“So where are you taking her tonight?” I hear Sophie ask Adrian.
He quickly responds. “It is a secret but I am sure that she will tell you later on.”
Sophie lightly giggles and she begins again. “Adrian if you don’t mind me asking, why did you decide to come back,” I hear Sophie bravely ask.
“The main reason I came back is that I could not stay away any longer. I was a total mess without Alanna. Nothing mattered to me and I could not focus on the business. I tried to go back to London but I did not make it past - check in.”
I am surprised by Adrian’s openness and especially to Sophie. It was not that long ago he was telling me to be aware of her. I shake my head and I still cannot believe how things have changed in such a short space of time. I clasp my ear again to door as I hear Sophie respond.
“You really love her, don’t you?”
“There is something about her that completes me. I know that my life would be over if she was not in it. I knew that I loved her from the first time that I saw her.” Adrian gushes and I beam at his confession.
“I was very wrong about you and I apologise for treating you the way that I did.” Sophie sounds sincere in her words.
“Everyone judges me before they get to know me and you are no different. You mean a lot to Alanna and I wanted your approval.”
“Then you have it. No one makes Alanna smile in the way that you do.” I lean back from the door and I push it open. I walk out into the room and Adrian stares at me.
“Baby, you look amazing.” He gushes. I smile at him and I walk over to my closet. I rummage amongst my coats until I find my black fur, sleeveless jacket. I slip it on and I tie it at the waist. I switch of the light and I again enter the room.
Adrian instantly smiles at me.
“Are you ready?” He asks softly. I walk over to him and I link my arm into his. I stare at him and I notice that he has also changed his clothes since this morning. He has replaced the black shirt with a white one and he now has on a long black coat. His hair is greased back with one or two strands falling loosely around his forehead. He is massively tall and with six-inch Jimmy Choos on, I still feel dwarfed by him. Sophie claps her hands gently at the sight of us. I cannot contain my smile as Sophie says.
“You two look amazing together.”
Adrian lightly strokes my hair as he replies. “I wouldn’t look as good if I didn’t have this beauty on my arm.” He lets out a husky laugh at his own words and I cannot hold back my giggles. Sophie says goodnight and Adrian escorts me out of the room and along the hallway. He walks rather slowly and I gaze up at him.
“Alanna, what is wrong?” He asks.
I smile and say, “Nothing is wrong. You are just walking a little… slow.”
He looks down at me and his hair falls from its place. He lightly pushes it back and he looks into my eyes.
“I am in no hurry.” I smile at him and I grip him tighter. I still feel as if someone needs to pinch me. Yesterday my life was in tatters and now it is perfect once again. I knew that I missed Adrian terribly but having him back really points me in the direction of what I want. Adrian is everything that I could ever need. I love him more than life and I thank god that I never once gave up on him. I knew that there had to be more and I was persistent in confirming that. Adrian’s return has sparked a fire inside of me and that fire will never be distinguished.
“Are you going to tell me where we are going?” I ask nicely. Adrian does not look down at me as he picks up the pace.
“No it is a surprise.” I smile at him and I walk faster to keep up with him. We reach the front door and we step out into the cold snowy night of Manhattan. I glance around at the busy street and it does not take long for me to figure out which car belongs to Adrian.
“Still driving the Rolls Royce?” I say in a light sarcastic tone. He smirks at me as he opens the door.
“Technically I don’t drive it,” he says just as sarcastic. I carefully slide into the car and I caress my stomach as I do.
“Are you in pain, baby?” Adrian has immediately noticed my emotion. I glide over to the opposite side of car and I lean back into the soft leather seat. I look to Adrian as he gets into the car and softly closes the door behind him.
“I am okay, it was just a twinge.” I say trying to prove to him that I am fine. He briefly flashes me a smile as he signals the driver to pull away. The car drives slowly around Manhattan and I glare out of the window at the beautiful city that is New York. The streets are filled with people who look as if they could not be happier. I turn to Adrian and I soon realise that I could not be happier than I am right now. He places his hand on the armrest that sits between us. He glances to me and he makes a gesture with his eyes that alerts me to take his hand. I carefully place my hand on his and a gentle smile comes to his face. We bask in that moment for what feels like a lifetime. Until Adrian’s phone starts to ring and he pulls away from me so that he can take the call. I stare at him as he answers,