Adrien*

Phew. That was close.

I heard Mari walked downstairs, but I did not hear her mother following her. A moment later, I heard the trap door locked. I was not sure what happened, so I had a peek. Mrs. Cheng was still in the room.

'Adrien, come out,' Mrs. Cheng said calmly.

I stood still, believing that she was just guessing.

'I know, you're next to the window. Your blond hair is showing and also your shirt-tail,' she continued.

Tail?! I don't even have one right, now.

'Adrien, how many blond boy does my daughter know? I don't want to count to three, okay?!' Mrs. Cheng started raising her voice.

Argh. Alright. I poked my face to the window with my best kitten eyes.

'Chat?' Mrs. Cheng questioned.

Ah, right. I still have my domino on. I walked inside, taking off my domino. 'Mrs. Cheng , 'Adrien' is fine.'

'Adrien? You're him?' she asked out of surprise.

'Yes,' I answered, surrendering.

'Does she know?' Mrs. Cheng said very calmly.

'No, and I would like to keep it a secret.'

'Why, Adrien? Why are you here as Chat?'

'It's complicated, Mrs. Cheng.'

'What is more complicate than having a masked superhero sleeping with my daughter?!'

I pissed Mrs. Cheng off. 'I apologize, Mrs. Cheng, and I swear I didn't do anything inappropriate.' I knew that the feeling I felt was the same as when I know my mother left me and when Ladybug was leaving. Rejected.

'Apology, excepted. I always look at you like my own son since the first time I saw you without knowing your name,' Mrs. Cheng said, hugging me, 'but approaching my daughter with your alternate ego is another thing.'

'I'm sorry, Mrs. Cheng. This won't happen again.'

'Don't promise me something you cannot do, Adrien. Tell me what happened yesterday, and I'll forgive you. By the way, drop the Mrs. Cheng and call me Sabine...nah just call me Mom.'

'You see, Mrs. Che... Sabi... Mom, I dropped by at Mari's for cookies and hot chocolate frequently because my diet did not include my evening patrols. They are the best thing I ever had. After awhile, I got to know Mari better than ever I did as Adrien. You knew that she barely talks to me at school, right?'

'Yes,' she answered.

'Soon after, she became my best friend as Chat because I could talk about almost everything that Adrien cannot with her. Last night, we were playing board games that Alya brought, but we did not get to finish it yet because I had to go and recharge my suit. She asked me if I wanted to sleepover which we promised we won't go further than cuddles, and we didn't break it. I told her that I've never had any sleepover before, and her invitation became a command after she knew it.'

'You've never had any sleepover? Like the friendly type thing?'

'No, Mom. This is the first time.'