Marinette's POV:

        This part takes place a week later.  Since that time, Adrien and Marinette have grown closer than they had before then.  

    The doorbell rings. 

   I answer it.  I stand there shocked to see Adrien's sister standing on my porch. I  did not know that Rachel was coming to see me.

   "Rachel, what brings you here?" I ask.

    "I came to speak to you," She says. I smile as she comes inside. It was a pleasant surprise having her drop by for a visit.

     Glenda greeted Rachel by purring and playing with a ball of yarn. "She must be the kitten my mom told me about, the one I believe my dear brother, Adrien gave to you,"  Rachel says.

   "Well, he found her as a stray, but yes I adopted her," I say.

    "Did my brother say anything to you about Lilac?" Rachel asked me.  I gasp, why should she ask me this?

    "Well, he said she was his fiance and that she died. I tried to ask more about her, but he refused to talk more," I reply.  "Why is there something about her I should know?" 

     "Where did  you get that shawl?" Rachel asks. I can tell she recognizes it.

   "Adrien gave it to me," I sigh. 

    "Wow, I am amazed because that is the one he made for Lilac. See, on their wedding day the same day he found out she died when she did not show up to it, he had this exact same shawl with him. He had planned to give it to her as something blue to surprise her," Rachel explains.

      "I honestly had no idea, but he did say it was hers, " I add.

   "Yes, well, did he tell you how she died?"  I shook my head at the question. I am sure he would tell me when he was ready.  "It was tragic, a drunk driver ran a red lot, and hit her, and she was thrown from the car. She was injured and died shortly after from the injuries," Rachel tells me.

   I feel tears form in my eyes. Poor Adrien, I thought. It is no wonder he hates to discuss Lilac with me.  

     "I have not seen my brother happy in years. At least not until you come around," Rachel says.

        "I haven't any idea, what you mean,"  I say.  "Well, he seems more like his old self to me, and he smiles more," Rachel says.  "Well, we are friends, maybe even best friends," I tell her.

        I hear her laughter. "I do not see anything fun about my and Adrien's relationship. Besides, it is not anyone's business," I respond with a scowl.  

        "Rachel, your mother is convinced Adrien loves me, but that is crazy. There is no way he sees me like that, and besides, he mostly keeps to himself.  He only asks my advice on a few things, and he and I are fine, the way we are.  So stop trying to make this into something it is not," I argue.  "Tsk, tsk, Marinette, you are naive then," Rachel remarks.

            "If you were ever in danger I know Adrien would come to your aid," Rachel says. "Yes, and?  Best friends would help each other out like that, that does not mean anything," I say.

               Adrien stood looking in the window and smiled. Neither of them knew this, and he preferred it this way. He blushed when he saw that Marinette still wore the shawl. She is beautiful he thought. He did not hear what they said or he might have been disappointed.

              He held a flower in his hand and planned to offer it to her. He did not know why he thought of it because he hadn't given a girl a flower in years.   He ducked before his sister could see him. He decided to wait until she left to give it to Marinette. 

           Rachel shook her head. Was Marinette this dense for real?  "Marinette, you naive girl. You will see soon enough what all the rest of us do," Rachel said and headed to the door.

          Marinette hugged her. "Rachel, it was great to see you. Feel free to drop in any time, "I say. I close the door before she can say another word about how much Adrien loves me. 

          After I hear her car pull away, I hear someone approach my front porch. I walk over to the door and look out the peephole. I see these gorgeous green eyes, w-wait, what? I blush.

          "Hi, Marinette," Adrien says as soon as I answer the door.

        "Hi, Adrien," I say. "Your sister was over here, and she said the silliest things,"  I told him.

    "Oh, what did she say?"  Adrien ask.  "She said that you love me. Can you believe it?" I blurt out and laugh.

  I thought he would agree with me. Instead, he hands me a flower.  "What is this for?" I ask. "It is for-for..." I could tell he struggled with the words.  "Come on you can tell me, Adrien?" I tease him.

    "Mari," He says. I hear his voice lower as he speaks. What in the world?  Adrien looks at the shawl and then at me.  "Lilac would not mind.  I think she would have wanted you to wear the shawl,"  Adrien explains.  He puts his hand on my cheeks. "I rather like seeing you wear it," He says.  I respond with a blush.

        "A-Adrien?" I mutter. Adrien took me by surprise when he kissed me. Sure it was on the cheek, but it was a kiss. I did not expect that kind of reaction when he saw me.

       I step back and shake my head. "Mari," He says, my name again. Why does he sound like he wants more from me?   

          Find out more in Chapter 14 

 Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlettes!

Summer out!