The Line Between Love And Hate

Chapter 20: The Gala

~Marinette~
I make my way over to the gala and I can see the lights from a few streets away. I pay the cab driver before stepping out. The house is decorated beautifully and filled with people.

I step inside and my eyes spot Alya and Nino. "M!" Alya shouts as soon as she sees me. She rushes over with a big smile. "You look gorgeous." "Me? Have you seen yourself? Look at you amazing."

"So where's your date?" "Would you stop with that. He's not my date. I'm just helping him with his dad." "You care an awful lot for someone who says they don't care." Nino says as he places his hand on Alya's back.

"I don't care." "Aw isn't that cute babe? She's in denial." "I'm not in denial." "Okay okay. We'll stop teasing you. So where's Adrien?" Alya looks at Nino and Nino shrugs. "He told me he'd be here soon."

"I'm gonna go get a drink." "Already?" "I'm gonna be spending the night helping Adrien with his daddy issues. I'm going to need a lot of alcohol." Alya laughs as I walk away.

I walk over to the bar and order a red wine. "Drinking so early into the night? And here I thought you were still that innocent girl." His voice comes from behind me.

"Don't tick me off tonight Agreste. I'm doing you a favor." "A favor that you volunteered to do." I turn my head to throw him a glare. "Easy there princess. You're gonna kill someone with those looks." "That's the plan." I say before taking a sip of the wine.

"Have you seen him yet?" "Nope. Have you?" He shakes his head. I feel his eyes on me as I scan the room. My skin starts to get hot.

"Whatever it is you want to say just spit it out." "I think I owe you an apology." I look at him and his eyes are filled with an emotion I'm not used to seeing from him anymore.

"The other night, I didn't mean what I said. It was just with the environment we were in. I guess it all just went to my head- not that I'm trying to make up an excuse or anything-" I let out a little laugh. "I'm rambling aren't I?" I nod. "A little."

"I- I just don't want to make things even more tense with us." "It's fine, but I think we should just keep this arrangement the way it is." He nods. "Me too. As soon as this case is over I'll be out of your hair and you'll be out of mine." He holds his hand out. "Deal?" "Deal." I say and shake his hand.

"Marinette! It's good to see you." Gabriel says as he makes his way over to us. Adrien tenses up. "I don't think I want to do this anymore." "It'll be fine."

"Adrien. I didn't expect to see you here." "Father. I see you've kept the house the same." Gabriel nods. "Yeah well I've been meaning to make a few changes. I just always seem to be busy." Adrien nods his head in agreement.

An awkward tension grows over us. It's noticeable neither of them want to be here right now. Honestly I don't even want to be here right now. But I said I'll help, so that's what I'll do.

"Um so how's the business going?" "It's good. I've been a little distracted lately, but I'll manage." "Have you looked into finding help?" He nods. "Yes, but I can trust very few people." "Well who better to trust than your own son?" "What?" They say in sync.

"You're able to trust him. You've done it before. He'd be happy to help." I grab the side of his arm and give it a gentle squeeze. "Isn't that right Agreste?" "Ow- Y-yes it is." "No I wouldn't want you to have too much on your plate." "Well-" Adrien starts but I interrupt.

"Are you kidding? His plate is no where near full. It's practically empty." I'm lying. Adrien knows it and so does Gabriel. I'm only saying this to push Adrien's buttons. And who knows, maybe it'll work on getting Gabriel to let Adrien work with him.

Adrien rolls his eyes as he bumps his side into mine. But due to his height, his hip hits my waist.

"We've actually been assigned a case together." Adrien says and Gabriel nods. "That explains this little arrangement." He says motioning between us.

"What's your case about?" "We're trying to track down Hawkmoth." "H-hawkmoth?" I nod. "Have you guys found anything yet?"

"We figured out he has a partner and we already have a lead on his next target." "A- a lead?" "Yep. We're hoping to use the lead to track him down." "Are you okay? You look kind of pale?" I ask. "No I-I'm fine. Just Hawkmoth has caused a lot of problems for the people of Paris. I hope you're able to find him." "Us too. The sooner the better."

"Sunday 10 o'clock." Gabriel says turning his attention to Adrien. "Hm?" "You can start for me Monday." "B-but I never-" Gabriel puts his hand on Adrien's shoulder.

"You can help me out, we'll talk, I'll teach you about my business, you'll tell me about your case. We'll catch up on everything we've missed out on. How does that sound?" "I- uh- yeah. Sure. That sounds fine father." Gabriel does what looks like a smile and walks away.

"It worked! I told you my Marinette magic would come in handy!" "Nothing on my plate? Did you really have to say that?" He shifts his body in front of mine and glares at me. "Did you seriously expect me to help without having a little fun? Come on Agreste who do you think I am?"

"Well how about I return the favor?" "And how do you plan to do that golden boy?" "Dance with me." He holds his hand out and I laugh as I take it. "You do know that this doesn't count as a favor right?" He leads me onto the dance floor and furrows his eyebrows.

"Why not?" Leaning into me, he whispers in my ear, "You see all the girls here? They're just dying to dance with me. This is more than a favor princess." He leans back and there's a smile on his face. "You're an idiot."

~Alya~
"Alya! Look! They're dancing." Nino continuously hits my arm trying to get my attention. "Nino!" "Sorry. We should request their song." "You don't think that's too obvious?" "Who cares. It'll bring up memories for the both of them. We need to do it." I nod and walk over to DJ and request for him to play the song.

~Adrien~
I look down at Mari as soon as the song begins to play to see if she remembers how much meaning it holds. She looks up at me, but this time when I look into her eyes I don't see the girl I hate. I see my best friend. The person I was in love with for so long. I see the person I lost.

Is it possible to hate someone with all your heart, but still hold so much love for them? That's the way it is with Mari. No matter how much I hate her, no matter how much we push each other away, I'll always feel myself longing for her.

She was such a huge part of my life. She was the only person I was able to talk to about absolutely anything. And when she left... I was broken. A part of me will never be able to forgive her for that. But the other part... It's willing to put everything aside just to have her in my life again.

I finally have her back and no matter how many times I say otherwise, I'm not willing to let her go again.

"Mari-" She pulls away from me and it feels like my world is ending all over again. "It's the song." She looks away from me. "I- I can't." "Why not?" When she turns her head back at me, her eyes look glossy. "The song. You. It's all too much. I can't- W-we can't."

I grab her hand and gently pull her towards me. "It's just you and me Mari. Just like old times." She sighs and I can feel her becoming distant again. "What's wrong?" "I don't want it to be like old times." She can't bring her eyes to mine. She's hurting and I don't know why.

What could I have done to make her toss me aside? What could I have done to cause her this much pain?

"Mari, what did I do?" She finally meets her eyes with mine. "Hm?" "What did I do that made you leave?" She opens her mouth to say something but nothing comes out.

Our dance is interrupted when Tikki and Plagg run over to us. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but we have a problem." "What is it?" I ask. "XY was found dead in the back of the house."

Marinette looks at me with her face filled with concern. "That means-" "Hawkmoth was here at the gala."