Three Thousand Miles(103)

“Baby you ready to go?”

“Yes,” I say as I smile at him.





Adrian carries my bags as we head out into the hallway. We walk along to my friend’s room and Adrian firmly knocks onto the door. Emma answers and she stands in the doorway with her hair flowing down her face and she is dressed smartly in black jeans, black shirt and black leather jacket.

“Are you ready?” Adrian asks his sister. She smiles at him as she rushes back into the room. She quickly returns and she is holding a blue overnight bag.

“I am ready,” she says as she steps out into the hallway. Sophie rushes over to us as she hears our voices.

“So you guys off then?” She says in a curious voice.

“Yes, now are you sure that you do not want to come with us?” Adrian asks with kindness in his voice. Sophie briefly smiles but soon her smile fades.

“No thanks; Katharine and I are going to spend the weekend out on the town.” I let out a little giggle as Sophie embraces me with a hug. She gently closes the door and Adrian, Emma and I head down to the car.

“So how long does it take to get to Surrey?” Emma asks once we are settled into the car. Adrian turns to her and he releases a dark laugh.

“Just over an hour,” Adrian pushes his foot hard onto the gas pedal as he speeds off.

Our journey is quiet as Adrian drives steadily along the country roads. I smile out the window as we pass by the gorgeous countryside. The gaping landscape goes on forever and I could gaze at the view all day. The trees are calm and they are beginning to get green again after the long harsh winter. The sun is lightly beaming but the air is still crisp. However, we feel no cold as we sit toasted in Adrian’s black Range Rover. The radio is playing lightly as we sit in silence. I glance at Adrian for a moment and he quickly notices my action.

“Alanna are you okay?” He asks gently. I lightly exhale as the feeling of dread again takes over my body. I look over at Adrian and he briefly takes his eyes from the road to gaze at me. His eyes are sinful and his face is stunning as he again concentrates on the road. I take a deep breath and I am compelled to tell him the truth about how I am feeling.

“I am a little nervous about this weekend,” I say lightly and Adrian nods at me.

“I see and what are you nervous about?”

“Everything,” I confess. Adrian turns to me again.

“Alanna you need to be more specific,” he says in a quick, firm voice. I nervously bite my lip as I begin to tell him how I am feeling.

“Mostly I am nervous about Tabatha,”

“Why, what did she do?” Adrian says awkwardly. I roll my eyes, as I am beginning to feel uncomfortable. Tabatha means a lot to Adrian and I feel super-guilty that I have issues with her.

“I guess she made me feel uneasy at the dinner the other night. I feel that she doesn’t think that I am good enough for you.”

“Don’t be absurd she wouldn’t think that,”

“Yes she does and she made it clear that she did not like me.”

“Alanna stop, Tabatha is not like that.” I shake my head at him.

“I know that she means a lot to you but I felt attacked by her.”

“Okay then I will have a word with her. Alanna you must promise me that you will make an effort this weekend.” I stare at him and I am not sure what he is meaning by his words.

“Now you have to be more specific,” I say a little too sarcastically.

“This weekend is very important to Charles and Tabatha and they are very important to me. Baby, you know that you are the most important thing in my life. But Alanna I will not stand for you being rude so promise me that you will try to get along with my family.” I am a little hurt by his words, as I would never be rude to anyone. Adrian means the world to me and I would never disrespect his family in anyway. I frown at him.

“Adrian you know that I would never be rude to your family. You have hurt my feelings by saying that.”

“So are you mad at me now?” He says firmly. His hands are beginning to grip the steering wheel very tightly and his teeth are clenched. As I stare at him, I feel that his anger is a very significant part of him. Whenever I talk back to him his temper, increases and I fear that he will lose it completely. I am always scared that he will lose his temper and lose himself. I know that I should not be with him if I feel scared of him. However, I love him too much to walk away.

“No, I am not mad at you and I will make an effort with Tabatha.” I give in to his commands and I watch as his grip on the steering wheel become looser. His tense face is slowly fading and is replaced by a gentle smirk. However, it quickly fades.

“Baby, there is something that I need to tell you. But I need to tell you right now and you need to stay calm when I do.” My eyes widen at his words and I sense the serious tone in his voice. I instantly agree to his conditions.