"Come on girl, please," my best friend Alya begged me.
"No Als. I'm aware that my fans want it but I don't. He's a spoiled brat, you know that. Besides, his father's company is in direct competition with mine," I argued back as I pinned a part of her dress.
As one of the top fashion designers in the world I had acquired a large fan base. This fan base has often seen me and Adrien Agreste, who's father leads my biggest competion company, as 'cute together'. I had grown up with the guy, much to my dismay. Now, most times, I see him wrapped around some model and, in some cases, drunk.
Alya wanted me to go with Adrien as his date to make our fans happy. There was a red carpet premire for some movie who invited me. Plus her boyfriend, Nino, was Adrien's best friend and wants to set it all up.
"Yeah he can be a little…" Alya didn't know how to finish, but I did.
"Self-centered? Egotistical? Arrogant? A jerk?"
"Confident," she said, stopping me from continuing. "What is your problem with him anyways? What happened that made you hate him so much?"
I never answered I just went back to work.
5 years ago:
I was cleaning the counter in the cafe my parents owned as this boy walked in. He was so handsome I just couldn't help but stare. He had sandy blonde hair and the most beautiful emerald eyes. He looked up from what he was reading and called me over.
"Ravenette!" He waved me down. "Get me a black coffee, decaf." I looked at him, annoyed. Was he above saying 'please'? "Now," he said when I hadn't moved.
I wasn't scared. "You could say 'please' or 'thank you'. You're not above everyone else." I had had a particularly bad day and I wasn't in the mood for people like him. Had I been in my right mind I would've never said it. He stood up. "What did you say to me?"
"Do you have ears," I growled back, not afraid. Now, looking back, I suppose I could've been nicer.
"My dad could tear this place down in a heart beat," he said, stalking closer. He emerald eyes looked into my blue ones. I didn't flinch.
"You don't scare me," I said and moved away. I picked up plates and piled them high.
He smacked the tray holding the dishes and purposefully made me drop them. I bent down to pick up the shards and one cut my foot.
He pushed me to down to the ground with his hand. "That's right," he said menacingly. "Right where you belong." He walked out with a smirk on his face. I still have a scar.
The next day, Adrien showed up to school with his arm around my worst enemy, Chloe.
He spent 2 years after that tormenting and making fun of me and basically making my school life miserble. He hated me and I hated him. I thought after graduation I'd never have to see him again, but I was wrong. I saw him at parties, red carpets, photo shoots, and basically in everyday life. To be fair his best friend was dating my best friend so, naturally, I saw him often enough. Nowadays he'd ignore me in public but when we were alone he gave me hell.
That's why I hate him.
"Hello?" Alya said, snapping me back to the present.
"Hm?"
"I asked if you were coming tonight." When I still didn't know what she meant she sighed and said, "Me and Nino's party?"
"Oh yeah, I'll be there. Of course." I had already created a stunning look for the occasion. I had heard Luka, the guy I liked, would be coming so I wanted to look my best. Plus, I love dressing up.
"Omg, perfect! Yay! Okay, well, bye girl! Love ya!" She hugged me and walked out of my little boutique.
I had many stores like that one in Paris all around the world and business was booming. Of course, the Paris one is the orginal. It was small but had everything I needed. It was kinda organized chaos, but to everyone else it was just chaos. The boutique in New York is my second favorite, mainly because of the storage space in the back. Unlike the one in Paris, the New York store had multiple platforms to fit, pose for pictures, and model for designs on.
I packed up my things and headed to my small apartment. It was only 2 blocks away so most days I just walked. The apartment was only one bedroom since it was just me. I had enough money to afford a bigger one, but I didn't see the need.
I looked at the time as I set my keys on the island in my kitchen. One hour until the party. I went to my room and got out my outfit. A cream colored crop cardigan and a mint green plaid mini skirt. I threw that on and brushed my hair and teeth.
I looked at the time again. Late, as usual. I grabbed my black clutch purse with a gold chain attached and ran out the door. Thankfully Alya and Nino only lived a block away so I didn't have to go too far.
"Hey girl!" Alya practically screamed over the loud music. She let me in and I saw who all was there.
I could see Luka chatting with his sister, Juleka, and her girlfriend Rose. They both went to school with me as well. I could see Chloe and Sabrina, Chole's best friend, dancing with some guys, as Chloe and Adrien had broken up a long time ago. Finally, I spotted Adrien nodding along to the beat of the music in a corner. I will be avoiding that corner all night.
I went up to Luka. "Hey Luka," I said and greeted Jules and Rose as well.
"Hi Mari," Luka said, half drunk. "Let's dance," he said and lead me to the floor. We danced and for a few minutes I allowed myself to be swept up in the joy. Only for a few minutes.
"Let me take over, Luka," Adrien sneered, coming out of no where.
"No," Luka said, even more drunk. He had downed several cups in the last hour, but I had had none. I'm not much of a drinker.
"Please," Adrien said and gently took the cup from Luka.
"Hey!" Luka yelled when he dropped it. Luka then shoved Adrien. Adrien pushed back. All too soon, a fight had broken out between to two boys. I tired to stop it but in the chaos, Luka punched me.
"DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH HER AGAIN!" Adrien yelled at the drunk guy and clocked him over the head. He went unconsious and the party continued like it had never happened.
"Marinette are you okay?" He asked, pulling me to my feet.
"I don't need your help." I stubbornly pulled my hands away.
I walked out of the party and went onto the roof. Annoyingly, Adrien followed.
"Marinette!" He yelled. I continued up the stairs. "Marinette!" He yelled again. We were now on the roof. I still hadn't acknowledged him.
"MARINETTE!" He yelled again, this time catching up and pulling me to him.
We stood like that for a second, looking into each others eyes, my hands on his chest, his hands on my waist, it all felt…right. We both didn't know what to do. His eyes dropped down to my lips. He leaned in and I pushed him away.
"Marinette?" He whispered, his lips centimeters from mine.
I shyly looked into his eyes. I thought I hated him. Now, I wasn't so sure.
"We should," I barely spoke. "We should get back to the party." I cleared my throat and pulled out of his grasp.
He stood there, looking hurt and confused. Kinda like a lost puppy.
I needed to get away from him. Away from his eyes. Away from his lips. Away from him. I walked down the steps and back into the party with Adrien following me. He hadn't said a word since the roof. I grabbed my purse and thanked Alya, telling her I'd see her tomorrow and bid her and Nino farewell.
I walked out of the party more confused as ever. Perhaps my enemy wasn't so bad after all.
