Five
We have now settled in our hotel and from what I have seen of London (the cab ride from the airport), it is exactly the way I pictured it. Historic, lively, and full of life, luxury, passion and London is a city of love. We are staying in London’s Knightsbridge area in the Sheraton Park Tower Hotel. My dad has booked three rooms, a separate one for him and me, and another for my dad’s business colleague, Julian, who has also come on the trip. My room is ultra-modern with chic fittings and a wonderful view out into the city. I stand by the window and I gaze out, London, can only be described as the most beautiful city I have ever seen. It’s one thirty in the afternoon and I feel like I have to explore I grab a change of clothes and head for my dad’s room.
"Dad," I say as I open the door. He asked for extra keys for the rooms in case of emergencies
"How you liking London?"
“It really is amazing; actually I was thinking about going out and maybe exploring the city a little bit.” My dad looks at me a gives a little cheeky smile
“Okay then sweetie, but please remember to take your cell and give me a quick text or email to let know your safe.”
“I will Dad”
“Lanna before I forget you must be back around six.”
"Why." I say looking a little nervous
“Tonight is the gala; I thought you were going to come along?”
“I wasn’t aware there was an event tonight.”
“Yes all the local businesses will be there, it’s perfect for pitching the products to the market over here.”
“Okay Dad don’t get all business with me, I will be there okay?”
“Don’t forget.”
“Don’t worry I won’t.” I say as I head out the door too excited to look back. I make my way down to the grand lobby and I feel mesmerized by the sheer luxury of the hotel. Everything is so shiny and glamorous, all white and gold with massive flower displays, huge windows with gold drapes hanging from them.
"Good day love." The door attendant says as he opens it for me and here I am Alanna Hart out on the streets of London, swinging around as if I own the place. I really wish someone were here to pinch me. Even though I am on cloud nine, I still cannot escape the fact that I have no idea where to go, what do or how to get there. I walk further down the street and I spot a tourist information point. I do not really feel like going over and looking like the crazy American who cannot find her way around. However, I bite my lip and head over. There is a long tall stand of pamphlet’s and guide books I pick up one that has a picture of Buckingham palace on the front. I scan through a couple of the pages and it takes me no time to figure out that is where I want to go first.
"May I help you?" A small grey haired woman asks.
“Yes I really want to go see Buckingham palace but I’m not really sure how to get there or how far it is away?”
“Okay love, I would say the best thing to do is yell a taxi down and the driver will take you there.” The grey haired woman says in an accent so strong I almost did not understand anything she said.
“Okay.” I say with smile. “Thanks.”
"Wait" the woman says
“Yes mam?” I say with a little swiftness in my voice.
“Where are you from love?”
“New York.” I say with a smile.
“The Big Apple.”
“Yeah,” I say trying to hold back a giggle.
“London welcomes you love.”
“Thanks.” I say turning away and heading down the street.
“Oh mam I forgot where I will get a cab?”
"If you walk down a little there is a taxi rank just wait there and one will come shortly."
“Thanks again.” I turn a head down the street. Taxi rank, taxi rank, I look around but see nothing. I glance over the right and the taxi rank must be that long line of black cars I see. I go over to the first one and an older man is driving with dark black-greying hair
"Hey sir, can you take me to Buckingham palace?"
“Of course my love, hop in.” I sit in the taxi and I look out onto the city ahead and still cannot believe I am here.
"Love, is it your first time in London?"
“Yes.”
“Tell me what does your kind self think of our old town?”
“I think it’s amazing.”
“That’s good to hear, are you here on business or pleasure?”
“Um… a little bit of both.”
“Do you have an English lover?”
“No I’m here with my dad and I’m just out exploring before an event tonight.” “Which event are you going to? If you don’t mind me asking love”
“I think it’s the met gala.”
“Posh lots of powerful people attend there.”
“Yeah I know.”
“Is your father one of them, love?” I laugh.
“He is trying to pitch ideas to the market here.”
I do not why but I feel the need to tell this cab driver the whole story he just somehow makes me feel like I can talk to him about anything. It is a weird felling because no cab driver in New York would give a second thought to what you were saying, never mind be interested in your life.
“Love, make sure you look out for the rich playboys that attend, a pretty young girl like you will sure to be a target for them.”
“I am used to it with the events I attend in the States.”
“Yes I’m sure you are, but the young boys here they are a different story especially.” The driver trails off.
“Especially who?”
“Nothing love just be careful that’s all.”
“We are here love.” I look out of the window and I cannot believe my eyes! Is that really the palace am I finally here?
“That will be £15 love.”
I search for my money in my bag still searching but I cannot seem to find a thing. No purse, no plastic wallet, no nothing. I start to panic and my face flushes hot with shame.
“Sir I can’t believe it but I must have left my cash in my hotel room I am really sorry I don’t know what I can do?”
“Love if you have no money then there is only one thing for it.”
I think of what this man is going to say; surely, he will not get the cops or something crazy like that. He turns fully around in his seat and stares straight into my face.
“Love, flash me a great big smile and we are even.”
Therefore, without hesitation I give him by best smile, which I save for those special red carpet moments. Without a second thought the cab driver says,
"Hope you enjoy London love."
I open the door and as my foot hits the ground, I look back at the driver and yet again flash him another smile.
I walk over to the gates of Buckingham palace and I am still in a state of shock that I am actually here.
BEEP.
Oh, crap I hope it is not my dad hope I have not lost track of time. As I rummage in my bag I find my phone and slide to see it’s a message from Sophie its reads
Hey, Alanna are you landed safely.
I reply, Hey Sophie yes we landed safe just out exploring at the minute London is an amazing.
Sophie is quick to reply
Great what is it like? Are you having fun?
I reply, yes totally amazing having such a great time, but I have a boring event tonight I do not know how I will cope without you there.
You will be fine you are a natural and just think of all the cute British guy’s that will be there.
Yeah I suppose any way I will have to go just now, I will fill you in later okay.
No problem enjoys!
I have a wander around the grounds of the castle and this sight to me is what only exists in fairytales. I think of all the wonderful nights spent in the castle, huge dinners and ballroom dancing the Queen in her finest surrounded by the princes and other royals. It gives me shivers as I look out at the castle. I check my watch and I see it is after three so I decide to head back to the hote
l to get ready for tonight but with no money I guess the only thing do is start walking. I figure the hotel, is up this way I am quite good with direction and I did pay attention in the cab to the route in which we came. I remember that old post box; the yellow Mini Cooper that I saw parked at the side of the road. We definitely passed by those stores, and yes here is the tourist point that I visited today. I see the hotel and as I make my way up the steps. I take one look out onto the cold afternoon of the streets of London and yes, I am here.
Six
We arrive at the gala and it has similar routines of the ones back home. Everyone is dressed to impress. There are people gathered round talking, no doubt about the other guests. Elegant dining and ice buckets full of champagne, although most of the main features are the same; the one thing that remains different is the people. When I attend an event, I usually know everyone in the room but here everyone is a mystery, a blank canvas, not a single face I recognize. To them, they know everyone except the three strangers that have just walked in. My dad and Julian head off in search of some Mr Jenkins they have been talking about all night, as for me I head for the bar.
“What can I get you miss?”
“Um diet coke please.” As the bartender hands me my drink I turn around and scan the entire room looking at the faces of the people who live in this amazing city.
"Oh my god" I say aloud, who is that? To what, I am referring, can only be described as a god. A tall, twenty-seven maybe twenty-eight year old, well-built light brown haired man, with mesmerizing green eyes. He is, without a doubt, the best looking, living person I have ever seen. His long slim legs even out his broad shoulders and the dark blue pin striped suit he is wearing, fits him like a glove. He moves a little closer and I get a better view. Looking at him again, I really cannot believe my eyes. His skin is so tanned and golden it looks like silk, his tousled hair pushed slightly back so you can really appreciate his face. His jaw is so refined and chiseled it would put Brad Pitt to shame. With lips so full and his eyes, I cannot explain it but somehow they look sad even though he is smiling. I hear his voice as he speaks to the other men he is with and it is so captivating that its sending chills down my spine. I stare at him and to my total despair, I see him heading towards the bar. He walks over and stands right next to me, I try not to stare but it is so hard and I am not the only one. As soon as he approached every women around stopped whatever they were doing to have a look at this man. He orders two double scotch on the rocks and waits tapping his long thin finger on the bar. I catch him looking at me with the corner of his eye; I try not to let him notice that I saw him. Then to my shock, he turns around and he is looking directly at me, his eyes lock on mine I cannot help but feel uneasy around him.
"Who are you?" He says a little abruptly.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” I cannot help but feel stunned, is this guy being rude?
“Are you deaf who are you?”
“I’m from out of town.”
“I can see that but why are you here?”
If this was anyone else I would be straight in there giving back as good as I was getting but with this man, there is something stopping me.
“I, I, I’m Alanna.”
“Was that so difficult?”
“I don’t understand why are you being rude?”
“I’m not being rude darling, just interested when I see a new face and tell me why your here?”
“I’m here with my dad on business.”
“A daddy’s girl,”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you a daddy’s girl?”
“I’m not sure what you mean by that?”
“I see I’m not going to get any answers from you am I?”
“Answers, I am sorry Sir but I don’t know you and I find it a little strange all these questions you’re asking.”
“Oh you do? Tell me one thing darling,” He says leaning in and staring so deep into my eyes, I feel he can see my soul.
“Do I make you feel uneasy?” I lean back and straighten myself out.
“Maybe a little,”
“Then I apologise,” He takes his drinks and heads back to his friends.
What was that all about? I think to myself, as I turn round and face the bartender. I must have a look of despair on my face as the bartender notices it.
“Are you okay Miss?” I take a deep breath and let out a sigh. “Who was that?” I ask the guy behind the bar.
“Who that bloke you were talking to you?”
“Yeah”
“That’s Adrian Black.”
“A little rude don’t you think?” I ask the bartender.
“I guess so, I mean he is a millionaire and I think, to be honest, the guy has issues.” “What kind of issues?”
“I am not sure, all I know is, he has his own company James and Brooke’s enterprises over at the other side of town. He only comes here every few months and makes an appearance usually heading out the door with different blonde on his shoulder every time.”
“So he has a girlfriend?”
“No he doesn’t do girlfriends from what I heard, only girls for one or two dates then he takes them back to where ever he found them drops the off and doesn’t give them a second thought.”
I find myself so interested in this man that I cannot believe myself. “Tell me more.”
“That’s pretty much all I know about him love, but if you ask me I think the bloke is messed up. All that money and power you know he is only twenty-five.”
“I thought he looked older.” I say.
“A lot of people say that, but I think he has had a hard life, there is something in the blokes eyes that says there’s more to him than meets the eye.”
"Lanna," I hear my dad say.
“Come over here.”
He is waving me over while he stands with an older man and a woman with fair hair. As I walkover to my dad I have to pass Adrian Black. I try to walk fast but somehow my foot is stuck and I find myself tripping in towards him. Before I hit the ground, he is there and quickly grabs me. He pulls me up towards him and I look up at him the only word I can choke out is.
"Thanks" but he stops me, he looks at me and lightly says,
"You must be more careful, someone other than me might not have caught you then what would I do?"
“Huh?” I say as he lets go of me. He says to the other men he is with.
"I must say goodnight now it’s time for me to go, Jeff I will see you Monday."
I am just so mesmerized by his beauty that it is hard for me even to breathe he looks at me and says.
“Remember me.”
“Sweetie, are you Okay?”
“Yes I’m fine.”
“Who was that you were talking to you?”
”I have no idea just some man helped me when I fell.”
“Anyway,” My dad’s says clearing his throat.
“Mr Jenkins this is my daughter Alanna.”
“Hi there darling it’s lovely to meet you at last, you know your father is always talking about you and saying what an amazing person you are. I must say I had no idea you were so pretty.”
“Thanks.” I say blushing.
Mr Jenkins goes on for ages talking about the company, the business deals, and the politics and of course the weather. However, all I can think of is what Adrian Black was all about, what did he mean by his last words that he said to me? Was there something I was missing? Did I not notice something? Have I heard of him before? Does he know who I am? So many questions are going round in my head and I have to conclude that I have no answers, no words to describe him.
Seven
When we arrive home, I feel so drained, I was quite alert all day and evening but now I think the time difference is staring to catch up with me. All I can think about right now is sleep. I make my way into the bathroom and quickly brush my teeth I splash some water on my face and scrunch my hair up into a loose bun and pull on my pajamas. I sink into the massive king
bed and I feel like I am on top of the world. I feel a sense of achievement now I am here in London. It is not long before I fall into a deep sleep.
The next morning I awake to the sound of traffic and BEEP! My phone I open my eyes and to my shock I am in total alert. I jump up, grab my breakfast menu and my phone I slide to unlock to see I have a message from Sophie
Morning sleepyhead how was last night?
I reply, morning to you to or is that afternoon? Anyway last night was a mix of good and bad, my dad’s colleagues rattled on for hours talking about every boring thing you could imagine, however, there was an incident!
Sophie’s replies almost immediately
What happened tell me everything?
There I was minding my own business when this very gorgeous guy walks over and Sophie I am not talking Chace good looking but movie star looks and a presence that would make any one feel a sense of unease. Unexpectedly, he starts being rude saying where are you from, who are you what you doing here, let me tell you Sophie it was not pleasant!
What a weirdo! Tell me more! Sophie replies. Therefore, I fill her in on the rest of the situation. To her dismay, she is even more shocked than I am. She cannot believe the nerve of him and what she cannot get her head around most and, this I feel the same way about, is how I acted around him not answering him back and letting him get to me and me powerless to fight back. What sticks in my head was something Sophie said
"Alanna maybe you have met your match."
As Sophie and I say our goodbyes over text, I start looking on the menu to choose what I want for breakfast.
“I will have the bacon sandwich with cheese is that okay?” I ask the girl at the other end of the hotel phone.
Three Thousand Miles To You,(Three Thousand Miles, Series, Book #1) Page 3