AN: So this took way too long to get out but hopefully it will be worth that wait. Thank you for coming back or if you are reading this just now then thank you for coming. I was going to write more of the chapter I'm currently working on, chapter 22 if you can believe. But I'm stuck and this seemed like a better idea for my day off.
The next few days passed without incident and Kit set the small fox statue on a shelf and tried to forget the past; again. Not that she had succeeded the first time around, but a girl could dream.
Monday was a different story. A courier came and hand delivered an invitation to a high society event. The gala was being held to benefit women and children's shelters in Paris. It was certainly something Kit could support and it was being hosted by the Agreste family so at least she could keep Adrien company. She'd think about it at least.
After classes finished for the evening, Kit locked up and went upstairs to make some dinner. Sitting down on the couch with a couple of corndogs and setting a plat of meat down for Kyubi, Kit flipped the TV on and turned on the news. They were already covering the gala. Speculation was rampant on the guest list, including celebrities and high society darlings. Many of the known supporters were listed off and the reporter talked about the open donations call center that would be in effect for the weekend of the event.
"Looks like they're at least aiming high for this charity ball." Kit snarked her comment to the fox who currently had her muzzle buried in her meat.
A final announcement caught Kit's attention as the mastermind behind the even was revealed. At the name, Kit's eyes widened and her jaw dropped in shock. She quickly snapped it closed and her eyes narrowed with her anger. Her fuming was interrupted by the ringing of her phone on the couch next to her. Without looking, Kit answered the call, "Hello?"
"Akita, have you heard about that charity event in Paris yet?"
"Just did Mom, why?"
There was a pause on the other end. "Are you going?"
"I received an invite, but I don't know."
"Akita Argent I know this is an important subject to you. Why would you not go?"
"Did you even hear who the sponsor is? It'd be like shoving myself into the wolves den all over again. I came to Paris to get away from that."
"At least think about it?"
"Is that you talking or Dad and the company?" Kit questioned, finally turning away from the TV screen.
"Mostly me, although your father did mention it when it was first announced."
"Of course he did."
"However," Marie Argent interrupted, "it would be a good thing for you to get out."
"I promise to think about it. Happy now?" Kit relented, shaking her head and smiling.
They talked a bit longer before hanging up and Kit finally flipped off the TV and put her dishes in the sink. With that done Kit snagged her phone and headed out to the terrace. She pulled the internet up on her phone and her thumbs hovered over the screen for a moment before Kit shook her head and typed her search into the browser.
The images that popped up had Kit rolling her eyes as the various bottle blonde bimbos assaulted her phone screen. She scrolled before reluctantly opening an article by a prominent news outlet and read through. The article implied that this nuisance from her past was set to be named most eligible bachelor last year and Kit quickly backed out before opening another story.
Another few minutes had Kit closing the web browser in annoyance and shutting her phone off. She sat on the wicker chaise and braced her elbows on her knees. Pressing her hands together, fingers touching her lips, Kit stared out at the skyline. Kyubi's claws clicked on the cement pavers of the terrace as the fox came out to sit at her partner's feet.
"He had to have been the one who sent that invite. There's no other explanation." Kit stood and started to pace the length of the terrace only to stop after her second pass and grip the railing with white knuckles.
"Why is he here? And what does he want with me after all these years?" Kit looked back at the amethyst eyes of the demon. Turning back to gaze at the forever lit skyline of Paris she let her head drop and closed her eyes trying to catch her breath. Raising her head again a moment later, Kit decided she would find out.
The demon fox's ears perked at the determination she could feel rolling off her human partner. Whatever that male had done in the past, it must have been bad if the woman was still wary of him.
The next day, Kit approached Elle and made her offer. "Hey Elle."
"Hey, what's up?"
"What are you doing this weekend?" Kit asked with a deep breath.
"Why?" The question was asked with some hesitance as Elle looked her boss over.
Kit tossed the charity gala invitation in front of the younger woman. "I need a plus one."
"I don't have anything to wear to something like this," Elle responded, a little giddy and dumbstruck.
"Don't worry about that, we can go shopping later."
"But why me?"
After a moment, the glamoured fox demon beside her gave Kit a nose poke and she sighed. Looking anywhere but at Elle, Kit answered, "I…. may or may not know the sponsor?" It came out as a question more than a statement.
Elle's eyes blew wide open. "Oh my god… you know-"
"Yes okay? Yes I know him. And it didn't end pleasantly."
"What happened?"
Before Kit could answer, a familiar young couple walked through the doors of the studio.
"Saved by the bell," Kit muttered under her breath.
Elle pasted a smile on her face and greeted the two teens. "Hey guys, how's it going?"
Adrien and Marinette returned the greeting and Elle caught Kit from the corner of her eye as her boss moved around the counter to say hi to the two and start their lesson. She still didn't quite understand the offer of being the woman's plus one to the gala.
"Hey. What's going on in that head of yours?"
The question came as a pair of strong arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind. Elle leaned back into the embrace as Adam kissed the top of her head.
"Kit just invited me to be her plus one to the Women and Children's Charity Gala this coming weekend."
"And?"
"Wadda you mean 'And'?" she muttered back.
"Did you give her an answer?" Adam questioned as he spun her slightly to face him.
"Well, no. We kinda got interrupted. But apparently, she knows the sponsor."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I was just as surprised. She said it didn't end well though." Elle looked back at Kit as Adam rested his chin on the top of her head.
After a pause Adam spoke up again, "If she doesn't like the guy, why is she going to the Gala?"
"That is a very good question. Guess I can find out when we go shopping this afternoon."
"So you are going?"
"Well she is our friend. And what kind of friend would I be if I didn't have her back? I'm not gonna let her face her past on her own." Elle gave a resolute nod and stood. Kissing her boyfriend she headed over to the trio on the mats and gave Kit a hand with helping the teens stretch and warm up.
ODaG
Across town on the outskirts of Paris, a large mansion was bustling with staff as they set to work prepping the home for the event that weekend.
"Guys move those tables to the south wall. Sam, the bar goes over there." A small brunette stood in the middle of the ballroom floor hollering out directions.
A lanky red headed young man walked up behind her and put his hands on her hips.
"Hey babe, how ya doin'?" The question was low and sweet as the concern peeked out at the end.
With a small sigh the woman responded, "Just trying to get this done. You know how he can get."
"Mhm." The ginger man nodded and slipped his arms around the woman's middle.
She rolled her eyes and turned in his embrace to face him. He kissed her lightly before releasing her as she gently shoved his chest.
"I need to get back to work Carter."
"Miss Bailey," a maid came running up to the couple in a mild panic.
"What's the matter Sierra?"
"We don't have any sweets for the event. No one made catering arrangements for the cake or desserts."
"I'll handle it, just help the staff finish up, okay?" Bailey calmed the maid and took charge to reassure Sierra. As the woman left she turned back to Carter. "We're screwed."
Taking in his girlfriend's blank expression, a clear indication of the stress that had built in the last week preparing for the gala, he took her by the shoulders and told her to breathe.
"Relax, I'll handle it." He smirked as he used her own words to reassure her, then with a kiss to her forehead, he turned and left.
Taking another breath, Bailey turned back to the staff scurrying and scrambling to get the ballroom ready.
ODaG
As the day came to a close, Kit and Elle locked up the studio and headed out. They stopped at a small dress shop and Kit started flipping through the racks of dresses.
"So, what's your color? That will help narrow down our options." Elle looked up at the question.
"Um… I like dark greens, I guess?" It came out as a question.
"Okay then, over here." Kit grabbed Elle by the wrist and tugged the younger woman to a different rack. She looked Elle up and down a moment before turning to the dresses and flipping through them.
As she pulled a few she loaded Elle down with the selections and after four or five, she shoved Elle into a dressing room and closed the curtain.
"You want me to try all of these?" Elle sounded skeptical.
"Just pick one to try on and we'll go from there." Kit sat in a chair nearby and waited.
"So what happened between you and him that made you hate him so much?" Elle questioned through the curtain.
"I never said I hated him. I simply don't trust him anymore." Kit answered vaguely, trying not to relive the past.
Elle seemed to take the hint and stopped asking about it. She came out in the first dress holding it up to her chest as she couldn't zip it up all the way.
"Here, let me help." Kit stood and pulled the zipper up the rest of the way and then looked Elle over from head to toe.
Thin straps went over the girl's shoulders and the bodice hugged her curves with a sweetheart neckline. The skirt flared and rippled out at her hips and brushed Elle's bare toes. The silky fabric was a forest green that rippled with lighter shades as the light hit it.
Kit tilted her head and raised a brow in question.
"It fits nicely… I guess, but…" Elle was tentative in her opinion.
"But it's not you. Don't worry, we're just looking at silhouettes and fit right now. We can touch on fabrics after." Kit gave an encouraging smile and Elle stepped away from the mirrors and back to the rack of green dresses. Kit watched as the younger woman paused and fingered a dress. Tilting her head a bit more she spoke up.
"Try it on."
"Huh?"
"If it speaks to you, try it on."
"I-I don't know, it's kind of ex-"
"Don't you dare worry about price." Kit quickly cut off that train of thought. "I pulled you into all this, so I will pay for the dress."
"But Kit…" Elle looked back at her. Seeing the unmoving look on Kit's face she gave in. "Okay, but I'm buying the shoes."
"Shoes come with the dress; you can buy your own jewelry." The short reply had Kit and Elle sharing a smile and the girl grabbed the dress and went back to the changing room.
A few minutes later she reemerged in the new dress with a smile. Turning, Kit saw the only problem. The back was corseted so Elle would need help with the ribbon lacing.
"Here, let me help." Getting up Kit stepped behind the girl and expertly tightened the lacing checking with Elle periodically on the tightness.
The silk bodice fit perfectly and flowed to a loose skirt at the drop waist. The green colors shimmered subtly in the light of the shop and Elle shifted a little to catch the effect. A two foot long slit in the skirt let some dark green layered tulle spill out that emphasized the girl's every move.
"Kit this is it, it's perfect."
"Mm, almost. Something is still missing." Kit cocked her head one way and then the other, trying to put a finger on whatever was nagging the back of her mind.
"I suppose it is a little plain." Elle voiced the thought a bit reluctantly.
"Elle you're a genius. This is the dress; we just need to add a little… sparkle." The two grinned and Elle dashed back to the fitting room to take the dress off.
Coming back out in her street clothes, the two went to pick out shoes and made plans for jewelry shopping the next day.
"So you're gonna call Marinette for sparkle backup aren't you?" Elle questioned as they left the store.
"And for alterations, yes. She'll be faster than the shop to get it done on time." Kit was already pulling out her phone as she answered.
ODaG
Marinette picked up her phone and answered without looking, tucking it between her shoulder and ear and focusing back on her current project.
"Hello?"
"Marinette, I need your expertise."
"Kit?"
"I have a dress that needs some finishing touches. Think you can help? It's kind of a tight deadline." Kit and another voice came across the line with a begging tone as they implored her.
Pausing, Marinette sat back and gripped the phone for real. "What's the deadline?"
"This weekend?" The response came out as a question and Mari could picture Kit's wince as the words were spoken.
She thought for a moment. "How much work needs to be done?" She wasn't sure if she would take the job but knew Kit was willing to compensate one way or another.
"It just needs a little bling and slight possible alterations. The shop wouldn't have been able to finish in time." Kit tried to make the job sound simple.
Marinette lit up at the thought. "I did just get an embroidery printer. Come over tomorrow after school and I'll at least take a look."
"Ah, you're a lifesaver Mari!" Kit's response was ecstatic and the blunette pulled the phone away from her ear slightly.
"We'll see," she responded with a huffing laugh.
ODaG
As Kit put her phone away Elle put a hand on her shoulder and nearly jerked her to a stop.
"We didn't get you a dress." The girl sounded distressed at the thought.
"I've got me covered. I'll make the call tonight and have it in a day."
"Overnight shipping is gonna be murder." Elle grimaced and shook her head on Kit's behalf.
Kit chuckled and they parted ways as Elle got on the bus to head home.
Heading home and hiking up the stairs to her apartment, Kyubi emerged form Kit's shadow and leaped ahead.
Kit rolled her eyes, "show off." Plopping on the couch, Kit pulled her phone back out of her pocket and scrolled through her contact list. She made her selection and put the device to her ear, waiting as it rang.
"Akita?"
"Hey Mom, I need a favor."
"Oh? What's that?"
"I need you to dig through my closet and send me a dress."
"So you decided to go to the Gala."
"Yeah, think you can help?"
Marie Argent answered in the affirmative and Kit rattled off a number for a garment bag and the corresponding accessories.
"I'll send them first thing in the morning."
"Thanks Mom. I'll… I'll call you and let you know how it goes."
The two women finished up with some small talk and said their goodbyes before hanging up. Kit set the phone aside with a sigh and leaned back on the couch. Hopefully, with a little help form Marinette, well some more help, Kit's plan would succeed and she could leave that man speechless and stupid and not cause herself too much pain in the process.
Just thinking about him got Kit remembering the past and she finally thought back to some of the better moments between them. After playing her knight in shining armor, the two had become close. Their relationship had grown until graduation and then something had happened.
Kit shook away the hurt and pushed her mind to other things. She shot off a quick groveling text to Mari for more help and the response came quickly.
"It'll cost ya now. LOL."
Kit smiled at the answer. She had already planned on paying the young designer for her help and time. With a satisfied smile, Kit stood and went to bed.
AN: And that's now done. Hope you enjoyed the chapter; it was fun to think ahead while writing this out because I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to lead up to and hopefully the next chapter will make up for the slight slog that this one may or may not have been. I know it was a bit short but, filler chapters right?
Song O' the Chapter: Wake Me Up by Avicii
I was trying to make this a chapter of waking up to what was happening and the characters wanting all the anticipation to be over and done with (It's not). Hopefully it fits for you as well as it did for me.