Fake Dating

21 - Independence

Adrien hated London. He always had a feeling that everyone made fun of him here. Of his look, of his accent, of his father. And that weather... So depressing. Yet, he hated hotels the most. The hotels that his father always chose – the most expensive, the most luxurious, in the best quartiers. Even now Gabriel Agreste had managed to find a suite in a five-star hotel almost by the River Thames. Of course, it had to be with a view of the river and of the London Eye. Just perfect for a lonely man to make him feel even more lonely.

It had been two days since Adrien had left Paris, yet he still felt restless. He couldn't sleep at night, he walked like zombie during the day. Even this morning he woke up before dawn. He was more and more convinced that he'd made a huge mistake when he'd given his phone in after his first – not so fake! – date with Marinette. Yet... Was it true? The longer he was thinking about it, the more unsure he was about it. Why hadn't she contacted him yet? Why hadn't she accepted flowers from him? Did he miss something?

He escaped to the balcony, placing a cup of coffee on a table instantly forgetting about it. He leaned against a railing and stared at the dawn above the city. He felt like an animal trapped in a cage. The animal that had been awoken by Marinette, according to Nino's words a week ago. A week ago! Adrien laughed at himself. He'd met her eight days ago. Eight days ago! After three days he couldn't imagine his life without her. Now, he'd already known how this life would look like. It sucked.

"No better?" Plagg asked quietly, when he entered Adrien's suite after breakfast.

"He's been there since dawn." Nino replied, pointing at the balcony.

"Honestly, I had no idea it would look like that. Was it so serious?"

"I don't know..." Nino shrugged. He didn't feel allowed to share such intimate details with Adrien's agent, even if he seemed to be on the same side. "Probably. Yet, still hard to believe it."

"Right! I didn't know such things can happen."

"Me neither." the bodyguard muttered.

Suddenly Adrien left the balcony and came back to the living room. He scowled at his friend and sat down on a couch.

"Today you have photoshoots." Plagg reminded, exchanging glances with Nino.

"OK." That was all they heard in reply.

"You have to pull yourself together, kid."

"Fine."

"But I can see it's not fine!" the agent exclaimed irritably.

"I don't care."

"Better start to care! Take a shower, eat something. I'll be back in thirty minutes." Plagg commanded and left the suite.

"I'll go for breakfast then." Nino said, following the agent. "Just don't do anything stupid."

"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Adrien asked in surprise but no one heard him. His friend had already left.

He stayed alone and the silence was unbearable! He turned on the TV just to have anything speaking to him. Whatever. Maybe taking a bath wasn't a bad idea... Actually, he felt better when he came back to the living room after a quick shower. A speaker on TV was still chatting, and Adrien muted him. The silence was bothering him, but that babbling was worse. Then he saw his face on the screen and felt more irritated. He was sick of all those rumours about him, and it looked like another news about him. He was about to turn off the TV, when his attention was drawn by the following part of the news. He saw Marinette running out the room full of journalists. What had happened there?

He rewound the programme. And sat down in shock.

He remained motionless when his agent came back after some time. The situation terrified Plagg, but as soon as he wanted to take the remote control from the model's hand, Adrien revived.

"I'm flying to Nice." he announced.

"You must be joking!"

"Just watch it!" the young man commanded and left the living room. He found his suitcase and began packing himself. After a few minutes his agent entered the bedroom.

"Calm down. You have photoshoots in couple of hours."

"You'll reschedule it." Adrien stated, still packing.

"How do you know it's not a manipulation prepared by her manager?"

"I just know. You can't pretend that."

"I'm not so sure, kid."

"I'm going. Buy me a ticket. And call me which airport I'm flying from."

"You're unbearable! What happened?"

"Nothing happened. I'm just sick of this life. Of this stagnation. For the first time in my life I know exactly where I want to be. And it's not because my father said so..." Adrien admitted and added under his breath. "Actually, for the first time I'll be somewhere totally against his will."

Plagg hesitated, but only for a moment. That was enough to consider all pros and cons. In case of emergency decisions must be taken quickly. Hopefully, the correct decisions, of course... Besides, Nino was right – the agent was on their side.

"But don't think you're so smart. Nino is going with you." Plagg informed the model.

Adrien glanced at his agent gracefully. He smiled warmly and said:

"Thanks, Plagg. Just take care of everything here. I'm counting on you."

"Next time I come up with a stupid idea, I'll think twice..."

"It wasn't stupid. It was brilliant! And I'll be thankful for that for the rest of my life."

"Yeah, that means for not so long, when your father finds out."

"It's going to be all right. Think positively."

"Why on earth you had to choose this moment to start living on your own?"

Adrien smiled under his breath. He was aware that his father would get mad, but he didn't care. Reaching Marinette was his priority right now. He took his suitcase and went to the door. Before he left he turned back and asked:

"Could you call her manager? I have to find her somehow, and I wouldn't like to force my way through a crowd of her fans..."

"Sure, kid..." Plagg muttered.

He waited for Adrien's leaving and only then he rolled his eyes and murmured 'Eh, that love...'