Taking a couple of steps forward, Adrien made his way towards the woman that had caught his eye. Unfortunately he was that entranced in the moment he didn't realise he'd bumped into someone else on the way to her.

"Oh sorry Miss." He said staring over her head towards the girl continuing to make her way to where he was standing.

"Is that all I get?" The girl replied. "I thought a better hello would be needed considering the camera's are all around. They'd love this picture more than that rubbish they printed earlier today."

Adrien suddenly shook himself out of his trance and looked at the girl he'd bumped into. He knew this wasn't going to end well.

"Chloé? What do you want?" He crossed his masculine arms over his chest. There was no way he was letting her come a single step closer to him. He did not need scandal in the press.

"You know what I want Adrikins. I want you. I could do things for you Dupain-Cheng could never. We all know she's a failing cause with zero experience in pleasuring men. You need someone more willing." Adrien rolled his eyes and tried to move around her. She side stepped with him, blocking the way again.

He saw the beautiful girl stop a few metres away and hoped the look in his eyes portrayed his need for help. He could see her mouth stretch into a smile and her white teeth appear on show. He was quite sure she was laughing at the situation he'd found himself in.

She continued to walk forward again until she was directly behind Chloé. This girl hadn't changed a bit since lycée, was Marinette's first thought as she heard the conversation going on between the two. She was still after Adrien and still thinking she was above everyone else. It's time she was put in her place.

"Errrmm... excuse me ma'am?" Marinette stretched up and tapped Chloé on the shoulder, she could see Adrien physically relax from having her in such close proximity, she enjoyed the effects she seemed to be having on him. She made a mental note of another person to add to the list of those who didn't take Adrien seriously, Chloé Bourgeois. She knew tonight was going to be a challenge but she thought she might have entered the venue before it all began.

Chloé turned round sharply, obviously disgusted by someone touching her without asking permission. Princess Chloé, Marinette thought as she displayed her biggest smile. Chloé looked her over and Marinette could see Chloe's eyes trail from her hair to her top and finishing at her shoes. Chloe's face actually showed something like she was impressed.

"I would prefer you to not hit on my boyfriend please." Adrien couldn't help but smile. This girl and her manners.

"You're boyfriend? I haven't hit on anyone's boyfriend." Chloé smirked. Who did this girl think she was? Interrupting her whilst she was trying to get closer to Adrien. She turned back round and advanced towards Adrien with a menacing step.

"See you're doing it again." Marinette stated. "So I will tell you again. Leave my boyfriend alone ... please."

"Adrien Agreste is your boyfriend? Who are you? I bet he doesn't even know you?"

"Oh Chloé, I can't believe you don't recognise me." Marinette walked round and into Adrien's waiting arm. He wrapped it tightly around her waist and smiled down at her.

"Mari-trash?" Chloé looked gobsmacked and Marinette could have lost herself in continuous laughter.

"The one and only." Marinette looked up at Adrien and a pulse began to beat faster in her throat. She couldn't quite tell what the look was he was giving her but she knew she felt exposed. He was looking at her as though she was naked, and his next three course meal. She didn't know whether to embrace it or to run very quickly back home and forget the deal.

"You're so - so - so ..." Chloé began to stammer.

"Attractive." He replied, making sure his eyes stayed firmly on Marinettes. Yesterday she may have looked beautiful for their date but today, well he now knew he was screwed. He could see her eyes dilate at his words. Had no one ever told her before? Her whole expression read shock. Was she actually shocked to have someone tell her she was attractive?

"You've changed, Adrien." With that Chloé turned around and stormed away leaving Adrien and Marinette staring into each other's eyes.

Adrien was first to move. Stretching up slowly, he dragged a couple of his fingers through her hair.

"Hi." He whispered.

"Hi yourself." She replied. Both breathless and not quite sure what to do next.

Marinette stretched onto her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Is that all I get?" Adrien asked, finally pulling himself together. He smiled down at her and placed both his hands on her hips, tensing his arms and moving her towards him.

"Family friendly, Mr Agreste. I think I need to remind you more often because that look you gave me as I was walking down was everything BUT family friendly." She bopped his nose with her index finger.

"What do you expect from me when you look gorgeous?" She let out a laugh and she hugged him.

"Smooth kitty, very smooth."

"Mari, I'm not kidding. You look stunning tonight. I don't think I've ever seen you with your hair down straight. Not since we were young anyway."

"It's just easier to tie it up." Marinette pulled back and placed her arms to rest on his ridiculously sized biceps. She'd need to ask him about his exercise regime at some point. Maybe she could join him. There were a few little soft parts she needed to sort out. He didn't break eye contact with her as he spoke the next words.

"I wish you could see yourself as I see you." That was it. That moment right there was when she turned into a puddle of melted Marinette.

It's just a fake relationship, Marinette. He's just being kind to keep you on his side. Don't fall for it!

He coughed breaking them both out the moment. Why was everything starting to feel so real to him? He was just throwing out compliments with no desire to receive anything in return. What was wrong with him?

"We best go inside."

He unravelled himself from her waist as she removed her hands from his biceps. They grabbed onto each other's hand and made their way inside to the others. As they reached the table everyone stopped talking and stared.

"Hey dude? I thought you were bringing Marinette, or is this my birthday treat? I'm sure Ondine won't mind sharing me for one night." Oh how the tides have turned, he thought, as something primal ran through his body. How dare they see Marinette that way?

"I'd prefer you didn't talk to my girlfriend that way." Adrien's voice was authoritative and slightly terrifying. He pulled Marinette closer to his side and he could see the fear in her body. She'd tensed up. He began to run a circle over her hip to calm her down a little.

"Mari?" Even Alya seemed surprised at Marinette's look and he couldn't understand why. She was a beautiful woman, there was no doubt about it. So why should the use of a little lip gloss and hair straighteners cause such a big deal?

"Marinette, no way." The chatter continued around the table as Adrien pulled a chair out for her before seating himself next to her. His breath caught in his throat as her hand searched for comfort and grabbed hold of his upper thigh. He wiggled a little adjusting himself to this new feeling, and to make sure what has happening from his hips down wasn't on display.

Alya and Marinette leaned forwards giving each other a kiss on each cheek. Alya's gaze made Marinette reconsider her outfit choice of the evening.

"Looking sexy Mari, and you said the aim wasn't to sleep with him." Alya turned away from her and began talking to Nino. She turned her body back to Adrien and felt herself instinctively cover her body with her arms. Marinette had dressed to shock people but in a good way.

She wasn't wearing anything too revealing and she thought she'd looked good and stylish. Her black off the shoulder top was long sleeved and fit her body perfectly. It was tucked into a maroon leather skater skirt which stopped just above her knees. Her shoes were plain black heels. The outfit wasn't provocative, at least she didn't think it was.

"Are you ok?" Hot breath hit her bare neck and she shivered. She turned around and came face to face with Adrien. He looked in her eyes and they were dull compared to when he'd just met her outside the venue. He placed one arm over the back of the chair leaning in talk to her.

"Don't let them make you feel this way, remember you're twenty five years old Mari, not a God damn teenager. You look beautiful, show it off." He stood up seeing a tiny glow reappear in her eyes. Holding her hands he pulled her up with him. "Let's get you a drink."

Walking hand in hand to the bar they could see they were pulling quite a bit of attention. Firstly they were together a very attractive couple. Her darkness complimented his light. Tonight he was wearing a cream jumper with the sleeves rolled up leaving his forearms bare and beautifully on show. His dark blue jeans were set off with an orange belt and finished with his black dress shoes. Both of them beautiful in their own unique ways.

Leaning against the bar he noticed a group of younger lads walking past. Possessively he placed an arm around Marinette's lower back letting them know she was here with him, and only him.

"You know your face can sometimes look very scary." He was pulled out of his possessive thoughts by the smell of her strawberry fresh breath.

"I'm a kitty cat, you know that." He smiled down at her but she knew it was fake. She knew every single facial expression he could pull. She placed her hands on his biceps again, she really did think that was her favourite place to touch.

"Where did you get these from?" She asked as she gave them a little squeeze.

"And I thought you wanted me for more than just my body." He looked seriously into her bluebell eyes, they were back to a fun sparkling blue.

"Your brain and your puns, aswell. Though I haven't heard any of those since we've been hanging out." One side of her mouth lifted into a half smile.

"I haven't made a pun in years." He smiled at her. This girl was going to kill him.

"That's a shame, they were always purr-fect." He groaned. Yes she was most definitely going to kill him.

The bartender made his way over giving Marinette a little more attention than he was comfortable with. He ordered her a red wine and himself an orange juice. For some reason having her here with him put a protective edge on everything. He didn't want to get in a state where he caused issues for her or wouldn't be around to defend her.

As the bartender came back with the drinks Marinette slipped onto a bar stool next to where they were standing. She was almost the same height as him.

"You never told me about the clients who'd contacted you?" He was interested to find out what had happened.

"A lot are asking if you are involved with the company."

"And you told them?"

"Yes." She was beaming. He thought it was the happiest he'd ever seen her, and what made it sweeter was he'd helped. He'd been a reason for her company being chased after. It gave him a proud feeling and he hugged her.

"I'm so glad you're getting recognition. You're amazing." He pulled away and kissed her on the cheek. Every time his lips met her skin something inside him seemed to explode. He replayed the kisses from last night and hoped maybe this date would end the same way too.

They continued to chat with heads mere millimetres away from each other, oblivious to the world around them. They were too engulfed in each other's company to care. Marinette was finding it hard to keep herself convinced this was fake, everything was feeling too real. She needed to tread carefully or her heart was going to be destroyed. She moved away from Adrien, giving herself some space. His eyebrows creased in confusion of her sudden action. He wanted her close, he missed it when she wasn't.

"Adrien, can I have a word please?" Alya was standing next to them both.

He looked between the two girls unsure what to do. He knew Alya was going to have him, it was only a matter of time before he got the "hurt my best friend and I'll kill you speech."

"Can we do this later, Al? I don't really want to -"

"It's ok, Adrien. I'll be fine here." Marinette jumped in before Adrien could finish speaking. He really didn't want to leave her alone at the bar. Something just seemed wrong about it.

"I'll be quick." He says to Marinette as he kissed her cheek and followed Alya over towards the restrooms.

Once they were near the quieter area Adrien positioned himself to get a clear view of Marinette at the bar. He saw two guys go and gather around her. She was doing her polite smile yet her body language was full on defence mode. Adrien knew Alya was talking to him but his eyes couldn't moved away from his Princess.

He saw one guy was talking to Marinette and the other, who was standing behind her, reached into his pocket and dropped something into her glass. Before he could think he'd pushed Alya to one side as he hurried towards Marinette, shouting her name. When he was about halfway there he saw her raise her glass to her lips.