Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (40 page)

The phone rings as I hold it to my ear and my heart is racing as I wait for my
mom to pick up.

 

“Hello,”
my mom says in a sweet voice. I smile at the sound as I have missed
her so much that it actually hurts.

 

“Hello Mom its Alanna,”
I say quietly.

 

“Yes sweetie, how are you?”
“I am …okay,”
I lie. “
I am calling to let you know that I am coming home for a
while.”
My mom is silent as she takes in my words.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you and Adrian having problems, already?”
I frown at my
mom’s question and then I compose myself as I answer.

 

“Not exactly, I will explain everything when I see you.”
“Okay sweetie, when is your flight?”
“In thirty minutes, I got to go just now, see you soon.”

I hang up the phone and I shove it into my bag. I run my fingers along my lower
lip as I re-think my mom’s little remark. She asked if Adrian and I were having
problems ‘already’ what is that supposed to mean? Has my mom doubted my
marriage to Adrian and does she expect it to fail? My head is rushing in so
many directions and now I am nervous about going home.

Twenty-Four

I arrive in New York and I smile at the city which I used to call home. I slowly
make my way down the stairs of Adrian’s airplane and I walk over to the town
car that Adrian has arranged for me. I hand my bags to the driver and then I
climb inside the car. As I wait for the driver to enter the car, I switch on my
phone and I am little stunned when I see a message from Adrian. I slowly push
open as I begin to fear what his words are going to be. The message flashes
onto the screen and I begin to read it as quickly as my eyes will focus.

My dearest Alanna, I cannot believe that I have watched you leave me and that
I was powerless to stop you. Since the first time that I saw you, I have loved you
and you have made the last year of my life the greatest. The day that you
married me was the highlight, but the day that you told me that you’re going to
have my baby was the greatest day of my life. I love you so much Alanna and I
hope that you will clear your mind of your unnecessary guilt and return to me
soon. I cannot live without you as you are my world. I love you and I am missing
you loads, love always Adrian.

I read his words over and over again –until the car stops at my parents’ condo.
I push my phone into the pocket of my jeans and then the driver opens my
door. I step out into the street of New York and it feels similar to the streets of
London. The air has the same chill and the people that pass by have the same
busy lives to get on with. The sirens and smells are also the same, but as I look
around I realise that New York will never be like London because London has
Adrian and New York never will.

I rush up the front steps of the building and I buzz my family’s condo to alert
them that I am here.

“Come in sweetie,”
my mom gushes as she buzzes me in. I push open the heavy
door and then I make way across to the front door of the condo. The door is
already open and my mom is there to greet me when I enter. She rushes
towards to me and she grips on to me so tight that I feel I am going to break in
half. She pulls back from me, but she leans in again and now she is rapidly
kissing my cheeks. I laugh at her and then I grab her hands as I alert her that I
have had enough affection for one day.

“Mom, enough,” I say playfully. My mom flashes me her famous scowl and
then she rushes me into the lounge. She sits me down onto the large, white
leather sofa and she sits next to me as she begins to quiz me on why I am here.

“So sweetie, what has happened between you and Adrian?” I roll my eyes at
her as I don’t feel like getting into details about my marriage –but I know that I
have to as I can’t expect my mom to just forget about it. I have made the
decision to run back to my parents so I have to give them an explanation as to
why I am here in the first place. I take a deep breath as I begin to tell my mom
about everything –starting with William.

“It’s a really long story, but I guess I should start by telling you about William.”
My mom stares at me in confusion.

“Oh please don’t tell me that you have met someone else?” I laugh at my
mom’s reaction.
“Of course not, William is Adrian’s …son.” My mom’s eyes pop out of her head
at my confession and for the first time ever I think that she is speechless.
Senescing my mom’s shock I decide that I will save her the trouble of replying
and instead I will continue to tell her about William. “Adrian had an affair five
years ago and William is the result of that affair. He is the most beautiful child
that I have ever seen and Adrian adores him.”

“I don’t know what to say. Is the child the reason that you left?” I shake my
head.

“No, I love him he is an amazing child and I have a wonderful relationship with
him. I left for …other reasons.” My mom reaches outand takes my hand in
hers. She looks at me with her large eyes and she tries to see into my head for
answers. I can tell that she desperately wants to know my reason for leaving
Adrian, but I don’t know if can be truly honest and tell her. I am scared that she
will want me to stay away from Adrian once she knows the truth.

“What other reasons?” My mom is practically begging me to tell her –should I
give in and confess everything to my mom?

“I just needed some space away from him to think about … certain things.” My
mom frowns at me again and I can tell that my answers are frustrating her. She
leaps from the sofa and she informs me that she is going to make some coffee.
I watch as she marches out of the lounge. She returns a few moments later and
she is carrying two large cups of coffee, she hands me mine as she sits back
down next to me. I take a sip of my coffee and I cringe my teeth as I remember
just how strong my mom makes her coffee. I gently set it down onto the table
in front of me and then I turn to face my mom as I feel that she needs more
answers than I am giving her.

“Things between Adrian and I are a little ...strained right now. I know that this
is going to come as a massive shock to you, but Michael has been harassing me
for months.” My mom sets her coffee down next to mine and she looks
confused as she tries to process my words.

“I don’t understand, harassing you in what way?” I nod at her and then I
explain –better.
“I have never told anyone this –expect from Adrian of course, I have received
so many threatening messages over the last five months that I have lost count
and every one of them was sent by Michael. He wanted me to leave Adrian, he
wanted to hurt him and the only way he knew how was to hurt me. Michael
has hurt me; he kidnapped me and gave me these bruises on my arm.” I pause
as I roll up the sleeve of my jumper. My mom’s eyes fill with tears as she takes
in my battered arms.

“Oh sweetie, I don’t know what to say.”

 

“You haven’t heard everything yet.” I say quietly. My mom nods at me and
then urges me to continue.

 

“Go on sweetie,”

“Michael and his brother tricked me into thinking that he was hurt. Adrian and
I took a trip to France with Sophie and James, but we had to cut it short
because Michael called me and told me that he was badly hurt and that he
needed me. I rushed to help him, but when I arrived at his house he wasn’t
hurt, he was fine. He had lured me there so that he could kill me.” My mom is
stunned by what I am saying and as I look at her perfect face with her perfectly
straight bobbed hair, I feel that she can’t absorb my words. Her eyes have
popped out of her head from the shock and her lips have turned white. She
thrusts her shaky hands into mine as she tries to respond.

“I don’t know what to say, this is beyond…crazy.”

 

“I know it’s hard to take in but it’s the truth,” I say as I gently squeeze my
mom’s hand.

 

“But he was such a nice boy, what happened to him?” I blush at her words.
“He had all of us fooled and he played us exceedingly well.” My mom shakes
her head as if she still cannot believe what I am saying.

 

“Sweetie, do you blame Adrian for what Michael has done.” I narrow my eyes
at mom as I think the opposite of that.

 

“No, if it’s anyone’s fault then it’s mine.”

“Why would you say that?” I exhale as I reply.
“I lead Michael into believing that we could be more than friends. I wouldn’t
let him go, I needed him and I forced him into loving me. I don’t blame Adrian
because everything is my fault.” My frowns at me as she increases her grip on
my hand.

“Sweetie you can’t think like that. You have such a big heart and you wanted to
be Michael’s friend, don’t ever think that you made an error, you always want
to see the good in people and you saw the good in him. Everyone knew that
you cared for him, but in a friendly way, it’s clear to see that you love Adrian
will all of your heart and Michael never stood a chance, don’t blame yourself.”
I leap into my mom’s arms and she holds me tight as she gently strokes my
hair. I inhale her Chanel No 5 perfume and I grip her as tightly as I can –I have
missed my mom so much.

Later that afternoon my mom and I decide to go for a little bonding session –
shopping. We have taken a cab to Bendels and for the first time in forever I am
excited about going shopping. When Adrian and I first got married I spent a lot
of time shopping and I can’t believe that I am saying this, but I had become so
tired of stores that I never wanted to enter another one again. I had gotten to
know almost every store in London and I could find my way around them with
my eyes closed. So in the months that have passed I have stayed well away
from shopping –hoping that my passion would return.

My mom and I arrive at Bendels and when we step out into the cold street of
New York, I begin to have a sudden rush of Adrian running through my mind. I
miss him so much and I wish that I could be with him right now, but I can’t. I
need to stay away from him for as long as it takes to clear my head and from
now on I am not going to allow myself to think about him. It’s too hard to have
these constant reminders of him everywhere I look, so I am going to put my
Adrian worries out of my mind.

“Let’s shop!” My mom says as she links her arm intomine. I briefly smile at her
and then we walk towards the entrance of Henri Bendel. We enter the
gorgeous store and I cannot help but smile as I take in its beauty. The store is
decked out in its trademark white and brown stripes. The never ending
selection of stunning, cute and to die for accessories spans over three perfect
floors of shopping pleasure. Everything is stunning and I can’t wait to get stuck
in.

My mom and I prowl the first floor of the store and whilst I check out the
lovely key chains and jewellery, I hear a voice that I am familiar with. I close my
eyes and I try to pretend that I am invisible as Noelle –Portia’s mom rushes
over to us.

“Belle, darling, how lovely to see you,” I roll my eyes at her whiney voice and I
watch in horror as she air-kisses my mom on both cheeks. Noelle is everything
that I hate about New York, she is pretentious, selfish, only cares about her
image and what other people think. She doesn’t givea rat’s ass about anyone
other than herself and thinks that family and love is secondary to money and
power. Noelle is my worst nightmare, come true.

“How have been?” My mom says in a smooth tone. Noelle flashes my mom a
big wide grin as she stands in her tight, blue mini dress. Noelle has a very petite
figure and she knows how to show it off. She is always dressed in figure
hugging clothes that flatter her curves in all the right places and her shoulder
length, brown hair is always high in a perfect bun. She has nice almond shaped,
hazel eyes that strike out at you when you look at her. Noelle is a beautiful lady
on the outside but on the inside she is hideous.

“Let me tell you darling, I have been so busy the last few months.” Noelle says
in her tightly perfected accent. I roll my eyes at her and my mom catches my
actions and she quickly shakes her head at me in disapproval. I flash my mom
an apologetic smile and then I begin to look through the sunglasses as Noelle
fills us in on her life.

“I have hired Frank to redo the hotel décor, but let me tell you darling, we are
really behind in schedule. He insisted that I change the theme of the hotel to a
hideous shade of purple and let me tell you that I ripped everything out as
soon as he laid it. So now we are back to square one and we are back to the
drawing broad.” I gently laugh at her pathetic problems. I would hate to see
Noelle have an actual problem like being stalked byyour best friend/brother in
law for instance.
“That’s an ordeal, what does Robert think about it?” Noelle rolls her eyes at
the sound of her fiancés name. Robert and Noelle have been together for
about three years now and they have been planning this over top the wedding
since they met. Robert isn’t Portia’s father in fact she has never met her real
father –only her mom’s latest rich boyfriend.

“Oh you know what Robert’s like, he always away on business and he never
has time for my dramas.” Noelle laughs at her own joke and then she turns to
face me. I wrinkle my nose as I wait for her words. “How is married life treating
you, Alanna?” My mom shoots me a darting look and she silently pleads with
me to not share my inner most honest thoughts with Noelle –as if would
anyways. I force myself to smile at her and then I answer her question in my
most excited voice.

“My marriage is great, I love it.” Noelle smiles at me and then she runs her
finger across her perfectly shaped eyebrow as she considers her next words.

 

“That’s wonderful, what’s your life like in London? You do live in London,
right?” I stare at her as her quizzing words pass from her lips.

“We live in London and our life is amazing.” Noelle smiles again and then she
looks as if she would like say something else. Her lips are curved and her
eyebrows are raised and I don’t like the sight as I know that her next words are
going to make me feel uncomfortable.