Playing a Game of Hearts

Marissa was still very upset with what Alex had done, the silence was heavy in the car. They pulled up to the condo building and got out, she walked in quick strides to the building. She crossed her arms and waited for Alex, he let them both in and she made her way to her room. She slammed her door shut and started to change into her pajamas. She groaned loudly in irritation, she wanted to scream out but knew she couldn't. He didn't even ask! She mentally yelled. She threw herself down on the bed and closed her eyes. She was frustrated and self-conscious about her body, he'd felt how fat she was.

Alex heard a sound he wasn't use to, crying. He mentally cursed, now what the hell was he suppose to do? He groaned softly and lightly knocked on Marissa's door. No response. He took a deep breath and opened the door. He could make out a lump in the blankets, she was crying and shaking. Quietly he made his way over to her and lightly tapped her shoulder area.

Marissa shook, wrapped in her duvet, she couldn't help the tears streaming down her face now. All of the anguish and sadness of the previous two days coming out. She felt a tap on her should, quickly she tried to stop crying. Alex sat down next to her and pulled her into a sitting position, the blanket fell away and she feebly pounded on his chest. She tried to glare at him as another sob left her chest.
"That was so unconvincing." Alex sighed as he pulled her to him.
"Damn women are more trouble than they're worth." He grumbled.
"Don't say stuff like that when you're hugging me." She cried into his chest. His arms were wrapped around her tightly. He was so warm, she found herself clinging onto him. Alex rubbed her back softly, she finally stopped crying.
"Better?" He asked softly.
"Y-yeah, sorry I blew up at the office."
"I-it's fine. Don't worry about it." His cheeks looked red.
"I'm not crying anymore, you can let go now." Marissa said awkwardly.
"Oh! Uh, sorry." Alex quickly let go of her.

Returning to his room Alex attempted to stop blushing, he new he was bright red. He loosened his tie and slipped it off of his neck, quickly he stripped himself of his shirt. He grabbed a simple black shirt and pulled it over his head, he pulled off his dress pants and found a pair of flannel bottoms. He pulled out his laptop and checked his email; something from his mother, Holly and his list of meetings, Jack and some piano cat video. The last email was from someone who he never wanted to hear from; Lisa Ruocco. He debated for almost 10 minutes weather or not to open it. Finally he clicked the message he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what it said;
Hey!
I'm not sure if you use this email address anymore, I'll try anyways. It's been a day or two since we talked, huh? I'm really sorry about that thing, I couldn't help it. (Alex then scoffed in disbelief) I want to be on good terms with you, I hear you're a big shot now. I still love you Alex, don't you remember all those good times we had? You're still my knight in shining armor. Sadly, I'm living in a very run down apartment in Buffalo, New York. I'd love to hear from you and possibly see you again.
With love,
Lisa.

Alex glared at the email for a bit then deleted it. He felt his stomach sink, he knew if Marissa got to close to him he'd end up hurt. Hugging her was a bad call on his part, but she had just looked so sad. He'd act like it didn't happen, a frown creased his forehead. He gave up and shut his computer, she switched off his lamp and closed his eyes.

Marissa opened her eyes and checked her phone, a missed text from Alex
- Going to work, don't to anything stupid.
She found herself slightly sad, what had he meant by that hug? She knew today would be a good day to call her parents, she got dressed and picked up her phone again. he found her mothers number and dialed it, she wasn't 100% sure she would answer.
"Hello?" Hazel Clay's voice answered.
"M-mom?"
"Marissa, I'm assuming you called to tell me you're sorry?"
"What do I have to be sorry for?" Her eyes dropped to her duvet, the smile slapped from her face with words. "I - uh, I"m sorry I bothered you I just wanted to say-"
"He left you didn't he? Oh now you've called me broken hearted! I'm sure you just want money or pity. Serves you right." Her mother snapped at her.
"Yes ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you."
"Goodbye Marissa Mackenzie." With that Hazel ended the call. Marissa let a tear fall down her cheek, the harshness of her mothers words hurt her. She though back to her teenage years, maybe if she were as then as then Hazel would love her again. Marissa felt a sense of excitement wash over her.

Alex checked his phone again, nothing from Marissa. He felt worried, he knew that feeling meant an attachment was forming. He pushed the thought away and put his phone down, the door to his office opened with a slight creak. The productions assistant of Black and Orange walked in with a distressed expression on his face. Jordan, as he was known, usually had a calm and carefree expression on his face.
"I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Gaskarth, but we seemed to have had a problem with the manager of your hotel. We were scouting some scene sights and he became irate with Mr. O'Callaghan."
"Oh Philip, okay. I'll talk to him again. Just leave it where it is today, please."
He didn't have enough time to worry about Marissa. Alex quickly busied himself with paperwork.

Marissa had cleaned the condo from top to bottom, the hardwood floors shone brightly in the industrialist style lighting. She decided to workout after she was done, she decided this was a good first step. She did countless crunches and push-ups, drank a bottle of water, and jogged in place for 45 minutes. By the time she was done it was 10:00 at night, she wasn't sure when Alex usually got off. She decided she wasn't hungry and went to change into her pajamas. She sat on her bed, thinking about what her mother had said to her, the spiteful sentences replaying over and over in her mind. She heard movement in the hallway, Alex must have been home. She turned off her light and laid down, the shuffle of footsteps passed her door without a pause. She felt slightly sad, but she'd never tell him that. It was back to the way it was before, cold and quiet.

Alex noticed how clean the place was, he felt a surprised feeling in his stomach. He noticed something odd; no dishes had been used, no food was missing, no trash. Did she eat? He asked himself.
"Why do I even care?" He muttered to himself. He went towards his room and saw her light off, she must've been tired. Alex walked to his room and changed, a guilty feeling washed over him. He opened his door and made his way to Marissa's room, he lightly knocked on the door.
"Yeah?" Her soft voice rang out through the heavy oak.
"Thank you for cleaning," He said, "Goodnight."
"Night." She called quietly, Alex left for his own room again. Nothing felt right, she wasn't acing right. He shrugged if off and got a call from his mother.
"Alex! You didn't even tell me! For Christ's sake! Oh, I'm so proud."
"Oh, uh yeah. Sorry, can I call you tomorrow? Somethings come up."
"Of course." She ended the call, nothing was right, he didn't have the ability to lie currently. He laid down and closed his eyes, sleep called him.

Notes