Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series)

by Deila Longford

  “Where are you?” Michael says in shaky, cough stricken voice.

  “I’m still in France, but I am coming home now, I won’t be long.”

  “Please hurry,” “I’m trying, have you gotten any help?”

  “I tried to call the … ambulance but … I feel down and I couldn’t reach my phone – until now.”

  “Okay now that you have your phone please call 999, waiting for me will take too much of our time, time that you don’t have.”

  “Chad should be home any minute now and he will wait with me until you arrive.” I sigh as I know that I am fighting a losing battle. “Okay, I know this a lot for me to ask, but can you please keep me informed. I am going out of my mind with worry and I hate that I am so far away from you.”

  “Of course,” I hang up and then I throw my phone into my bag. Adrian has now stopped crying and I can feel his eyes burning through me as our silence is deafening. I rapidly stare out of the window and I am relieved when I spot the airport in the distance. I lift my bag onto my lap as I nervously play with my hair. I catch a glimpse of Adrian in the corner of my eye and I see that he is staring at me. I can sense his deep green eyes scorching through my back and I begin to blush as I begin to feel uneasy around him. I never thought that he was capable of hurting me and how wrong that thought turned out to be. I can’t look at him and I shudder when I feel his hand on my shoulder. I gently nudge him away from me as I don’t want his hands anywhere near me right now. I can hear him as his breathing becomes shallow and then my ears focus when I hear him speak.

  “Alanna,” he says in a soft voice. I don’t respond to him as I can’t bring myself to talk to him. “I understand that you are mad at me, but please don’t ignore me. We need to take about this, please look at me.” I close my eyes in frustration and then for the first time since he hurt me, I turn around andI look at him. His eyes are red and heavy and his hair is flopped down onto his forehead. His hands are trembling and my heart pounds when he talks again.

  “Baby I am so sorry for what I did. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness but please don’t be mad at me. I can’t bear it when you’re upset with me.”

  “What you did was unforgivable and I don’t know if I can ever stop being mad at you.” Adrian’s eyes fill with water, but he manages to control his tears from flowing from his eyes. He leans in closer towards me and he tries to take my hand in his. I pull my hand away from him as his touch, repeals me right now.

  “You are scared of me, aren’t you?” Adrian says in a deep voice. I blush at his words and then I admit that he does scare me.

  “Yes I am scared of you.” Adrian clenches his teeth together as he holds his head firmly in his hands. “Baby, please don’t be frightened of me, what can I do to change your mind?” Adrian tries to plead with me, but I can barely look at him as he tries to manipulate me – again.

  “The person that you have become is terrifying to me. The Adrian that I married isn’t here anymore. You have replaced him with an alcohol drinking, smug … jerk and I don’t know if I can love him.” My harsh words ring in the air and as Adrian tries to absorb them, I am glad that I have finally told him how I have been feeling. Ever since Edward came into Adrian’s life he has acted differently in so many ways. He is a lot more manipulative and he lies and drinks alcohol and I can’t help but think that Edward is the one who is influencing Adrian actions.

  “What are you saying?” Adrian says as he leans closer to me. I take deep breath as I answer. “You have changed since you met your father and notfor the better. You have started to drink alcohol, the Adrian that know hates the very thought of alcohol and he would never drink it. Remember whenyou told me that you felt that you wouldn’t be able to control you desire for alcohol and that’s why you didn’t indulge in it? I am starting to believe thatis the case and that you can’t take alcohol without losing your head.” Adrian nods as he agrees with me and then he reaches out and tries again to catch my hand and this time I let him. Adrian’s fingers intertwine with mine and he pullsmy hand up to his lips as he begins to rapidly kiss my skin. I feel myself crying again as Adrian holds me. “Baby I am so sorry, I will never hurt you again. I was crazy, please forgive me?” Tears are flowing from my eyes as Adrian pulls me into his arms. He grips me gently as he strokes my hair and kisses my neck. I shiver from his touch and then I let go of my fears as I melt into his lips.

  Seventeen

  We arrive back in London - about an hour or so later and when we step off Adrian’s airplane, his black Range Rover and my Mercedes is waiting there for us. Adrian carries an exhausted William to his car and he sets him into the back seat. Adrian buckles William into the car and then he makes his way over to me as I open the door of my car. Adrian and I talked a lot on the airplane and we have kind of cleared the air. Adrian has apologised a million times and I genuinely believe him when he says that it was a one off. He cried and held me through our entire flight and I sobbed as thoughts of Michael span around my head. Adrian has reluctantly agreed to let me see Michael, but I have to stop by the doctor’s office first. Adrian marches over to me as I slide into the car.

  “You can follow me to the doctors,” “I know the way, you should take William home.” Adrian shakes his head as he takes in my words. His eyes are tense and his cheeks are tear stained and I can’t breathe as I wait for his next words.

  “Please call me when you get there and then again after you have seen the doctor, okay?” I force out a smile as Adrian agrees with my suggestion. He smirks back at me and then he leans down and kisses me softly on my cheek. I press my hand onto his jaw and then he closes the door of my car. I start the engine and then I click it into drive. I push my foot gently down onto the gas pedal and the car jolts forward from my slight touch. As I drive along the tarmac I look back at Adrian and I can see him staring after me as I drive away from him.

  I arrive at the doctors around twenty minutes later and I rush in through the doors as I want to get this over and done with. I need to get to Michael and I can’t be wasting my time here. I run up to the receptionist and I quickly give her my name. She smiles at me and then she escorts me along the white hallway and then she leads me to a small room. She gently knocks on the door and then she opens it as she alerts me to enter the room. I walk into the room and a blonde haired lady doctor is sitting at a large desk.

  “Mrs Black, is it?” She asks as she signals for me to take a seat opposite her. I walk over and then I introduce myself. “Yes, my husband called you earlier.” She nods and then I have to inform her that I am in a hurry. “I don’t want to seem rude, but I have somewhere that I need to be.” The doctor nods her head and then she rises from her seat as she escorts me over to the bed. She alerts me take a seat onto the bed and then she reaches for her notepad as she begins to ask me how I am feeling.

  “Your husband said that you passed out for a bit tonight. Can you tell me how you’re feeling now?” “I feel a little dizzy and my head hurts a little. I have also been feeling nauseous lately.” The doctor listens carefully to my words and then she jots down her thoughts on her notepad.

  “I see and have you experienced any pain or loss of appetite?” “Yeah, the other night my lower back was throbbing and it kept me awake. My appetite has been great; I am staving all the time.” The lady doctor gently laughs and then she alerts me that she would like to run a few tests. She checked my pulse, temperature, blood pressure and sugar levels and then she tested my urine. The doctor asks me to lie down onto the bed as she runs through my test results. I nervously wait for her verdict and then when she finally makes her way over to me my heart is racing. The doctor stands at my bedside as she delivers the news.

  “Congratulations Mrs Black, you’re pregnant.” My stomach feels as if it’s going to fall out of my body –how can I be pregnant? I look at the doctor in confusion as I quiz her diagnosis.

  “I am sorry what did you say?” “You are about six weeks pregnant,” my mind can’t process this –I am
pregnant. My heart is racing in a million directions as I try to deal with the fact that I am going to have a baby. Holy crap this is unbelievable – what will Adrian say?

  “I can’t believe this, I am totally speechless.” “Don’t worry that’s a common reaction. The news has come as a surprise to you, but you will get used to it.” I smile at the doctor and then she begins to talk again as she explains about scans or something.

  “Your first scan will be at twelve weeks and I will go ahead and book you in for that right now. I have a few leaflets that I want to give you. They will help you to understand more about being pregnant and they will list the dos and don’ts for you.” I nod as I take in her words and then she gently urges me to get off the bed as it’s time for me to leave. I leap off the bed and then make my way over to the door, where the doctor is standing. She is holding the door open as she clutches a handful of pamphlets.

  “Here you are,” she says as she thrusts the pamphlets into my hand. I grab them and then I smile and thank the doctor as I march out of the room. “Thanks again,” I walk along the hallway of the doctors – in a daze. I can’t begin to process the news that I have just heard – I am pregnant. Adrian and I are going to have a baby of our own, William is going to have a littlebrother or sister and my parents are going to have their first grandchild. Imarch out into the cold parking lot and I hit the unlock button of my car keys. My little Mercedes flashes brightly as I glide over and swiftly open the door. I slide myself into the car and then I gently smile as I clutch my stomach – I am going to be a mom.

  I drive to Michael’s house and I park my car in front of his door. I push open the door of the car and I leap out into the cold, icy street. I make my way up to the front door of Michael’s house and I ring the doorbell as my stomach does summersaults. No one answers, so I reach down to the door handle and I try to push the door open, but it’s locked. I can see thatthere is a light on in his lounge so I ring the doorbell –again. I try to peek in through the windows of the house, but the curtains are slightly closed and they are restricting my view. I push the doorbell again and then I knock loudly, this time I can hear shuffling in the house and I step back from the door as I hear it crack open. The door opens to reveal Chad standing smugly in the doorway. His smile is wicked and his eyes are piercing through me as he stares down at me. His lips are curved as he gently begins to talk.

  “Ah little Miss Alanna how are you tonight?” Chad says in a smug, bitter voice. I try to hide my feelings towards him as I ask him about Michael.

  “Where is Michael?” Chad smirks at me again as he bites his lower lip. “You know you really are a sexy little thing, aren’t you?” Chad’s rude words have made my skin crawl and I can’t bring myself to answer them. I look up at him and then I push my way in through the door. Chad sarcastically laughs at my actions and I can sense that he is a little annoyed with me, but I don’t care. I make my way along the hallway of the house and I rush into the lounge as I search for Michael. I scan the room, but he isn’t there so I head into the kitchen – with Chad following behind me. I enter the kitchen and Michael isn’t there either, so I nervously march out into the hallway and I begin to rush up the stairs, but Chad grabs me from behind. He is pulling me into the kitchen as I slap his arms – trying to break free from his grasp. He sits me down at the kitchen table and he alerts me not to move. My heart is racing and I am terrified for mine and my baby’s safety. Sudden flashes of that night when Chad attacked me are spinning around in my mind and I can’t breathe as I fear that history could be repeating itself.

  Chad is pacing the kitchen as he sips at a glass of water and I guess that I should be thankful that he isn’t drinking something stronger. I stare at him and he catches my glare so he walks over and asks me what my problem is.

  “Why do you stare so much? Didn’t your mother tell you that it’s rude?” I scowl at him as I don’t reply to his comments. Chad laughs and then he gently strokes my cheek as he whispers.

  “You really have captured my brother’s heart and it’s not hard to see why. You have beautiful big brown eyes and the most perfect skin, oh if I was a few years younger… I would.” I look up at him as I bat his hand away from my face.

  “Where is Michael?” I snap. “I’m right here,” my mouth bursts open as I see Michael walking into the kitchen. He looks perfect and I can’t understand why? When he called me he was bleeding and hurt and I was sure that he was going to die. But now that I am here, looking at him he doesn’t even have a scratch. I make a darting look towards him as I search for answers.

  “You said that you were hurt,” Michael and Chad laugh smugly at the same time and then Michael marches over to me. He gently places his hand on my face and then he leans in kisses me on my lips. I pull back from him as I try to fight him off – what has gotten into him? Why is he acting like this?

  “I have missed you,” he says as he leans in and sniffs my hair. I push him away from me and then I try to stand, but he pushes me back down onto the seat. “It’s better if you stay seated,” Michael says coolly. I take a deep breath as I watch Chad glide over to the kitchen. He begins to rummage in the drawers and then he appears back at my side. He is holding a roll of duct tape and a large ball of string. My heart races and with the fear of my own body, I lunge out of the seat and I make a darting race for the door. I manage to run out into the hallway of Michael’s large flat, but as I run towards the door, Michael is standing in front of me. He is staring at me – laughing smugly at my fear. I make a dart towards him as I try to get to the door, but Michael has blocked me. I turn around and I try to make my way back into the kitchen, but as I begin to march along the hallway, Chad is there. Heis still holding the duct tape as he lunges forward and grabs me by my arms. I try to fight him off, but his grip is too strong. I begin to scream as Chad drags me back into the kitchen. My arms are weak but I keep on hitting him as I try to break free.

  Chad drags me over to the kitchen table and he firmly pulls out a chair. His huge, warm hand is squeezing my arm as he maintains his grip on me. I struggle again as I try to loosen myself and my actions have only angered him more.

  “Stop fidgeting, you little bitch.” He screams at me. My heart is racing and my mind is spinning as I take in what’s happening to me. Chad sits me down onto the chair and then he shouts on Michael as he needs help in securing me to the chair. Michael comes rushing into the room and fora split second I think that he is coming to help me, but my thoughts are shattered when he rushes over and holds my arms down onto the chair. Chad securesmy arms and ankles to the chair and then he steps back and looks at me – arrogantly. Tears are beginning to pour from my eyes as I look up into Michael’s icy blue eyes.

  “You tricked me,” I say to him as I lock my eyes on his. He smiles at me and then he kneels down to my level. “You made it so easy for me,” he says in a deep, evil voice. I can’t bear to look at him so I turn my head away as I look in the other direction. Michael reaches out his hand and he roughly pulls my head back around so that I am facing him. His eyes are deep and they have bitterness inside them – why is he doing this to me? I clear my throat as I ask him why.

  “Why are you doing this?” Michael reaches out and he gently runs his fingers along my jawline as he explains his reasons. “Because I love you and because I hate Adrian.” I cry again and this time Michael gently wipes away the water from my cheeks.I look at him and my heart is breaking.

  “Michael this isn’t you. You are kind and loving and you don’t do things like this. Please let me go, you don’t want to hurt me.”Michael laughs and then he leans in and kisses me again on my lips. I scowl and I try to pull my head away from him, but he is holding my face as he kisses me. His lips are rough and they feel wrong. I am repelled by his affection and I need him to stop. When he finally pulls back he is smiling at me – wickedly. His eyes are burning through me and for the first time ever, I am scared of him.

  “This is the real me, and I will not stop until I get what I want.” I
scowl at him.

  “You can’t have me, I am married to Adrian, I chose him and I love him. That will never change.” Michael laughs again at me.

  “You think it’s you that I want?” I blush as his words ring in my ears.

  “Yes,” I admit. “Then you are mistaken,” Michael says as he moves away from me. He is now pacing around the kitchen as he searches his cell phone. My head is rushing in a million directions and I can’t take this in. If Michael isn’t doing this out of love for me then why is he doing it? Did I do somethingto upset him? Chad returns to the kitchen and he is now making his way over to me. He smugly, pulls out a chair and he sits down next to me as he stares at my peril. I roll my eyes at him and then he sniggers as he begins to talk.

  “How is your little, ready-made family treating you?” I let out the air from my mouth as I snarl at Chad’s comment. “I see that you are ignoring me, now what shall I do to change that? Will I hold you down and kiss you – like my brother did or will I beat it out of you instead? It’s your choice, love.” I turn my head away from him as I answer his question.

  “If you’re asking about William then he is fine.” “Oh yes the boy who I raised for five years.” Chad’s voice is shallow and I can feel the pain behind his words. I turn around and I look at him as perhaps I can reason with him – if I give him the chance to talk.

  “I understand how hard it must be for you. William was your son for the first five years of his life and I can’t begin to imagine how hurtful it has been for you to have him ripped away.”

  “Don’t,” Chad snaps. “Don’t try to distract me with your absurd claims. You can never understand how I am feeling.” I swallow hard as I take a deep breath. I gaze at Chad as I realise that I have finally gotten to the root of the problem. Chad is heartbroken over William and as I stare into his deep blue eyes, my mind begins to rush. Chad has showed me his weakness by admitting that he is hurting over William. Now that I know this, perhaps I can sweet talk him into letting me go. My thoughts are quickly scrubbing the image of Chad letting me leave as flashes of his temper takes over. At Charles and Tabatha’s anniversary party, Chad held me hostage. He hurt me, manipulated me and he humiliated me, but now that he has slightly let his guard down, perhaps I can break him – once and for all.