A/N I am really sorry for the long wait as this post comes longer than I expect. Due to the length of it, I am going to divide it into two parts and the second half will be upload soon. Though it may not be a great post, it is the kind of chapter that marks the turning point of this story. So please review and kindly leave your comment. Thanks for all the reviews (though there isn't much…) Anyway, enjoy the chapter.

Chapter II A night to remember (part 1)

A cold splash of rain hit the windows with full force, making the surroundings nothing but a blur. With some difficulties, Marissa pulled up at a white-walled mansion which was the exact place she had been dreading herself to go. Getting out of the car, she was struck anew by how much the house resembled the model home in the distant memory. It was the place she was rejected by his hurtful words "We are from different worlds." The place where they said goodbyes. "Are you saying we're over?" Though it always appeared in her dreams, she never thought she would come back one day as there're too much memories she had been struggling to forget. However, as fate could have it, she was back to there again. As if an old habit was recovered, Marissa took out a mirror from her bag involuntarily and checked her make-up for the last time before ringing the doorbell, hoping a nice look could give her some confidence. Yet, her new gained self-esteem had clearly vanished when the door was pulled open, revealing the man in her dreams.

"Marissa?' Keeping his gaze on the delicate face, Ryan let himself sink into those sapphire eyes of her. They sparkled through the dim light which cast a tender glow over her porcelain skin, making her step out like a Greek goddess from the myth. Marissa, on the other hand, kept starring at the now half opened door, as if hoping there's something that could distract her attention from those ocean blues she had always got lost in whenever she met his gaze. Despite the wetness, she felt herself burning when his eyes traced along the hem of her soaked dress. She knew for certain that the blush had spread over her face, betraying her last attempt from looking like a complete idiot. Finally tearing his intent gaze from her reluctantly, Ryan ran a hand through his sandy brown hair and gave her the best apologetic look. "Uh, do you want to come in?" He couldn't believe that he didn't just kill himself already after blurring out the stupidest question ever. Good, his faint hope for acting cool was gone as well. Looking back, it always left him in awe to wonder how she could drive him crazy by as much as an effortless blink. Lucky for him, Marissa didn't seem to notice his uneasiness at all. Instead, she simply gave a quick nod to acknowledge the offer before hurried into the house.

"So, where's Seth and Summer?" Marissa asked casually whilst pulling her tresses into a loose bun. "They are not going to make it tonight. Summer is having a rage blackout about how she can't fit into any of her dresses and refuses to get out of the house," he said matter-of-factly. Marissa first frowned upon the absence of her best friends but couldn't help but giggled when a nagging Summer came into her mind. "And Seth, being the royal escort, is therefore stuck at home," Marissa added as an after thought. When she finished, both were amazed that they could complete each other's thoughts like the heartstrings were reconnected for the first time in years.

--

For a moment, silence returned to fill the room as they were lost in their own thoughts, mostly trying to replay the brief conversation which had just trailed off and pondering this evening's events that had yet to be unfolded. The comfortable silence continued to thicken until Marissa caught a slight sniffle. Mentally kicking himself for not noticing her dripping clothes earlier, he rose from the chair promptly to get her something that could keep her warm.

"Do you want a towel or Stacey's outfit?" She heard him shouting from the background. Stacey…who was officially known as his long term girlfriend and the hostess of the house she was now standing in, crossed Marissa's mind for the first time since she arrived there. It wasn't like the name triggered off any sense of hatred by the mention of it, nor did she expect to avoid it all night long. After all, she would be way more annoyed if he had called her "sweetheart" or other names of affection even though she could hardly picture Ryan Atwood as a sweet-talker. But then, why did it even bother her at the first place?

Meanwhile, Ryan emerged from the bedroom with a pink sweatshirt and a pair of boxers. Noticing her starring, he knew more explanation was needed. "I know you'd be uncomfortable in Stacey's clothes so I bring you these," he began to unfold the sweatshirt and revealed the words "Berkeley" printed across the chest. "But how can you—I thought it's lost," she gaped with a dramatic laugh. "Well, you didn't bring that with you when you left but I decided to keep it for you, knowing you may need it one day. Just because we couldn't go to Berkeley together doesn't mean that you can't own your Berkeley sweatshirt." She could see the flash of hurt in his eyes by the mention of "we" but decided to say nothing. "I don't know what to say…" "Thank you? I suppose," he said with his famous half-smile. With that, he was rewarded by a beautiful appreciative grin.

--

After what seemed like forever, Marissa finally returned to the main room, only to find Ryan brooding by the dining table. She doubted if he noticed her existence, and for a flick of seconds, she somehow suspected if she had anything to with that. Quietly approaching him, she placed a hand on his back but immediately regretted her act as he seemed to be shock by her touch, a hint of confusion evident in his eyes. It took him a while before he came to life, seemingly unaware of what happened just now. "Is everything alright?" her voice filled with concern. "Yeah, I am just thinking…" She took a seat beside him, her eyes never leaving his. Once she was close, she squeezed his hands reassuringly whilst encouraging him to continue. "Remember the last time when it was raining in Newport?" he paused to take a deep breath, "Lindsay just left and I was heart broken. Letting the rain crashing down on my shoulders, I started to feel the overwhelming pain all over again. Then there I thought, people just come and leave like the rain, quick and without a trace. At least, that's the way things are like in my life," he said with a nervous laugh. She was astonished by the sudden emotional outburst; it just wasn't something you would expect from Ryan without pressing him to talk. Reaching for his shoulders hesitantly, she tried to look beyond those deep hollows and reached into his soul, just like he used to when something was bothering her. Only that was, she reminded herself, long time ago. "It's not going to happen again, okay? You have Sandy and Kirsten, Seth and Sum, not to mention the new addition to the family soon," Marissa murmured in somewhat of a motherly tone. Her voice came in like a gentle breeze, sending the familiar butterflies to his stomach. "And I have you…"the words slipped out of his mouth before he even had a chance to stop them. Failing to see any signs of uncomfortable in her eyes, Ryan gathered the only courage left in his heart. Deep down, he always knew that he couldn't live with the burden forever. Not only because it wasn't completely fair to Stacey, who he suspected, had found out his secrets from the beginning but surprisingly showed no reaction; but for the simple truth that Marissa was the only girl he ever wanted and would forever be loved. The clock was ticking now, and he knew his courage was slipping away with every passing second. Damn, it had to be now or never. Before his consciousness rushing back to get hold of his mind, he cupped her face whilst drawing her closer to his embrace in a swift motion. Ryan could almost count the freckles that he loved so much on her face now, their nose tips briefly brushed, causing the shivers to surprise them both. They gave in then to everything that had been building since the outbreak of the night by closing in the mere gap between their lips. That was, until there came the buzzing of her phone at the very moment.

Pulling away instantly, Marissa reached for the phone almost too desperately. For reasons that she couldn't fathom, wouldn't admit to herself, she felt a sense of guilt washing all over her body when she saw the caller's ID: Jack.

"Hey, I just want to see if you have got there safely." "Yeah, I'm fine except for getting myself totally wet. Look, I'm sorry. I should have called earlier," Marissa signed upon hearing his sweet voice, feeling much worse than she already was. "No, I understand. Have fun with your friends, I'm sure you guys have a lot of catch up to do. You know what, maybe you should stay there for the night as well. It's pouring outside and I really don't trust you enough to let you drive alone on the slippery roads. Just promise me to be careful, alright?" his words filled with concern at the other end of the phone. "Are you sure? I can drive…" "Come on. It's no big deal. Besides, it's not worth to risk your life over the long drive. Right, tell your friends that I say hi. Love you," Jack said before ending the conversation. "Ok… if you say so. Love you too."

It didn't take a genius to notice that Ryan Atwood was heart broken. He had been watching the emotions that played across her face from the corner of his eyes ever since the moment she pulled away from his grip. Although he couldn't hear the whole conversation, her genuine smile assured him that she was in love, and it did no avail to the hurt he was feeling inside. Of course, he had the right to blame whoever on the phone for interrupting; destroying the precious moment they had dreamt for long. But as the painful realization sank in, he knew he couldn't hate the guy who made her happy, just as he couldn't be mad at her for choosing the phone over him.

Just as he was grieving over the kiss that didn't happen, Marissa had already got off the phone. The way that she bit her lips nervously let Ryan know that she was onto something and it wasn't a good sign. If possible, she only became more seductive by every move that she made.

Finally, after drawing a long breath, Marissa said something that would change the course of the night forever.

"Can I stay here for the night?"