When the Cat Met the Wolf

26. Of Uncles & Chinese

Arianne and Thiago were sitting on the couch, watching the news channel. Wang Cheng, Marinette's great uncle, was coming to town to make his famous 'celestial soup' and compete to be named the World's Greatest Chef. Everything was going to be recorded, and Arianne's mother was one of the judges of the competition, since she was a very famous Parisian chef.

"How was your mother this morning?" questioned Thiago, as he ate some chocolate cereal.

"Oh, she was fascinated about the fact that she would finally be able to meet Wang Cheng!" replied Arianne with a smile "She really looks up to him"

"I think that the fact of him being related to Marinette is great!" Jazmin chimed in the conversation.

"Yeah, she must be really proud" replied Ayu, with a nod "I know I would be"

At that moment, Arianne's cellphone rang. She picked it up from the table, to see that the caller was Marinette.

"Bonjour, Mari!" she greeted happily, leaning against the couch "What's up?"

"Arianne, you gotta help me!" she replied from the other line, she sounded like she was about to have a breakdown "I don't know what to do with my mom's uncle! I don't think I can pull this off!"

"Okay, relax!" said Arianne. Her friend was freaking out, but she already had a plan "I'll send Adrien over. He speaks Chinese, he can be the translator!"

"What?!" Marinette practically yelled "Adrien? With me? Here? Alone? I'll die of nerves! Don't do this to me, Aria!"

"Marinette, he's the only person I know who can help you" replied the girl logically "If I spoke Chinese I would come, but I don't"

"Can you come anyway? Please!" begged the designer and Arianne bit her lip nervously. On the one hand, she liked the idea of spending time with Adrien, but, on the other hand, she didn't want to get between Marinette and him.

"Are you sure you want me there?" she asked with doubt "This could be your chance to be alone!" Thiago couldn't help but roll his eyes a bit upon hearing that. There was Arianne again, putting other people's happiness before hers.

"Please" that was all the other girl said, making her sigh.

"Alright, we'll be there in a couple of minutes"

"Yes! Thanks, Aria! You're amazing!" said Marinette happily, and Arianne couldn't help but smile as she ended the call. Then, she noticed Thiago staring at her quizzical.

"What?" 

"You asked me not to get involved, and I won't" replied Thiago "But...you should put your happiness first sometimes"

"This is the only thing I could do for her" Arianne defended her decision "I don't speak Chinese, and neither do you. Adrien does, that's why I told Mari I would send him"

"Okay" nodded Thiago, not wanting to argue with her again. He hated it when they fought "Have fun"

"Thanks!" replied Arianne, and proceeded to call Adrien. He picked up the phone on the third ring.

"Bonjour, Aria!" he greeted, happy to hear her voice "What can I do for you today?"

"Can't a girl just call her best friend because she wants to talk to him?" she said playfully.

"Never said you couldn't" he replied, walking through his room "In fact, I really like talking to you"

'Where did that come from?'  he thought with a frown. He said that before even thinking about it, unconsciously.