Part XI: The Tide's about to Turn

It was the first time in ten years Marissa had gone out of their home. The fear of Alex Kelly and Ryan's iron hand kept Marissa in its confines. Today was a different story. Anna hasn't comeback from the outside. The little girl has defied her father so many times that Ryan didn't really bother to look for the child. Marissa left him drunk and sleeping on their living room couch. Although she knew Ryan would hurt her once he finds out, she had to go out. Anna was her life. She didn't care about the pain anymore, the pain brought by Ryan's hand flying across her face.

I walked out one day with a bandage still in my head. It was the first time I got out, as far as I can remember. My head was still in pain. But the sun beaming on me somehow soothed it. I walked towards the flowers and then I heard it, Ryan's screams from behind. I turn around and I met his angry eyes. He took me by the hand and asked my why I went out. I answered back. Telling him I was only trying to get some fresh air. And then I felt it, his hand slapping me. I tried hard not to cry. I was confused. He grew angrier as he yelled at me. Asking me if I wanted to die in the hands of his enemy, Alex Kelly, he asked me if my bastard child wasn't enough. The words pierced through my heart. I was carrying Anna… My beautiful Anna... I knew that was one reason he hated me. And it was also a reason he never cared for my daughter. He told me I was carrying another man's child, that I was once unfaithful to him. From that day on I did not find the heart to sleep with him, nor share a bed with him. It made him angrier and more spiteful to my daughter.

Marissa continued to search for her daughter and ended up in the beach. From a distance she saw a bonfire. She thought, Anna was a smart girl and would seek for warmth considering the cold air that night. Marissa walked slowly towards the fire but turned to gaze at the ocean.

I always wondered how the ocean looked like at night. I'm guessing it was because of my dreams. I was walking along shore with someone, some blonde girl holding my hand. I couldn't see her face. I could only remember her eyes.

Marissa sighed and turned towards her destination. As she grew nearer, she saw a brunette carrying something on her shoulder. Walking closer, the figure was visible now. Marissa stopped and breathed in deeply. She felt her heart skip a beat to what she thought was fear.

Alex Kelly was carrying her daughter.

Marissa ran towards them and fell onto her knees. She bowed her head and sobbed uncontrollably. It surprised Alex who was still carrying the sleeping Anna.

"My lord… Forgive my daughter. Do not hurt her please… I will do as you wish just do not hurt my daughter."

Alex, who was still trying to absorb the fact that her lost love is right in front of her alive, just stared down at Marissa wide-eyed. Alex then found her composure and began to speak.

"What is your name?" Alex asked softly.

Marissa raised her head and replied.

"Marissa Atwood."

Alex cringed and her brows furrowed. She turned around avoiding Marissa's gaze. She was angry. Ryan Atwood was not only alive. He has taken advantage of Marissa's condition.

"Do you not remember me?" Alex asked with her back facing Marissa.

"I know who you are my lord." Marissa replied bowing her head again.

"Don't you remember anything about me and you?"

Marissa shook her head and looked at Alex confused.

Alex stood silent trying hard not to scream her lungs out in anger. Marissa doesn't remember anything about falling for her, loving her, being with her. And it was painful to Alex who was still in love with her. She turned to Marissa gritting her teeth.

"Stand up."

Marissa did as she was told and looked up accidentally looking straight into Alex's blue eyes.

Those eyes… Those are the ones I dream about every night. But… I was with a blonde…

"You are coming with me." Alex said commandingly.

Marissa only nodded.

"Bring those bags. I bought them for Anna."

Marissa nodded again and took the bags. She followed Alex to her car. She was nervous and afraid. If Ryan was right, Alex Kelly would be using her in exchange for her daughter's safety. Marissa, although in fear, would do anything to keep her daughter safe… Even if it meant being abused by Alex Kelly...

----

Sandy Cohen walked across the Kelly mansion looking for Alex. Right then Alex walked came in from the front door, carrying Anna. Marissa was also in tow. Sandy grew wide-eyed and his mouth was agape. Alex turned to him with furrowed brows and spoke.

"Give them the room next to mine. They are going to stay here." Alex ordered as her servants quickly took the bags from Marissa and took Anna from Alex.

"Follow them." Alex said softly facing Marissa.

Marissa nodded and followed Alex by her gaze. She then proceeded towards the stairs and followed the servants to the room Alex was talking about.

Alex walked towards her office then suddenly shouted.

"Bring Trey. I need to speak to him."

Sandy nodded and called out for Trey.

Alex sat in her office and stared out into her window. One of her men came in and bowed down.

"My lord… The Russians who were in the border wished to pay you homage and brought women into your house. They are upstairs in your room."

Alex stood up angrily and pointed her hand towards him.

"Kill those Russian bastards!" Alex yelled.

The man bowed his head on the floor fearing Alex's wrath.

"And send those women home. Right now!" Alex's voice softened earning a confused look from the man.

He stood up and turned away. Out to complete Alex's command.

Alex sat down on her chair, breathing heavily and right then Trey entered her office.

"You called for me my lord?" Trey asked kneeling down.

Alex didn't respond. She stood up and walked towards Trey. She caught him by surprised as she pinned him to the wall, holding his neck.

"You lied to me. You told me he was taken cared of. You are not honest with me. You have kept your brother ALIVE!" Alex shouted her eyes filled with anger.

Trey struggled to reply.

"I'm sorry… He promised not to interfere… He was still my brother… I'm sorry… Forgive me…"

"Did you know he had Marissa?"

Trey didn't answer.

"ANSWER ME!" Alex gripped his neck making him choke.

"Well then." Alex let go of Trey and turned around.

With a swift of her hand, Alex jolted Trey till he couldn't take it. His body was in shock but he was still alive. Hearing the commotion Sandy and two of Alex's bodyguards came bursting through her office door. They looked down at Trey's motionless body.

"Kill him. Slowly. I want him to feel extreme pain before he dies." Alex commanded with her back facing them.

----

Marissa sat beside Anna who was sleeping soundly on the bed. Marissa looked around the room they were in. She felt as though she had been there before but could not really remember. Suddenly she heard footsteps outside the room. She slowly stood up, careful not to wake her daughter. She opened the door gently and found about six women walking with Alex's men through the halls. Marissa closed the door hurriedly. Right then somebody knocked on the door. She opened it nervously.

"Lord Alex wants to talk to you." The man said pointing to the door across.

Marissa nodded and took one last glimpse of her daughter. She slowly made her way to Alex's room.

----

Alex stood beside the window, looking at the darkened sky. She was feeling too much emotion at the time: anger, love, hatred and longing. The door opened behind her, making her turn. Marissa stood at the doorway, looking straight at her, with fear in her eyes. She slowly came in then closed the door behind her. Alex turned away.

She barely knows who I am. She looks at me as if I was a ghost haunting her. She looks at me with fear. And here I stand aching to hold her in my arms after ten long years.

Alex turned and saw Marissa slowly unbuttoning her blouse. Alex's eyes grew wide. She was aching to touch Marissa but not this way. Not because she feared Alex.

"What are you doing?" Alex walked towards Marissa and stopped the girl's hand from unbuttoning further.

Alex hurriedly fixed Marissa's blouse and looked at her.

"I thought this was what you want…" Marissa bowed her head in shame.

"If I ever wanted this… I don't want you to look at me like that." Alex bowed her head and rested her forehead against Marissa's.

The other girl felt a sudden rush flowing through her veins. She looked up to meet Alex's blue eyes and remembered her dream.

Her hands were caring and warm. She made me feel safe. And when she looks at me, straight into my eyes, she makes me fly. I feel like the rest of the world doesn't matter: just me and her. Then the breeze of the ocean grows stronger and our lips connect into the loving kiss that I could never get enough of. I felt as though my heart was pounding away from my chest. And right then as she pulls away, she tells me.

"The tide just turned." Marissa whispered softly making Alex pull away from her.

They looked at each other then slowly a smile crept out of Alex's lips.

"Would I be too bold if I ask you, could I kiss you?" Alex asked softly.

Marissa smiled and replied.

"Not at all…"

As the moonlight crept into Alex's room, the two shared a kiss. Somehow reliving the kiss they shared not so long ago.