Chapter 9

The next day, Marissa was woken up by the doorbell. Before she could fully open the door, her best friend Jenny entered and hugged her tight.

“Why had you never told me about Rob?” She asked Marissa.

“I never found it necessary. It was something which happened two years ago.” Marissa explained.

“Two years or not, you should have told me.”

“I know, but I didn’t want to bother you with my problems.” Marissa smiled sheepishly.

“Risa, you are my best friend, and it’s my duty to know about you. Anyway, I am glad that you told me about him. If I find him next time, I will kill him

myself.” Jenny stated furiously.

“You will do no such thing. I have already forgiven him.”

“But...”

“No, Jenny. Forget about it. Now tell me what you want to do with me today?” Marissa tried to change the topic.

“No dance class today?” Jenny asked her in surprise. Marissa never misses her dance class.

“Well, Ronny specifically asked me not to show myself in the institute.” She rolled her eyes.

“Finally, he did one good thing in life; well, of course, asking me to marry him doesn’t count.” Jenny stuck her tongue out. “Anyway, let’s have a movie

marathon.”

“Gerard Butler?” Marissa asked.

“On it, girl.”

While Jenny and Marissa were having fun, Alex was worried sick about Marissa in the dance institute. Instead of her, it was some other person who was

teaching her class their routine.

At first, Alex thought he should go in the morning to check on Marissa, but then he decided otherwise and thought he would talk to her after class. But he

learned that she had taken a day’s leave when he got there.

So, he went to Aaron to ask him about Marissa’s wellbeing.

“Hey, Alex.” Aaron greeted Brook’s uncle.

“Hey, is Marissa alright? She didn’t come in today.” He asked her.

“Yes, she is fine. It is unlike her not to show up as she hardly takes a holiday, but she wasn’t up early in the morning. Plus, when I came here, Ronny told me that she wouldn’t be conducting our class today as she was exhausted yesterday. Anyway, it’s good that she took a break. As it is, she hardly takes time for herself.” Aaron explained to him.

“Yes, that’s true.” With that, Alex left and dropped Brook off at Linda’s and decided to wrap up his work early.

After finishing his work, he went home and decided to meet Marisa first to see for himself that she is fine. Since last night, he has been restless and was curious about this Rob guy.

He rang Marisa’s doorbell, but instead of her, it was Jenny who opened the door.

“Alex, what are you doing here?” She asked him, clearly surprised as she wasn’t expecting him here.

“I could ask you the same question.” He replied back to her. He wasn’t expecting Jenny to be here.

“But I asked you first. And Marissa is my best friend, so I can come and spend time with her whenever I want.”

Those words from Jenny’s mouth made Alex feel stupid for even asking that question.

“Now you tell me, what are you doing here? You hardly know Marissa, and it’s unlikely that you will take your time out of your work to meet people.” Jenny stated.

“Marissa is not people; she is also my friend. Plus, she is my neighbour as we stay in the same building if you have forgotten. And I just came to check if

she is alright as she left rather early yesterday.” He explained.

“Wow, this is the first time I am seeing that you are actually worried about someone who is not your family. I am impressed.” Jenny gave him a smirk and patted him on his shoulder.

“Stop getting any stupid ideas and let me in.” Alex pushed past her and went inside to see Marissa, who was watching the movie ‘The Bounty Hunter’.

“Jesus, you are impossible.” Jenny huffed.

“Who’s there at the door, Jenny?” Marissa asked loudly from the living room.

“My satin brother,” Jenny told her friend.

“I didn’t know that you thought so highly of me, sister.” Alex glared at her reply.

“Whatever, I will leave you to talk as I cannot tolerate my brother more than I am already tolerating. Doodles fellas!!” With that, Jenny left.

“Popcorn?” Marissa asked Alex as he sat down beside her.

“Sure.” He took a few of them and popped them in his mouth.

“So, how are you?” Alex asked her after a few minutes.

“Fine, why did you ask?” She asked him, confused.

“Yesterday, you rather left abruptly.” He stated.

“Oh, sorry about that! I wasn’t feeling up to it.” Marissa bit her lips.

“You really think I would believe that?” Alex asked her with raised eyebrows.

“I don’t know. It’s not like we are best of friends or anything, but it was worth a try.” She brought her focus back to the movie and crossed her fingers,

hoping that Alex would drop the subject.

“Marissa, I want to get to know you better.” He told her sincerely.

“Okay. That’s not a bad idea.” She agreed with him.

“Who is Rob?” He asked her hesitantly.

“He is a friend.” She kept her answer short.

“He didn’t look like one.” Alex didn’t believe a word she said.

“Alex, leave it. Rob is a friend, and whatever problem we had are in the past, and it doesn’t matter now.” She told him briefly, implying that she wouldn’t

be answering any more than this, but he was not ready to drop the topic.

“Marissa...” He was going to say something, but Marissa interrupted him.

“Drop it, Alex.” With that, he dropped the subject for now and enjoyed the remaining movie with her.