Miraculous Ladybug: Popular

Chapter Ten

Chloé and Gabriel chatter away, completely hypnotized by each other. One would talk and the other would light up with excitement. And they were getting this excited over their own success. Adrien's father would from time to time talk about Adrien's achievements with Chloé, but he would soon say somethings among the lines of 'it was because of me.'

Adrien looked down sadly at his soup spoon and he held it in his left hand, looking at his reflection. He felt like such a coward. He wasn't able to stand up to his dad and say that Marinette was the girl he wanted. He hated everything and he even hated himself. He wished he was more assertive and that he was more proud and confident in what he said. He still had no idea how Chloé found out.

"Adrien, eat your soup or join in on the conversation." His father demanded as he rolled his eyes at his son's antisocial behavior.

"I'm so sorry Chloé that he is being so disrespectful. He doesn't understand. I'm surprised he was able to get such a wonderful girl like you."

Chloé grinned the biggest grin ever and she flipped a piece of her hair back, not surprised that Gabriel liked her.

"No no it's fine! I love this boy and I find his quiet nature quite charming. Although he is quite the flirt too." Chloé winked at Adrien. Adrien scrunched up his nose and furiously shook his head. Chloé glared at him in a way to tell him not to say anything, which he didn't since Chloé was now scary to him.

Gabriel chuckled and his foggy glazed over eyes seemed to suddenly have a burst of life in them as he talked with Chloé about his plans.

"So, since you've done modeling before I think we will get a lot of orders for next months issue, plus you are his girlfriend now, so everything will be booming."

Chloé gave a smirk of agreement and she looked at Adrien who was slowly eating his soup, glancing around the room, avoiding eye contact with the two.

"Oh!" Chloé clapped her hands together, raising her eyebrows. "I will be in a perfume commercial and it's going for a summer teen romance theme, and since Adrien and I are dating, I was wondering if he would like to take the job of joining me in the commercial business! I know he's been working in that small unpopular bakery, so what do you say? He works with me and I'll be his girlfriend and agent?"

"No that's no—"

"That is an excellent idea, Chloé." Gabriel snapped, shushing Adrien who was objecting as usual.

"Father," Adrien pleaded, completely anxious. "Please I don't want to do that. I want to work at the bakery with Marinette."

"Adrien, I don't want you there anymore and that is final. If I find you there again, you won't like what I'll do. Understood?"

The boy winced at the thought of his fate if he ever disobeyed his father. He really really wanted to, but he was scared he'd harm Marinette and he didn't want to be selfish and put her summer or life at risk.

"I guess it's settled then." Chloé stated as she checked her makeup in her spoon, puckering her lips, raising her brows, and batting her eyelashes to make sure all her false features were in place.

Before either of them could chatter on, the waiter came with their meals. Chloé had ordered pasta with shrimp in it and Adrien's father ordered tomato soup with a side of garlic bread and noodles. What an odd thing for his father to specifically order. It wasn't even on the menu, but his father was so popular it didn't even matter.

Adrien stared in horror as Chloé and Gabriel talked on and on. The sound of their chewing and their annoying stubborn voices formed a shrill noise that was left ringing in the entire room. They were so loud and obnoxious, and Adrien knew Chloé was obnoxious but not his father. He assumed someone had to talk about his interests (money, business) to get him to open up so much.

They were so much alike. No wonder Adrien wasn't attracted to Chloé. They both were heartless and wanted to get their way. He was sure they both had a loving nature buried under their crappy personalities, but he didn't know where it was exactly and when it would shine through.

Adrien felt bad. He really was sick of Chloé and he wished he could like her as a person. Knowing her when they both were young was what made him attached to her. Other then that, if he never met her, he would completely hate her. Maybe 5% of him would be okay with her, but that was only because of his caring, polite nature.

"I'll be right back. I need to use the restroom." Adrien's father announced as he pushed in his chair, walking off, leaving the two teens.

"So, Adrienkins do you like my outfit?" Chloé asked with a flirtatious smile.

"It's nice." He stated nervously, still avoiding eye contact.

"Ugh! Adrien! Pay attention to me! I'm your girlfriend now? Are you thinking about that loser Marinette?"

"I might be, and I'd much rather be with a loser than you."

Marinette finally calmed down, or at least enough. She was slightly dryer than before and she had a scalding cup of coffees in her right hand, and every time she took a sip it warmed her up to the core, and she ignored the stinging feeling of the heat. She just wanted to be warm.

She knocked on the door of the bakery and her dad automatically opened the door, smiling.

"How was it?"

Marinette paused, taking another sip from her drink.

"It was fine."

Tom gasped at his daughter's choice of words and he shut the door behind her.

"Just fine? You were absolutely in love with this boy and your FIRST date was just 'fine'?"

"Yep. His uh, dad was there. So it wasn't as magical." She stated flatly as she placed her cup on the counter.

"Well," he began as he took off his apron. "that's fine I guess. Alya is still up in your room. She was wondering if she could sleep over. I said it was okay. You should maybe get to bed. It's late."

Marinette nodded and began to head up stairs. She was so tired and sad she didn't even bother to grab her drink that she spent so much money on.

She was finally up the stairs near the trap door. She hesitantly opened it.

"MARINETTE!" Alya screamed as she rolled off of Marinette's bed onto the floor. She quickly got up and scurried over to the trap door and pulled her friend up from the stairs and she gave her a squeeze.

Marinette groaned at the hug, completely annoyed.

"Marinette, what's wrong?! You don't seem happy? Oh no. Don't tell me. Something bad happened."

Marinette laughed awkwardly and she shook her head and flicked her wrist. "N-no its fine. I'm fine. I.. Uh-"

Alya scowled at Marinette and she placed her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Marinette.."

Marinette started to cry and she rubbed at the corners of her eyes, frowning. "Alright fine! It was HORRIBLE! Beyond horrible. I went up to him and he said I was his date and then Chloé showed up and apparently Chloé was his girlfriend and I'm not and he never liked me and he only asked me out as a joke and I just- I just want to die. He doesn't like me he even worked at the bakery as a joke."

Marinette took a deep breath after her long explanation and she broke down into sobs again. Her voice was cracked as she tried to speak again.

"I- I'm so stupid. I'm so stupid. Why do I always think I have a chance with him?"

Alya's eyes were wide. They were bigger than Chloe's ego and they were even bigger than that with her glasses being on.

"That can't be true. Nino is my boyfriend and he tells me everything regarding Adrien. He would never do anything to hurt you." Alya said reassuringly as she lead Marinette to the bed. They both sat on the edge and hugged each other, trying to comfort one another.

"I just can't believe it. Chloé said all this stuff. It's not like she was even lying. Adrien said nothing and he didn't defend me. He didn't call Chloé out or anything."

Alya gasped, leaning back to look at Marinette's red face. "Forget everything I said and excuse my language, but, he's such a dick."

"Alya!" Marinette angrily squeaked as ahe rubbed away more tears pouring from her eyes.

"He's not he's not! I really really love him!"

Alya face palmed. "Girl, that isn't love."

"IT IS!" Marinette protested as she embraced Alya, crying and sniffling on her broad shoulders.

"Marinette.." Alya stated as she rubbed her friend's back. "Listen to me. That isn't love. You need another boy. Who does he think he is to not defend you when you always defend him when Chloé bugs him and when you defend Nino for him too?"

"I guess you are right. I just don't know what to do. I feel really empty now, but I'll move on. I'll stay strong. I'll avoid him at all costs too. I.. I hate Adrien Agreste."

A/N: Yeah this is a short chapter. Whatever though. Thank you for all the great reviews, they truly motivate me. Sorry for the short chapter and sorry if there are any errors. OH and check out this poll I made. Vote on it lmao I think you can access it from my profile?