Fake Dating

4 - Not such a safe option

Tikki was right. He was hot. Marinette sighed with disappointment. It was a pity they hadn't met by accident on the street. Maybe they could catch an eye contact and something would happen. Instead, there were some fake dates ahead, after which they both would go their separate ways. Besides... Apparently she wasn't his type.

She was sitting in a car driven by Tikki in a way for the first meeting with Adrien Agreste. She didn't even pretend to listen her manager who was repeating all those piffle as before each contest or audition. Firstly, secondly, thirdly... Blah, blah, blah... It could be easily reduced to keeping up appearances of self-confidence and professionalism. After so many years of rehearsals, contests, talent shows and concerts she learnt all these things by heart, so she could stop listening to Tikki. And it always worked somehow.

This time her manager was watchful, so she stopped her lecture and noticed wryly:

"You should listen to me, Marinette. It's important!"

"I'm listening..."

"Yeah, right... And I'm a prima ballerina of the Moscow Ballet."

"With you, who knows..." Marinette muttered. "You might have been a prima ballerina."

"You could stop pouting. Focus, please!" Tikki suggested. "Wehave to map out the scenario today. I hope that no paparazzi will find us here, otherwise the whole mystification will fail. On the other hand, we could always say that you're dating in secret, so your meeting in this club would be somehow justified. But how to explain that I'm coming in with you?"

"You could always say that you're dating Adrien's agent..." Marinette teased and grinned when she noticed her manager's blush.

"Leave it out!" Tikki warned.

"See? It's not nice to be made to date someone."

"I'm not the case here, so focus, Marinette! Today we're going to talk about everything that is crucial for your story. It has to be believable."

"It's rather his problem than mine."

"Why is that?"

"Well, if he's gay it will be harder for him to pretend he likes me."

"Nobody said that Adrien is gay!" Tikki laughed and slowed down before the crossroads.

"Wh-What?" Marinette stuttered.

She felt panic, perfectly aware that she'd agreed to this plan only because she was sure Adrien was a safe option.

"Why did you think so?" Tikki asked and looked at her ward, taking the opportunity of waiting for a green light.

"Well... You said that..."

"Huh!" The manager smiled triumphantly and glanced at traffic lights. It turned green so she could move on. "If you listened carefully what I was talking to you, you'd know that they're all rumours."

"But..." Marinette began but couldn't finish, suddenly embarrassed.

When Tikki stopped the car in a side street, in front of a dirty door, she turned to the girl and asked in a serious tone:

"Do you want to withdraw?"

"No, it's OK." The young singer just shook her head. "I have to change my attitude, that's all. You know... He's really good looking... So... Never mind. I can do it. As always..."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm fine. Besides, we can't waste your time spent on brainwashing..." Marinette smiled ironically.

"Poor joke, darling." Tikki winced, and – just to ease the tension – she added in a light tone: "Come on, let's meet your prince charming!"

"Yeah, let's turn him into a frog..."

"Probably you will have to kiss him first." the manager winked at Marinette.

"Probably..." the girl shuddered in disgust.

"What happened?" Tikki stopped in the middle of getting out the car.

"What?"

"Why did you just shudder as if kissing Adrien was something disgusting? Haven't you seen his pictures?"

"I won't kiss a picture but a human!" Marinette replied outraged. "What if I simply don't like him at all? What if he's a pervert or a snob?"

"Remember, the contract concerns only a few fake dates. You don't have to do anything against your will, OK? Gooey eyes, holding hands, that's enough. And if..." Tikki hesitated but finished: "If Adrien suddenly decided he wants to kiss you, but you wouldn't like it, just say 'no'. Please, promise me you'll remember that!"

Marinette only glanced frightened at her manager and nodded. Then she got out the car. Tikki followed her with a deep anxiety. She didn't like it. Was it possible that she'd made a wrong decision – for the first time in her life?