Three Thousand Miles(43)

“I can risk it, Alanna.” I nod in agreement and I glare at my surroundings. The night sky of New York is filled with soft light stars. The city is busy, the lights are flashing, and I feel that I can escape everything when I look at Adrian. I take a small sip of the champagne as Adrian stares at me. I let out a soft giggle and I say.

“Who knew that you were this romantic?” He smirks at me,

“I am full of surprises.” I nod in agreement and Adrian looks as if he may have something on his mind. I glance at him and I ask if he is okay.

“Yes I am fine. However there is something that I would like to talk to you about.” He says firmly. I lean back into my seat,

“Okay, go ahead.” He takes a deep breath and he diddles his finger on the table. He begins to say something but he pauses as he turns to the man that is playing the soft music.

“Can you leave us?” Adrian holds out his hand for the man to shake it and all the while, he hands him a stash of money. He quickly turns to face me again and this time he says.

“I want to talk to you about… my sister.” I clear my throat,

“Off course, talk,” He slightly coughs as he slides himself up in the chair.

“I want to meet her but I don’t know how to approach the situation. I was hoping that you could come with me?” I smile brightly at him and I am flattered that he wants me to come with him as he meets his sister for the first time.

“Absolutely, just say the time and I will be there.” He laughs at my response.

“How do you think that she will react to me?” I sigh and I remember Dr James. He told me that he loved her but could not be with her because of Maggie. I try to clear my mind, as I do not really want to share this information with Adrian just yet.

“It depends on the type of person that she is. I am sure that she is open to meeting you, have you tried to contact her?” I say. Adrian shakes his head and he clutches the bridge of his nose.

“I haven’t contacted her but I know where she lives. I just cannot pick up the courage to go and meet her.” I sense Adrian’s vulnerability as he strokes his forehead. I stare at him, I like this side to him, and Adrian seems as if he has changed in so many ways.

“Adrian I don’t want you to worry about this. Maggie is a wonderful women and I am sure that Emma is equally wonderful.” Adrian sighs at my words and he reaches over to me and takes my hand firmly.

“Alanna, I am a messed up broken person and I fear that Emma will reject me.”

I grip Adrian’s hand as I stare into his radiant green eyes.

“If she does then it’s her loss. Within the first five minutes of talking to you, I realised that you are the most special and interesting guy that I have ever met. If Emma doesn’t notice that then she is the unlucky one for not knowing you.”

Adrian loosens his grip on my hand as he slides his chair out. He stands straight up and reaches out his hand. I quickly take his hand and he escorts me over to the ledge of the building. Adrian gently nudges me forward and he takes my hands and places them onto the barrier. I feel the cold steel on my skin and a cold shiver runs up my back. I grip on tighter as I look down onto the streets of New York. The view is spectacular and what happens next dominates the amazing scenery. Adrian has placed himself right behind me and he has both his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. He leans in as he gently rests his chin on the top of my head. He exhales deeply and then I feel a soft kiss on the back of my head. I try to turn around so that I can face him but Adrian holds me back. I immediately freeze and Adrian whispers.

“Stand still baby,” Adrian loosens one hand from my waist and he gently begins to run his fingers through my hair.

“Alanna may I ask you something?” I close my eyes gently as I bask in this moment. I exhale and I respond to Adrian.

“Yes, ask me anything?” He takes a deep breath and he is still caressing my hair.

“How do you feel about Michael?” My eyes immediately open and I wonder if this is a trick question? My mind franticly searches for a reply and I do not have one. Adrian nudges my back and whispers gently.

“I am waiting, baby.”

Why was Adrian pushing this? Was this evening all a ploy, did Adrian have an ulterior motive and was I being tested. I do not know how to respond to his question and I feel that the truth is the only way that I could respond.

“I care about Michael but you know that I love you.” I finally say. My words are shallow as they choke out. Adrian gently moves my hair and now his finger is tingling the back of my neck.

“I know how you feel about me but that is not what I asked. I want to know how you feel about him.” I feel my body temperature rise as his cool British accent rings in my ears. I feel pressure to answer his questions in a way that he would want them to be answered. Adrian is putting me on the spot and I am now glad that I am not facing him as I try to respond to his queries. I feel something for Michael, which I cannot explain to myself, let alone to Adrian. Michael is different in so many ways and I feel myself drawn to him. He opens up a side to me that I never knew I had. Although his behaviour is sometimes out of order, I somehow manage to look past all that when I am with him. I know that Adrian will not understand my feelings towards Michael and there is something about Adrian, which makes it impossible for me to lie to him.