"Is this too sexy?" Marinette asked as she stepped out into the bedroom. She wasn't wearing anything too revealing. She simply wore a fashionable button up white blouse with a fitting black pencil skirt that stopped just at her knee. She paired it off with a nice set of plain black high heels.
She kept her hair in a bun that sat neatly on the top of her head. Marinette was a little nervous to start this fashion program. She had worked hard throughout high school. She had quite the remarkable portfolio for someone her age.
Her hat was featured on almost every news channel in Paris when she was only fourteen years of age, and her hat was modeled by the one and only Adrien Agreste. Her design was hand picked by designer Gabriel Agreste himself, and she was lucky enough to design the album cover of Jagged Stone.
It didn't have to be said, that she was talented, with an impressive history.
"You look amazing... but then again, you look sexy in anything you put on" Adrien murmured as he stood up, reaching around the back of her shirt and pulling the price tag off before the bluenette could even attest to it.
Marinette hummed, her blue eyes veering off to see her son, playing with Tikki.
"You don't think that wearing Gabriel's clothing will come off as a bit...showy?" Marinette asked nervously. "I don't want people to get the impression that I got here because I'm marrying his son."
Adrien wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a taut embrace.
"You worked hard to get where you are. It's a fashion business. In this industry you always have to dress your best. You'll make a good first impression and then the day will be over. Besides... it's business in the fashion industry, everyone will be wearing name brand clothes." He explained, pulling back to look at her.
"Take it from someone who's lived in it all his life..."
Marinette leaned into him. She allowed herself to get lost in his embrace as she always did.
She often wondered if Adrien wanted to be in this industry at all, or if he simply did so to please his father. Part of her hoped that he enjoyed half as much as what he did. During his photoshoots and catwalk gigs he seemed to smile, but she knew he was good at hiding things.
She saw it first hand when she was with him as Chat Noir. She would have never known it was him if he hadn't admitted to her who he was.
They were like polar opposites, personality wise. At the same time, Marinette was able to see the similarities. As both Chat Noir and Adrien, he was honest, loyal and still quite the hopeless romantic.
She nuzzled her face into his chest, being completely thankful for him. Even despite everything, he was always there to support her. He was her rock, she had no idea what she'd do without him. After all the endeavours they embraced together it was hard to imagine him not being around.
The thought was scary.
"You're gonna be okay with Louis by yourself until I get back? I'll try not to be too long." The blunette uttered, her voice slightly muffled as she kept her face buried in his shirt.
Adrien chuckled. "Yes! We'll be alright." His eyes then looked over at Louis who was about ready to fall asleep where he sat. "Right, little guy?" Adrien asked, pitching his voice louder to jolt the toddler awake.
Much to his dismay, Louis simply nodded and plopped straight on to the sofa and closed his eyes.
Tikki was at Marinette's side at once while Plagg nuzzled into Louis' neck and yawned, ready to have his nap with the little one.
"I'll take care of the rest!" Tikki piped, nuzzling into Marinette's freckled cheeks.
Marinette smiled, reaching up to cup her kwami friend in her hands.
"I'm glad I'm not going alone..." Marinette whispered, looking down at Tikki.
She was never alone. Since the very beginning Tikki had been there for her. As the voice of guidance Tikki was there for her when Marinette found out that she was pregnant. If it weren't for her words of encouragement Marinette wouldn't know where she'd be.
From the moment Marinette cried because she was scared, to the moment where Marinette finally accepted her situation and was wiping butter off her face with bagels. Tikki was her voice of reason, and truly was Marinette's best friend. The bluenette couldn't be more grateful.
"You're never alone." Tikki responded, glancing up at Marinette as if she knew what she was thinking about.
Marinette cracked a smile briefly before she leaned down and kissed her little kwami on the head.
"Alright!" Adrien rasped, interjecting their tender interlude in a matter of moments.
"Lets go! Or you'll be late. You don't want to be late on the first day of the job."
Marinette nodded, acknowledging that what he said was right. She unzipped her purse, allowing Tikki to climb inside before she headed out.
Marinette was breathless.
She didn't expect the building to be so huge. She felt like a complete oddity but the floors were just so shiny.
The teenage girl in her wanted to skip around in her heels just to hear them tap against the smooth floors.
The young adult in her wanted to walk down the halls with her sketch book like a sophisticated woman.
The blunette snorted at the thought.
Who was she kidding?
She was NOT ready to be an adult.
She had made quite a few acquaintances at the introduction conference table, and Marinette was definitely more than thrilled that she was working under Audrey Bourgeois.
Sure, there were pros and cons.
One con being that she was Chloe's mother. Seeing that Chloe did cause the akuma that nearly killed her unborn child, Marinette couldn't help but to feel a bit of a profound vexation towards the girl. Granted, Chloe hadn't been as terrible as she was during their early years of highschool; Marinette wanted to give the girl the benefit of the doubt.
She had a heart, she just didn't know how to use it.
Directing to another con, Marinette did feel like she was betraying Adrien.
Agreste fashion and Bourgeois fashion were both industry lines that were in competition against one another.
Even knowing so, Marinette couldn't help but to feel bashful that she had been repping Gabriel's clothing while working in his competitors building. She was marrying into the family after all, she had hoped that it didn't give the wrong impression. But even that little thought wasn't enough to boost her off her high.
While Agreste's fashion line had Adrien as their secret weapon, Bourgeois had gained a secret weapon of their own.
Their recently attained secret weapon was Marinette herself.
Marinette had no idea she would be skyrocketing this high.
If she was lucky enough she could possibly get a wedding dress designed by Audrey herself!
Marinette nearly bounced on her toes as the thought of her wedding day gave her butterflies. Marinette could have sworn she was going to throw up. She was truly on cloud nine. She couldn't have been happier.
She applied herself to the belief that she was going to do her family proud.
Marinette was too lost in her thoughts she didn't even realize she was already halfway down the hall.
Audrey's assistant was giving Marinette the detour, and because Marinette was the head designer, she was instructed to direct Marinette to her private quarters so that she could meet the models and discuss designs done and set up in the appropriate time frame to be finished in time before they were presented to Paris. Marinette had only ever been to one fashion show before, to be at one as the top leading fashion designer was a dream come true.
Everyone who knew Marinette understood she was a personable entity. She took pride and empathy in everything that she did.
She wanted her designs to be in the likes of the model who wore them. This was a true passion of hers, and Marinette wanted that to outshine in her designs. She was able to prove it once when Adrien wore her hats, she made it another goal of hers but on the body of the model Audrey provided her.
"And this is your office." The assistant briefed. "Mrs. Bourgeois will send the model up when they're ready."
Marinette blushed.
The words "your office" had such a wonderful ring to it.
"Thanks." She replied, pausing just outside her door. Marinette turned to face the girl. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I've caught your name..."
The girl paused, her grey eyes contrasting against her dark skin and dark brown hair.
She smiled, a warm smile as if she was finally acknowledged as a person for once.
"I-it's Emily..."
Marinette immediately reciprocated the smile.
"Thank you, Emily. It was a pleasure meeting you..."
Emily simply nodded, giving the blunette one last glance before she turned and walked back down the narrow hallway.
Marinette watched her for a brief moment. She then turned facing the door before taking in a deep breath and opened it.
She was taken in completely awe.
Immediately, she saw the very large window that lit up the entire office space. On her right there was a designer black Hans Hopfer and Marco Fumagalli loveseat that contrasted perfectly to the creamy white walls.
In front of the massive window was a solid black desk made of delicate glass. Just a mere glimpse of it Marinette was able to tell it was a Cynthia Rowley designed desk.
From the Artemide Tolomeo Lamps to the Moroccan modern floor rugs, Marinette knew she shouldn't be surprised.
But she was.
This was definitely gonna take some getting used to.
She closed the door behind her and immediately threw herself on the office swivel chair. The bluenette squeaked as she twirled around in her chair.
Her blue eyes darted across the room, she could see where that photo of her and Adrien were gonna go. She could see that her photo of Louis as a newborn was going right there on her desk. Perhaps on the other corner she would place the family photo along with other photos of her parents.
Marinette could just picture it, she imagined herself making important phone calls. She imagined having quick business lunches within her office. She imagined herself simply looking out the large window, looking down at the city a few hundred feet below. She imagined that her designs were going to be worn all across Paris, and she'd be sitting on top of the world.
A sudden knock on her door jolted her out of her prolonged fantasies and it surprised her so effectively that she had nearly fell out of her chair.
"C-Come in!" Marinette called out, attempting to straighten herself up, banging her knee in the process.
"Shit-" she cursed under her breath.
"I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time." A soft voice emanated from behind the door as the unknown person let themselves in.
Marinette glanced up, and was nearly blown away.
She was greeted by one of the softest smiles she had ever seen, and the most gorgeous green blue eyes she had the pleasure of looking into.
"No...not at all..." she replied, her voice nearly trailing off as her mind was still processing the god like figure in front of her. He was such a beautiful boy. Not as beautiful as Adrien, but was still beautiful nonetheless.
The male reached his hand out to grip hers in a firm shake.
"Mrs. Bourgeois assigned me to be your model. Can't wait to see what you create." He spoke, a soft smile still on his face as he held her hand in his.
Marinette blushed, she wasn't sure if it was because of the high expectation or but because he was just so attractive.
"O-Of course...I'm Marinette. I can't wait to work with you." She sputtered out in an unintentional weak voice.
The male nodded, subtly biting his lip.
"Pleased to meet you, Marinette. I'm Luka.
Luka Couffaine."
