Bluebell Mouse

by GothicBlueEyes

Luka has fought many akumatized villains since becoming Viperion but his nightmares send fear through his body. His body wants to mourn but he wants to move past these losses this year. His passion for music has flatlined so he tries to dive into his endless odd jobs to distract himself but this snake was not expecting to come nose to nose with a bluebell mouse in his garden.

9. Chapter 9: Playing With Fate Pt 2

With a loud groan escaping her lips, she ripped her beret off as she slumped along the white sectional couch in her family's living room. Her head was groggy, her eyes closed as she saw every color in the rainbow. She swore she was going to see rose petals in her sleep after today. Working with flowers was very relaxing, but the work was very repetitive and thorough. One would not think that a florist would have to pluck so many rose petals off the flowers to keep them fresh looking everyday. One would not think that a florist has to change and clean the buckets that fresh cuts sat in. One would not think that customers both know what they want and don't know what they want when it comes to arrangements. Constantly having to deal with customers sampling the perfumes on display, the smells from the flowers were already getting hard to handle at times but now combining with perfume it becomes a bit much.

Pushing her red slip ons shoes off her ankles as she snuggled into the throw pillow, she listened to the clanking of her mother in the small kitchen beside her. The smell of chicken stock almost made her nauseous as the smells of the perfume still lingered in her distant memory. The boiling of the poultry made the room hot and uncomfortable but her body was so sore she did not want to move. She scrolled through her phone that she pulled from her side overall pocket, her thumb scrolling across the screen as different social media accounts passed along of their recent and past posts. She didn't follow many accounts on her page. Her friend Alya, Nino; Ayla's boyfriend, Césaire Plaisir; Alyas mom; Marlena Césaire's restaurant were the popular ones with a lot of followers but she also followed a few pages by other crafters and seamstresses with a few hundred followers. She stared along the images that passed by her screen. She only examined each image for a few seconds before scrolling to the next one. There was pictures of food, taken with radiant lighting and close up angles from Marlena's restaurant. Images of Alya with Nino in his studio. Short clips previews of Viperion and Rubybug from Alyas blog. She sighed already bored.

"Marinette, how was work today?" Her mother Sabine asked. "You look so tired."

"It was alright, Mom." She called as she turned onto her back as she stared up along the ceiling, resting her phone on her stomach. She didn't know if her mother would want to hear her never ending tales of rose thorns, moldy flower plucking and used flower water that smelled like rotting eggs. "My manager showed me how to make arrangements today, I think that's been the most fun so far. First day was just unpacking boxes and putting stuff on displays. It was a nice change."

"Well that's good, got to get those creative juices pumping?"

Marinette chuckled inside and she stared along the grooves of the paint along the ceiling. It was a nice creative change, she loved arranging all the different colors along the vases, she created some bows to go along the neck of the glass fixtures. But she really longed to mess with fabric once more. She had only been home for a few days, but after her internship ended, she had her odd job she had to do to earn enough money to afford going back home. So she had not messed with creating fashion in quite some time. She had not told her mom about her dropping out of the internship at Audrey's fashion company. They just believed she was taking a break. She loved fashion but Audrey was very particular, she signed up for this internship hoping to learn more about fashion and to get away from Paris for a little bit but she was put on coffee girl duty, errand duty, picking up dry cleaning duty.

It went on like this for almost a year and a half under Audrey's wing. As she talked about her struggles with others in the building that she was comfortable with, they explained that it was normal to get the grunt work before one is taken seriously into the fashion line. Audrey would hold an audition, a competition if you will, to see others' creative ideas and what worked with her style. Marinette sighed as she thought of the derby hat competition that she attended. Audrey partnered with her ex-fiance's father; Gabriel Agreste for this audition competition. People would enter their designs and hand make their creation to demonstrate on a model for a fashion show. The winner would not just have their design in a Gabriel fashion show but along with would become a designer at the side of Audrey. Marinette entered this competition. And she won.

She though had doubts she actually won. Gabriel wanted her to stay in New York, so they probably fudged it to make her stay longer.

Marinette still ended up getting grunt work in the end but along the fashion line. She would work alongside the other seamstress that worked on Audrey's and Gabriel's fashion line. She would hand them pins, find the right colored fabric, and along with, since Marinette was already small as it is she was sometimes used as a fashion mannequin for certain models that were the same size as her. She walked away with numerous pin needles in her legs and hips. Her stomach would be forced even smaller with girdles and sometimes just straight up ribbon to get the curves just right for the dresses. It wasn't fun not creating the way she wanted to create. Making the derby hat was the most creative thing she did working under Audrey. From what she gathered watching all the other fashion designers. She never saw them once create their own designs, they were taking someone else's in putting it on a mannequin, which is not what Marinette wanted to do. She wanted to design her own designs, she wanted to pick the fabric she wanted to use and not make someone else do it, she wanted to be the one to pin the fabric to the mannequin. She longed to step back and observe her own work, with a turn of her head as she tried to see her design from a different angle. But it never happened.

She confronted Audrey after some more time passed, she wanted to create, she didn't want to follow orders, she was fine taking customer orders but with customer orders there comes a bit of creative freedom. Here there was none. The conversation did not end well, Audrey brought it to Marinette's attention that many would kill to be in her spot. That may be true, but Marinette had too much heart and a creative need to pursue this any longer through the underling tunnels of Audrey's business.

Audrey gave Marinette two choices. Keep doing what she said and work toward becoming a fashion designer at any cost or walk through those doors potentially ruining her name for future opportunities. With a heavy heart, Marinette left.

In New York with no way home, she hated the idea of reaching out to her family, using their hard work money to get her a plane ticket back home, to fly her new found home back to Paris. Marinette didn't have much in her savings, she didn't earn much when it came to being an intern. Most interns don't make any money but thankfully for her case Audrey would pay her. Her whole paycheck though, living in New York was expensive, it all went to her apartment. Marinette lost a lot of weight living in New York, she tended to find herself eating food from the break room buffet they would have and that would be all she ate. Coffee was the one thing that helped her throughout the day. She had such low energy, physical and mental. She wanted to get a second job but being an intern to Audrey was already taking up most of the hours in a day. When she would try and get a second job in New York during her internship, something would come up to where Marinette would have to step away to attend to Audrey. Thus losing her job. But after Marinette quit her internship she was able to find a job at a local convenience store. She would stock shelves, attend to customers, break trucks down. She only made a tiny bit more than she did as an intern, which is sad because she being an intern too a big multi-millionaire fashion diva to a food clerk who makes a bit more money. Marinette did have to move from her one bedroom apartment to a small studio. She didn't mind, she left most of her belongings back in Paris. So she didn't have to move much except clothes.

She worked for almost 5 months as a clerk, she paid her bills normally but she was able to save up enough money to get a trip back to Paris. Even though she left New York with a heavy heart, her parents were thrilled to have her back. She loved being back with her family again but she entered Paris with doubt and fear. So much happened before she left, she feared it would all happen again.

"Yea mom, I got to create, it was really fun. Rose is so sweet towards me."

"What about the other manager? Have you got to meet her yet?"

Marinette pulled her phone back up as she started to scroll back on social media. "No, sadly I haven't met her yet. She is still shaken up from the incident that happened before I started."

You could hear in Sabine's voice when she answered that she was saddened by this news.

"Oh that's a shame, I know it's hard to get over such things. It must have been very scary for her. Her hard work being trashed and along with being verbally abused by someone you worked closely with."

"I was a little sad that I heard they were thinking of dropping the charges."

"They were?"

Marinette mhm'd as she continued to scroll. "Yea, it seemed like they were feeling guilty for pressing charges."

"But I did give her my thoughts, I basically told them that nobody should get away with how they treat others because they had a bad day."

"Well that's good I'm glad you said something. Because if you didn't I was about to stomp down there in my slippers and whack it into them with my newspaper."

Marinette laughed turned her head over. Her mom pretended to whack the air with her pretend newspaper. "You can't whack my boss with a newspaper. We don't even get the newspaper anymore."

"I'll take it off someone's porch if I have to."

"Mom! You can't do that either!" Marinette laughed.

Marinette definitely missed her mom's humor being in New York. Everybody was so serious down there and everyone kept their noses down walking along the streets. She didn't get much human interaction besides from her regulars that she would see on a daily basis, like the barista, the dry cleaners, the dog walkers, and even the fabric holder. It was lonely down there so it was nice to come back to not just her mom's humor, her dad's love, Rose's sweet nature, but also to… "Did they get a replacement to make the deliveries?" Her mom asked almost on cue.

She laid back down along the couch as her eyes stared at the ceiling once more. "Y-yea, they did." His china blue eyes embedded in hers. Her heart clenched softly as she thought of him. His eyes were so lonely, so tired, they seemed like they yearned for something. They almost resembled a snake's stare. His eyes were almost hypnotic, but they stared you down as if he was waiting for his next move, but they also stared as if he was preparing to protect himself at all costs. "He's really. Nice." Marinette said. Her hands slid along her opposite side of her arms as she continued to think of him. Nice was the only word she could think of. She didn't know how to explain this man. Her eyes glanced at her bare wrist where the bracelet she once wore was. She closed her eyes and she inhaled the air. She imagined his scent, almost evergreen like but a hint of a sweet finish. Sabine stirred the pot as she waited for her daughter to continue but she was silent as a bee. "Just nice?" She giggled. "How nice are we talking?" She sat the wooden spoon down as she made her way over to the couch, wiping her hands on her apron. Marinette felt the shift in the boards and she opened her eyes to look up at her mother. Marinette's eyes glanced away. Sabine rose her brows and she smiled before sitting on the small coffee table. "You want to talk about it?"

"There's nothing to talk about, he's just really nice." She wasn't lying, he was really nice, but she didn't know him too well. They didn't interact much but when they did it was nice. They laughed, they did flirt back and forth. A small smile peaked at the corner of her lips as she thought of their banter from earlier that day. Sabine smiled as she saw the smile glow her daughter had on her face. "What makes this guy nice?" She questioned. "We talking personality nice or…niiiiice?" Marinette scuffed with a smile still on her face but it grew even bigger as she knew her mom was trying to probe the question out of her. She rolled her eyes a bit as she rolled, sitting up right. "It's not that mom, he's just been fun to talk to and he kind of stood up for me." Sabine's eyebrows creased with confusion. "Remember Chloe and Lila?"

Sabine scooted from the table and next to her daughter on the couch as she sat her hand on Marinette's knee. The pain swelled up in her chest as the smile shifted from her daughter's face to a pain expression. "How could I ever forget about the girls that hurt my daughter." Her hand that touched her daughter's knee shifted over pushing her daughter's hair strand behind her ear, she then cupped her round cheek. Marinette's eyes continue to stare at the carpet.

"Well, they came into the shop and found out I work there. They said some things. And like a coward I couldn't say much back. Luka intervened and made them leave. I even cut myself on a broken piece of glass and he patched it up. He was really..."

"Nice?" Sabine smiled as her thumb caressed her cheek. "Well. I'm glad my Marinara Noodle is gaining supportive people around her. Besides for me and her dad." She scrunched her nose up and butterflied kissed her cheek. Marinette giggled. "Mooom. I'm 24. You can't keep calling me Marinara Noodle."

"I will call you Marinara Noodle just as long as your dad calls you his little choquette."

Marinette groaned. "So you mean forever?"

The sound of the door clicked as the room seemed like it shifted as her father entered. He almost tiptoed over to them with such excitement but his huge figure didn't help. "Is that my little choquette I hear?" He cooed as he walked over, touching his daughter and wife's face. Marinette rolled her eyes with a giggle as her mom gave her a funny look. "Hi Papa."

"I didn't know you were home, you didn't come through the shop, did you come through the back door? Was it a rough day at the flower shop? You know you can always work for us. You wouldn't have to travel far from your bed to your work. And when you get to see each other even more. I just miss you, my little choquette."

Marinette sighed. "Papa, we've talked about this."

"Oh I know I know, it's just that the flower shop is eight blocks away and I just don't get to see my little girl anymore. You were in New York for so long, and now you're working somewhere else, you're growing up so fast and it just pains me to know you're struggling with your job."

"D-dad I've only been there for 2 days, you got to give me a chance to settle in. I think it's a nice change of pace. The fashion world is a very, high demand industry. Going from high demand fashion, to high demand baked goods wouldn't be the best move for my mental health." She didn't have the heart to tell them yet. She told them she returned home to get a break from fashion. Her father however took that as a hint that she was wanting to quit fashion and pursue baking.

"No, no, I get what you are saying." He spoke as he pulled his hands away, interlocking his grip together as he nodded in agreement. His eyes kept looking back and forth quickly before he answered with the smile never leaving his face. "But. I bet if I put you on cooking decorating duty, that would be less stressful for you working in my shop. And you get to be creative with your art. You can draw whatever you want on the sugar cookies."

"Tom" Sabine said firmly. "Let her rest and think it over."

Think what over?

"What? I just want to work with my baby girl. Just like when she was a teenager, she would help out in the shop. Even when she was a little girl, little 8-year-old Marinette helped me make bread dough. Singing our little bread making song. Remember?"

"Papa, of course I remember, I cherish those memories very closely to my heart. But you both know I don't want to be a baker. I want to be a fashion designer."

"I know I know, which is why I want us to work together as much as possible. I mean if you work a little bit longer, you might change your mind. I would love to pass the shop on to you if you just give it a chance."

"Papa, I've known for a long time that I don't want to be a baker, we've talked about this numerous times. Please don't make me the bad guy."

"Tom, that's enough."

"Well if she has any little ones then she can pass on the shop to them and then she can pursue her design after."

"Papa, I love you, but please, I know you are very supportive of my creativity but you are so stubborn when it comes to listening." Marinette stood as she walked past them. She made her way up the stairs as Sabine turned to Tom and they talked quietly to each other. Marinette faintly heard them. "Tom, you got to let her decide her own future. Just like how you decided to make your own bakery rather than work in your father's shop."

"I just don't understand." Tom sounded very confused and sad. Marinette's heart dropped in her stomach. It did sound like he was struggling to understand. Her father was very much like a kid at heart, sometimes talking to him was like talking to a little one. There's only so much you can say before they shut down not understanding.

She pushed the hatch door to her balcony open as she lifted her body up along the ledge and crawled along the floor before she pulled herself up onto her lounge chair. She laid back and she stared along at the already dark sky as a slimmer of setting sun peaked in the distance, a shift of clouds rolling in. It looked like it would rain here soon. She took in a long and slow inhale of the fresh air, this was one thing she did love about Paris. Even though it was a cluster of buildings just like New York, New York was in a thick smog of toxic fumes and gasoline. Paris was no cup of tea in some areas but right here, was just right. Her mind was so enraged and sad from her interaction with her father. She loved him very much and it hurt her, hurting him. Her parents were her everything, when she had no friends for the longest time, they were the ones she turned to. She believes this is why her father was so protective of her. Most children start to branch away from their parents as teenagers but Marinette did cling to them a little bit longer than the average. It didn't help being heavily bullied by her classmates. Her mind wandered as it started to think of her traumed past.

Chloe was an extreme antagonist in her school life story. It was as if Chloe was designed to just be Marinette's bully. She wanted to kick whoever created her. Her heart weighed heavily at the thought of the evil witch and her evil ways of torturing her. Paint and gum on her seat. Bugs in her lockers. She even convinced a boy Marinette liked to pull a nasty prank on her. She shuttered at the thought. She was afraid of water now because of that moment. Her only saving grace was her friend. She met Alya at the beginning of one of the school years in high school. They became close very fast. Ayla helped protect Marinette from some of the nasty pranks. But Chloe's bullying got worse when Lila started which started a shift between the two.

Lila captivated all that entered her gravitational pull, she strung lies at them, lies that Marinette quickly caught on. Marinette caught Lila in one of her lies and confronted her about it. Biggest mistake she ever made. Lila made it her mission to make Marinette's life a living hell. She somehow convinced her classmates and teachers that she stole jewelry and somehow Lila hid it in her locker to frame her. She convinced everybody that Marinette said nasty things about her to her face, that Marinette threatened Lila and then the finale; convinced everyone that Marinette pushed Lila down the stairs. Lila and Chloe evil partners when they bonded over their hatred toward her. Chloe was hard to manage as it is, some days were easy and others weren't. Chloe made Marinette feel worthless but Lila made Marinette feel alone. She was suspended from school by them numerous times before she was permanently expelled before her senior year for the stair incident. Nobody believed Marinette because she was known to jumping to conclusions and being hotheaded at times. But people really thought she would shove someone down the stairs. Her?

Rose started right after Marinette left school, which is how Ayla knew of her and Marinette didn't. Apparently Juleka went to the school while Marinette was there but she didn't recall her at all sadly. Alya was her best friend but even she somehow believed Lila's lies to an extent. She was trying to be supportive of her friend but did believe Marinette was over reacting and being hot tempered. It was one of the things she still struggled dealing with when reconnecting back with Alya now. She felt maybe their bond wasn't true if Alya continued to believe in that fabricated story. Marinette finished senior year with homeschooling, only seeing Alya here and there after school, or baking and along with dating… Her heart sank as his green eyes flashed. "Adrien." She whispered.

She stared at the skin as a wave of sadness trickled her skin at the memories once shared with him. His voice. His touch.

Marinette pulled her phone out and she looked across her Instagram account. She searched and regrettably typed his username in. .

Her throat closed as his model face showed the corner of the screen. The text No posts taunted at her. With a shaky movement of her index, she clicked the three dots in the corner. She knew this action too well. She inhaled slowly and exhaled heavily as she clicked the unblock user option. She had done this numerous times after their break up. Did he miss her? Did he move on? Was he the same person? The curiosity would consume her back in New York when she was lonely and would think of him. She would scroll through his recent pictures and Everytime it would leave her disappointed and sad.

She clenched her eyes tightly, afraid to look. With a tiny peak, she caved.

Latest picture was of him modeling with Agreste sunglasses with a martini in his fingers, his expensive watch shining in plain advertising view. Quote: "rocking prototype shades #AgresteSunnysComingSoon #Rolex "Next image was of him throwing up a peace sign with some female facing away from the camera with a clip board covering her face and his security guard. Quote: "Planning nxt event w/ my fav ppl. ? & Stick n da mud event ? planer". Marinette scrolled and scuffed as she blushed at his shirtless picture in the next picture while he held a cologne bottle with the logo NUDE. Quote: "Nude for those good times ? #AgresteBrandNude." She quickly went home and huffed. She didn't know what she was expecting. Or wanted to expect. A poem of him sending a secret message he missed her. An image of something they once shared together meaning he was thinking about her. She hated this pain his betrayal caused her but she hate that even with the betrayal she missed him.

She pulled her knees close to her chest as the feeling of depression started to slip in as she continued to scroll seeing people's lives continue on without her while she stayed put. Her heart throbbed with pain as she started to feel that feeling of loneliness again. The feeling of not being good enough or ever being good enough.

Ayla posted a selfie of her and Nino together on a date. Both, so in love with each other. They got each other perfectly like soul mates. Something she wishes she had. Tears started to well up in her eyes as she continued to scroll. Kim took pictures of him with medals from swim competitions, Alix was being featured in a street art exhibit in her father's museum, Nathaniel and Marc were at Comic Con showing off their 22nd issue of Viperion. Their fan comic of the Viperion gang saving Paris. Everybody has their own successful lives. Doing the things they love, which seemed like they didn't struggle in the tiniest bit. Their own homes. Her heart broke as she saw a pregnant picture of Myléne with Ivan holding her. Her hand shook. Their own families.

Everyone seemed so happy with how their lives were while she lived in the past almost everyday. The feelings of hating yourself lingering at the back of your mind. Forever haunting like a ghost in a mansion. She probably never crossed any of their minds once since they all graduated. Tears began to well up and shimmer from the corner of her eyes. She didn't make an impact on their lives at all. None of them reached out to her since graduation almost 5 years ago. Most of the time she reached out to just be left on read. She was thankful that Alya kept in touch but it felt not enough some days. She was what Chloe called her. Worthless. She was a waste of space, nothing to show for.

Her heart stopped as she saw a name pop up on Ivans page on the Suggested for You. She saw a dark image of a male figure with a red tint holding a guitar. Luka Coufainne the name read with the being StrummerBlueLocks. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she wiped her eyes with her palm as she slowly clicked the icon. His page popped up as she sniffled to herself as she sat up right, sitting crisscrossed as she stared down at the screen. He had not posted in a year but he had over 200 images posted. His hair was much shorter then his curtain hair. She flinched as a raindrop fell directly into her eye making her jump.

She grumbled to herself as she pulled herself down onto her bed below, shutting the hatch. Marinette reached as she pulled her blanket overself as she stared up at her phone as she continued to scroll. She felt weird staring along a man's page she barely knew but as she continued to scroll. Her heart felt less lonely. Last post he made was an image of a coffee beverage with his hand on the cup. She recognized his bracelet and his nail polished fingers. He didn't write any descriptions which was odd, not even a hashtag, didn't he know how social media works? Her chest vibrated as a giggle rang internally as a smile crept on her face. Her face was sore as she faught those tears back, she rubbed her eyes once more.

Next image was a sloppy image of him taking a mirror selfie in what looked like a bathroom, him holding the devil hand as he stuck his tongue out, the image was very blurry like he dropped the phone midclick. Next was an image of guitar strings on his sticker covered guitar. She smiled as she saw a picture of him pulling a girl close into the image but again the image blurred but only on the girl. This one was quoted with "sister love you." As she continued to scroll, his images were of random stuff around his work or home and a few selfies here and there, most all in front of a mirror in what looked like the same bathroom. One was of his profile image quote: sis took during one of my shows. She smiled and giggled at each image. It felt like she was scrolling forever. Image after image. This man loves Rock anything, he adores snakes and his sister and plays the guitar. She didn't know him too well but felt she was learning more and more about it. He clearly didn't like words being lack of description on all the photos she scrolled past. The next image came across her screen and made her eyes widened.

She squeaked as she tossed her phone in front of her like it was a hot potato as a voice entered the room. "Marinette, food is ready if you want to come down for dinner." Her mom called. The dark room covered her blushing and heated face. The light from the room below glowed like a bug lamp. "I'm not hungry. I want to be alone, please." She stuttered. Sabine replied. "Are you sure? I can bring you a bowl if you want to eat upstairs."

"No, no. I just. I'll eat some for breakfast. Please." She huffed, a bit irritated. She heard the click of the hatch door and huffed in small frustration. This was exactly why she wanted to find her own place. They don't knock. Ever. They shout and then open. Hello world. Marinette is looking at shirtless boys on her phone. Come and look!

She looked back and forth as if someone was watching. Did she dare look again? Her stomach fluttered with butterflies and her below belt area quivered with excitement.

Slowly lifting the phone she bit her inner lip as she stared at a side selfie of him, shirtless, sticking his tongue out again as he was showing off his snake tattoo along his rib cage. Quote: "new tat, rock n roll ?". She pulled her knees into her chest as she stared along the image. His body was slender but, muscley, she could make out a glimpse of his abs and his pecks. She noticed the shiny object on his tongue, it was a tongue piercing. She didn't notice he had one. Her face turned red as dirty thoughts crossed her brain. His hair was shaggy and looked sweaty looking in the image. His other tattoos hinted around certain corners of his body. Forbidden from view of the angle taken.

He was really attractive, and he was really nice toward her. From what she gathered from his account, his life was pretty similar to hers. Simple; nothing major happening. Her heart was racing fast in her chest as she pondered in the darkness in her room as the storm quickly blew in. Her eyes looked toward her small window as the rain pitter pattered against the glass. Thundered roared overhead like a roaring lion. Rain often made her think of Adrien, it was how they first met. But this rain was different somehow. Her mom often associated rain as a sign for a new beginning, maybe this was one of those times? She often strived for change in her life but the pure anxiety and fear shook her bones like a tree branch. She feared betrayal and the feeling of not being good enough. That feeling deterred her from doing anything new in her everyday life. What did she want? Lukas' laugh and smile echoed her memories. A smile crept across her face. Him? Her fingers skimmed across her lips as her mind spiraled with dirty thoughts. She laid back as she peered up along her phone. Her phone fell along her chest as she closed her eyes

He is so tall. His body might smother me.

He drives a motorcycle, so he kind of lives dangerously. Could he hurt me? Would he?

His lips…on mine… her stomach tightened.

Marinette gulped as she reached for the pillow, rolling onto her side as her legs wrapped around the long cushion as she squeezed it tight. Her eyes stared along the image once more. His hair, shaggy and messy. His tongue piercing grazing mine. Marinette bit onto her pillow at these dirty thoughts that swarmed her brain, she squealed into the cotton like a school girl and flailed her feet with giddiness. Stop thinking these dirty thoughts on a man you barely know. Her angel said on one shoulder. You basically know him from his Instagram, a guy that posts selfies like that want girls to react the way she is. The devil snickered. You should get to know him before having these thoughts. Angel spoke. Every girl can enjoy a bliss of lust every now and again. Devil howled.

Marinette tossed herself facing the ceiling as her mind raced. She took in a deep breath. I enjoy this feeling more than feeling sad about my life. Marinette argued with the angel. She looked back at her phone as she took it into her grasp again. She scrolled a few more times and sighed as she saw a familiar image. It was the one that was used for his poster for the playing on Friday. She slowly laid back as she stared up at her phone, stomach still burning as she stared along the image. She still didn't decide if she was going or not. Only decision made was forced by Alya that they were going. Mainly because of the image she sent by mistake to her. She bit her finger. Dare she look at the image again?

Marinette sighed as she scrolled up and stared along the image she took earlier by mistake. She stared along Lukas tired face and long stretched out body. She was tired of waiting for a life to start. She needed to make those changes. Only she can do that. Nobody else could. But Marinette didn't know where to begin. A yawn escaped her lips. Maybe Alya would have some words of wisdom. Sure pulled her phone toward her as she began to type. "Hey, any chance we can get together tomorrow night. I need some advice." She sent. She exited the messaging as she scrolled through his page once more. She awaited her response but her eyes grew heavy.

The world stretched in a never ending pitch of darkness as she walked along the empty world. The earth was lumpy and soft as she walked along the uneven surface with heavy feet. The ground resembled tar in both appearance and consistency. The feeling of dread and sorrow could be felt in the air. Anxiety made her heart race in her chest as a whisper of voices echoed across the surface. The weeps trickled across like a thick fog, everywhere she turned, the wails could be heard. She did not know where to go, so she continued forward as best she could. She wanted to run but the goop below her feet felt as if it was trying to sucker in like quicksand. Her throat felt like it was closing as the ground began to slither up her legs like leeches. The tar pulsed as if it was breathing, the crying became louder and louder with each passing step. A thick fog escape her lips as a temperature felt as if it was getting colder and colder. She stared down at the moving ground is it began to consume her even more.

A gasp escaped her lips as the tar shifted and white slivers of soulless eyes rotated around like a message in a magic 8 Ball. The goo began to shift upward as hands began to reach out towards her. "You're not good enough." The voice is whispered. "You will never be good enough." "Nobody will ever miss you." "No one will ever love you." "Just accept death." The voices echoed, shifting to voices she was familiar with. Chloe. Lila. Adrian. A cry escaped her lips and she went to scream but the hands reached out and snapped along her throat like a lasso. It pulled her down to the ground below. She struggled as she tried to sit upright again but the hands crawled along her body as if they were spiders intruding on her fragile being. No stop. She screamed. I don't want to die. I don't want to be alone. She continued to cry and struggle as the hands and group consumed her body. She felt like she was drowning in a thick pool of sorrow. They continue to tell her the thoughts that crossed your mind every day. The sickness that echoed her thoughts. Maybe she wasn't good enough. Maybe she will never accomplish anything. The tar substance consumed her body, her eyes stared at the sky above as the goop post along her cheeks as she took her last breath before being pulled under.

Her body thrashed as the tar felt like it dragged her down further and further as if she was drowning in the ocean. Her body shook as she could make out a sliver of light that was above the surface. Her throat closed every so tightly as she wanted to scream and cry. Her mouth opened and a gasp of the goo took the last bit of air from her lungs. Her body became heavy, arms losing their strength as her energy and will depleted. Maybe she should give up? She felt like a waste of space at this point. She didn't deserve the air at her lips. The sun on her skin. The love of another touch. Her eyes closed as she awaited her fate.

Suddenly she was pulled from underneath the depression pool as a hand gripped her wrist and her body flung upward into a hard surface. She gasped for air as she coughed the tar loose from her lungs. Her eyes looked up as a figure spoke. "Don't listen to them." His voice vibrated like a soft melody. Tears rolled up in her eyes as she stared along his face. "I'll keep you safe." She knew those China blue eyes. A cry escaped her lips as she clung her body against his, her hands grasping his firm neck as the ground below started to seep and soak away like a sponge absorbing water. Grass trickled through and softened beneath her soles. He held her close as his hand brushed her hair. Her heart listened as his heart beat slowly.

His hand reached grasping her face as he pulled her to look at him. Her eyes filled with tears as she stared at his face filled with such pain. She stared back but glanced at his lips. She leaned forward. Their lips caressed against either as she reached touching his face. Their lips moved intensely and hard as she forced them together. He kissed back but pulled away softly as he looked at her expression. "You need to wake up." He whispered.

A gasp escaped her lips as she sat up right with a hard force. Her chest was moving rapidly as she looked around the room, a foggy atmosphere consumed her thought process. Was that real? No, that was a dream. She pulled her knees closely to her chest and she caressed her lips with her finger tips. Her stomach burned from the excitement. Why did her body feel like she was being held at one point. The sensation of his lips felt so real. She turned as she peered along her phone, she cursed at her forgetfulness for not putting it on its charger before she fell asleep. It was at 50%. She clicked her screen on and she saw a reply for friend center late last night. "Of course, I'm here for you. Let's get dinner at my Mom's restaurant. I'll pick you up from work."

She huffed as her feet were now killing her after her extended walk as she entered the shop. Walking to the back room, she approached her tiny locker they had in the room and put her belongings inside. Maybe she should have caught a ride or the bus instead of walking. She pulled her ankle up and reached adjusting her slip on shoe. Closing the locker shut, she made her way to the office Rose called her Bossing Bio Office. Marinette went to knock along the door but saw a tiny not attached to the glass window. It's shaded was pulled down. The note read: "in consultation with a new client. Please go over the delivery roster with Luka when he comes in. -Rose"

Marinette pondered the note over as she looked along the door before turning away. Her stomach churned oddly. Why did she have this bad feeling all of a sudden? She hummed to herself as she pushed the bead curtain to the side as she walked through the doorway. She made her way to the front door as she unlocked it's latch, flipping the sign over from close to open. Her eyes searched out as she wondered when Luka would be arriving. He normally would show before her, so he was a few minutes late then he is suppose to be in. Curious she was. She made her way back to the counter as she picked the folder up along the glass and looked the sheets over. They had a quite a few deliveries today, she was a bit saddened by this because it meant he would be gone from the shop longer. She tapped her foot as her thoughts wandered over to her dream from earlier. A blush trickled on her cheeks like a field of tulips suddenly blooming as the bell near the front chimed and she noticed his black clothes appearance. She gulped but smiled as she sat the papers down along the counter. She noticed he had two beverages in his hands. He moved closer toward her as her heart raced from the floor vibration of his heavy boots.

"Hey Luka, how are you doing today?" She asked. She flinched back as he extended his arm quickly towards her with a cup of coffee and his grasp. She was taken back at the sudden gesture but a smile grew upon her face, she smiled widely, she bowed her head as a thank you. "F-for me? Thank you."

Maybe that was why he was late, he got her a drink.

She took the coffee from the man that stood before her. She didn't know why but she sensed something was off about him, he was nervous for some reason. She noted his fidgeting movements as he leaned back and forth on his feet. What could it possibly be? She rested her lips along the edge of the cup and took the cold brew in, the bitter bean was subtle and the sweet of the cream overcame the beverage which sent the relaxing chill a longer spine. She really needed this cup of coffee. After her rough night with her parents and along with the parts of her nightmare. Her tense bones felt like butter as the smooth drink trickled down her throat. A relaxing sigh released from her lips as she stretched her head back from the pleasure of the caffeine beverage that definitely would help energize her like a battery recharge.

"Thank you, I really needed this," she pondered on his stance. "You doing okay? You seem kind of tense." Her heart suddenly jumped. "Did you have another nightmare!" She quickly jumped to conclusions as she was filled with a worry in her voice, he shook his head quickly. "I'm fine, no, I actually slept," he hesitated as his eyes averted from her, he looked to the ground as a sense of relief overcame him. "I actually had a pleasant dream last night. No nightmares, just a-" He looked back at her slowly and smiled. "A beautiful dream" he quoted. She related to that statement. His eyes leering on her made her face heat up as his dream self came to mind. Her world shifted as she had to remind herself this was reality.

"Well that's good, I'm relieved to hear that. Happy actually, I can tell you are such hard worker that the thought of you unable to sleep is very worrisome to me. It looks like we might have a busy day ahead of us so I am glad that you are fully rested." She babbled. She felt like she was droaning on and wouldn't shut up. "I-I guess Rose is in a consultation with someone in her office. I just got here so I'm not sure what it is about. She just told me to go over the delivery files with you when you got here."

"Speaking of, where's your bike? I noticed it wasn't outside" he asked. Marinette blinked as she looked outside as she forgot for a split second that she had walked to work today.

"Oh! My friend and I are going to go out tonight, she wants to get dinner at her mom's restaurant. It's our first night to hang out together since getting back to Paris. She's my best friend and I'm very excited. So I walked this morning so she could pick me up after work."

"Should have told me I would have given you a ride." He smirked. Her heart jumped as she quickly turned a tad away from him. Her on the back of his bike?! Her holding him closely, their bodies touching. A small tinge of blush spread across her cheeks and she giggled awkwardly, taking a small step back away from him. "I am not getting near that death trap. My moped is one thing but a full blown motorcycle is another thing." She rubbed her arm as she stared along the floor, it was sweet for him to offer. "Thank you though."

"Don't worry I'll keep you safe." He sent a wink her way. Her eyes widened as those words echoed at the back of her mind from her dream. She cleared her throat as she pushed her hair strand behind her ear but it falling back towards the front as she reached for the files along the counter. He stared at her with such a softness in his eyes, she felt his stare and she could tell his awkwardness from before was now becoming contagious as she was catching this awkwardness. He clicked his lips as he filled in the small gap between them, he leaned against the counter as he looked away a bit afraid to show any eye contact with her as he began to speak. "So, I have a question to ask"

She looked over at him quickly, her heart began to race as she had a few ideas on what he could be asking her, fantasy ideas of course. She was known to over exaggerate and overthink any possibility but her lust filled dream didn't help. What could he possibly ask her for a time like this? She stared at him as she awaited for his question at hand. As Luka went to speak but the sounds of other voices entered the room, one was Roses.

"Thank you for reaching out to us with this opportunity, but I should go consult my partner about this if you are okay with that."

"I am perfectly fine with you consulting your business partner, it is a big commitment, if you need a day's time to think it over I can leave you my business card."

Their figures walked into the room as Rose pushed the bead curtain to the side as a tall male figure walked through. Marinette's heart sank deep into her stomach. The man before them also held a shocked expression as he looked to the two when he walked in. But his shock expression was directed towards Marinette. She felt his gaze upon her figure, a sense of violation blanketed over her.

"Adrien?" Marinette questioned out loud. Her eyes noticed Lukas stance becoming tense.

Rose didn't notice this tension between them all as she turned toward the side doorway that led to their stairs for the upstairs apartment. "Let me go talk to Juleka, I'll be back in 10 minutes, please wait here if you don't mind."

Adrian's eyes never left Marinette as he directed his voice towards Rose. "I don't mind waiting here."

Adrian's eyes glanced over towards Luca. Marinette noticed his demeanor stood almost tense as he ripped his hand into a fist. Did Luka know Adrian? She took us that back slightly as Adrian approached them, a smile upon his face. She couldn't believe he was standing before her after all these years. She was just looking at his Instagram that night, it seemed almost unreal. He was still perfect as ever, handsome. Her stomach turned with confusion as she didn't know how to feel. His eyes that were on her, it felt almost like electric daggers. The stare hurt but it also sent energy through her body. Why did she feel this way? Did she still have feelings for him after all this time? After his betrayal she still felt the urge to look presentable. Her hands class together as she tries to stand properly. Her cheeks flushed as the feeling of embarrassment trickled over her. Her heart raced super fast to the point that it was starting to hurt. It throbbed and ached.

Her heart flip flops as she watches Luka raise his hand up toward Adrian, he extends his reach for a handshake. She stared along Lukas' snake bracelet and the one she gave him. Her eyes stared as she awaited Adrian to return the handshake.

"Do I know you?" Adrien asked.

"I'm Luka, we've met a few times here and there."

Marinette glanced over to Luka. Such a small world they lived in. Wonder how they met before?

"My apologies," he answered. "But I don't remember most interactions with…" Marinette glanced over him as he paused. Adrian looked Luka over with disgust on his face almost. "Riff Raff." Marinette was stunned by this answer. Adrian was very particular with certain people but she never once heard him call someone riff raff during their whole relationship. He never tried belittling people. It caught her a bit off guard. Lukas hand fell to his side as a shift of tension overcame the room. Marinette's throat closed as Adrian turned toward her. "Marinette I'm shocked to see you here, didn't know you were back in Paris. Let alone working at a floral shop." Marinette was overwhelmed as her eyes stared along the floor quickly averting his gaze. She didn't know what to say. All she could do was nod in agreement. Marinette backed away as she felt very uncomfortable at this moment. She was happy to see him but as the time continued on she was starting to hate that feeling. She thought of how they used to be together, he used to be so sweet and caring, but his betrayal still hurt. Though it was a couple years ago, the wound still felt fresh. Her face heated up more and more as the anger boiled her alive as memories began to echo. Her face felt flushed. Marinette stepped around the counter, hoping that the divider between him and her would be enough for her to catch her bearings.

"What brings an Agreste here?" Luka snarled. Adrian looked over at him and sighed.

"I don't think it really concerns the delivery boy."

Luka smacked his palm down on the counter and leaned in close. Marinette flinched at the sudden reaction. She gulped as a bit of fear overcame him. Luka seemed angered. She didn't like this energy he was giving off. It gave her flashbacks to her relationship with Adrien toward the end.

"This is my sister's shop, so it becomes my business." He said firmly.

Adrian sighed as he turned towards the man, they were practically nose to nose with each other. "My event planner wanted me to give this local shop an opportunity to be featured at the Agreste Winter Bloom Fashion Event coming up in three months. That is why I am here."

"Not interested."

"I'm sorry, but that is up to Rose and your sister I believe, not you."

Marinette's heart raced as she struggled breathing as anxiety started to boil over.

"Luka, w-why don't we go over the delivery roster?" Marinette asked, she could feel the tension between the men. She was trying to bring peace between them. She felt a bit of sadness in her heart seeing Adrian again but she also had a tinge of happiness as well that floated in her chest. She was so confused. She reached and took Lukas fist into her palm instinctively. Luka looked over at her. She felt both worried and scared by their interaction together. She smiled softly and then quickly looked over as Adrien leaned toward the counter.

"Such an interesting crew, bubbly manager, punk security and my old lover." Adrien commented as he stared toward Marinette. That term made her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She pulled her hand away from Luka as her skin crawled and her hand shook at her sides. "How are you doing MariBerry?" Adrien questioned as he loosened his stance. Her heart jumped at her old pet name, it sent a wave of nostalgia over her. She had not heard that name in so long. His palms touched the counter and slid, as he leaned closer to Marinette, taking her hand. "It's been some time since we last saw one another." He kissed her hand.

Her heart raised fast, as his touch sent a churning of both lava and butterflies in her belly. Seeing this man made her so confused. She felt awkward, relieved, and sad to see him. What is wrong with me?

"I-it has been a while... Adrien." She coughed as she pulled her hand away and fiddled with her hair strand a few times. Her chest felt heavy.

"You left Paris so fast. I didn't get to say goodbye. I missed you." He commented and then glanced at Luka and then back at Marinette. This comment made the boiling butterflies die.

"Well. I didn't have much of a choice." Marinette puffed her cheeks as her shoulders heated with a sprinkle of rage as her memories played back. Adrien frowned. "I'm sorry how things ended between us." He looked at Luka. His eyes scanned the man's stance as he loomed over them. "We should get dinner, catch up. Reconnect." He spoke to Marinette as he stood up straight, pulling his phone out. Marinette looked at Adrien quickly and then fiddled with her fingers. Dinner? What? She glanced at Luka and then back at Adrien. Her fingers shook as she picked at her skin. She could hear her heart in her ears.

"How about Friday?" He said. Her heart stopped. She stared at Adrien in a bit of disbelief. "I have a photoshoot but I'm free that night. We can get dinner at our old spot. Maybe get André's ice cream after like old times." Her eyes fell to the ground as her chest felt heavy. She wanted to scream but nothing was coming out. "I'm sorry but can she and I have a moment? Please. It's been so long since I've seen my ex fiance."

Her heart ached. Ex fiance. She inhaled as she held the tears back. She wanted to say yes so she could shove a plate of spaghetti in his face. She wanted to claw his face off now. He ruined everything between them and was trying to write it off like their fling just died out. No he stomped on it. She felt Lukas eyes staring her down, she could tell he was worried. "I don't have to if you don't want me to." He spoke softly.

Marinette did not look at him as she fiddled with her fingers. "Is it okay if him and I talk alone please?"

She didn't want him to leave but she felt if he stayed she would start crying. She felt his presence walk across the room and he made his exit. Marinette looked to Adrien and she walked around the counter.

Adrien looked lovely at her. "Mari? What do you say?" He questioned. "I'd love for us to catch up. Start over."

Marinette shakily inhaled slowly as her stomach churned boiling lava. She tried to stay calm. "I don't know Adrien. I've changed a lot in the past three years. And you probably have as well." She started. "I didn't like who you were turning into at the end of our relationship."

"I'm sorry. I can't change how I acted in the past. It's a dumb excuse but... my father." His voice began to choke up. Your father didn't want us dating. You would rather listen to your father than follow your heart. You left me at the altar. "He. He had a strong hold on me. I couldn't make my own decisions three years ago. But that's changed. I promise."

Her heart ached as she thought of all their good times together and the bad. Gabriel was a controlling man. Horrible. Some days it felt like Gabriel held a gun to his head. She hated that because Gabriel use to be one of her idols. He was gone now. She couldn't imagine how he was feeling. Though her father was controlling in a different way, she couldn't imagine her life without him. Her voice grew soft, she held her hands out and he laid them into her palms. She caressed his fists with her thumbs. "I'm sorry. I heard about your father."

Adrien grew quiet. "I hate saying such a thing, but I am glad he is gone. I can be my own person." He opened his fists and laid his hands fully into hers. "It's hard to explain but I feel so free. Give me another chance, Mari. Dinner. Friday. Please. What are the chances you are working at a place we want to work with? It has to be fate bringing us back together."

Marinette stared along Adrien's face as her throat closed tightly. She continued to hold her tears back. This man spoiled her, made her feel like a princess but when she needed him most, he would disappear or listen to his father. He chose control over love. She thought when he proposed to her that he finally decided to choose love. To be with her. She spent two months making her dress, just for him to never appear. Her heart broke that night. She inhaled slowly. She had so many things she wanted to say to him but nothing came to mind except...

"Is your number still the same?" Her voice cracked.

Adrien smiled as he nodded. "Yes, yes. Oh Marinette. Thank you!" He pulled her into his body suddenly. She froze and touched him lightly in a small returning hug. She wanted to strangle him where he stood. She wasn't going to make a scene at her job. She would give him a piece of her mind later. She glared at the space in front of her as she felt his hands along her back.