My One True Love

Chapter Five: Hands Tied

WILLIAM...

It had been a few weeks since I saw Adalet but still, I could not get the image of her smiling brightly, out of my head. There was something about her that made her seem like a gentle flower but I knew that was only a first appearance. I knew from my mother, that also looked delicate, she still had a fire inside of her. I believed that was the case with Adalet as well, she truly was remarkable, her humility, her spirit and joy.

"Are you alright?" I heard the voice on the other side of the line say. I had been talking with my father about business and I did not realize when I spaced out into my thoughts.

"Yes father, I was just thinking. Have you ever considered expanding?" I asked changing the subject.

My father stayed silent for a second and then he cleared his throat, "in fact yes, I have, and the company is reaching the end of a contract in America, but I would prefer not to discuss this on the phone. When you get back we will talk about this. I heard you've been postponing your return, should that concern me?" My father asked sternly but I could sense some worry in his voice, he probably imagined that his only son was on strike because of our differences in opinion.

"Nothing is wrong, I have been looking for properties where we can build new installations, I will tell you about them when I get back today," I said calmly, trying to sound cheerful. What I had said had not been untrue, I had been looking for new places to expand our company but I had also been wandering around, hoping to casually find Adalet and I cross paths, just to talk once more before I left and I would probably never see her again.

"Alright son, stay safe, we will talk soon," said my father on the other side before he hung up. I sighed and threw my phone on the bed. I was tired, the company was going through serious changes and finally things were looking up with negotiations but it involved a lot of persuasion and considerations. For the past weeks I had spent most of my time in governmental institutions and with our American providers to establish new terms in our technological business and marketing strategies.

I had been pacing around the hotel room and then I stopped and looked at my laptop. There was the picture of me and my girlfriend in the last charity gala that we hosted last year. I had not talked to her much which did make me wonder why she had not called me, she did not work back home and she only spent her time in fashion runways. We had been dating for years and when I had given her a promise ring and told her I wanted to marry her, she had been ecstatic but now, it seemed like she didn't even care about me.

I walked over to my laptop and started to video call her. A few rings later, she answered the call but had her camera turned off. "Hey babe, hold on," I heard her say, she sounded a little rushed and tired. I heard as she put down the phone and then a rustle of something moving. Seconds later she appeared on the screen with a smile and a little blushed. "Hey babe, are you alright? Do you need something?" She asked sweetly and smiled as she twirled her messed up, blonde hair around her finger.

I was taken aback by her defensiveness and I responded, "no, I just wanted to see how you're doing. We have not talked much since I came to the United States."

I saw as she pouted and sighed, "I know babe but I have been really distracted and busy helping out at the runways, besides, the whole time difference does not help. When will you come back, love?" She asked excitedly.

I smiled endearingly at her, "today I leave for London. In fact, I was just packing my things before I check out of the hotel."

She looked shocked but then she smiled, "finally! Do you want me to pick you up at the airport?"

"Do not worry, love, Christopher will pick me up and I will tell you when I land. But I think Christopher has other plans for when I arrive," I said with a light chuckle to which my girlfriend frowned, she had never liked Christopher very much.

"Alright, just make sure to keep yourself in check and you know what I mean by that; do not drink too much. I know Christopher is your best mate but he really has no limits," she said a bit sternly and serious. I nodded and there was a short pause before I saw her sigh and look at me. "Babe, I'm really tired, I have been up for a long time and I think it is time I head to bed. Be careful, love you," she said before blowing me a kiss and ending the call.

I frowned a bit but waved my discomfort away, she was just acting strange because we hadn't seen each other in weeks. I hurried to fold the rest of my shirts away and put all my belongings away. Once that was done, I closed my suitcase with ten minutes to spare. I decided to try and call Adalet but I hesitated and didn't. Did I really want to use her to convince my parents that Adrianna could be a better candidate? I sighed and decided it was better not to, after all, I didn't know her that well and she didn't seem like the type to accept the job.

The hotel telephone began to ring and I quickly picked it up, "Hello, William Johns speaking." I said casually and I heard a familiar voice on the other side.

"Mr. Johns, I am here to take you to the airport," I heard Alfred say formally. I looked at my watch and then responded.

"I will be right down, Alfred," I said before hanging up and taking my suitcases and laptop. I walked over to the elevator before getting in. It slowly descended to the reception and I walked over to the front desk. Alfred was there waiting for me and he met me halfway. "Sir, may I take you suitcases to the car?" He asked and I let him while I checked out.

After a few minutes, Alfred and I were on our way to the airport. In the late night sky it was beginning to rain, slowly at fist and then it really started to pour. The New York traffic was slowing down due to the rain and I saw someone in front of us trying to grab the attention of a passing cab. As Alfred drove closer I realized who that was. "Alfred, stop the car please," I said and I quickly clicked on a button that pulled the windows down.

"Mr. Johns," I heard her say once her eyes landed on mine, she was clearly surprised and confused. "What are you doing here?"

"I am on my way to the airport Miss Trent but I saw you standing here with just a newspaper over your head," I said with a light chuckle. I saw as she played with her hair and then smiled.

"I ran out of my house in a hurry, I also need to catch a plane," she said with a smile.

"Well we can take you if you would like," I offered and looked at Alfred who nodded.

Adalet smiled and seemed a bit relieved, "Really? That would be great, thank you."

Quickly, I got out of the car before Alfred could move, and helped Adalet put her luggage in the trunk before we got into the backseat of the car. Alfred began to drive once again while I sat on the backseat, he had insisted I sat down with Adalet to talk, Adalet who was trying to dry her hair with a napkin that was inside the car.

I heard her sigh before she let her weight fall on the seat. She looked tired and rushed. When she saw me looking at her skeptically she blushed and began talking, "I have a concert out of town in Chicago and I fell asleep after I packed my bag and my house is kind of far but this is the best place to grab a cab so I ran here and it started to rain and I forgot my umbrella." As she explained I could see she felt uncomfortable and nervous, she probably thought she was never going to see me again and I couldn't blame her, after all, I never called.

I smiled trying to reassure her I wasn't judging and she smiled back a bit nervous. "I am sorry I did not call, I could make up and excuse but in reality I did not know how you would react if I called," I said sincerely and Adalet didn't respond.

"That's alright," was all she said after a few seconds of silence.

"Miss, Sir, we are here at the airport. Sir, I think it would be best if I leave you a bit closer to your exit," said Alfred looking at me through the rear view mirror. I nodded and Adalet looked at Alfred.

"Um, excuse me, sir. Could you leave me here at this entrance? My exit is this way," she said softly and Alfred nodded and smiled. When the car stopped, Adalet got out of the car and I followed. We reached the trunk of the car at the same time and she quickly grabbed her bag. "Great, thanks, I better go," she said with a smile and bowed slightly which took me aback. Then she walked over to Alfred and extended her hand with a warm smile, "It was nice to meet you Alfred and thank you for not leaving me out in the rain." She waved us goodbye and then she walked away into the airport, and out of sight.

I looked at Alfred and he was staring at me with a raised eyebrow and a gleam of something in his eyes. "You think I should go with her, don't you?" I asked and he nodded.

"I have been married to my wife for more than 40 years sir, and I think I know when there's chemistry between two people when I see it," he said truthfully. I smiled, he didn't need to tell me twice, I was already thinking it.

"Thank you, Alfred. I am going to follow your advice on this one but just to clear things up, she's just a friend, nothing more," I said as I got my suitcases out of the trunk and my laptop before fast-walking up to the entrance. I was going to have to tell my parents their son was going to be home a few days late.

In my mind I was doubting my decision but now that I had made it, I wanted to stand by it. What I told Alfred had been the truth, Adalet was no more than a friend or at least a person with whom I enjoyed talking to and getting to know.

I changed my flight in the entrance and luckily there were a few seats available. I rushed through security and walked over to the waiting area. When I got there, people were already boarding the plane and I quickly got in line. I stepped into the plane and looked for my seat that was closer to the back than I was used to. I found my seat next to an auburn haired woman and I chuckled internally, what were the chances that I had picked a seat available next to Adalet. I guess my opinion on destiny and fate were about to change if coincidences like this kept on repeating themselves.