Helping Us Fall 2

4: Croissants

"Good!" Lila said pushing Matteo's hair back with her hand.

"Say it." Matteo looked at her in the eyes.

"Say what?" She said in a flirty voice.

"That you like my hair."

"It's soft."

"Hmm. So, since Zoe won't talk to me and I doubt Marinette will speak to you, we could just switch."

"Switch?"

"We should do each other's revenge. This way they won't suspect about us."

"One problem. They're both friends."

"We'll just have to be very convincing that we both changed for the greater good."

"You know how ridiculous you sound? For the greater good. Pathetic!"  Lila said with a mocking tone.

"My dear sweet Lila, we need to pretend."

"You think I don't know that? I've been my whole life pretending!" Lila declared to Matteo.

"Easy love, we'll get there. Now where does Marinette live?"

"You'll love it so much, that you won't even have to eat breakfast first thing in the morning before arriving there."

"No way, the Boulangerie?" He said in excitement.

"Bingo! And what will you say when you meet her?"

"My heart belongs to you."

"Can you take this seriously? She's madly in love with Adrien. She won't listen to you if you start like that, you'll drive her away. Be more convincing."

"It's my first time in Paris and I got lost, may you help me find the bakery?

"That's more like it. Fine, I'll accept you improvising the conversation, but don't talk about me at all or she'll think I sent you to spy on her, which is true, but we don't want her to notice now, do we?" Lila said with a devilish smile.

"Fine, I won't mention you. I'll go to sleep now and I recommend you do the same. Good Night, love."

"Good night, Matteo." Said Lila while leaving home.

During daytime, Lila's plan went ahead. She went to Zoe and Matteo went to Marinette.

"Excuse me, sorry to bother you, but I'm afraid that I'm lost." Matteo explained to Marinette.

"How can I help you?" Marinette asked.

"I'm looking for a bakery."

"You're in luck, I'm heading there right now."

"Awesome."

"Where are you from?" They started to walk.

"I'm Italian, but I was studying in New York."

"No way, I have a friend that was studying there as well. By the way my name's Marinette, sorry for the late introduction." She said while extending her hand towards Matteo.

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Matteo." He grabbed her hand to shake.

"Well Matteo, you have arrived at your destination."

"I can't wait to eat a croissant."

"They're delicious. You'll love them."

"Only I don't have anyone to eat them with me." Matteo made a sad face.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Hey! Maybe I can keep you company." Marinette suggested.

"I'd like that very much." Replied Matteo with a smile.

"So, you like them?"

"They're amazing." Said Matteo while taking a bite of the croissant.

"Did you came alone?"

"I'm in an internship right now."

"About what?"

"Acting."

"Is there any chance you know...? Nevermind." Marinette shake her head.

"If I know...?"

"Zoe Lee?"

"Isn't she in a movie? Very cool by the way."

"It's awesome."

"You think she'll be in this internship?"

"I don't know."

"Well, it was very nice meeting you Marinette. Is there any chance I earned at least your phone number? Just in case I get lost again." Asked Matteo.

"Of course, I'll write it down for you in this croissant bag." Marinette said writing her phone number.

"Thank you Marinette, let's hope I can succeed the rest of the day."

"I'm sure you will, and if not, I'm just a call away." Marinette said while Matteo ran away from there, pretending he was late or something.

While Matteo ran away, Lila convinced Chloe to introduce Zoe to her.

"Lila, this is my sister Zoe. Zoe this is my friend Lila." Chloe introduced them.

"I've heard of you." Zoe said to Lila smiling.

"Good things, I hope." Lila laughed sarcastically at her.

"Not much, only that you're Italian. Is it true?" Zoe asked out of curiosity.

"Yeah, it is true and I also heard about you."

"Depends on where you heard it. If it was in Paris good things, but New York not so good, I'm afraid so."

"Oh no, do tell me. What exactly happened in New York?" Lila asked Zoe.

"I wouldn't want to relive it, if you don't mind."

"Of course, I'll be here if you ever need to talk about it."

"Thanks. Would you want to accompany me to see my boyfriend?" Asked Zoe.

"No, she's gonna meet my boyfriend first." Demanded Chloe.

"Oh sorry Chloe, I thought you guys wanted space since it's been almost a week since you didn't see each other."

"Almost a week? Don't tell me he wants to end things." Lila said worried.

"He doesn't want to end things. He's just been very busy at work." Explained Chloe.

"Well, you can take Lila if you want to Chloe." Said Zoe.

"Lila I'm so sorry, is it ok if I introduce you another time?" Chloe asked Lila.

"Of course Chloe." Lila agreed and left with Zoe to meet Luka.

"Luka, this is Lila. Lila, this is Luka."

"Nice to meet you Luka. Is that your guitar?"

"Yes it is. Want to play it?"

"I played in the past, but ever since I had arthritis I couldn't play it anymore." Lila explained.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. I wouldn't know what to do without music." Said Luka.

"I'm pretty sure you have other hobbies." Zoe said trying to cheer Lila up.

"I have to go, but it was so nice to meet you." Lila said pretending to look at the hour on the phone and leaving because she received a text from Matteo.

Matteo: I'm outside the hotel.

Lila: You're done already?

M: Yes, aren't you?

L: Of course.

Lila and Matteo met and started chatting.

"That's all you got? Her phone number?" Asked Lila mad at him.

"What else did you want?"

"To destroy her."

"News flash sweetheart, I decided that I like Marinette."

To be continued...