Chapter 2

Marissa: „Oh my God, are you about to fire me?"

Alice: laughing „No silly, of course not. Today, I signed the papers for a second office and I

want you to run it as its manageress."

Marissa: „ You want me?"

Alice. „Yes, I think you're the right one to do it."

Marissa: " Oh wow, do you think I can handle it?"

Alice: „Sure. Three weeks ago when I went to Hongkong for 8 weeks, you managed the

company on your own, and last year for nearly 3 months. And if there'll be any

problem, I will come by to help you. But I don't think that you will need help at all."

Marissa: "I don't know how to thank you, Alice"

Alice: „There's no need to. When I hired you, I knew that you would be ready one day."

Marissa: "Thanks. When do I start?"

Alice: „The best would be if you could fly to Newport as soon as possible, to check out the

new place and ... "

Marissa: horrified „What? Newport?"

Alice: „Oh, didn't I mention it? Yes, it will be in Newport."

Marissa: "Oh my God!"

Alice: "What's wrong? Aren't you happy to be back home soon?"

Marissa: "Yes, I do. I'am just surprised, that's all."

Alice looked at her watch: „Okay, I have to go, I'm having a meeting, Bye"

Marissa: „Okay, bye Alice, and thanks again."

After Alice left her office, Marissa sat behind her desk, totally shocked. After all these years... Why Newport? There she sure would see Ryan again! But it was a really great chance and she always dreamed of managing a company of her own one day. But in Newport? She badly needed to talk to Summer. She took the receiver and dialled the number.

Summer: „Cohen"

Marissa: „Hey, summ, it's me."

Summer: pleased "Coop! How are you? How's work? What…"

Marissa: laughing „Okay, Summ, you don't even let me answer it."

Summer: „You're right, sorry. Oh, wait a second."

Marissa heard Summer putting down the receiver and shouting "Cohen, get here and stop

your daughter doing nonsens."

Marissa was laughing. Alyssa was 4 years old and a real romp, she always made her parents get a move on her and always was up to mischief. Then Summer was back at the telephone.

Summer: „Sorry Coop. Okay, what's the matter?"

Marissa: „ Summ, you have to help me. I don't know what to do."

Summer: „How many times did I tell you to break up with Jake? How long will you go

through it? What did he do this time?"

Oh god, Jake! Marissa hadn't thought about him referring to this whole thing. Well, he was not so important to her, that she would sacrifice her carreer to him. In fact, she broke up with him more than once, but always changed her mind, when he apologized and had an expression for everything. But...

Summer: „Hey Coop, don't you talk to me anymore?"

Marissa; "Sorry Summ, this isn't about Jake. To be honest, I haven't though about him at all.

But that's not important now. My boss wants me to run our new office."

Summer: "Coop, that's great. So what's the problem?"

Marissa: "This new office will be in Newport."

Summer: happy „In Newport? That's fantastic! I will have my best friend around me again.

And I will have someone to go shopping with me. And... She stopped talking for a second Oh, I get it. You would see Ryan again."

Marissa: "Exactly. What shall I do? That's a real great chance and I would like to be with

you and Seth, but…"

Summer: „Come on, you wouldn't renounce of it because of being cowardly seeing Ryan

again, would you?"

Marissa: „I'm no coward. But you know what happened. Dam.n, I killed his brother! How

could he forgive me at any time?"

Summer: "You know that ryan didn't blame you, he told you many times. It was Trey's fault,

because first, he tried to rape you and then tried to kill his own brother. Think about

what would've happened, if you didn't shoot Trey. Ryan would be dead!"

Marissa:"I know, but I although remember that Ryan could hardly look at me after that

happened. Did he never spoke to you about it?"

Summer: „ To be honest, we never talked about any of it. After you moved to New

York, Ryan locked himself up in the poolhouse for days and refused to talk to anyone.

And later, he avoided talking about it and so we left it. But it's 6 years ago now. So

don't worry about it anymore and come back to Newport as soon as possible."

Marissa: „You're right, perhaps we could even become something like friends at any time.

Look, I don't know yet when I'll be coming to Newport but I'll give you a call, Okay?

And Summ... thank you."

Summer: smiling „That's what best friends are for. Bye Coop, see ya."

Marissa thought about what Summer said. She was right. After 6 years, ryan perhaps forgave her and didn't hate her anymore. And perhaps ... "You're such a stupid, forget about it" she told herself. Ryan would never be able to love her like he did then. And even if he was the love of her life, she had to deal with it. If she couldn't, she was about to end up with a broken heart again. And it really took her long enough to get her life without him back to normal.