The Line Between Love And Hate

Chapter 11: Trust Me

"You agreed to the dinner? Are you out of your mind?!" Adrien says as we get into the taxi. "Its not like I had much of a choice Adrien! I was just trying to get her to stop questioning us about being a couple!"

"So in order to get her to stop questioning us, you agreed to dinner where she could question us the entire night?" "I- Well- I guess I didn't think this through." "You think?" "Whatever! She was being nice, the least we can do is go to dinner with her." "Nice? When has Chloe ever been known to be nice?"

"Today." "Today?" I nod. "She was sweet." "Chloe is not a sweet person." "Maybe not, but she was sweet today, so we're going to repay her kindness by accepting her offer to dinner."

"And you had to drag me into this?" "She's your ex Adrien." "Exactly! She's my ex. So you should be able to see why I wouldn't want to have dinner with her. I mean you wouldn't want to have dinner with Luka either."

"You're wrong actually. Luka and I are very close friends. Unlike you, I can keep a healthy relationship with all my exes." "Oh yeah?" "Yes." "All of them?" I nod. "What about Felix?"

I feel my body stiffen. "How do you know about me and Felix?" "He's my cousin Mari." "Yeah, but you two were never close." "He likes to rub all his relationships in my face. And when he was dating you he thought that would be a great one to rub in. He thought it would hurt me if I knew he was dating my best friend."

Adrien looks at me momentarily before turning back to his phone. "Ex-best friend." I turn my head towards Adrien. "Did it?" "Did it what?" "Hurt?"

Adrien looks up from his phone. His eyes are locked on mine. I swear I can see it. A hint of pain? Or is it resentment? I don't know. All I know is that there's this weird feeling in my stomach.

Adrien opens his mouth to talk, but nothing comes out. "Your stop." The driver says. Adrien pays and we get off.

~

We get seated to the dark table in the back. "What now?" "They should be getting here any second." Adrien says. I nod and look at the menu to fill the awkward tension.

"So about the ball." I move the menu and look at Adrien. "What about it?" "I was thinking of going for a black suit." "I don't take recommendations. You're going to wear whatever I make you. That was the deal."

"Okay, but can I at least-" "Ah." I put my finger up to shush him. "I have something in mind." "You're not going to make me wear cat ears are you?" "That was one time! And it was for a halloween costume!" Adrien laughs. "You think I would want to be a cat for halloween?" "You didn't object when I suggested it." He laughs as I lean back into the seat.

The waiter places glasses of water in front of us. "Can I get you anything?" He asks. Adrien leans over to me. "I am not paying for your meal." "Well then I'm glad I'm not eating."

"Why not?" "I'm not hungry." "Marinette you're always hungry." "They give such small proportions at places like this."

Adrien rolls his eyes. "Another moment please?" The waiter nods and walks away. "I'll eat if you pay." I tease. Adrien scoffs and shakes his head. "Yeah right. No way princess."

I take a sip of my water and Adrien rests his arms on the table. "Have you been designing much lately?" I shake my head as I place the water down. "Nope. I haven't designed anything in a while actually."

"And you expect me to let you design my outfit?" "I'll have you know that I happen to be a pretty talented designer." "How would you know? You said it yourself that you haven't been designing."

"Yeah, but I never said I wasn't any good." "Prove it then." "What?" "Prove it." "How would I do that?" "With whatever you design for me." I laugh and shake my head.

"You're trying to manipulate me into not sabotaging your look." He smirks. "Is it working?" I lean towards him and smile. "I guess you'll have to wait and see." He chuckles as I lean back in my seat.

Adrien nods his head toward the door. "That's the producer." "But where's XY?" "He's always late. Give him some time." "Wow Adrien I didn't know you were such a big fan." Adrien scoffs and rolls his eyes.

"As if. XY is a dick." "Takes one to know one." An obnoxious laugh comes from the direction of the producer. "Looks like he's here."

"You really think the producer is our guy?" "For our sake, I hope so. Do you?" "No." Adrien turns to me and furrows his eyebrows together.

"I mean come on. Look at them. Hawkmoth would never be dumb enough to meet up in public like this. People would spot them together and he'll be one of the last people seen with him. The last ones are always the first to be interrogated."

"Maybe he's smart with it? I mean he takes them to a fancy restaurant where everyone is rich and snobby. Everyone here only cares about themselves and pays absolutely no attention to anyone else." "But where's Mayura? She should at least be on stand by somewhere watching them."

Adrien looks around the restaurant. "Okay maybe I'm wrong, but if you're really right about XY being the next suspect it's best if we watch over him."

"I am right. Trust me." "I've done that before Mari and look how that turned out." "I mean with this Adrien. I know XY is the next target." "And how exactly do you know that?"

"I already told you." "No you didn't. From what I remember you said 'An idiot can figure it out' " "Well it's true." "No, but really how? I'm kind of curious." I shrug. "I have my ways Adrien."