The Line Between Love And Hate

Chapter 42: New Years Eve

~Thursday, December 29th~

"Do you and Adrien have any plans for New Year's Eve?" Alya looks up from her laptop. I shrug. "I don't know." "You don't know? M it's tomorrow."

"Adrien mentioned something about maybe trying to fix things with his dad." "Adrien mentioned? Or you did?" "I just slightly nudged him." Alya raises her eyebrow and I sigh. "Okay fine! It was my idea."

"And you think New Years is the day to do that?" "They've been out of touch for too long and the new year is the perfect time for a new relationship between them."

"And you're not tagging along?" "I think that's something private. I mean I don't even know why they stopped talking." "He never told you?" I shake my head. "I mean I know they got into an argument, but I don't know what one could've said to make them stop talking."

"He didn't tell you?" "Well I mean we weren't exactly on the best terms when I came back Al." "And who's fault was that?" I roll my eyes.

"Have you guys talked about it yet?" I shake my head. "It's only been a few days." "And how long do you think you can go without getting all of it off your chest?" I shrug. "As long as I can."

"M, I can see how much it hurts you just to think about it. I don't think it's good for you to keep this in." "We barely started dating. I'm scared that if we bring this up so soon we'll lose it all."

"You can't just-" She stops talking when she sees Adrien rushing over. "Mari! They were lying." Adrien rushes in and sits on my desk. "Good morning by the way." He gives me a quick peck.

"Who was lying?" He ignores my question and says, "Someone on our list is Hawkmoth." "How do you know?" "3 out of the 6 people had the same alibi the day XY was murdered." "Okay? What does that mean?" "They said they were at a fashion show, but there wasn't a fashion show the night he died."

"Who was it?" "Chloe, Audrey, and my father." "Your dad?" "How deep did you actually dig into him?" "Are you insinuating that I didn't do my research?" "It's just a question." "I-" "You didn't."

I sigh and shake my head. "I skimmed." "Skimmed? That's it?" "You already seemed so upset Agreste." "So you decided to just completely throw this mission for me?" "What? No. I was going to look, but-"

"I'm going to his house tomorrow." My eyebrows pull together at the sudden change of subject. "Um okay? That's good." "You're coming with me." I nod. "If that's what you need." "And you're going to look into him."

My face falls flat. "What? That's crazy." "It's perfect." "Except it's not. You're supposed to go there to rekindle your relationship with him. Not to snoop."

"I don't really care if I fix things with him or not. I was only going to go because you wanted me to." "This isn't a good idea." "It's a great idea." "What the hell am I even supposed to look for?" He shrugs. "You'll figure it out."

"Why the sudden change of heart? Why do you want to investigate him all of a sudden?" "I was just upset at the possibility that he could be Hawkmoth. Even though we don't speak anymore l, he's still my dad." I nod waiting for him to continue.

"I was afraid of my whole world flipping upside down. I couldn't go through that. Not again." His gaze softens up as he says that. It's so obvious he's referring to me leaving.

"Adrien-" "I know I know. That's a conversation for another time." He gives me a soft, but painful smile. "Just be ready for tomorrow okay?" I nod and he gives me a kiss before walking away.

"Come on M. That poor man is hurting." I turn my attention back to her. "Do you ever mind your business?" She laughs and shakes her head. "Your business is my business." She stands up and grabs her keys.