Love by Design - Adrienette

Chloé and Behold

"Marinette, sweetie, we discussed this last night and we decided you are forbidden from visiting the Agreste residence again."

Immediate waterworks weren't quite what Tom and Sabine had expected from their daughter. It seemed she had become far more attached to the Agreste boy than they had realized. Sabine pulled Marinette into a hug, rubbing her back. "Maybe that didn't come out right. We trust you, and we don't have anything against Adrien, but..."

"It's Gabriel," Tom growled. "I don't want you anywhere near that man and his twisted plans. What your mother said is correct. Adrien seems like a decent enough young man - in fact, he seems to be a victim of his father's regime - so you're still allowed to talk to him at school, and you may continue to hang out with him and Alya and... what's that other boy's name?"

"Nino," Sabine supplied.

"Yes, that's it. We're not trying to punish you for anything. Maybe you could even invite Adrien over here some time. Just no going to his house, and in case the occasion ever arises, no accepting a ride in their car. Understood?"

The tears stopped, but Marinette still had a heavy feeling in her stomach. While not as bad as the first statement had suggested, distrust between her parents and his father wouldn't exactly help the relationship. Surely they were overreacting? No one among her friends actually liked Adrien's father, but he wasn't evil, right? She had no idea what they were on about.

One thing was certain; her parents were only ever looking out for her best interests.. She wouldn't even be dating Adrien if it weren't for them - not yet, anyway. Excitement fluttered in her as she thought of how inevitable Adrien and herself being together now seemed. She had no room to complain!

After agreeing somewhat reluctantly, she had breakfast and went to school. She might have been on time for once, but the conversation resulted in her being late. What's new?

By the time Marinette sat down in her seat she had a smile back on her face, but Alya the Observant noticed traces of puffiness underneath her friend's eyes - evidence that tears had been there not too long before.

"Girl, what's wrong? You were crying, you can't hide it from me!"

After Marinette related the morning's events to her friend, Alya burst out laughing. "Your life could be a TV show, Marinette! Now you've got forbidden love to top it off!"

Suddenly Marinette's nemesis, Chloe, was there leaning on the table. "Did I hear 'Marinette' and 'forbidden love' in the same sentence? That's no surprise, any love should be forbidden to a freak like her."

Marinette's usual response to Chloe's presence was a look of disgust to match Chloe's own, but not today. Her features wore a sadistic smile. She was going to relish this moment! "Say whatever you want, but I won't be able to take you seriously as long as I'm the one dating Adrien."

Chloe laughed, "Oh please, you with my Adrikins? Dream on."

Having the best - or worst - timing ever, Adrien's ears had just picked up the sound of his name, so he made his way over to the group. "I heard my name, what are you talking about?"

"This joke here thinks she has a chance with you."

"I should hope so!" Adrien put a hand on Mari's shoulder. "We're dating."

"Excuse me? I don't think I heard you right."

"Marinette and I are dating. Want me to say it again?"

"Eww! Why would you want to date her? Marinette is clumsy and a freak."

"You don't have to worry about it. If she and I both want to date, we can."