Don't be amused, it's just the news. Still no comment or appearance from Chloe Bourgeois as she is still hiding inside her father's hotel. Mayor Bourgeois and his wife have both refused to comment. Protesters have arrived, demanding for Chloe to be arrested and sent to trial. A source in the police department claims that they are currently seeking a warrant. We will keep you updated as this story progresses."

Dupain-Cheng Bakery

Tom and Sabine went about preparing for the after school rush when they heard a loud "WHAT?" from upstairs. Tom gave his wife a questioning look as she shrugged, crossing her fingers. The bakers went back to work, unaware of the embodiment of rage known as Adrien Agreste.

"She did what to you in the bathroom?" Adrien had a very hard time staying calm. It was one thing to tell a few lies, but no one threatens his princess. Hell no.

Marinette played with her pencil, totally surprised by Adrien's sudden mood swing. "She threatened to take away all my friends and leave me all alone. And I may have been almost akumatized twice that day." Adrien's eyes went wider then what should be physically possible. "Adrien, breath, please. Just relax. It already happened and I am still here."

She could have sworn he growled like a cat? "When was this?"

"The day she first came back. And again the day she got me expelled."

"And you never told me?"

"I was trying what you said about taking the high road. I figured nothing would come of it, then she got me expelled and turned everyone against me. Alya still thinks I did those things because Lila said so." Marinette continued to fidget with the pencil nervously.

"Mari?"

"Yea-yeah?"

"Please look at me." Marinette looked at him, face flushed a deep scarlet. "You are my friend and no one is allowed to threaten you." His eyes stared into hers, the anger towards Lila still visible. His face softened as he continued, "Never be afraid to talk to me if something is bothering you. You tell me anything Marinette." The sympathetic, sincere tone in his voice made her heart flutter, taking her breath away. Was it possible to fall in love with someone when you are already in love with them?

"Than-thank you, Adrien. It, it means a lot to me."

"So what were you saying about exposing Lila?"

"I thought you didn't want to anger her?"

"My friends are more important than her feelings." Adrien scowled again. "She has gone farther than I thought she did." He looked her in the eyes again, "You mean a lot more to me than she ever could."

Marinette smiled, telling him her plan to get as many celebrities as they can to disown Lila and her lies. "I can talk to Jagged next week. Maybe you can reach out to some of the people you encountered in your career?"

"Yes, absolutely."

"Oh, Alya called." Marinette struggled to keep her cool, "She playing matchmaker between you and Lila."

"Do we need a new friend circle?"

"Probably, but we should at least give them a chance to redeem themselves."

"So how should we deal with Alya's schemes?"

"Don't tell Nino anything next week, keep them in the dark of what you are doing as much as possible. She will be relying on everything you tell him and I already refused to help keep tabs on your activities."

"You are a good friend."

"I know. So what are you going to do? You got a week to hide before you are busy again."

"We could play along?" Marinette's face twisted with disapproval. "If we play along we can force her to confront her so-called celebrity friends."

"It would be better if we got them on an interview for everyone to rewatch. Besides no reason to make you suffer unnecessarily, right?" Marinette attempted to be smooth. Attempt failed. Her crush was in her bedroom, filled with photos of him, a screensaver that would be a dead giveaway and a calendar filled with his schedule. The last one alone would make him think she was a stalker. Then he wouldn't want to be her friend.

"Marinette!" Adrien's voice snapped her out of her panic. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" 'My crush is only two feet away from me. I am not ok.'

"You seemed to space out." Adrien tilted his head at her, concerned for his friend

Marinette groaned quietly. 'You caught me monologuing,' her inner Ladybug commented. Of course, all that confidence was locked away around Adrien.

He leaned closer, oblivious to the effect he had on her. "Does the idea of me even pretending to date Lila bother you that much? I mean, I think I understand why."

'No, you don't.' "I was thinking of Kagami. How would she feel?"

"Kagami doesn't like me anymore. Something about two Yangs don't work out well? Also said my Ying is right in front of me, but I am too oblivious to see it?" Kagami had been cryptic, saying it's not her secret to tell, but his to figure out for himself.

"Oh."

"Mari?"

"Yeah?"

"Please look at me." Marinette looked at him, seeing the concern in his eyes. "What is wrong with my idea?"

"It just feels too much like lying. And that will only sink us to her level." It was only half a lie. "I rather we go the honest route."

Adrien nodded, completely missing the real reason that was literally evident all around him. "You are right. Fighting a wrong with another wrong isn't going to solve anything. I will do this your way."

Marinette sighed in relief, her jealousy remaining undiscovered. "Thank you, Adrien, it means a lot to me. There have been enough lies."

"You and me against the world remember? I value you as a very good friend and I never want to lose you or see you hurt." Marinette could only squeak as her face turned red. He found it adorable. They focused their attention on celebrities to contact, the first one being Jagged Stone next week. He was accompanying her not only see her awesome designs but make sure she didn't chicken out of telling Jagged about Lila.

Adrien had one goal alone now: stop anyone that tried to hurt his princess. Lila would get justice the right way.

Plagg

Plagg was in a similar mood, a kwami's ultimate allegiance is to the guardian of their assigned Miracle Box. Even without being the guardian, Marinette was still the kindest person to kwami's, not complaining if he asked for cheese, offering cheese threats from the bakery. But he had to admit, watching Adrien freak out was satisfying, after hearing the boy constantly go on about taking the high road. Taking one last look at the oblivious duo, he zipped into the gramophone, Tikki standing watch to warn him when Adrien is ready to leave. As much as he wanted to watch the ensuing mess, he needed to go for a visit.

Arriving in the Kwami's haven, he cried "The cheese master is back!" Multiple kwami's flew out into the center of their realm to greet him. Since Marinette became the guardian, Tikki has been able to visit more often as long as another kwami is keeping watch. Plagg hadn't been able to visit for two weeks, so he was excited to see his friends.

"Plagg!" Sass called, "welcome back!" Other kwami's greeted him, gathering around him.

"Is the guardian still sick?" one called out.

"Is she dating Chat Noir yet?"

"Yes and no. But he is in her room right now, so no one fly out."

"What about the backup heroes?" Kaalki asked.

"Their identities have been exposed, so Ladybug can't call on them anymore. I don't know her plan for when they need back up again."

"What about unifying?" Longg questioned.

"That worked out pretty good with Miracle Queen's army, but Ladybug hasn't said anything to me yet."

The kwamis continued to ask him questions until none were left. Tikki flew in to let them know Adrien was settled in quite well, clearly not intending to leave unless kicked out. Plagg still had some time to send with his fellow kwamis.

Alya

Neither Marinette or Adrien have been answering her messages or calls. Marinette was probably pissed and ignoring her. As for Adrien, he probably was just busy, so dragging Nino along, they head to the park to talk to him. However, they got to the park and found no Adrien. As they asked assistants, who informed them that Adrien finished nearly two hours ago and already left. As to where he went, no one knew. Well, except for a certain brunette model named Jac, who looked at them and decided they had nothing he wanted.

Defeated, they headed back to Alya's house, attempting to reach out to both of them. Once again, no answer.

In Marinette's room, Tikki noted the ringing phones left on the chaise, out of Adrien and Marinette's sight. Every time Alya and Nino had called, she silenced the phones immediately. "Yes!" Marinette's cry of victory rang out as she pummeled Adrien in Ultra Mecha Strike III.

"Seriously, what is up with them? Marinette, I can kinda understand, but Adrien too?"

"Maybe they are on a date?"

"Not funny, Nino. We need to set up Adrien and Lila, not Adrienette. That ship was hopeless anyway. Hey, let's make sure Luka knows to chase Marinette." Pulling out her phone, she called up Juleka. "Hey Juleka, can I talk to Luka? Thanks." Putting her hand over the phone's speaker, she whispered, "At least some people know how to use their phones." Nino grunted in agreement. He did that a lot.

"Alya?" They heard Luka's voice over the phone.

"Hey, Luka. I just wanted to make sure you are still pursuing Marinette."

"Is this some kind of joke?" The hurt in his voice couldn't be more clear. "She just told me there is no chance for me and her because she loves someone else."

"Don't worry Luka, we will set her straight."

"What do you mean?"

"Once we convinced her that Adrien belongs with Lila, she will come running back to you."

"Alya."

"Yeah, Luka?"

"Do yourself a favor and stop meddling with other people's lives. Clearly, you don't have what it takes to play matchmaker." With that Luka hung up on her, leaving Alya and Nino to debate on their next course of action.

"Spam them?'

"Yes."

Lila

After trolling on AO3, she set about trying to make plans to avoid any interactions that would lead to Adrien taking her on a date. It would be tricky, as she had an image to maintain. That's when a brilliant idea hit her. The tomato kid, what was his name the artist who had a crush on Marinette but everyone forgot about. She just needed to openly pursue him and maybe that will get Alya off of her back.

What she didn't know was that Adrien was about to fall madly in love with Marinette and that tomato boi (seriously, what is his name) is gay with the kid from Big Hero 6.

As she schemed, her email tab pinged: A new chapter had just got posted on the fanfiction website. She early went back to trolling, a simpler task than weaving lies over everyone's eyes.

Adrienette

After losing yet again to Marinette, Adrien sagged back in his chair, letting the stress of the last ten minutes release. He let his gaze wander around the room, once again focusing on the gramophone. There was something familiar about it. Could it be? No. Ladybug had told him Fu's gramophone was mailed to his new home, an address she kept to herself. "He doesn't remember us anymore. If we seek him out it will leave Paris defenseless and endanger him. If we leave him alone, he can finally be at peace." Adrien didn't argue, though he was a bit jealous of the closer relationship Ladybug shared with Fu.

Marinette having a gramophone that looked actually like the one Fu owned, where the miracle box was hidden before the Feast senti-monster attacked, was just a mere coincidence. "Hey Mari, when did you get a gramophone?"

Marinette panicked internally. "Oh, that old thing? It's just a goodbye gift. From my uncle. Absolutely nothing special about it." Luckily for Marinette, Adrien's obliviousness to important facts was legendary, meaning he would never be able to hear the panic in her voice. On the other hand, he would never be able to figure out that she has a crush on him either.

"I think it's cool. Do you ever listen to it?"

"No, I have no records, I don't think it even works." 'I only use it to hide kwami's and their miraculous,' she thought to herself.

"That's too bad." This is when once again his phone rings, this time the two teens not distracted. It was Adrien's father's assistant, Natalie.

"Adrien. It is late and you have not called or texted your location." Her cold tone was clear over the phone.

"Sorry Natalee, I was visiting a friend."

"I am sending your driver to pick you up and bring you home."

"Okay." She hung up on him without another word. He flashed Marinette an apologetic look.

She gave him a similar one, "Sorry I got you in trouble."

He shook his head smiling, "This was worth it. And now I know I won't be bored next week when we hang out together."

Marinette could melt to the floor right there and then. Not only would she be seeing a lot of the love of her life, but he was excited to hang out with her. "I'll try not to disappoint."

Before he could comment, his phone pinged with a message from his bodyguard. This also allowed him to see multiple missed calls and messages from Alya and Nino, each demanding him to respond. "Looks like our friends are also trying to reach out to us." Marinette checked her phone, seeing a similar amount of messages. "How did we miss all of these?" Marinette shrugged as she saw Tikki hover behind Adrien, giving her a wink before zipping into the miracle box. Where was she doing?

Marinette and Tikki had a deal: Tikki can go in the miracle box for a visit only if Marnette had another miraculous and kwami out to stand watch. That way if an akuma attacked, the kwami on watch can retrieve her right away. "We were pretty focused on gaming." Alya's last message read, 'WTF? You told Luka he didn't have a chance and rejected him? Why didn't you tell me? CALL. ME. NOW.'

Adrien saw her frown, "What's wrong?"

"Alya found out that I rejected Luka. He didn't take it well from what I heard from Juleka, but he was understanding and told me it's ok."

"You rejected Luka? I thought you two were a thing?"

Marinette shook her head, "No, he liked me, but my heart belongs to someone else."

Before Adrien could ask who, his bodyguard honked the horn outside. He was clearly getting frustrated waiting for him. "I should probably go, but I'll text you later about next week?" She could only nod, smiling at him. "Okay, cya later Mari!"

"B-b-bye Adrien!" Her stammering was still there but getting better. As soon as he left her room, closing the door behind him, she turned her attention on the gramophone. What was Tikki doing? As if an answer, Tikki flew out, with Plagg in tow. The two kwami's looked like a pair of deer caught in headlights. "Plagg why are you here?" Then eyes widened, a sudden realization hitting her. As she started to tremble, Plagg opened his mouth to try and make up an excuse when Marinette burst out in laughter. "As if Adrien is even capable of being Chat Noir!"

Plagg decided screw it, stating plainly, "He is."

Lila lurking in her Parents Basement

Marc, Big Hero 6 kid is Marc!

Now, who is tomato boi again? She has been breaking the fourth wall by reading fanfics a lot lately and they all call him the tomato lol.