ADRIEN

They took her again. They took Marinette. 

In a sea of men in those Venetian masks, I lose sight of her. The different whimsical designs made complete with bright colors and gold makes me dizzy, and they spin around fast almost to the point of making me blind. 

I try to move and reach out a hand, but all my attempts are futile. 

It is a major struggle for me to move -- to take a step forward whether it be merely an inch away. What are they going to do to her? What more are they going to do to inflict more pain on both of us? 

“N-No,” I choke out, my voice is raspy and dry that it hurts to even make a simple sound such as a hum. "Stop...stop!" 

My face contorts in worry and frustration as I continue to find my voice and even gather the strength to do something, anything. 

I fidget in place, but everything changes all of a sudden. Where am I? Why am I here? It’s getting all dark...I feel something else moving, I can finally feel my arms again. My fingers can wiggle again and I can move my elbow. I can finally run to catch her, but she seems to be far away already. How can I reach her? I still need to run, I can’t let them get her--

My eyes suddenly fly open as I’m jerked awake on my own. In a cold sweat, I push myself to sit up on the bed and hold my head in my hands. I run them down my face and blink profusely, trying to adjust my sight in the darkness. I try to catch my breath and wrap my arms around myself tightly. 

It was just a dream.

It...it was only a dream. No, it was a nightmare. Just like all the others.

“It didn’t happen,” I mutter under my breath, slightly rocking back and forth as I squeeze my eyes shut again. “It wasn’t real…” But what if it was? I tug on my hair and shake my head vehemently. “No, no,” I try to placate myself, “it wasn’t real. This always happens to you. You always get these dreams, but that’s just it.” Are you sure?

...No, no I’m not. I pull hard on my hair then growl out of frustration before kicking the blanket off me. Knowing that I’m in a room of some sort (everything still feels a bit hazy), I reach over to the small desk beside me and struggle to find the switch to turn on the lamp. Once my fingers finally rest on a familiar feeling of a light switch, I press it and the orange glow from the incandescent lightbulb of the lamp dimly fills the room. 

I look around and associate myself with the things around me. The table by the side of the wall with a mirror hanging in front of it, the short yet wide wooden drawer adjacent to it. My black luggage stands beside it and a pair of shades and a cap sit on top of it.

I’m in a bedroom. I remember now. I’m at a house Nordic rented in a rural area, one of the places badly hit by the earthquake. It’s our second night here as relief operations, headed by the team, are not yet over so we had to stay at a place nearby.

Breathing out a sigh of relief, I internally thank the heavens to know that I’m not in any dangerous place. But there is still a lingering dread in me regarding Marinette. No, I’m not going to just sit here and try to go back to sleep. I would not be able to sleep unless I know that she’s okay. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and get on my feet. Just as I pass by the hanging mirror, I stop in my step once I get a glimpse of the reflection on it. I do a double-take and closely look at the mirror. Bleary and tear-soaked eyes and a droopy and haggard face greet me. 

“Oh, God. I look miserable.” I shake my head and proceed with going out of the room, without forgetting to wear the pair of shades and the cap. 
 
A lone light offers just enough brightness for me, despite the shades covering my eyes, to navigate through the different doors that lead to the bedrooms where the rest are currently resting. I pass by two doors and stop before one by the end of the hallway, racking through my mind if this door leads to Marinette’s room. I can’t remember that well anymore. All this worry is making me forgetful to some point. 
 
I raise a hand before the wooden door and swallow down a huge lump in my throat, then shakily breathing through my mouth after. I finally gain the courage to rap on the door, hanging my head low as I do so. Waiting feels so painstakingly slow that I start to pace back and forth in the small space before the door hoping to appease whatever anxious feelings are bubbling in me. 
 
What if she won’t open the door? She must be sleeping. I could just leave and let her continue sleeping. But...but what if she isn't there at all? 
 
The men in Venetian masks cloud all my thoughts and it causes me to squirm, completely sickening me to the core. 
 
I should knock again. I need to knock louder. Maybe I could also barge in. Wait, I should barge in already. I may have lost her at this moment-
 
The creaking sound of the door opening makes me halt and my head immediately whips to the side to set my gaze on the person on the other side of the door. 
 
Despite her disheveled hair, I see how Marinette looks at me with furrowed eyebrows, her face a mix of shock and confusion. “Adrien?” She whispers, rubbing the sleep out of her left eye.
 
“I knew it,” I breathe out, my knees feeling weak. “I knew that you were here,” I continue despite how she has started to throw me a look of concern. “I-I didn’t have to worry,” I stammered. It was really all just in my head. It never happened in real life. “I...I-I was going out of my wits. I thought...I thought…” The words die down in my throat and Marinette gingerly takes a step forward, her eyes wavering, looking at me from head to toe.
 
“Adrien, what’s wrong?” 
 
I shake my head and clasp a hand over my mouth to cover my bottom lip that is starting to tremble. What’s wrong? Everything is wrong. And I’m losing my mind. I don’t know what to do with myself anymore. Before answering, I turn my back towards her. “I’m fine,” I manage to choke out.
 
I hear her huff softly behind me. “Adrien…”
 
“I said I’m fine.” My throat feels dry now, and my shoulders heave up and down as I try to find my rhythm with breathing again. 
 
I then feel her fingers start to slowly touch the small of my back through my shirt before placing her full palm on it. She then rubs up and down, causing me to shudder against her touch. “...what did you see again? What were your nightmares about again?”
 
She knows. Of course, she would. This is not the first time this has happened. It has happened countless times already, and it’s always about her. 
 
I breathe in sharply and with my eyes set downcast, I confess in a soft yet fragile voice, “Every time I close my eyes, I lose you.”
 
Her hand stops rubbing my back just as I uttered those words. I then feel her whole presence behind me as she wraps her arm around me, leaning her full body on me. “Stay with me tonight,” she whispers against my skin. 
 
I nod once wordlessly then she takes my hand for me to turn and for her to reach up and take off the shades covering my eyes. “You don’t need these with me. There is no need for you to hide. You’re safe with me.”
 
The corners of my mouth twitch up ever-so-slightly and a sense of comfort from her rushes within me. Still, it is not enough for me to feel at rest or truly comfortable. 
 
Marinette does not say a word regarding it and proceeds to gently pull me with her inside her room. As she closes the door behind us, I note how her room has the same set-up as mine. It is also only the lamp on the desk beside her bed that lights up the room. 
 
“Come,” she continues, “lie down with me.” I watch her climb on the bed after placing my pair of shades on the desk and lean back on the headrest. She flashes a small smile towards me and pats her lap. “We can cuddle if you want.”
 
A soft chuckle bubbles over me, happy with her suggestion, and I take off the cap on top of my head and set it aside before I climb into bed, her arms outstretched waiting for me to rest over her. She wraps her arms around me just as I place my head in the crook of her neck. My hands snake through her shirt and I feel her smooth skin as we hold each other tight. The warmth radiating off her body sends a shiver down my spine aside from it letting me melt against her. 
 
I would do anything to keep this feeling forever. 
 
She lets out a low hum in content and her chest rises and falls as she breathes softly. I brush my fingers over the skin of her back which causes her to shudder a bit. “That’s ticklish,” she murmurs with a hint of a smile. “Are you trying to tease me?”
 
“No,” I utter truthfully, “I’m making sure that the warmth and comfort I feel from you now is real.”
 
She cradles my face in one hand and tilts my chin up for me to peer into her eyes. “Those are not the only things that are real.” She then dips down to leave a soft and brief kiss on my lips. She pulls away slightly and I feel her breath fanning over my lips. “That was real, as well.” 
 
Although it may have been a simple action from her, it still left me breathless. I lick a small part of my bottom lip and whisper, “I’d like more of those if you wouldn’t mind.”
 
She breaks off into a wide grin and our lips meet once again, instantly deepening the kiss as I move my head and bring a hand up to cup her cheek. I feel her tongue swipe over my bottom lip causing me to let out a low moan in the kiss and move my legs to fully climb over her, trapping her waist between my knees. As she lays beneath me, her arms snake around my neck and she starts to playfully tug the strands of my hair. 
 
In a daze, I draw back and pant softly as I brush my swollen lips over her neck towards her jaw. 
 
“Adrien, I love you,” she sighs, “That would always stand as real.”
 
Her words cause my heart to flutter and I can’t stop the way it made me genuinely smile. I brush my nose near her ear and bring my lips to nip on it before whispering into it, “I love you, too. Even if the world may fall apart around us, the only thing that would be constant is my unconditional feelings for you.”
 
Marinette unhooks her arms around me and takes my face with both hands. Our eyes meet and hers seem misty, tears are pooling in the corners of them. “Unconditional? That's a strong word.” She whispers. “Do you really love me that much?”
 
“How could I not?” I reply in a delicate voice. “What is there that I wouldn’t love about you?”
 
“My stubbornness,” Marinette suggests and I chuckle softly at that.
 
“Blue-head,” I coo, using the nickname I haven’t called her in a long time. Although it may have been made and uttered out of annoyance and frustration before, now it brings a certain ring to the ears. Somewhat of a loving and caring ring to it. I’m sure Marinette also senses the change to that nickname as the corners of her mouth curve upward upon hearing it. “Your stubbornness is one of the main reasons that made me fall for you,” I continued and pecked the tip of her nose. Even if the room is dimly lit, the tint of orange light cascading Marinette’s features makes me appreciate her raw and unguarded essence before me. 
 
She’s charming in her own way. Smart, resourceful, compassionate - oh, God, she’s everything. And she’s mine. 
 
“Marinette, I love every single thing about you. That’s why I’m going to ask him again.”
 
“Who?”

“Your papa,” I answer in a soft voice, “Tom...I want to ask him again. I want to ask for his permission for me to love you, for you to be with me.”
 
Marinette gapes at me, her bottom lip trembling a bit as she fights back a sob threatening to overcome her. “Are...are you serious?” She breathes out her question, a tear slipping from her eye. 
 
I wipe my thumb over that particular tear and nod silently. “I speak nothing but the truth, Mari. I love you and I want your father to know that I’ll do anything to protect you.”
 
She sniffles and closes her eyes as she could not hold her tears at bay anymore. “Oh, Adrien, you are too good for this world...and for me,” she cries. I remember her saying something exactly along the lines of that. It feels like a long time ago that we treated each other differently. Now there is nothing but love with the way we look, touch, and talk to each other. 
 
“W-What happens if he’ll kill you?” She jokes amid her tears and I find her adorable more than ever. “Even if he’s really gentle, he could be super strict at times.”
 
“I’m sure his daughter wouldn’t allow him to hurt me, right?” I counter playfully, my mood changing as I hold her close to me. It’s as if I never had that nightmare at all. 
 
“I’ll protect you, too. Watch me.”
 
I brush a few strands of her hair with my hand and twirl the ends of a clump of it around my finger. "I'll take note of that, Mari." I slowly get down on my elbows and finally rest my chin atop her stomach so that I'm not hovering over her anymore. 
 
"I have something to share with you," she starts. 
 
"What is it?"
 
"Nath's planning to propose to Chloé in the afternoon."
 
My eyes widened in surprise with that information. "Woah, no kidding?" 
 
She nods and smiles at me. "He told me that he has been planning to propose months before the pregnancy. He wishes to have the wedding before election day. Isn't that exciting for both of them?" 
 
"It's like the silver lining we needed, the hope stemmed from suffering."
 
"Happiness amid the darkness," Marinette adds quietly. "And I'm sure Chloé will say yes. Do you think it would be some kind of a break for us to help with wedding preparations if ever?”
 
I press a kiss on her stomach then look back up at her. “I’m definitely sure of that. They would also love the help.”
 
She sighs and dreamily looks up at the ceiling. Her fingers continue to play with my hair. “Wow...a marriage during the campaign period...how nice. Would you even believe that Chloé’s four weeks pregnant? That was the biggest shocker for me.”
 
“Well,” I start nonchalantly, “maybe we just have not realized how much of a good mother she could be.”
 
“It never crossed my mind, but now that I think about it and remember how she and Nath have treated me throughout these months of working together...they only want what’s best; they only want to protect the people important to them. I’m sure they would be great parents.”
 
“They will be,” I reply softly. My face falls as I continue, “They took care of you when I couldn’t.”
 
Marinette looks back down at me and her expression softens upon meeting my eyes. “Adrien…” she whispers sullenly. “We have each other now. That’s what matters.” Her mouth forms to show me a small smile as she brushes the back of her hand on my cheek. 
 
“You’re right.” The way she touches me sends another shiver down my spine that I could only find in me to nod and close my eyes as I move my head to fully lean on her. I make sure to spread my hands across her skin, feeling her close to me. There is nothing I would trade this with. And maybe, as my eyes stay closed, I won’t lose her...whether it just be tonight. “I wish I could always be with you.”
 
“...We have now,” She whispers, “As always, let’s make the most of our time now.”
 
There has been this thought that I’ve been keeping within myself for a few days now. It’s an idea that may seem absurd and very difficult to comprehend, but it’s something that is not selfish. In fact...it hurts me to know that it has to be done even if it may affect the relationship I have with Marinette. In a good way or a bad way...I’m not so sure which one, but what I’m sure of is that it will take her far from harm’s way. And that’s what I need at most. In a few hours...I would have to bring this thought up with Nordic. 
 
“Of course,” I murmur, my voice above a whisper. I place my hands on the bed and slowly climb up a bit further so I could bring my face close to hers. Her eyes flutter close as I purposely let my breath fan over her lips that are slightly parted. I run my nose down her face, softly breathing in her scent and basking in the way she moves underneath me, and how her hands clutch on tightly to the back of my neck. “Explain this to me, Marinette,” I breathe out against her skin as she softly moans and wraps her legs around my waist, “How could I have fallen in love with you in such a short time?”
 
It takes her a while to answer, but as her soft yet firm voice fills the room with her reply, my heart soars and the butterflies go free in me, “Because maybe we were meant to be together after all.” 
 
-----------
 
I make sure to prepare an extra seat for Chloé just as she enters the dining room for lunch. It was a silent agreement between Marinette and me that we are to treat Chloé with utmost care even if she’s not aware of it. Both she and Nath enter the dining room together and once they spot the two free seats where Marinette and I are seated, they immediately head to our table. 
 
“You’re both late,” Marinette begins as Nath pulls out a chair for Chloé to sit on. “Lunch started around 20 minutes ago.”
 
“Sorry, boss,” Nath apologizes as he gets on his own seat, the one across Marinette’s. “I was caught up with something,” he mutters, his voice shaking toward the end. Marinette throws him a wary glance but chooses to not say anything further. We both know what he’s talking about. 
 
"Well, make sure to eat a lot. We're going to be staying with the community until late at night. It's going to be a busy day." 
 
"Y-Yes, of course," Nath stammers, helping Chloé with placing her share of food on her plate. 
 
He does not know that we're aware of Chloé's condition since she asked us to keep quiet about it until they announce it to the team. 
 
And speaking of quiet, Chloé has not uttered a word ever since coming here which is unlikely of her. What's even weirder is that she keeps on looking at the ground before her. 
 
“Chloé?” I ask, checking up on her, “You okay?” She does not reply at all. 
 
Following her line of sight, as she sits across from me, I notice that she must be looking at something that has taken her full attention. And apparently...it seems that she’s looking at my shoes? Even Marinette and Nath have turned their attention to her, with Nath placing a hand on her arm and shaking her a bit. 
 
"Hm..." Chloé suddenly hums, moving her head to narrow her eyes at me, clearly giving a once-over.

Her intimidating gaze gets to me and I furrow my eyebrows at her, feeling a bit small. "Um, is something wrong?"

"No, I'm actually impressed."

"Impressed?" I articulate carefully, throwing Marinette an unsure side glance before looking back at Chloé. "Impressed with what?"

“Marinette must be really lucky,” she then comments out loud before raising an eyebrow at me. "They say that the size of a man's foot determines his size down there-”

Marinette chokes on her breath from beside me just as Nath instantly exclaims, interrupting her, "Chloé! O-Oh my God, Adrien,” he turns to me, all flustered. Though, he’s not the only one since I feel my cheeks burning up as well with her sudden comment. “I-I am so sorry for that," he finishes. Unconsciously, I cross my feet and bring them back, still caught off guard by the peculiar and surprising observation from her. 

"Why should you be sorry?” Chloé asks Nath before throwing all of us a confused look then scoffs, “It's always nice to compliment someone.”

Trying to keep my composure, I clear my throat and manage to utter despite my throat feeling dry, "W-Well, compliments come in all forms and, er...sizes." Even my words are making me blush.

Marinette then bursts out into laughter despite the spreading pinkish hue clearly evident at the tips of her ears. “That...that was such a Chloé thing to say, I swear.”

“A girl’s gotta say what she has to say,” Chloé chimes in before throwing a wink at Marinette. Nath softly groans and brings a hand over his face. Marinette refuses to even look at me, choosing to laugh the embarrassment off instead. 

I wouldn’t know if Chloé said those words as a result of the mood swings she gets from her pregnancy or that she’s being herself. One thing’s for sure is that we’d all rather have this kind of Chloé than one that is worrisome, something completely out of her character. 

“Well, Chloé,” I start with a hint of a smile on my face, “I’m glad to know that you’re feeling well today.”

“I bet it’s not just me, though,” she turns to look back at Marinette, “I bet you are, too.” Quirking an eyebrow up, she throws a knowing look at her.

Marinette bites back another laugh threatening to come out of her and shyly looks at me. “No comment,” she replies, playing along with her. 

Nath has not uttered a word, his hand still covering his face. He does not have to worry about this because I feel for him. It truly was something that was said out of the blue. Now I’m more conscious of my feet than ever, it reminds me of that time when Marinette did not want me to see her toes back when we had to take care of Baby right after the earthquake. It’s funny and ironic how things unexpectedly come back in a full cycle. 

Nordic suddenly enters the dining room, stopping just by the doorway to remind everyone that we were to leave for the community we are visiting today in an hour. I then remembered what I had to bring up with him the moment I saw his face. He leaves the room right after.

Just as Marinette goes back to talking casually with Chloé and that Nath has finally regained his voice again, I stand from my seat. “E-Excuse me,” I utter to the three of them. 

“Adrien?” Marinette asks, “What’s the matter?”

I slide out of my seat and push it behind the table. “I just need to talk to Mister Nordic,” I explain, “I’ll be right back, okay?” And, just because I really want to do it, I do not hesitate to lean forward and press a quick kiss on Marinette’s forehead. I do not waste another moment to see her reaction as I have rushed to the doorway with hopes of catching up to Nordic. 
 
Thankfully, I caught a glimpse of him entering his makeshift office. I follow him just in time for the door to close before me. Without any further reluctance, I knock three times on his door and wait outside, knowing that he’ll open the door in a few seconds. 
 
And he does, cocking his head when he finds that it’s me who knocked. “Yes, Adrien? I just saw you at the dining room perhaps a minute ago. Is there something that I perhaps have missed?”
 
I shake my head and swallow down a lump in my throat. “No, sir,” I utter sternly, “I would like to speak with you.”
 
To my surprise, he deeply sighs and crosses his arms. “I knew something like this was bound to happen,” he murmurs, leaving me astonished. What does he mean by that? He juts his head backward, beckoning me to come in without saying a word. 
 
The room that has transformed into his temporary office does not stand out as much as the original one back home. Perhaps the only similarity here would be the number of documents splayed all over his table -- that is something that would never change. “Take a seat.” He gestures toward one of the seats placed against the wall and I carry it, bringing it with me to sit before him as he takes a seat on the chair behind his desk. “I am going to be completely honest with you, son, I am still skeptical about your being here.”
 
My eyebrows pinch together with his statement. He continues, “I still get thoughts that make me think that this all a ruse to throw me off-track. After all, you helped with the fast investigation regarding my son’s tax evasion. Heck, the press knew even before us.”
 
I blink and set my eyes downcast. “...are you still wary over me, sir?”
 
“I know you are doing this because you expect something out of it,” he clarifies, leaning back on his seat. “What do you want in exchange for?”
 
Taken aback by his question, I look back up at him and counter it with another, “I beg your pardon, sir?” The main reason why I’m here has nothing to do with me.
 
“I know you're not doing this for free. I know that your help for my team is something that you’re doing with the expectation of something as payment. Tell me, Adrien, what's the catch?”
 
I turn rigid on my seat, my blood turning cold. “T-There is no catch, sir. I swear.”
 
He chuckles wryly and it dries down slowly. Sullenly, he repeats his question, “You can always tell me the truth, Adrien. What’s the catch?”
 
What’s the catch? 
 
It has nothing regarding me...I’m here to do something for Marinette and the people she loves. Although if I say it out loud, it may sound like a huge request. But it’s one that I truly want Nordic to promise me that he will fulfill. If there is a catch that he is seeking, then I must give it to him. I inhale a deep breath and hold my head high as I tell him, “Marinette's family owns a bakery. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
 
He raises an inquisitive eyebrow at me. “Yes…” he drawls. “Where are you getting at with this?”
 
Still, with my head raised high, I state sternly, “I want you to make sure that nothing happens to the bakery. Make sure it doesn't close or lose money because of her involvement with your campaign, and make sure that her parents continue to stay safe, as well.”
 
He could not hide his bewilderment as I ended there. The crease between his eyebrows seems to deepen as it’s clear that he’s still trying to comprehend my request. “...that’s it?” he gingerly questions. 
 
I merely nod. “Yes, sir.” There is not a part of me that tells me to back down with my main request because I know that this is what I want, especially for Marinette. I would do anything, even ask the right people, to make sure that there will be no harm brought upon Marinette and her parents. 
 
And the other part of my request is now deemed appropriate for me to say. 
 
“In relation to my request, I have something to add to it.”
 
It makes me nervous thinking about it. Honestly, I do not want to say it, I don’t even want to acknowledge it. But if I were to push through with the absolute main goal I carry with me now, that is the safety of Marinette, then I must continue to stick out my chin and hold my head high. 
 
I am not backing down, now. I am done being weak. With much conviction and constant personal persuasion, I look into his eyes, finishing with, “Sir, I wish to leave the country.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you liked this chapter since I feel that I did not do my best. I wrote this with a heavy heart.

Last June 24, the former president of the Philippines, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, passed away due to renal failure secondary to diabetes, and it deeply saddened me to know that he died a heartbroken man -- heartbroken for the country. His death is a reminder of our country's fragile state of democracy which continues to weaken especially with the preparations for national elections in 2022.

Rest is Peace, Former President Noynoy Aquino. You do not have to be sad and in pain anymore.

Perhaps to end on a light note, I have a new adrienette book, it's entitled "Think Again". I hope you'll check it out.

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