Erica went to the meeting for the Chandler deal with a preconceived image in her head of what to expect. She didn't trust Marissa; she was the offspring of two of the most untrustworthy people Erica had ever had the misfortune to meet. Oh, she had no illusion that Marissa could be all charm and winning smiles, but that was a trait that both of her parents and her twin sister had used in the past to devastating effect. She hated the fact that Bianca was falling for it all again.

As for Marissa's skill as a lawyer, in her head Erica believed Marissa had more in common with her trailer-trash mother; getting by on charisma rather than brains. She had to quickly recalculate that assessment once the meeting had begun. It seemed Marissa had more in common with her father when it came to wit and intelligence, the question was, did she have his ruthless streak as well?

Marissa was all business right from the start. Scott was going to be late for the meeting, Marissa happily reminded her that he and Madison were collecting their daughter from the hospital that morning. It was just going to be the two of them alone in a room together for the first time since… since the night after the film premier… Had it really been that long?

Marissa was quick to lay out her five ideas for Chandler's expansion, but her favourite involved a Dutch company that Chandler had become attached to 2003. It was a hardware chain that had used Chandler sponsored software to launch their on-line business in return for 40 per cent shares in the company. They were now one of the foremost online retail suppliers in continental Europe and it was a growing market. The founder was now keen to retire and had actually offered Chandler first refusal on the sale of his shares. Chandler however couldn't afford the buy-out. Marissa proposed that Courtland could offer the cost of the shares as part of their purchase for the manufacturing branch of Chandler enterprises, helping both sides move forward.

What Marissa didn't know was whether the offer was as good as it seemed on paper. She hoped Erica would have contacts in business analysis to help with a long term assessment of the proposal.

So assured and professional was Marissa in the meeting that Erica forgot her prejudices and found herself discussing contacts and expressing concerns and suggesting improvements. In fact she was so busy problem solving and brain storming that for a moment Erica found herself wondering what it was about Marissa she had doubted…

…And then Scott arrived. Marissa greeted him with a warm smile and a hug, before they went back to discussing the plan; outlining for him what they had so far agreed on. And Erica's suspicions returned. Marissa looked less comfortable in his presence. Erica noticed Marissa watching for her reaction as she spoke to him. She was suddenly nervous and so falsely distant that Erica knew that something was going on between them. What other reason could there be!

When the meeting was through, Erica was surer than ever that Marissa was as false as both of her parents and her twin! She was certain that Marissa was betraying Bianca with Scott!

…

With the meeting done Marissa collapsed boneless into her chair and slumped forward; her forehead hitting the table with a bump as she gave a despairing groan.

"Are you alright?" Caleb asked, finding her still in that same position moments later.

"I think I blew it!" she groaned.

"What?"

"…With Erica, I think I blew it. I mean it was going great, we've made great headway in formulating a plan and working out how much each side needs to do… but then Scott showed up and I kind of panicked."

"How did you panic?" asked Caleb kindly, patting her on the shoulder.

"I could feel her watching me and I didn't know how to behave around him. I didn't want to seem too friendly and give her more ammunition for her suspicions and I didn't want to be too standoffish or Scott will know something's up… and he's got more than enough on his plate at the moment. So instead I ended up just acting weird. And I know Erica saw it!"

"It can't be that bad." said Caleb. "You said the meeting went well?"

"Yeah, and Erica said to keep her updated… so I guess we'll have another meeting."

"So if Erica said that, I think you have no reason to panic. You'll win her over I don't doubt it. She's hard work, but it's worth it!"

"Yeah," said Marissa fingering Bianca's heart shaped pendant around her neck. "It will be worth it!"

…