Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (28 page)

“Things are good, we have moved into a bigger apartment. The view is amazing
it looks out over central park and every morning we wake up and have
breakfast as we look out at the city. For the first time in my life I am actually
happy.” I smile at her as I am happy for her. “We are having a boy,” Sophie
confesses. I can’t contain my smile as I leap forward and hug Sophie.

“Wow a little boy, that’s wonderful. Have you thought of a name yet?” Sophie
loosens my grip on her as she reaches over and lifts a piece of bread from the
platter. I laugh at her and then I focus as she explains about her baby’s name.

“I was thinking about calling him Brooklyn, but James is on the fence about it.
He wants to call him Spencer.”

 

“They are both great names, but I agree with you I like Brooklyn.” Sophie bites
into the bread as she nods in agreement.

 

“I still can’t believe that you are married.” Sophie gushes.

 

“I know it’s crazy, right?” I agree with Sophie.

“Do you like living in London?” Sophie’s words catch me by surprise as I have
never had to answer that question before. I take amoment to think before I
answer – do I like the city of London? I know thatI adore its beauty and the
culture of the city, but do I wake up every morning loving the fact that I live in
London? I smile as I absolutely adore it.
“Yes I love living here.” Sophie places what’s left of the bread down onto the
counter and she sighs – deeply. I look at her and I feel that she has something
on her mind. I stop dishing out the food as I ask her if she is okay.

“Is everything, okay?” Sophie shakes her head and now I am worried, I hope
that everything is okay with the baby. “Is it the baby?”

 

“No I’m fine. It’s just I am a little sad that my two best friends live so far away.”

 

“Speaking of Katharine, have you heard from her lately?” Sophie looks
awkward at the sound of my question.

“She calls me every day,” Sophie looks guilty as she confesses. I roll my eyes as
I think of all the lies and spiteful things that Katharine has obviously said about
me. “I don’t understand why you two have fallen out, what happened?”

“I don’t know, after the wedding she just completely avoided me. At first I
didn’t know what I did to offend her, but I saw her this morning and she told
me.”

“And?”

“Come on Sophie you know why she has a problem with me.” Sophie looks
guilty again and her emotions alert me that my theories about Katharine
slating me are correct.

“She doesn’t like Adrian,” Sophie finally confesses.

 

“That’s ridiculous, but it’s true. Katharine hates Adrian and she has gone out of
her way to make him suffer.”

 

“What did she do?”

“Katharine has manipulated Jeff into quitting his job. Not only has Adrian lost
his right hand man, but now Jeff is threating to sue Adrian for millions . He is
devastated, Jeff was his best friend and now he has lost him and it’s all
because of Katharine.”

“I had no idea that things were so bad, it’s so unlike her to do a thing like this. I
don’t understand who she has become.”
“The girl I saw this morning wasn’t the girl that we know. She has changed in
so many ways and I can honestly say that I wish that I never see her again.
Katharine disgusts me and I will never forgive her for what she has done.”

Our dinner has now started and once everyone is sitting down at their seats
Adrian makes a toast.

“I would just like to say welcome to our home and thanks to my stunning wife
for this delicious food.” Adrian holds up his glass of champagne and I am
stunned that he is drinking again. I don’t want to quiz him about it in front of
our guests so I hold my tongue as he sips the alcohol.

We eat in peace – at least for a while. Everyone has complimented my food
and I am flattered by their kind words. We are dining in candlelight with small
vases of white roses running up the centre of the table. We have Michael
Bublé playing in the background and the moon is shining in through our large
glass windows. Sophie is glowing as she talks about becoming a mother and
James is quietly content as he adds his thoughts about being a dad to the
conversation. Adrian is listening intently as he understands their worries about
parenting. Edward is leaning back in his chair –smugly as he sips at champagne.
I have to hold back my anger as I have had to watch him refilling Adrian’s
empty glass with champagne -all night long. It’s clear to see that Adrian’s new
taste for alcohol is influenced by Edward. In the past I tried to encourage
Adrian into indulging in alcohol as I felt that he could control himself, but now
that Adrian has started to drink, I am not sure if like it.

Once everyone has finished eating, I leap from my seat as I begin to clear away
the plates. As I lift Adrian’s plate, James rises up from his seat and he starts to
help clear up. I smile at him and then I make my way into the kitchen. I sit the
dirty plates down onto the counter and then I glideover to the fridge and I
take out a vanilla cheesecake. As I begin to slicethe dessert into equal pieces,
James walks into the kitchen – carrying the plateswhich he cleared from the
table. I smile at him again and then I thank him for his help.

“Thanks, Sophie is a lucky girl; Adrian would neverclear away dirty dishes.”
James laughs and then he places the plate down ontothe counter. I continue
to plate up our dessert as James glides over and takes a seat at the breakfast
bar. I politely smile at him, but inside I am thinking of how strange he is acting.
He seems nervous as he stares at me and my cheeks begin to flush when he
maintains his stare. I haven’t seen him as jumpy as this before and I feel that
he wants to talk to me about something. So I stop slicing the cheesecake as I
lock my eyes on his. I smile at him again and then I ask him if he is okay.

“Is everything, okay?” James slides his hand through his hair as he thinks of his
reply. His dark eyes are glistening in the soft lighting and I can’t help but
wonder what’s wrong with him.

“I’m good; it’s you who I am worried about.” My heart begins to race – why is
James worried about me?

 

“Why are you worried about me?” James looks seriousas he stares deep into
my eyes.

 

“Have you been sick recently?” I clear my throat as I reply.

“Yeah, I have.” I stare at the doctor as I think back on how crappy I have been
feeling. My head pounds all the time and I am always nauseous, I always feel
light headed and my appetite is weird. Holy cow, is there something wrong
with me?

“Explain your symptoms to me?”

 

“Nausea and I feel dizzy, a lot.” James considers my words and then he smiles
at me.

 

“Alanna, you need to make an appointment with your GP.” I frown at him.

“Is there something wrong with me?” I snap. James laughs again and then he
rises up from his chair. He glides over to my side and he lifts two of the dessert
plates. I stare up at him as I begin to worry.

“You will be fine, but promise me that you will goand see your doctor? Just for
a check-up, you look a little … pale.”

It’s now 10:30pm, Edward has left and Sophie and James have gone to bed. I
have just finished clearing up and now I am going to join Adrian in the lounge. I
walk into the room and Adrian is sitting on the sofa as he talks on his phone. I
slip off my Jimmy Choos as I make my way over to him. I sit down next him and
when my ass hit’s the cushions Adrian wraps his arm around me as he pulls me
closer to him. I rest my head on his chest as he continues to talk on his
BlackBerry. I inhale his scent as I take in his sexy voice.

“Ah mate it was only a bad dream, go back sleep and I will see you in the
morning.” I smile as I realise that Adrian is talking to William. I grip him tighter
as I find him irresistible when he is talking so softly. Adrian is always so serious
so I love it when I get to witness his tender side. I look up at him and he gently
puckers his lips as if he were going to kiss me.

“Please tell William that I say goodnight,” I say smoothly as Adrian stares down
at me.

“Alanna says goodnight, now mate it’s time for youto go to bed. I will see you
first thing in the morning, okay?” Adrian smiles and then he hangs up the
phone after William says his goodbyes. Adrian drops his phone down onto the
sofa and then he slides his hand onto my face as he leans down and gently
places his lips on mine. I firmly clutch his jaw as his melt into his kisses. Adrian
gently pushes me down onto the sofa, but I remember that I need to talk to
him about my job, so I push him back.

“What’s wrong?” He says firmly. I smile at him as I loosen myself from his grip.
I nervously push my hair away from my face as I begin to explain today’s
events to Adrian.

“I had a terrible day,” Adrian narrows his green eyes at me.

“Tell me what happened?” He says firmly. I explain to him about the car and
about Janet’s phone call. I leave out the part about the note as I fear that news
of it could send Adrian over the edge. As Adrian takes in my words, his eyes
begin to bolt and his hands are beginning to tremble. I try to reach over and
take his hand in mine, but he pulls his hand back.I stare at him as I await his
reaction.

“We need to get away; it isn’t safe for you here.” I scowl at him as I remind him
that we have guests.

 

“What about Sophie and James? We can’t just abandon them.” Adrian nods
and then he talks.

“We will take them with us,”
“But where will we go?” Adrian slides his fingers through his hair as he thinks.

“St. Tropez?” I consider his suggestion and then I shake my head as I think of
his business. Adrian is being sued over the last time he took a break, so I hate
to think what will happen if he takes another one.

“We can’t just up and leave. What about your company and William, we can’t
just leave him.” Adrian nervously squeezes his lipsas he thinks again.

 

“Fuck the business and we can take William with us. I am sure that Zara
wouldn’t mind.”

 

“I’m pretty sure that she would and don’t be so vulgar, it’s not cool.” Adrian
clenches his fists at my words.

 

“Don’t get smart with me,” he snaps as he points his long finger in my face. I
roll my eyes at him and then I grab his finger as I snarl my reply.

“Don’t point your finger in my face,” Adrian’s eyes intensify and I can see the
rage building in them. I let go of his hand as I try to explain my answer in a
more polite tone. “I know it’s hard, but we can’t just run away from this and
you know that your company needs you right now.”

“I can’t risk you getting hurt –again. Please don’t fight me on this.” Adrian
reaches out and he slides me along the sofa and into his arms. He clutches my
face as he presses a soft kiss onto my neck. I close my eyes at his touch and
then I sigh as I agree with his commands.

“Okay, but we have to take William with us. It’s not fair for us to leave him.”
Adrian smiles at me and then I remember about the note – perhaps I should
tell him about it. Ever since Adrian kept Edward a secret from me we have
promised to always be truthful with one another and by not telling him about
the message I am breaking my promise to him. I rest my head against his chest
as I confess.

“Adrian, they have sent me another warning.” Adrian pats my head at my
confession and then he gently asks me to explain.

“Tell me what they have said?” I grab onto Adrian’s hand and then I lead him
out of the lounge and into the hallway. Adrian flicks the lights off as we leave
lounge and then I tenderly hold his hand in mine as we glide up the stairs and
into our bedroom. I walk over to my dressing table and I open one of its
drawers. I rummage through the drawer until I feel the piece of paper. I grab it
from the drawer and then I hand it to Adrian. He reads it and his face flashes
white as takes in the words. I gently touch his arm as I try to comfort my
husband. Adrian shakes his head and then he hands me the note.

“Don’t worry I will do everything in my power to make you safe again.” I lunge
into Adrian’s arms and he holds me firmly. He gently kisses the top of my head
as he squeezes me harder. I rest my cheek against his chest as I inhale his
strong cologne. I feel safe in his arms and I could stay in this moment –forever.

Sixteen

When I wake the next morning, I wake up alone. I scan the room as I focus my
eyes, but Adrian is nowhere to be seen. I gently press my hand against my
forehead as I adjust my blurry eyes. My eyes finally clear and then I lunge out
of the bed and I make my way into the bathroom. As I switch on the light, I
notice a pink post-it stuck onto the mirror. I smile as I grab the note to read.

Baby, I have gone to collect William. Please don’t pack, I have already sorted
everything. I won’t be long and I love you, Mrs Black!

 

I smile again at Adrian’s message and then I run myself a shower.

I march back into my bedroom with my bathrobe tightly tied around me. I
begin to look through my closet as I choose an outfit. I decide to wear my
white skinny jeans and a bright bink blouse. As Adrian has told me not to pack I
resist the urge to fill my overnight bag with clothes. I switch the light off in my
closet and then I head over to my dressing table where I begin to dry my curly
hair. Once my hair is dry, I apply a little serum and then I apply a light dusting
of make-up. James is right I do look pale so I apply an extra layer of blush as I
don’t want Adrian to notice my light complexion. I smile at myself once I am
satisfied with my look and then I slide up from chair as I begin to make my way
down the stairs.

I walk into the kitchen and to my surprise Sophie is already awake and she is
preparing breakfast. I rush over to her as I offer her my help.
“Sophie let me help you with that,” I say as I attempt to take the spatula from
her hand. Sophie playfully bats me away as she informs me that she doesn’t
want my help.

“I’m not disabled and I can manage to make breakfast!” I am stunned by her
tone and I make a darting look towards James who is sitting at the breakfast
bar. He smiles at me as he informs me not to mess with a hormonal Sophie.