Chapter 2
Marinette woke up. She got ready for her second day, choosing a simple yet stylish and professional outfit. Arriving at the studio, she made her way to her office, setting her bag down and preparing to dive back into her designs.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
It was Claire, smiling warmly. "Good morning, Marinette. Hope you're ready for today. We need to start measuring the actors so you can begin creating their outfits."
Marinette's heart skipped a beat.
Measuring the actors meant she'd have to measure Adrien.
She swallowed hard, offering Claire a small smile. "Of course. I'm ready."
She was anything but ready.
The morning passed in a blur as actors came and went, each one polite and chatty as Marinette worked swiftly, noting down measurements and making mental notes about what styles would suit them best. She was starting to find a rhythm, her focus anchored firmly on the designs- until the door opened again.
"Marinette?" a familiar voice rang out.
Marinette blinked in surprise. "Zoé?"
She was, standing there in the doorway. Zoé Lee, radiant and confident, her golden hair tied back in a sleek ponytail.
"I didn’t know you were in this movie!" Marinette said, her voice a mix of shock and delight.
Zoé chuckled softly as she stepped inside. "Yeah… kind of a surprise for me too. It all happened so fast. I meant to tell you sooner. Sorry about that."
Marinette waved a hand dismissively. "No, no, it’s fine! I’m just happy to see a familiar face here."
As Marinette began measuring Zoé’s arms and shoulders, the two fell into an easy conversation. They talked about how Zoé landed the role- a last-minute audition, apparently- and how the movie set was both exciting and a little intimidating.
Zoé's smile faltered slightly as Marinette measured her waist. "Honestly, it’s been hard getting any roles at all," Zoé admitted softly. "Chloé… well, let’s just say she’s made sure my name isn’t exactly welcome in a lot of places."
Marinette’s heart ached at the confession. She knew how cruel Chloé could be, but hearing it said so plainly still stung. "Zoé… I’m so sorry," Marinette said sincerely. "You don’t deserve that. You’re talented, and you belong here."
Zoé gave a small smile, though there was sadness in her eyes. "Thanks, Marinette. That means a lot."
A moment of comfortable silence passed as Marinette jotted down Zoé's measurements, but then Zoé spoke again- her voice quieter this time.
"Oh, by the way…" she started, her gaze shifting slightly. "Did you know Adrien's in this movie too?"
Marinette's hand faltered for a split second, the pencil dragging a faint line across the paper before she quickly corrected it.
"Yeah," Marinette replied softly, not meeting Zoé's eyes. "I found out yesterday."
Zoé studied Marinette for a moment, concern flickering across her face. "I wasn’t sure if you knew. It must’ve been a shock… seeing him again after all these years."
Marinette swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a tight smile. "It was… unexpected." She carefully adjusted the tape measure around Zoé's waist, keeping her hands steady even though her mind was anything but.
Zoé didn’t push further, but her voice was gentle when she added, "If you ever want to talk about it… I’m here."
Marinette nodded, grateful but still overwhelmed. "Thanks, Zoé."
And just like that, Adrien’s presence- the one she’d been trying so hard to forget — was front and center once again.
Zoé offered Marinette one last reassuring smile before awkwardly excusing herself, leaving Marinette alone with her thoughts. She barely had time to collect herself when there was another knock at the door.
Her heart lurched.
Adrien finally stepped inside, his golden hair catching the soft light from the window, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Hey," he said softly, his voice warm yet cautious.
Marinette’s stomach twisted. She kept her gaze firmly on the measuring tape in her hand, refusing to meet his eyes. "Let’s get this over with," she muttered, more to herself than to him.
She moved towards him, the silence thick between them, and started measuring his arms, her fingers brushing against the fabric of his shirt as she worked. Every time he shifted slightly, her heart pounded louder.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then, Adrien finally broke the silence. "Hey, I’m so-"
"I don’t wanna hear it," Marinette snapped, her voice sharper than she intended.
Adrien’s mouth hung open for a moment, stunned by the sudden bite in her words. He closed it again, a flash of something- regret, maybe passing across his face.
Marinette’s hands shook slightly as she finished measuring his chest and waist, scribbling the numbers down on her notepad with a tense grip.
"We’re done," she said curtly, stepping back. "You can go."
Adrien hesitated, like there was more he wanted to say- needed to say but the storm in Marinette’s eyes kept him quiet. With a small nod, he turned and left the office, the door clicking softly behind him.
As soon as he was gone, Marinette let out a shaky breath, her hands still gripping the notepad. The ache in her chest was back louder, heavier and no matter how hard she tried to push it away, it refused to leave.
Lunchtime arrived, but Marinette didn’t move from her desk. She buried herself in her sketches and notes, desperate to keep herself busy — anything to stop her mind from spiraling.
A gentle knock startled her.
"Luka?" she blinked as he stepped into the room, a warm smile on his face and a paper bag in hand. "Thought you might forget to eat," he said softly.
He set the bag down, but his smile faded when he noticed the tension in her shoulders and the redness in her eyes.
"Marinette… what’s wrong?" Luka asked, his voice full of concern.
It didn’t take long for the words to spill out — about seeing Adrien again, the sharp exchange they’d just had, and the ache that refused to leave her chest.
Without hesitation, Luka gently pulled her into a comforting hug. "I’m sorry, Marinette. You didn’t deserve any of that."
But as they stood there, Adrien appeared in the doorway again, his heart sinking at the sight of Marinette in Luka’s arms. He had come back to explain himself, to try again- but now wasn’t the right time. It never seemed to be the right time.
Silently, he turned and walked away.
On his way back to set, Adrien's phone buzzed. Nino was calling him.
"Nino?" he said, surprised. They hadn’t talked in years.
But before he could say anything else, Nino’s voice cut in, urgent and direct. "Meet me at the park. Now."
Then the line went dead.
Adrien didn’t hesitate. He changed directions, heading straight for the park.
When he arrived, Nino was already there, hands in his pockets, waiting. As soon as Adrien walked up, Nino’s expression softened, but his eyes still held a weight Adrien knew all too well.
Adrien took a deep breath. And then he explained. Everything.
By the time he was finished, Nino just nodded, processing it all. “Dude… I get it.” His voice was calm, understanding. “I just wish I knew sooner.”
Adrien exhaled, relieved. At least Nino understood. But the tension in his shoulders didn’t disappear completely.
Nino caught it immediately. “Something’s still bothering you.”
Adrien hesitated, then admitted, “I upset Marinette. And she won’t even let me explain anything.”
Nino ran a hand through his hair. “That bad, huh?”
Adrien nodded.
“Alright,” Nino said, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll talk to Alya to talk to Marinette for you.”
Adrien looked at him, surprised. “You’d do that?”
“Of course, dude. What are friends for.” Nino smirked, then clapped a hand on Adrien’s shoulder. “Just… don’t disappear again, alright?”
Adrien managed a small smile. “I won’t.”