Three Thousand Miles To You(78)

Sophie: I had no idea it was that bad, I feel sorry for him and guilty that we had it so good.

Alanna: I know it does not even bear to think about all the suffering he had.

Sophie: So how did he get to where he is now? I know he has a company, however, how did he get there?

Alanna: As you know Michael’s dad adopted him, but the time he spent in foster care was horrendous, he was addicted to drugs and he was in severe pain. His mother left when he was twelve and she never came back, he owes everything to Mr Jenkins.

Sophie: What about his biological father, is he not around?

Alanna: The only person he ever knew was his mom.

Sophie: I feel bad for the way I acted; I can see how he is controlling.

Alanna: He never had any control over anything as a child; he could not control his need for drugs. Now whenever he can he likes to stay in control and I have to understand that.

Sophie: Can you please tell him that I am sorry for everything?

Alanna: I know and that is all that matters, he will not thank you for pity.

Sophie: What about his mom, where is she now?

Alanna: She lives here, I think.

Sophie: What, she goes around living her life after she treated him like that?

Alanna: I have seen her and she seems out of it.

Sophie: You met her.

Alanna: Sort of, I saw her before I knew Adrian was sending the gifts every day. I went down to the beach in the Hamptons and there she was sitting there gazing out at the water. She looked around like an older woman and was a like a shadow, I felt sorry for her and I tried to talk to her but she shouted at me, so I left. It was not until I saw a picture of her that I knew it was Adrian’s mom.

Sophie: Alanna I am glad that you have told me this, I feel now that I can understand your relationship with Adrian. I know it must have been hard for him to tell you all this and I feel that he would not have, if he did not love you. I am sorry and I do hope for the best, for you two.

Alanna: I am sorry too, I hate that I called you jealous, can you forgive me?

Sophie: To tell you the truth, I was a little

Alanna: Why,

Sophie: Just because he is gorgeous, he has millions, and he clearly loves you. Seeing Dan compared to him annoyed me and I did feel jealous.

Alanna: Sophie, Dan is great and he cares about you so much. You are lucky that you have someone like him.

Sophie: Lucky, come on would you trade me?

Alanna: Do not be silly, you would not do that.

Sophie: I would, anyway Adrian does seem all right now that I know more about him, are you with him?

Alanna: No, he is in London and I am here in New York.

Sophie: Where in New York, I called your parents and they said you were not with them?

Alanna: I am in Soho.

Sophie: What you doing there,

Alanna: Adrian has a Condo here and he said I could use it.

Sophie: Of course, he would have a million dollar home in chic Soho, but why are you at his house, if he is in London?

Alanna: With everything that happened you know my little scare, I haven’t been feeling right since then and I need some time away from everyone at college, I need out of the microscope.

Sophie: Will you be back for finals?

Alanna: I called Mrs. Henderson yesterday, she is going to talk to the board and see if I can come back to the campus to take the exam. If they disapprove, then she assures me that I will be able to take them from here.

Sophie: How can she do that?

Alanna: Adrian made a massive donation and she feels obliged to help me, as I am the one who brought him there.

Sophie: He was the secret donator.

Alanna: I am surprised they kept him anonymous.

Sophie: They said it was his choice, everyone thought that it was some mystery celebrity.

Alanna: Sophie if Adrian did not want anyone to know, then you cannot tell everyone that he donated the money.

Sophie: I will not, oh before I forget a package came for you the other day.

Alanna: Did you open it?

Sophie: Alanna, I would never do that.

Alanna: Do you know whom it came from?

Sophie: No, just a delivery guy made me sign for, it there is no return address.

Alanna: I will come by tomorrow to collect it, is that Okay?

Sophie: I have classes all day, but I will leave it on the dresser for you.

Alanna: Thanks, I am glad we sorted everything.

Sophie: Me too, now I have to go meet Dan.

Alanna: Okay say HI for me.

Sophie: I will, goodbye Alanna.

I feel so pleased that Sophie and I have talked things through. I only hope that Adrian does not get mad when I tell him, that I told her about his past. As one weight lifts from my shoulders, another one that of the package that awaits me at the dorm immediately replaces it. What could it be? Was it a late delivery from Adrian or could it be from the Marshalls, the people that are ever so eager to kill me. As I weigh up the possibilities, I cannot help but think of Michael sitting in lounge alone. I have not really seen him since that night, I want to pick up the courage to go out there and talk to him however, and I do not feel strong enough. Instead, I take out my phone and compose a text to Adrian.