Chapter 5
The next morning, the sun filtered through the tall windows of the studio as Marinette walked briskly to her office, her mind already running through the designs she needed to finalize today. She clutched her sketchbook close, determined to avoid any distractions — especially those that involved a certain someone.
But as she passed a slightly open door, a familiar voice caught her attention.
"Ugh… why can’t I get this right?" Zoé's frustrated murmur echoed from inside.
Marinette paused, peeking into the room. Zoé stood in front of a mirror, script in hand, stumbling over her lines.
"Zoé?" Marinette asked softly, stepping inside. "Are you okay?"
Zoé's eyes widened for a moment before her shoulders sagged. "I… I’m just having a hard time with my lines. I really want to do well, but… I keep messing up."
Marinette's heart ached a little for her friend. "Do you want some help?" she offered.
"Would you?" Zoé's voice was hopeful, a grateful smile tugging at her lips. "That would be amazing."
Without thinking twice, Marinette set her sketchbook on a nearby table and joined Zoé. They spent the next hour running through scenes, Marinette patiently helping Zoé find the right rhythm and emotion for each line. They laughed through the fumbles and celebrated the small victories when Zoé finally nailed a particularly tricky bit.
Time slipped away faster than Marinette realized.
A sharp voice broke the bubble of their impromptu rehearsal. "Marinette?"
Claire stood at the doorway, arms crossed, her expression tight with irritation. "I’ve been looking for you. You have designs to finish- the director’s expecting them by the end of the day."
Marinette's heart dropped. "I… I’m sorry, Claire. I was just helping Zoé with her lines."
Claire’s frown deepened. "That’s not your job. I need you to stay focused."
Zoé looked between them, guilt washing over her. "It’s my fault, Claire. I asked Marinette for help."
But Claire’s gaze remained fixed on Marinette. "Get back to work. Now."
Marinette swallowed hard, nodding quickly. She gave Zoé a small reassuring smile before grabbing her sketchbook and slipping past Claire, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
As she rushed back to her office, her mind buzzed. She only wanted to help… but now she’d fallen behind.
And the day was only just beginning.
Marinette knew she wasn't going to be able to finish her work in time, so she decided to step away for a bit. The bustling energy of the set was almost magnetic, pulling her in as actors rehearsed and crew members hurried about.
She found herself standing quietly at the edge of the soundstage, watching the scene unfold. Lights were adjusted, cameras were set, and the director called for quiet. It was Zoé's turn to deliver her lines.
Marinette watched as Zoé stepped into the spotlight, the script still slightly crumpled in her hand. There was a flicker of nervousness in Zoé's eyes, but she took a deep breath and began her scene. Her voice was steady at first, but there were moments where hesitation crept in- a word stumbled over, a pause a second too long.
Despite the small slips, Marinette admired Zoé's courage. Acting in front of so many people, with all eyes on you, wasn’t easy. She knew the pressure all too well.
Marinette remained there, unnoticed, her forgotten sketches still tucked away in her office. For now, she was simply a quiet observer, caught between her own unfinished work and the captivating world of cinema unfolding before her.
Suddenly, Adrien appeared beside Marinette, standing close enough that she could feel his presence even before he spoke.
"She's a great actor, right?" Adrien said softly, his gaze fixed on Zoé.
Without thinking, Marinette nodded, still focused on Zoé. "Yeah, she really—" She froze mid-sentence, finally realizing who was standing next to her. Her whole demeanor shifted instantly—her shoulders stiffened, and her heart raced.
"Adrien," she muttered, not meeting his eyes. The air between them grew heavy with unspoken words.
Adrien, sensing the sudden tension, kept his voice gentle. "I didn’t mean to startle you."
Marinette cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "It’s fine. I was just... watching Zoé."
Silence lingered between them, the sounds of the set around them fading into the background. It was the first time they had stood so close since their brief, strained conversation at the party.
But before either could say another word, the director called for a break, and the moment was gone as quickly as it had come.
Zoé was finished with her scene, and with a bright smile, she walked over to Marinette. Adrien was still standing beside her, his presence making the air between them feel heavier than it should.
"Thanks again for helping me earlier," Zoé said, her voice light and grateful.
Marinette, still recovering from the shock of realizing Adrien had been standing there all along, gave a small smile. "Of course! You did amazing out there."
Zoé's gaze flickered between Marinette and Adrien, instantly picking up on the tension. "Oh… hey, Adrien," she added, her voice slowing a bit, as if testing the waters.
"Hey, Zoé," Adrien replied softly, but his eyes kept drifting back to Marinette.
Sensing the awkward silence about to stretch too long, Zoé clasped her hands together and teased, "Sooo… are you two just going to stand here awkwardly, or are we going to grab a coffee from craft services? I think we all deserve one."
Marinette's cheeks flushed. "I actually have some work to catch up on…" she mumbled.
Adrien, however, smiled faintly. "Coffee sounds good."
Zoé gave Marinette a look. Half playful, half encouraging. Before grabbing her hand gently. "Come on, just a quick break."
And without giving her much choice, Zoé led Marinette away, Adrien following quietly behind them.
Marinette sat at a small café table, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her coffee cup. The café buzzed softly with the sounds of clinking glasses and quiet conversations, but Marinette’s mind was elsewhere — on the boy sitting right across from her.
Adrien.
The silence between them felt heavy, a thousand unsaid words lingering in the air. Adrien shifted slightly in his chair, his own coffee untouched, his gaze flickering between Marinette and the street outside.
“So…,” Adrien finally spoke, his voice soft but steady. “I didn’t think you’d come to the party.”
Marinette blinked, her fingers freezing on the cup for a brief moment before she quickly looked away. “Yeah… well… Alya didn't really mention the part it was a welcome party for you.”
Adrien let out a small, almost bittersweet chuckle. “Sounds like her.”
Another pause. Marinette's heart thudded against her ribs, but she bit the inside of her cheek, determined not to let her emotions take over.
“I’m really sorry, Marinette,” Adrien said again, more sincerely this time. “I never wanted to hurt you… or anyone. Everything happened so fast, and my father—”
“Your father?” Marinette cut him off softly. “Are you always going to listen to your father?”
Adrien lowered his gaze, guilt washing over his face. “I don't know. He… he made me go to London. I didn’t have a choice.”
Marinette sighed, a part of her understanding but another part still stung. “Whatever”
He nodded, his jaw tight. “...”
The tension still hung between them, but for now, it was a fragile truce.
Just then, Zoé appeared at their table, a coffee cup in hand and a bright smile on her face. “Hey! Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Marinette blinked, flustered. “Oh, not at all.”
Adrien gave a polite smile, his expression softening. “Hey, Zoé.”
Zoé took a seat, oblivious to the storm of emotions that had just passed between them. “I thought I’d grab a coffee before heading back to set. You guys talking about work?”
Marinette and Adrien exchanged a glance, and for a brief moment, a flicker of something unspoken passed between them.
“Yeah,” Marinette said quickly. “Just work.”