Hey guys! I hope you all are enjoying the story! There's probably about two or three chapters left in this story. Then, this series will be over!
Thank you all for reading this story and the others if you have. I appreciate you all and hope you are having a wonderful day/night!
Alright, the cheesiness has left the chat and now let's get to the chapter!
Enjoy!
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Alya handed over the last of the prizes the kids picked when hearing a frustrated growl. The ombre-haired teen looked to her left, seeing a frustrated Adrien scribbling out something in a notebook.
Curious, Alya sneaked behind Adrien and peeked over his shoulder. There were many scribbled-out sentences and a list of words on the side of the page. She could vaguely make out Marinette's name behind one of the scribbles.
She raised an eyebrow before the dots in her head connected. A smirk appeared on her lips at what Adrien was attempting to do.
"Why is this so difficult?" Adrien muttered under his breath.
"Having troubles with your love letter, lover boy?" Alya teased. Adrien stumbled away in surprise and fell on his rear end. He was about to glare at his friend when an offered hand caught his sight.
"Relax," Alya added. Adrien rolled his eyes and grasped her offered hand.
"Go ahead, make fun of how much of a loser I am," Adrien said, sounding annoyed but it was mostly directed at himself. He was so frustrated with how much of a dimwit he's become because of Marinette.
He's lost his cool. He lost his suaveness. He felt so embarrassed with how infatuated he's become with Marinette that he melted at the sight of her. She practically had him wrapped around her pinkie finger (not that she would've understood what that meant).
Bad boy Adrien Agreste turned into a sappy imbecile.
He always knew just what to see to make a girl weak in the knees and now he's getting a taste of that medicine.
"I wasn't going to make fun of you," Alya started, "I was actually going to ask if you need help writing your letter. I want to be a journalist when I grow up so I'm practically a writing expert."
"Yeah, sure you were," Adrien sarcastically stared, rolling his eyes. He didn't believe her for a second.
"Okay, you got me there. I admit, I was going to tease you just a teeny tiny bit but I decided not to," Alya admitted.
"But I realize that you are really stressing over something super important to you. And that important thing happens to be my best friend. She means so much to you that you're freaking out over trying to write something perfect for her."
Adrien shuffled uncomfortably on his spot and fidgeted with his notebook in his hands. Alya gave him a reassuring smile and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You...really want to help me?" the blonde asked, hesitantly.
"Yes," Alya genuinely answered, "I love that girl to the moon and back too. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. I helped her run an audition to help her pick a worthy candidate to be her suitor
"The reason that none of them fit the role—the reason why I couldn't choose any of them to be her suitor was because you were the only one I thought of as my decision for Marinette."
Adrien's eyes went wide, not expecting Alya to say that.
"Adrien, there's no one else I rather Marinette be with than you. I can tell that she has those same feelings for you...even if she doesn't know or understand it. But I can tell that deep down that they're there. That's why I want to help," Alya concluded.
"How would you know that she has feelings for me?" Adrien questioned.
"I'm her best friend. I know her better than even herself," Alya stated, confidently.
Adrien bit the bottom of his lip and looked down at his led assaulted notebook. He didn't have much time left and had to cease the moment before it could possibly disappear forever. Adrien had to tell Marinette his feelings in case this plan did blow up in their faces.
He let out a sigh and relented.
"Fine, but you better not tease me," Adrien sternly said.
"Yeah yeah yeah, so what do you have so far for your letter," Alya asked, waving off the slight threat.
"Well..." Adrien trailed off, feeling his cheeks heating up, "I'm not writing a letter per-se. It's a...um...poem."
Alya stared at Adrien before excitedly hitting him in the arm. Adrien stepped away from his friend's assault.
"Okay, that's even more adorable than a letter," Alya swooned.
She was growing more invested in Adrien and Marinette's love life. Sure, it was pretty annoying watching two dunderheads with mutual feelings always being oblivious of the others. Yet, Alya would let it slide since the two were just too darn adorable. They were so sweet on each other without realizing it.
Adrien turned away from Alya to hide the ever-present flush on his face.
Seeing that Alya was making the blonde uncomfortable, she took and breath in and calmed down. She cleared her throat.
"Alright, show me what you've got so far," she said. With hesitation and some encouragement from Alya, Adrien handed over his notebook.
She gazed upon the page, humming every once in a while in acknowledgment.
"Adrien," Alya began, unimpressed, "this whole thing is scribbled out except for a list of words on the side."
"That's because I don't have anything. I thought those words would give me an idea of what to write but my mind is completely blank," Adrien said. He was frustrated that he couldn't even write a single sentence. He only had today and tomorrow left to finish this. So far, he had accomplished nothing.
"Is your mind actually completely blank or just too full? When you do have some sort of idea of what to write, you either overthink it or are embarrassed. Then you scribble it out," Alya explained.
"Yeah...you're probably right," Adrien sighed in defeat.
"Of course, I am," Alya joked, nudging her friend in the side, "You should know that I'm always right even when I'm wrong. Nino was quick to learn it and I'm sure you will be to when you hook up with Mari."
"Noted," Adrien joked.
Nino approached his two worker friends and set a sacked lunch in front of Alya.
"Your dinner, mademoiselle," Nino said.
"Thank you, kind sir," Alya replied, digging into the sack and pulling out a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Nino looked between the two before narrowing his eyes, "You guys are up to something. What are you scheming? Whatever it is, I don't think I'll like it."
"Relax, you won't have to bail us out of jail or anything. Just helping Adrien with his love life problems," Alya explained, taking a bite from her sandwich. This earned her a steely glare from Adrien. A smirk appeared on Nino's face.
"D-Don't you dare make a single comment! We are bros and bros always come before-"
Alya cleared her throat, making Adrien stiffen.
"I'm sorry, Agreste. What were you about to say?" Alya questioned, daring Adrien to finish that sentence. The blonde gulped, shrinking away from his fiery friend.
"...a certain garden tool used to remove weeds," he finished.
"That's what I thought," Alya said.
"Well," Nino cut in, "I was wrong. I am very much going to enjoy this scheme."
"If anybody asks, I don't know either of you. We are complete strangers," Adrien stated.
"Sure, dude," Nino said, rolling his eyes. Then, he asked, "How's Marinette doing with everything?"
Adrien thinned his lips and scratched the back of his neck, "It's been a rough few days but we're surviving so far. We just have tomorrow left before Marinette's grandparents split back to the pits of the underworld. Right now, she's tutoring at the school. Then we all meet up at her house for dinner."
"Hang in there, buddy. You two have got this," Nino cheered. Adrien smiled in appreciation.
"Thanks, Nino. That means a lot," Adrien replied.
"I'm sorry, do I know you? We are strangers, after all," Nino joked.
"And the moment was ruined," Adrien deadpanned in his thoughts.
"Let's get down to business," Alya cut in, tearing out the scribbled page from the notebook and flipping to a clean sheet.
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Adrien stuffed a folded paper in a red envelope he just bought. He was very anxious. He could feel butterflies swarming within him from his chest and down to the depths of his belly.
He was going to do it tonight.
It was now or never.
Adrien stuffed the envelope within his suit. Once it was a good time, he'll give her the poem. Hopefully, he'll be able to tell her how he feels without jumbling over his words.
Adrien approached the front of the school and spotted Marinette waiting at the bottom of the stairs. She was anxiously staring at her home, twiddling her fingers and murmuring to herself in a different language he didn't understand.
Even so, she was still the most beautiful woman he's ever seen.
"Hey, Princess," Adrien greeted, making his presence known.
"Hello, Mister Agreste," Marinette replied, "Are you prepared?"
"As I'll ever be," Adrien answered, seriously, "My parents said they'll be there just before 19:00. I told them everything that needs to be done to pull this off."
"Very good..." Marinette trailed off into an awkward silence. Adrien realized why. This could be the last time they ever get to talk if things go wrong. There might not be another chance. He could practically feel the envelope scratching against the left side of his collarbone through his undershirt.
Before he had the chance to speak, Marinette wrapped her arm around his. Adrien looked at her with concern. Marinette gave him a small smile that showed no signs of happiness.
They've come so far and it was nearly over. Whether it was for better or worse, it will all be decided at this dinner.
"No pressure. Just have to keep this facade up for tonight. Hopefully, by tomorrow, the Chengs will be gone," Adrien thought determined. Adrien squeezed Marinette's arm, gaining her attention.
"Let's go show those expired raisins who's boss," Adrien said, confidently. This time, an actual smile pulled on Marinette's face.
"Indeed," the raven-haired girl agreed and the two made their way to the bakery.
Adrien could still feel the envelope making its presence known in his jacket.
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"You have finally arrived, child and suitor," Mrs. Cheng scolded the teens, "You were quite late."
"I apologize. My tutoring session went a little late-"
"I did not ask for excuses. You are to be more punctual than being punctual," Mrs. Cheng sternly said. Adrien could feel Marinette tense up.
"What the heck does that even mean?" Adrien thought, confused.
"Yes, ma'am," Marinette said, deflating. The blonde really hated that he couldn't stand up for Marinette. If Adrien were to step out of line, all their hard work would be for nothing. Still, he couldn't stand to see someone so strong turn meek.
Actually, why was Marinette so compliant? Adrien has seen the raven-haired teen face the scariest person in school, Chloe, multiple times without the slightest ounce of fear.
Maybe, this was a deep sort of trauma. Marinette said she was practically raised under her grandparents until she turned thirteen. Yet, why couldn't Marinette's parents keep her or take her back? Were they being blackmailed?
This really got Adrien wondering what terrible situation the Dupain-Chengs were in if they just let themselves be walked all over.
That Sabine and Tom had to give up Marinette to the Chengs. Marinette was forced to be taught the ways of being a lady and still clung to them even after moving to Paris. Marinette was afraid of going out of the genteel zone since it's all she's ever known. That she would get in trouble if she didn't act like a lady.
They had lived in fear this past week and will be tomorrow too—Marinette's birthday.
Adrien wanted to glare but kept his facial features neutral. He had to remind himself that this would be over soon and the Chengs would be out of their hair, hopefully for good.
There came a knock from the door, snapping Adrien out of his rage-filled trance. Tom went to answer the door, revealing Gabriel and Nathalie on the other side.
"Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Agreste," Tom greeted, stepping out of the way, "Please, come in."
"Thank you for the invitation," Nathalie replied as she and her husband entered the apartment. They began to look around the area, making Adrien realize something.
This was the first time his parents and Marinette have met. Actually, Marinette had never met his parents before and Marinette didn't really know his parents. Adrien was always a bit of a secretive guy and liked to keep his life as private as possible.
All that was changing now. What was supposed an important moment of parents' meeting turned into a large-scale scheme to help Marinette. Adrien couldn't believe that Gabriel and Nathalie agreed to help someone they didn't even know, only hearing what Adrien told them of his crush.
It definitely was surreal, especially for his father. Maybe...this was his way of making up for his years of absence.
Adrien couldn't keep from feeling really appreciative of his father for doing this.
Things were really turning for the better in his family. Now, it was his turn to pay it forward to Marinette.
"Come and join us on the couch so we can start discussing matters," Mrs. Cheng said, waving over Nathalie and Gabriel. The said two glanced at each other before obeying the old lady. Sabine, Marinette, and Adrien joined everyone in the living room while Tom continued preparing supper.
Of course, Mrs. Cheng was ruthless with her questions and eyeing them as if she was daring for either Agreste to make a mistake. Yet, Adrien was glad his father was the way he was. As weird as it was, Gabriel and Mrs. Cheng seemed to be very alike.
Mrs. Cheng, even with her judging gaze, was quite impressed and interested. She definitely found Gabriel's personality to be oh-so adequate in people she deemed worthy to be on her level.
"Gabriel, was it?" Mrs. Cheng questioned, earning many stunned looks from all around the room. Even Mr. Cheng's face morphed for a split second in surprise before returning to his stale cracker look.
"Yes," Gabriel answered.
"You are a suitable character, one I can see where your son gets it from," Mrs. Cheng said. Adrien would've snorted if he wasn't supposed to be in character at the moment.
Gabriel hummed in acknowledgment, playing it off, "Quite."
"Now, I would like to know about you and your wife," Mrs. Cheng said, turning to the quiet woman next to Gabriel.
"What would you like to know?" Gabriel asked, narrowing his eyes at Mrs. Cheng.
Adrien could feel his sixth sense starting up, warning his something was amiss. The blonde tightened his lips and carefully kept to himself.
"I noticed that your son hardly bears any resemblance to either of you two. Is Adrien adopted or is one of you a step-parent?" Mrs. Cheng questioned, getting into more personal matters.
Adrien gripped the bottom of his suit's coat, earning a look from Marinette. A ticked-off Sabine turned to her mother with reason.
"Mother, I do not think that is relevant information you need to know-"
Mrs. Cheng snapped a steely gaze at her daughter, "Was I speaking to you, daughter? Do not speak unless spoken to. Clearly, you coming to this city and marrying some peasant has made you forget manners. The only good thing that came out of all your insubordinate and rash behavior was your daughter."
Sabine's hand gripped tightly into fists, nails digging into her skin. Her teeth clenched together, wanting nothing more than to argue how much of a blessing her life turned out to be after she left.
She fell in love with her soulmate, made close friends she enjoyed, worked a delightful job, taught an art class, and had the most amazing and beautiful daughter in the world. Her mother was only partly right but underestimated how much she loved her life now more than the one she had in China.
She just wanted her mother and father to leave. She wanted to go back to how it was. Just her, her husband, and her daughter.
At Sabine's silence, Mrs. Cheng returned her gaze to the Agreste family.
"Although, I disagree with how my daughter interrupted our conversation. I do agree that was an impolite question. I apologize," Mrs. Cheng said. Marinette was a bit surprised that her grandmother admitted she made a mistake and apologized. She either respected Gabriel or went against the lady's rules.
"It is alright," Gabriel replied, slightly curt.
Mrs. Cheng turned to Nathalie, who perked up at the attention.
"What do you do for a living?" Mrs. Cheng asked, continuing with the questions. Marinette returned to looking at Adrien every once in a while, curious to know the answer. Adrien seemed to purposely keep himself from looking at Marinette.
Marinette respected Adrien's privacy so she will let the blonde bring it up on his own free will.
"He will tell me on his own time," she thought.
"You both are...exceptional people but not quite acceptable. I would like to know how I have never heard of the Agreste fashion brand if you are a so-called famous designer?" Mrs. Cheng questioned.
Adrien stiffened. His father was making his way to the top but wasn't famous yet. They were still a middle-class family. From how Mrs. Cheng treated Tom the entire week, she was not fond of middle-class people. If she found out that the Agreste family was middle class, it's game over.
"Dinner is ready!" Tom called. A waft of spaghetti swirled in the air.
Saved by the dinner bell.
Yet, this wasn't going to stop the inevitable.
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