The Truth and What Remains: An Adrienette story

Chapter 7: Starting Over

Hey guys! What's up? This is going to be a shorter chapter that leads into a chapter directly relating to this chapter, but read until the end to figure out what it is. Enjoy the chapter and I should have that chapter in question out very soon! Ok... maybe not soon, but soon enough!

"Mr. Agreste..."

"No please, call me Adrien," Adrien quipped as Louis and the twins sat with Adrien at the bakery, a couple of days after the incident. In that time, Adrien was so distraught and depressed from what he said and what transpired that he couldn't bear to face the shame. Kagami, on another note, was away on a fencing exhibition in God knows where. Marinette had set up this meeting at the bakery for the kids-specifically Louis- to apologize for what he said from before.

"Alright... Adrien, I'm truly sorry about what I said about you not being everything my mom said you'd be, I was out of line... but truly, when I told you that the other day when you took us out to lunch, I did mean it. I was just... extremely mad by what you said that I retracted it and dismissed it. I know that broke your honor or pride sir..." Louis said truthfully as the twins nodded in agreement with what he said. Adrien had a fixed sad smile on his face as he processed what he said.

"No... you had every right to be mad, but thank you, for the apology. But god damn it... I called her... a gold digger, how could I?" Adrien gritted his teeth as Hugo and Emma just made things worse with their commentary.

"Gotta admit, that was a low blow," Hugo chimed in as Louis shot him a look.

"Not really the brightest thing you've said Mr. Agreste... but if Mommy can make an exception...then I'll try to forgive you, key word is "try"," Emma commented as Adrien had a nervous but apologetic look on his face. The group then heard the bell to the bakery chimed and a very tired looking Marinette came in with several bags. Marinette immediately brightened and turned towards the group and looked at all of them and interrogated them with her eyes alone.

"Louis, did you apologize?"

"Yes Mom, I did, again... SO sorry," Louis added on quickly as Adrien gave him a smile and nodded quickly in understanding. The kids thought it was strange that Adrien didn't apologize to Marinette first since Marinette held the meeting two days after the incident. It was already late afternoon so all the kids were free. However, what they didn't know was that Adrien and Marinette already had a private conversation before hand.

Earlier...

"Marinette I just want to start off by saying how sorry I am, I truly had no right to call you what I said when now I know what you said was a joke. I feel horrible, we just became friends again and now this," Adrien murmured as Marinette looked at him with remorseful eyes. She noted that his personality has also changed, even though she can recognize that charisma and charm of his anywhere, he's become more... irrational, regretful, less composed. Marinette wondered why that was...

"Thank you Adrien, I appreciate the apology, but it was a really bad joke, I'm sorry I even pulled that on you," Marinette chuckled nervously as she continued sipping her tea, "It was my fault, I..." Marinette started to say but she felt her mouth close again for the sake of.... she doesn't know.

"Thank you, but... can we still go back to normal after this? What I said was so insulting... I don't..." Adrien said as continued to keep his gaze upon Marinette, who narrowed her eyes at her tea and felt her shoulders relax.

"Well... I've already forgiven you, we can just let it be water under the bridge don't you say? Besides, you have a lot of explaining to do for the kids because right now, they kinda... dislike you," Marinette murmured quietly as Adrien let out a groan and rested his head into his interlaced fingers which were propped up on the table.