“Michael I am sorry that I make you feel this way. I hate what I do to you and I wish that I could set you free. However, I am too selfish, I care about you so much and I will always be grateful for what you did. I don’t deserve to have a friend like you because of the way I lead you on.” Michael nods in agreement and I cannot breathe. I want him in my life so badly but I am starting to think that I cannot have it both ways any longer. This feels like my last moments with Michael and I am broken by that thought.
“Alanna I don’t want you to feel guilty for the way that I feel about you. It is my fault that I… love you.” I try to hold back tears as I take in his words. Michael squeezes my hand as he notices that I am emotional.
“I am sorry Michael,” is all I manage to say. Michael pulls me closer to him and now I am in his arms. The strong grip he has on me instantly makes me feel safe. I close my eyes and for second I pretend that everything is okay. I let out gentle tears as I grip Michael. He softly strokes my hair and then he pulls back. My cheeks are tear-stained and my throat is dry. Michael smiles at me as he gently wipes away the water from my face. His fingers are soft and his touch is tingling.
“Alanna why are you crying,” I clear my throat as I respond.
“I am crying because I am scared of losing you.” Michael smiles at me.
“Sweetheart I am going nowhere,” I smile again at him and then I remember about Emma.
“Michael, what is going on with you and Emma?” Michael smiles at the sound of her name and I cannot believe that I feel a little jealous by his reaction. I stare at him and he lets go of me.
“We are friends,” Michael says quietly but I know that he is lying. I scowl at him for a correct answer.
“You looked more than friends.” Michael straightens his face and he lightly sighs.
“I don’t know what to tell you Alanna, I like the girl.” Michael snaps. I stare at him in amazement.
“Okay then just say that. It’s fine I get it, what’s not to like about her? She is gorgeous and smart and has beautiful dark hair.” Michael laughs at me and I cannot hold back my giggle either.
“Oh Alanna who knew that you would be jealous,”
“I am not jealous,” I snap. Michael laughs again at me.
“Seriously I am not jealous. Don’t you think it’s a little weird?” Michael straightens his face at my words.
“Why, what’s weird about it?” Michael says firmly. I try to compose myself as I reply.
“I don’t know, look forget I said anything,”
“No Alanna, tell me.”
“It’s just Adrian is your brother and Emma is his sister. Don’t you think it could get a little… complicated?”
“No, Adrian doesn’t seem to mind so why should I? It is not as if I am related to her. And Adrian is my brother but we don’t share DNA.” Michael’s words about DNA quickly remind me about William. I instantly change the subject, as I would like to know what Michael thinks of the situation.
“Okay maybe you are right.” I take a deep breath as I begin to quiz Michael. “Michael, what do you think about William?”
“Listen Alanna, I don’t believe it for a second. That little boy belongs to Chad I know it. So please don’t worry, I can’t see you becoming a wicked stepmother anytime soon.” I frown at Michael.
“What makes you so sure? Have you not seen the little boy?”
“What you think because he has green eyes then he must be Adrian’s?” I shake my head at him.
“No it’s not just that, and why are you so sure that he is Chad’s?”
“Because this is exactly the type of thing that Zara does. She is a manipulative bitch who cannot get over Adrian. She sees that he is happy with you and she wants to ruin it. I can bet my life that she is just messing with him. The sooner Adrian gets a DNA test the better.” I gasp as I take in Michael’s opinions. I never stopped to think that Zara could be doing this out of spite. I saw the way she looked at Adrian and maybe Michael’s theories are correct.
“If it’s all a game then why did Chad get so upset?” Michael rolls his eyes at me.
“Alanna, he knows that child is his. He was just using it as an excuse to hurt Adrian.”
“No I don’t believe that,”
“Then why did he leave with Zara? They left as a family and he cradled that little boy in his arms. You saw how crazy Chad is, so do you really think he would be that calm?” My mind is racing and I don’t know what to think. I look at Michael and what he is saying is slowly beginning to make sense. Why would Chad leave with her if he truly believed that she lied to him all this time? How could he cradle that little child knowing that he was not his? So many possibilities are coming to the surface and Michael is right the sooner Adrian finds out if William is his, the better.