Marinette paced nervously back and forth outside the entrance to the conference room. Although she had been hard at work and accomplished what was needed, her stomach still felt uneasy about whether or not Gabriel Agreste would be pleased with the results. 

     While she’d hate to admit it, Marinette was thankful that it was Adrien, not Louis, who she was working with. She and Adrien have done this sort of thing years ago when planning the school dance. Such a pity that neither of them had shown up to that one, both not wanting to see the other. 

     “Oh, good! You’re here! I was worried you’d be late, per usual,” Adrien said, walking toward her. 

     “Nice of you to show up,” she commented, rolling her eyes playfully. “And for the record, I’m not always late.”

     He smiled back at her. “Yes, I’m sure you have your moments. Shall we go in?” Marinette smoothed her dark pink A-lined skirt and absentmindedly twirled her curled locks around her forefinger. 

     “Let’s get this over with,” she sighed. 

     Adrien placed a hand on her shoulder, looking into her dazzling bluebell eyes. “Hey, it’ll be alright. I know my father will be impressed with what we have, especially your designs.” He chuckled. “I hate to admit it, but you’ve never lost the skill to create something that’s both breath-taking and practical…like you.”

     A soft gasp came from her slightly parted lips.

     “Let’s go,” Marinette managed to say, opening the door to find Gabriel had not yet arrived. Her shoulders immediately relaxed until she remembered who was with her. And what he just said.

     He just called you breath-taking and practical…

     Marinette’s smile dissipated into a panicked expression. Adrien Agreste just called me breath-taking and practical! Oh no…He cannot be falling for me again. I’m with Luka and plus he’s a conceited jerk. He’s never truly loved me and never will.

     Adrien watched Marinette have her little meltdown as he had his own. He could tell that what he said made her uncomfortable and almost wished he could turn it back into their old animosity. 

     Why did you even say that? She hates you!

     “Adrien, you can’t say that kind of stuff to me,” she blurted. “I know you have no interest in me like that, not truly. Besides…I’m engaged. Or might be, anyways. I haven’t decided yet.”

       Adrien whipped his head around to face her. “What?”

      “On Friday, Luka proposed. I told him I’d give him an answer after the gala is done and over with. Not that it’s any of your business,” Marinette retorted. 

     And…we’re back to being hostile. I never should’ve let her go on that date Friday night. This is what you get for trying to be nice. Way to go, Agreste. 

     “Well, I’ll be darn. Someone actually wants to marry you.”

      “Excuse me?”

       “I can't believe I thought about marrying you someday.” Adrien's face flushed. “I'm trying, I've been trying to understand what your problem is, how I could be the perfect guy, but no, Marinette doesn't pay attention to the details, only what directly affects her.”

     “I'm not the selfish one here!”

      "I don't understand why you can't take a compliment. It's always been like this, you not accepting things, and me trying to convince you otherwise. You're worth more than you think, why don't you listen to me for once?"

     Marinette threw her arms in the air. "Oh really? Last time I listened to you, I confided in you. And what did you do? You betrayed me."

     Adrien's face became red as he failed to keep himself in check. "How? You keep saying that I ruined your life. What did I do that was so terrible and caused you to be like this?”

     "You know what y–”

     "Don't you dare finish that sentence! Answer me," he demanded. "What did I do?"

     “I–” She was cut off by the sound of the door opening with a bang. An irritated Gabriel Agreste stood there, a scowl occupying his features. 

     “What is going on here?” he demanded. 

     Marinette’s face paled. “M-Mr. Agreste, I’m so sor–”

     “Quiet!” He moved to stand in front of Adrien. Although they were now the same height, Gabriel knew he still intimidated his son. “I thought I told you–”

      “Yes–” Adrien’s words fell on deaf ears. 

      “Don't you interrupt me! Get out of my sight!” he barked. “Now!”

      The blond did as he was told, much to Marinette’s disappointment. He could never stand up to his father. She almost felt sorry for him. Key word being almost. Now she was alone in a conference room with her boss. This ought to go well. 

     “I’m so sorry, Mr. Agreste. I shouldn’t have yelled like that but…” He stopped her before she could say any more.  Marinette gulped and wiped her sweaty palms on the back of her skirt absentmindedly. 

     “You like my son,” he stated matter-of-factly. “You love him. And he loves you.”

      Marinette began to choke on air. “I…don’t…him…” she sputtered. Gabriel shook his head in dismay at her denial. Why must women be so stubborn?

      “You do. And I’ve waited too long for you two to clean up your act and get on with it. Any time I think you’re close to being done with this feud, something comes up. Mostly from you.”

     “What are you saying?” Marinette eyed him cautiously. 

     “If you want to keep your job, you are to stop this nonsense and not pick a fight every time you two have a conversation. Be nice.”

     “What if he’s the one picking the fight? Or is mad at me? What do I do then?”

      He scowled. “I don’t care what you do, just go out with my son and you’ll be off the hook. You’re one of my best designers and I’d hate to have to fire you if you don’t comply.”

     Marinette’s ears turned red. “I can’t believe that you’re blackmailing me into dating Adrien. Who are you?”

      “I would watch your tongue, Miss Dupain-Cheng.” Gabriel was about to sit down at the head of the table and call for the others but stopped, giving one more warning. “If my son gets word that I’m involved in this, you will be held responsible.”

      Marinette wanted to slap the man. Why was he pushing for her and Adrien to get together? Nothing made sense anymore. Back when they used to date, Gabriel hardly approved of their relationship. 

      Marinette's mind raced, trying to comprehend the sudden turn of events. She had never anticipated Gabriel Agreste, of all people, pushing her into a relationship with Adrien. It felt like a surreal nightmare, one she couldn't escape.

     As Gabriel started calling in the board members, Marinette sank into one of the chairs, feeling a mix of anger, confusion, and betrayal. She couldn't believe her boss would stoop so low as to blackmail her into dating his son. It was as if her entire world had been turned upside down in a matter of minutes.

     She couldn't help but wonder what Adrien thought about all of this. Was he aware of his father's meddling? Did he have any say in the matter? Or was he just as much a pawn in Gabriel's game as she was?

     With a heavy sigh, Marinette rubbed her temples, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions raging inside her. She knew she couldn't let Gabriel dictate her personal life, but the threat of losing her job hung over her like a dark cloud.

     Deep down, Marinette still harbored feelings for Adrien, despite everything that had happened between them. But she couldn't ignore the fact that she was now in a committed relationship with Luka. How could she betray his trust for the sake of appeasing Gabriel Agreste?

     Lost in her thoughts, Marinette barely noticed when Adrien cautiously stepped back into the room. His expression was a mix of concern and apprehension as he approached her.

      "Marinette, are you crying?" he whispered, taking a seat beside her. He eyed his father with a scowl. 

     She glanced up at him, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted to lash out at him for his father's actions, but another part couldn't help but be drawn to him, just like old times.

     "I... I don't know, Adrien," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Everything's just... a mess."

     "Was it my father?” he asked, keeping his voice low so that his father couldn’t overhear. “So help me, if he threatened you—” He balled his fists at his sides. “It’s one thing for him to control me, but to try and manipulate you as well?”

     Marinette quickly stood up, “No!” she exclaimed and her face flushed when Gabriel looked at her, startled by her sudden outburst.. “I-I just…I’m sorry. Excuse me.” 

     “You are not dismissed, Miss Dupain-Cheng.”

      “I’ll only be a moment,” she choked out, hurrying out the door but not before hearing Adrien shout, “What did you do?!” at Gabriel Agreste. 

     She headed to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Looking at her reflection, she saw how puffy her eyes were.  Marinette’s options weren’t favorable. She could either continue things with Luka and get fired, or fake-date Adrien to keep her job, her career. 

     Which one? Adrien and work, or Luka and unemployment. 

     Only one person could help. She pulled out her phone and called the man she was not-yet engaged to. 

***

 Luka was at home working on a new song, one of heartbreak, when he saw Marinette’s name pop up on his phone. He hesitated before answering, nervous about whether or not she’d say yes. 

      On the fourth ring, he picked up, “Hey, what’s up?” She didn’t respond for a moment and Luka could’ve sworn he heard sniffling. 

     “Luka, I don’t know what to do,” she cried. His heart ached hearing her so upset.

      “Whatever happened, I’m here to listen.”

      “Please don’t be mad,” she whispered.

      Luka knew he’d been frustrated and disappointed in Marinette, but never furious. “I could never be mad at you,” he said, hoping it was true.

     “It’s Gabriel. H-He threatened to fire me if…”

      “If what?” Gabriel threatened her? Why would she work for such a man?

      Her voice was barely audible. “If I don’t…date Adrien.”

     “What?” Luka almost dropped his phone. Surely he had misheard her. 

     “How can I date you and fake date him?! I mean, I don’t want to lose my job, but I also don’t want to lose you, Luka. Why must there be an ultimatum?” 

     He thought about what she said, choosing his words carefully. “You will never lose me, Marinette. You’re the melody that strums in my heart, pulling at the strings. But I also know that you do still love Adrien, despite your disputes and apparent denial of his love for you. I won’t be the one to keep you from being happy. I have never made you happy the way he had. And the pain you were in, the pain you didn’t show after cutting him off from your life…It’s still there. Who am I to keep you from finally healing old wounds? I was merely a scab. I knew that, but part of me hoped you would come to love me in the way you’ve loved—still love—him. Don’t let me stop you. And don’t give up your dreams for me. I could never ask that of you, especially if it isn’t what your heart truly desires.”

       “Luka…”

       “I know you may see this as wrong, but I have to let you go. I love you too much to be guilted by the fact I held you back from being truly happy. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself, never be at peace seeing you beside me every day, knowing you secretly wished you married another man.”

       “Luka, please,” she cried. 

       “It’s okay, Marinette. It’ll all be okay.”

       She sniffled. “But–but what about you?”

       “Love will find me again someday, and while I might not love her in the way I love you, I know I will find someone who plays a new melody, one that makes me dance at a different pace.”

       “I’ll always be here for you, Mari. Now go and do what is asked of you, keep your job, and most importantly, don’t lose him. The pain you were in those first two years was rough, I could tell. Please, just be happy.”

     “How can I do that without you?”

     “Because you’ll be with the one you love. And he isn’t me.” She hung up with a click and realizing just what he had done, Luka threw his phone at the wall, watching as its screen shattered.
    
     Just like his heart.