Secret Admirer

Chapter 7: Half of a Heart

"Adrien,

          Thank you for the compliments on my sewing. I'd love to show you my 'studio' some time. You could even try some of my new designs if you wanted. But as you know, we've been writing letters to each other for four weeks now and I think it's time that we meet. I think we know each other enough to speak in person. You said in your last letter that you wish to find André's ice cream stand again since you've only been there once before. Me and my friends often visit him, so I keep track of his whereabouts in Paris on one of his apps. If you want to meet to find him, I'd love to go. If not, that's totally cool too. We don't have to meet yet. We can keep writing.

                                                                      -Marinette"

. . .

"What if he says no, Tikki?" Marinette asked, looking down at her purse.

"I don't think he could say no to you." Tikki consoled.

"But I mean . . . this is real, very real." Marinette tried to shake off her nerves. "I'm delivering this letter myself without Chat Noir. If Adrien doesn't want to see me, I'm already here. It's easier to hide behind a message, but in person is different."

"I think he really likes you, Marinette." Tikki smiled up at her.

Marinette saw the Agreste mansion ahead of her as she walked. She looked at the card in her hands. It was a pink heart, just like the one she tried to give him on Valentine's Day a few years ago. But this time, she felt different. She knew she could bring it to his house. She wasn't going to panic and run back home. Marinette had way too much courage this time to consider quitting. She remembered her theory about Chat Noir being the one who's writing these letters, but she only had a little doubt. And her doubt wasn't going to stop her from doing this. But at least she signed it this time.

"There it is." Marinette breathed. She was almost twenty feet from the gate. Marinette blinked and her attention was drawn to someone walking ahead of her. She squinted and realized who it was. "Lila?"

Tikki lowered her head in Marinette's purse. "Maybe she's going somewhere else." She suggested.

"No, she's headed towards Adrien's." Marinette kept her eyes on her enemy. "I know she is."

Lila looked up from the ground and saw Marinette. She made eye contact and formed a devilish grin on her face. Both walked towards each other without looking away.

After what felt like a century, the two met in front of the Agreste mansion gates. They just stared for a moment, neither moving.

"I'm surprised to see you here, Marinette." Lila said with a smile.

"Same here." Marinette gulped.

"I thought you were still too shy to come talk to Adrien." Her annoying voice seemed taunting. "You only stuttered and embarrassed yourself before."

"People can change, Lila." Marinette's eye twitch.

"I suppose." Lila looked her up and down like prey. "What are you doing here?" She eyed the card in Marinette's hand, but Marinette slowly moved it to her side.

"I have something for Adrien." Marinette announced, standing her ground. "And I don't plan on staying too long, so you don't have to worry about me. I'll be leaving quickly."

"Oh I'm not worried. I know Adrien." Her grin infuriated Marinette.

"What are you doing here, Lila?" Marinette retorted. "I find it hard to believe that you're just passing by."