Chapter 4

Adrien got out of his car so fast like his life depended on it. He looked at his watch. It told him that he had already been late for half an hour and he didn't plan on letting her wait any longer.

When he ran in the pizza place, he saw his date immediately. Marinette sat alone at the table near window. Her round blue eyes stared out of it, enjoying the view of Paris's street at night.

"Marinette, I'm really sorry. The class ran late than usual."

"It's okay. I've just arrived anyway." Marinette smiled reassuringly at him. "Let's order something."

After went through all the menu, they decided to order pepperoni pizza with chicken wings. The waiter brought their drink and let they sat in silence. A sudden tension that had never been between them before made the couple smiled awkwardly at each other.

Is it because he has known already!?

Marinette freaked out. This wasn't exactly what she wanted him to know the truth at all.

"My coworker at the university sent her greeting to you."

That wasn't the conversation she expected but Marinette didn't complain. The change in conversation made her sighed in relief.

"Is that coworker of your one of my friends? I graduated from there anyway."

"Actually, she said she was your teacher."

Her eyes widened when she realized who he talked about.

"You mean TIKKI!" Marinette burst with excitement. "Oh! I really miss her. She helped me a lot when I studied in university. She isn't just my teacher, more like my friend and mental stabilizer when I freaked out."

"Yeah. She talks about that, too" Adrien chuckled. "Something about you were so nervous to the point that you almost strangled your model partner with measuring tape."

Marinette squeaked. Her face flushed with embarrassment. "That was my first year in university and it was pure accident!"

"Whatever floats your boat, princess."

Her cheek flushed bright pink with the nickname, but she still pouted cutely.

"It's true. I bet you were nervous when you taught for the first time, too."

"I actually tripped and crashed into teacher's desk in front of the whole class." Adrien admitted without shame. "My students are still teasing me about that day whenever they want me to lower their homework."

Marinette rolled her eyes. "Look like it doesn't work."

"When you're a teacher, you just have to learn how to outsmart your student." Adrien smiled cheekily at her. His eyes twinkled with amusement.

"That's why I never think about being a teacher. I'm a softy with children. Just use puppy eyes and BAM! I've already been defeated."

"Don't worry. We only need one stern parent in a family."

Adrien didn't quite catch what he said until he saw Marinette's face blushed like a tomato. That was when he realized how suggestive his word sounded. His face suddenly blushed in the color that matched with his date.

The physic teacher tried to change subject but nothing came out. Thankfully, the waiter arrived with their food before further awkwardness.

After his thoughtless speech, they ate quietly in comfortable silence. They decided to split the bill because Marinette made herself clear since their second date that she refused to let him paid for their date.

"Where do you park your car?" Adrien asked when he pushed the door open for her. The only thing that kept them from darkness is the lamppost in front of pizza place. This street wasn't secluded but not many cars passed by.

"Oh, I didn't drive here. My friend dropped me off."

Adrien paused. He has a puzzled look on his face. "And will your friend take you home?"

Marinette shrugged. "I think she is meeting her boyfriend. I can walk home myself. My apartment isn't that far from here."

"No." Adrien said sternly. "I won't let you walk home alone at night."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her to his car that parked near the restaurant. Marinette didn't protest much to his delight. If she walked home alone, he would be worried sick to the point that he couldn't stay still until he got a call from her.

They got in the car. Adrien's phone rang just before he started the engine. The screen showed that there was a message from his coworker said that the assistant dean needed the document immediately.

Adrien sighed. Couldn't these people learn to respect other people's free time?

"Sorry, Marinette. Can we stop at my apartment before go back to your place? The assistant dean need the document that I keep in my place."

"Oh" Marinette breathed out. "Adrien, I really can go home myself. You don't have to worry about me."

"There is no way I will let you walk home at night by yourself." Adrien said in sharp voice, didn't let her say anything else. "Beside I have something to talk to you. It's quite important."

Something inside Marinette told her that she knew what he was going to talk to her.

They didn't say anything to each other until they reached his apartment door. Marinette leaned against the wall, waiting for Adrien to finish taking photo of the document and sending it to his coworker.

Her heart beat so fast like it could explode. She wasn't ready for this conversation at all. Everything she planned with Alya disappeared from her head like it had never been there before.

She pulled the strap of her bag nervously. The sound of a door shutting made her glanced nervously at her date who she secretly hoped that he would still want to be her boyfriend after tonight.

"I know you're working for my father."

It felt like thunder had just struck right through her heart. Marinette opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out at all. She did the only thing that came into her mind.

She stood there, head hanging low, waiting for the blame to come.

It broke Adrien's heart to see how devastating she looked.

"Marinette, look at me." Adrien said softly. His hands cupped Marinette's face, thumbs trailed around in soothing motion. He lifted her head up until blue eyes met his green ones.

"I'm not mad at you."

"You should."

"No. You didn't lie to me and I didn't completely honest with you either. If there is anyone's false, it would be both of us, not you or me alone."

It was like a rock in her heart had been lifted out of her chest. She felt so warm and it wasn't just from Adrien's body temperature. Her hand reached out to grab the front of his shirt and pulled until their front touched each other.

Her head laid on Adrien's shoulder. Hot breath left a tingling feeling at his neck that made his heart skipped a beat. The faint smell of flower perfume from her is the reason why his brain couldn't function at all. Adrien couldn't think what to do next.

Screw your brain! Just do whatever you felt right for once.

A part of him screamed so hard and before he processed his mind, Adrien found himself hugged Marinette so hard like she was his last anchor.

"I love you." He whispered in her ear. "I really love you, Marinette. And I won't let anything in the world destroy what we have, even if that thing is my own issue with my father."

He felt her hands on his back. Marinette hugged him back before she said. "I love you, too. Really, seriously and completely love you with all my heart."

Her silly confession made Adrien smiled so much his cheek started to hurt. They just stood at a door, hugged each other like an idiot until Adrien heard his neighbor shout.

"Okay! We get that you love each other. Can you please continue your love declaration in your own room!?"

The outburst made them separated from their hug with flushing red face. They looked at each other before laughed so hard until Marinette felt a tear in her eyes. The romantic atmosphere completely disappeared with the tension from their secrets. She looked at him and smiled brightly. The bubbles in her chest multiplied when she saw his smile.

Marinette didn't fall in love very often. Half of her life had been dedicated to trying to be a fashion designer, so her free time was scarce. She didn't have much experience about this love thing.

But there was one thing she was sure and it was the fact that she was completely in love with this man.

"I really don't want to end this date, yet" Adrien rubbed the back of his head nervously. "How about movie night and cuddling? You can choose the movie?"

Marinette really liked the sound of it.