Chapter 3
"Something wasn't adding up." Alya thought.
It didn't make sense. Why would trained professionals and palace staff allow a seventeen year old boy to run rampant in the palace searching for another teenager? That was illogical and irresponsible. So why had Nino been the one to search and find her?
After Alya had gotten home from school, the palace fieldtrip began playing in her mind, over and over again. Chloe had screamed and the alarms had been triggered. But… they shouldn't have been triggered by Chloe. People yelled all the time and if the alarms turned on every time someone raised their voice, then the palace would constantly be on lock down. Something else must have set off the security system. Or someone else. The mysterious stranger came immediately to mind. The system was hacked, the alarms caused a distraction, and the power went out; it was the perfect set up for someone to sneak in. But sneak in for what?
The guy had mentioned something about a mission. He was assigned to a certain task which included hiding his identity. Nothing was stolen, so it wasn't a robbery. But… but…
"Darn my stupid memory!" Alya thought upset.
It wouldn't the first time Alya wished for perfect memory; no matter what awful and embarrassing things she had seen. If it meant remembering everything else to the letter, than Alya would gladly sacrifice her mental purity. Back to thinking…
It just wasn't logical that Ms. Bustier or the palace staff let a seventeen year old guy run after her. So why was Nino the one to find her? If one were to think sensibly, either Nino ran off on his own which also brought about the possibility of him being the cryptic visitor, or he had specific ties to the palace. Come to think of it… Nino had never mentioned anything about his parents. Other than being friends with Marinette, Nino hardly said anything about himself. Now of course, Alya just didn't go off announcing about her parents and their occupations, but if asked, she would tell the truth.
"Maybe, his parents worked at the palace and he knew his way around… wait… oh Lord…" Alya's brain was spinning with the realization. "How on earth did he get into the princess' room?"
That was an anomaly that just couldn't be ignored. Nino, her friend and maybe crush, not that Alya would ever admit it, had somehow gained access to the princess's room. That still didn't disprove the theory that he was secretive agent who had been traveling the halls earlier but… Suddenly, Alya remembered something.
While she had been in the closet, sounds were going off in the background. Small little beeps, like the sounds you get when you press buttons on keypads. But there wasn't a keypad when Alya was there. Unless… it was a secret keypad that only specific people could access. The more Alya reasoned, the more it seemed like Nino was either an agent of some sorts or someone who knew their way around the castle explicitly well because of relations who lived/worked there.
Alya had a new mystery to work on; who was Nino?
She had already thrown Chloe being the princess out of the window because the evidence, aside from the letter, was superficial and shaky at best. While surfing the internet, she had found many pictures of the mayor's daughter and the princess herself standing side by side. It still was strange how Chloe had gotten that letter in the first place. It was most likely a fake… but who had put it there… wait… who had given her the letter?
"Nino." Alya answered herself immediately.
As soon as she got to school tomorrow, he would have a lot of explaining to do; a lot.
"Alya!" Alya heard on of her little sisters calling at the top of her lungs.
"What?" she shouted back.
"Mom wants you to get out of your room and go exercise or something! Now!" Her sister yelled.
Alya groaned. It was 5:00… too much sunlight… and she'd rather watch videos and investigate. She didn't care about working out or anything. Alya was proud of her curves.
"Mom says if you don't go, she's going to take away your phone!" Her sister finished.
"I'm going!" Alya answered obediently.
Losing her phone was deadly.
It was around 4:30 when Marinette finished her homework. Ever since she had started school, her "parents" had drilled it into her that homework came first. Heading downstairs, she found them baking and the smell was amazing. Looking at her "father's" macaroons, she watched to see if any of them were looking. They weren't. With speed and agility, she quickly moved to snatch a macaroon off the plate. But as soon as she did…
"For that," Her "father" smiled. "You get to help finish this batch."
Marinette rolled her eyes good naturedly and stuffed the delicious cookie in her mouth before washing her hands and throwing on her apron. Another thing she had learned to do ever since coming to the Dupain-Cheng household was cooking, or more appropriately, baking, though she knew some cooking as well. In the palace, she had been fed all her life by the best chefs and greatest cooks. At first, she had been mortified to learn she would have to help bake and cook when she arrived. But over time, as her inner diva softened, she had grown to love the smell of anything baking in the oven. The feel of flour on her hands, and the satisfaction of something turning out well.
Sometimes, Marinette would picture herself without the title. Simply being herself and aspiring to be a baker… or even a fashion designer. An ordinary job, with ordinary parents, just wishing to be the best she could be. But sadly, that dream was a pipe dream.
After finishing the next batch of cookies, finally shoving them into the oven, Marinette wiped the flour off her hands and put her apron back. It was 5:00 and usually, about this time, she would go to the local park and sketch. Sometimes, she would do deliveries for her "parents" but today, they said they'd take care of it. Although, Marinette thought they were trying to make her feel better. Donning her black jacket, and shoes, along with grabbing her purse, she walked out the door and onto the streets. Finally alone without anything else to think about, her mind wandered over to the events of yesterday. Somehow, she had rescued an old man from almost getting run over, went on an almost date with Adrien, almost got her first kiss, and still got rejected.
She had run home crying.
That had been a taste of what she could never have. A dream which could never be reached; she realized it every second they spent together… she just hadn't expected the rejection. And it hurt. However, in the end, it was better that she ended up being the one rebuffed and unhappy; she wouldn't be able to do the same to Adrien… Nino had said she was too nice for her own good.
She sat down on a bench which was in view of a little café, where she knew a certain secret agent was monitoring her. He was watching her from the café because he wanted to be inconspicuous… and he was tired of them being mistaken for a couple. (long story )She pulled out her pencil from her purse along with her sketch book and began to draw. Skipping the pages which had her crushes- model's face on them, she tried to think of something to design or sketch but her mind was blank. She thought about calling Nino over anyway just to have someone to talk to… she was lonely.
"Hello…"
Sitting by himself inconspicuously as possible with his head behind a newspaper, Nino sipped his coffee, watching Marinette. She was conversing with a complete stranger… again, and Nino wondered if he would actually have to leave his comfortable spot just to pull her away and lecture her… again. She was just so trusting; it was painful to look at. Suddenly, the bell above the door jingled and in walked… Adrien. Nino scowled slightly.
After the dolt had completely trashed Marinette's feelings and self-esteem, he thought walking in here was just fine? Sure, they were… friends… but Adrien wasn't going to get let off the hook. Nino was Marinette's friend first and foremost. And being her bodyguard just added to it. He would protect her from anything; terrorists, boys, heartbreaks, and anything in between.
Nino almost snorted and laughed as Adrien sat down in front of him. He was going to get it.
"Before you start, I know. I was a complete jerk and a terrible friend. I know I hurt her… and I'm sorry." Adrien quickly said.
Nino… was surprised to say the least. Of all the things he expected, an apology was not one of them.
"I didn't mean to upset her… I had a call… from my father. He called me in to do an extra photo-shoot and… I ended up ditching her." Adrien explained.
"Yeah, I know, she told me everything." Nino said firmly.
"I know you are her best friend and you know her more than anyone else. So I was wondering how on earth I would be able to make it up with her." Adrien asked timidly.
"Look…" Nino sighed. "You're a good guy Adrien, and I'm sure you didn't mean to upset her on purpose. But… she's going to kill me for tell you this…" Nino muttered. "She likes- wait…"
Nino halted his words when he stared past Adrien, outside at the bench she was "supposed to be sitting on." Where Marinette once was, she was not and that sent off all sorts of alarms in Nino.
"What? What does she like? Chocolates? Stuffed animals?" Adrien questioned innocently.
"Where is she?" Nino said aloud.
"Who?" Adrien asked.
But Nino had already left the café. He wasn't going to waste another second. He ran to the park but before he got very far, Adrien pulled his hand.
"Where are you going? Who are you looking for?" Adrien asked.
"Marinette! She was right there!" Nino said pointing at the bench.
Adrien stared at it before running up to it. What he found on the bench made him do a 180. He ran passed Nino with a greater speed than Nino could have ever imagined. Then, Nino saw what made his friend turn around.
"Crap!"
He pulled out his white phone and dialed the princess's security team.
"The Ladybug's wings are clipped."
A.k.a. Marinette's been kidnapped.
A ransom note with the signature of a serial kidnapper who had been active recently had been left on the bench, sending Adrien into a flurry of panic. This was way worse than Marinette scraping her hands that was certain. The kidnapper was renowned for taking people from populated areas and holding them for up to three weeks before releasing them malnourished, beaten, and left for dead. If Adrien was sure about one thing, was that he would not let that happen to Marinette. Not when he could do something about it.
Racing down an alley with his heart pounding, he ducked behind a dumpster, securely hidden. There, he pulled out of his backpack and changed into his black suit like the one he had worn during his break in to the palace. Made out of a flexible, durable, breathable, slightly shiny fabric, it fitted comfortably on him and allowed movement. Donning a black mask to hide his identity, Adrien became the fearsome hitman, Chat Noir.
A.N.
I am so frustrated with the lack of logic in this... I really am... Nothing makes sense... or... cents... sry...
Anyway, sorry this is so short and it took so long but my mom ended up going to the hospital for a week and it was really stressful. I'm the oldest in my house so I had to take care of my siblings and cook and clean and be responsible which is not something I do very often; being responsible I mean. So this took a while.
Review please!
Doppleganger: Desperate much?
Me: Yes... yes I am.
So please tell me what you think. I don't mind constructive criticism so please review.
Also, tell me what you would like to happen next. I already have a plan, but If I hear a really good idea, then you'd not only inspire me to write faster, but you would get to see your idea happen in the next chapter!
So... Review... again...
Doppleganger: So desperate it's sad.
Me: Nah, I'm happy!
Smiles!
BigEyesBigSmile
