Please, Forgive Me || ADRIENETTE

9. Stuck together like glue.

Chloe? Chloe Bourgeois?

Marinette stared in disbelief watching the evil blue eyes smiling with a smirk. She could feel herself shrinking in her seat, as Chloe was staring her down like she used to do.

Adrien could feel it too.

Marinette used to be headstrong and fearless; the sight of Chloe could never faze her. But the way she acted now, he could tell she had emotional trauma. Adrien didn't like the sight of this one bit. Marinette grew quiet and turned her head down to avoid the gaze of Chloe.

Adrien cleared his throat, "introductions are over. Everyone is dismissed." His clear voice spoke, making his staff shuffle out and exiting the elevators. Some even rushed to the stairs to leave.

Probably because Chloe was here.

While everyone left, Chloe had stayed put in her seat, a palm resting under her chin with a bored expression. "Did you not hear me? I said to leave." Adrien said, pulling his posture upright and crossing his arms in front of him with a glare.

Chloe rolled her eyes, "relax Adrikins. I just wanna have a small little chat with our new hire / old classmate."

It was now a glaring battle between the two blondes. And Marinette took note of this. In high school the two were very close, never once saw them argue or anything less than smile each other. But now they were staring at each other with a newfound hatred and irritation.

Although it was clear that they were arguing with their eyes, Chloe never scrapped the nickname she had given to him since middle school. "I don't think that's a good idea--"

"No," Marinette spoke, her voice hitched trying to speak an ounce without breaking into a cold sweat. "Chloe and I should... catch up. Like good friends."

Did Marinette want to? No. Did Marinette have to? No. So why was she?

Marinette needed to be professional. And if it meant being professional to talk with Chloe, so be it. She was ready to put up with her PTSD, even if it meant being with the person who caused it.

Chloe smiled. "You heard her, Adrikins. So beat it." Adrien's brows furrowed and narrowed to Chloe, not moving an inch from where he stood.

Again, he leaned down to Marinette's ear and landed her hand on her shoulder, but instead of the nervous feeling running across her back, she flinched in her seat at his touch. Adrien saw that as well.

Whatever small progress I made this morning, even last night, was gone. Adrien could tell that just the sight of Chloe alone brought back the whole reason why she left in the first place.

Even Marinette couldn't deny that she wanted to flee again. But she had to remember. This was for her career. This was for her future.

Adrien took his hand off her and leaned back, biting his lips dragging his eyes to Chloe, and glaring at her from afar. "That's okay, Mr. Agreste. I'll come to your office when we're done." Marinette was trying her best to sound like the fearless girl she once was. But she failed.

But Adrien couldn't say anything else, but to follow her orders. Yes, follow her and only her orders.

He clenched his fists but walked towards his personal elevator doors. "I'll be watching the cameras Marinette. You'd have better not run off anywhere." This was not what Adrien wanted to say. It came out as if it was muscle memory, and he even cringed at the tone of voice he said to her.

But with that, the elevator doors closed.

Leaving the two girls alone. The two girls who hadn't seen each other since high school, were now fully grown women, alone.