The Line Between Love And Hate

Chapter 45: The Party

~Friday, December 30th~

My father has always been one to use his power to intimidate others. His glare shows me that much hasn't changed.

All my life I tried to find the courage to stand up to him. It took everything inside of me to do it that night. But since then I've grown. Im not the same childish kid I was back then. And if he thinks Im just going to back down and leave then he has another thing coming.

Marinette clears her throat making our attention shift to her. She gives me a soft smile before saying, "I should probably go mingle." She leans closer to me. "Call me if you need me." She presses a kiss to my cheek before she leaves.

I look back at my father and he has a smirk on his face. "I see you've finally for the girl." I nod. "Seems like it yeah." "Don't let that get to your head son. Who's today she won't leave again?" "And who's to say she won't?"

I open my mouth to continue going on but, I bite my tongue. "You know what? That's not even why I came." "Why exactly did you come?" "Marinette wants us to start the new year fresh." "She thinks everything can be repaired in one night?"

I shake my head. "I know for a fact it can't. But I'll be damned if I don't try."

~Marinette~

I wonder around the mansion when I find myself in Adrien's old bedroom. I'm digging around when I hear the door creak. I turn and see Nathalie leaning in the doorway. "Not enjoying the party?"

"I just needed to get away. It was getting a little tense." She nods. "I see nothings changed." My eyebrows pull together. "What?" "You still run when things get hard."

"That's not what I was doing." "That's what it looked like. Things got tense between Adrien and Gabriel, so you decided to take a step back. You did the same thing when it was between you and Adrien."

"I don't even-" "He was a mess after you left. You know that?" My heart drops to my stomach. "I know that." "While you were out in New York living your new bright and shiny life, Adrien was here sulking every second you were gone."

"My life was far from bright and shiny." "You broke his heart." "Yeah well he did the same to me." "So what? You left because of that? Adrien would've never done that to you."

I scoff. "I don't really see how this is any of your business." She steps closer to me. "I think it's time we set a little ground rules."

~Adrien~

"You look happy with her." "I am. This is the happiest I've been in a long time." "I just have one question for you." I nod for him to continue going. "Do you know the full story?" "What do you mean?"

"Do you know the reason she left? Why she didn't say goodbye to you?" I take a deep breath and shake my head. "We're working towards that."

"How long do you think you can keep holding this off? It's been 6 years." "I know. I just don't want to risk losing her. Something bad is bound to happen once this all comes out."

"Something bad is bound to happen whether the truth comes out or not. You can't guarantee your happiness until you know the full story." I nod and just before I can speak Marinette walks over and links her arm through mine.

"Adrien, I want to leave." She says. I can't help but notice she looks a little spooked. My dad nods his head before walking away.

I turn towards her and rub my hands up and down her arms. "Woah what happened?" Her eyes full with tears and she shakes her head. She lifts her hand and tugs at her earring. "Nothing. I'm just having a panic attack."

"Okay. Let's get out of here." I lead her outside to the car. Her hands are trembling. She takes a few deep breaths. " Do you want to talk about it?" She shakes her head and gives me a soft smile.

"I think I'm just overwhelmed. There was a lot of people. I guess I was just scared of getting caught." Guilt consumes me. "Oh fuck. Mari I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to put all this pressure on you."

She shakes her head. "No don't blame yourself." "It's hard not to when I'm the one that made you snoop." She grabs my hand. "Agreste. I promise you. I'm okay. Don't worry about it."

Her hand is no longer shaking and her breathing has calmed down. She smiles at me. "I found a clue." I quickly pull the car over.

"No way." She nods. "What is it?" "It's a security video. From the night XY was murdered." "The one that was wiped out?" "You got it."

"No way. This can't be-" "Hey. We don't know if it's him yet. We haven't even seen the video yet. He could be covering up for someone else." I give her a kiss. "Yeah. Nothing to get worked up over yet."