Adrien yawned as he made his way down the stairs. He circled around in the living room where Lila sat on the couch. Yesterday had been a successful day; he was now connected to Marinette via phone so she'd be easier to track.

He was about to pour himself a cup of coffee when his phone vibrated on the table. He never gets texts or notifications so he knew who it was; his newfound "friend" Marinette.

He picked it up and read the text message.

*

Marinette sipped her latte, her entire body trembling with nervousness. Alya sat beside her, enjoying a croissant. Marinette's thumb was hovering over the send button of a text to Adrien.

"Come on, just send the text," Alya laughed. "I swear I've never seen a full grown woman freak out like you."

"Hey I'm only 20. Not that full grown," Marinette snapped, laughing lightly. "Plus, you don't think I'm being too pushy do you?"

"Never," Alya rolled her eyes. "You got this. Detective's Assistant Dupain-Cheng can do anything!"

"You're right!" Marinette smiled. "I can do this!" She firmly pressed down her thumb on the send button and the action was complete. Now she waited.

*

Adrien blinked at the text in front him.

"Hey Alex, it's me Marinette! Want to go to the movies with me tonight?"

The text looked foreign. Fake. Staged. And not just because she was using his fake name. He'd never gotten a message so lighthearted and innocent.

"What's that?" Lila pushed, peeking over his shoulder. She narrowed her eyes as she read the text and click her tongue in disgust.

"You're taking too long," she mumbled, tapping her nails on the table. "You said you were gonna kill her and now you're sharing popcorn and watching a movie with her?"

"Relax," Adrien sighed, setting the phone back down. He began sharpening the blade of his knife. "It's part of the plan."

Lila scoffed. "Bullshit. You just wanna have some fun before you get rid of her."

Adrien could feel his cheeks heat up. For some reason, he hated how she talked about Marinette. From what he knew, she wouldn't sleep around with any guy she found. She was too pure for that. Adrien remembered how the girl was trembling as she asked for his number and outright admitted he was attractive.

"Like I said Adripoo," Lila smirked. "If you won't, I will. We've been banking on her having amnesia for too long. What. If. She. Remembers."

Adrien paused, setting the knife down. Biting his lip, he picked up the phone again and began typing a reply to the text.

"Sure, what time should we meet up?"

He pressed send and smiled, knowing he sent Lila into an eternal rage. He continued sharpening his favorite blade.

*

Marinette nearly fell out of her seat. Adrien had replied and he said YES!

Alya read the body language from her friend and grinned. "No way!"

"I don't know what movie to see!" Marinette panicked. "I wasn't planning on getting this far honestly..." Before she forgot, she hurriedly typed a reply. "We'll meet at the movies at 6:45!"

Alya and Marinette decided to run some errands around the city to pass the time before rendezvousing at her house to get ready for the big night.

*

They entered Marinette's quaint apartment that resided above her parents bakery. Her parents, Sabine and Tom, were away at a baking convention, promoting their baked goods to the masses.

Marinette excitedly opened her closet to reveal a plethora of cute "on the town" clothing pieces. Basically, clothes she normally never wore before because her dating life was nonexistent.

But tonight was something different. She was actually going somewhere. With an attractive young man. Her heart fluttered at the thought of it. For once, she felt her age. Young, ready to experience life. Not just an assistant at her job at the police station. Even thought the recent revelation on Detective Lee's murder was a major reassuring sign. She was starting to get somewhere in the profession she admired, especially since Detective Luka asked her to accompany him on the case.

As excited as she was for tonight, that tiny bit of doubt within her worried her. Was she being too carefree? She guaranteed that on a Saturday night, Luka was still in the office doing anything he could for the case.

Alya sensed her worry, and pinched her shoulder. "You're not backing out, are you?"

Marinette shook her head, twirling a piece of hair around her finger. "No, I just- am I being irresponsible right now? Luka put his faith into me for the Detective Lee case and here I am off seeing a movie like I don't have a care in the world."

"Don't do that to yourself," Alya gave her a wink. "You have a life too, ya know? Don't put so much on yourself. A week ago you were pouring coffee. I don't expect you to suddenly give up your entire life for this job. Have fun. Enjoy life. Work can come later."

Marinette felt a little bit better, but still guilty. However, she had to look on the positive. She was spending time with a guy she was absolutely head over heels for. And he seemed interested too! What a win win.

"You're right," Marinette smiled, picking up a short black dress. She held it up to her figure and admired in the mirror. "Time to focus on myself for a little. Detective Luka will see me Monday."

*

Marinette finished fixing up her makeup; a simple smoky eye and nude lip look, and she was ready for the movies. She sprayed some floral scented perfume over herself hoping "Alex" didn't mind it.

Alya whistled in amusement. "Looking hot Marinette. You're going to blow Alex away with this look!" She checked her watch, raising her eyebrows. Quickly, she picked up her keys and jingled them in the air. "Time to move! I'll drop you off."

"You don't have to..." Marinette laughed.

"Trust me, I want to see this mystery man!" Alya replied.

*

The grandfather clock rang out at 6:30pm.

In the giant decorated mirror that brandished the dining area, Adrien finished smoothing out the wrinkles of his black polo shirt. He shoved his keys into the pocket of his khaki pants and gave his head a quick shake to achieve the wild look. He guessed this was fine. He'd never been out doing normal adolescent things before. Especially not with a girl that wasn't Lila, which only consisted of planned hits. He was quickly starting to regret his decision.

Gabriel suddenly came down the stairs, his face set in stone. Yet he carried himself in a rushed, panicked way. He held his phone in front of him like a compass.

"Good news," Gabriel spoke. "I found our other guy."

Adrien's eyebrows raised from the perfectly pressed collar of his shirt and met his fathers. "You did?"

Gabriel didn't bother to ask why Adrien was dressed out of the ordinary. The fact that he found the other accomplice to his wife's murder was far more important than his son's outfit choice.

Adrien knew exactly who his father was referring to. Long ago but not soon forgotten. He would soon get what he deserved.

"I want a piece this time," Lila appeared in the doorway, licking her lips like a starved tiger.

"Surprisingly enough, he's hiding out in an abandoned warehouse near the school," Gabriel nodded. "My men found his whereabouts."

"Can't wait to coat my knife in his blood," Adrien replied, unmoving and emotionless. "When do we begin?"

"Sundown," Gabriel replied. "For obvious reasons."

Adrien nodded, tucking his favorite knife into his belt and pulling the polo shirt over. Lila cracked her knuckles and borrowed a gun for herself.

And so the two assassins rolled out in the black SUV. The sun was quickly setting and it was soon time to strike.

*

Marinette anxiously approached the movie theater with Alya in tow. Various movie posters decorated the inside of the theater. She studied each one carefully.

"Where is he?" Alya asked, looking at her watch. "It's 6:56."

"He's just running late," Marinette shrugged. "You know I'm not the most punctual either."

"That is true," Alya nodded. Her phone rang and she walked away, taking the call.

Marinette was trying to remain optimistic. She definitely was not stood up. Never. He seemed so nice and down to earth. There's probably bad traffic.

Alya got off the phone, a frown on her face. "I hate to abandon you, girl, but they need me at the station. Said it was urgent. Is it okay if I leave real quick and come back?"

Marinette smiled, confident Alex would be there any minute now. "Of course go ahead."

"Text me if anything happens," Alya nodded, hopping in her car. She started it and drove off down the street.

Marinette waited there.

And waited.

And waited.

7:30 came and passed. The time the movie was supposed to start and 45 minutes after the time they agreed to meet up at.

A frantic text or two later and Marinette sighed in disappointment.

She cursed to herself. Of course nothing could go her way. Of course she was screwed over by a guy she liked. He didn't even send her a text with a heads up.

She refused to cry. She was used to this. All too often, she felt the feeling of disappointment.

All she wanted to do was go home and eat her sadness away.