Sophie: Before I could fully understand I would need to know the truth, perhaps you should tell me.
Alanna: If I do, then you have to promise that you will never tell anyone, okay.
Sophie: I will not, now please tell me.
Alanna: Adrian as you know had a very difficult childhood, but what you do not know is that his mom abused him. She had different guys home almost every night and one became a regular. He got Adrian’s mom addicted to drugs and he did the same to Adrian, he was only ten. While they binged on drugs and alcohol, they would lock him in a dark cupboard under the stair with no food for as long as three days. He would be beaten everyday of life by them, he never had anything growing up and he never had any control.
Sophie: I had no idea it was that bad, I feel sorry for him and guilty that we had it so good.
Alanna: I know it does not even bear to think about all the suffering he had.
Sophie: So how did he get to where he is now? I know he has a company, however, how did he get there?
Alanna: As you know Michael’s dad adopted him, but the time he spent in foster care was horrendous, he was addicted to drugs and he was in severe pain. His mother left when he was twelve and she never came back, he owes everything to Mr Jenkins.
Sophie: What about his biological father, is he not around?
Alanna: The only person he ever knew was his mom.
Sophie: I feel bad for the way I acted; I can see how he is controlling.
Alanna: He never had any control over anything as a child; he could not control his need for drugs. Now whenever he can he likes to stay in control and I have to understand that.
Sophie: Can you please tell him that I am sorry for everything?
Alanna: I know and that is all that matters, he will not thank you for pity.
Sophie: What about his mom, where is she now?
Alanna: She lives here, I think.
Sophie: What, she goes around living her life after she treated him like that?
Alanna: I have seen her and she seems out of it.
Sophie: You met her.
Alanna: Sort of, I saw her before I knew Adrian was sending the gifts every day. I went down to the beach in the Hamptons and there she was sitting there gazing out at the water. She looked around like an older woman and was a like a shadow, I felt sorry for her and I tried to talk to her but she shouted at me, so I left. It was not until I saw a picture of her that I knew it was Adrian’s mom.
Sophie: Alanna I am glad that you have told me this, I feel now that I can understand your relationship with Adrian. I know it must have been hard for him to tell you all this and I feel that he would not have, if he did not love you. I am sorry and I do hope for the best, for you two.
Alanna: I am sorry too, I hate that I called you jealous, can you forgive me?
Sophie: To tell you the truth, I was a little
Alanna: Why,
Sophie: Just because he is gorgeous, he has millions, and he clearly loves you. Seeing Dan compared to him annoyed me and I did feel jealous.
Alanna: Sophie, Dan is great and he cares about you so much. You are lucky that you have someone like him.
Sophie: Lucky, come on would you trade me?
Alanna: Do not be silly, you would not do that.
Sophie: I would, anyway Adrian does seem all right now that I know more about him, are you with him?
Alanna: No, he is in London and I am here in New York.
Sophie: Where in New York, I called your parents and they said you were not with them?
Alanna: I am in Soho.
Sophie: What you doing there,
Alanna: Adrian has a Condo here and he said I could use it.
Sophie: Of course, he would have a million dollar home in chic Soho, but why are you at his house, if he is in London?
Alanna: With everything that happened you know my little scare, I haven’t been feeling right since then and I need some time away from everyone at college, I need out of the microscope.
Sophie: Will you be back for finals?
Alanna: I called Mrs. Henderson yesterday, she is going to talk to the board and see if I can come back to the campus to take the exam. If they disapprove, then she assures me that I will be able to take them from here.
Sophie: How can she do that?
Alanna: Adrian made a massive donation and she feels obliged to help me, as I am the one who brought him there.
Sophie: He was the secret donator.
Alanna: I am surprised they kept him anonymous.
Sophie: They said it was his choice, everyone thought that it was some mystery celebrity.
Alanna: Sophie if Adrian did not want anyone to know, then you cannot tell everyone that he donated the money.
Sophie: I will not, oh before I forget a package came for you the other day.
Alanna: Did you open it?
Sophie: Alanna, I would never do that.
Alanna: Do you know whom it came from?
Sophie: No, just a delivery guy made me sign for, it there is no return address.
Alanna: I will come by tomorrow to collect it, is that Okay?
Sophie: I have classes all day, but I will leave it on the dresser for you.
Alanna: Thanks, I am glad we sorted everything.
Sophie: Me too, now I have to go meet Dan.
Alanna: Okay say HI for me.
Sophie: I will, goodbye Alanna.
I feel so pleased that Sophie and I have talked things through. I only hope that Adrian does not get mad when I tell him, that I told her about his past. As one weight lifts from my shoulders, another one that of the package that awaits me at the dorm immediately replaces it. What could it be? Was it a late delivery from Adrian or could it be from the Marshalls, the people that are ever so eager to kill me. As I weigh up the possibilities, I cannot help but think of Michael sitting in lounge alone. I have not really seen him since that night, I want to pick up the courage to go out there and talk to him however, and I do not feel strong enough. Instead, I take out my phone and compose a text to Adrian.
Hey Adrian what are you doing?
He takes literality about thirty seconds to reply.
Alanna are you okay.
He always does this every time I text him first, it is like he cannot understand why I would text him.
Yes, Adrian I am fine you do that every time, why.
I just worry when I see a text from you.
Okay, what have you been doing lately?
Just working and you,
I have been studying.
Have you been sleeping enough?
Yes, do not worry.
What about Michael,
What about him,
How is he?
Good I think.
You think, did something happen?
Unaware if he knew about the other night, I do not know what to say to him. If he knows and I do not say, then he will know I lied to him and on the other hand if say yes, then I will still look like a liar for not telling him what happened, I decide to go for honesty.
Adrian the other night Michael told me how he felt about me.
I know he told me.
Good job I went for honesty, it is as if Adrian knows everything.
He did.
Yes, he also told me that you told him that you need him, but you love me.
I did, are you mad at me?
No Alanna I am not mad, but he misses you so I suggest you go talk to him, Okay?
I will eventually, I made up with Sophie.
When did this happen?
Today,
What happened?
We talked, Adrian I had to tell her some things about your past, is that okay?
Not really, but if you say you had to then it is okay, I know you would not tell just anyone.
I would not, but I felt that if she knew more about you then she would back off and accept you.
Everything you do has me in mind.
That is because I love you.
Baby, do you ever want to get married?
I never thought about it before, why are you asking me to marry you.
Do you really think I would over a text?
No, I guess not.
Seriously, though Alanna is it something you want.
I feel that, you do not need to be married to be happy.
Are you saying it is not for you?
No I am just saying that I could be happy not being married.
Therefore, you could be happy without love.
I could never be happy without you, but I do not think that you need to married to love someone.
I see,
What about you, do you want to get married one day?
Yes, I have long wanted to be married and have a family. I never had one so I would like to think one day I would.
You have me.
Yes, I do but I would like to be married to you, so I can have you always.
You have me you do not need paper to know that.
I feel you do not agree with me on this.
You are only twenty-five and I am twenty-two, there is plenty time for all this.
You would think so, but giving the circumstances, there is not.
You talk as if it is over; you have given up the fight, why?
I have not, I just feel as if I might lose you and I want to make you mine.
I am not property.
I know that, but to me you are the reason I breathe. The reason I get up, the reason I believe that good things can happen for me. Therefore, you see why I want to own you. I do not ever want to lose the feeling of, love from a woman.
I will always love you and I will never be like Alice.
No, you are not like her, she is poison and you are gold, a deep glittering gold that can love someone like me.
You are the most loving person I know and I am lucky to have you.
Baby I think that you are unlucky to be with me. Sometimes I think that you would be better off with someone else.
I could never be with anyone else; there is nothing I could want more than, you.
Alanna what about, your life,
What about it,
You seem in denial that you are in danger.
I am not in denial. I just choose to be positive about it.
How can you be?
I just am, Adrian I have something I need to tell you.
What is it?
Sophie told me that a package came for me the other day.
Did she open it?
No, I am planning to go get it tomorrow.
No, you are not I will a send someone to get it for you.
No Adrian, I will be fine besides Sophie will not let a stranger into the room.
She will have classes and they can use your key when she is gone.
No, I am suffocating; I cannot stay in this house forever.
It will not be forever, but I can assure you that you will not be going back to that college, anytime soon.
That is the thing, I might have to go back and take my exams there.
No Alanna that is not possible, the headmaster told me that you could study from home.
Yes, I can study from home but the board has to decide on whether I can sit the exam at the campus.
Alanna I was under the impression that you were to sit the test from home.
Yes, I can but I want the college experience, I want to take my exams with my friends.
Alanna you cannot!
Adrian it is my life and I want to do this, if the board decide to let me.
I will make sure that they do not.
Adrian if do that, I will never forgive you!
Alanna why do you do this to me,
Do what,
Torture me like this, I am trying to keep you safe but no matter what I do, you always want to rebel against it.
I do not mean to, I just want to do this will you please let me?
Alanna, go get some sleep, we will talk in the morning.
Adrian please do not do anything rash promise me.
I will not!
I just do not believe him. He will do something and he will make sure that I do not go back to college. I know that he thinks he is doing this for the best, but he is not by keeping this from me, he is only making me want it, more. I will not stop until I am back at college. After an hour or so of studying, I feel a bit hungry so pick up the courage to go out into the hallway. I cannot see anyone so I walk into the kitchen. I do not turn on any lights, as I do not want to draw attention to myself. I open the fridge ever so quietly and see that Maggie has left me some dinner. I take out the plate and grab a soda. I make my way back to my room but the lights suddenly come on. I turn around, Michael is standing there again shirtless, and again I try not to stare.
“Alanna what are you doing?”
“I was hungry that’s all.” I say not looking him in eye.
“Is everything okay?” He says,
“Yeah are you okay?” I say finally having enough courage to look into his sad eyes
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
“You know after our talk the other night.” I say shifting nervously, still with the food and soda in my hand.
“Alanna I am fine, don’t worry about it,” He says a little bitterly.
“Is everything okay, between us?”
“Yes, everything’s good Alanna.”
“I am glad, because I couldn’t stay in there another moment,” I say walking over and taking a seat at the breakfast bar, Michael takes the seat next to me. I look to him and I want to hug him but I cannot. The look he has in his eyes is sad, I know he just said that he was fine; however, something tells me he is not.
“I made up with Sophie.”
“That’s good, when did this happen?”
“Today while I was marooned to my room,” I say smiling and Michael smiles back.
“I am a bit worried though.”
“Why?”
“She said a package came for me.”
“Really, I take it she didn’t open it?”
“No, I am worried that it’s some kind of message, like last time.”
“But it’s not another note?” Michael says and his face looks serious.
“No she said it was a package, she had to sign for it.”
“Strange,”
“I know, any way I have to go by tomorrow and collect it.”
“Do you really think that Adrian will let you?”
“He said I wasn’t to go but I am. There is no way I am going to let some stranger that Sophie doesn’t know, go in our room.”
“Adrian won’t see it like that.”
“No, but he will have to accept it.”
“You are feisty?”
“That’s only a fraction of it babe.” Michael smiles at me. It is almost, as if he is happy that I am kind standing up to Adrian. I could not fully disobey everything he says but at the same time, I know that I have to on this. Michael gives off the impression that he would not be controlling over me, the way Adrian is. He has different mannerisms that would not allow it. He is more of a softer type, hidden in a deep shell. He would be a more sensible choice, if there were one to make. I would not be in danger with him, but I would not have the love, that I have with Adrian and that to me, that is worth the danger.
Twenty-seven
The next morning, I wake up early fearing that Adrian has already sent someone over to the campus. I grab a super quick shower and throw on the first clothes I can see. I rush out the door and into the lounge area, to find Michael is on his phone. I do not think he is talking to Adrian, it sounds like a business call. I walk over and take a seat next to him. I glance over to the door and see that today’s guard is Jackson. Over in the kitchen Maggie is singing while she cooks. I look back to Michael and he understands the look on my face and hangs up his call.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong, who was that on the phone?”
“Business,
you look on edge.”
“I am fine, have you heard from Adrian?”
“He called first thing.”
“What did he say?”
“He said that I have to go get the package.”
“Why can’t he let me have this?”
“He is worried and you know what he’s like.” I look down at the floor and Michael gets closer, he takes my hand and I look up at him.
“If you promise not to tell him, then I will take you.” I cannot contain my smile and I wrap my arms around him he pulls back and says, “Come on then.” He gets up and I follow him out the door. The other guard escorts us down into the lobby of the building. As we walk out the door, I turn to Michael,
“Thanks for this.” He smirks at me and he opens the car door.
The car comes to a stop and I see Columbia. I did not realize how much I missed it until I am back. Michael and I walk in through the busy doors, as we do everyone notices. I can see groups of girls whispering and looking at Michael. We walk along the hallway and I notice Katharine standing with her bother Leo, talking to a few others. I do not want her to see me, how can I explain why I am with Michael, She will go crazy. Michael spots her and he walks in front of me briskly. As we pass her, she sees us and immediately walks over.
“So this is where you have been?” I turn to her and my heart begins to race. “Katharine, this is it not what it looks like,” I say hoping that she will back down. “It looks pretty obvious to me.”
“Michael and I are just friends,” I say desperately.
“You expect me to believe that?” I see Michael starting to get annoyed so he jumps in.
“Katharine listen, Alanna and I are friends that is all, so please can you let this go?”
“Let it go, are you crazy? You treated me like dirt; it was clear that you were into Alanna now here you are with her and you expect me to believe that nothing is going on?” Katharine says in a voice that is too loud, everyone is staring and now I see Katharine’s Brother Leo, heading over in our direction.
“What’s going on here?” He says in cool calm voice.
“Nothing and that’s what I am trying to explain to your sister,” I say with a desperate look on my face.
“Alanna I thought that you were my friend?”
“I am Katharine and I would never do anything to hurt you. Michael is just a friend, I am still with Adrian and I love him.”
Three Thousand Miles To You,(Three Thousand Miles, Series, Book #1) Page 22