“So, did  you two set a date yet?” 

      Marinette dug into her chicken with her knife and fork. Alya and Nino had offered to take her and Adrien out for lunch since they’d been so busy, however Agreste had another meeting, so he couldn’t join them. 

      Alya smiled, glancing at the ring on her finger. “I was hoping for it to be in May. It seemed like a good month with the weather and all that, but Nino is pushing for fall. I do love the scenery but I don’t want guests to be bothered by the weather.”

      “Babe, literally on any of the dates we could end up having a storm or clouds. You just gotta deal with it,” Nino said. “Not everything will be perfect, even if you want it to be.”

      Alya threw one of her fries at him and Marinette joined in, tossing a piece of lettuce his way. “That’s what you get for talking to a lady like that,” she stated, chuckling at his annoyance. 

       “You're so lucky we’re in a public place because I want to kiss you so hard right now—”

       “Nino!” Alya groaned, hiding her face in her hands. The DJ just threw his head back and laughed. 

       “Okay, okay, all joking aside, what’s going on between you and my bro?” Nino asked Marinette, leaning forward. 

       Marinette sighed dreamily, as if she were back in lycee crushing on Adrien all over again. Of course she knew things were much different now. He was her future boss, her boss’s son, and if they got together officially the public would view her as a gold digger. But, didn’t they think that years ago when she was applying for that internship? What difference did it make whether people supported them or not? 

      Marinette, you are being ridiculous. He didn’t even ask you out because you told him you needed space. But maybe you don’t need it anymore…oh what have I gotten myself into.

     “Oh, nothing much. I’m waiting until the gala is over and done with before I even think about wanting to date him again. He wants it, I know he does, and I do too, but now just isn’t the right time, y’know?”

      Alya groaned and lifted her head before rolling her eyes. “You are so stupid. I can’t believe you two make up and want to be together only to wait! Who does that? Nino, back me up here!”

       “I mean, it depends. How do you know he wants to be with you like that?” He winced as Alya kicked his leg under the table. “What? It’s true!”

       Marinette blushed. “He…kinda told me that he wants me. And I said I couldn’t do this. Not yet. I’m not ready.”

       She wanted nothing more than to be held by the man that had held her in her darkest moments all those years ago, the man that supported her in all her endeavors, the man who loved her no matter what. 

     Until Marinette pushed him away over something so trivial, so insignificant, you would think she was a child. At the time, she was a child. But even as an adult, how could she be so sure that she wouldn’t make the same mistake again, that something wouldn’t come between the two?

     “I can’t tell you when you are ready or not, but I just think that you’re afraid. You always have been and it needs to stop.” Alya stabbed her spaghetti with her fork, shoving a mouthful into her mouth.

      “I’m not afraid. I’m just being smart this time. Last time, we rushed into things and look where that got us.”
     
       They both gave her a deadpanned look. 

       “Okay, so I got us there, but still. It’s only until after the gala. I’m sure my love life can wait another week, yeah?” Marinette took a long sip of her water. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish the line. We’re trying to get it done as soon as possible so there isn’t any last minute panicking.”

      “Knowing you, there probably still will be,” Alya laughed. 

       Marinette smiled, grabbing her bag. “Thank you so much for lunch, it was nice to get out of the office. I’ll see you guys next week!”

       Marinette didn’t dare to glance at them over her shoulder, but just before she walked out the door, she heard Nino say, “Those two are definitely—”

        “Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” Alya laughed, the boisterous sound earning their table a glare from one of the waitresses across the room. The younger woman saw Marinette and gave her a small smile. The bluenette returned it and took a deep breath before walking out the door into the cold air. 

       The wind blew against her cheeks, turning them a rosy color. She walked along the bustling streets of Paris, taking her time to admire the array of lights that hung on the buildings and rooftops lit the city, giving bursts of color. 

        A sign caught her attention in the window of an empty store front. It was for sale and in the perfect location for a fashion boutique. If only she weren’t working for Gabriel, then she could start her own business. But it was for the best. With this experience under her belt it will be easier to start out in a few years. She’d just have to wait. 

      That’s all her life was these days. Waiting. Having patience. Working hour after hour, week after week, hoping to see a better future, quicker results. But what for? What was the purpose of all this? Marinette wanted to be a fashion designer since she was fourteen; was it the only thing she desired? 

         “I’m happy,” she murmured. “And soon I’ll open a storefront of my own, and it’ll be called ‘Marinette Designed’. Customers will line up to see my creations at fashion week and everyone will know my name. Everyone will be wearing clothes that express their unique personalities and style, not what the public calls trendy or fashionable. It’ll be the greatest—whoa!”

         Marinette was so distracted that she ran straight into a blond in a suit. At first she thought it was Adrien, but when he looked up, she saw it was his cousin, Felix. She wasn’t sure where the two cousins stood but knowing Felix’s foxy nature, she figured it’d be best if she got away from him as quickly as possible. 

         Maybe if I keep my head down he won’t recognize me. 

        She briskly walked away but froze when he called her name. “Mlle. Dupain-Cheng! Don’t tell me you're ignoring me!”

         Marinette forced a smile as she turned around. “Felix?” she asked, feigning surprise. “What brings you to Paris?”

         “My dear cousin and I had a few matters that needed to be taken care of. Once things are settled, I'll be heading back to London to help my Uncle with his new storefront…” 

        “Yes, I believe he mentioned it,” she lied. Marinette had no idea that he had a meeting, let alone be in Paris. “How are things in London? Did Mr. Agreste say when the grand opening would be?”

      “Within the next month or so. He's waiting until the anticipation of the gala passes. That way it isn't overshadowing the news of the store.”

      “I do recall Adrien talking to him about whether or not he would be needed in London. I thought Gabriel was managing London, leaving Adrien in charge of Paris? You're taking over the London storefront?”

      “Hopefully I will be, yes. My uncle is retiring. We had a good discussion.” Felix glanced around the streets, as if checking for  any nearby spies, before lowering his voice. “Between you and me, Gabriel Agreste doesn't look too well.” 

       “What do you mean? He's tired, yes, but he seems to be doing fine.”

       “He's only in his fifties but the man is dying. Cancer.” Marinette felt her heart stop. “Poor Adrien, I can't imagine what it's like, knowing that your father is terminally ill and when he dies you  must take on his legacy.” The blond shook his head remorsefully. “It's a sad thing, really. I'll end up having to take over London while Adrien holds fort here in Paris for sure. Who else would he trust with his legacy besides his son?”

          Marinette couldn't believe what she was hearing. Adrien's father was sick? No wonder he's been off. How convenient that Felix shows up just at the right moment. Marinette knew exactly how Adrien felt; at any given moment Marinette’s father’s heart could stop. 

        Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of losing her father. “Excuse me, I must get back to work,” she managed to say, quickly walking away. 

          “Tell your boyfriend that I will be seeing him again tomorrow to finish up some last minute paperwork!” Felix called out after her. “And good luck with the gala!”

         Marinette looked at the ground, not bothering to correct him. She attempted to hide the tears that were now freely streaming down her face. She walked faster, wanting to get out of the cold. 

         She was hoping to enter the building unnoticed and made it to the elevator before a voice made her stop in her tracks. 

         Why can't they just leave me alone? 

         “Oh, Marinette! What were you doing out there? The snow is really coming down. Wouldn't want you to get lost or hit by a bus!”

            “Save it, Lila. I'm not in the mood.” Marinette entered the elevator and was surprised when a hand stopped the doors from closing. 

         Lila gave her a fake smile as the doors shut. An uneasy feeling of dread settled over the bluenette being in such close proximity with someone who clearly has it out for her. 

          “What do you want?” she asked tiredly. 

         Lila had dropped her pleasant demeanor now that the two of them were alone. With the question hanging in the air, she backed Marinette into the corner, pinning her against the wall. 

          “Drop the act,” she hissed, her warm breath sending chills down Marinette’s spine. “You know what I want. You stole Adrien from me all those years ago so I'm stealing him from you now. If you think things are fixed, think again. I always have a Plan B.” She brought her knee up to Mari’s stomach, knocking the wind from her. 

          Marinette tried to speak but an inhuman sound came from her lips instead. She couldn't get air into her lungs. Lila seemed to notice this and smiled wickedly. 

          “For so long I've tried to get his attention, but you were always in the way. Even after I managed to get you two apart, you still caused problems.” Lila was barely two inches away from her face. “You are nothing, Dupain-Cheng. Mark my word, I will not stop until your reputation is in shambles. If you think you've gotten rid of me, think again. I'm always one step ahead.” She dug her nails into Marinette's wrist, causing her to gasp in pain. Finally, she heard the ding and the doors opened. 

          “Thank you for your help! Hope you feel better soon!” Lila chirped as she exited the elevator. Marinette found that she couldn't move, couldn't breathe. 

       In…out…in…out…

       She put her foot in between the doors to prevent them from closing and stumbled toward her office. 

          Adrien appeared from around the corner. He smiled when seeing her. “Hey, Marinette! How was lunch? Sorry I couldn't join you all.”

           When she ignored him and kept walking, he grabbed her wrist, stopping her. 

          “Leave me alone,” she croaked, yanking herself from his light grasp. He frowned, eyeing the red marks on her wrist. Adrien put his hands on her  shoulders, forcing Mari to face him. 

             “What's wrong?” he asked softly. He gently wiped the tears from her face with the pad of his thumb. “Did you do this?” He picked up her hand, tracing the claw marks. 

            Marinette shook her head, trying to keep her bearings but the effort was too much. Adrien seemed to know what was going in, because he walked her to their office and closed the doors.

        “What's going on?” he asked her. She said nothing, burying her face in his shoulder to muffle the sound of her sobs.