Had this chapter written for a long time so there might be spelling and grammar errors. So I apologize for that. Plus I really love Fake/Arranged marriages Au's so I decided to try it.
So while I'm trying to write my other stories. I decided to post this instead. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: Marry who?
Marinette woke up to the annoying sound of her alarm clock. She really didn't want to get up since she didn't go to bed until 12:00 in the morning. She had stayed up all night working and finishing her designs for a new fashion line of hers. She really couldn't believe that at age 23 she had a job in the fashion world. She couldn't be more grateful for what she had accomplished at such as young age.
Yawning as she stretched, she opened her eyes slowly. Only to close them again as she buried herself in her warm blanket. Not wanting to get up just yet. Until her eyes shot open to reveal panicked blue eyes. Her eyes moved quickly to where her alarm clock was. The panicked spreading as she saw the time.
Late, late! She thought as she tried to get out of bed. Though in her hurry her foot got caught in the blankets making her fall face flat.
"Ugh.." she groaned as she got up. It was funny to think that she was 23 years old, but still tripped and fell like, she was fourteen again. She ran all over her room trying to find clothes and shoes. She found a simple,tea-length, black dress that had a halter neckline and threw it on. She looked around her room for black ballet flats but ended up settling for heels. She ran into the bathroom to brush her teeth as quickly as possible. After brushing her teeth she decided not put makeup since it took a long time. And time was against her right now. She ran out of her bathroom with a hair brush in her hand. She raced around her apartment trying to find her sketchbook and design folder. Oh if Alya were here she'd probably be laughing her ass off. She didn't know where she left her things.
Good job Marinette. You're going to be late and get fired. She thought to herself as she brushed her hair. All while she destroyed her apartment in search of her supplies.
"Ugh! Where is it!" she yelled impatiently. She knew she left it somewhere in her apartment she just didn't know where. She turned around to see it hiding in between her couch cushions.
"There it is!" she exclaimed running towards the two objects. Marinette glanced at the time and almost had a heart attack. She had exactly 13 minutes to hurry to get to her job. She really needed something to wake her up but she didn't have time to make coffee. She'll just have to get it at the company. She grabbed her bag tossing her phone and keys in as she pried the door opened and slammed it closed as she ran out. She sprinted to her car and started it up. She was in a hurry, yes, but she wasn't going to break the law and risk getting into an accident.
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Finally, she arrived and practically ran inside the building. As she ran inside the building she was putting her hair up in a pony tail. Though she was stopped when she was greeted by Rose, one of the front desk secretaries.
"Good morning Ms. Dupain-Cheng," she said chirpily. Marinette stopped to greet Rose.
"Good morning Rose and I already told you. You can call me Marinette," she said kindly forgetting that she was in a rush for a moment.
"Wait Rose am I late," she asked remembering she woke up late. Rose looked at her and typed something on her computer. Then she looked up smiling.
"Nope act…." she was cut off by Marinette thanking her and running away.
"Can you check me in. Thanks!" she yelled as she hurried down the large lobby. Rose raised her eyebrows and looked at the doorman. Who just shrugged and looked just as confused as her. Sometimes they just didn't understand that girl.
Marinette ran as fast as she could. Which was in her opinion really difficult to do so in heels. She was about to turn the corner when her heel got caught on the carpeting. She was about to fall and probably twist her ankle, but she was caught by someone. She opened her eyes to find green ones staring at her.
"Whoa slow down." he told as she stood up straight.
"I'm sorry I'm just running late. Though thanks for the catch, Adrien." she thanked him.
"That's fine, but if I may ask where is the Princess fashion designer going to?" he asked her.
Marinette glared at him.
"I told you to stop calling me that," she told him. Adrien put on an innocent face.
"What? Fashion designer?" he said innocently.
"No Princess. Anyways to answer your question I have to head to a photo shoot and I'm running a bit late," she said as she saw Adrien's eyebrows knit together obviously confused.
"Photo shoot? Oh, you mean the Evening Gown Fashion Line?Wait didn't you get the email?" he asked her and she got confused.
What email?
"What email?" she asked now confused. Adrien looked at her surprised.
"The photo shoot was moved. It's not at 8:25 anymore it was moved to 9:20 instead," he told her. Marinette was still and then she groaned. The shoot was moved. It was moved.
"Didn't you get it?" he asked as he saw Marinette take out her phone.
"Yep got it, but guess I was into much of a hurry to get to work that I didn't see it come in," she told him as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She needed that after she basically rushed over here and destroyed her apartment. Apparently, today hated her for whatever reason.
"Marinette are you okay?" she heard Adrien ask her sounding concerned. She opened her eyes to see Adrien tilting his head.
"Yeah just feel frustrated, tired and like today hates me. But I'm okay," she said calmly.
"Uh sorry. Anyways if you want I could bring you some coffee." he offered. Marinette smiled at his kindness.
"Thank you. God knows I need it," she said as she placed a strand of her behind her ear.
"One coffee coming up for the princess." he said playfully.
"You dork." she bumped her shoulder with his.
"Only a dork for you milady." he said using her other nickname he gave her.
"Just bring me my coffee and no more of this milady stuff,"Marinette told him playfully.
"Of course can't keep the princess waiting." he said and then rushed to get her, her coffee.
"I'll be at my office and don't call me princess!" she yelled as he ran down the hall. She turned around towards her office. She really had a great friend she thought as she opened her office door. Though she really wished he wasn't such a dork. But then again she found that adorable.
She gently closed her door and made her way to her desk. She took out her folder and sketchbook, placing them on her desk. Today has been a really frustrating day and it was barely looked at her reflection in her compact mirror. Without make, you could see all her freckles and the visible stress. She sighed putting the compact away deciding to do her makeup at the shoot. It wouldn't be the first time she asks the makeup artist. And she knew it wouldn't be the last time.
She felt like she could finally relax, well at least for now. She sank in her chair and enjoyed the peacefulness. Until her phone rang and scared her enough to make her jump off her chair. She stood up and answered her phone.
"Hello?" she asked just as Adrien entered her office with her coffee.
"Uh WHAT!" she screamed scaring Adrien. Almost making him drop his and her coffee in the process.
"Sorry I didn't mean to scream. It's okay, I understand," she told the person on the phone. Adrien raised her coffee and she motioned him to set it down on her desk.
"It's fine I'll try and figure something out." she sighed.
"Anyways thanks for calling. Okay bye." she hung up and hit her head against her desk.
"Marinette what happened?" he asked concerned that she might get a bruise.
"One of my models canceled, said they couldn't make it to the shoot." She said raising her head as she rubbed her temple. He didn't know whether it was from hitting her head or her frustration.
"Now I either try and find another model or cancel the whole thing." she said drinking her coffee.
"But where am I going to find a model at the last minute." she worried out loud. She looked at Adrien remembering that she forgot to thank him.
"Sorry and thanks for the coffee."
"How about I help?" he offered. She looked at him and blinked.
"How?" she asked which made him laugh.
"Sometimes I think you actually forget I'm a model," he said grinning. "So accept my help?"
Marinette weighed her options. She did need another model and Adrien was offering to help.
"Okay but.." she paused for dramatic effect.
"But?" Adrien repeated.
"But only if I can take you out for lunch. It's the least I can do," she told him.
"Lunch?" he said puzzled and then smiled. Leaning towards her, a hand under his chin.
"You know if you wanted to go on a date you should have just asked." Marinette almost choked on her coffee.
"W-what? No not like that...I mean I..hey don't laugh." she glared as he tried to contain his laughter.
"Uh sorry so lunch." he said still smiling.
"Yeah lunch and meet me at the photo shoot, okay." she said.
"Okay see you then." he said as he stood up.
"Thanks for everything." she added sincerely before he left.
"It was nothing, but you're welcome." he winked at her as he headed out the door.
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It hadn't been 15 minutes since he left and someone knocked on the door. She swore she was never going to get any peace and quiet.
"May I come in?" asked a voice.
"Sure come on in," she said. The door opened to reveal Nathalie, Mr. Agreste assistant. She stood up when she saw her.
"Nathalie how may I help you." she asked a bit nervously.
"Mr. Agreste wants to see you in his office," she said coolly. Marinette's heartbeat picked up.
"Okay...when if I may ask?" she asked anxiously.
"Does right now work for you?" she asked. Marinette nodded.
"Yes I just have a photo shoot at 9:20 though," she told Nathalie. Nathalie nodded.
"That means we have around 15 minutes." she said writing something down.
"Come on no need to keep Mr. Agreste waiting," she said as she whipped around. Marinette walked a bit behind her, thinking about what he wanted to talk about. Mr. Agreste was a cold person and was nothing like Adrien. Sometimes she couldn't believe they were related. Her anxiety grew and grew as they headed closer to his office. Nathalie opened the door gesturing for her to come in.
"Mr. Agreste, I have retrieved Marinette," she said alerting him that they arrived. Mr. Agreste looked up his icy blue narrowed under his glasses.
"Ms. Dupain-Cheng please have a seat," he said in a monotone voice. He got up and took off his glasses. Marinette didn't know what to do or if she should speak. She took a leap of faith and asked him.
"Why did you want to see me Mister Agreste?"He looked over at her as he placed his glasses back on.
"I want to talk to you about something important." He said making her even more nervous.
"And what might that be Monsieur Agreste." she asked trying to keep her coffee down.
"As you might know I plan to retire in a few months." Marinette knew that he was going to retire in a few months everyone in the company knew that, so she nodded. He continued.
"Well, Adrien is the Heir of the company. Though he is ready for the job, some of my business partners don't see Adrien being capable of running the company." Marinette's head shot up. She wanted to say that was bullshit. Adrien was one of the most hard-working people she knew.
"Anyways they want me to find an eligible suitor that will help him run the company ."Mr. Agreste told her. Marinette was puzzled, Adrien getting married?
"What does marrying someone have to do with running a company?" she politely asked. She really didn't understand the point of marrying someone just to run a company. She had seen Mr. Agreste run it just fine. Mr. Agreste looked at her and then turned away.
"It is important to keep an image and..." He paused briefly " may I ask you a question Ms. Dupain- Cheng?." he asked as she turned over to look at her. Marinette hesitated for a second since she didn't know what type of question he was to ask her.
"It would depend on the question Mr. Agreste." she responded after awhile.
"Have you ever known my son to date or go out with anyone?" the question surprised her. Though as long as she's known Adrien she has never heard of him dating anyone. Let alone seeing anyone.
"No I haven't Monsieur Agreste, not in the years I've known him," she answered. He sat back down and laced his hands together.
"See that's the problem." was the only thing he said. Marinette looked at him, an enigma to whatever he had meant.
"I ..I don't seem to quite understand sir." she told him perplexed with the conversation.
" Adrien has not dated since he's met you. That would be 7 years and my partners have noticed too." He paused again. "They think if I arranged a marriage with someone considerably popular in the fashion industry, it would help him when I'm not here." she let those words sink in.
"So..so this is just about the publicity it might bring the company?" she asked. "This is just about the money and the growth of the company?"
"Of course the better publicity the more money." Marinette gaped at him and how calmly he had said that.
"Let me tell you something Ms. Dupain -Cheng this," he spread his hands out to emphasize the building. " did not grow over night. It took several years to get the company to what it is today. My business partners do not want Adrien messing up just because he couldn't make a decision by himself." Marinette was officially pissed. She couldn't believe what he just said, she couldn't believe any of it.
"I'm sorry Monsieur Agreste, but I don't see how this concerns me." She told him not understanding why he was telling her this.
"Though I don't think you have the right do that. He has the right to marry who ever he wants and not you or your business partners can't take that away from him. Plus he's hard working and very much capable of making a decision by himself. The only reason why you think he can't is that you're always making the decisions for him." she paused but continued." I know you'll fire me for this but Adrien is worth it. He deserves way more than an arranged marriage. So I don't care what your partners or you say. You can't force him to love someone he doesn't want to marry." she huffed out angrily. She hoped that she wouldn't get fired, but that didn't matter. All she knew was that she had to defend Adrien. He deserved so much more than an arranged marriage, so much more. She looked at Monsieur Agreste and was stunned to see him smiling.
" No one has ever stood up for my son like that, much less confront me." he said his blue eyes staring into her own.
" Adrien made a wonderful choice when he chose to befriend you. I think we have found our perfect suitor. Don't you think Nathalie?" he suddenly asked. Nathalie was apparently surprised by his question. Her eyes darted to Marinette a rare smile taunted Nathalie's lips.
"I think we have Mr. Agreste," she responded then immediately looking at her pad. Marinette was still confused at what had just happened.
"Wait what's happening." her voice much quieter to the voice she had used before.
"But don't you see Ms. Dupain-Cheng I want you to marry my son," he said making her freeze. Did she hear right?
"W..what ma..marry your son, but why me?" she stumbled over her words as she asked.
"Like I said we need a suitor. Someone preferably successful in the industry and well liked among others." He explained to her. Marinette was shocked that he thought that she was a perfect suitor.
"Plus you two have known each for a long time. It would be easy to come up with a heart throbbing story about your love for each other. Not to mention you two are quite popular in the fashion industry. Him being one of the most popular models out there. And you being one of the most popular quick rising fashion designers. Being together would throw any other company off the grid. That being said I'll promise to pay you for accepting." he offered. Marinette looked at him, he wanted her to be in a fake marriage and was paying her to do it. She was so beyond pissed off at this point.
"I don't want money for doing this." she said a bit angry, her nervousness gone.
"Then a promise to help you start your own company." he suggested.
"Sorry if I'm being rude Monsieur Agreste, but I can not accept your offers." her voice rising a bit. Mr. Agreste looked amused.
"Then you aren't going to do it?" he asked. Marinette debated this in her head. Would it really be hard marrying one of her closest friends? She would rather marry someone she knew than marry a complete stranger. After coming to a conclusion she had her answer.
"I'm only doing it under a few circumstances."
"And what would that be Ms. Dupain-Cheng. I already suggested two offers, but you turned them down. So what are these circumstances?" he asked her. Marinette took a breath.
"The circumstances are today until the wedding day you can't force Adrien to model if he doesn't want to." she said folding her hands.
"And you have to give Adrien more freedom meaning letting him see his friends and not fuss so much about his diet." Monsieur Agreste raised his left eyebrow.
"What you are asking me, does not benefit you in any way, but my son. Any reason why?" bis eyes focused on her again.
"Because I want him to be happy and I have one more request. Being, If Adrien does find someone that he thinks would make him happy and he wants to marry them. I want you not to interfere and let him divorce me if he finds someone he wants to be with." she requested waiting for his answer.
"Ms. Dupain-Cheng you cease to impress me." he held out his hand to her.
"So do we have a deal?"
"I hardly call it a deal, but sure Mister Agreste," She said taking his hand.
" Deal."
Search up the main cause of arranged marriages and found out it was mostly for business benefit. Anyways thanks for reading! Leave a review and tell me if you enjoyed!
~Petaledroses