Chapter 7

Much to Helena's relief the rest of the week was quiet and school was getting easier. Madame Bustier had changed the seating assignments several times, but after each shift resulted in a crying Chloe or Chloe making someone else cry she ended up putting Helena Next to Marinette and Alya. She wanted Helena to be comfortable and she thought that the three girls could become good friends, and she was right. After Marinette talked to Master Fu she felt a lot more comfortable about Calibri and Helena too. She realized she was letting jealousy get the better of her and after a couple long talks with Alya both girls realized that they didn't have anything to worry about with this new girl, of course Alya didn't know Marinette was talking about two different girls but it didn't really matter in the end.

"Daddy is having this huge ball this weekend and of course tons of celebrities will be there!" Chloe was bragging to some of her classmates about her weekend plans, when Helena got an idea.

"Marinette can I ask you a favor?" Helena asked looking over to the girl next to her. "I have a fancy gala to go to this weekend and I was hoping you could make me a dress?"

"A gala? I don't know, it's not much time and I don't know if I have any decent fabrics at home" Marinette thought aloud.

"I will compensate you for your time and we could go pick up materials after school. My mom is making me go to this party with her since we're still new in town, she wants to impress the local politicians. I know there will be lots of high society people I think it could be a great chance to tell people your name." Helena explained. "Plus aside from a few minor rules I have to follow, I would be your doll. You could design anything you want, I have seen your sketches I would love to be your canvas"

"Hm… that actually might be kind of fun. I make things for Alya and I all the time, but I haven't had any reasons to make a real gown before." Marinette opened her sketchbook and started scribbling out some ideas. "There are so many colors that would look good on you, especially with the shade of your hair. What do you think of pink?"

"Anything you can imagine" Helena laughed.

Alya leaned over and whispered something in Marinette's ear then both girls at back and smiled at Helena eerily.

"I don't know if I like that look though" Helena said swiping a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"Oh I think you'll like it" Alya said holding onto her Cheshire grin, Marinette nodding in agreement.

The week passed quickly and Helena spent a lot of her evenings in her mothers office or on the phone trying to convince her mother to let her friends come over before the gala to help her get ready. Catherine finally relented Friday morning after hearing her daughter spend so much time pleading.

"Fine. I'll meet you at the party, but you know what I expect and Tony will be here to keep an eye on them and you." Her mothers cold tone didn't dampen Helena's mood at all. Finally she would be allowed to have her friends over and see what Marinette had made her. Marinette refused to give her any hints on what the dress would look like, all she knew was that it was pink and would be a floor length gown per her mothers request.

The school day felt like it dragged on for ages, but finally the last bell rang.

"I have never been so excited for a dress in my life" Helena giggled as the girls slid into her limo. Marinette had her gown neatly laid out on one of the seats in a garment bag.

"I'm glad you were able to talk your mom into letting us come over. That way is anything is off I'll be there to fix it." Marinette said with a sigh of relief. Designing such an important dress had made her nervous enough, but the fact it was her first time making something for Helena just added to her stress. Thankfully it would all be coming to an end this evening.

"I'm just excited to see where you live fancy girl" Alya said pressing the different buttons in the limo.

"just keep in mind everything fancy is my mothers doing" Helena said. It made her nervous to show her friends the lifestyle her mother had chosen for her. She knew how glamorous it appeared, but under the surface she'd felt more like a prisoner than a princess.

"Do you ladies mind if I join you for the afternoon?" Tony asked from the front of the car.

"Of course not Tony, you're always welcome and I think it was an actual order from my mother anyway." Helena said thankful he was always at least making her feel like she had enough room to breathe.

"Okay well you girls head upstairs, I am going to pick up a couple pizzas for you all and I'll be back soon" He said dropping them off outside the building.

"ah Miss Harper, can I help you?" Albert asked stepping toward the car when he noticed all three ladies had their arms full.

"You really are the best Ale!" She said happily as he took the garment bag from her arms.

Helena led them up to her apartment and to her room stopping just before she opened the door.

"No freaking out at my room." She instructed eyeing them cautiously, but her requests were pointless, as soon as she opened the door both girls squealed dropping their bags on the floor running to her window.

"Are you a secret millionaire or something? This view is incredible!" Alya said pressing herself against the glass.

"I can't imagine waking up to this!" Marinette added before turning and looking over the rest of the room. "You're so lucky" Marinette couldn't help but notice how Helena's face dropped as the words left her mouth.

Helena wished for a moment she could tell the girls that the glass windows felt more like prison bars than a blessing, but she knew it would only sound ungrateful.

It wasn't long before Tony returned with the pizza and the girls sat on her bed laughing and eating.

"Well now that we're done with all the greasy pizza, Helena would you like to see your dress?" Marinette asked standing up dramatically pulling the garment bag off a hook on the wall. Helena nodded anxiously. Marinette slowly unzipped the bag revealing the most stunning article of clothing Helena had ever seen.

"Marinette" Helena gasped her hands covering her mouth speechless. She could hardly believe that Marinette had made something so incredible for her to wear.

"No one will outshine you in that dress" Alya said putting a comforting hand on Helena's shoulder.

"Marinette" Helena repeated still unable to find words.

"I wouldn't say anything yet, we have to make sure it fits properly." Marinette said giggling.

It took nearly two hours before Helena was ready to go to the gala. After ensuring everything fit properly Marinette curled Helena's hair and Alya applied her makeup.

"I swear you girls are miracle workers!" Helena said admiring herself in the full body mirror in her bathroom. "I've never felt so vain, you are a magician Marinette" Helena gushed. "I can't thank you enough, both of you! I'll make sure everyone knows that this dress came from the incredible MDC"

Marinette blushed a little. "Thanks for letting make this for you. It was a lot of hard work but I think this is the most beautiful thing I've ever made"

"Ladies are you ready?" Tony asked knocking on the door as he stepped in. "oh Helena, if I didn't know that was you I wouldn't have even recognized you." Tony's jaw nearly hit the floor. He had taken Helena to several of her mothers parties but he'd never seen her in anything like this, but what made her so unrecognizable was the unapologetic glow of happiness she radiated.

The car pulled up to City hall where group of reporters were flashing pictures and people were chatting animatedly.

"The mayors ball?" Marinette asked surprised. Sure, she had heard Chloe bragging on about all the celebrities she'd be meeting that weekend but Marinette had never considered Helena would be attending the same party.

"I hate these events, I'm always here alone and usually in some kind of dress that is so poufy I can't get within five feet of another person" Helena admitted staring at her hands in her lap. "But this is the first time I've ever been comfortable. Thank you, both of you. I get to show Paris who I am not who my mother expects."

"Don't you dare start crying" Alya interrupted. "You are a strong independent woman. And if you mess up that makeup I won't be able to fix it in the car."

All three girls laughed again. "Thank you" Helena said again softly, with a deep breath she got out of the car and dove into the sea of flashes and chatter.

"She reminds me of Adrien" Alya said looking at Marinette. "Told where to be, what to wear. It sounds awful really"

"I don't know how they both manage to stay so upbeat" Marinette confided in her best friend. Helena had told them bits and pieces of her life style and how her mother had kept her on such a tight leash.

Helena finally made it into the gala after talking with the reports for what felt like ages. All they ever wanted to know who she was and what she was wearing, at least she was proud to declare MDC the designer of her gown today.

Helena spotted her mother holding a serious face talking with a large man on the other side of the room. It must have been business, she was almost positive that the man was the mayor. Her mother must have been growing bored with the man Helena saw her eyes drift to the different people in the room she decided this would be as good of time as any and with a deep breath she approached her mother.

"Good evening mother, monsieur?" She asked looking to the man.

"Bourgeois" He said with a small smile to her. Helena gave a respectful curtsy, but her dress didn't lend her much assistance.

"Monsieur Mayor Bourgeois, it is lovely to meet you." Helena kept her tone respectful but let her inflections imply her happiness.

"My Catherine, this is your daughter?" The mayor asked returning his eyes to Helena's mother surprised.

Monsieur Bourgeois had to take extra focus not to keep his eyes darting back and forth between the two women though they had similarities it was their differences they made them both distractingly beautiful. Catherine towered over six feet tall in her heels where her daughter looked up to him. Helena's skin was a cream with a soft hint of pink undertones though Catherines skin shined like golden syrup. Helena's eyes were light and a soft shade of baby blue while her mothers were a sultry shade of hazel dancing on the line between gold and green. Catherine was also a full bodied woman much to the pleasure of the men who worked at the embassy but Helena was showing signs of following in those footsteps though for now her body was on the thinner side. Helena's rich chocolate hair was long and if straight would stretch down her back nearly to the top of her hip bone, Catherine had always kept her blonde hair in an elegant bun at the back of her head.

"Mayor Bourgeois who are these lovely women beside you?" Asked an approaching man breaking the mayor from his reverie. Helena's smile dropped as she saw who was approaching then.

"Monsieur Agreste I wasn't expecting you to be hear this evening! What's brought you?" The mayor asked jovially turning to the approaching Slenderman. Gabriel let his eyes sweep over Catherine then to Helena, he smiled.

"Politics" Helena couldn't help but take a small step back from him. His aura was suffocating and frigid, Helena didn't like his eyes on her, he had an arrogance that made her feel like he could see through her.

"My son is around here somewhere, if you'd like to find him" Gabriel added giving her a knowing smile and there it was again, she felt transparent.

"oh of course, it was lovely to meet you both" With that Helena turned and left the group, not before noticing her mothers curious eye at the fashionable man before her.

It had been nearly fifteen minutes and three glasses of water later but she couldn't shake the feeling of Gabriel's eyes on her, so after pacing the room a few times she decided she needed some fresh air. She took a step out onto terrace adjacent of the ballroom and felt the cool air of the night wraps itself around her. The anxiety was still humming but she felt like she could breathe again, why did that man bother her so much? She wondered as she walked along the terrace admiring some of the potted plants.

"What is a pretty girl like you doing out here?" Helena stiffened, she hadn't even heard the door open.

"Enjoying peace" She said turning to see who it was who had interrupted her quiet. "I don't believe we've met, Helena" She introduced herself casually using her formal adult voice trying to sound older than she was, it usually worked

"Easton" The man looked intimidating. Like most he was taller than her but she could also tell he was well built, his grey suit hugged his body in a way that told Helena he was a regular at the gym. He took a step in her direction but only sit on a bench the was in front of the door. "These events are always too much. Too many people fighting for attention, or business, or votes. Politicians are terrible" He said with a chuckle. His eyes roamed up and down her body.

"Well they always know what they want" Helena said swallowing uneasily. "But I should go back inside before someone misses me" She added stepping back towards the door. Easton stood abruptly and blocked her exit, Helena stopped giving him a curious look.

"I was hoping you might share a dance with me?" He asked blushing lightly. "That's why I followed you in here, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable"

Helena looked up at him surprised, the nervous energy coming off him had been because he wanted to dance with her?

Adrien had never been a big fan of diplomatic affairs and neither had his father so Adrien was more than surprised when Natalie told him that they were attending the mayors party this evening. He didn't usually question his father but the curiosity had him burning.

"Why the mayor's ball?" He asked as they rode off towards the event.

"I think there may be some people worth meeting." Was all Gabriel had offered, Adrien didn't bother to think further of it. His father had pushed him to events in the past just not usually involving the mayor or his group of friends.

Adrien found the ball unremarkable, he'd been to so many red carpet events that the he knew what to expect. He didn't recognize most of the faces, but politics weren't his wheel house either though some people were polite enough to strike a conversation with him he found them all dull. Adrien scanned the room letting out a bored sigh. He made is way over to the bar ordering a glass of champagne.

On most occasions he wouldn't drink, but he hoped the small bubbly glass would help the night pass by quicker. He looked across the room and noticed his father speaking with the mayor and an unfamiliar blonde woman, he wondered if she was the reason they were here.

After picking up a second glass of champagne Adrien took a glance around the room. This was going to be a long night. Adrien saw someone step through the door of the terrace, he could have thought for sure the person looked familiar. He made his way toward the terrace door to take a look, if it was who he thought it might be he didn't trust the man. He was all too willing to do to many things to get what he wanted.

Before Adrien made it to the door the man came back through it except this time with a woman behind him behind him. Adrien's eyes widened and his mouth fell open he suddenly felt like the world was moving in slow motion, it was Helena. He couldn't recall a time he'd ever felt so stunned or seen a woman so beautiful and what was she wearing?

He took in the sight of her as she walked with Easton towards the dance floor. She was wearing a baby pink dress that hugged to the curves of her body like an extra layer of skin. The mermaid cut gown flared at the bottom but the fabric was bundled in a way that made it look like she was walking with a bouquet of roses at her feet. Her waist was accentuated with a ribbon covered in blush colored jewels. The sweet heart neckline kept her modesty but also gave him a view of her skin he'd never seen; a view he couldn't seem take pull himself away from.

He let his eyes follow the pair onto the dance floor and he suddenly felt angry. Easton had put his hands on her waist and the couple danced together. Adrien didn't even notice that his hands had balled into fists as he turned and stormed away, he needed some air.

Easton placed his hands lower than Helena cared for but she figured one dance wouldn't cause any harm as they swayed back and forth. It was okay for a minute but he pressed his hands a little lower gripping her hips and pulling her tightly against him. Helena suddenly felt claustrophobic, her arms were pinned to his chest. His hands made their way Helena's back side enjoying every second of her discomfort. He locked her in place holding his wrist behind her, he looked down at her and gave a wicked smile and she felt herself shiver slightly.

"let go of me" There was a forced calmness to her tone. She had been hit on by men of all ages at functions like this around the world, she'd even been groped more times than she'd care to remember. After an incident when she was 7 she finally confided in her etiquette instructor.

'Sometimes men at mothers parties touch me in places they're not supposed too. How do I get them to stop?' Little Helena had been recalling a specific memory at a dinner party when the man seated to her left and put his hand on her under the table. At first she had thought it was a strange accident but the man traveled his hand beneath the skirt she was wearing and made to touch her further but she excused herself from the table abruptly and didn't return.

'oh child, when men give you their attention like that don't be embarrassed' Her instructor started, but Helena was confused already. 'Men are supposed to touch women like that'

'but I don't like it. Is there something I can do?' An unhappy Helena asked watching her instructor.

'sometimes you just have to let men do what they want so they can feel better. Men can find some women so beautiful that it makes their bodies hurt, it's the woman's fault this happens so it's their job to take care of the man until he feels good. Sometimes men make women feel good too.' Helena at that age had no one else to ask and so, she thought her instructor was right. She had been causing these men pain and never took care of them. It still scared her the thought of men touching her in places that no one was allowed to see, she didn't like it. She just wanted her body to be hers. 'it will be easier on your if you just stay quiet and let it happen.'

As Helena got older she'd learned that her instructor was wrong, Helena was relieved she'd never allowed a man to take advantage of her but she had been preached that gospel for so long she did find it hard not to blame herself for the attention she received. The assaults had been the reason she wasn't allowed to wear things shorter than the knee, just the thought of a man trying to push her skirt away made her feel sick.

"I said let go of me." Helena whispered it this time her voice was stronger this time and laced with fury.

"Don't worry you're in good hands" He had put his head down to whisper near her ear. "You and I have a lot in common. I just need to know for sure that you're who I think you are." He added the smile on his face didn't falter even once.

"Who I am? I don't understand, please stop" She was starting to panic but she knew if she drew any attention to herself it would only make her feel worse.

"Are you a cat? I don't think so" Easton started, "Maybe a bug, like little lady bug" Helena swallowed hard again, she was positive he could feel her heart racing again him. "No bug doesn't seem quite right, but, I'm close right?"

"I really don't know what you're talking about please just let me go" She whispered again trying to pull away from him but she couldn't gather the strength she needed.

"what about a bird? A little tiny bird, nearly impossible to see" Helena felt like she was going to be sick all of a sudden. How could someone know? She'd only gone out twice and she was so careful, how could he even know Colibri was her anyway? "Little Hum-"

'Can I cut in?" It was Adrien, Helena felt a tear escape and roll down her cheek. Adrien was putting on his best innocent face.

"We're in the middle of something" Easton said glaring down at Adrien. "Why don't you go look pretty in a corner"

Adrien gave Helena a confused look then turned back to Easton. "I don't think asking my girlfriend to dance with me is interrupting your business. You have no business with her" Adrien's voice became deep and aggressive, he wasn't about to let this man ruin this night for her. A few people were turning to look at them but Adrien didn't care he wasn't going to let this happen.

Easton noticed the unwanted attention directed at them, he didn't want an audience. He gripped Helena's hips hard leaving bruises in the shape of his hands before walking away.

Adrien immediately took Helena's hands and her up and down. "Are you alright Lena? What was that all about?" The worry laced Adrien's voice and flashed through his eyes into her.

"I really don't know" She couldn't help the second tear that fell from her now dark gray eyes. "He said something about knowing who I am and that he and I have a lot in common." She sighed.

"Why don't we go sit down?" Adrien offered, but Helena shook her head.

-AN: I wrote this to Bryson Andres violin cover of Love Me Like You do

"Would you dance with me?" She asked him, holding out her hand, he put his hand in hers laughing.

"I'd be honored" He said and they walked to the dance floor together. "You look absolutely stunning" He whispered in her ear as they held each other to dance. Adrien decided to show off a little so he took the lead and led her through some intricate dance moves, including a twirl or two. He was a little surprised at how well she kept up. Her smile never dropped she even laughed when the bottom of dress fanned out.

"So, your girlfriend huh?" Helena said with a giggle as they held onto each other.

Adrien blushed and gave her a small smile. "I thought I'd be the only thing that would get him to go away, I guess I was wrong." Adrien sighed.

"Thank you, I don't know what he even wanted" Helena rest her head against Adrien's chest.

"You look so beautiful tonight Lena." His hands were at the small of her back holding her to him and her hands were on his chest softly. It amazed her that this same position had been so threatening in the arms of another man, but with Adrien she felt safe. He rests his cheek on her head, they both had soft smiles and closed eyes. They were content with each other and right then all the problems of the world had vanished.

"I don't feel so alone with you, you feel safe" Helena admitted in a soft whisper.

"You don't have to be alone" Adrien whispered back holder a little tighter.

Helena knew that Adrien understood her loneliness. The crowded rooms, and public events didn't provide company and neither of them received the love they should have at home. Helena at least had someone when she was back in America but now being in France she didn't have her grandmother anymore, but thankfully she had Adrien.

Gabriel gave a cold smile and turned to Catherine, "that is your daughter with my son, right?" Catherine turned and looked. Something inside her had broken, she realized right then she hadn't seen Helena really smile like that in years, and her laugh. Catherine realized how happy and comfortable she looked resting against the boy. They looked like they were holding onto each other with some kind of desperation.

"So that's your son? What a very handsome young man you have their Gabriel" She said smiling at him happily.

"I should say the same of your daughter, have you ever considered getting her into modeling? I'd love to have her apart of my next campaign. Adrien would be there too of course and you'd be welcome. I have some designs that I've been holding onto but haven't been able to find the right person for and I think it's her."

"Hm, that could give me some good PR too." Catherine thought aloud. "Anne lives a very strict lifestyle though, her requirements may hinder your photographer." She said looking into Gabriel's Icey blue eyes.

"Oh trust me, I completely understand. My son Adrian also has a very strict set of rules, he is busy with lessons and unfortunately he begged me last year to let him go to public school." Gabriel spat out the last words like they were poison on his tongue.

"My daughter is just the same. It was the only way I got her here in the first place, she refused to leave her grandmothers. She's already finished with school in America so I don't understand why she's bothering with it. I just want to keep her home so she is safe" Catherine admitted looking down at her feet.

"Safe from what, if I may ask?" He wondered briefly if she would take the bait, but he was disappointed by her response.

"There's trouble on her father's side of the family." The blonde woman said not elaborating. "I think Helena working with you would be good for her. Lets have a contract drawn up, I'll have my secretary send you her rule book, it includes her attire requirements. I may be able to make an exception but I will need to view any garments that don't follow my guidelines first." When she spoke business all trace of emotion left her face and voice. Gabriel liked that about her.

"Sounds wonderful, maybe next week we can all get together and I'll pull out the sample clothes and artwork." Catherine confirmed with a nod unable to look away from Helena and Adrien, guilt welling up inside her for what she'd done, but she wouldn't let anyone hurt Helena. She made a vow and she was doing everything she could to keep her safe, and Catherine thought, 'besides she hasn't shown any signs of the magic, and she doesn't have the family's charm either'

Author's Note: Thank you all so much for reading the story, and I love your reviews! Also sorry for the lack of updates, this chapter kind of turned into a monster for me. I was ick all last week with migraines and I had a hard time even looking at my phone, but I'm going to try and get back on track!