“Of course Father you can count on me being there,” Mr Jenkins smiles at Michael and then he turns to Adrian.
“Son I would really like it if you could be there too,” Adrian runs his fingers through his hair as he thinks of his answer. He stares down at me and I quickly flash him a smile. He takes a deep breath and then he turns to Mr Jenkins.
“Alanna and I will be there.”
Dinner runs smoothly and as it ends the men of the house have retired to study for brandies and cigars whilst the women sip champagne in the lounge. Tabatha begins to talk about fashion, her dogs and of course her home furnishings. I smile as I pretend that her latest curtain choice interests me. Katharine in unusually quiet as she sips her fourth glass of champagne.
“Am I boring you dear?” Tabatha asks. I immediately flash a smile as I try to reassure her that I am not bored.
“No,not at all,” Tabatha smiles and then it quickly fades.
“Alanna I have a confession to make. When I first found out that you and Adrian were together I was worried.”
“Why?” I say as I blink rather rapidly.
“As I am sure you are aware Adrian is a broken boy. He had the worst childhood and it left him with major issues. He has mental scares that will stay with him forever. I guess the reason I was worried was that Adrian means so much to me. I would do anything for him and when I heard that a beautiful American girl came into his life I was worried about your intentions.”
“I guess that is a natural reaction but I want to reassure you that I love Adrian. I would do anything for him and I would never do anything to hurt him. He is my world and without him I would not exist.” I protest. Tabatha takes in my words and I feel that she might need a little more convincing.
“If that is true then why do you need Michael?” I blush and then I glance at Katharine and I am stunned that she still has not said a word. I focus again on Tabatha as I try to respond.
“I am not sure what you mean by that?”
“I guess what I am trying to say is that I don’t fully understand why you need him in your life. Adrian adores you and if what you say is true then that should be all that you need.”
“Tabatha what I am saying is true I love Adrian. However, Michael saved me and I owe everything to him. Both of them mean the world to me but Adrian is the guy that I will always love.” Tabatha rushes over to me and she gently caresses my arm.
“Adrian is a complicated boy and Michael is wild. However, if you think that you can have the both of them then you are wrong. Adrian will not stand around and watch you flirt with Michael. He doesn’t need that type of stress in his life and if you feel that you cannot live without Michael then you can say goodbye to a life with Adrian.” I gaze at Tabatha as I try to process her words. I am not sure what to think of her honesty and I am beginning to sense that she does not like me. I feel that her smile is forged and her eyes are raging. She stares at me and I feel very uneasy around her. Her words seem harsh and I feel that she does not think that I am good enough to be with Adrian. I glare into her eyes and I begin to get dizzy. I gently step back from her as I try to compose myself. Katharine walks over to me and she has a concerned look on her face. She takes me by the arm and she quickly excuses us from the room. Katharine ushers me into the large kitchen and she closes the door behind us. She deeply exhales as she makes her way over to me.
“Alanna I got to talk to you,” she says. Her words a filled with anxiety and I reach out and take her hand. She pulls her hand away as she fixes her hair.
“Katharine what is wrong?” I ask.
“Michael is what’s wrong,” She snaps and my heart begins to race.
“What has he done?”
“I cannot stay with him any longer,” she confesses.
“Why what happened?”
“Everything, he treats me liked dirt and I am so stupid for taking him back.” Katharine is furious and I begin to panic.
“Katharine a few days ago you were happy what has changed?”
“Alanna I cannot be with someone who will never love me. He does not call me; he does not care what I do. He never shows any interest in anything that I say or do. He doesn’t treat me the way Adrian treats you.”
“Katharine you should compare your relationship to mine and Adrian’s.”
“How can I help it when it is right there in front of me?” Katharine’s words stun me and I feel very awkward. I clear my throat as I try to reply.
“Every relationship is different. Michael has a funny way of showing his feelings maybe you misjudged him.” Katharine shakes her head at my words.
“No Alanna I know that you see it too. I feel like I love him but I know that he will always love you. I have a deep jealousy of you that takes over my body. You have one amazing guy in Adrian but Michael wants you as well. I don’t understand it Alanna and it is not fair.”