Have you ever wondered what happened to Adrien's scarf? This bonus scene after the end of The Bubbler answers this question.
.o.O.o.
Yesterday was such an infuriating day. The gall of that petulant child whom Adrien considers his friend, to approach me in my home and insult me. I must have Nathalie speak with him about whom he associates himself with so he isn't influenced by those with poor conduct. Thinking of Nathalie, she too was rather bold yesterday, telling me that I never requested she purchase Adrien's birthday present. She has fulfilled this duty on my behalf ever since she joined our family four years ago. If she can remind me of the date of his birthday, as she did that morning, she can also acquire a gift. I suppose I can let it slide this once, as she did give him one eventually and she always makes a practical selection. If only Ladybug and Chat Noir didn't defeat my akuma. Bringing Emilie home would have been the most pleasant surprise I could have offered to my son.
Turning toward the large portrait of his late wife, Gabriel sighed and placed his palm against the frame. One day my love, he vowed, we will be together as a family once again.
Deciding that today was no longer going to be productive, he began filing away his paperwork. As he stepped out of his office, he caught the eye of his assistant.
"Oh, sir!"
Rigidly fixing his posture to face the woman, he inquired, "Is there something you needed, Nathalie?"
"No, sir. Adrien asked me to pass along his thanks for your gift, sir. That is all."
"Of course. Could you remind me of the gift I purchased for him?"
Every year this charade would play out, as Nathalie would tell the man what 'he' chose. This year, however, her cobalt eyes went wide and looked askance as she wrestled with how to answer. "Well, sir...," she began, imagining what a thirteen year old girl might think to gift the model son of a fashion designer.
She let out a breath when the large black and white doors to the household opened and a young blonde teen stepped in, as if on cue. "Hello, Nathalie... Hello, Father!" His eyes widened and seemed to brighten as he noticed the man standing by the office doors. "Everyone at school loved the scarf you gave me, it's super cool! Thank you so much!"
The elder Agreste's eyes shifted to the soft, blue material around his son's neck and narrowed. "Of course, Adrien. Now, if you would please excuse us, Nathalie and I have something to discuss in my office."
Had Gabriel been looking at his son, rather than his new accessory, he may have noticed how his son's slightly outstretched arms lowered back down to his sides. Had he been listening to his son's tone, rather than simply his words, he may have noticed how dejectedly he replied, "I understand, Father."
However, he simply turned and exited the foyer with Nathalie on his heels. As soon as the office door clicked shut behind them, he coldly addressed his assistant without turning to her. "Nathalie, why is my son wearing a scarf that is not from the Gabriel line?"
Sensing the underlying rage in his words, the woman carefully phrased her reply. She mentally applauded herself as the lie poured out smoothly. "Sir, I had it commissioned. You know how sentimental Adrien is, he wouldn't have seen an accessory from your line as a true gift. This way, he sees that you care for him enough to give him something truly one of a kind."
Unable to argue his son's personality, the tenseness in Gabriel's shoulders dropped as he faced his assistant. "Very well, Nathalie. My son appreciates the thought you gave, I'm sure. As you said, he is quite emotional, just like his mother. However, I cannot allow him to wear clothing outside of the brand. You must confiscate the scarf as soon as possible and bring it to me."
"But, sir, you saw how much he cherishes it! He won't let it out of his sight!"
"I gave you an order, Nathalie!" He responded, the anger returning to his words in full force. "See that it's done."
"Yes, sir."
.o.O.o.
"Nathalie, have you seen my scarf?"
"It's not here, Adrien," she responded, perhaps a little too quickly.
Wide green eyes peered from the open door. "Not here? But I just wore it to school yesterday! It has to be around here somewhere..." The teen rushed back toward his closet to search once more.
"It appeared to have gotten a stain, so I had it sent to the cleaner. Now if you don't hurry Adrien, you will be late to school."
"You could have just said so in the first place, Nathalie." Orange Converse raced to the door as he called out, "Thank you for taking care of it for me!"
Of course, Adrien, she thought, as she stepped into her employers office. "The scarf, sir," she said, as she handed over the offending accessory.
"Thank you, Nathalie. I'll see to it that he doesn't find it."
Naturally, the scarf took a while to return 'from the cleaners' and eventually Adrien stopped asking about it when his father offered him an almost exact duplicate a week later. Though he never mentioned it, he knew it wasn't the same. Adrien had run his fingers over the embroidered motif along the border enough times to recognize the difference, even if he never saw the hidden signature it contained. The imposter was promptly folded in a drawer amongst other clothes. However, if one day Ladybug and Chat Noir were to discover Hawkmoth's lair, they may be confused to find a familiar blue scarf, complete with embroidery, tucked away in a dark corner.
.o.O.o.
Next time: The winning derby hat from the school design competition was to be worn during Adrien's next photoshoot. Learn what happened after the end of Mr. Pigeon.