Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (7 page)

“I want to thank you again for everything that you have done. I don’t how you
managed it, but you have changed him, for the better.” I smile politely at her
but I feel uneasy about her words. What does she mean by her comments?

“I am not sure what you mean?”

“That night I saw him at the Chatwal Hotel, that wasn’t the guy I saw tonight.
He seems quieter and more at peace with himself. He is not as angry as before
and I can see in his eyes that you complete him.” Igently laugh at Alice as I
reach out for her hand –again.

“He is my world and I would do anything for him.” Igush.

“He reminds me so much of his father.”
“I have never saw Edward is he really that similar to Adrian?” Alice and I both
stare over at Adrian as he talks with the server. I notice that it’s the same
woman from earlier and I really hope that Adrian is apologising for his
behaviour.

“Oh yes, he is very similar to his father. From his smile to his voice and of
course those eyes. The way he acts around you also reminds me of Edward.” I
frown as I begin to worry.

“In what way?”

“Oh dear don’t look so worried. I just meant that Adrian has the same
personality as his father. The way he bosses you around and runs his fingers
through his hair, he gets all of that from Edward.” I laugh as I would love it if
Adrian could meet him. I wonder if Alice has ever seen him since he left.

“Alice did you ever see Edward, again?”

“No, I haven’t seen him since the night that he left us.” I let go of Alice’s hand
as Adrian makes his way back over to our table. He reaches us and he holds out
his hand for me to take it. I grab him as I rise up from the seat. Alice quickly
places on her coat as she follows Adrian and me out of the restaurant. When
we step out into the cold street I huddle closer to Adrian. He notices my
actions and he quickly wraps his strong arm around me.

“So I guess I better get going?” Alice says as she whistles for a cab. I stare up at
Adrian and he knows what I am thinking. He rolls his eyes at me.

“Alanna and I would like to invite you and your husband to our wedding.” Alice
looks stunned as she takes in Adrian’s invitation. I smile at her as she begins to
cry. I try to break free from Adrian as I want to give Alice a hug, but he
maintains his hold on me. Alice lunges forward as she beams at us.

“This means the world to me and I would love to be a part of your wedding.”
Adrian briefly smiles at Alice.

“Okay well, Alanna and I need to leave now.” Alice nods at his words as she
again signals for a cab. A taxi instantly pulls byher side and Alice jumps in. I
flash her one last smile and then Adrian leads me to our car. I slide into the
back seat of his Rolls Royce.
“That went well, right?” I ask as the car pulls away from the entrance of the
Oak Room.

“Yes, I guess you could say that.” I am sensing that Adrian is upset about
something. I catch his hand as I try to ask him what is wrong.

 

“Is everything okay?” Adrian smiles at me.

“Yes baby, everything is fine.” He leans over and kisses me softly on my cheek
he pulls back when his phone starts to ring. Adrian answers his call and from
what I can make out it’s a business call. I stare out onto the streets of New
York as I reminisce on tonight’s events. I was stunned when Alice told us about
her relationship with David and I was sick to my stomach when she relieved
how much he had hurt her. Just thinking about it now sends shivers down my
spine and I am going to do as Alice said and try to forget about it. I felt happy
when I saw Adrian and Alice talking. Their relationship is far from mended, but
Adrian inviting Alice to the wedding is a very good sign. I wanted him to repair
things with his mom and tonight was only the beginning.

Three

The next morning I wake to the sound of Adrian on his phone. He is talking
rather loudly and I can’t make out what he is saying. I sit further up into the
bed and I open my eyes to sunshine beaming in through the tall glass windows.
I try to focus my ears as Adrian’s voice rises.

“Look, I don’t expect you to understand but it’s what I want. Now please, let
me be!” Adrian almost shouts down phone to whoever he is talking to. I begin
to climb out of our four poster bed and then I stop as Adrian glides into the
room. He is dressed in dark blue suit trousers anda white shirt. His collar is
open to reveal his tanned skin. His hair –as usual is messy as it falls onto his
forehead. His face looks strained as he holds his phone to his ear. I watch as he
rolls his eyes at whatever he is being told. He begins to march around the room
until he answers back.

“It’s simple, you either want to be my best man or you don’t?” My heart begins
to race at Adrian’s words. He must be talking to Michael. I start to feel nervous
as Adrian awaits his answer.

“I won’t ask you again.” Adrian says firmly. There is a brief pause and then
Adrian smiles. “Thanks mate,” Michael must have agreed to be his best man.
Oh my god this is going to be awkward.

“Alanna,” Adrian says as he rushes over to me and gives me a huge, sloppy kiss.
I melt into his affection for a while but then I pull back from him. I need to
know exactly what’s going on with Michael. Adrian hates it when I question
him so I have to ask nicely, if I don’t then I risk him not telling me at all.

“You have sorted out who is going to be your best man?” Adrian kisses me
again but this time on the neck. He slides his lips along my collar bone as he
talks.
“You were eavesdropping again, weren’t you?” I blush but I manage to
maintain my composure.

“If you don’t want me to overhear your phone calls then take them outside.”
Adrian snarls at my sarcastic response.

“Fair enough,” Adrian says as he slides his hand through my hair. “Michael is
my best man. There won’t be any problems, will there?” I shake my head at
him.

“Not from me.”

“Michael has told me that you are angry with him.” I push Adrian away as his
words ring in my ears. He looks stunned at my actions and he soon has harsh
words for me.

“Don’t push me away like that. You know that it makes me feel unwanted.” I
feel guilty for making Adrian feel bad. I lean in and kiss him and then I nicely
back away from him, as I need to know exactly what Michael has told him.

“I am sorry, but please tell me what Michael has said to you.” Adrian stares at
me and I can tell that he is annoyed with me. He hates it when I push him for
answers.

“He just said that you were angry with him and that you rushed out of lunch
yesterday.”

 

“I only did that because he was saying negative things about you meeting with
Alice.” Adrian smiles at me as he clutches my face.

 

“Baby, how many times must I tell you to not argue with your friends over
me?”

“I won’t just sit by and listen to him talking badabout you.” Adrian moves his
face closer to mine and I can feel his minty breathbrushing against my skin. His
eyes are glowing and his lips are parted.

“I will handle Michael anyway; it’s none of his business who I see.” I laugh at
Adrian as he places a soft kiss onto my lips. I jump up from the bed and I follow
him into the lounge area of the condo. I scan theroom as I enter and I am
surprised when I see a few bunches of flowers lying on the side table by the
door. I walk over to them and I gently lift out the card from the flowers. Before
I read it, I ask Adrian who they are from.

“Adrian, do you know who has sent us these flowers?” Adrian quickly walks
over to me as he sends a text on his blackberry.

“Read the card.” He says smugly. I smile at him, but inside I am worrying what
if the flowers are another threat? I brace myself as I open the small, white
envelope. I sigh as I read the message.

Congratulations on your engagement, love always Charles and Tabatha x

I gently touch the white roses as I place the card back into its position. I look
back at the display as I make my way into the kitchen. I quickly pour myself
some coffee as Adrian sits on the bar stool –sipping his earl grey tea. He is
texting again on his phone and I cannot help but wonder what he is up to. I
know that I can’t ask him because that would only upset him. Instead I try to
put it out of my mind as I walk over and lean onto the counter across from him.
Adrian looks up from his phone and he has a serious look on his face.

“Alanna, have you packed yet?” I frown at him.

 

“No not yet.” I snap. Adrian rolls his eyes at me.

 

“Alanna,”

“Yes I will go and pack.” I say as I take another sip of my strong coffee. Adrian
reaches out his hand for mine. I place my hand into his and he gently squeezes
my fingers.

“It’s only for a few days and they will fly by in no time.”

“I know but that won’t stop me from missing you.” Adrian pulls me closer
across the kitchen counter. He grabs my face with his hands as he kisses me
tenderly. I melt into his skin as he holds me. I reluctantly back away as I need
to pack.

After I have showered and I have packed everything that I need, Adrian escorts
me down to the car. He places my bags into the trunk of the car and then he
carefully slides me into the back seat. He closes the door, but luckily the
window is rolled down. I reach out my hand for his, but he doesn’t take it.
Instead he lunges his head through the open window and places his lips onto
mine. I kiss him until I can’t breathe and when our lips part Adrian says those
words.

“Until next time baby,”

The three hour car ride to the East Hamptons seems to take forever and I am
exhausted and bored to tears when I finally arriveat my parents’ house. The
car pulls into the driveway and I am surprised when I see that the driveway is
full of cars, vans and pick-up trucks. Just for a second I try to rack my brain for
an answer to what is going on and then it hits me, my wedding. When the car
comes to a halting stop I immediately open the doorand rush out into the
oversized driveway. It feels so good to stretch my legs and now that I am here,
I can’t wait to see my family. I alert the driver to give me my bags from the
trunk and I watch as my bodyguard carries my bags from the car into the
house. When I enter I am stunned at how gorgeous the house looks. The black
and white décor is even more stunning as the hallway is filled with towering
flower displays. Above the staircase is a new chandelier which is shining
brightly throughout the oversized entrance. Huge paintings of Adrian and I
hang from the walls and I am stunned at how beautiful they are. My mom had
asked me for a recent picture of Adrian and me together and when I gave her
the photos, I had no idea that she was going to make them into paintings. I
walk further into the hallway and as I walk into the kitchen, I am greeted by
Penelope who runs towards me.

“Lanna,” she says as she grips onto me. I gently hold her as I stroke her long,
blonde curls. Penelope leads me further into the kitchen and I cannot believe
the amount of food and bottles of champagne that fill the kitchen counters. I
am gobsmacked as I scan the crowed room. The room is filled with people of
all descriptions and they all arranging some type of wedding favours. I don’t
know why I feel so awkward about seeing the preparation for our wedding.
Why am I feeling this way and what was I expecting? I march around the house
with Penelope by my side. I am searching for my momas I need to alert her
that I am here. I reach the lounge and I have a quick glance in through the
doors. The entire floor area of the sitting room iscovered in black and white
goodie bags. To my despair my mom is nowhere to be found.
“Penelope, where was the last place that you saw, Mom?” Penelope scratches
her small forehead as she thinks.

“The garden,” she says as she pulls me out into the back garden of the large
house. I am speechless when I see my mom arranging flowers along the newly
constructed aisle. The walkway has been created using white pillars and
flowers. At the end of the aisle there is an archway, that’s tied neatly with
spinning black ribbons and pure white roses. I makemy way up the aisle; I get
halfway as my mom rushes to meet me in the middle.

“Alanna, I wasn’t expecting you so soon!” She says as she huddles me into her
chest. I break free from my mom’s tight embrace.

“Really, it seemed as if it took me forever to get here.” I say as I again glance at
the surroundings. My mom notices me staring and she quickly asks for my
approval.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She beams as her words pass from her lips.

 

“Yes, it’s stunning.”

My mom walks us back into house and she ushers us into the kitchen. I take a
seat at the breakfast bar and Penelope rushes up the stairs to her room – no
doubt. My mom begins to rearrange the food platters that lie on the counter
so that she has enough space to make some coffee. I hear my phone buzzing
from inside my jacket pocket. I quickly take it out as I hear a gentle knock on
the entrance wall to the kitchen.

“Miss, I will be just outside if you need me.” My bodyguard says as he pokes
his head around the doorframe. I smile at him as he waits for my reply.

“No problem,” I say quietly. He nods again and then he is out of sight. My mom
walks over to me and hands me a cup of coffee. I can tell that she isn’t
impressed by the fact that I have my brought security with me. However, my
mom doesn’t mention it to me as she knows that I can’t fight Adrian on my
safety. My phone buzzes again and I instantly read my messages.

Alanna, have you arrived safely?
Alanna, please don’t keep waiting. I need to know that you are safe.

 

I quickly compose a message back to Adrian.

 

Sorry I was distracted. I have just arrived and yes I am safe.

I hit send and I place my phone down onto the kitchen counter. I take a sip of
my strong coffee as I take in everything that’s going on. I am amazed at how
much time and effort goes into planning a wedding and I am again very glad
that I have my mom and Amelia to help. If I had to plan the wedding alone,
then I am sure that there would no wedding at all. My phone buzzes again.