The Line Between Love And Hate

Chapter 12: You're On The Market?

~Marinette~
"I can't believe we're having dinner with my ex." "If you want we can have dinner with my ex next." I tease and Adrien smirks. "Which one? Felix or Luka?" "Why not both?" "Teasing you about this isn't fun." I laugh lightly.

"Let's just get this dinner over with." Adrien grabs his jacket from the bed and puts it on. "And here I was thinking we were going to enjoy this night."

"Trust me this night is not going to be enjoyable for either of us. Not only are we eating together, but you threw Chloe into the mix." He squeezes the bridge of his nose. "I'm getting a headache just thinking about it."

"Aw you poor thing. You need a kiss to make it better?" He rolls his eyes and throws a pillow at me. "Hurry up and get ready!" "You're even more grouchy than usual today." I walk into the restroom to apply my lipstick.

"Wake up with a wet face?" I ask as I walk back out. "That's not funny." I laugh. "Where's your sense of humor Adrien? It was hilarious."

"Not when you're the one getting cold water poured on your face." "I wouldn't know." He rolls his eyes. "You ready?" "Just about." I walk around the room shifting stuff. "What are you looking for?" "My bag." I get on my knees and look under the bed.

"It would be a shame if something happened to it." I look up at him. "What did you do?" He smirks and shrugs. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Adrien." I stand up and slowly make my way over to him. "It's my favorite purse." "Yeah I can kinda see that."

"If anything happened to it, I will murder the first person I lay eyes on. And considering that we're the only people in this room, that person will be you. So if you know where it is, tell me now and we can enjoy the rest of this night."

"That sounds very unlikely. You're not getting it back until we get back." He walks out of the room and I'm forced to follow after him.

~~

Chloe stands up when she sees us and waves us over. "You actually came." She says with a smile. She gives us a hug before sitting back down. A very awkward hug might I add.

"How have you guys been?" "Good." Adrien and I say at the same time. We turn to each other with a disgusted look. Chloe takes a sip of her wine.

"So how did this happen?" She motions between us. "It didn't." "So you're hanging out in London just cause? I thought you both got into a huge fight that ended your friendship."

I grab my glass and sink down in my chair. "We did." Adrien says. "I don't get it?" "We're here solely for work purposes." She nods. "Nothing going on with you two?" I sit up straight. "Absolutely nothing. We're partners and that's it." I say. "Nothing has and nothing ever will happen between us."

"So what I'm hearing is that you're on the market?" Chloe looks down at her glass with a smile. Adrien's body goes tense. I feel my smile grow. I laugh a little and nod.

"Oh yes. Adrien is definitely on the market and I'm sure he'd be delighted for you to take him off." Adrien elbows my sides. "No, that's not what I mean. Adrien and I have been there before and never again." He relaxes.

"I'm confused? That's why you invited us to dinner right? To confirm we weren't dating?" "Yes, but not so I can try to date him again. I needed to confirm you're single." "Me? Why me?"

"I have a friend that I think would be good for you." "You want to set me up?" I furrow my eyebrows and Adrien starts laughing. I bring my elbow to his side.

"Who's the poor guy?" "Luka." Adrien's laugh grows louder. "Couffaine?" Chloe nods. "We've dated before." "Really? When?" "I got with him about a month after you two started dating."

The waiter comes over. Adrien and Chloe order and the waiter turns to me. "And for you?" "Hmm... I'm hungry today, so I guess I'll have the most expensive steak, the lobster, potatoes-"

"What form would you like them in?" "What do you have?" "Baked, french fries, curly fries, crinkle cut, mashed-" "I'll take all of them. Also a burger, the soup-" "Which soup?"

"Hm? Which soup?" I ask turning to Adrien. "None." I smile and nod. "You're right that's probably too much food." "You think?" He says sarcastically as I turn back towards the waiter.

"I'll have all of them please. Your fanciest and most expensive wine, and finally a salad." The waiter nods as he writes it down.

"Are you serious?" Adrien asks after the waiter leaves. "What?" "Mari you basically ordered the whole menu." "What's wrong with that?" "You don't think it's a little much?" "Adrikins!" Adrien turns to Chloe.

"You never shame a woman for what she eats! What is wrong with you?" "Yeah what is wrong with you Adrikins?" He rests his face in his hands.

"Now back to our previous topic. You wouldn't want to date Luka again?" "I mean he's sweet and we're really good friends now, but I don't want to ruin what we have." Chloe nods. "That's understandable. Let me know if you change your mind." "I will."

~

We spend the rest of the night chatting and eating. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. Chloe really has changed. She's not the cold little girl she was before.

"Okay well it's getting late. It was great seeing you guys." "It was good seeing you too." Chloe smiles as she grabs her check and goes to the register.

I grab my check from the table and hand it to Adrien. "What are you doing?" "Giving you my check." "Why?" "You're paying." "What? No I'm not." "Yes you are. My wallet is in my purse."

"Are you crazy? This bill is expensive Mari!" "I know." I say with a smile. "When did you notice you didn't have your wallet?" "When you told me you had my purse."

"And you didn't think to tell me anything?" "You were the one that wanted to take my things, so now you have to pay. Literally and figuratively." I stand up with a smile. "Grab my to-go boxes will you?" I smile at him and walk out the restaurant.