Full of anticipation for tonight’s dinner with Michael, I decide I will go out for a coffee to try to kill some time. I wrap up warm and start for the streets of New York. As I pass buy the rows of elegant stores I think to what Adrian must feel when he buys the gifts for me. Whenever I ask him the reason for the gifts all he says,
“It’s because I want to treat you right.”
Somehow, that does not wash with me. I feel he maybe has another reason for it, something from his past that makes him the way he is. The more I hear about his secret past the more I want to know. When all I knew was that there was something that maybe he did or something happened to him, I could accept that, but with all this talk about enemies and people coming after him, and with Michael now here to watch over me, it is a little unsettling. I take my regular seat by the window in the Starbucks as I always do. I sit and look out over the streets and at the people of New York. Remembering the way I felt about the streets of London. The cool, crisp air the history that oozes from within the sidewalks of the city, I look out again and what I see is surprising. Parked a few doors down on the opposite side of the street, I see the same black Lamborghini that followed me round the East Hamptons. Only this time I can see that there is a dark grey haired man in the driving seat. I am startled to see him look straight over at me, a rush of fear I felt that night comes flooding around my body. I quickly rise up and walk out into the street. As I walk, I take out my phone and dial Adrian’s number. I wait for him to answer.
“Alanna hello.”
“Adrian,” I say in such a quite tone.
“Are you okay what’s wrong.” I hear him shout.
“I think I am being followed.”
“What, by who?”
“I don’t know Adrian.”
“Alanna you have to tell me right now, what do you see?”
“A black Lamborghini,” The phone goes quite at the sound of my words. “Adrian, are you still there?”
“I need you to go into the first public place you see and wait there for Michael.”
“Michael told me he had things to do, you can’t disturb him.”
“Alanna what do think the purpose of Michael being there is? I can disturb him anytime I want and anyway why did he leave you?” Adrian sounds angry a voice I have not heard before.
“He didn’t know I was going out he left me in the dorms, we are going for dinner later on tonight.”
“Tell me Alanna how many times have you seen that car?”
“Twice I think,” “No wait I saw a similar one in London.”
“They know”
“Who knows?”
“Alanna do as I say.” I hear the desperation in his voice and I cannot help but think that maybe I should. “Okay Adrian.”
“I have to go get Michael on the phone, can you text me the address of where you are?”
“Adrian wait why did you send me the key to a Lamborghini?”
“Alanna I didn’t.”
“Then who did?”
“I am guessing the same person that is in the car you see.”
I turn around and the car is still sitting there. I feel a pang of fear crawl up my spine, why was someone following me. What did Adrian do that was so bad? Who is he? I go back into the Starbucks and wait for Michael to arrive. I order another latte and sit by the window. Adrian phoned me to say that Michael was on his way and he would be ten minutes. I took the time while I was waiting, to search the internet for some possible answer as to what Adrian could have done. I type in his name but nothing of any interest comes up. I try the name of Adrian’s company James and Brookes, to see who are his main rivals but still no luck. The only other name I can think to try is Mr Jenkins. I scroll through the pages and one thing that grabs my attention is that, Mr Jenkins has another son. One that is not Michael or Adrian, his name is Chad and according to this website, he had a falling out with the family and moved away to France. Could this be something of importance?
“Alanna,” I hear Michael say as sits down at the table.
“I am okay, a little bit shaken that’s all.”
“What happened?”
“There is a black Lamborghini; it has been following me for a while.”
“And where is this car now?”
“Over there if you turn around you will see it.”
“Wait here.” Michael quickly gets up and races out the front door, as he does the car speeds away down the street and is out of sight. I get up and go out to Michael.
“That’s not normal is it?”
“No, its not,”
“Let’s get you back to the dorms.”
Michael is very quiet on the way back to Columbia. I try to break the silence. “Michael, do you know why this is happening?”