"Is Luka not coming back?" Marinette questioned as she looked out at the parking lot, noticing his motorcycle was gone on their way back in from lunch
"Uh, no. He asked if he could load up all the deliveries at once and take them during our lunch so he could get done quickly" Rose spoke as she jingled the keys to unlock the shop. "I guess he finished early and went home."
Marinette replied with a heavy hearted "oh" as she squeezed the top of the bag she held. A blueberry muffin from her parents shop was inside that she picked up for him while they were out for lunch. Her eyes glanced down at the white paper as she now felt silly that she got this. A sense of anxiety pulsed through her veins. She didn't know why, but she had a bad feeling in her gut. She felt that his urgency was somehow her fault. Part of her thought maybe it could be Adrien to blame. After Adrian left their shop, Rose went into file application paperworks and placing calls to their flower providers. Marinette was sad to hear that Rose and Juleka agreed to partner with Adrian and his company for his event in 3 months. And Luka.
She frowned. He started acting odd after finding out this news. Lukas demeanor changed. He was standoffish almost and became a busy bee, trying to get work done. She recalled he had a question for her but when she confronted him about it, he stated he forgot what the question was.
As they walked into the store, Marinette made her way to her locker. She placed the bagged muffin inside as a small sigh escaped her lips, a bit of sadness following the breath behind like the tail of a kite. A small chime jingled, she looked down as it was her phone. Upon looking at the screen she glared along at the notification that appeared. started following you. She rolled her eyes with a scuff laugh that he of course had unfollowed her after their breakup and now seeing her for five seconds, it prompts him to refollow her. She squinted her eyes as she saw the little airplane image in the corner of her instagram inbox. She clicked it and rolled her eyes. sent you a message. She wanted to scream like a banshee. Her hand shook with adrenalized anger. She pulled her phone close to her face as she began to type.
Just bc we r workin together doesn't mean you can just message me like we r friends again. I want nothing to do with you & there is no fucking way I am getting together with you tomorrow. You can forget our plans you forced on me. You broke my heart & I want nothing to do with you. And never ever hug me again. Never touch me again. Never message me again. We are workin for my boss.Her thumb shook above the send button. Her eyes darted to the side as she saw Rose's pink figure walk out of her office and toward the front. She hummed happily. Marinette frowned and stared down at the text. A creep of sadness shook her shoulders and heart. If she sent this, Adrien might pull out of the partnership. She could be the reason to ruin this opportunity for their shop. She swallowed her lump in her throat hard as she pushed the erase button. She listened to the clicking button sound as it erased her feelings from the screen. She stopped her thumb and sighed once more as she typed again.
Adrien. My boss is working with you. We should stick to being work partners and that is all. I'm sorry but I am retracting the dinner plans. I have a previous engagement to attended to. We should act professionally. I hope you won't hold this against the shop. I don't want my boss to miss this opportunity. I hope you understand.She inhaled hard and closed her eyes tightly as she pushed send.
She opened her eyes and stared down at the sent text at the bottom of the bubble. Her heart stopped as it quickly changed over to read. She quickly shoved the phone back into her skirt pocket as she slammed her locker shut and sprinted through the door.
She walked through the bead curtains to the counter as Rose was refilling the register with money. She stood there counting the bills as Marinette approached. She looked about the room and then along the packaging table where Luka sat parts of his shift, helping packing the orders. She wondered what he wanted to ask her. So many thoughts crossed her mind to what it could have been. Maybe it was something small and meaningless, kind of how he just shrugged it off like his memory lacked on remembering. Maybe he wanted advice from her but he was too shy to ask. She shook her head at the possibility. He was beaming with confidence, him, shy? No way. Did he want to borrow money? She wondered as she looked along the bills she counted. She leaned against the counter as she stared along at the flowers and bottled perfume that lined the room's space. Maybe he wanted advice on a perfume for a girl? Her stomach filled with more sadness. A girl. Did he like someone and he wanted advice on that? She started picking at her nails as she continued to stare along in the distance. The thought of him dating someone made her feel a bit disappointed to think about. It was a thought she never pondered once since meeting him. Her dream still lingered at the back of her mind. Fantasy Luka wasn't him. She had to remind herself.
His blue eyes flashed with loneliness in her mind.
"Is Luka dating anyone?" She asked suddenly and realized that was out loud and not in her head. Rose blinked and turned slowly to look to Marinette. That was such an odd question to fill the air. Marinette blinked herself as she realized that was indeed outloud. "I mean. Maybe that is why he left early. He had a d-date or something with his girlfriend." Marinette defended her question but realized she was also probing, she eyed Rose as she raised a brow. Marinette stood up straight as she scratched the back of her head nervously.
"Well, not sure why he wanted to leave but if memory serves me correctly, he does NOT have a girlfriend." Rose looked Marinette up and down as she was curious and also a bit suspicious of the girl's question. Marinette felt the suspicion and laughed nervously. Why was she nervous?
"Oh okay, cool, cool. That is odd he wanted to leave early. But you know. He does have his own life. And all. Haha." She faked laughed after her answer. Shut up. She thought. Rose smirked at the girls nervousness. "I don't know, he is a man of mystery sometimes." She tapped the extra bills before sticking them in her money pouch and turned to walk past Marinette to the back. When she got back talking with Juleka, the room atmosphere felt different somehow but she didn't know why. "He did seemed off after Adrian's visit. You as well." She spoke. "Something I should know since we are all working with him."
"Uh, well." Marinette jumped as her phone chimed again as a notification went through in her pocket. Her stomach churned at the thought of it possibly being Adrien replying to her message. She huffed, not looking at her phone. Should she lie? Or tell her honestly? "He, um, his dad got me my internship with Audrey. I left the internship. His dad was one of my idols growing up." She didn't lie.
"Ooh!"
"Y-yea, Adrien was supposed to wear one of my designs after I won a competition but I think that got put on the back burner since I quit."
"Oh I guess that is disappointing. Must have felt awkward seeing him. Probably had the urge to say something, huh?"
"Y-yeah, it was awkward seeing him." Marinette agreed. "And I do want to say a few things to him." she glared internally.
"Well, if you start to feel uncomfortable, let me know. Please." Rose started as she took Marinette's hand and patted it. She pondered for a second. "Though, Luka I'm pretty sure doesn't have much to do with Adrien. Wonder why he would be upset seeing him. Curious. Hmmmm. Maybe he could sense something was wrong with you." she teased as she turned away. Marinette stared after her.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I don't want to meddle in my employees' lives." she started. "I just thought I saw this connection between the two of you, is all. Maybe he is worried for you." She stated as she turned in the doorway to the back and disappeared. Marinette stood with a pause and a blush on her cheeks. A connection? A chime jingled. Marinette thought she felt it too but she thought maybe that was imaginary. But Rose saw it. Maybe she wasn't crazy. She looked to the ground. Luka knew Adrien was her ex. "Was he upset seeing my ex because he likes me?" She turned redder at the thought. "No, no, that's just crazy talk." She stated out loud as she fanned the air in front of her. "Though, that would explain his demeanor, but maybe he just was upset with how Adrien treated me or himself or maybe something else was bothering him. Right? Right! That has to be it. He couldn't possibly have feeling for me, right?" She smiled as she turned and blinked as an old lady stood before her.
"I'm sorry love, I'm not sure what you are talking about." She stared. "I came to pick up a dozen white lilies."
Marinette's face turned dark red as she fanned her boiling face. "Oh, sorry, just blabbing away, sorry, sorry." She stared as she turned to the sink and pulled the dozen white from the bucket. "Did you want these wrapped?"
"You know, I may be old, sweety, but I can see love on your face. Couldn't make out much what you were talking about, but I can tell there is a lot of love in your concerned thoughts." The old lady stated as she handed her a twenty. "No paper, keep the change." She calls out as she reaches taking the lilies from Marinette. Marinette stared after the lady and looked down at the bill. Love wasn't a word she had thought of in a long time.
Love? Ha! More like Lust if you ask me. The devil on her shoulder giggled. That dream was pure lust for the man. The way you dream of his body and lips on yours. You literally scrolled through 3 years worth of images to googly eye at him. Marinette huffed at her thoughts as she felt shame on her shoulders as that devil lingered. You yearned at the thought of him asking you out earlier. That's not yearn for love. That is a yearn for lust. The devil continued to bark in her ear. "I would love if my Angel would say something at this point." She huffed as she shoved the bill into the drawer. Nothing. Marinette rolled her eyes as her evil intrusive thoughts continued to echo. He was kind of hot trying to be protective over you with Adrien. The devil added. The thought of Luka grabbing Adrien by the collar and growling at him, ready to hurt the man for what he has done to you. She gulped as gripped her head. Stop. She begged. Don't feed the thoughts. Her cheeks felt hot.
"So since deliveries are done. I'm going to have you help me get the stuff ready for tomorrow's orders." Rose started as she walked back into the room. Marinette turned quickly as she leaned against the counter quickly to act normal. She slipped during her turn and banged her rib into the counter. Rose stood dumbfounded as Marinette struggled with some paperwork that sat in a shelf under the counter that started to fall out of the shelf. "You sure you are okay?" Rose asked. Marinette nodded quickly. "You want to talk? I know I'm your boss but we are the same age. So, we can talk normally if you want. I won't hold anything against you."
"I'm, fine." Marinette inhaled slowly and tapped the papers on the counter before exhaling. "Let's get back to work. Shall we?"
Magnets are a great way to explain love between people. You face magnets the correct way, they gravitate towards each other, they cling to one another becoming one in a sense. Only a greater force can separate them. But, if magnets are introduced to each other the wrong way, they tend to repel each other. A greater force tries to push them together but something keeps them from touching. Love can either connect you with someone or love can often affect you to where you repel against each other. Timing is everything.Her heart laid heavy in her chest, her feet moved even heavier as she made her way out of the shop. It was a little past six and Rose was closing up the shop. Her shoulders slightly slumped over, she forced to smile towards her friend Alya who sat along her vehicle in the middle of the parking lot across from her. Marinette's grasp tightened to the strap to her crossbody bag. Anxiety trickled in her bones. She had not seen Ayla since her coming home party. It was great seeing her but it still felt fresh in her mind that they are back together once again. A part of her feared to open her heart again to others coming back to Paris. New York was very lonely. She found herself messaging Alya every day but often found Alya's replies short or often was left on read half way through conversations.
Her eyes drifted across the parking lot to the empty spot, where Luka would normally park. Adrian sent her almost out of whack after seeing him. A sense of anxiety pulsed through her that was like a poison in her blood. Her body was trying to fight it off but she couldn't fight the sadness that appeared on her face. She seeked for comfort but was left with more sadness. She hoped that seeing her friend after today would bring that sense of hope and reassurance. Her past haunts her every day and movement, even when she moved away from Paris it followed her to New York. She hoped with her returning to Paris it would activate a restart button but that wasn't the case. Her parents once more were insistent on her career choices and made things difficult for her starting off with. Seeing her old school bullies added more pressure along our shoulders. And then finally seeing her old flame was almost sending her over the edge. She'd only been back for a few days and it seems like her foot was caught in a bear trap, she tugged and made everything worse.
She just wanted to move on but this loneliness in her heart lingered to be filled. After seeing Adrien. She realized that she did miss something. She missed the feeling of being loved and loving someone. She missed affection and giving it. She missed being touched, kissed and being held. She didn't want Adrien. She wanted what they used to have. Maybe Luka was her chance to regain that.
Ayla smiled toward her as she entered her car, she moved her bag off the passenger seat as Marinette sat down. She gave a quick tug of her belt, fascinating her seat security to her body. She greeted Alya with a smile but quickly faded into a frown. Alya stared curious along with her friend's sad expression.
"What's wrong?" She questioned.
"Can we talk about it at dinner please?" She asked. Her voice almost cracked as she tried to keep her composure.
Her stare continues to leer at her with worry. But with a slow nod in agreement, she put her car in to drive and continued out of the parking lot. Marinette's eyes stared back at the small flower shop. Another sigh escaped as a wave trickled on her shoulders. She grabbed her arms as she slipped back against the seat cushion, her face pressing against the ledge below the car window.
She watched as the buildings drove past them, the sky growing a tad dark with hints of purples and orange as the sun set in the distance. Some of the street lights were turning on from the sky growing dim. The numbers of people among the streets depleted fast. Paris at night was completely different than during the day. Different crowds of people walked the streets. You had the hustle and bustle of the morning crowd. Everyone is trying to make it to their jobs, their meetings, they're businesses. And then there were the crowds that thrived from the dark. People that thrived from the different energy shifts that the nightlife brought. People that long to party, dance, entertain themselves somehow. Marinette tucked her head down as she noticed a group of thugs down in the alleyway eyeing them as they drove by. Darkness also brought the bad people out as well.
Her heart squeezed tightly as she watched the buildings grow more elaborate as they drove deeper into the city. The buildings shifted from brick to hard concrete, treated with the finest of paints and plants decorating the front of buildings and illuminated with various sub shining lights. Her mom had come a long way, she went from being a chef in small cafes, to the head chef to various of hotels including the mayor's own, to her own gourmet restaurant under her own name. A lot has changed in the 3 years she's been gone, she was kind of saddened that she wasn't there to witness this evolution in her best friend's mom's career. Her mom was always so kind to her. She always gave such fine dinners, that were a bit of home and elegance in each bite. Marinette fondly remembered her beef stew she would cook during the fall and winter time. That was marinette's favorite. She enjoyed the roasted carrots and potatoes, the small chunks of Chuck beef and her favorite part the onions that were slightly charred before being thrown into the concoction. Marinette's stomach grumble that the thought of the mouth-watering dish. Alya laughed as the rumbling of her tummy echoed in the car.
"Sounds like someone is hungry."
"Yeah, I'm starving." She smiled, she gulped hoping her friend would not see right through the beat of sweats going down her temple. She did not dare tell her friend that she had not eaten at all for the last 2 days. She had skipped dinner last night, she nibbled on a croissant at lunch today with Rose. Marinette often forgot to eat sometimes. She hated that was one thing that she was exposed to in New York. She often found herself starving herself, a lot of the time it wasn't by choice but some days it was just out of habit. It was odd going from stale bagels and burnt coffee to home cooked meals and cold brewed beverages. Marinette was shocked that her body didn't go into shock itself. She just hoped her friend didn't see right through her stomach. Her friend was good at reading people, she often wondered if she had mind reading abilities and she wouldn't be surprised if she had x-ray vision as well. She could always see you right through any lie. But Alya continued on but then suddenly pulled in front of a building.
"It's going to be your first time at my mom's restaurant, huh?"
Marinette nodded slowly as she looked along the building's exterior. The building was white with various vines and palm trees painted on the exterior. There was a small outside dining area to the building, its black fence with decorative swirls going along the metal. Lantern lights hung above, illuminated with an elegant but charming atmosphere. She stared in awe and then was taken back as her door swung open. A gentleman tipped his hat towards Marinette as he smiled at her, he bowed in her presence a bit.
She blushed a bit embarrassed as his hand extended towards her helping her from her car. She pulled herself out the car as she looked around towards her friend that she made her way around the vehicle. She hand her keys over to the valet. "Thanks Tom."
Alya interlocked her arm into Marinette's. Marinette smiled softly as they started forward. Being with her friend again was nice. Marinette leaned into her closely as she nerves started to flare like chickenpox. She itched her wrist nervously as they entered the building. The sound of glass clanked together and the chatter of various people filled the room, a hint of piano played.
"Is that Alya! My my! Look at you!" A gingered hair woman yelled in the middle of the foyer. She had a heavy set build with bright blue eyes, she wore a beautiful white dress with matching huge white pearls along her neck and wrists. Alya went up and they kissed each other's cheeks. "Samantha! How are you!" She greeted her.
"Oh love, I'm doing just peachy!"
"How is Trent doing? You are still seeing him, yea?"
"Oh yes! Actually! Look!" She squealed as she fiddled her fingers toward her. A big diamond ring shimmered in the overhead lights above.
"No! Really! He proposed!" Alya giggled.
Marinette picked at her arm skin as she felt awkward standing beside them like an odd traffic cone in the middle of a busy road. She didn't know this woman but she smiled cheesy toward her. Her cheeks would break like glass with how long she smiled. She was waiting for some type of greeting between the two as they continued to banter back and forth. Marinette scrapped her right foot on top of her left foots toes as a nervous tick came to the surface. Nobody was around them as they were in the dining room but she felt like eyes were on her. Like the paintings along the walls had eyes themselves.
"I'm so excited. I'm going to be catering your mom for the wedding."
"That is so amazing. You should have the reception here. I'm sure she wouldn't mind closing up for a private event."
"Oh, thank you but we actually want to have it at his parents' Cafe shop. Something smaller before the big wedding." She giggled, her eyes looked over at the small mouse standing behind Alya. "Oh my, who is this cutie?"
Alya blinked and then turned and smiled. She tugged Marinette forward. "This is my best friend; Marinette."
"This is Marinette! She is so adorable! Alya has spoken so much about you." Samantha spoke as she reached shaking Marinette's hand firmly. Marinette blushed and continued to smile like a weirdo. Samantha cupped her hand into hers after the shake stopped. "I heard you do fashion! That is just perfect! I know we just met, but what are your thoughts on getting commissioned for my wedding dress?"
Marinette gulped and quickly darted her eyes away. A wedding dress? Her heart squeezed tightly. Besides the derby hat, her wedding dress pretty much was her last big fashion project she did. So another one, kind of scared her and turned her off. Alya glanced at her friend picking at her skin. "Maybe we can discuss this later. She just got back in town from her Fashion Internship, she came back to get a break from fashion. Sorry Sam."
Samantha puckered her lips. "oh, okay. Well let me know if your interested. It's so hard to find dream dresses with all these lovely curves I have to show." She flaunted her body about and gave a wink to the girls. "Well I'll leave you two to catch up. It was nice seeing you Alya and meeting you Marinette." She giggled before walking away toward the dining room. Another lady hovered near them as she handed a menu to them both. "Will you be sitting outside tonight?"
Alya nodded. "Looks busy in there, besides, we want to chat. Won't be able to hear her over the toasting and all."
"I'll send Amber out there shortly."
"Thanks Tif, can you let Mom know I'm here too, with Marinette."
"Of course."
Marinette held onto her friend's bright orange skin tight dress as they moved through the dining room. Marinette felt out of place with her outfit. Pink school girl like dress and slip on shoes. Her mom was a gourmet chef but she always had a warm and loving home. She figured her restaurant would have been a piece of that. It was but it leaned more on the fancy side. Being in Paris, most restaurants had to be fancy to survive. She kept her eyes down at the floor as they walked along the chitter chatter of people. Alya reached back and took Marinette's hand into hers as she pulled her toward the front of her as she opened the door to the outside terrace area. Marinette looked back and forth at the small tables that displayed outside. There was only one other party there and it was a couple that already had their meals. They looked like they would be parting the area soon.
Marinette gravitated toward the table at the corner closer to the sidewalk as she sat at the chair furthest from the door. She inhaled quickly and exhaled as her butt touched the chair, feeling a sense of easement. Alya giggled toward her friends nervous nature as she sat in the chair across from her. She handed the menu over to her. "So you drinking tonight?" Alya questioned. Marinette stared down at the menu as her racing heart started to ease. "Um, maybe one drink." She states. "White wine, maybe red."
"I'm getting red." Alya said firmly. As on cue a waitress walked over. Marinette stared down at the menu. "Hey Alya, off today and you decide to come here?" She spoke as she clicked her pen. "Best food in town." Alya responded. "Besides, my friend Marinette has never been here. Wanted her to come here for our first night together."
"Ooh fun. Heard she tried to get you a job here." The lady smiled toward Marinette. Marinette glanced over her menu, treating it like a wall.
"Yea-"
"Yea but she is working with flowers instead."
"That sounds more relaxing than catering. Good on you."
Marinette nodded slowly before she stuck her nose back into the menu. She stared at the words but so much was going on she couldn't process anything. "You want your usual?"
"Steak, medium, potato, no cream and ask mom if she can give me a side of her jalapeno crisps she makes." Alya smiled. "Oh and we will be drinking red wine. Please"
She jotted it all down. Marinette felt their eyes on her. She thought she would get more time to read the menu over but considering Alya was a regular and a waitress she didn't really need to see the menu. "And for you?"
Marinette stuttered. "Um, I, want, uh,"
"You want me to come back?"
"No! Um" she felt like an inconvenience now if she sent her off. "I would liiiiiiike…." She stared at the menu like it was in Japanese. Couldn't make out a single word and words she did decipher she didn't care for that as her meal. Alya rolled her eyes with a smile. "She'll get the stew with a side of buttered bread." She said firmly before taking the menu from her. "The stew is her favorite of my mom's dishes." She handed the menus over to the waitress. "Thanks Amber, take your time, we want to chat a bit before our food."
Amber nodded before she took the menus and patted away. Marinette's heart was heavy but she was relieved that it was over. She didn't even notice it was on the menu. She looked to Alya who was eyeing her as she leaned into her hands. "Soooo, you doing okay?" She questioned. Her friend was always a nervous person but this was a whole new level for her. "Life In New York must be different then Paris. Huh?"
Marinette sighed as she adjusted the fork on the table. "Yea, a bit. Not by much though."
"Tell me about New York?!" She smiled as she scooted her chair closer. "Meet any cool celebrities?"
"N-no. Um. It's very." She started as she fiddled with the table cloth as a loud group of people walked by them. "Loud. And I'm the air is more toxic with all the cars. People are kind of rude and or to themselves. So. Kind of. Lonely." She spoke. Alya stared along her broken face.
"How was the internship? You didn't speak much to me about it."
Just like her parents, Alya didn't know about her quitting. "It was crazy, a lot of stuff to do everyday." She tried to keep this topic short. She didn't know how to respond. Alya felt the awkwardness in the air as her answers were short and sweet. "Well, give some deets girl. What did you make in New York? Anything get into vogue?"
Marinette giggled. "N-no, nothing like that." She tapped her finger on the table as she wondered if she should tell her the truth. She blinked as a cup laid in front of her before a red liquid was poured into it. She looked up at the waitress pouring the drink into her glass. She smiled before taking the glass and sipping it. She shivered at the taste but the tense in her shoulders relaxed a tad. She blinked as her phone chimed again. Her heart shook as she took another sip. She never looked at her phone from earlier. She saw in the tab she indeed get a reply from Adrien but she did not dare read it. But the anxiety got to her as she glanced down at her skirt pocket.
"H-hows Nino?" Marinette asked as she stared down. "Haven't heard from him in a long time. You guys doing okay?"
"Oh, yes, we are doing great. He is trying to put together a track for his producer but having trouble with the lyrics."
Marinette forced a smile with her eyes tightly shut. A smile that wasn't necessary. Alya rose a brow as her friends forced expression and then it quickly darted back down toward her lap. Marinette slowly pulled her phone out of her pocket. Did she dare look?
"Well, want to hear about my blog?"
"Of course, always." Marinette spoke. Her heart raced as she entered her password.
"Well, it's been dead for almost a year, nothing has been happening with there being no super villain but now with this new person showing up and our heros returning. My page has blown up with people wondering if I will be returning with posts." She smiled. "My fans never left. I was worried with the dead account, people would unfollow but no. They are still there. Amazing."
Marinette looked to Alya quickly as she tried her hardest to make it seem like she was paying attention. "That's incredible. I still follow you."
Alya giggled. "Thanks girl. I'm super excited to get back into the action. Been spending most of my time serving since the tumble weeds blew into town but now, your friendly miraculous detective is on the case. And I have this crazy theory." She told. "Well, Chat Noir sadly is basically gone. I believe he quit." She started. Marinette looked down at her phone as the screen turned on. She clicked the notification. "I believe though with this new "anti-villain" villain showing up I believe that a new Cat Miraculous holder will be chosen." She continued. Marinette's heart sunk as she stared at the screen. "I hope I get chosen." She said proudly as she looked to her friend. Her smile faded quickly as she saw her friends' pupils vibrate and tears begin to form. "Mari?" She stared.
Marinette stared down at her screen as it read from Adrien. Her heart was ripped from her chest. She looked to Alya as she wanted to cry about everything. This secret she kept from everyone was nagging at her. She had to tell someone, Alya was the best to lean on. "You want me to be honest?"
Alya nodded as she scooted a bit around the circle table to her friend. "Of course."
Marinette handed her phone over to Alya who took it softly. Alya examined her phone and creased her brows with confusion. "You're talking to Adrien?" She said with a bit of concerned anger.
Marinette looked up as she tried to find her voice and bat the tears from her eyes away as she blinked a few times. Her voice started with a crack and closed throat but as she continued on, her voice eased. She explained from beginning to end. How things went in New York. How the internship she felt was a ploy to keep her in New York. The internship was just her being an errand girl and all the stupid tasks and errands she ran. She laughed with a slight shaky cry as she would get side tracked with little funny stories that happened during her errands; almost getting hit by a bus when one of the dogs she was walking got loose and the time she spilled coffee on the subway and a business man slipped on the puddle. Alya had to push Marinette back to the subject as she continued on. She cupped her friend's hands close. Minutes went by with each sentence she tried saying without crying. Her heart was breaking more and more but a slight weight lifted as well. "I haven't even told my parents yet." She expressed. "I'm afraid to."
Alya stared along her broken friends face, she didn't know what to say, she just rubbed her thumb across her friends hand as she continued to rant. "And then the worse happened, well second worse thing. Ran into Adrien at our shop."
"Well, it was bound to happen being back in Paris but what are the odds of being at your new job. That's weird." Alya expressed, she felt a bit suspicious about this, the detective in her felt something was off. Marinette shrugged as she huffed. "He sent me that." She looked away as her lip quivered, holding her wails in. Alya looked the phone in her fingertips again and glared. He had sent three messages during the day.
im sorry I pushed plans on to you. I understand. I hope we can work closely together during this and become friends again. You know, I never stopped thinking about you. I missed you everyday. None of my relationships filled the void in my heart like you did I still love you."I can't believe him." She sighed. "I'm sorry Marinette. Just block him, forget about him. You've moved on."
Marinette slowly inhaled and exhaled as she felt an inch of calmness in her voice. "Have I?" She asked. "I think about him almost every day." she admitted. "I tell myself that I'm over him but I think about him, how I miss what we used to have, how he ruined everything. I think about how I hate him and miss him. How can I say I've moved on? I still wear his favorite perfume of mine."
"It's okay to think about it, but as long as your not acting on it." Alya told. "You don't want to be with him do you?"
She went to talk but blinked when their food was placed in front of them. Marinette looked, smiled and stood to her feet. "Marlena?"
Alya's mom stood before her with the biggest smile. "Hi Marinette, I can't be long away from the kitchen but I wanted to see my favorite fashion diva after all this time." She called as she hugged her and kissed her temple. "I missed you." Marinette hugged back. She needed a mom hug right now.
"I put extra carrots and onions in your bowl. Just for you." She whispered in the embrace.
"Thank you MarmarBear." Marinette sighed happily.
"I hope to see you spend the night, well until Alya finally moves out"
"Mom," Alya glared. "I'm never home, what's the point of getting my own place." She defended.
Marlena pinched Alya's cheek. "Move in with your boyfriend?"
"Pft, he has to put a ring on it to get me to stay in his pizza box covered man cave." She sipped her wine.
"Conversation for another day. I got to get back to the kitchen. It was great seeing you, my little one." She squeezed Marinette one more time before she turned with a wave and exited.
"I love your mom."
"I love her too but let's stick to the topic at hand. You don't want to be Adrien. Correct?" She squinted her eyes as she leaned forward. Marinettte stared down as she pushed the stew around in her bowl with her spoon. She stared down at the stew before her as she awaited for the answer to appear before her like it was a crystal ball. Her stomach grumbled as she stared at the concoction. She pulled the spooned beef up as she watched the juices drip. She didn't want to be with him, her brain told her but her heart tugged at her that she did miss him. Seeing his face made it so difficult.
"Marinette." Alya said firmly. "You don't want to be with him, right?"
"No." She said as she inhaled her answer. "I don't want to be with HIM." she said firmly as she bit down on her spoon. She shivered as the warm liquid hit her tongue, she chewed on the meat chunk and swallowed hard. She slammed her hand down gripping the spoon tightly. "I don't want to be with him. I don't want to be with Adrien Agreste."
Alya stared. "Are you telling me this? Or yourself?" she sighed as she picked at her own food. "Marinette, I know you. It took you two years to go out with him. And during that time, you tried giving up on him, numerous times."
"But-"
"And you failed, numerous times." She continued as she began to cut at her steak. "You have a big heart. And I admire that about you."
"Listen I-"
"You need to move on from Adrien. He hurt you in ways that I will never forgive and neither should you. You were up there in your dress."
"Ayla please-"
"He stood in front of you." she stated as she pointed her fork toward Marinettte. "And when he was suppose to say I do. He said…"
Marinette looked down at the table. "I don't love you." she whispered.
"He said this, to you, in front of everyone. He broke your heart. And then nonchalantly left the room like you were nothing."
"I know Alya, I relive that moment every day." She spoke. "It haunts my every step I take."
"And yet, you are thinking of trying again?"
"I never said that." Marinette glared.
"But you're thinking about it. I know you are."
"If you let me finish what I wanted to say." Marinette glared. This night felt like a mistake. "Even after all these years, you still try to talk for me."
Alya lowered her fork and stared at Marinette with a stern expression. She laid her fork down at laid her hands in her lap. "I don't speak for you. I just. I." she looked away as she thought.
"I don't want to be with Adrien. I think I like someone else." Marinette spoke sternly. Alya blinked and looked to her. She looked her friends face up and down. With a squint of her eyes she spoke. "Continue?"
"I think I like someone else but I don't know." she stated. "He's been really nice to me and I was thinking of asking him out. Maybe."
"You, asking a guy out?" Alya said with disbelief. "And who might this guy be? He a guy from New York, right? Is he here in Paris? How long have you known him?"
"I, um, no. He is from here. I've only known him for three days." she said sheepishly. Alya blinked and scuffed with a giggle. She was joking, right? She heard of people dating spontaneously but this was Marinette they were talking about. She knew Nino for a few months before they started dating back in High School. She sighed as she thought. Marinette did fall for Adrien instantly, it was cute yet sad in her opinion she could fall in love so fast. She leaned on her hand as she thought. That was so dangerous for Marinette. You fall too fast, you fall harder. You get hurt. "Who is this guy? Its not gothic dude is it?" She questioned. Marinette's blush answered the question. "Marinette…"
"He's really nice! I'm sure when you meet him tomorrow, you'll love him too."
"L-love?" Alya snapped. "You don't know this guy."
"I know he is really nice, and we like similar styles and he protected me against Lila and Chloe."
Alya shook her head as she was taken back. "W-what? Chloe? L-Lila?"
Marinette nodded and explained what happened to Alya but her reaction wasn't what she expected.
"Marinette, you are still tied up on this Lila is Evil tyrant."
"Tyrant? Its not a tyrant, her and chloe ruin everything."
"Chloe I understand but Lila is the sweetest person, she is trying to change Chloe, I can tell."
"If someone doesn't change after 3 years they are never going to change." Marinette said firmly.
"So you still being in love with Adrien for the last three years means you haven't changed."
"That's not the point. I just want what you and Nino have."
"A-ha! So you are still in love with Adrien!" Alya scuffed.
"I'll always be in love with Adrien, for who he was before everything went downhill. There was a reason I fell for him. But that's changed. That's why I want to be with Luka."
Alya huffed. "I think you should concentrate on yourself before you drag someone into this. If you are struggling with your feelings, you shouldn't drag someone in the middle of it. Besides, you shouldn't cling to the next guy that is nice to you. Saving you from someone that is 'EVIL'" she said while twitching her fingers acting out air quotations.
"So you still believe Lila. Over me?" Marinette glared. "You believe I stole her jewerly, that I said nasty things about her, that I-"
"Look. I." Alya sharply groaned. "Look, I didn't want to believe it but you are a very emotional person and driven on high energy. I didn't want to believe it but Lila's reaction seemed genuine. You said she cornered you at your new job? What did they do?"
Marinette huffed. "They came into the shop and…said…things." She huffed as she thought back.
"Did they know you worked there?"
"N-no…they didn't."
"Okay. What did they say?"
Marinette sighed and explained everything that happened, word for word that she could remember. Alya sat back as she rolled her eyes. "It sounds like Chloe lead most of the hate toward you, not Lila. Lila said she looks forward to seeing you."
"That was a threat."
"That's not a threat Marinette. Move on. Chloe will always be Chloe. Lila must see something we don't but she is an amazing person. She helped Nino get with his producer to get his recording studio. She's not a bad person Marinette. Lila is a nice girl." Those words, Marinette hated hearing. Echos of the past came flooding forward. "You believe I pushed her down the stairs? You still don't believe me?"
"Marinette. You are the sweetest person I know. Lila is too. But you are so high tempered. You probably didn't mean to do all those things. It was a heat of the moment."
"High tempered? Probably? Heat of the moment?!" Marinette stood from her chair. "I thought maybe me being gone for all these years would make you realize I was telling the truth. That what they did really hurt me. But you still believe Lila over me. Your best friend." Marinette clenched her fist and stomped her way toward the gate of the patio. "Where are you going?" Ayla glared. "You're proving the high temper I was talking about."
"I'm leaving to get fresh air."
"We are outside there is fresh air all around. Marinette. Please. Let's just. Talk. I want to understand."
"I want you to understand. I'm not crazy." She glared as she walked through the gate and slammed it shut.
"Walking out is just proving your acting irrational and immature." Alya glared. She slumped in her chair and started down at Marinette's phone. "Fuck." She grabbed her sling purse and ran into the restaurant to pay.
Marinette grumbled as she turned sharply down the street. Her calves burned with the amount of speed and power she put into her strut. She didn't want to have to deal with this. Marinette reached covering her ears as she wanted her friends voice to disappear from her skull. She was left with such a heat of emotions in her chest. She knew this was overreacting but she was so pissed that she couldn't just sit there and be belittled at and scolded. Along with knowing her best friend still siding with Lila after all these years very hurtful.
Marinette looked about as she wasn't use to this side of town. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. She reached for her phone. She blinked realizing it wasn't there. Must of left it with Alya. She didn't want to turn back now. She looked up along the sky and noted the Effiel Tower. She used that as her compass. She will get her phone back later. She just wanted to go talk to someone. She will know where she is once she got closer. Her eyes stayed to the sky as she dodged around the people she passed and around the different street corners. She turned around a corner and gasped as she collided with someone's body. She stepped back and rubbed her nose. "Sorry."
She looked up at a huge bald man that was leaning against the wall. He glared as he spilled his beer. He huffed as he looked Marinette over. He was taken back by the cute girl. "It's okay little lady. You can buy me a drink to make up for it." He told as he stood up straight and turned toward her. "I'm sorry but I'm in a hurry. Besides it was only a little bit of beer" She expressed. She walked to go around him but his two friends blocked her path. She glared, smelling the ale on his breath. "Excuse me. Like I said. I'm in a hurry."
"It's only polite." The other man added as he stepped closer. "Buy my friend a new drink."
"He shouldn't even be drinking in public." She glared. "So if you don't mind. Move. Now."
"Temper. Temper. What's a pretty girl like you being so angry? Doing okay beautiful?" the man the stood in her path asked.
"I said, excuse me the first time." Marinette glared as she turned go into the street to go around them. "Not in the mood to deal with a drunken creep."
"Creep?" the male chuckled. "Hear that boys, she thinks I'm a creep for just asking if she is okay?" he spoke. Marinette blinked as one of the other men leaning against the building shifted into her path. Her heart began to race. She looked around as there was nobody else down this side street. Why did she go this way? "How about we buy you a drink? That might calm you down." one spoke. Marinette glared. "No." she hissed as she went to turn back the other way but her wrist was grabbed. "Let me go!" she yelled as she pulled at her arm. "Look. I'm not gonna hurt yea, let us take you for a drink."
"Maybe she could make up for your spilled drink in another way." One thug spoke with a chuckle.
"No. LET ME GO." she shut her eyes tightly as she used all her might to pry his grasp from her wrist. Her heart race intensely and her stomach flip flopped like a fish out of water. This was getting dangerous.
"Come on, let us show you a good time." He spoke as she pulled her closer. She fell into his chest. She shivered as she looked up at him, his breath still toxic with its alcoholic fumes. His face was dangerously close to hers.
"I'll show you a good time." A voice spoke. Marinette looked and gasped as the thug thrashed back as a smaller figure thrusted their fist into his face. Marinette struggled with the third thug as the second lunged toward the figure. The figure bent down, swatting their leg across the floor and tripping the man down and landing on his side. The figure thrusted their fist into the thugs face a couple of times and then turned toward the one holding onto Marinette. He lifted his hands slowly before backing away. The other thug crawled to their feet, he bumped into Marinette's side causing her to fall over before he dashed off.
"You okay?" The figure asked reaching for her hand. Marinette stared as she took the person's hand as they pulled her up. The figure seemed a bit taken back as they step back. "Marinette?" They spoke. Marinette stared. The figure reached pulling their hoodie down. She gasped. "Zoe?" A blonde woman stood before her, hair long but her sides were braided and pulled back, almost in a viking like do. Her pink highlights spiraling along the braids. She noted her pierced ears with chains looping around. She wore a tight thin red crop top hoodie with various pins and jeans with rips at the bottoms. She wore her signature leather jacket over the thin hoodie and her colorful sneakers stopped lingered on her feet. Marinette saw her message she wrote on it. "You're miraculous!"
"Oh my gawd. You are back in Paris! Guess Chloe wasn't lying" She spoke as she took Marinette's hands into hers. "I can't believe it! You look amazing! I mean, besides the dirt probably on your butt." She stated as she reached dusting the ends of Marinette's skirt. Marinette giggled. "Thanks for the rescue. And you look amazing."
"Awe thanks, heading over to a club. And yea, guess my box kicking lessons are coming in handy." she stated as she stepped back and kicked the air a few times and then punched the air after. "Gotta stay busy. And I guess bloody." She stared at the blood on her knuckles from the thugs.
"Yea, I understand." She spoke, she looked down the road where she left Alya behind. Should she go back?
"Hey, want me to walk you home?" Zoe asked. Marinette sighed. She didn't really want to go home just yet. Zoe noted her hesitation. "How about you go to this club with me. I've never been. Be cool to go with someone."
"Really?"
"Yea, it would be cool to catch up. But." She stepped back and looked Marinette over. "Totally going to have to stop at my place and change your wardrobe. You look cute buttttt you are not dressed for a club."
Marinette blinked but gasped as Zoe interlocked her arm into hers and tugged her down the road. "Come on! It will be fun!"