Chapter 7: The Smile Behind the Spiral

Marinette's POV:

I was smiling like a total idiot as I followed Adrien into the cafeteria.

He looked annoyingly good today. His hair was slightly messy in that perfect way, like he just walked out of a photoshoot. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up, veins peeking out from his forearms, and I swear his smile should be illegal.

He glanced at me with that familiar teasing spark in his green eyes and tilted his head a little.

"Nǐ kàn qǐlái hěn piàoliang jīntiān," He said, grabbing a tray like it was the most casual thing in the world.

I blinked, caught completely off guard.

"Wait—what?"

Again!!

Ever since I asked him to tutor me on Sundays, he's randomly dropping sentences like this.

Mandarin, just out of nowhere. Always followed by that smirk.

And yeah, it annoyed me.

He knew it annoyed me.

And he still did it.

I rolled my eyes and groaned.

"I said, you look very pretty today" he translated, leaning in like he was telling me some top secret.

Ughhh. Why is he like this?

"You know I'm still working on my vocabulary" I said, nudging him with my elbow.

"Ow, This is violence" He clutched his side dramatically

"Then stop flirting in a language I can barely keep up with," I muttered, cheeks already warming up.

Adrien laughed softly.

That laugh. The one that made my chest feel all fuzzy.

"I'm helping you learn useful phrases. Isn't that part of our tutoring plan?"

What part of it was useful ?!!

I can't use his Mandarin pick-up lines on my uncle.

That'll make me creepy.

"Flirting is not a part of our Mandarin lessons, Mr. Agreste" I gave him a deadpan look.

"It should be. Makes things more fun" He grinned, shameless.

I stared at him, trying not to blush any harder as we stepped forward with our trays.

"Can you be serious for like, five seconds?" I grumbled under my breath.

"Nope," he replied easily, flashing a grin.

I bit my lip, trying to hide my smile, and then gestured toward the girls' table.

"I'll see you later."

"Can't wait," he said, already turning toward Nino and the guys.

"I'll bring more Mandarin phrases next time."

"Oh God, please don't," I muttered, laughing a little as I walked away.

I made my way to the table where Alya, Rose, Mylène, and Juleka were sitting. Alya scooted over and patted the seat next to her and continued her rant about the new video game she played with Nino on sunday.

I barely had time to grab my fork when the mood shifted.

Rose appeared, holding Lila's arm as she limped toward the table like some kind of soap opera heroine.

"Oh, careful, Lila," Rose said gently, helping her sit.

"Thank you, Rose. You're a lifesaver" Lila sighed, placing a delicate hand on her chest.

"I'm just… so exhausted. My legs are killing me." She whined

"What happened girl? You okay?" Alya leaned forward, frowning.

I stayed quiet, watching with a tight smile.

"Oh, nothing serious. I just had to stand for hours yesterday at the investors party. All that smiling and greeting people… it was never-ending" Lila's voice turned sweet, like honey soaked in sugar.

She glanced at me, like she was checking to see if I was listening. Her smile sharpened.

"And Adrien was such a gentleman, He really helped me get through it." She added looking at me.

I know that look.

That smug, testing look.

She wanted to see if I'd flinch.

Not today. Watch me bitch.

I smiled, raised my juice box, and said sweetly,

"That's exactly why I'm dating him. He's always a gentleman and as a boyfriend he's more than everything I've ever asked for"

"Ooh, look who's flexing her boyfriend!" Alya let out a laugh.

"She's so in love with Adrien" Mylène chimed in with excitement.

Juleka gave a slow, approving nod.

I kept my gaze on Lila. Smirking just a little more.

Sucks to be you Lila, that man is mine.

Her fingers twitched around her fork. Not enough for anyone else to notice. But I saw it.

Her face didn't change, but her eyes were full of hatred?

Yeah I hate you too and I won't fall right into your manipulation Lila.

But of course, she bounced back.

"Oh! Speaking of the party" she said brightly, pulling out her phone

"I got pictures! I really wanted to share about the important people, magnificent things I experienced with you girls" She spoke slow and soft as everyone seemed so taken.

I'm so bored with her acting that I'm actually missing Adrien's mandarin pick-up lines.

Maybe I should text Adrien and we should go somewhere else and talk.

She flipped the screen toward the table. Everyone leaned in.

And there he was.

Adrien.

Black suit. Tie slightly loosened. Hair slicked back, just enough to look like he didn't try too hard. He stood under a golden chandelier, looking like a prince who belonged in a castle.

The room was filled with velvet chairs, polished floors, soft golden lights. Everything screamed luxury.

I froze for a second.

He told me it was a meeting. A quick work thing. Nothing major.

He didn't mention this.

Didn't say it was a party.

Didn't say Lila would be there.

"Everyone's outfit is so classy!" Alya said, turning the phone toward me.

"Marinette, you should totally get inspo from this. This dusty pink gown? Totally your color."

"So true….I'm speechless, So elegant" I said, forcing a smile.

Inside, that old spiral began.

Why didn't he tell me?

Did he thought I'd show up, uninvited? Embarrass him?

Is that how he sees me?

A clingy girlfriend?

I poked at the salad on my plate, not really seeing it anymore.

Would he have told Kagami?

She is Calm. Composed. Elegant. The kind of girl who fit in at parties like that.

He dated her once. Just for a month.

Then ended it.

Why?

And why ask me out if he's going to hide things from me? Well he didn't exactly hide.

But he always tells me about himself vaguely, like he's just informing me without elaborating anything meanwhile I'm just yapping every single thing about my plans, about myself.

Is he...walking on eggshells around me?

Do I come off as….immature that he doesn't feel like sharing anything with me?

My throat felt tight. I forced a laugh at something Rose said, even though I had no idea what it was.

I don't want anyone to ask if I'm okay.

I don't want them to think I'm some jealous girl.

I don't want to be that girl.

I looked at Lila again. She took a long sip of water, pretending like nothing was going on.

But when our eyes met—

She knew.

She knew what that photo had done.

That it worked.

Her lips curved into a tiny, satisfied smile before she looked away, victorious.

And me?

I just smiled.

And pretended nothing was wrong.