Adrien breathed in the summer heat as he made his way towards the Bourgois Hotel. In truth he was far from thrilled at having this lunch with Chloé and Felix, but he also knew it was very necessary. For the sake of Kagami and Luka, he would shove his discomfort where his cousin was concerned to one side for the greater good - for the next right step as Marientte had reminded him yesterday. He smiled to himself at that.
Marinette. He wondered how he would have ever managed without her and her amazing parents. His mind was still reeling from the revelations from his father, but the moment he stepped foot into the bakery yesterday, it was as though all his troubles had simply melted away, much like the cupcakes they had made melted in his mouth.
Entering the restaurant, he saw Chloé and Felix seated at the far table. He couldn't help but notice there was at least three empty glasses in front of Felix while Chloé was obviously still on her first, and it wasn't even midday yet.
"Adrikins". Chloé waved, getting up from the table and throwing her arms around her oldest friend, kissing him on both cheeks. She then looked behind him. "Did Dupain-Cheng stand you up?" Adrien gave her the stink eye with and an incredulous look. Chloé looked reasonably apologetic. "I'm sorry, was Marinette unable to accompany you today?" She rephrased and Adrien smiled at her.
"She's on her way. Father wanted her come to a design meeting and to sign some paperwork." He let out a small sigh. "I...wasn't up to seeing him today." Chloé looked at him sympathetically. He had rung her the night before and told her everything that had happened.
"I'm so sorry Adrien." She said with genuine concern.
"I'm alright Chloé. I have Marinette and her family helping through it all. That's all I really need." She looked a little sad at that and Adrien put an arm around her shoulder. "And you of course, Chloé. You're still one of my best friends." She smiled sweetly at that.
"I can't wait to meet this amazing angel that fell from heaven that you can't seem to stop swooning over." Came the somewhat sarcastic voice of Felix from the table. Adrien looked over to find him mansplaining in his chair with a deadpan look on his face. Felix reached out his hand to his cousin, shaking it as Adrien took a seat.
"How are you Felix? I gather Chloé got you up to speed with the plan for night?" Adrien was trying to be cheerful, but he knew it was probably sounding strained. Although he and Felix had settled their disputes some time ago, they were very different people. Felix downed another gulp of his drink before waving the waiter over to order another.
"Yeah yeah, I know. Take the chick to the party, keep her entertained, then hand her over to the "lucky husband" upon which time I make an excuse to leave. There happy." He addressed the last part to Chloé who had her arms folded, tapping her fingers against her bicep.
"And…?" She prompted. Felix avoided her gaze as the waiter placed his drink in front of him.
"Keep my hands to myself and...don't get plastered." Felix then looked at his drink, his fourth bourbon and coke, before placing it in front of Adrien. "A drink for you cousin?" He said, forcing a smile. Adrien wasn't planning on drinking, but thought it best to help his cousin save face.
"Cheers Felix." The model said, raising his glass and taking a sip.
"There, see, you can do the right thing Feliakins." Chloé smirked.
"Don't call me that." He mumbled into his glass of water before his eyes suddenly widened on something in the distance.
"Whoa." He let out under his breath. Adrien turned around to see his girlfriend waving at them from the door. She was in her formal workwear in a navy blue suit jacket with a pencil skirt, paired with a baby pink blouse and a slightly darker pink silk scarf tied around her neck under her sophisticated up do.
"Hello Princess." Adrien said, getting up and giving her a chase kiss on the lips. "You must have knocked them dead at the meeting in that outfit." She grinned at him before turning her attention to Chloé, who had stepped forward to kiss her on each cheek.
"I can't stay long I'm afraid. Nathalie said my stylist appointment was moved."
"Nice of you to join us, Marientte." Chloé said, attempting to be pleasant. "I believe you haven't met Adrien's cousin here yet." Felix stood you and walked around the table before taking Marinette by the hand.
"Felix Graham De Vanily, at your service mademoiselle." He said with smooth suave before placing a kiss to the back of her hand. It wasn't so much the gesture that Marientte found unnerving, but the way he rubbed his thumb along her hand as he did it. Adrien noticed too and was starting to see green at his cousin flirting with his Marientte. Like the possessive cat he was, he quickly snatched back his girlfriend's hand, with a pointed glare at his cousin, and guided Marientte to sit on the opposite side away from Felix and his known wandering hands.
The group ordered lunch and carried on with some small talk about fashion and Chloé's new position working for her father in the mayoral office. As they continued to eat their lunch, the conversation inevitably turned to the subject of Adrien's father.
"So Uncle Gabe was sick after all. My mother wondered about that when he visited a few weeks ago. He seemed kind of off according to her." Adrien let out a heavy sigh.
"I just wish he had told me about my mother before this though, rather than wait until he was sick himself to tell me about her." Chloé gave him a sympathetic look and Marinette reached out to hold his hand in support. Felix just huffed.
"Oh well, I guess you'll just be a real orphan now rather than a defacto one." The girls have each other shocked.
"Felix!" Chloé shided. Felix looked at her confused.
"What? Adrien hardly saw the old bugger for years anyway. He might as well have been dead, it's not like he was ever around. At least when my father died my mother was right there with me, even if I did rebel out." Chloé went to argue the point but Adrien intervened.
"It's alright Chlo, he's right. I guess that's why my feelings have been a bit all over the place. He's been trying, and part of me wants to cry for the time we lost, but another part of me wants to be angry that it was lost in the first place. Had he just told me about my mother back then, we could have healed together, instead I held onto false hope for so long before I gave up on my own." Marinette reached her hand to his back and started rubbing soothing circles. He looked at her and took strength from her warm, loving gaze.
"And you're okay with your father having an intimate relationship with his secretary?" Felix asked with a raised brow as she shoved another piece of steak into his mouth. Adrien swallowed his food and took a drink of his water.
"Nathalie knew my mother before she and father met. She's more than just my father's assistant, she's been his lifelong friend and I always thought of her as part of our family." Felix scoffed, looking at his fingers.
"You're too kind hearted Adrien. That was always your problem." He said with an air of superiority. Marinette narrowed her eyes at him.
"Kindness is a virtue that is sorely lacking in this world today and it's one of the things I love so much about Adrien, his beautiful and kind heart and soul." She looked up into Adrien's eyes as she said it and he felt like he just fell in love with her all over again.
"So I don't suppose his pretty face and large bank balance had anything to do with it." Felix said, reaching across the table and grabbing her hand. "Because you know I have those things too." Marientte's eyes widened as she pulled back and Chloé gasped, kicking him under the table in the shin, to which he let out a yelp. The socialite was never a huge fan of Marinette's but even she knew her well enough to know that wasn't true. Adrien on the other hand was just about at boiling point.
"Felix, you take that back right now and apologise to Marinette." He said as angrily as possible without drawing attention in the crowded restaurant. It was hard to show restraint because he could feel Plagg stirring around under his jacket and he knew how protective his Kwami was Ladybug. Marientte's calming hand wrapped around his arm.
"It's alright Adrien." She said. He looked at her and was about to protest when she continued. "You're cousin isn't the first to think that about me, and I'm sure he won't be the last."
"But Princess…" She placed a finger over his lips which he kissed, bringing a smile to her face.
"You can't fight them all my Prince." He took the hand she had to his lips, kissing her palm.
"You know I'll always try to." He said with a smirk. Marinette then stood up and turned to Chloé.
"I'm afraid I need to go to my stylist appointment. Thank you for lunch and I'll see you tonight. I can't wait to see that dress on you." Chloé nodded, her eyes still side glaring at Felix. Adrien stood up to join her but she shook her head cupping his cheek with her hand
"You finish your lunch. I'll see you soon." She stood on her toes and gave him a soft kiss before leaving the restaurant. Adrien then sat down and joined Chloé in glaring at Felix who was looking remarkably sheepish after witnessing such a tender display of affection. He hated to admit it, but it was jealousy that had prompted his acid tongue. He had of course seen all the pictures of Adrien and his girlfriend in the gossip magazines and how visibly in love the two were, but it hit him harder seeing it in person. He'd had his fair share of beautiful women to keep his bed warm at night, but he'd never had a Marinette, someone who loved Felix for himself and not the De Vanily name.
"Adrien I didn't mean to..." He started, but he lost his words when Adrien leaned across the table, pointing a finger at Felix's face.
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear here Felix. That girl is the best thing that's ever happened to me and she is going to be my wife one day, that means you treat her like a queen and keep your filthy paws off her. Do we have an understanding?" Felix nodded his head and said nothing more for the rest of the lunch.
"Miss Dupain-Cheng, look over this way." Click, click. Marinette did a twirl showing off the sunset dress in all its glory, the Swarovski crystals dazzling under the flashlights. Unlike the photo shoot, she wore her hair down tonight, much to Adrien's delight.
"Miss Dupain-Cheng, did you design your dress?" Click, click.
"Adrien, is it true your father is retiring and handing over control of the company?" Click, click.
"Adrien, Marinette, are the rumours true that you're secretly engaged?" Click, click, click.
Adrien slipped his arm around Marinette's waist as they walked down the red carpet towards the Bourgeois Hotel entrance. He smiled at the cameras and waved before picking up one of Marinette's hands and kissing the inside of her wrist. The reports lapped up the show of affection, cameras flashing at fever pitch.
"I will leave my father's intentions for the company to him to announce in good time. I will only say for now that it is a family business and my father likes to keep it that way." He gave Marinette a cheeky smile.
"So that makes Miss Dupain-Cheng family then Adrien?" Nadja Chamack pressed with her microphone to Adrien's face. Adrien pulled a very Chat like smirk at the camera.
"When she knows you'll know." He teased, winking at the reporter before guiding his girlfriend back up the red carpet.
Walking into the grand ballroom, Adrien caught sight of Chloé on Luka's arm. She was wearing a stunning fitted gold dress with a plunging neckline and high thigh slit. Luka was in a dark suit, his blue tipped hair hanging loose down to his shoulders. Marinette and Adrien hugged them in greeting as the waiter brought champagne around. Marinette declined the glass and Chloé raised an eyebrow at her.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" Marientte looked at her confused. Chloé curled her lips up into a smirk shifting her eyes to Adrien. "Did you knock her up?" The bluenette's eyes widened as Adrien darted a look at her.
"What?...no!" She panicked. In truth she hadn't thought of that since technically she still didn't know. Marinette was just used to Tikki's suggestion that miraculous holders shouldn't drink in case they needed to transform. "I'm...um...I'm on antibiotics. Yeah, I can't drink while I'm on them." Luka chuckled at her flailing.
"I've missed you Marientte." He said fondly. "I wish we could stay in Paris longer." A sadness creeping into his eyes. Adrien put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry Luka. It's all going to work out. I'm sure we will all be able to see each other again soon." Luka smiled softly and began talking to Chloé as Adrien grabbed another glass of champagne, taking a gulp out of it and handing it to Marinette. She looked at him questionly and he leaned into her ear.
"Chloé's right. People will question why you don't have a drink in your hand. At least this way it looks like you've been drinking it." Marinette looked at the glass and realised what he meant. He kissed her cheek, lingering his hot breath on her neck, she shivered and blushed as his eyes met hers again. He loved that he could still do that to her. "You know you're the most beautiful girl here." She smiled at him, then flicked her eyes to the door behind them
"I don't know Kitty." She whispered. "I think I have competition." Adrien turned to see Kagami and Felix walk into the ballroom.
Luka gasped when he saw Kagami. The was wearing a stunning tight fitted, high collared oriental styled dress in deep red with a gold embroidered dragon design that snaked down her right side. The high slit, similar to Chloé's dress, came to almost the top of her thigh and in her hair was a metal clasp of white and gold flowers with hanging crystals into her midnight hair. Chloé waved them over, Felix behaving enough to allow Kagami to only hold his arm, keeping his hands to himself. Luka wanted to run to his beloved, but Marinette gently put a hand on his arm.
"I know it's hard." She said. "But remember the plan. You aren't supposed to know each other." Luka bit his bottom lip and nodded with his eyes closed. Play the game now, he reminded himself, then they will be free.
"Good even Kagami, Felix." Chloé said, kissing Kagami and Felix on both cheeks as a good hostess should.
"Good evening Chloé. Thank you for your kind invitation." Kagami smiled as a photographer circled the group taking pictures. Felix reached out, grabbing a champagne flute and gulping it down in quick order unnoticed while the group moved to the canapés.
It was killing Luka not being able to touch Kagami. He wanted so badly to hold her and kiss her and sweep her away right now. Kagami looked up at him from across the table, her hazel eyes gazing at him through her lashes. He knew she was thinking the same and she was willing his patience with her eyes.
"Shall we dance Princess?" Adrien asked, taking Marientte's hand and leading her over to the dance floor. Chloé tugged Luka along towards the dance floor behind them.
"Shall we dance too, my little geisha girl." Felix purred. Kagami looked at him like she wanted to run daggers into him.
"If you value your life, you will never call me that again." She growled between gritted teeth. Felix swigged the rest of his champagne and gave her an irritating smirk.
"Yes ma'am." He replied, winking at her and clicking his tongue. Kagami rolled her eyes, taking his arm and letting Felix lead her to the dance floor. She made sure to keep as much physical space between them as possible.
Adrien held Marinette close to him as the string quartet played behind them. While they danced he kept a watch of his cousin with Kagami. As the dance continued into the next song, Felix's hand had begun to wander far too far south to be respectable, earning him a stiletto heel into his little toe. Felix grimaced with pain, trying to keep his composure and Adrien heard Marinette giggle.
"Maybe someone should rescue poor Kagami." She said. Adrien nodded towards Chloé and Luka.
"I think Chloé is already onto it." Adrien and Marinette watched Chloé waltz Luka towards Felix and Kagami.
"Feliakins, isn't it about time you owed me a dance." She said, not so subtly shoving her partner at his, before sweeping Felix away confused.
Luka held Kagami close to him and they lost themselves within the swirling crowd, hidden from view. "Baby I missed you so much." He whispered into her ear. "I just want to get out of here and make sweet love to you all night." Kagami smiled as she laid her head against his chest. Her heart had been beating fast all night with adrenaline and anticipation, but in Luka's arms she felt safe and calm, his steady heartbeat relaxing her.
"Patience my love." She murmured into his neck. "Soon I will be yours forever and no one will be able to come between us. We just have to wait for the signal."
Adrien had lost himself in the music and hadn't been paying much attention to what had been happening around him. His mind was solely on the girl in his arms. He had already made up his mind that he wasn't going to wait much longer to propose to her. He didn't see the point in waiting. If she was going to move into his apartment, then she might as well do so as his wife, and if there was a little kitten too… He sighed happily and Marientte looked up at him.
"Everything alright Kitty?" She asked, running her fingers through his slightly shaggy hair. Adrien bent his head and kissed her softly on the lips.
"Just thinking about how lucky I am Bug." He smiled, losing himself in her ocean blue eyes before she laid her head back on his chest. From the corner of his eye he saw a scowling look in Chloé's eyes. He turned his head to see where she was glaring and his stomach dropped.
"Shit." He said under his breath. Marientte raised her head back up and looked at him with concern. Adrien almost never swore, but when she saw who was approaching them, the words in her own head became much stronger.
"Hello Adrien, May I cut on for a dance? You don't mind, do you Marinette? I mean, we're just old friends." Lila's honey tongue sent a shiver down Adrien's spine. He really just wanted to tell her she could stick her request where the sun don't shine, but he was acuetly aware of photographers as well as Audrey Bourgois standing in close proximity. Adrien looked at Marientte who gave him a small nod and slowly backed away from his arms.
"It's been a while since I've been able to get this close to you Adrien. I've missed our photo shoots together." She cooed, running her hand up his arm.
"I haven't." He replied with gritted teeth and tried to hold her away from him.
"Don't be like that Adrien." She giggled. "We had a good time you and I, until a certian little aspiring designer got in my way." Adrien narrowed his eyes at her. "People aren't always around you know Adrien, and when she's gone, I'll be here waiting for you."
"You keep away from Marinette." He growled. Lila cocked her well manicured eyebrow and fixed her olive eyes on him.
"My my, we are touchy aren't we. I wasn't threatening Marinette, Adrien, she's just your little girlfriend. I understand, you wanted to test the waters, but when you want a real woman, I'm here for you." She pressed herself closer into him, running her hand down his chest.
Marinette had been watching the interaction from the canapés table. She could see how uncomfortable Adrien was getting and was trying to think of a way to intervene without making a scene. Chloé rushed over to her, dragging Felix along.
"I'm sorry Marinette, I had no idea her mother would bring her as her plus one." Marinette nodded, but her eyes were laced with worry, and not only for Adrien.
"Look, it's almost 9:30 and your father is leaving. That only gives us a few more minutes before we need to get to his office. If Lila finds out anything is going on tonight, the plan is ruined." Chloé scanned her eyes around the room. They needed to have Lila distracted. She heard Felix beside her click his fingers at a waiter, taking another glass of champagne. She rolled her eyes at him. So much for not getting plastered. Then a glimmer of an idea began to shine.
"Hold on Marinette, I have and idea. Get ready to move." Chloé grabbed Felix with his drink still in hand and led him across the dance floor.
"What are we doing Chloé?" He protested, reaching out to put the glass down on a passing table. Chloé pulled him closer to her so her face was only an inch from his.
"Listen to me very carefully you pompous preppy. You have not been behaving yourself at all tonight, but I'll give you an opportunity to redeem yourself." Felix looked at her curiously as she leaned into him. "There is a girl dancing with Adrien. I need you to keep her very occupied for the next half hour or so." She whispered in his ear. Stepping back she ruffled his hair before playing with his tie. "You can lavish all your drunken playboy charms on her. Think you can do that?" Felix's face broke into a dangerous grin.
"So when are you going to let me lavish my playboy charms on you?" He asked. Chloé flushed momentarily, before she smirked at him.
"You do a good job here and we'll see Casanova."
Adrien was rapidly losing his cool, but he knew he had to keep his feelings in check. He would never forgive himself if he caused the plan to fail. He grabbed Lila's hand from his chest and held it in his hand, squeezing it tightly enough to be uncomfortable.
"There would never be an us Lila. Not at any time, under any circumstances. I would rather be alone for the rest of my life than ever be with you." He looked at her square in the eyes and could see a shift from seductive to something a lot more sinister.
"You'll regret that discussion Adrien. I can promise you that."
"Adrikins, where have you been hiding? You still owe me a dance." Chloé flamboyantly swung her arms around Adrien's neck, loosening Lila's grip on him. He smiled at her gratefully.
"Sure Chlo, I always have a dance for you." Chloé wrapped her arm around his before pushing Felix towards Lila.
"Lila, may I introduce Adrien's cousin Felix Graham De Vanily." Lila had to do a double take. Standing side by side, the two cousins could have been mistaken for twins.
"I'm sure the please will be all mine." Lila purred as she let Felix sweep her up into the dance floor. The seductive look once again returning to her eyes.
"Alright." Chloé breathed in relief as she danced Adrien over to Marinette.
"You were brilliant Chlo." Adrien beamed. The socialite just rolled her eyes.
"Of course I am." She said, stopping once they reached Marinette. Adrien hugged his girlfriend, dropping a kiss into her head.
"I'm sorry Princess." He said into her hair. Marientte shook her head and looked up at him.
"You have nothing to apologise for." She reached her hand up to caress his face, placing a soft kiss on his lips. "Now let's get our friends married."
Adrien cut in to Luka and Kagami, taking the Japanese girl into his own arm while Marientte wrapped her arm around Luka's. The two couples made their way through the crowds on opposite sides. Chloé kept an eye on Felix and Lila. Felix had the Italian lost in the crowd, giggling at his obvious flirting. Adrien ushered Kagami down the hallway first, followed not far behind by Luka and Marinette. Chloé grabbed a champagne flute before casually following them down the hall.
The group made their way to the office of the Mayor. Adrien and Marinette realised very quickly that Andre Bourgeois was an incurable romantic. It would explain how he managed to put up with Audrey all these years. Andre's giddiness over the secret marriage was borderline on the ridiculous, but it worked completely in their favour.
Chloé passed a bunch of red and white roses over to Kagami. "Marinette had these sent over earlier for your bouquet." Kagami turned to Marinette with a tear in her eye as she held the flowers.
"Now can I have the groom take the bride's hand and step forward." Andre beamed. Luka reached his hand out to Kagami and the two stepped forward towards the mayor. Kagami trembled slightly, still terrified that her mother could have found out and naught yet stop them. Adrien stood by Luka and Marinette by Kagami as witnesses while Chloé stayed near the door to keep watch.
Andre picked up his folder and cleared his throat to speak. "We are gathered here this evening to witness the marriage of Luka Couffaine and Kagami Tsurugi. We come here, not to mark the beginning of a relationship but to acknowledge the strength of the bond that already exists. This ceremony is an affirmation of that bond."
As Luka and Kagami exchanged their vows, Adrien couldn't help but draw his eyes back toward Marinette. She was watching the bride and groom with so much joy and happiness on her face. Luka took the rings out of his pocket and slipped both the engagement ring and wedding band onto Kagami's finger declaring his eternal love for her. Marinette looked over at Adrien through her eyelashes and blushed a little at his adoring gaze.
"I give these rings as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. This ring has no end, like my love for you and I promise to love you every day of our lives." Kagami held back her tears at Luka's words, smiling up at him through her shining eyes.
"By the power vested in me by the City of Paris, it is my great pleasure to declare you Mr and Mrs Couffaine. You may kiss your wife." Luka cupped Kagami's face in both his hands and brought his lips to her amid the applause of those in the room. Parting lips the newlyweds signed the papers along with Adrien and Marientte as the official witnesses before all four hugged each other. Chloé came over to congratulate and was surprised to be dragged into the group hug.
Luka separated from the group and shook the Mayor's hand, thanking him for all he'd done. "Not a worry young Luka." He laughed, patting him on the back. "There is nothing more pure in this world than young love and I wish you the blessing of many happy years and children together." Luka and Kagami blushed at each other as the mayor then moved his attention to Adrien, who had an arm around Marinette. "And what about you young Agreste? Do I get to hear wedding bells soon for you too?" Adrien grinned at Marientte who had burst out into a bright blush.
"I'll let you know Mr Mayor." He replied and Andre roared with laughter as he left the room to return to Audrey and their guests.
"We haven't got much time." Chloé warned. "Come with me." The group followed her down the hall where they were met by the Bourgois butler. "Jean Marc, will you take Mr and Mrs Couffaine through the celebrity back passage." The butler nodded. Marinette pulled Kagami in for another hug.
"Juleka and Rose are waiting outside in a car. They will take you both to the Liberty. Luka's mum is ready to set sail and will take you by boat up the Seine. From there you can make your way to England. You have your passport Kagami?" The new Mrs Couffaine nodded. "Don't worry about clothes, we all contributed to a suitcase full that will get you through until you can buy your own." Adrien then passed Luka an envelope.
"There is a reservation contact waiting for you at the hotel named in this envelope. He's an old school friend of Felix's and is happy to help out. Once you have Kagami's US visa arranged, there are two open ended business class flights in here too. A wedding present from us." Luka looked like he had tears in his eyes when he grabbed Adrien into a tight embrace.
"I don't know how we can ever repay you." He said, his voice full of emotion. Marinette places her hand on his shoulder. "Take care of Kagami and be happy. That's all the payment we need." Luka nodded his head and wiped away a tear.
"You better hurry." Chloé urged. "We have about two hours before anyone will realise Kagami is missing and we want you two as far away from here as possible." With that she headed back to the ballroom. Adrien and Marinette waited while Luka and Kagami disappeared down the hall. With a final wave, Adrien kissed his girlfriend on the head.
"You did it, everyday Ladybug." He said, Marinette wrapped her arm around him as they walked back towards the ballroom.
"We did it everyday Chat." She corrected. Ahead they could see Chloé standing at the doorway watching intently as a scene began to unfold in the ballroom. As they got closer, Adrien and Marinette could hear raised voices.
"Who do you think you are?" Screeched the undeniable voice of Lila. The dry laugh that followed was clearly that of a very intoxicated Felix.
"What's the matter ma Bella, am I not Adrien enough for you?" Lila folded her arms.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She scolded, turning her head.
"Don't bullshit me sweetheart. You've been leading me on all night because I look like my cousin, but when push comes to shove you won't follow through." Lila scoffed.
"I'm not that easy, Felix." She said, practically spitting his name. "What made you think I'd want to go back to your hotel room with you?" Felix laughed again. If she was going to up the ante, then so could he.
"Who said I was asking you?" Lila looked at him with bug eyes. "I already have a date to keep my bed warm tonight with a leggy blonde." Lila's mouth flew open before closing into a thin angry line. Before anyone could react, Lila picked up a champagne glass and threw its contents into Felix's face before storming out. Chloé ran over to him, pulling a handkerchief out of her purse and wiping his face while the crowd redispersed.
"I guess I won't need an excuse to leave now." Felix lamented with a chuckle, shaking the sticky liquid off his hands.
"What on Earth happened?" Adrien asked as they led Felix out of the ballroom. Felix shook his head in amusement, champagne sticking to his hair.
"She was going on and on about you and her and this supposedly amazing time you both had modeling until Marinette came along. She seemed convinced that you two were a thing, or were going to be anyway. I let her drone on to keep her occupied, but then she started coming onto me, and in a not too subtle way. I wouldn't mind normally, but something about her just rubbed me the wrong way. I was a bit over her by then so I called her out on her clear infatuation with you and decided to have a bit of fun with it." He ran his fingers through his wet hair. "I guess maybe I went too far."
"You're not as drunk as you're pretending to be are you?" Chloé questioned and Felix smirked at her.
"I hold my alcohol exceptionally well baby, and there's still plenty of fire packing in these rockets." He said wiggling his eyebrows at her. Chloé rolled her eyes while Adrien and Marientte suppressed their laughter.
"Your ridiculous Felix, utterly ridiculous." Chloé tried to sound annoyed but couldn't be really. Whatever the motive, he had kept Lila out of the way and the night had been a success. "Come on, let's get you out of these wet clothes." She said, taking his arm. Felix leaned closer to her ear.
"Is that a promise?" He asked, copping a playful slap from his companion as they left.
Adrien and Marinette took the opportunity to depart themselves from the party. Opening the car door for her, Adrien helped Marientte in before sliding in beside her. It was only a short trip from the Bourgeois Hotel back to the bakery, but the time passed even quicker with lips locked and bodies entangled.
All too soon, Adrien was escorting his girlfriend to her front door. Marinette let out a yawn as Adrien pulled her close to him and gave her a lingering kiss on the forehead.
"I guess I'm more tired than I thought." She said, stifling another yawn. Adrien chuckled, hugging her to him.
"Have a good sleep m'lady, you earned it." He ran his finger through her hair. "I'll come back for breakfast." But he was surprised by her shaking her head.
"It's Sunday and I want you to have breakfast with your father." Adrien let out a groan.
"Marinete." He whined, but she stepped back and gently caressed his cheek.
"No Adrien, you can't let this go on and avoid him forever." She said earnestly. "You father is sick, and he's hurting and he needs you." Adrien looked at her frustrated before letting out a sigh. He really couldn't argue with those bright blue eyes.
"Alright, I'll have breakfast with him, but I'll be over as soon as I'm finished okay?" She smiled and nodded before letting him sweep her up into a tender kiss.
"See you tomorrow Kitty." She whispered, Adrien kissing her hand as she walked into the bakery with a final goodnight.
Marientte took her shoes off and tiptoed her way up to her room. Flopping onto her chaise, Tikki excitedly came out of her purse.
"We did it Tikki." Marinette said sleepily, unzipping her dress and shimmying out of it.
"What do you think will happen when Mrs Tsurugi finds out?" Tikki asked. Marinette got up and hooked the dress up before heading to the bathroom to wash her face.
"I don't know really." Marinette admitted, clearing her makeup off with wipes. "She's still due to leave for Japan tomorrow. I guess she will leave without Kagami. With any luck, maybe she won't come back." She winced a little at a few uncomfortable twinges in her stomach. She ran her fingers gently over her belly before pulling on her night dress and finishing her nighttime routine before climbing into bed.