“Okay, tell me,” I say weakly. Adrian shifts up into the seat and he glances in the mirror at Emma.
“Emma I need a moment to talk to Alanna could you please put in your headphones.” Adrian asks firmly.
“Sure,” Emma instantly agrees. My heart races, as I fear what he might say.
“Alanna this is hard for me but I want you to hear this from me.”
“Adrian you are scaring me,” I say quietly. He rolls his eyes as he continues to talk.
“I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to come out with it.” Adrian briefly pauses as he exhales deeply. He runs his hands nervously through his tousled hair and I cannot hold back the anxiety that fills my body.
“I had an affair Chad’s wife, Zara.” Adrian says in a strong voice. My heart races and I cannot take in his words. I desperately try to process this information but my head will not accept it. How could Adrian do a thing like that and to his stepbrother? I think back on all the horrible things that Chad did to Adrian but now I understand his reasons.
“How could you do that?” I say firmly. Adrian again exhales.
“Baby I was young and stupid and I know that’s not a valid reason for what I did. Zara made me feel special and wanted. She always reassured me that no one would ever find out therefore no one could get hurt. I deeply regret my actions and how I hurt Chad.”
“Adrian, why are you telling me this?”
“Wouldn’t you rather hear it from me?” Adrian shouts. I lean back from him and I stare at him shock.
“I am sorry,” he says as he reaches out for my hand. I look at him and I gently place my hand in his. He smiles at me and I lose myself. I hate what he did but I truly feel that he is sorry for his actions. He made a mistake and he was young and desperate for love. He wanted to feel special and wanted and that is exactly how Zara made him feel. My mind is racing as I realise that I now have another person to stress about this weekend.
“Yes, I am glad that you told me but I am finding it hard to take in what you are saying.” Adrian again glances in the mirror at Emma and he briefly smiles as he sees her stare back. He squeezes my hand gently.
“Baby I felt that you deserved to know because this weekend, people will be talking about it. I did not want you to hear about my affair from some old gossiper. I am actually glad that you are finding this hard to take in. If you were instantly okay with it then I would have thought that you were heartless.”
“Can we just stop talking about it now?” I ask Adrian. He lightly lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses my skin softly.
“Okay baby,”
We again sit in silence as our journey ends. We have turned off the main road and we are now travelling along a rough country track. The car is bumping from side to side as Adrian manoeuvres the car away from the massive holes in the road. The rain is starting to pour from the sky and the windscreen is plastered in water. The wiper blades instantly come on as we turn off from the bumpy road. I sigh as we are once again on the smooth surface of tarmac. The road is long and seems to go on forever. There are trees for as long as I can see and they arched along the road. In the distance, I can see a massive country house. As we get closer, the house looks more like a castle. The car comes to a stop in front of the house and I gasp as I gaze at the manor. The house is classic stone and the entire front of the house has some type of green plant growing up its walls. The front lawn is huge and manicured to perfection. There are statues and water fountains at the front of the house and flowers hanging from the doors. There are a few cars parked in front of the house and one of them I recognise. Next to a white Rolls Royce is Michael’s black Lamborghini and my heart races as I think of him. I quickly try to shake of my anxiety as Adrian parks the car next to the Lamborghini. Adrian steps out of the car and soon he is at my door. I carefully take his hand as I make my way out of the car. Emma quickly follows and I gaze at her in amazement.
“Adrian, this house is spectacular,” I gush. He smiles at me as he begins to unload our bags from the car. I notice that he has an extra bag and I wonder where it came from.
“Adrian, who does that bag belong to?” He rolls his eyes at me.
“Baby it is your bag,” I shake my head at him.
“No that’s my bag,” I say as I point out my luggage.
“Yes, but this is an extra bag for you.” He insists as I continue to gaze at him in confusion. He walks over to me and he takes my hand. He smiles at me and he says.
“I figured that you did not have any country clothing so I arranged for my personal shopper to get you some. Do you have a problem with that?” He says sarcastically. I gently roll my eyes and I watch as my action furies him.