Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (6 page)

“I am sorry. What I meant was if you want Michael to be your best man then I
won’t stand in your way. It might be a little weird, but like I said it’s your
choice.” He shakes his head at my words as he presses a cute smile from his
lips. He makes a signal with his hand and I glide over to him. He grabs me and
pulls me closer. He catches my face in his hands as he places kiss after kiss onto
my lips. He slides one of his hands onto my back and it glides down my waist
until it grazes my hip. I gently laugh at his touch as he backs away a little from
me, he smiles at me and then he kisses me again.

“Alanna, you drive me crazy,” he says as he moves his lips away from mine and
places them gently onto my neck. His kisses are tender and they feel amazing.
My head is spinning from his affection and I feel that I cannot stand straight.
Adrian pushes me against the wall as he slides up my dress. He kisses me again
this time firmer and with more passion. I lightly squeal as our bodies connect.
My face flushes hot as I am not the most confident person when it comes to
sex. However Adrian is amazing and he certainly knows what he is doing. I
usually just let him do his thing, as I am not skilled in anyway. I love Adrian and
I am glad that he accepts me for who I am. I could think of nothing worse than
to be with someone who doesn’t understand about my emotions and feelings.
Adrian gets me and I am surprised at how well. There are times when I don’t
even have to talk and he knows exactly how I am feeling. He completes me and
I love him, I love my Adrian Black.

Adrian clutches my hand as he escorts me from the car and into the grand
entrance of the Oak Room. We enter and I am reminded of how beautiful it
really is here. The walls are dark wood and the lighting is soft. Small square
tables take up the floor space and each one has a soft light candle on the
surface. As we make our way further into the restaurant, a waiter kindly greets
us.

“Welcome to the Oak Room, may I take your name?” She says in her soft, New

York accent. Adrian smiles at the woman and then heinforms her who he is.
“I have a reservation under the name of, Black.” The woman smiles at him as
she searches her computer screen for our table number. She looks up from the
screen and she smiles at him –again. I gently chuckle as I watch the woman’s
face light up the longer she stares at Adrian. She is becoming slightly flustered
as she watches Adrian running his fingers through his messy hair. She begins to
blush, but somehow she manages to remain professional.

“Okay Mr Black, table for three?” Adrian smiles and then nods at her and she
almost faints from his actions. I laugh again as she collects some menus from
behind her desk. She looks up at Adrian again as she makes her way out from
behind the desk.

“Your guest is already here. Please follow me.” Adrian firmly grips my hand as
we follow the server. She shows us to our table atthe back of the restaurant.
As we get closer Alice comes into vision and I immediately look at Adrian as we
reach the table. His eyes are fixed on mine and he doesn’t look at Alice. I flash
him a reassuring smile, as I break my eye contact with him. I lock my eyes on
Alice who is now standing from her seat. She is dressed in a black pencil skirt
and black roll neck sweater. Her hair is tied in a lose bun and she is make- up
free. Alice has lost a lot weight since I last time that I saw her and her eyes
seem darker than usual. Alice reminds me of Adrian in so many ways and it is
startling to see her here, next to him.

“Hello,” Alice says as she locks eyes with her son. Adrian glances at me and
then back to Alice. He doesn’t smile at her but he does give her a welcoming
nod. We sit and the server quickly takes our drinks order. Adrian orders water
as usual and I have lemonade. I wait anxiously to see what Alice will order and I
am relieved when she orders an ice tea. The server leaves our table and now
we are alone for the first time. The silence is awkward and I feel that Adrian
and Alice are uncomfortable. I remember my mom’s words and I quickly try to
break the silence and make this easier on Adrian.

“Alice, how have you been and how is your husband?” Alice smiles at me and
she reaches over for my hand. Adrian doesn’t like Alice’s affection towards me
therefore; he grabs my hand in his before Alice has the chance. I shoot him a
disapproving look and he reluctantly lets go of me. I smile at him and then I
turn back to Alice. I reach my hand out halfway across the table and Alice
meets me in the middle. He fingers are slightly rough as she clasps her hand
onto mine.

“I have been oaky and Alexander is fine. He is actually away on business right
now.” Alice informs me. She lets go of my hand as the server comes back with
our drinks. I take a nervous sip of my lemonade as soon as the glass hits the
table. Adrian gulps down his water and Alice just stares at her ice tea.

“Are you ready to order?”

 

“Steak,” Adrian says bluntly.

 

“How would like it cooked, sir?”

 

“Medium,” Adrian says again in very blunt tone. The server then glances at
Alice, who orders the tuna salad.

 

“And what can I get you, miss?” She asks me. I scan the menu and I randomly
chose the chicken Caesar salad. Adrian looks at me and shakes his head.
“Ignore her she will have the same as me.”

“Miss,” The server says in an uncomfortable voice. Adrian stares at the women
as his hand slightly trembles on the surface of the table. “Didn’t you hear me? I
said she will have the same as me. Now please leave us.”

“Please excuse me, sir.” The woman says as she strides away from our table. I
stare at Adrian and I need to say something about how rude he was.

“Adrian that was so uncalled for. You didn’t have to be so rude.” He stares
back at me with his eyes bolting and his jaw clenched. He doesn’t reply he just
stares blankly at me. I lightly shake my head at him as I turn back to Alice.

“So have you been here before?” I ask trying to strike up a conversation. Alice
smiles at me as she realises my intentions.

“Yes, I would like to thank you for inviting me. It means the world to me that
you wish to see me.” Alice locks her eyes on Adrian’s as her words quietly ring
in the air. Adrian exhales and sits further up into his chair; he rolls his eyes as
he runs his finger along the table cloth.
“I needed to see you before I could move on from the past.” Alice holds back a
tear as she hears Adrian’s deep voice. I can see that she loves him and that she
feels awful for the things that she has done. I need to encourage Adrian to
express himself and now that I have seen Alice again, I am even surer that I
want Adrian to have a relationship with her.

“I know that I put you through hell and back when you were a child and I am
deeply sorry for that. I know that I don’t deserve to have you in my life, but I
have prayed every day that I would have the chance to explain everything to
you. Adrian, will you give me that option?” Adrian bites his lip as he looks at
me.

“Doll, you need to hear her out.” Adrian stares at me and then he turns back to
Alice.

 

“Explain.” Alice resists the urge to smile at Adrian’s choice. Instead she begins
to tell him all about his childhood.

“When I first met your father I was mesmerized. He was the most beautiful
man that I ever saw and I fell instantly in love with him. I couldn’t believe my
own luck when he asked me to move in with him and we were overjoyed when
we found out that we were going to have you. When you were born everything
- for me fell into place. You were my little boy and I loved you so much, but
your father didn’t want to be tied down. He needed his freedom and he wasn’t
ready to be a father. When he left a part of me died. I blamed you for him
leaving and I know that is the most selfish thing that I could ever have done,
but Adrian that is how I felt and that’s why I abused you.” Adrian stares blankly
at Alice. He is speechless that he is finally hearing the truth.

“Go on,” he says firmly.

“I had no friends to support me and I had no family. There was no money and I
couldn’t get a job. I tried what I felt was my best, but I couldn’t get out of my
runt. I was addicted to your father and when he left I turned my addiction for
him into an addiction to alcohol. I hated him for what he had done to us and
every time that I looked at you, I saw him. I slowly started to resent you and I
lost myself further into the alcohol. I beat you and I have no explanation for
that other than I was a terrible person. I didn’t deserve to have you in my life
and as you got older you realised that too. I just felt that you didn’t need me
and I thought that if I ignored you, then you would leave and go on to find
yourself a better life.”

“Why did you let David abuse me?” Alice takes a violent sip of her ice tea and
then she again tries to explain.

“I guess I didn’t stop him because I was scared of him. He did awful things,
things that you don’t know about. But I can’t excuse my behaviour and I can’t
take back what I did. I can’t explain how wonderful it is to see you. You have
turned out to be an amazing man and this girl, sitting by your side, is an angel.
Don’t turn out like your father, promise me.” Adrian frowns at Alice.

“What things don’t I know about?” Alice looks down at the table as she tries to
hold back her tears.

 

“It doesn’t matter it’s in the past.” Adrian leans forward.

 

“Tell me,” Alice takes another sip of her drink.

“David was an evil man and I never thanked you for saving my life. If you
hadn’t have stabbed him, then I would be dead right now. I want to say sorry
for running out and leaving you, that night. I was scared and didn’t want to sit
around and watch the guilt take over you.”

“You still have not told me what he did.” Adrian insists. Alice begins to look
very uncomfortable as Adrian presses her more on this subject. I can’t help but
wonder what it was that David did? To Alice’s relief, the server ushers over to
our table – with our food. She carefully places our plates down onto the table
and she quickly excuses herself. Adrian begins to pick at his steak all the while
he watches me.

“Alanna, eat.” He says in a firm tone. I smile at him as I begin to cut through
the oversized steak. As we eat in silence, Adrian again asks Alice about his past.

“I need you tell me what I don’t know.” Alice pushes forward her plate as
Adrian maintains his persistence. I stop eating to look at Alice. Her face has
turned a light shade of white and her eyes seem asif they have sunk into her
head. I stare down at her hands as they shake against the table. I feel terrible
as I stare more at her. What has happened to her? I quickly shoot Adrian a look
of despair and he quickly replies.

“Baby, are you alright?” I nod at him.

 

“Yes I am fine, but Alice seems uncomfortable talking about the past maybe we
should give her a break?” Adrian shakes his head at me.

“No we need to get everything out in the open. Please Alice, tell me what
happened?” Alice forces out a smile as she nods in agreement. She takes
another gulp of her ice tea as she begins to talk.

“As you know David and I took drugs along with the alcohol. I would get so
high that I knew nothing. David on the other hand, never used to get quiet as
high as I did. He would always hold back or perhaps he was just used to the
drugs more than I was. I don’t know if you know this but, David and I were
never an item. I never wanted him like that and he was more of a drug buddy
than anything else. But one night things changed. I was alone in one of the
bedrooms upstairs and I was very drunk. I can’t remember exactly where you
were.”

“I was most likely locked in the cupboard!” Adrian says bitterly. Alice sighs as
she wipes away a gentle tear from her eye.

“Anyway, I was lying on the mattress on the floor when David came in. From
what I can remember he was sober and what he did next, I will never forget.” I
have to hold back my tears as I have a feeling that I know what David did.

“Adrian, David raped me.” Alice bursts into tears as she confesses. Adrian
immediately drops his fork onto the plate with a loud bang. He holds his head
into his hands as he takes in what Alice has said. I try to comfort him as I place
my hand onto his shoulder. He looks up at me and then he turns to Alice.

“How many times,” Alice looks embarrassed by Adrian’s question.

“That night was the first time, but it wasn’t the last. He would force himself on
me at least three times a week. If I was lucky enough to be sober he wouldn’t
try anything. But he would always keep me drunk orhigh so that he could have
his way with me.” I am stunned at how bad things were for Alice. I feel
awkward and I don’t know what to say. I remain speechless.
“I never knew any of this, why didn’t you tell me?”

“How could I tell you a thing like that? What type of woman would want to
relive a thing like that?” Adrian nervously runs his fingers through his hair as I
stare at Alice. She notices my actions and soon questions me.

“Alanna I know that this is hard to take in.” I clear my throat.

“I am sorry if I seem rude, it’s just I don’t know what to say.” Alice smiles at me
as she reaches out her hand towards mine. I clasp my hand onto hers and I
watch as Adrian stares at us.

“Sweetie, there is nothing that you can say. What happened is in the past now
so let’s, forget about it, okay? ” Adrian reaches out for his fork as he takes
another bite of his steak. I let go of Alice’s handas I try to force down some
more food. “So tell me all about this wedding?” Alice says as she wipes her
tears away from her cheeks. I smile at her as I fill her in on the wedding details.

“Wow it all sounds wonderful. All I want is for you to be happy and you have
chosen an amazing girl.”

When we have talked for a while and once we have eaten our food, Adrian
leaves to pay the cheque. I am left alone with Alice and my heart gently races
as I feel guilty that we have not invited her to the wedding. I awkwardly flash
Alice a smile as I place my coat across my shoulders.