“I love this song,” I admit as I begin to mouth the words to Enrique Iglesias’s heartbeat. Adrian smiles at me and squeezes my hand tightly.
“Can you feel my heartbeat?” He whispers. I laugh gently at him and he breaks into hysterical giggles.
“I guess that Michael could relate to this song?” Adrian says in a firm voice. I gently let go of his hand and he turns to me in frustration.
“Did I do something wrong?” He says as the car again comes to a stop at the red light.
“That was a little out of order,” I admit.
“Why?” He insists.
“You know why,”
“I guess I do, he is trying to steal your heart away but the question is: are you letting him?” I gasp at his honesty. I feel my heart begin to race and I am not sure how to respond to his words. To my surprise, he smiles at me as he takes my hand.
“Baby Ignore me, I am sorry and I never meant to upset you.”
“I am not upset you just caught me off guard a little.”
“Again, I am sorry,” he apologises. I briefly smile at him as he turns the radio up. I shake my head and I quickly turn the radio back down.
“Adrian you know that I love you right?”
“I do,”
“Are you sure? Because if you doubt me then…” Adrian interrupts me.
“Baby, I don’t understand how you could ever love me but I know that you do. I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable that wasn’t my intention and I am sorry for my sarcasm about Michael.”
“Adrian I love you and you have nothing to worry about with me and Michael. I see him as friend and I see you as my forever. I only want you in that way and I could never be with anyone else.”
“Why won’t you marry me then?”
“Adrian we have talked about this,”
“Not really, you say that we are too young but if I am your forever then why not marry me?” I feel a lump building in my throat as Adrian again pushes the subject of marriage. His eyes are passionately waiting for my answer and I cannot think of one. I cannot tell him that marriage scares me because somewhere in my mind I will always fear that he will get bored of me and leave. I know if I told him that then he would sweet talk me into thinking that he never would and I then I would have to give in and marry him. My fears are paralyzing and I hate to think of myself without him. I would love nothing more than to marry him but I dread to think that my fear of him leaving me will stop me from ever becoming his wife.
“Adrian we are too young and the timing is not right. You have to trust me when I say that I love you and that you will always be my, forever.” Adrian slightly rolls his eyes at me and he simply says.
“Okay.”
Adrian pulls the car into a small parking lot and he quickly escorts me out the car. I take his hand as he walks me into a large brownstone building. I gaze at Adrian.
“Adrian what is this place?” He does not answer me instead; he pushes open the front door of the building. We walk in and I soon realise what type of place this is - an orphanage. I smile as I look around. Inside is spacious and it has a friendly feel with light yellow walls and modern furniture. Pictures of animals hang on the walls and the floor is scattered with toys. There is a front desk and an older, grey haired woman is quietly talking on the phone. Adrian makes his way over to her and I follow him. As soon as she sees him, she ends her call and quickly makes her way over to him.
“Adrian, my boy where have you been,” she says in a soft English accent.
“I am sorry I haven’t visited in a while but I have been busy.” He says as he pulls me forward. The woman focuses her eyes on me and I shyly flash a smile.
“And who is this?” She says as she reaches out for my hand.
“I am Alanna,” I say quietly. The woman smiles and Adrian moves closer to me.
“Baby, this is Janet she is the co-founder of this orphanage. Janet this is my lovely Alanna.” Adrian says proudly. The woman walks over to me and she embraces me with a gentle kiss on my cheek. I am a little stunned but at the same time, I feel privileged that she embraced me in this way. I am starting to notice Adrian beaming at her as she speaks and I feel that Janet might be a very important person in Adrian’s life.
“Well it is nice too meet you Alanna. Adrian has told me all about you and your dreams.” I gaze up at Adrian as he smiles freely. I turn back to Janet.
“I hope he only told you my good points?” I say a little shyly.
“Yes he told me that you have a huge heart and that you want to help those who are in need. But what he failed to mention was how beautiful you are.”
“Hey I did say that she was beautiful,” Adrian gently snaps. Janet lets out a deafening laugh and I slightly jump from the sound.