"Emilie," Gabriel sighs as he stares at his wife encased in her beautiful coffin. She looks so peaceful, so happy, she could just be sleeping, and having the most perfect dream. A dream that will last for eternity.
"Ladybug and Cat Noir were so close to discovering my true identity. They were so close to taking my miraculous away from me; from taking you away from me forever, taking away my last hope, when I was so close to getting you back. I feel like I can't do anything else." He'd said those words before. When Audrey Bourgeois/Style Queen, his masterpiece, had failed him. Was he just going to keep failing over and over again? The bigger and more perfect his plan seems to be, the closer to defeat he gets.
"I can't keep doing this. Adrien becomes more distant every day. And that is my fault. I just wish you were still with us. I just wish Hawkmoth and Mayura could work together with Ladybug and Cat Noir to make Paris better, so I don't have to be evil. If Adrien finds out that I'm Hawkmoth… he'll never forgive me. No one will forgive me after what I've done to people. Even that spiteful girl Chloe Bourgeois will be more loved than me. I can't keep doing this. May you rest in peace, my love."
Gabriel closed his eyes, and tears leaked out of the cracks. He hasn't felt this sorrow and shame in so long.
"Master?" Nooroo flew out of Gabriel's jacket and looked at him with his large, curious eyes.
"What is it, Nooroo?"
"Master… What if you just explained to Ladybug and Cat Noir what you wanted? Maybe they'll feel sympathy and-"
"No Nooroo. You don't understand. I'm giving you up once and for all." Nooroo sighed as Gabriel took off his pin and Nooroo flew inside. Taking one last glance at Emilie, he turned on his heel and left the room.
Stepping on the platform that elevated him back up to the Agreste Mansion, Natalie had just finished cleaning up his papers. "Sir," she asked in her usual monotonous voice, "You might still have a chance."
"No Natalie," Gabriel sighed. A sudden rush of anger overcame him. He doesn't have a chance of bringing back his beloved anymore because of Natalie. Because of her stupid plan with flaws punched in every corner.
"I DON'T HAVE A CHANCE ANYMORE BECAUSE YOU FAILED! BECAUSE… I failed." Gabriel collapsed onto one of his chairs, his eyes closed, a hand to his forehead. He waited for the comforting arms of Natalie to hug him and make him feel better, to admit that she was wrong, to lie to him and say that everything was going to be alright.
After a few moments, he opened his eyes again, but Natalie was nowhere to be seen. He sighed and shut his door, locking it. What was he going to do?
Adrien
I didn't know what to think anymore.
Marinette's a great friend, and she's really awesome in every way, I especially like how cute she is when she stammers. But did I actually like her? Like, like her? After she kissed me, I'm not really sure what to feel anymore.
"Aw, c'mon Adrien," Plagg flew around the room, trying to entertain himself with something besides eating camembert cheese. "Marinette's a great person. Besides, she obviously likes you. You realize that she stammers whenever she gets near you?"
Did she like me? "I don't know, Plagg. She's only a friend. And even if she does like me, well… I'll have to wait and see."
"Ugh, all this love business is making me hungry. I need camembert!" Plagg wailed, flopping down on the bed. I sigh and toss Plagg some camembert, and he eats it in one gulp. "Mm, I knew you were the best Cat Noir!" he yells. I roll my eyes. "Wow, I'm flattered," I say sarcastically.
So now I have three girls to choose from; Kagami, Ladybug, and Marinette. Ladybug already confessed that she's in love with someone else, though I really don't see how she can resist me, not to brag. I mean, I'm Adrien Agreste, the fashion model. And I'm Cat Noir, the hero of destruction. Honestly, I think we're meant to be. After I gave up on her, Kagami's mainly been my love interest. She's really pretty, and she's smart too. Although there's the fact that she tried to kill me when she was Riposte. I mean sheesh, she does have quite a temper.
I look down when my phone buzzes, and although I'm not looking in the mirror, but I know my face lightens up.
"Lemme guess, Nino's invited you to the Eiffel tower to get some ice cream at Andre's and hang out at the park?" Plagg asks, lazily floating in midair and cuddling an imaginary lump of camembert.
"Wow Plagg, I think you're the kwami of destruction and mind reading," I chuckle as I text Nino back. Sure, I'll ask my dad. Is it just us, or others too?
Almost immediately after I send the text, my phone rings again.
No, Alya's coming too. And Alya's bringing Marinette. It's going to be like the 'best friend' dates!
I sigh. Date? Marinette? Well that will definitely be good news for her. I guess I'm chill with it. Maybe Marinette and I will make a good couple too. Nino's found his girlfriend, maybe I just found mine. But what about Kagami? What if she did like me after all? Am I making a mistake?
Lol yeah. See you there!
"Ooh, so you took my advice and now you're a couple with Marinette? My Adrien has grown up!" Plagg shouted, munching on another piece of camembert he found in my bag.
"C'mon Plagg, we gotta go." I grabbed my bag from him and he hid inside my jacket, just as Natalie opened the door.
"Adrien, your father would like to see you." It was simple, and I don't even bother to question her, knowing she won't elaborate.
I can't help but wonder what it could be.
When I come out of my room and start down the stairs, my dad is already waiting for me at the bottom. I barely find him anywhere except for his office. This must be something important.
I walk down the stairs and face my dad, looking up. His face is as stern as usual, his eyes intense and his lips curved down in an eternal frown. I doubt I've ever seen him smile since Mom died.
"Adrien, you amaze me." Now that was a surprise. Since when did I amaze my dad? What could I have possibly done? It's not like I just did anything special. What's going on?
"What, wha-"
"I don't know how you stay so positive when Emili- your mother disappeared. I know I've been very hostile to you lately, and I'm sorry for that." And he wraps his arms around me in a hug.
Wow. I rarely get to hug my dad, but I love the feeling. It makes me feel like there's always someone out there who loves me, truly. Someone who cares for me. It makes me feel like I have a family again.
"Thanks dad. Nino just texted me, can I go to the Eiffel Tower and get some ice cream with my friends?"
And for the first time in so long, he smiles at me. And beneath that old, sullen face, I see the handsome fashion designer that my mother fell in love with. "Of course Adrien. Have fun."
I can't stop myself but hug him again. "Thanks dad. You're the best." And I walk out the front door with a new feeling that I can't really place my finger on. But I'll come to that later. Right now, I need some time with friends.
This day can't get any better.