"Hey, dude, are you okay? Nino called out, sitting by Adrien. He had been searching around for Adrien for the last fifteen minutes. Nino almost thought the blonde had left the park altogether. Adrien nodded quietly but kept his eyes staring at a distance. "You sure?" Nino pressed a little further.

The DJ knew Adrien was lying. Nino could see the pain in his best friend's eyes. Adrien nodded again, took a deep breath, and finally spoke. "It just hurts, you know?" The blonde said sadly, holding back his tear. It was not in his nature to let others see him cry, not even Nino. Marinette was the only one who had seen it before. That was how much he loved her. He never wanted to hide anything from her, not even his tears.

"I know it does, man, but you can't give up now. Not while you are so close. It will happen between you two. I just know it. You two kissed today, and while it may seem as if it didn't mean anything to Marinette, it did. I saw it in her eyes. I am sure there is a reason for him showing up. Talk to her. Now come on, the girls are waiting," Nino added, patting his friend on the back.

___________________________________________________________

Alya didn't go very far. She couldn't explain it, but after witnessing the smirk Luka held the second Adrien walked away just mear minutes ago, she felt as if there was more to Luka than what he showed Marinette. It honestly frightened her.

Alya swallowed hard. Luka was not the person she believed him to be. What kinds of person would intentionally cause others pain? Now, Alya did understand that Luka probably felt threatened by Adrien as his feelings for the bluenette were obvious but flaunting his relationship with the bluenette on Adrien's face like that was uncalled for and so many levels of wrong.

Alya's only wish was that her best friend had seen it too. Why couldn't she notice that Luka was intentionally torturing Adrien? If she did, Alya was sure Marinette would put a stop to it right away. Alya sighed. If only Marinette could realize she was still madly in love with the blonde and end this nonsense.

The brunette shivered as she remembered Luka's smirk. It was scary and almost evil. At this point, she was not sure if they had witnessed the real Luka, or one blinded by his jealousy not to notice what he was doing. Whatever it was, Alya was sure he was not the one for her best friend. As a matter of fact, Alya felt the need to protect Marinette and further her away from him.

No longer being able to contain herself, Alya walked close towards where the teens sat. She was now close enough to both hear and see them but hidden well enough not to be seen by them. Alya bit her lip, feeling guilty for doing this. It was not like her to eavesdrop on her friend's private conversation, but she needed to make sure Marinette would be okay.

"Luka, that is not true, and you know it. Adrien is just my friend, my best friend!"

"Your best friend? You sure that's it?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means I am starting to believe you were never over him, Marinette!"

"I"

"Luka, you know that is not true. I am with you now. I chose to be with you. I lo-"

"Don't!"

"Don't say it. Don't say the words unless you truly mean them. Don't say them until you are one hundred percent sure that it is how you feel."

"What if it is?"

"Is it?"

"Is not, if it was. You wouldn't allow Adrien to come between us."

"But he's not."

"But he is!"

"Can't you see it? It's always can I call you later? Adrien and I are going to do homework. Can I take a raincheck on the band practice? Adrien had a fencing tournament. I can't go to the movies tonight. Adrien asked me to fill in for one of the models. I am sorry, but I can't make it later. My parents invited Adrien over for dinner. Adrien already walks me to school every morning. I am sorry I couldn't answer. I was on the phone with Adrien. It's always him! When will it be me?"

"Luka I-"

Alya wanted to interrupt halfway through their heated argument, but she felt that this was something they needed to finish. Marinette was still clearly hiding her feelings for Adrien. Maybe this argument could help her best friend set her feelings straight.

"Don't, Marinette. I can't keep doing this. I can't keep hurting every time you chose him over me. I love you, Marinette, and you know that, but I can't keep waiting for the day you chose me."

"Are- are you breaking up with me?"

"I am in love with you, Marinette, but I can't keep dealing with Adrien."

"So, what are you saying?"

"I am saying that you have to choose. It's either him or me."

Alya gasped. Did Luka ask Mari to choose between him or Adrien? The brunette gritted her teeth in anger. How dare him? Alya was angry. She had never had a problem with Luka before, but now she did. If Alya had doubts, she didn't anymore. Luka did not love her friend. If he did, he would never make her choose between him and her best friend. No matter what!

The second Luka was out of sight, Alya ran to her best friend's aid, pulling a crying bluenette into her arms and giving her a comforting hug.

"A-alya," Marinette sobbed. "He- he asked me to ch-choose." "I know, girl. I know. I heard it all. I am so sorry, girl. You don't deserve this."

___________________________________________

It was becoming late. The sun had set about an hour ago. After crying her eyes out for a bit, Marinette and Alya walked to a nearby bathroom and made sure the bluenette looked presentable as she didn't want the boys to know of the past events yet.

After a few minutes, they met up with the guys to decide what to do next. The gang decided to go to the bakery for a snack before heading home. Their short visit then turned into an extended one as Alya and Nino got into deep conversation with the Dupain Chengs, leading to diner at Marinette's. All to which both Adrien and Marinette remained quiet, only answering when they must.

Adrien knew why he was quiet. He felt hurt. The blonde felt as if Marinette had made her decision to be with Luka even before giving him the chance to get her to consider him. He felt toyed with and used. He had no wish to speak to Marinette at the moment. Adrien knew if he did, he would demand answers, and he had promised her never to question her decision.

Marinette could sense Adrien's anger. He made it painfully obvious to her that he was upset, and it killed her. She wanted to speak to him, to explain things, but now she was not sure how to. Now she was being forced to choose between the two guys she cared about the most. Marinette could not even look Adrien in the eyes. Every time she felt him close, she wanted to curl up and cry. She was not sure what she was going to do, but one thing was certain, at the end of the day, someone, if not all, would be hurt.

Sensing their friend's troubles, Alya decided to attempt to cheer them up. She asked to play UMS 3. She knew it was their favorite game, and once they had even trained for a tournament together. Hopefully, this could help them get back on track.

"Have you told her yet, my boy?" A voice came from behind Adrien. Adrien sighed, taking his eyes off the happy bluenette doing her hilarious victory dance. Adrien then looked at the source of the voice. Tom stood behind him, watching his daughter with a smile.

Adrien bit his lip and nodded.

"Yeah, but she is with Luka. She chose him, and as much as it hurts, I just want her to be happy," Adrien responded softly. Tom could tell Adrien was losing hope, which was the last thing he needed to do at the moment. Tom knew if he did, it would be the biggest mistake of his life. Therefore, he did what he needed to do. Tom decided to give Adrien hope. "Follow me."

Tom then led Adrien up to Marinette's room. "Now, I know that you have been up here tons of times, but I don't think you have paid close attention," Tom stated, putting his arm around the blonde's shoulder. "Tell me, Adrien, what do you see?" He asked, pointing all around the room.

Adrien felt perplexed. The blonde looked around the room but could not see what it was Tom was trying to say. He then shrugged his shoulders as a response. Tom chuckled. Of course, he couldn't see it. He never did before. "Do you want to know what I see, my boy?" Tome asked, raising an eyebrow. Adrien nodded, genuinely wondering where the large man was going with this.

"I see a room decorated with memories. I see my daughter's feelings all over these walls. I see hundredths of pictures of my daughter and the guy she loves with all her heart. I see my daughter's entire world painted around us. Do you see it, my boy? Do you see who is with her?" Tom asked again.

For the first time since becoming close to Marinette, Adrien took in all the pictures. He never really noticed them before. Of course, he always had eyes for Marinette and only her. Walking around the room, Adrien noticed what Tom meant. It was him! All the pictures on the walls were of Marinette and him. Every special moment, every memory ever made, every single smile and laughter, they were all there, adorning her walls. Luka was not there. He was.

"Do you see it now, son? Marinette might be with him, but it is not him she loves. Fix it, son. You still can." Tom spoke one last time before walking out of the room and leaving Adrien on his own.

_________________________________________________

The exhausted teens finally arrived at the Agreste mansion. Ready to go to bed, the couples said goodnight and headed to their respective rooms. As soon as Marinette and Adrien walked into their room, Adrien excused himself and proceeded to lock himself in the bathroom.

Marinette sat in the bed, patiently waiting for Adrien to come to bed. He had left a while back claiming he needed a shower but had not shown up. As exhausted as the bluenette was, she refused to fall asleep. Marinette had to talk to Adrien tonight.

Marinette needed to explain the situation in the park. She wanted to let him know she never invited Luka. She didn't break her promise. Marinette knew Adrien was angry, he made that much obvious, but it wasn't her fault. He had to know that.

Marinette the thought of her conversation with Luka. He wanted her to choose, but she couldn't. She loved them both. Maybe not the same amount, but she did. Marinette bit her lip. She wondered if it was a good idea to tell Adrien about Luka's ultimatum. Luka had promised her love, but would Adrien? His silence and anger at the moment were not very reassuring. Maybe he wouldn't even care in the slightest.

At that moment, Adrien walked into the room. His eyes widened, surprised to see Marinette still up. He sighed. He hoped she was asleep by now. He had made sure to take his time so that he didn't have to face her today. She looked so tired on the car ride home that he was sure she would not last long awake. It wasn't that he didn't want to speak to her. It was more like he needed to think and get rid of his anger before doing so.

"Hey," Adrien greeted softly but not making eye contact. "Hey," she responded. Adrien bit his lip as he thought of a way to end this conversation now, but his mind was blank.

"Adrien, I-"

"It's fine," he interrupted. "It was my fault anyway. I knew you loved him, yet I allowed myself to believe it was me you loved." Adrien said, forgetting his past conversation with Tom for the moment. It just hurt so much when he saw her. "I guess I forgot who I was and allowed myself to believe I was him for a second. Don't worry about it. I'm fine," he responded, heading to the couch.

That second, Marinette realized that the last thing Adrien needed at the moment was to find out about her having to choose between him or Luka.

Marinette bit her lip and silently panted, trying to hold back tears. Adrien was hurt, and it was her fault. "Then why are you avoiding me? You haven't spoken to me since, and now you are going to the couch after you promised me you wouldn't." Marinette question, feeling upset.

Adrien gritted his teeth in anger. That is why he didn't want to speak to her at the moment. How dare she speak of promises when she had broken hers way before he did. Hadn't she promised him a Luka-free weekend?

"Yeah, well, I learned from the best. Just like you, this is a promise I must break," the blonde responded hastily. Marinette gasped at his attitute. Adrien had never spoken to her like that before.

"Adrien, I didn't break my promise!" The bluenette argued.

"Yes, you did! He was there, did you forget? And what hurts the most was the fact that for that to happen means you called him only moments after we kissed. I gave you my first kiss Marinette. I gave it to you, and yet you didn't care. You betrayed me and invited him over to flaunt your relationship in my face!" Adrien yelled, feeling immensely hurt.

Adrien didn't mean to be upset, but he was. Everything hurt like hell, and she had no idea. He didn't mean to yell, but he needed to let it out. He needed to say the words he had desperately kept in since Luka showed up at the park.

"That kiss meant something to me, Marinette. It might not have meant anything to you, but it meant everything to me, and I know you knew that. Why did you do it, Mari? Why did you invite him?" He questioned, lowering his voice to a near whisper.

Getting up from the bed, Marinette walked towards him. "Listen to me, Chaton. I swear I didn't invite him. He asked me where I was, and yes, I answered, but I never thought he would show up. I would never do that to you, and you know that," Marinette whispered, letting a tear fall. She wanted him to believe her. She needed him to believe her.

"Please, believe me, Kitty. I swear I didn't break my promise. The kiss, the kiss meant something to me too. I know it might be hard to believe, but it really did. I am just so confused right now. Please, understand."

Adrien felt bad. He had blamed her and ignored her when it was never her fault. The blonde should have known it was Luka. He always did whatever it took to make it clear to Adrien, Marinette was his. Luka had it out for him ever since he began hanging out with the bluenette. Adrien knew that Luka wanted to ruin his and Marinette's friendship, but he would not allow that to happen.

Part of Adrien felt horrible. He was never one to even think about stealing someone else's girlfriend, but this was different. He loved Marinette with all his heart. The model knew Luka would never love her as much as he did, no matter how much he claimed to do so. It was his heart on the line, and there was no way he would allow Luka to take his life because that's what Marinette was his life.

"I-I'm sorry," Adrien said, hugging Marinette from behind as she was about to walk away. "I am so sorry, princess."

"It's okay. I get it. I guess if it had been me, I would have thought the same," Marinette responded, leaning into the hug. She then placed her arms on his and led him to bed. "Let's go to bed, kitty."

Luka was far from Marinette's mind at the moment. The only thing she was thinking was how Adrien's strong arms held her tightly, making her feel as if she was in heaven. Marinette didn't care if it was right or wrong. All she cared about was that he held her again, even if it was the last time. She was finally in his arms again, and that was exactly where she wanted to be.

Now the question was, will it be Luka or Adrien?