Chapter Eleven: She's Wicked

Marinette held Adrien tightly in bed. It had been a week since the shooting at Natalie's house and Adrien came home with a gunshot wound in his left shoulder. He came up with hundreds of excuses, but Marinette could tell that none of them were true. She hoped Adrien had a good reason for lying to her, but it just made her worry even more. Why wasn't he being truthful with her?

Ever since that horrible night, Marinette was anxious all day about him and always felt an immense amount of relief whenever he texted or called her. She knew that Adrien was doing that for her peace of mind, and it gave her some comfort that he was keeping her in mind.

Whenever Adrien was home, Marinette made sure she was showing him how much she loved him. If anything like that happened again, she didn't want him to die thinking that she didn't love him. Adrien was also extra affectionate this past week. It was almost as if they had the same thoughts.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Adrien kissed her forehead and pulled her on top of him. She snuggled closer to him wishing that this moment could last forever. Unfortunately, their alarm clock started ringing, reminding both of them that they had work and couldn't stay in bed forever.

The two of them got ready for work and enjoyed breakfast together. Adrien drove her to work like he had been doing for the past few days. They stopped in front of the Le Grande Paris Hotel, one of the most extravagant hotels in Paris. Adrien opened her door for her as she got out. The two of them shared a warm embrace before Marinette went inside and Adrien drove off to his work. ~

Marinette's eyes kept flying back and forth between the clock and the work she had on her desk. She had at least forty minutes before her shift was over, and she could go home. The day had been dreadfully slow, and Marinette just wanted to see Adrien again. She had a feeling that the talk about trying for kids was coming soon, and Marinette was nervous. She wanted to wait until whoever had shot Natalie was behind bars so that there was nothing to worry about.

Marinette was lost in her thought process when the bell rang. She looked up to see a woman with long brown hair enter the building. She couldn't see much of the woman's face because she was wearing sunglasses and a floppy hat that covered her face. Marinette put on her best fake smile and called out to the woman. Floppy hat lady turned towards her, and a smirk appeared on her lips.

The woman approached Marinette with the fakest fake smile to ever exist. She took off her sunglasses, and Marinette felt her smile tighten. Lila! What was she doing here?! "Lila, what are you doing here?"

Lila giggled. "I just got back from a photoshoot in Itlay and decided to come to visit my dear old high school companions."

Marinette felt like she was gonna puke. To put it nicely, Lila had made Marinette's high school experience a nightmare. Lila started later in the year because (according to her) she had been in America shooting a movie. Marinette had felt like something was off with her but tried her best to ignore it and be friends with her. That was until Lila made almost everyone in the school hate Marinette.

She told everyone that Marinette was talking trash about everyone behind their backs and saying horrible things about them. Only Nino, Alya, Rose, Alix, and Nathaniel didn't believe those rumors. Everyone else turned their backs on Marinette and stopped talking to her. Lila then proceeded to bully Marinette when no one was around. She told the principal, but he couldn't do anything unless she had proof.

Lila left after they all graduated so Marinette thought she would never have to see her again. Unfortunately, she was wrong. Now, Lila was standing in front of her trying to act all sweet and innocent. "Anyways, I have a room under the name Rossi."

"Of course," Marinette said, trying to sound friendly. Marinette looked through the records and found out Lila was in room 407. As she handed Lila her room key, another person walked entered the lobby. Both women turned to look at the new person. Adrien Marinette thought happily.

Lila got a strange look on her face and practically ran to the elevators. Adrien briefly glanced at her before turning his attention back to Marinette. "Honey, what are you doing here?" ~

"I came to pick you up from work. Who was that woman that just checked in?" Adrien knew exactly who that was. Lila Rossi. She used to work with his father. He was sure that Lila was the person Natalie was referring to.

"Just a girl I used to know in high school."

This piqued his interest. "Were you two friends?"

Marinette's face turned cloudy. "No."

Adrien decided to not press further. Instead, he grabbed her left hand and started to mess with her wedding rings. She smiled at him, and he kissed the back of her hands. "Ready to go home?"

"Just let me grab my purse and clock out," she said exiting the room. Adrien could sense that whatever relationship Marinette had with Lila wasn't a good one. No matter what, Adrien would protect her from Lila at all costs for she truly was wicked.