Chapter 28 – The Over-Achiever
A. From Lila's POV
After Chloé had pulverized my earpiece, I calmly pulled out my cell phone and brought up the GPS app so I could monitor Marinette's movements. I felt an incredible rush of excitement as I watched. I love controlling other people, and for those I can't control like Marinette, it thrills me to be able to spy on them. Of course, I could have easily akumatized her if that stupid Chloé hadn't intervened.
My mom is finally starting to suspect my antics, although I keep assuring her there's nothing to worry about. What she doesn't understand is that I'm just being smart by using what I have to achieve my goals. After all, the whole world is based on using lies to position yourself for success. Those in power have been doing it since the beginning of time. I've even seen Mom when she uses her skills as a diplomat to manipulate others, so surely she'll be able to appreciate what I'm doing. Even though I continue to lie to her about the way I treat others, I do love my mother very much. She's the one person who has looked out for me and encouraged me all my life. I want to make her proud of me, and I'm sure she will be once she realizes how clever I've been.
I looked down at the screen and saw that the blip representing Marinette's position suddenly began darting around rapidly. It was moving suspiciously fast. It could be a malfunction, but the odd movement definitely drew my interest. I yelled out at Chloé, who was now at the top of the stairs.
"Oh Chloé… if you're wanting to talk to Marinette, then you'd better step on it. It looks like she's gone out the back door and is moving around pretty quickly, so that might make it hard for you to kiss her again. Anyway, hope you have a wonderful day."
Chloé froze for a second, trying to decide what to do. After staring down at me with a terrified look on her face, she turned and ran back into the school.
Oh, how I do love my life!
B. From Adrien's POV
I'd just made it to my room so I could start preparing for tonight's event. Before I had a chance to do anything, my cell phone rang. I could tell from the ring tone that it was Marinettte, causing me to answer that much more quickly.
"Hi, is this my good friend Marinette calling me?" I said with a smirk, but in a very serious tone.
She laughed. "I swear, Adrien Agreste, I'm gonna slap you one of these days!" Which is truly what I deserve for how dense I've been, not realizing the woman I love has been right here with me this whole time… and not just my idealized version of her in the form of Ladybug. Now I appreciate how amazing she is as a regular, everyday person.
"So happy to hear from you, my Cherry Blossom," I told her. Which is the term of endearment I had finally settled on. It won't be long before I let her know who I really am, but for now I'm doing my best not to call her Princess or Milady.
"Adrien, I didn't want to bother you but I just needed to talk for a minute. Lila just put me through hell and I needed to hear your voice."
I panicked. "What?!" I screamed without realizing how loud I was, then decided I had better keep my voice under control. "What happened?" She proceeded to tell me the story of how Lila had confronted her in the restroom and told her she had arranged for me to go to this function tonight, and that she was planning to steal me away from her. As I listened, I was having trouble containing my anger. But I responded to her in a calm voice.
"Okay... you realize that everything she told you is complete garbage, right? I saw the list of attendees, and she isn't on it. I doubt she would ever be invited to any of these functions. But even if she is, there's absolutely nothing she could do or say that could ever 'steal' me away from you. You're the only one I ever want by my side."
"Thanks Adrien. I know that, I think I just needed to hear it from you. Anyway, my emotions attracted an akuma, and thankfully Chloé was nearby and showed up to rescue me. Speaking of which, there's more I need to tell you about that later."
"Are you going to be okay now?" I asked with concern. It pains me to know that my Princess had to go through this ordeal. I just wanted to be there with her and hold her in my arms.
"Yes, no need to worry about me. I let her get to me, but I'll never make that mistake again. So- if she's not going tonight, do you think the only reason she taunted me was to bring an akuma?"
I thought about that. "As misguided as she is, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm so relieved that it didn't get to you, but now I'm thinking it might look for another nearby target."
"Yeah that's possible," she replied. "I should go look- I mean, report it so that Ladybug can track it down."
I smiled. "Yes, that's a good idea. Ladybug will take care of it. Just… be careful."
"I- Yes, I will," she said. "Love you and miss you, and can't wait to see you again."
"Love you too, Cherry Blossom. Talk to you soon."
After we disconnected, I felt a tightness in my chest. How can I just leave her alone to capture this akuma, after what she's gone through? I know she can do it without me, but she shouldn't have to. I want to be there to support her, but I know I won't be able to get out of attending this fundraiser.
Reluctantly I started to get dressed in my formal attire. Sensing my apprehension, Plagg came up next to me.
"You look stressed, buddy," he told me. "I didn't hear the other side of that conversation, but I take it your girlfriend-partner has gone through something pretty traumatic. You have to trust that she can handle it. She is Ladybug, after all."
"I know Plagg, but I still wish I could be there to help her. On top of that, I'm fuming over Lila. She instigated all this, and I swear I'm not going to let her meddle in our lives again!"
"Yeah kid that's noble and all, but just focus on what you need to do right now, which is getting ready for your big bash. Even if they're not serving any camembert, they might have some other exotic cheeses for me to try."
I sighed and started to go back to getting dressed, but decided I had something more important to do first. I found the number for the Italian embassy and called them, then asked to be connected to Ambassador Rossi. I felt a burning feeling in the pit of my stomach... I knew it was going to be an awkward conversation, but it needs to be done.
