There was no chance to extend their trip to Fontainebleau. The more, they finally felt tired – not only after that day spent on walking through endless corridors and rooms of the palace, but also after the previous two days full of activity. So, it wasn't surprising that they were coming back to Paris in a complete silence. Nino stayed focused on the road, while Adrien and Marinette were just sitting next to each other, holding hands. He was stroking her palm, she was looking out of the window with a half-smile on her face.

She carried an exceptional souvenir from the palace. When she had been staring at an exhibition of porcelain, Adrien decided to buy her a tea cup – the most beautiful she'd ever seen. In fact, he bought two cups – the other for himself or to his place – and that was the reason she found it so special. By the way she had to accept his rebuke that she'd been partial to some kind of luxury, but corrected him jokingly that at least they weren't to crystal chandeliers.

When they returned to the city, Marinette felt a hint of sorrow that it was the end of their fun. Those three days were fulfilled with emotions and experiences, so she regretted that she had to end this chapter of her life. Suddenly she discovered that they didn't turned to her house. She glanced at Adrien, so he smiled embarrassed and muttered:

"I thought we could celebrate the end of our three-day-mission. Can I buy you a drink?"

"Of… Of course…" she whispered, trying to calm down.

Had Adrien just asked her out?!

"Great!" he smiled.

Soon they reached one of popular clubs. They entered without problems, although a bouncer seemed to recognise them. He smiled under his breath aware that starting from tomorrow the club would become a hot spot, if people learned that the Adrien Agreste was visiting that place.

"I get a feeling I've been here already…" Marinette admitted when they sat down in one of boxes. "I think I performed here once."

"I'm sure I've never been here before." Adrien confessed. "I don't go out too often."

"Oh, right… I forgot about your training."

"You don't know my father. He's… Er… It's difficult to stand out against him."

"I have the same with Tikki. When she's determined, there's no chance to make her change her mind."

"No, it's different. My father has a plan and I have to realise it. Without question."

"You're right. At least I can negotiate with Tikki."

"Or fire her…"

"What?!" she exclaimed with reproach. " Tikki? Never!"

"But if she makes you do things you don't want…"

"No, it's not what you're thinking! I would be lost without her. I wouldn't survive even five minutes in this world. She's smart. And she knows show business very well." Marinette explained.

"You trust her for everything, don't you?"

"Of course. She's never let me down."

"But… Mari… She wanted you to date a stranger for fame. It could be someone slimy or pervy, or – as you thought – gay. For fame! And you let her do it!"

"I'm not proud of it. But she can be so stubborn… Besides… Oh… You'll be laughing at me now… But…"

"But what?"

"You know… I believe in signs. When Tikki told me that you had come to her first, I thought that maybe I was meant to help you to make your life better…"

"Just because you felt an internal need to help someone?" he asked in doubt. "No, such things don't happen. Sorry, Mari, there are no such people."

"I knew you wouldn't believe me…" she shrugged. "Think what you want. I don't care!"

"You do care!" he reminded her. "You care about what people think about you."

"If they don't know all facts. But I told you the truth. If you don't believe in it, it's your problem, not mine."

Adrien glanced at her thoughtful, then he whispered:

"You're incredible, you know that?"

"Yeah, right. Everyone's telling me that…" she waved her hand, still hurt by his words.

"You should change your stage name for Miraculous Ladybug."

"Anything else?" she asked ironically. "I know! I'll add: Adrien Agreste's!"

"Should I take it as the proposal, M'Lady?" he laughed.

"Sure, why not? We've known each other for three days. I think it's enough. At least you wouldn't end up as Adrien Bourgeois."

"So, there are altruistic reasons again, huh?" he gave her a wink.

"Of course!" she joined the game. "Yet… In this case I have to admit that I'm a bit selfish. I will have beautiful children with you."

"I've thought people want to have – first and foremost – intelligent children."

"They will inherit intelligence from me. And beauty from their father."

"They still can be beautiful from you, you know?" he smiled at her.

And suddenly they both became serious. It wasn't funny anymore. Not in those circumstances, when they were a day before starting all that fake dating… Tomorrow would be a very important day. Plagg's set-up. The big reveal of their secret relationship. Their fake relationship…

"Uhm… Mari?" Adrien asked after a while.

"Yes?"

"Can I have dance with you? Before we start pretending…"

"Sure, Adrien. With pleasure…"

She let him lead her to the dancefloor. When he embraced her, she recalled that moment in Fontainebleau when he had caught her. All butterflies came back and that was frustrating in case when she was about to start pretending to be in love, instead of actual pretending otherwise. She sighed and gave herself over to the music.

"I wish it wasn't the end…" Adrien whispered in her ear.

She smiled and wrapped her hands around his neck. He pulled her closer and couldn't resist from braiding his hand in her hair.

"We can't postpone Plagg's set-up on forever… - she whispered in his neck, and he felt dizzy because of her breath on his skin.

"I don't want to pretend tomorrow…" he confessed determined, kissing her cheek by the way.

She looked up and stared at his eyes. She felt warmth at the spot he kissed. She gasped when glanced at her lips. Adrien followed the impulse and kissed her as he'd wanted to do for those last few days. Actually, from the moment they'd met.

And she kissed him back.

x x x

Nino smiled under his breath, sipping his non-alcoholic drink. So he was right. He turned away satisfied, and immediately tensed. That was her. Alya. Alya Césaire. She approached to him with a mysterious smile, and he became cautious.

"Hello, Nino!" she greeted him.

"Alya…" he replied coldly.

"You're still mad at me?"

"I'm not going back to that." He muttered and stepped back.

She could smile all she wanted, but he wasn't going to be fooled again. Besides, he was aware that her presence in the same club where Adrien and Marinette were kissing, wasn't a good sign. He would be naïve if he thought she hadn't noticed that. The more, she had to have a good reason to come to him. A very good reason, because the last time they'd talked he told her clearly that he didn't want to see her again.

"Let's dance, can we?" Alya suggested, stroking his arm.

"What do you want?" he asked instead.

"Oh, Nino. Why are you so official?"

"You know why."

"You can ruin all the fun!" she winced. "All right. I don't want too much. Just a little comment. You know, I need a starting point."

"I knew it." he muttered and shook her hand off his arm. "You'll never change…"

Before he turned away, he caught her surprised look. Maybe it was an illusion or wishful thinking, but he had an impression that there was a hint of regret in her eyes. He abandoned that thought immediately. Everything can be faked. He was sure about it.

He approached to Adrien and Marinette and patted his friend in his back, saying:

"We're leaving!"

"What?" they both asked in astonishment.

"Now!" Nino ordered and led them outside.

Without a word of explanation he made them get in the car and left in a rush. Adrien exchanged glances with Marinette, but they didn't ask about anything. In a complete silence they reached the girl's house.

"I'll walk you home…" Adrien whispered and got out.

When they came to the door, both hesitated. Neither of them wanted to be parted. Too much had happened today. Or a moment ago. They still had so much to say! But Nino honked meaningfully to hurry up their goodbye.

"So… See you tomorrow…" Adrien whispered touching her cheek.

"Tomorrow…" she replied in a whisper.

He kissed her cheek and went back to the car quickly, as if staying longer would make him change his mind. He knew that if he kissed her again, he wouldn't go back home. But from tomorrow… From tomorrow…

He sighed happy when he got in the car. His friend looked at him gloomy.

"Will you tell me what happened?"

"Home." Nino muttered. "We'll talk about it at home."