Double Date

Chapter Five

There is an OC in this chapter who is mentioned in one of my other chapter books.

Bonus points to those who spot him.

The Maître d' walked them towards their table situated on the edge of the restaurant as requested. He couldn't risk this getting out and his father seeing. One plus of going to such a high end restaurant, he'd be the least famous there. Hell, Chat Noir was about to turn up in thirty minutes and throw a huge spanner in the works. No one would be interested in Adrien Agreste and his date.

As the Maître d' went to pull Marinette's chair out, Adrien knocked him out of the way to do it himself. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He wanted to be the one to pull her chair out, he wanted to be the one to wait on her hand and foot, it was his self proclaimed occupation. Unfortunately, he moved too fast and with too much prowess. His shoulder bumped into the Maître d' causing the restaurant worker to stumble into the next table, and for Adrien to fall flat on his butt on the floor. Marinette's wide eyes startled him into action, as he bounced up and reached for her chair.

"There you go, madam." The words rolled off his tongue with practised ease, amazing considering less than ten seconds ago he was sprawled out on the floor. He'd spent hours this afternoon repeating it, afterall he didn't want to freak her out and slip out a M'Lady, or a Bugaboo. Not yet anyway.

"Why thank you, kind sir." Her words made his heart flutter with a thousand soft wings. If this continued Shadow Moth would have a whole new butterfly farm to use courtesy of Chat Noir's stomach.

Adrien moved to his own chair, this time letting the staff do their job and settling into his seat. How was he going to manage eating with such a beauty in front of him? He had visions of himself as the Beast from 'Beauty and the Beast', throwing soup everywhere with his spoon. He couldn't show himself up and he definitely didn't want to do anything to embarrass Marinette. He may never have this chance again if he did.

"Do you recommend anything here?" Marinette asked quietly, "it all seems so complex and expensive. I don't know what to choose."

Adrien had never been here before so he'd spent the whole day on TripAdvisor looking at menu recommendations. Apparently it is ranked number two thousand four hundred and forty seven out of over fifteen thousand restaurants. He wasn't sure if this would work out the way he wanted it too, but it did have a four point zero average and nine hundred and fifty nine votes.

"I hear the grilled calamari is a decent starter, and then the veal, ending with the stuffed puffs for dessert." Adrien looked over the menu pleased he'd looked into the dishes beforehand. Some of them were a little more extreme than he'd usually go for and he didn't want to end up with either of them having an upset stomach.

"Three courses," Marinette squeaked, "that's way too much, Adrien."

"It's a set price menu, Marinette. You pay the amount and get the three dishes." She nodded and then turned back to her menu.

He gulped and prayed he hadn't pushed too far for this first date. Perhaps she would have been happier with a Hard Rock Cafe meal, or even a McDonalds? No he couldn't think that! His lady deserved more than a Big Mac meal.

"I'll go with that then, I trust you and you'll taste good - I mean that sounds good." She placed the menu down and gave him a smile.

Oh how he wished he could bottle up the emotions he was feeling at the moment. He'd be able to sell it for a fortune. Pure happiness in a jar.

"I'll have the same. Is there any particular drink you'd like?"

"Just water would be great," he nodded at her response and looked around to catch someone's eye.