Bound To Be {COMPLETE}

Chapter 6

There is something lizard-like in Chloe Bourgeois' eyes as she squints at Marinette across the table. She has selected one of the most lavish, exclusive restaurants in the kingdom for a simple lunch meeting, perhaps to prove something. She has been nothing but sweet as sugar to Adrien, but every address to Marinette seems like her tongue has been dipped in sour vinegar. Marinette can feel it. Adrien can see it. No one is blind to the tension that hovers in the air, and Marinette endures it only as a favour to Adrien. Upon learning her impression of him as a cheating playboy, Adrien had been quick and desperate to organize this luncheon.

"So," Marinette begins slowly in a meagre attempt to dispel the tension in the air. "How did you and Adrien meet?"

"When we were children." Chloe responds with distaste heavy in her tone. "As you may have heard, I'm the prime minister's daughter, and that gives you certain connections growing up."

She shoots Adrien a look that Marinette is not certain how to interpret because her face seems to be eternally frozen in a sour expression, but it looks like she's glaring at him. It certainly makes Adrien more fidgety.

"So you grew up together then?" She inquires, trying to ignore it. She is not sure what Adrien wants her to take away from this- she had only agreed because he had been so distressed about the nature of her misunderstanding. Adrien nods.

"We did- we're like brother and sister!" He says, with a forced, uncomfortable laugh. "We even fought like siblings- she'd pull my hair when I broke her dolls."

"Enough about us though," Chloe says dismissively, leaning forward to eye Marinette like a piece of prey she has just cornered. "Tell me more about you, Marinette."

There is something derisive and threatening in Chloe's tone, and from the way she watches Marinette, something clicks into place- she's sizing her up. This almost feels like a job interview, and Chloe is testing her. Squaring her shoulders in response to the realisation, she begins to stare Chloe down as well.

"What would you like to know?" She answers evenly. Chloe tilts her head, squinting slightly.

"Why did you marry Adrien?" She asks. She stares at Marinette easily. "If I were in your position, I wouldn't have."

Marinette feels Adrien tense beside her, and he cuts in before she can respond.

"Chloe," He says, surprisingly firmly considering he had been so meek and flustered prior to this point. "That's enough. Don't make her uncomfortable."

Marinette is surprised. She is not grateful- Chloe is well within her rights to ask such a question, but she is relieved and the feeling spreads through her warmly.

Things had changed between her and Adrien after their fight. Upon learning about Marinette's personal struggles, Adrien had been attentive and kind- almost too kind. But it isn't just their behaviour that has changed- there is a certain air of familiarity and warmth that wasn't there before. She feels like she gets Adrien, now that all the layers of misconception have been stripped back. Before, he was a confusing mess of contradictions and she couldn't figure out what was authentic and what wasn't. Now she knows though.

"It's ok Adrien." Marinette reassures him with a tentative smile. The tension droops from his shoulders, but he still eyes her with concern. She turns her gaze to Chloe, aware that he continues to watch her with barely concealed unease. "I assure you, Chloe, that were you in my position, you most certainly would have."

Interest sparks in Chloe's eyes, and she rests her chin in the palm of her hand.

"Oh?" Chloe responds. "Is that so? And what is this position you speak of?"