•••

It was obvious that Bridgette wasn't going to let go of her grudge anytime soon. After that shocking discovery in the library, she has hardly even looked at him, let alone talk to him. Not that he made much of an effort anyway.

But lately, Marinette had been confused.

Why had Felix been ogling Bridgette for the past few days?

Bridgette always greeted him with a scowl and a roll of eyes. But despite all that, Marinette had managed to catch him staring at the older bluenette quite a few times. Not to mention a single flower of fresh rose found tucked away in her bag, everyday, without fail.

Talk about weird.

Bridgette, however was blissfully oblivious to these not-so-secret stares.

She happily hummed in as she she kept on arranging the books on the shelves, while a totally flustered Ms. Lily mumbled on something along the lines of 'secret admirer' and 'gifted chocolates'.

"Who? Who could've done that? I-I mean, I'm a married woman for heaven's sake! A downside of working in a store..."

While Bridgette totally tuned out Lily's voice and busied herself, Marinette couldn't help but notice a sulking Felix in the corner. She suddenly had a feeling that the chocolates might've not been for Ms. Lily after all.

***

The weather had turned considerably chilly in the next few days itself, signalling the approaching winter.

There was a thunderstorm last night, and it turned the weather, if possible, even more bad. And another bad one was predicted for the next day as well.

Bridgette handed Aurora the piping hot soup and put her cloak on.

"Now Stay home and rest."

If Aurora intended to say anything, she gulped it down her throat with a spoon of that hot soup as she tried to avoid her best friend's death glare.

Working in the bakery had been great, because of the homely and cozy feeling it offered.

"So are there any plans for tomorrow?"

Jenny just shrugged, working at the cash counter. It was a slow day, for people hardly came out their houses to shop, given the weather.

"So do you want to do something?"

"Sleep in, sleep in, and sleep in." She finished off with a light chuckle, toying with the peacock brooch on her dress as she munched on a cookie.

'Somehow, her happiness never reaches her eyes. I wonder what's her story.' Marinette wondered.

***

Later that evening Bridgette cursed as she made her way to the Bronn's bookstore in the bad weather. Ms. Lily literally begged her to come as she needed help with something important.

"I'll pay you double this month. But please, please, come tomorrow." She pleaded on as Bridgette stood there uncomfortably. In the end, she caved in and agreed.

"I hope it doesn't get too bad before I'm able to make it back home." She mumbled on as she finally reached her destination.

***

She fumbled on with the records in the storeroom as she tried sorting them out. She had been in there for quite some time, intent on finishing off as soon as possible.

"Ughhh this is taking forever. I'm so bummed!"

"Can I help?" Tikki asked as she peered at her holder from a pile of papers.

"Yes please, I'd require all the help that I'm offered."

An hour or two later, both of them finally managed to finish off the work and decided to call it a day.

"Woah. That was some hard work. Glad it's over now though."

The lights were off, and the candles were blown. The store seemed unoccupied.

"I wonder where Ms. Lily went? Anyway, I'll tell her tomorrow."

Shrugging, She readjusted her bag's strap and tried to push open the door. Except that it wouldn't budge.

"Wha- what the-?"

She tried again, this time with much more force, but the door remained stubbornly and firmly shut.

The initial shock wore off and the dreadful reality finally sunk in.

Oh no! She was locked in!

Marinette could feel the panic and dread filling in, but suddenly it was overcome by relief.

"Tikki!" Bridgette called out.

"I'm on it!" The little kwami piped in.

However, before Tikki could phase through and open up the door, lighting illuminated the library momentarily, and a deadly thunder rolled in.

"Uhh..I don't think it's the best idea to get out now Bridgette. It looks like it's going to be a very violent storm."

The dread, anger and desperation filled Marinette's heart once again.

Bridgette sunk down, against the wall and brought her knees closer to her face.

"This is barbaric, really. And I'm so hungry."

"You can share my cookies, if you like."

"Thanks Tikki"

The rain accompanied the thunder and lightning soon enough and it got considerably colder inside as well.

"H-Here, Tikki, get in the bag."

"But, what about you? You're cold too!"

"Don't worry about me, I'm okay."

She smiled and the kwami hesitantly did as asked. Bridgette closed her eyes and curled up in a ball, trying to channel in some warmth.

The thunder died down, however the rain showed no sign of stopping. The increasing cold frequently resulted in a sharp intake of breath from Bridgette.

Just when the thought of a possible sleepover in the store set in, the sound of muffled footsteps could be heard nearby.

They were faint, but audible.

Bridgette got up with a start, immediately on high alert.

"Who could it be? Here? At this hour?" She voiced out faintly.

The silhouette of that person was now visible against the dark backdrop and Bridgette readied herself for a fight, just in case. But then,

"Bridgette?"

His voice had shocked her to the core and never before had she ever thought that she'll be happy to hear his voice of all people.

"F-Felix? What are you doing here?"

The said person lit up a candle nearby and Bridgette could see his surprised expression, despite a light scowl.

"I could be asking you the same."

"Looks like Ms Lily accidentally locked me in." She replied curtly.

"Looks like she did the same to me as well."

The air around was thick with awkwardness yet again. Unable to take it anymore, Bridgette took her place back against the wall and stared intently at her clasped hands.

"You know.."

She looked up at him to see him putting a hand on the back of his neck and an apologetic expression on his face.

"..I'm really sorry about the way I acted before."

"I don't believe you." She huffed.

He sighed and took a seat beside her as well, his shoulders drooping.

"I don't really blame you for not. I'd be behaving the same way as you if someone treated me like that ."

Bridgette remained impassive, determined not to pay any heed to him. But in truth, Marinette could feel her heart beating frantically and her anticipation of what could happen next.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

"No." Her reply was curt and cold, meant to hurt. But instead he chucked which made her look at him.

"That's a first!"

"What do you mean?"

"I've never experienced someone treating me this way. It's honestly kind of refreshing and amusing."

"You are seriously mad, you know that?"

"Well, I've never been told so."

Despite her stone cold expression, Bridgette was having a serious fight to control that surfacing smile. Marinette could already feel the anger in her heart fading away for the blond boy in front of her.

"Why do you do this?"

She surprised herself when she asked him, her voice coming out much more softer than it intended to.

"Do what?" He asked, genuinely curious.

"Act this way. Act like you're cold and rude. Act, so unlike.....this you."

His expression dropped back to a dejected one as he sighed out an "oh".

Moments passed with neither one of them saying anything. Just when Bridgette gave up on getting an answer he spoke, very softly. If she hadn't been paying attention, she could've easily missed it with the sounds of the roaring storm outside.

"I'm not proud of it." He began. He looked over to her to find her staring at him wide eyed, and chuckled a bit.

"My own delusions and stupid reasons fuel my this type of behaviour."

"I-I don't understand.."

"I'm afraid, you see. I'm afraid of people not wanting me for me. I'm afraid of them only caring because of my family, my fortune. I'm afraid of them hurting me."

"I know it's stupid, but to avoid that, I shut them out even before they have the chance to enter my life. I do it to prefect myself."

"I never wanted all this wealth. Ever since my Mother's death, my father has been my only pillar of support. And he is very protective of me. So he hardly lets me out. Nash is the only person I've ever trusted beside him. But I feel lonely. I want more friends, more people in my life, but I'm afraid that if I let my guard down, I'll end up getting hurt."

"It's twisted, isn't it? I don't want to be lonely, but at the same time, I don't want company as well."

He chuckled again, but it was humourless and cold.

Marinette noticed just how very much Felix disliked himself.

"Even after I shut them down, they still trail after me, always so nice and helpful. Always so..so manipulative."

"But-But you are different."

This made her breath hitch and she ungracefully blurted out.

"M-me?"

He smiled at her, and for the first time did Bridgette noticed just how sincere he was.

"Yes, you aren't like any of them. You gave me a cold shoulder when I acted that way. You looked at me like another person for once, instead of an heir. You treated me as an equal. And I thank you for that."

"I-I.."

"And for that very reason, Bridgette, I find you unique. I find you interesting and intriguing. And I find myself trusting you."

Her heart was beating at an unbelievable rate and for the first time she realised just how close they were. The heat rushed on to her face and she was too dazed to process any information.

"And that's why I want to let you in Bridgette. To let my guard down, because I know you'll change me for the better."

The lightning and the thunder rolled in again, this time louder than the previous ones. But something shifted, and suddenly, she found herself lost in his gorgeous grey eyes. And before she could even stop herself, she found the words rushing out.

"That's why I want you in my life."

"So is this is the real you?"

"Yes, it is the real me."

"Then I'd be happy to, Felix. I'd really be."

***
Awww this was cute. The internet is over flooded with a stone heart Felix but I thought about changing his character a bit.

Q. Did I do justice to his character? Was his behaviour the other day accompanied with a good enough reason with the way he is?

I really like how this chapter played out. Especially that 'coup de foudre' or 'love at first sight' part.

Just like the umbrella scene.

Soo, are you excited to find out what happens next?

Please vote if you liked this chapter and leave tons of comments! Let me know what was your favourite part!

And please share this story and spread the word so that more people can read this.

Until then!
Belle💕✌🏻