HIATUS//Becoming Lila Rossi

Chapter 7: A Fresh View

Lila sat comfortably in the nurse's clinic, her eyes dancing with satisfaction as she relaxed against the pillows. The bandage on her ankle, which she had insisted on being wrapped tightly, felt more like a token of her successful plan than a necessity. The nurse, a warm and attentive woman with a soothing presence, had assured Lila that the injury was minor—a mere sprain. Yet, Lila reveled in the extra attention and sympathy she was receiving, her mind already planning how to use this small episode to her advantage. She glanced toward the door with a hint of anticipation, her thoughts swirling with the possibilities this new attention could bring.

Outside the clinic, Adrien paced back and forth, his heart racing with an unfamiliar thrill. He hadn't felt this alive in a long time. Plagg, his kwami, hovered nearby, watching Adrien with a blend of amusement and disbelief. "What's gotten into you?" Plagg asked, his Cockney accent thick with curiosity. "You're acting like you've never talked to a girl before."

Adrien's grin was irrepressible. "It's not just any girl, Plagg," he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement with a hint of doubt. "It's Lila. She doesn't know who I am."

Plagg's tiny green eyes narrowed as he hovered closer. "So what? You think you'll win her over with your charm?"

Adrien hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "I don't know. It seems hard to believe that she doesn't recognize me. She's been so friendly and engaging."

Plagg sighed, his tone more serious. "Look, maybe she really doesn't know who you are. People do get caught up in their own worlds. Besides, you know how this can be. People see what they want to see."

Adrien's brow furrowed. "But why would she act like she doesn't know me? It feels... almost too good to be true."

Plagg floated closer, his expression softening. "Think about it, Adrien. She's not treating you like a celebrity. Maybe she genuinely doesn't know who you are, or maybe she just wants to connect with you on a more personal level. If she's telling the truth, isn't that a good thing?"

Adrien's grin widened slowly, as he considered Plagg's words. "Yeah, you're right. It could be nice to have a genuine interaction without all the fame attached."

Plagg nodded, a hint of approval in his voice. "Exactly. So just enjoy the moment. It's rare to find someone who sees you as more than just the model or the public figure."

Adrien's heart lightened as he accepted Plagg's perspective. "Okay, I'll try to just be myself with her. It's nice to have a break from all the expectations."

Inside the clinic, Lila's thoughts were already turning to how she could leverage this moment to her advantage. The attention she was getting from Adrien, even if it was just due to a staged injury, was a stepping stone in her plan. She envisioned herself becoming a central figure in the social circles of Paris, using her charm and newfound popularity to her benefit. The nurse's gentle reassurances and the sympathetic glances she received were exactly what she had hoped for. As she waited for Adrien to reappear, Lila's mind raced with strategies and possibilities, ready to make the most of the opportunities this new attention might bring.

As Adrien stepped back into the clinic, he was greeted by Lila's radiant smile. He felt a surge of warmth at the sight of her, and for a moment, all the pressures of his dual life seemed to melt away. Lila's eyes sparkled with a genuine friendliness that made Adrien feel seen for who he really was, rather than just a famous face. He approached her with a casual ease, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time.

"Feeling better?" Adrien asked, his voice soft and sincere.

Lila's smile widened. "Much better, thanks to you."

The conversation flowed naturally, with Lila maintaining a delicate balance between gratitude and subtlety. As they talked, Adrien found himself drawn to her genuine demeanor and the refreshing change she represented in his otherwise regimented life. Lila, for her part, was keenly aware of the impact her charm had on Adrien, and she used it to solidify the connection they were forming.

The nurse watched the interaction with a knowing smile, appreciating the genuine concern Adrien showed. She was familiar with the pressures of Parisian life and saw in Adrien a young man yearning for a moment of authenticity. As the minutes ticked by, it became clear that both Lila and Adrien were finding something meaningful in their encounter—a connection that went beyond the superficial and offered a glimpse of something real.