A/N: So fanfiction net had uploads frozen, which is why you all got notifications and couldn't access the story unless you were on the app. I got a lot of messages about it and I felt really disheartened that I couldn't reach out to everyone about it.

I was thinking of launching a discord server of my own. To give updates in case I can't upload anymore because of technical issue, or personal reason. Keep you all in the loop, but it could also be kinda fun. Chatting, sharing recommendations for stories, art work, etc. I have a link in my profile if anyone wants to join.

Please Keep My Secret

Chapter 9

At lunch, Adrien picked a secluded place and took out his cell phone and then pressed the button on his contacts to reach Marinette. It rung a few times before he heard her tiny voice on his end.

"Hi, Adrien," she said, her voice just above a whisper.

"Mari...how are you holding up?" he asked.

"All right, I guess," she replied.

Adrien felt a pain his chest, and could feel the sadness in her voice. It broke his heart. Marinette was such a sweet person and didn't deserve this. It was entirely his fault. She had so many bad things happened to her since she found out he was Chat Noir.

"I'm so, so sorry Marinette," Adrien said and sighed heavily."If I had known-"

She interrupted, but she was still quiet."No. No, Adrien. I don't regret going. It was a great afternoon. I just regret...not being strong enough for something like this. I've liked you for so long, but I never even considered what I'd have to go through, even if we were just friends."

The pain in his chest worsened and he felt like he would throw up. Adrien didn't think he would be eating lunch today. And he had no idea what he could say to help her. He supposed Marinette knew this because she tried to change the subject.

"Listen, Adrien there's something else I need to talk to you about, but it has to be in person. Could you come over before your patrol is over?"

This gave him a sinking feeling and it was worse than he was already feeling. A million scenarios were going through his head, and none of them were good. Adrien imagine that she no longer wanted to be his friend, or she blamed him for this. Though he thought that the last part was true. Being his friend was a burden. Especially if you were a girl.

"I can be there," he said."Around 10PM?"

"That will be fine," Marinette responded."My mom is calling me for lunch, so I better go."

"Of course," Adrien stated."I won't keep you."

The phone call ended, and Adrien rested his head against the wall. Plagg poked his head out of Adrien's bag and shook his head."That's why I prefer cheese to relationships."

"Not now, Plagg," Adrien's sighed."I messed up badly."

"Oh, please," Plagg waved Adrien's concerns aside."You humans have such low attention spans. By next week they'll have forgotten all about her. Once your new winter line comes out they'll have forgotten about it."

Adrien wasn't convinced. He was a highly sought-after model to work with, and he had already noticed how many girls seem to like him. And some had even been attacked by Akuma or became Akuma because of their feelings for him. And the one girl he did like, didn't like him back. Now the one person who knew his secret was hurting because of him. He hated the fame he had. Adrien was convinced he was cursed to just never have any luck in love, or really know who would be the right person for him. The closest he had ever felt to being accepted and allowed to be truly himself was with Marinette. The naturally mix between Adrien Agreste and Chat Noir was who he really was. And now, Marinette was locked in her home, being harassed and hated for being that one person who knew and accepted who he truly was.

"Why did I have to kiss her?" Adrien hissed.

Plagg came out of the bag and floated near Adrien."Well, duh, because you like her."

"Marinette's just a frien-"

"Don't finish that sentence," Plagg warned."That's become your literal catchphrase and it's so annoying."

"But Plagg, I don't like Marinette like that," Adrien tried to defend himself.

Plagg rolled his eyes. "All right, why did you kiss her then?"

Adrien supposed he kissed her because he had such a fun time with her. Whenever they spend time together, recently or even in the past he always seemed to have fun with her. Marinette was kind, sweet, thoughtful, talented, cute, had a beautiful smile, and was so fun to be around.

He thought he'd thank her for the fun afternoon they had together. He didn't think a kiss on the cheek would be such a bad thing. And it wouldn't have been if it hadn't been for his unwanted fame. If it hadn't been for his father forcing him to model, Adrien could have spent the entire day with her or any of his other friends. He could have spent the entire day sitting on that bench laughing, goofing off, and just be a normal kid. And then at the end of the day, he could give her a kiss on the cheek without worrying about it going viral. Heck, could have kissed her on the mouth and still no one would have cared.

He paused. Why had that last point come to mind? His cheeks went pink, his eyes widened.

"You going to answer me anytime now ?" an impatient Plagg growled.

Adrien tried to open his mouth to speak, but his phone began to ring, Nathalie's name popped up.

He answered."Hello? Nathalie?"

"Adrien, your father needs to speak with you. The car is waiting out front," Nathalie responded.

Could today get any worse? Adrien had been so worried about Marinette he hadn't even considered that his father would see the photos. Oh, how he wanted to just disappear and never be seen again.

"Yes, Nathalie, I'll be right out," he replied.

Marinette would probably have to wait later than 10pm if his father was worked up by the media. He hung up and stood up, and lifted his bag and opened it so Plagg went back inside. He stood and looked at his feet as he walked to the waiting car. His bodyguard was in the drivers seat and Nathalie was in the back passenger seat behind him. Adrien opened the door and climbed inside. His father turned face met his gaze, the screen on the back of the car seat projecting Gabriel's disproving face.

"You wanted to speak to me father?"

"Yes Adrien, I'd like to speak to you about your photo shoot yesterday," Gabriel spoke, his serious authoritative tone was present, as always.

"Yes, father."

"You invited a friend to the shoot?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes, father."

"And Nathalie permitted you to spend 30 minutes with her after the shoot, should you focus and complete your shoot earlier, which I understand you did," Gabriel continued.

"Yes, father."

Gabriel's eyes wandered to Nathalie who was looking forward and was serious."I've seen the post going viral, Nathalie has told me everything, but I want to hear you tell me. What happened in that park after the photo shoot?"

Adrien couldn't look at his father. "I kissed her on the cheek before I left. Before that we were just talking and joking around. We had hot chocolate and croissants."

Gabriel only nodded."That is the story Nathalie told me. She checked up on you every few minutes. And she witnessed this kiss on the cheek."

"Y-you Believe me Father?" Adrien gasped.

"Yes and while I disprove of Nathalie hiding this from me, I can ignore that fact as your work was much more effective today. In fact, I think a reward system should be worked out. If you can continue to be this effective with your work, I don't see why I shouldn't allow you to spend time with a friend. At their house or your room that is," Gabriel explained. "Protect ourselves from further unwanted social media posts."

"R-really father?!"

Gabriel nodded, and Adrien looked at Nathalie, flashing her a smile as thanks.

"I have called the school though. I wanted to add some shots for the new line. So I booked a last minute shoot. You'll be with Olivia Monet. You can come back to school tomorrow."

"All right," Adrien agreed. At least he'd be able to sneak off later to check on Marinette. If he just had to go to another photo shoot then so be it. He'd be just as efficient as he was yesterday. Adrien clipped his seat belt on and the car was put into drive and off they went. Nathalie gave him the specifics of the photo shoot. They were heading outside the city for a photo shoot. The photos his father wanted were more out door shots, and he apparently wanted shots of a young couple on a date, and he'd been shooting with Olivia Monet. He had worked with her enough that he felt comfortable enough to do that kind of photo shoot. They were going to the gardens of Versailles. His father always had a way with theatrics.

When they arrived he was pointed to his trailer where he would get changed. When he got inside, Plagg jumped from his bag and flew around while Adrien removed his winter coat. He put it down and walked over to the rolling rack with the same outfits he wore the day before.

"Which one should I wear?" he asked, turning to Plagg.

"The one with the turtleneck," Plagg responded.

"You think so? Why that one?" Adrien asked as he pulled it off the rack and examined it.

"The Baker girl's heart race accelerated when you wore that one," Plagg answered casually, though he knew it would get a reaction out of Adrien. And he was not disappointed.

Adrien's face went red, and then Plagg heard sounds coming out of him he only made when a new Ladybug figurine came out. When Plagg looked over, Adrien was staring at him.

"Why would you tell me that?" Adrien cried. Though Adrien remembered his father's words began to strip and change into the outfit anyway.

"What? She's just a friend, right?" Plagg replied.

Adrien sent the kwami a glare and finished dressing, putting the aviators jacket on last. "You wait here, I'll be back later," Adrien said, though clearly annoyed.

Adrien left the trailer and Nathalie took him to another trailer where they sat him down for a quick makeup and hair styling session. In the chair next to him was Olivia. Her face lit up."Adrien! Hello!"

He smiled, "Hello, Olivia."

"I'm so excited," she smiled."Your dad has outdone himself this season."

"Yeah, it's a good mix of different styles this season," Adrien agreed as the stylist ran her hands through his hair, styling it. A stylist grabbed some makeup from the table and put some on his face. Just enough to make the photos really pop.

"I saw some of the photos," Olivia continued to strike up a conversation."I have to say the one you're wearing right now has really aged you up. You look so much more mature."

"Thanks Olivia," Adrien responded.

"All done, Mr Agreste," The stylist said.

"Thanks," Adrien said, climbing out of his seat. "You coming, Olivia?"

"Of course," she flashed him her best smile.

Adrien went outside and looked around the shoot. While it was delayed autumn it was freezing and felt like a mild winter day. So the fact they brought in a snow making machine was no surprise to him. It was sprinkled around the palace grounds and it looked truly beautiful.

His shooting partner looked beautiful too in that dress with leggings and a stylish coat that matched his aviator one. She also had one of Gabriel's new cute boot designs on. It complimented his own outfit perfectly. Yet as he looked over at the gardens and realized he would be walking those paths with her, acting like a couple. It somehow just felt wrong to him, but he didn't understand why.

Nathalie approached, "Alright Adrien, we're going to start at Bassin du Dragon."

That was a large fountain on the upper right part of the garden. It had serpents and angels were riding on the backs of them, and were positioned in a ring around the center, but in the middle was a stone dragon statue, who in the warmer months blew water out of its mouth straight into the air. Adrien remembered trying to climb in as a kid. His mother thought it was hilarious, while his father was hardly amused.

Adrien was snapped back to reality when he felt someone take his arm. His eyes looked over to see Olivia pulling on his arm. "Come on, while we still have light."

"Right," Adrien said, coming along with her. He didn't want to lose his father's trust. He had to focus.

They hurried to the photographer and both Adrien and Olivia met him in front of the fountain.

"Ah! Fantastic," Vincent the photographer greeted. "Why don't we start with some shots of Olivia "fixing" your scarf, Adrien. Then some shots sitting on the edge of the fountain."

"Sounds good, Vincent," Olivia said, her voice sounded extra bubbly and energetic.

Adrien stared at the fountain and figured where Vincent would want him and took his place. Olivia took her place too and reached out and took his scarf in both hands, and started to move like she was placing the scarf on him. She began looking at him with a soft expression much like a lover would. Olivia was such a very attractive girl, and Adrien posed with her, but his mind wandered to the scarf he recently found out Marinette made him. He hadn't talked to her about that, and he would. If she wanted to be around him at all after tonight.

'Marinette,' he thought.

He wondered if she was doing all right at home. If she was all right. He was worried about her, and hoped she wasn't reading any more of the comments or messages.

"Excellent, now take a seat," Vincent stated.

Adrien was the first to take a seat. Olivia joined him and sat close enough that their knees were touching. Adrien paid no attention at first but as Vincent directed them, he noticed the closeness between them. Olivia had placed a hand on his shoulder and was pulling on his turtleneck, pulling him uncomfortably close. It looked like she was trying to kiss him, and for whatever reason, it was setting off alarm bells. Though he felt relief when she stopped, and he realized she was just posing closely to him. He tried to collect himself and pose as well.

He closed his eyes like Olivia was and when he did he started to imagine the day before. The time him and Marinette spent on the bench together. The laughter they shared together, her smile. That infectious smile.

"That's fantastic, Adrien," Vincent called. "That pose, I want different angles. Stay still a few moments longer."

Adrien hardly was listening, his mind still remembering the cute pink Marinette's cheeks turned when he kissed her on the cheek.

'There I am again,' Adrien thought. 'Plagg got into my head and I can't stop thinking about that stupid kiss.'

It was just a silly kiss on the cheek. It's not like it was a kiss on the lips. Though if he had she would have had the cutest reaction. She would have gone completely red, and she would have become flustered. After a few moments they would be laughing about it. And then he would have gone in for seconds...

'Wait...what?'

"Great! let's do the walk now," Vincent said."Let's channel that same energy Adrien, I can feel the romance."

"Ah, right," Adrien stated. He didn't really realize what energy he was apparently channeling. Adrien was getting distracted by the thoughts of Marinette. This was hardly professional. Nonetheless, Adrien climbed to his feet, Olivia joining him. They walked side by side to the south eastern end of the gardens to the Parterre du Nord. It was a few minutes walk and they had time.

"Adrien, you're on fire today," Olivia complimented.

"Thanks," Adrien replied."I don't feel that focused today."

"Oh?" she asked."Why not?"

"I'm concerned for a friend," Adrien responded."You probably saw the photos going around."

"Oh, those, yeah, but I was interested in the fashion," Olivia explained.

"Well, that one where it looks like I was kissing a girl. That photo is misleading. It was a kiss on the cheek," Adrien explained

"Oh? I guess I didn't notice that one," Olivia said. "She a friend of yours?"

"She's been a classmate for a while," Adrien said."She's really sweet. We hung out for a bit before I went home. Kissed her goodbye on the cheek."

Olivia was watching him."A good friend?"

"New friend really. She's been pretty shy, and we've been getting to know each other," Adrien explained.

Vincent came to a full stop and looked around. Adrien and Olivia stopped as well. "So I want you to lock arms and walk around. Try to look like you're really into each other. Head over heels for each other. Every so often I want you to show off some physical affection. Caresses, hold hands, maybe give Adrien a peck on the cheek at some point, Olivia."

Vincent set up nearly 200 yards away, and motion for them to walk along. Adrien offered his arm, and Olivia took it and leaned her head on his arm.

Adrien and her walked, but his mind was wandering to his classmate again. 'How frustrating,'he thought, but that really lasted only a moment before he tried to focus again, and for the pictures sake, he looked at Olivia and gave her his signature smile.

Adrien could easily imagine this is what it would have been like had he and Marinette gone for a walk instead of sitting on that bench. When he looked at Olivia, he could easily imagine Marinette in her place. In the same cute outfit she wore yesterday. Her cheeks red from the cold, and that beautiful smile. His mouth formed into a smile remembering her laugh. Olivia played off that, and she playfully pulled him down and kissed him on the cheek.

"Oh! Yes, Olivia, just like that!" Vincent said.

Adrien did his part and placed his hand on her cheek and stare deeply into her eyes, a beautiful haze of color but did not hold a flame to Marinette's blue eyes.

Adrien released her, his cheeks going pink. He was thinking about Marinette far too much and he couldn't focus."I'm sorry Vincent, I came out of my zone. Let me try again."

"Adrien, don't even think about it," Vincent said as he stared at the digital camera screen, looking through the photos."These are fantastic. I don't think we'll need anymore."

"Really?" Adrien asked, surprised.

"Not at all, you were a beautiful butterfly today. I swear with the way you were looking at Olivia today, I would swear that you were in love," Vincent said, still looking at his camera.

"Really?" Olivia asked this time.

Adrien didn't speak. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he barely heard Olivia and Vincent as they chattered back and forth about it. Adrien knew that he had been distracted and worried about Marinette and how he been feeling guilty, but with Plagg's tormenting at the school and in the trailer, he thought he might be influenced by that. But now he was being inspired by this beautiful place and he realized he would love to walk these gardens with Marinette. On a warm summer night, a bright moon lighting their way. Just the two of them, strolling together. There he was again. Distracted by her. This wasn't normal. None of this was normal. Not for him. The only person who invaded his thoughts like this was Ladybug, and that was different, because he loved…

Oh no.

'No. It couldn't be,' Adrien thought. 'It can't be.'

"All right, well, let's head back," Vincent said, satisfied with the project and it's completion.

Adrien felt like he was going to burst if he didn't get back to his trailer. He had to get home. The sooner he did, the sooner he could get to see Marinette.

He turned on his heels and was hurrying, his feet moving as quickly as he could to get back to the trailer.

"Wait! Adrien," Olivia said.

Adrien slowed down, but he kept walking, while turning his head around to glance at her. "Yeah, Olivia?"

"I wanted to ask you if you wanted to do something this weekend," she asked. "We have so much in common and you're such a sweetie. It would be a shame if we didn't at least explore us."

"Us?" Adrien asked.

"Yeah. I mean, our chemistry was on fire today," Olivia said."It was, wasn't it? You kept looking at me with so much affection in your eyes."

Adrien stopped and looked back at her. "Oh...Olivia, I think you got the wrong idea. I like working with you...but I…"

Olivia stared at him, her eyes wide. "Why were you staring at me like that? Why would you look at anyone like that if you didn't like them? I've never seen anyone look at another person like that during a modeling job!"

"I told you I couldn't focus, my mind has been all over the place. I'm really worried about Marinette," Adrien tried to explain.

"Your classmate?!" she gasped.

Adrien slowly nodded. "She's being harassed by people and its my fault. Listen, I just want to go home, I need to get changed and I need to check up on her."

Adrien turned to hurry back to the trailer, but Olivia glared and ran to catch up with him. "So, are you in love with her or something?"

Adrien tried to ignore him. His trailer was just up ahead and he was walking at a faster pace than she could keep up with without jogging. Adrien didn't want to deal with this. He just wanted to check up on Marinette.

Olivia reached out and grabbed him by the arm. "Do you love her?"

Adrien had always been nothing but kind to most people. And he never got violent with anyone outside of Akuma's, and he wasn't with Olivia, but he did grab her arm, and gave it a squeeze to free his arm from her grip. Adrien stared at her dead in the eyes. "Yes."

Olivia's eyes went wide and she stopped in her tracks. Adrien kept going, heading into his trailer, where he disappeared as he shut his door behind him. That left Olivia standing there stunned. How was this Marinette better than her? She felt her heart breaking into a million little pieces as she stared at the trailer, still trying to process what had just happened.

8 8 8

Hawkmoth was sensing the emotional turmoil of the teenage model. Heart break was oh so common in the teen years, and it was by far the easiest for him to manipulate. This girl, Olivia Monet, was no different.

He released the Akuma from his hands and watched it disappear. It would take some time for it to arrive to the girl located outside the city, but it would be so, oh worth it. Hawkmoth smiled. He had a good feeling about this one.

A/N: That's it. Sorry there was suppose to be a whole lot more but this is a long chapter. My fingers hurt, and I am bloody tired. So while I sleep forever, please enjoy this chapter. And for anyone wondering, my kitty is doing very well. He still looks like a walking skeleton but he is putting on weight and is in good spirits.

Oh, also. Since there is two chapters left. I have news. Since the story that won the vote was Consequences of Falling With You and its sequel Consequences of Loving You, I have been planning it. I finished both this week. The first one will have 39 chapters and is probably going to be about 200,000 words. It also took 71 pages front and back to plan out. It will be rated M and will have sexual content. The sequel will be shared in about five parts and might be 20,000 words. It took 17 pages front to back to plan. It will be rated T I think as I don't have anything sexual planned for it.

I also like to torture myself and came up with ANOTHER fanfic idea. This is is called What Was Left Behind and takes place ten years after the end of the series. I'll share more later about that one.

Enjoy.