Made For Each Other [On Hold]

Chapter 6 - Adrien

"Lila. Go out with me," I puffed out my chest before deflating. My reflection did the same. 

"Ugh!" I collapsed back on my bed groaning. "This is never going to work." 

"Are you alright, darling?" Mum pushed my door open and peeked her head through. "Are you still practicing to ask her out?" 

I threw my arm over my eyes and nodded. 

The bed beside me depressed as she sat down. "I don't think you have anything to worry about, sweetheart. She's a beautiful young lady. Plus," she nudged my shoulder. "I think she likes you too." 

"Really?" I sat up and turned to her; Mum had always been a great judge of character. "How do you know?" 

"I remember her from when you were in school together for all those years; she's such a sweet little thing."

I frowned. "School? Lila only went to my school for a few months." 

"Lila?" It was Mum's turn to frown. "No, Marinette, dear. Who's Lila?"

"Marinette?! Mum, I like Lila. Not Marinette. Not in that way. Marinette's just a friend." 

She opened her mouth before closing it and opening it again. "You're not standing in front of the mirror reciting what you're going to say to ask Marinette out?" 

I felt my cheeks heat up. "No, Mum! God, no!" 

She turned away for a moment. 

"So who's Lila?" 

I let out a breath. "Ah, she's, uh... She's a model," I shook the thoughts of Marinette my mother had placed. "She models Father's designs, but she also models for different companies around the world." 

"Oh," her voice changed. "That one." 

Before I could ask what she meant by 'that one', she asked, "Are you sure you don't like Marinette?" 

"No, Mum!" my cheeks burnt like hot coals once more. 

"Hmmm," she stood up. "I could have sworn..." 

She shook her head. "Ah, well. Good luck, dear." 

Heading for the door, she paused at the threshold. "If things don't work out with...Lila, then don't close yourself off, darling." 

With that cryptic message, she left. 

Sighing, I grabbed my phone and headed out.  

***

Where is she? She said she'd meet me here. 

At the moment, I was pacing beneath a tree in the park she'd chosen (which had actually been an eleven block walk - why didn't I take the limo?), and she still wasn't here. 

I sighed and plopped onto the bench, glad that it was in the shade. 

Thirty minutes later, she arrived. 

A pristine silver limousine pulled up alongside the park and out she stepped, legs for miles and a body the sun revolved around. 

Instantly, my annoyance at waiting so long evaporated. She was here now, why would it matter if she was a little late. 

I hurried over to her as she stepped away from the limo, and joined her in a gazebo. 

"Lila! You came," I beamed at her. 

She glanced over at me. "Adrien, isn't it?" 

I stumbled for a moment. How could she not know who I was? She worked for my father. But I shook it off. She would know me soon enough. 

"Yeah, it is. How are you?" 

"I'm very busy. I have a hair appointment at three and a pedicure at four. Can we make this quick?" 

"Of course." Straight to the point. "I have a reservation at Le Cinq for tomorrow night and I was wondering if you would accompany me."

Her eyes light up and a smile transcended her entire face. Her whole posture relaxed. 

"Of course," her velvet voice ringed with happiness. "I'd love to accompany you." 

All the stress that had been piling up fell away. She really was a beautiful person. She wasn't selfish or cold-hearted like people suggested - she just kept up a wall around other people; she was a guarded person. 

"I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow night, then," I smiled at her. 

Watching her drive away, I grinned. 

Step one a success! I have to go tell Marinette! She'll be so happy for me!

"...such a sweet little thing...a beautiful young lady...I think she likes you too...Marinette, dear..." Mum's voice whispered through my mind and I froze. What if...

I shook my head. No, Mum was wrong. It didn't happen often, but this time she was. Marinette's my friend. 

I shook my head once more. No. Lila. I was one step closer to having Lila Rossi and I wouldn't let anything interfere with my plans. 

Le Cinq is an actual restaurant in Paris and for an 8 course meal it's 330 euros (that's about 517.90 Australian dollars; 409.44 US dollars).