and the figure is getting closer this time he is right behind us Michael again grabs my hand and begins to run he pulls me after him but I am still out of breath and I can’t keep up. My legs begin to give way under the pressure and I can no longer keep my balance. I fall to the ground and twist my ankle as I fall. “Alanna get up!” Michaels says with desperation in his voice. “I can’t my ankle I think it’s broken” I say as the pain takes over me “alanna please try” I try to pull myself up but the pain is excruciating. Michael bends down and lifts me up so that I am standing. I look at him he is so beautiful. “Well I finally caught up to you” I turn around and I see the man who has been following us. He is tall and skinny with a long thin face he is dressed in black jeans and black zip up hoodie. He looks evil I can’t even look at him for I know what he is going to do. “Don’t come any closer” Michael says as he steps back and pulls me to. “Now don’t run away again, let me look at you sweetheart” he stares at me smiling a wicked smile. “Whatever you are being paid I will triple it just please don’t hurt her” “oh we have a bit of a crush on your step bothers girl?” the man says in a strong London accent “Did you hear me name your price and it’s done” “it’s not about the money for me” “then what is it about?” “The kill!” “You are sick she is an innocent girl how could you hurt her?” “Ask Adrian black how he could take my uncles life like that and then maybe you will understand” “your uncle was a nutter Adrian was a child move on” “move on? Do you think that his mother will move on? Knowing that her son was murdered?” “He is a disgusting breed of human but alanna is pure and kind, do you care about her mother?” “You can’t save her!” the man says as pulls out a gun. I see Jackson make his way over to him “now sir drop the gun” “no way she is going to die” “don’t hurt the girl put the gun down and step aside” “no chance” he loads the gun and points it towards me as he pulls the trigger Michael steps in front of me I see him fall to the ground he has been shot in the stomach. I turn my back on the gunman and Jackson rushes over I hear another gunshot this time it’s Jackson that falls to the ground. The gunman backs away he almost turns and walks away but he doesn’t he steps back another few steps and looks at me he winks and then he points the gun again at me this time there is no one in front of me. Only myself and the long thin faced stranger that was about to take my life the gunshot is deafening and I fall to the ground the pain is intoxicating and I can’t breathe I feel so cold and my eyes become hazy I put my hand down to my stomach and I feel the wet blood I am beginning to lose the power of my arms but before I do I see Michael stretch his arm across he loosely grabs my hand with hardly any power I grip his hand the hardest I can. I look over at him and can’t help but feel responsible for all this. He was in his room and I made him come with me this is my fault he stepped in front of a bullet for me. “Alanna” I faintly hear Michael say I can’t speak but I open my eyes and look directly at him. “I love you alanna” he says in a husky voice his eyes immediately close. I can’t keep mines open for much longer but I still manage to hold onto his hand I will never let go as long as I still breathe I won’t let him go. My mind begins to flash all sorts of things my mom and dad and Penelope’s smile, Sophie and I laughing and singing in our pajamas at a sleep over. I have so many memories spinning in my mind I feel it’s keeping me alive thinking of them. The one that keeps replaying is Adrian and the first time I saw him is beauty his rudeness and the way I was drawn to him his glowing green eyes are flashing in my head as I begin to feel myself slip away As I lay dying the one face that I saw was Adrian black!