A/N: Okay, I thought that Adrien's fencing classes were in a different building, but after some research it turns out that the practice takes place at the Collège Françoise Dupont, aka the same building where his attends his everyday classes with Marinette and others. I had to make changes to this chapter, but hope you enjoy! Thank you for your reviews!
"Nathalie, is Adrien ready for his fencing practice?" A deep voice, which was on the verge of almost losing it's calmness, was heard from the woman's earpiece. The owner of that voice was definitely about to snap.
The Agreste's assistant sighed, as she tried to keep her composure and thoughts together. Her boss had been extra strict these past days and she also noticed the fact that Hawkmoth had stopped sending off akumas for a while. Natalie guessed that Gabriel Agreste was planning something and it wasn't a new line of fashionable clothing. While her boss was always serious and secretive, all this new stress the man was experiencing was not only bad for him it started becoming hectic for Nathalie as well. She had to wake up earlier, check all the schedules and manage time tables, plus she also had to keep track of Adrien (although she noticed that his father put quite a few additional courses to keep his son very busy outside the school). She could only guess it was because Gabriel didn't want his son to get suspicious of his secret, which proved that something was definitely going on. But the female assistant didn't really have a choice, so she didn't even want to ask about it. What Sancoeur had learned during her work is to just keep calm and follow the instructions.
She received a call from the fencing instructor, who said that Adrien hasn't appeared to the lessons yet. Nathalie had to act fast and take care of things by herself, without Adrien's father knowing about that little incident. Alas, he did know that fact, which wasn't exactly pleasing.
"Sir, I am entering the college building as we speak," she answered. "I shall send you a message as soon as Adrien gets to his practice."
Her boss said nothing and declined a call. Hopefully, she wasn't going to get fired today.
The woman was walking down the halls of the empty building. Panic had almost taken over her, when she once again tried calling the boy for the third time this day. As expected, he didn't answer his phone. While Nathalie hasn't shown her care for Adrien, she did worry about him and wanted to do her best with Gabriel's orders concerning his son. She wondered what caused Adrien's absence from his fencing practice.
"Adrien? Where are you?" her voice echoed, as the woman looked around. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Agreste's son with a girl. She recognized her it was the girl who made a derby hat for Adrien's photo shoot and the girl who made scarf for his birthday. Nathalie felt a tinge of guilt, remembering the time, when she lied to Adrien about that light blue scarf.
The position these two were in was surprising. They were both blushing, as the blond boy held onto the brunette's hand. The whole situation and the atmosphere felt intimate. Nathalie acknowledged the fact that she rudely interrupted whatever the teenagers were doing. She was sure his father wouldn't be so happy about it. Actually, no…she wasn't really sure about that. Not that it mattered.
"N-nathalie?" Adrien Agreste nearly jumped, as his pupils shrank. How embarrassing! His father's right hand assistant caught him at such time. He wasn't sure what both of them would have done, if it wasn't for the interruption…Why was it so embarrassing, though? An apology of his friend ended up with him and his friend being extremely close. Oh, that kabedon though! He would remember it for certain.
Marinette, on the other hand, felt like running was the greatest idea, as she couldn't even process what has happened.
"Ah, Adrien! I am sorry, I letter beave, I mean, I better leave now, haha! Sorry!" and she tripped over Adrien's leg, causing an even more embarrassing scene. Adrien's cat reflexes helped him catching the girl and carefully putting her on the ground, earning a cute, mumbled 'thank you' in return. She smiled softly at him, bowing and apologizing to Nathalie before storming out of the building, her face burning hot as the sun.
"Well, I am glad you are safe." The assistant broke the awkward silence. She found the look on Adrien's face very amusing, as she tried her best to not crack a smile.
"I am sorry, Nathalie," the boy scratched the back of his neck, as he shyly looked at his feet. "I forgot to charge my phone yesterday, so I lost track of time. Plus I had an important talk with my friend Marinette and…" He felt extremely ashamed, that Nathalie had to see them like that. Which was strange, since Chat Noir has flirted with Marinette before and he wasn't embarrassed or ashamed. It's not like they were doing something inappropriate, right? Just two friends talking and stuff… Wait, could he call their situation a flirt? That wouldn't creep his classmate out, would it?
"Ugh, why do I keep running in circles? I have to stop thinking about it." Yet the boy still had his doubts. However, he stopped, trying to figure out how to smoothly 'recover' from such a surprising thing.
Nathalie just sighed. Agreste is a teenager, so it's natural for him to start having interest in girls and maintaining relationships. But she still had to accompany him safely to his practice. Though the fact that his phone had no battery explained why her calls didn't reach him. That is, if he wasn't lying.
"I am going to inform your father. Let's hurry, your practice has already started."
"Yes." The young model sighed. If there was one thing he knew about Nathalie, is that she is very responsible. Is she said she will tell, then so be it. He only hoped his father wouldn't ask any questions. Come to think of it, it has been a while since he saw his parent. Was it because of a new line of clothing in-progress?
"I'll think of an excuse," Sancoeur continued, as the two were walking down the stairs. "But it's the last time I do it, okay? You must try your best to attend all the additional courses, Adrien." She couldn't help but pity Adrien. The lack of a simple parental love and a warm family atmosphere really made the teenager more and more miserable. She was glad Gabriel accepted her request to enroll Adrien to a public school. After the New Year's she was certain it was the best decision. At least now the green-eyed boy had good friends and a social life.
"Or is that girl really just a friend?" It just didn't seem like it. However, it wasn't her business, until it was getting in the way of his studies.
Agreste's eyes brightened up as he smiled widely at Nathalie. Despite that cold façade she was putting up, he believed that woman had a kind heart. He was very thankful.
"Thank you very much!" He said once again, as he entered the dressing room. Adrien hoped his would be able to focus on his training. He felt emotionally exhausted. At least his face stopped burning. Who knew his shy classmate could be so fierce, when needed? She totally caught him off guard pinning to the wall like that!
"Maybe a certain cat is going to pay her a visit tonight." He thought, but nearly slapped himself after that. What was he thinking? It sounded so wrong. It would be illogical for Chat to visit her. After the kiss on the forehead she gave him last time, who knew what could-
No, stop it, Agreste. Don't let that little interaction get your mind into the wrong specter of thoughts. You are just flustered and tired. Think of your fencing.
He wanted to rush home and get some sleep, as fast as possible. He needed to think clearly and get a few more sweet hours of sleeping. (And maybe reread his favorite shoujo mangas, just to refresh the methods of kabedoning a person).
"Hey, I heard you promised Tsurugi a date," One of the boys said, as Adrien finished putting his fencing uniform on.
Oh, right! He had completely forgotten about that!
"It's not a date. We just want to hang out after the practice." Agreste replied, shrugging. How did this guy know about it anyway?
"Alright, I am just making sure. She is pretty awesome, don't you think?" The boy continued. Adrien didn't see his face, since it was covered by a fencing mask.
"I guess so." He replied, before exiting the dressing room. Maybe fencing could help him clear up his thoughts.
