Adrien made his way to a very nice cafe that was several blocks away from the mansion. He had a meeting with an old friend of his today. As he walked along the sidewalk, he brought up his hand to watch the time. It was about 9:55, and his meeting was at 10, Adrien smiled as he knew he would make it on time. As he reached the cafe, a waiter came up to him with a warm smile as he asked if he had a table saved or if he wanted a new table. Adrien nodded appreciatively as he said he already had a table saved. The waiter nodded and walked away as Adrien walked into the lively and warm atmosphere of the cafe. He always loved going out, it was so much of a welcome change to the house he was used to. He soon found a certain brunette with auburn ombre hair wave at him and gesture him over. Adrien smiled widely as he took the seat across from the female as the female lowered her glasses slightly to wink at him.
"It sure has been a while Adrien Agreste, what have you been getting yourself up to these days?"
"Alya, I'm so glad you could meet me today! How have you been?" Adrien asked happily as he ordered a croque-monsieur from the waiter who came along. Alya crossed her legs and smirked at Adrien.
"I'm doing well! Nino and I have been really busy but I'm so glad you called because I've been wondering what happened to Marinette after all these years," Alya murmured worryingly as Adrien nodded in agreement.
"Oh yeah, how has your son been doing?" Adrien asked as Alya folded her arms and laughed. Adrien didn't think it was a weird question, it has been a while since he's seen Alya.
"Oh Gavin? He's been fine! In his first year of high school, it's been a little rough but he says that his best friend makes it so much easier since they're in the same grade." Alya mused over her son's experience as Adrien nodded in understanding.
"That's nice to hear, but now we have to talk about why we're having this meeting," Adrien said seriously as Alya rolled up the sleeves on her burgundy coat and leaned towards the table to listen to him.
"Marinette... I know, I saw her on the news, she looks well for herself, other than her hair, it's in a wavy bob than her pigtails. She hasn't changed a bit. She has gotten taller, she has more of this refined look about herself, but the fact that she was having this giant chase all over the school proves that the Marinette we know is still in there. That's comforting I suppose," Alya murmured as she noticed Adrien extremely furrowed in thought. She saw the memories of the past etched in his expression as she stirred her coffee.
"Alya... I miss her so much... I want to know what happened to her..." Adrien whispered as Alya put her hands on his comfortingly. Alya knew how painful it was, the day she found out that Marinette had disappeared, leaving only a letter explaining supposedly everything. It was devastating for her, but she couldn't have imagined how Adrien felt. He was her boyfriend... sort of. They had THE romantic night of their lives, if that didn't raise any red flags, she didn't know what did. Alya knew that Adrien loved her, with all his heart, so she couldn't fathom the pain stored in his heart.
"I know... I miss her too... and the fact that she ran away from you, I know it hurt. However... I thought you moved on... you're engaged to Kagami. You're happy with the way things are in some form right?" Alya asked, but she already knew the answer.
"No... if I'm gonna be honest... no. I love Kagami I do, but I need closure on Marinette. I'm not gonna ditch Kagami, I married her for a reason. However, Marinette... I just want things to go back to the way they used to be, I want Marinette and I to be in each other's lives again," Adrien concluded as he noticed Alya giving him a big smile. Adrien looked at her questioningly as their food arrived.
"Good answer, now come on, let's eat. Afterwards, I have Nino waiting in a spy van, because we're gonna find out where Marinette lives and find out more about her."
"Sounds good to me." And so they ate. Later when they finished their food. Adrien offered to pay, which Alya graciously accepted. Soon, they made their way out to a black van that was parked near the cafe. When they got to the car, the car door suddenly flew open and a tall caramel colored man stood there, smiling widely. Adrien felt himself beam in happiness as he and Nino shared a hug and did their handshake from high school. Alya rolled her eyes and smiled at the pair, some things just don't change. Nino definitely grew taller, he was the same height as Adrien. He lost the hat, showing his slightly messy brown hair but he still had his signature headphones around his neck. He wore a nice teal polo shirt and loose fitting jeans, he grew more muscular as well as more lanky as his arms and legs were longer. His face was more defined than before, but you could very easily recognize him if you knew him from high school. Alya shook her hand as the two buddies wrapped their arms around each other's shoulders and laughed if no time passed at all when they saw each other last.
"Nino it's so great to see you!"
"Right back at ya buddy! Dude... it has been so long!"
"Alright guys, hate to break up the reunion, but we have a job to do," Alya smirked as she drove all of them into the van and settled. The van had a lot of notebooks crammed in nooks and crannies and there were several computers keeping track of certain people. As a journalist, Alya kept track of places she's been and the info she has collected, she wasn't the best at organizing though. Adrien, Nino, and Alya settled and looked on the computer for any record of Marinette's address or contact info, but shockingly, it turned up bare. Alya stuck her tongue out as she typed a couple of more things into the computer as Adrien watched a little stupidly. Nino smirked at Adrien before looking at what Alya was typing.
"Hmmm... You still can't find anything?"
"No! Nino, Adrien it's so weird, all of her records seemed to have completely evaporated, I didn't even find her driver's license. Adrien, when you chased her, did you happen to know something, that could point to her location or identity or anything?" Alya asked as Adrien furrowed his eyebrows in thought for only a few seconds before immediately answering.
"Oh, let's see, she has three kids-"
"THREE KIDS?!" Alya practically screamed, making Adrien and Nino wince back from the sudden outburst, "SHE HAS three kids! OH MY GOD! WHAT HAS THAT GIRL BEEN DOING?!" Alya felt herself hyperventilating as Nino attempted to calm her down, Nino then looked seriously at Adrien.
"Adrien, do you know anything else about them? It's extremely important that you know any specific details about them," Nino asked as Adrien immediately recalled more info.
"Oh yeah, so she got a call from her oldest son, Louis, when I was running after her. I happened to see him and the two other siblings as I chased Marinette into the main courtyard. He looked like a teen, probably like 14-15, around that age. He was just a little shorter than me. The two other kids were Hugo and Emma, and I think they're twins," Adrien thought aloud as he recalled the events from yesterday. Alya looked at Adrien with extreme interest as she wrote all of those notes into a fresh notebook. It was all really interesting, Marinette having twins and a teen.
"It didn't seem like Marinette had a husband or significant other, the twins seemed about 7-8 years old, they looked not that young, but old enough to be kids," Adrien continued, Alya kept writing down everything Adrien was saying, gliding the sword of words across the canvas of paper. Alya frowned at the mention at the mention of Marinette having no "significant other," but it was to be expected she guessed after what happened.
"I see... I don't suppose you ever met the father or anything? It was just her and the kids, right?" Alya asked, she already knew the answer but she wanted to hear it for herself. Adrien shook his head and felt himself relax back into the seat.
"Yeah... Although I wouldn't say I met them, more like I saw them," Adrien mumbled as Alya sighed and looked at Nino. The two of them gave each other a knowing glance and looked back at the computer data of Marinette showing on the screen. Together, the three of them looked at the info together and felt their brows furrow in intrigue.
"Who would have thought... Marinette's the fashion editor for Style Queen Magazine! But... it doesn't seem like she has a lot of... I don't know accomplishments, fashion lines, or anything associated with her. But it is a confirmed fact that she is working under Audrey Bourgeois," Alya mused over the info as Adrien and Nino looked at each other in confusion. Adrien was especially confused because he had kept a lot of contact with Audrey Bourgeois and Chloe Bourgeois over the years, but never has he heard that Marinette was working with them.
"Wait... does it say when she got the job?" Adrien asked as Alya scrolled down through the info and narrowed her eyes at some info that caught her eye.
"She started working there around 7 years ago, but she's still the fashion editor of Style Queen Magazine, that must mean that Chloe doesn't know about Marinette working at Style Queen Magazine because let's be honest, there's no way Chloe would let her have, let alone keep that job."
"She's not wrong."
"You have a point."
"It's strange because this info, was astonishingly hard to get because there's always a pesky firewall whenever I try to look up anything on Mari, like do you know the amount of spying and observing I had to do to even know that she works at Style Queen? It's insane! It's almost like there's someone who doesn't want us to view this info," Alya groaned as she expressed her frustrations and Adrien and Nino shook their heads in understanding. The three then continued to look through info on Marinette and her kids. Alya felt herself teeth grind in frustration because Marinette's address was nowhere to be found. She wasn't in the phone book for some odd reason and there also seems to be a firewall protecting info involving her kids. When Alya was done googling and doing some slight hacking for Mari, she leaned back in her chair in frustration.
"No luck?" Adrien asked as Alya turned tiredly to face him.
"No, but there's a website for Style Queen Magazine and Marinette is on that website, but there isn't a whole lot of more info on her, unless we ask Audrey Bourgeois herself because every employee has to have filled out their personal and background info when they have a job. That's our best bet. Adrien, you wouldn't happen to know Audrey personally do you? Considering your relations to- ugh, can't say it, Chl-Chl-Chlo-"
"Chloe?" Nino finished for her, making Alya shudder in disgust. Her disgust is understandable, considering what Chloe did in high school and in the past couple of years. Adrien scratched his head nervously before going back to thinking about his relations to Audrey Bourgeois. His relations with her aren't actually so bad because they're incredibly well known in the fashion business and they've been partners before. Most of that friendship is because of Gabriel since they were old friends. Adrien broke up with Chloe though because well... his relationship with her is solely platonic and that one incident 8 years ago with the artificial insemination.
"You're in luck, I'm good friends with Audrey actually because of my father. She's not really holding a grudge over me since I broke up with her daughter because of that artificial insemination incident. She's surprisingly not biased and she's actually a very sophisticated yet slightly cold person. She's really kind to all of her employees and friends. She's become the opposite of Chloe ever since you guys last met her in high school." Adrien explained as he saw Alya and Nino's face change at the parts that bothered them the most.
"Audrey Bourgeois... nice? Last time I saw her, Chloe was practically her clone with probably fake blond hair!" Alya exclaimed as both Nino and Adrien cracked a laugh and soon all of them were lightly laughing before Alya looked back at Adrien seriously, "I guess we need to make a visit to the Style Queen Magazine." The three of them nodded together as Nino got into the front seat with Alya and started the ignition. The van soon drove off into the heart of the city, the buildings that passed by had such a Victorian and ornate look to them. The trio looked out over the Seine which glistened in the sunlight. The Seine actually ran throughout Paris and no one in the city ever got tired of seeing it. Nino continued driving into the city and scoffed as the van approached the building.
"The building's really hard to miss, it's that one pristine, big, glass building that has the Style Queen Logo slapped onto the top of the building," Nino laughed as Alya smacked his shoulder playfully and Adrien let out a chuckle. Adrien looked on from the backseat, the road ahead, and how he hoped to get answers from Audrey. Soon, they reached the building and the parked their car in a parking garage around the corner. Together, they walked into the building be greeted by a clean symphony of white and gold colors. The main color was white with gold accents. The lobby had a lone register at the end of the room with a series of rooms and elevators behind it. There was bustling people coming in and out of the building and people working at small offices in the lobby. Adrien, Alya, and Nino approached the desk to find a nice yet oddly despondent clerk at the front desk. When Adrien approached the clean cut marble desk, the clerk didn't even move her fixed eyes from the screen, but she spoke anyway.
"Hello! For what business have you come here for?" The woman said solemnly as Adrien leaned his arm on the desk and smiled.
"I'm here to see Audrey Bourgeois, she's a good friend of mine, she'll know who I am," Adrien replied as the woman finally looked up and covered her mouth as she realized who was talking to.
"Oh my goodness, Adrien Agreste! My apologies, please forgive my rudeness, please follow me, someone will show you up to her office. I'll let her know you're coming up," The woman quickly apologized as Adrien smiled warmly at her and proceeded to the elevator behind her.
"It's quite alright, you're just doing your job," Adrien smiled as the three of them approached a clear white elevator and found an employee already waiting for them there. The woman at the front smiled as she turned back towards the front to mind her business again. The employee gestured for them into the elevator and up they went into the heavens beyond, fashion wise anyway.
Meanwhile...
Marinette had to come into Audrey's Bourgeois's office today in order to drop off a couple of design ideas for her new fashion line. She and Audrey were in the midst of wrapping up the finalizations for the designs until there was a ring at Audrey's office phone. Audrey huffed annoyingly as she immediately picked up the phone and answered.
"What is it Krishna? I'm busy- oh really? Oh I see... Send them up.." Audrey Bourgeois said hesitantly as she flickered her eyes between the open wall window of the city and Marinette, who was talking to Hugo and Emma. Hugo and Emma got to leave school early for the day and they got to accompany Marinette to her work. They got to visit often so they're good friends with Audrey. Audrey's looks haven't really changed but she does have a kinder yet still intimidating look about her compared to 15 years ago. Audrey's office was large, half of the room's walls was a giant window overlooking the city and she had a marble table and bookshelves full of neat sketchbooks she has done over the years. The bookshelves also had myriad of past fashion lines and articles on famous people since Style Queen Magazine was more than just fashion, it was practically Vogue. The rest of the room was a clear white and Audrey turned to Marinette in a slight panic.
"Marinette, you're going to have to forgive me, but... you're gonna about to be in a bit of a situation..." Audrey Bourgeois said as she set the fabrics and colors down and Marinette stood up from her squatting position to face Audrey questioningly.
"What kind of situation?" Marinettte asked slowly as Audrey took a breath and breathed out quickly.
"Adrien Agreste, and your friends from 15 years ago Alya and Nino are coming up here to have a meeting with me, I think it's just a friendly visit," Audrey quickly warned Marinette, whose eyes bulged and immediately started packing her things.
"WHAT?! Audrey! Why did you let them up!?" Marinette almost yelled as she made haste to pick up her things and get Hugo and Emma's jackets on. Marinette then whipped around to face Audrey, "Alright, how much time until they get up here? Just gotta stay calm."
Audrey checked the time on her laptop that was other desk and immediately looked back at Marinette, "Marinette, since they just entered the elevator, you have about a minute to either hide or try to get into the elevators without them spotting you. I'm really sorry that this is happening I really wanted to continue to talk about your upcoming line."
"It's completely fine Audrey, we can talk another time, but right now, what's of most importance is that I get out of here before Adrien and the others catch me," Marinette sighed as she took a moment to think about the layout of the floor. The elevators are all the way at the other side of the floor and there are a lot of offices on this floor. Audrey's office just happens to be the biggest and the last one, that means if Marinette hurried now, she might be able to hide outside in one of the offices. She could just let them past without them ever seeing Marinette and no one will know, unless Audrey decides the spill the beans," Alright, I figured a way out of here but I need to act fast."
"Alright Marinette, it's been a pleasure talking to you, you best be on your way," Audrey nodded in agreement as Marinette quickly pushed Hugo and Emma out the door and into the bustling offices of the top floor. Marinette narrowed her eyes and could see the elevators on the far side of the floor.
"Maman, is it Adrien Agreste again? He seems to be causing you a lot of trouble," Hugo asked solemnly with a hint of worry in his voice as Marinette scanned the rest of the floor to find a good hiding place.
"Yeah! Maman! Is there a reason why you can't even let him see you?" Emma added on to the questions as Marinette sighed and affectionately patted her kids' heads.
"Sweetie, he's given me a lot more trouble than its worth and you kids remember the incident from the other day?" Marinette asked as Hugo and Emma nodded, clearly remembering the engraved events, "that's how much I need to avoid him. Plus, I already told you kids it's because of Gabriel Agreste, Adrien's father."
"So is he the reason why you can't be friends with Adrien? I wasn't paying much attention before, sorry Maman," Emma brought her curled fingers to her lips as if she was thinking about what her mom said. She did find it weird that Maman didn't have to do these types of things until just recently.
"Precisely. And it's ok Emma really, I wouldn't want you two to know about these deeper questions until later, but it's best you know them now since you two are bound to know anyway, I just want you two to be prepared," Marinette warned them, earning understanding nods from both of them.
"We completely understand! Right Emma?" Hugo asked discreetly as Emma nodded back with a slight annoyance.
"Yes Hugo.." Emma huffed with a slight annoyance as Hugo let out a chuckle and Marinette smiled at them before she heard a faint ding from the other side of the floor. Marinette peered in slight terror at the other side of the floor as one of the five elevator doors opened to reveal an employee with Adrien, Alya, and Nino following just behind her. Marinette felt her face contort into an expression of sheer mortification as she took Hugo and Emma's hand made a mad dash towards the right, attempting to hide in an empty office. From the elevators to Audrey's office, it's literally a straight walk across the whole room to her office with other small offices and busy people decorating the sides. Marinette winced as she and her kids ducked and silently made their way across the floor, using the partitions of the offices to block them from view. Every so often Marinette would peer over the edge of the table or partition to see where Adrien and the others are. They looked so bright and full of life, as if they were living their lives to the fullest everyday. They had this cheery yet confident demeanor that Marinette envied. However, Marinette was an adult, she couldn't cling to those sorts of emotions, or at least she didn't think so. She still kept track of them as they walked straight to the office and Marinette soon picked up the pace as they neared the office. Soon Marinette, Hugo, and Emma miraculously made their way to the other side of the floor and quickly pressed the elevator button. The trio did earn a couple of questioning looks from the employees, but they didn't really pay them any mind. If they didn't pose a threat to their work, they had no reason to judge. Marinette looked back as she waited for the elevator to reach their floor. She saw the backs of her three friends as they walked to Audrey's office, Marinette soon felt that longing sensation again, trying to cling onto those memories. It was comforting that she still had those wisps of memories, it reminded her of what she once had and how they can just be relics of the past.
Adrien, Alya, and Nino made their way to Audrey's office, paying little mind to the bustling work life around them. When they finally reached the office, the employee bowed and walked away. Immediately after, the door opened, revealing a happy Audrey Bourgeois.
"Adrien! It is so nice to see you darling, it's been too long since I've last seen you and your father," Audrey exclaimed, with her body language conveying exactly the opposite, but Adrien could tell she was happy nonetheless, "I see you brought your friends with you, good good..." Audrey faltered as she noticed Marinette on the other side of the floor, just starting to get into the elevator with Hugo and Emma, "thank goodness she made it..." Audrey murmured but the trio heard her and saw her eyes focused on something past them. Adrien, Nino, and Alya then turned around to find Marinette trying to do a cutting motion at her neck to signal silence. It didn't work, it took the three a couple of seconds to register who was in the elevator, but the first one to react was Adrien.
"Audrey! Darn it... I really need a new signal," Marinette thought aloud to herself before immediately noticing Adrien sprinting across the room towards the elevator with his arm outstretched, "Adrien!"
"Marinette! Hold the door!" Adrien yelled as Marinette felt her fingers tremble as they found their way to the 'close elevator door' button, but she couldn't bring herself to press it. Finally, she felt her fingers gloss over the button and press on it, making the elevator door close slowly. Marinette then proceeded to look with a fearful expression as Adrien desperately sprinted across the room and barely manage to get through the elevator doors before they closed shut. Maybe in her heart somewhere... she was hoping for him to make it, even if her actions say otherwise. Marinette felt herself move with her children to the side so Adrien could step into the elevator without crashing into them. Marinette then felt the atmosphere intensify, being that "he" was in the elevator with her. She tried as hard as she could, but she couldn't make eye contact with him, it was too hard, 15 years... She felt Adrien's intense gaze on her and she didn't even feel the elevator moving as they never chose a floor. She couldn't escape the inevitable, she could pull any sort of silly shenanigan she wants but she was not getting out of it. Finally, after an eternity, Adrien finally spoke, "it's really you... Marinette."
"Mmmhmm, yeah, it's been a long time Adrien, it's nice to see you're well," Marinette whispered as she felt herself slowly breaking. She finally gathered the courage to look into those bright emerald eyes of his. They looked exactly the same, just as she remembered it, that thought made something in her heart feel content. It was like something was crossed off her bucket list. She saw immense happiness and relief in his eyes before she felt herself being wrapped into a hug. Marinette gasped as she felt his hair brush against the side of her head and his muscular arms wrap snugly around her torso. It took Marinette awhile but she finally found it in herself to smile again.
"I missed you," Adrien whispered as nothing could wipe the smile off his face. Marinette let out a small smile and hugged him back. It's been such a long time, since she's hugged Adrien, she forgot how nice it felt.
"I missed you too... more than you know," Marinette whispered back as she felt Adrien tense and hug her tighter. After an eternity, they finally let each other go, with Marinette's hands resting gingerly on his forearms and Adrien's right below her shoulders. At this point, she didn't care, she was just happy to finally meet him again. After a while Marinette spoke, "I'm sorry for all of this really, Adrien. The other day, you knew you were chasing after me and I know I hurt you because you thought I didn't want to see you after so long. I'm so sorry, I just wasn't ready, to see you again that is." Marinette felt her hands drop and she looked to the side again, adding more regrets to the list. She then heard Adrien's voice, teeming with happiness and relief.
"Oh no! I completely understand, it might have been overwhelming for you, I'm sorry for putting you on that predicament, with the whole chase thing. That's why you were extremely shocked to see me, and decided to make a run for it," Adrien replied with a complacent tone in his voice, making Marinette feel really relieved. Marinette then brightened and used her two hands to gesture her kids forward.
"Adrien! I don't think you had the proper first greeting to my twins. This is Hugo, the shy one, he doesn't open up to a lot of people but I'm sure you two will be fast buddies since he warms up quickly to truly good people," Marinette ruffled Hugo's hair and gestured to him, Hugo continued to cling tightly to his mom's white jacket as he's done for the past 30 seconds, "And Emma, the firecracker who won't stop blazing! You two, this is Adrien Agreste, you haven't had the pleasure of properly meeting him but trust me when I say that you're gonna like him a lot," Marinette leaned down and tickled her daughter's neck, making her giggle. If this brighten the smile on Adrien's face, what else could? Adrien immediately squats down to meet Hugo, who continued to hide behind Marinette.
"Hi, Hugo, I'm Adrien Agreste, I'm an old friend of your mom's, it's a pleasure to meet you," Adrien calmly yet happily said as Hugo slowly peered out from his mom's jacket and stuck his hand out, which Adrien happily took. Hugo cracked a small smile and shook his hand.
"Ummm... Hello.. Mister Agreste! I know my mom says I should trust you but it's gonna take a while before I can do that. Although, you already seem like a great enough person, considering that hug from before. Maman hasn't had a bear hug like that in a while, thanks for making her smile again," Hugo whispered as Adrien felt his heart flutter with warmth and he responded back with a huge smile. Marinette gave a knowing smile to Hugo.
"I was just so happy to see her again, I hope I can be a man worthy of your trust," Adrien replied with a courageous vigor that made Hugo smile and retreat back a little behind Marinette's jacket. Adrien then turned to Emma, who almost jumped trying to greet him.
"Hi Mister Agreste! It's nice to meet you! If Maman says you're good, then I'll be the judge of that! You're pretty great! I'm sorry about that question from the other day, I'll introduce myself again! I'm Emma! Nice to meet you Mister Agreste!" Emma had a huge wide smile on her face as she bounced and greeted Adrien who let out a laugh at her behavior.
"Talks a mile a minute, I hope you can deal with her energy," Hugo murmured loud enough so everyone could hear. Emma huffed as she mock argued back with her brother.
"At least I talk more than you Hugo! All you do is read encyclopedias, play video games with Maman and Louis, and read fantasy and sci-fi books! You don't talk to anyone else besides me or the teacher at school!" Emma teased Hugo, who crossed his arms indignantly.
"Hey kids, it's not nice to prey on each other's strengths, what have I told you about differences? You two may be twins, but you're both different in unique ways but what binds you two together is that unbreakable twin sibling bond and family," Marinette reminded the two, who almost immediately faltered in their arguing and let out a breath of needed air, leaving a content feeling in the air.
"Sorry Emma."
"It's alright Hugo, sorry about making fun of your hobbies."
"It's ok, I kinda don't talk to a lot of people anyway."
"Wow, Mari, you control these kids well," Adrien had an impressed look on his face as he noticed a smug look on Marinette's face, "what?"
"Hmm... nothing, just never thought I'd see the day where you actually compliment me on my maternal teaching methods. What a time to be alive," Marinette said in a teasing tone as she pressed the button to open the elevator doors and they were exposed again into the light of the top floor. Adrien chuckled as he nudged Marinette with his shoulder and they all walked out together.
"Haha.. but seriously though Mari, it's great to see you again, truly, after 15 years. I hope time hasn't made you lose your touch," Adrien laughed as he heard Marinette scoff right next to him.
"Oh please, I've still got it. It's great to see you again too Adrien, really. I never got the chance... to tell you how sorry I am... for disappearing. You knew I had my reasons and yet I let your heart be broken anyway. I'm such a terrible person," Marinette reminisced the bad memories as Adrien felt himself frown at her words. He then put his hands softly on her shoulders and spoke into her eyes.
"I know you had your reasons, and you can always tell me when you're ready, but right now, I'm just happy I get to see you again. Wait until you meet -AHH Alya!" Adrien exclaimed as he saw a flash of brown and ombré hair sprint in from his peripheral and tackle Marinette.
"MARINETTE!!! OH MY GOD!!! MA GURL'S ALIVE!!!" Alya screamed happily as Marinette couldn't help but laugh as Alya spun her around happily. Adrien and Nino who just caught up smiled brightly as Marinette couldn't help but laugh.
"Alya! Oh my goodness! It's been the longest time! Alya, you can stop crying now," Marinette smiled and laughed nervously as she noticed Alya bawling into her shoulder. Marinette rubbed her shoulder comfortingly before Alya pulled away with a big smile.
"I'm sorry, it's just, you're here! You're really here! Standing! In front of me!" Alya cried as she wiped the tears away from her face. Marinette smiled softly as Alya's face was still wet with tears but she couldn't help letting out some tears too. Alya gave Marinette another hug before Marinette turned to Nino and gave him a heartwarming hug.
"It's been a while Nino, I hope you've been well," Marinette pulled away from Nino, who smiled bright and winked at her.
"You know it, so Marinette? Who's the lucky guy to these children? They look like wonderful kids," Nino asked bluntly as Marinette immediately pressed her lips into a thin line and focused on a non specific point in the background. Marinette felt her eyes flicker to Adrien immediately, who looked at her worryingly. This flicker of the eyes didn't go unnoticed by Alya, she looked from Marinette to Adrien to Hugo and Emma. It was as if she was waiting for some sort of revelation to happen, but she didn't know what it was she was waiting for.
"Oh... ummm... Sorry Nino, but he's not in the picture... not anymore. I don't even think he was even in the picture to begin with," Marinette said quietly as the others looked at her in disbelief. Audrey looked even more sadly at Marinette as she knew the entire story. Hearing those words come out of her mouth, it was painful, considering that she knew exactly what she talking about. There was a momentary silence before someone spoke up suddenly.
"Mari... tell me... who was this person who left you to care for these kids on your own?" Adrien asked seriously as Marinette winced at his words as she tried to formulate an answer.
"Adrien... it's none of your concern, really," Marinette started but she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders and she snapped her head up to look into Adrien's emerald eyes. For a moment, they just stared at each other without saying anything until Adrien spoke up.
"Mari... it's fine, I won't pry, don't cry. You don't have to tell us," Adrien murmured as wiped Marinette's cheek with his thumb and Marinette felt herself blush and excuse herself lightly. Adrien had a slightly shocked face before returning back to normal.
"No! It's completely fine! It's been 15 years, it's natural for you guys to want to know more about me. There's just some sensitive things I'd rather keep to myself. Plus! I want to know more about you guys!" Marinette tried to change the subject as the other people were oblivious to what she was trying to do but they went with it anyway. The five of them plus Hugo and Emma proceeded down to a cafe that was right by the building and they talked there. There was much laughter and cheerfulness that was heard at the table. Marinette couldn't remember the last time she felt this... at peace... happy. Seeing all of her friends again, it was almost like things went back to the way they were before, but she knew that was impossible. Nothing would ever be the same again, but she liked to dream. Near the end of their lively chat, Marinette felt herself frown, she knew there was no point trying since they were out in the open but she suspected that "He Who Must Not Be Named" would find out by now.
"Marinette, you ok?" Marinette heard Nino ask as she raised her head slightly to give a forced smile.
"Yeah! What makes you say otherwise?" Marinette asked as she grabbed a napkin and wiped off the food stain on the corner of Emma's mouth, who accepted it happily. Hugo continued to eat silently, but he always had one eye on his mom.
"Nothing, you just seemed to be bothered by something," Nino commented as he finished his croissant. Marinette pursed her lips again as the others looked at her with worry.
"Hmmm... I would be lying if I said something wasn't bothering me. However, it's something that's not of your concern... so it's ok," Marinette replied thoughtfully as Adrien frowned as her again. He noticed she was a lot more secretive and a lot less open. Usually, Marinette liked to share her feelings and spread happiness to others. That's what he loved about her, but something's changed and it's a bad thing. Marinette then looked at her watch, gasped, and looked at Audrey, "oh my goodness, I have to go, I got a pitch I need to propose for my new fashion line. It's the project with the Gabriel brand remember?"
"Oh dear, you're right! You gotta present that pitch to the Gabriel brand representatives in 30 minutes! You'll make it if you go right now!" Audrey stood up with Marinette, Hugo, and Emma as they turned to the trio and quickly made their farewells. Marinette took a little longer cause she had something to say.
"It's been a dream... seeing all of you again, truly... I want to thank you for letting me see you one last time," Marinette whispered but they all heard it, what made it even more heartbreaking was that she looking directly at Adrien, who felt his heart slowly get ripped, "But... there's just too many forces that prevent me from seeing you guys. Forgive me... but this is the last time you'll see me for a long while. Hugo, Emma, say goodbye to my dearest friends."
"Bye Mr and Mrs Lahiffe! Bye Mr. Agreste! It was nice talking to you about fencing!" Emma chirped sadly as Adrien gave her a warm but apologetic look. Hugo then spoke up.
"Thank you for making Maman happy again... especially you Mr. Agreste. I know how much you all mean to Maman. Don't get mad at her for saying goodbye. I'll say.. see you later," Hugo whispered from behind Marinette, who smiled down at him. Marinette took one last look at Adrien before turning around and quickly leaving with Audrey. The trio took a few minutes to process what just happened. Adrien spoke up first as she leaned forward and leaned on his forearms.
"Marinette... what happened to you?" Adrien whispered, expecting no particular answer. Alya looked worriedly in the direction that Marinette walked off in. Adrien replayed Hugo and Emma's goodbyes in his head, there was something about them that he wanted to cherish. Nino put his face into his hands as he stared at the table.
"Hmmmm... it's no use trying to ponder about it. But... I suggest we tail them, Marinette's definitely hiding something," Alya concluded as they both looked at her and nodded. Somehow, she could get them to agree to the strangest things that seemed like it be bordering on creepy and illegal.
"Alright, you can make it if you just got to the Gabriel brand headquarters, good luck," Audrey said as they all made it back to Style Queen magazine building. Marinette and Audrey were standing in the midst of a crowd in front of the building when all the sudden Marinette heard a whisper in her ear.
"Go see Gabriel Agreste."
"What the?! Who was that?" Marinette whipped around in the sea of people and didn't see anyone strange in particular who stood out who would say that. Audrey whipped around as well as she also must have heard it. Marinette narrowed her eyes at nothing in particular as she was trying to what to do. She then heard another whisper's breath make its way into her ears.
"The cafe on la rue Leblanc. See you there."
"Tch... who said that... Gabriel... you coward... what are you pulling?" Marinette murmured to herself as Hugo and Emma looked around in fear like a deer in the headlights. She suddenly felt Audrey next to her as she whispers.
"Do you want me to go with you? I don't know what he's planning this time, but are you sure you'll be able to handle him on your own?" Audrey asked as Marinette tried to scan the crowd for any suspicious people but to no avail, she didn't find any.
"I'll deal with him... alone... what more could he possibly do? Actually... don't answer that. But I am gonna need Louis to take the twins. I need to make this one on one," Marinette said as Audrey nodded in understanding. Marinette then fished out her phone and quickly dialed Louis' phone number. After one ring, he picked up, his school was out for the day anyway.
"Hey Mom! Did you need something?"
"Louis, I need you to come to the cafe on la rue Leblanc, you know it right?"
"Yeah, I think so, I think it's about a 10 minute walk from here. Why is there something wrong?"
"Yes, I need you to take the twins while I have a meeting with Gabriel at the cafe."
"What? Mom, what did he do to you?"
"He just wants to have a chat, by using the creepiest form of invitations possible. He sent two people to whisper the location in my ear in a sea of people."
"Oh! I've seen that sort of thing in spy movies and movies involving a criminal overlord or something. That's creepy."
"I know, but sweetie, can I trust you to look after the twins with Audrey?"
"Alright! I'll be right there!"
"Thank you sweetie, I'll see you there, love you."
"Love you too Mom."
"Alright, that's handled," Marinette sighed as she put away her phone and Audrey looked at her worryingly. Hugo and Emma clutched onto their mother's arms in worry, "It's time to give that man a visit." Audrey nodded as she wished Marinette good luck as she went back into the building. She knew she was going to pass the cafe they were just having lunch at but she thought they would have left. She was wrong. As she passed in a rush past the cafe, the trio saw her rush past the cafe as if she was had something serious to deal with.
"Isn't the Gabriel building in the other direction? Where is she going?" Alya asked as she suddenly stood up as Adrien narrowed his eyes at Marinette, Hugo, and Emma as they disappeared from view.
"I don't know, but we have to follow her, just don't let her catch us, Alya, you have some hats and coats we could use for disguises?" Adrien asked as he saw Alya give him a smug smirk.
"Bitch please... OF COURSE I have disguises, I have them in the van. Nino, let's go!" Alya beckoned them to follow back to the van to get the disguises. Five minutes later, they were all decked out in disguises and they were going in the direction Marinette was heading in. They saw Marinette turn onto the Rue Leblanc and they followed her past the turn while keeping a reasonable distance . Soon, they saw the trio walking up hurriedly to a cafe and they stood there as if they were waiting for somebody. Adrien, Alya, and Nino kept looking at her before they saw a blond boy with his backpack run across the street from the other side to greet Marinette, Hugo, and Emma.
"That's the boy from before, that's her oldest son, Louis," Adrien whispered as Alya took note of that and looked on at group further down the street. They then walked a little closer so they could be within earshot distance. He noticed that the boy had blond hair and bluebell eyes, he wondered where he got the almost platinum blond hair from.
"Mom! Are you ok?" Louis asked as he kissed both his mother's cheeks. Marinette smiled at him before sporting a semi-serious look again.
"No, Gabriel is back, and he wants to have a talk, Louis, I need you the kids and go back home," Marinette pleaded with Louis, who immediately looked sour. The trio that was listening in couldn't believe their ears.
"No way, I'm not gonna leave you alone with him after what he did 8 years ago-"
"What did he do 8 years ago?" Hugo asked as the two older people looked at him with slight shock.
"It's something that concerns you two. Just know that Gabriel is a person you should stay away from. Being in his presence is not a place for children," Marinette whispered with a grim look on her face that Louis mirrored. Adrien narrowed his eyes at the group. What were they talking about?
"It's not something you need to fully know about Hugo. Emma, you too. But Mom, I'm not gonna leave you alone with him." Louis started but Marinette softly cut him off.
"I know sweetie, but this is something I need to do alone, I can't risk your safety. But if you aren't going home, I need you three to stay a reasonable, far away distance from our conversation. Here," Marinette explained as she fished a recording device out of her purse and handed it to Louis, who looked at it questioningly, "This will record Gabriel's entire conversation with me because I have the speaker hidden somewhere."
"Maman, are you sure you're gonna be ok?" Emma asked as Marinette bent down so she could kiss Emma's forehead.
"I'll be ok sweetie, this is just a conversation between adults," Marinette reassured the three but she heard a cold voice behind her that sent a chill down her spine. Marinette turned around slowly to find Gabriel standing there, wearing that same stone cold statue expression from 15 years ago. Adrien, Alya, and Nino gasped as other people around them have started to take notice of Gabriel's presence.
"Father... what are you doing here with Marinette?" Adrien whispered as he saw Alya taking down serious notes in her notepad. What business could his father possibly have with Marinette? She lost contact for 15 years, was he in contact with her the entire time? That's impossible, right?
"Good afternoon Ms. Dupain Cheng, how have you been doing?" Gabriel asked, Marinette looked at him with her body facing to the side. It was neither leisurely nor friendly in the slightest, in fact, the cold aura between made the air almost palpable. Marinette's bluebell eyes seemed to turn to ice, mirroring Gabriel's. It was a chilling sight.
"Fine enough, I suppose you've been well," Marinette whispered, barely even above hearing range.Gabriel proceeded to flicker his eyes towards Louis, Hugo, and Emma. He narrowed his eyes at them as if they were the bane to his existence.
"Ah, I see these are your children..." Gabriel mused as Marinette immediately stepped in front of them and glared at Gabriel, making him widen his eyes slightly in surprise.
"Gabriel Agreste... it's you..." Louis said threateningly as Gabriel narrowed his eyes at the boy behind Marinette. By this time, people have stopped to watch the following exchange in great interest as to why THE Gabriel Agreste was out in broad daylight.
"Ah, Louis Dupain Cheng, I recall the last time I saw you was 8 years ago, do you still remember?" Gabriel asked as Louis felt his insides churn and flip at his presence.
"How could I forget? It's a day that I couldn't forget even if I wanted to," Louis whispered as Marinette looked back at her son worryingly. Adrien, Alya, and Nino could only hear snippets of the conversation since they were speaking so quietly but one thing they knew for sure: Marinette and Gabriel were on really bad terms.
"I see... Marinette, I believe you and I have business to discuss," Gabriel said as Marinette nodded and turned slightly to her kids.
"Louis, keep them safe. I love you guys," Marinette said as she tearfully looked at the three of them, who looked back at her in worry. She turned back to follow Gabriel but then she heard Hugo and Emma shout;
"Maman! Be safe! Come back to us!"
"Don't worry... I promise," Marinette whispered to herself as she continued to the cafe with Gabriel and sat with him in a VIP section of the cafe. They were closed off from the outside world. No one could talk them into focusing on anything else, their hatred for each other was just too much. Adrien, Alya, and Nino proceeded to get a table at the cafe and sat about 2 tables away from them. They were still in disguise so Gabriel and Marinette wouldn't take notice. They both ordered a cup of tea and soon, the pot of tea and two ornate teacups came to the table. They each poured a cup and sat there in silence. Soon, Gabriel finally spoke up.
"How have you been Marinette?"
"Cut the bullshit, I know you aren't one for small talk. Tell me, what do you want?" Marinette spoke immediately with her eyes focused on her cup of tea, without even looking at him. She then set her cup down and looked up at him with a cold look in her eyes. Adrien felt his eyes widen in shock at Marinette's words.
"Hmph, you know me well-"
"A little too well... more than I would like."
"Let's just discuss the real reason why I called you here," Gabriel said as he sipped his cup of tea, he then put it down and looked at her icily while whispering so others couldn't hear, "I thought we discussed the terms of the contract, have I not made myself clear?"
"You have, trust me, however, the entire premise of that contract is now null and void."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"You made me sign that contract on the premise that Adrien was too young to be a father at 18. Look at him Gabriel, he's 32, he has the right to know about his children," Marinette sighed quietly as Alya huffed in frustration as none of could catch what she was saying.
"I'm well aware of his age-"
"Then what is it Gabriel? The longer you hide it, the more it's going to blow out of proportion, is that what you want?"
"I suggest you don't question me Marinette, or I will see to it that you and your family will face the consequences for breaking the contract," Gabriel whispered with a deadly aura as Marinette sat there unfazed and unruffled by any comment.
"Always the jackass I see, nothing's changed to mediate that temper of yours. How disappointing," Marinette whispered tauntingly at him, with the breath of nostalgia and bitterness. Gabriel sat back in his chair and glared at her as he smiled in amusement.
"I see you're more comfortable at cursing."
"That's completely irrelevant Gabriel. My word choice has nothing to do with what you're suggesting," Marinette interjected quietly as Adrien, Nino, and Alya watched the entire exchange. They had such a cold and deadly chemistry that it was horrifying to watch. Marinette became a completely different person, cold and unfazed, the complete opposite of what she was before, "As I said before, he's 32, but there's something more to your contract. You're trying to hide them for a different reason," Marinette said quietly so only Gabriel could hear. Gabriel laughed as Marinette looked at him questioningly.
"Well done Ms. Dupain Cheng, you're right, there is another reason why I'm still making you keep quiet..."
"And what would that be?"
"I don't want Adrien to know he has any children at all, especially coming from you. He's engaged to Kagami, it's practically too late to spring the surprise on him. Your children were a mistake, I can't let him know he had any diluted/mutt breed children, what would that do?" Gabriel leaned over the table and whispered to her as Marinette immediately gripped the tea cup handle tightly and set it down harshly on the table, almost breaking the dish. The loud clang attracted the attention of everyone in the cafe but Marinette didn't care.
"Tch... Gabriel, that is the stupidest reason I have ever heard. I beg you to call my children "diluted/mutt breed children" again and I swear I will make sure you never speak again," Marinette gritted her teeth as she said that rather loudly. Adrien and the group heard this and felt slightly appalled.
"I didn't hear what he said but he called her children mutts? Really?" Alya asked as Adrien looked worryingly at Marinette and his father. Why was his father saying those things to her? He had no business with her children, right?
"Making threats I see, you have certainly grown more bold since we last met. Your son, Louis I believe, compensated for your boldness and stabbed me in the hand. You're extremely lucky I didn't press charges, the amount of money it would have to taken to get your lives out of that mess," Gabriel whispered as Marinette immediately replied, raising the cup to drink again.
"Hmph, you did decide to press charges you fucking liar but I can't be tried again for that case since it was dismissed with prejudice. There was incriminating evidence against you but you had the court tied up for months because of your team of lawyers that fabricated evidence. Don't think I don't know how you managed to get the scalpel declared inadmissible but I know you did something. Although Gabriel, I hope you learned that money's one thing, a life's another, you think you can just blindly ruin lives through money?" Marinette said calmly as Gabriel chuckled and settled back into his chair.
"You're a clever women Marinette, of course you'd know if I did something. But let me make this clear. You are in no position to make any claims or accusations against me. It's my word against yours, and who do you think is gonna win?" Gabriel asked solemnly as Marinette felt her eyes widen slightly but that was the only indication that she was slightly bothered.
"I can't prove it. Yes I know, the case was dismissed with prejudice but trust me, I'll know when you try to do something underhanded so just cut the crap, Louis, Hugo, and Emma have a right to get to know their father, even if Adrien himself doesn't know it. Can you at least grant that?" Marinette sighed as Gabriel looked thoughtfully at her. Gabriel after a while sighed and spoke.
"I do see your point, however, if you let Adrien find out that those three are his children, you won't have to worry about protecting your family anymore. Because I'll erase your family right then and there. Give me any reason to think that you'd disobey and consider yourself permanently irrelevant," Gabriel whispered lowly to Marinette, who finally cracked a little and dropped her cup suddenly and felt her eyes widen in slight terror, "you and your kids are allowed to interact with Adrien and your friends, but you know what's at stake."
"You don't need to warn me jackass, I already know."
"Alright, glad we had this talk, good day Marinette, I hope that recording device got everything," Gabriel said thoughtfully as he nodded to Marinette, stood up and walked out of sight, leaving Marinette along to recollect herself. However, she couldn't and she started sobbing right there at that table. Adrien was about to go over to here and comfort her but he saw her kids rush over to her table and beat him to it.
"Mom, are you ok? Don't worry I told Hugo and Emma to cover their ears at the cursing," Louis said as he took two more chairs to the table and the three sat down with their mom. Marinette finally looked up at him and laughed slightly. Hugo took the napkin and gently wiped away her tears.
"Maman, you really like to use your potty words don't you?" Hugo asked as he and Emma shot her the same look. Marinette laughed nervously as she took note of what he said.
"Wait, who told you to call it potty words?"
"Louis, he said it was funnier to say that than bad words or mean words or curse words. He's right though," Hugo chirped as Marinette looked teasingly at Louis who smiled in embarrassment, with his hand on his neck.
"Louis..." Marinette said scoldingly but laughed, "thank you for protecting them."
"Don't worry, just doing my job as an older brother," Louis flashed his million dollar smile that resembled Adrien's but he turned serious as soon as he made that smile, "so what are you gonna do Mom? You can't let yourself suffer forever."
"You're right... I need help, I just need to get back into the swing of things with my friends and Adrien again. I told them they would never see me again but the truth is, I need them. I want to be friends again, be in each other's lives again. I can't be alone in this forever," Marinette concluded as the three of them nodded in agreement.
"I completely agree Maman! Cause let's face it, you've been out of the loop for 15 years and haven't had good friendly human contact in 15 years. You need friends," Emma commented as Marinette looked her dumbfounded and laughed wholeheartedly along with the rest of the family. Adrien and the others by now have dropped the previous conversation and focused on the current happy one.
"I suppose I do... Alya.. Nino... I do hope we can be friends again. And Adrien..." Adrien widen his eyes at her words and felt his heart flutter in happiness at her continued words but felt a little sadness at her last ones for some reason.
"I hope we can still be there for each other and be the light in each other's lives again, like the good old days. Best friends..."