Enemies With Benefits

Chapter 45: His Mother's Ring

Adrien sat at his desk, his chin placed on his fist. A sigh escaped his lips as he thought about the difference between New York City and Paris. The difference between America and France. He walked over to his penthouse window, staring at the Empire State Building.

He stared at his reflection in the window... he hated it. Marinette never said that she loved him back when he left Paris, otherwise perhaps he would've stayed. He had just received his fathers fortune, not that he needed it as he was already insanely wealthy due to his modeling career.

New York had pictures of Adrien's face and abs plastered across billboards and magazines. New York had Adrien's penthouse and modeling career. New York had his business and individual success. But New York... did not have Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Paris had his heart. Paris was his home without a doubt. Paris had his friends, and the love of his life. Paris had the memories of his life growing up, and the memory of his father and mother. Paris had Tom and Sabine, who seemed to be his only form left of parental comfort. They treated him like family, and they supported his relationship with Marinette.

So what the fuck was stopping him?

Oh yeah... now he remembered.

"LET GO!" Marinette screamed, the glass inside the bakery breaking and releasing more fire. "NO!" Marinette screamed, the tears sliding down her face as she kicked and screamed. Adrien just cried, his eyes widened as he stared at the fire that lit the bakery. The firefighters tried their best to put it out. The water that hit some of the fire causing more smoke.

The screams marinette let out were faint, the fire crackling was louder... the bakery beginning to crumble as a few medics tended to the rescued customers.

Adrien had suddenly loosened his hold on her, thinking about too much. That was when Marinette ran into the bakery. A few firefighters running in after her as Adrien immediately took off after her. Then he was pulled back by several Police officers, he tried to reach Marinette again...To hold Marinette again.

His mind racing with thoughts as the second floor of the bakery... came tumbling down.

That was the day he realized he failed to protect Marinette. He failed to protect Sabine and Tom. And he could never ever let something happen like that again. He would never put Marinette in danger again for his own convenience, because he loved her.

He remembered the time when Alya and Marinette were sent to the principals office because Marinette was getting bullied because of him. He had failed to protect her... again.

Even if it hurt to stay away from her, he knew it was for the best. He had to remind himself over and over again, it was for the best.

His phone began to ring, Alya Cesaire? Why was she calling him?

He picked up, "Hey Alya, what can I do for you?" He said casually, why would she be calling him?

"You can take your little happy ass right back to Paris if it's not too much to ask."

Adrien furrowed a brow, "W-what?"

"Adrien... Marinette is happier when you're here. You don't know this but... when you left she chased after you but your plane had already taken off. She loves you, Adrien. And I know you love her too."

Adrien's lips parted in disbelief, his heart felt like it had stopped. She... chased after him? He shook his head, no way. He had to remind himself of what he did, how he failed to protect her. He didn't want to put her in any danger again, he refused to. "I... can't." He said softly, there was silence on the other line.

"It's about the fire... isn't it?" Alya asked, in a soft tone.

Adrien squeezed his eyes shut, his fists balling as he thought about the screams. "It's not just the fire." He admitted, "You don't understand I... I failed to protect her Alya. Remember how insecure she was because of me? Tom and Sabine shouldn't have even survived you know that? If something had happened like that again I- I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."

"You know how much they had to spend to repair the bakery? They almost died, because of me. Even my father hurt Marinette..." his eyes began to swell up with tears. "She went through so much... because of me, Alya. I don't want to make that mistake again."

Alya sighed, "What exactly do you think your doing right now Agreste? Protecting her? She went through a lot, but Adrien none of it was your fault you can't keep blaming it all on yourself. The insecurities were caused by all those girls, not you. The fire was because of Kagami, not you. And your father hurt Marinette, but how was that your fault?"

"You have a lot of guilt that doesn't belong to you, Adrien. I know you're happier when you're with her too. Being away from her isn't protecting her, I promise. But being there for her, and apologizing... for everything, is protecting her..."

Adrien narrowed his eyebrows, he stayed quiet. Was Alya... was she right? She ended the phone call, leaving him with so many thoughts. Marinette chased after him... and she didn't blame any of it on him. Being there for her was protecting her? He frowned in determination.

"Aiden..." he said softly, referring to his assistant.

"Yes sir?"

"Schedule the fastest plane to Paris, please."

"Yes sir."

Adrien turned around and smiled softly, "Thank you Aiden, for everything. Once I take off to Paris, I won't be coming back."

A small smile spread across his assistants lips, "I had a feeling you'd say that."

"You'll be okay? If you ever need anything, just let me know." Adrien said kindly, and Aiden nodded. "I think I'll be okay, sir."

Adrien watched as his assistant left the room, closing the door. Adrien walked over to his desk, pulling open one of the drawers. A small box was kept inside of it, it was very important to him. He opened it, it was his mother's ring. A small smile spread across his lips as he remembered how much she loved it.

He closed the box, he knew exactly what he was going to do.