A/N: Merry Christmas to everyone that celebrates it! :)

Hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

Adrien groaned in pain as he hit the ground. He took a deep breath, looking over the opponent; no other than Kagami. He tried his best to stay focused. But what Plagg told him, as well as his father, made him think only about Marinette and what she really was to him.

And he finally realized it. She was more than a friend. He thought about Chloe, who has been his friend for years; but he never felt around her how he felt around Marinette. He never felt like he could tell Chloe everything; he never felt the need to be close to her, to protect her. But, when he was around Marinette, those feelings were always there. But he never thought a lot about them Maybe because of his feelings for Ladybug, which took over him.

"Get up." He snapped from his thoughts, focusing back on Kagami. The fencing was over, everyone heading back to get changed. He sighed, getting up, brushing Kagami's offering hand away. "What's wrong with you, Adrien? You were unfocused." She asked him as they both walked to the changing rooms.

Adrien felt a little anxious. He knew he could not keep seeing Kagami. It wouldn't be fair for her...yet, he was nervous telling her. He knew she loved him a lot; that one time when she got akumatized because of the picture with Lila kissing his cheek proved him how deep her feeling for him were- and that wasn't the only time. But what could he do? He couldn't keep seeing her. He knew he didn't love her. Still, he didn't want to hurt her.

"Adrien..." Kagami stopped, looking at him. Adrien looked down at the girl, tilting his head. "It's about Marinette, right?" She asked, her voice soft.

Adrien gulped. He could simply deny- that would be the easy way...but not the honest, fair one. He sighed, then nodded. "Kagami, listen...I care about you, I do. You're an amazing girl, but-"

"But you don't love me." She finished for him. Adrien opened his mouth to talk, but no word left. He looked down, clearly feeling guilty. Kagami sighed, then smiled a bit. "Hey..." She placed a hand on his shoulder, making him look at her. "I've known from the first moment I saw you two together you liked her...but you were the only one who didn't see it- well, and Marinette." Kagami laughed a bit, squeezing his shoulder. "If you finally realized your feelings, go for it...talk with Marinette."

"Kagami, I..." Adrien sighed, "I am so sorry, my intentions were never to hurt you." He whispered, honest.

Kagami nodded, still smiling. It was a sad, yet understanding smile. "It's okay, Adrien. It hurts, yes, because you know I love you. But I want you to be happy. Being in this relationship would've been toxic for both of us. So...it's better if we stay friends." She extended a hand out. He looked at it, then smiled and shook it.

"Thank you, Kagami." He whispered, then hugged her. Kagami hugged him back, patting his back.

"It's okay..." She pulled away, giggling, "Get changed and go find Marinette. She's been waiting for this moment for a while." Kagami turned around, walking away.

Adrien looked after her, then smiled, a small blush appearing on his face.

Marinette gulped as she walked over to the massive door. She was about to knock on it, but, before she could touch it, it was wide open. Her eyes widened a bit as at the top of the stairs was standing no other than Gabriel Agreste, his eyes fixing her. He analyzed her, making her nervous.

"H...Hello, Mr. Agreste." She tried to smile, awkwardly. He just nodded.

"Ms. Dupain-Cheng. Follow me, please." He turned around, making his way to his office. The girl quickly ran after him, holding down her skirt. As soon as they entered his office, her lips parted. It was truly glorious...and huge. Probably as big as her whole apartment. "Take a seat and please leave your sketchbook on the desk." His voice made her snap out her thoughts. She gulped, then walked to the little sofa close to his desk. She placed the sketchbook down before taking a seat on the sofa, playing with the end of her skirt.

Gabriel noticed her nervousness. "Relax, Ms. Dupain-Cheng." He said, his voice somehow calm. Marinette nodded, looking at Gabriel as he took her sketchbook. He pushed his glasses a bit on his nose, then cleared his throat. "So, miss...since the moment you refused leaving Paris with Audrey, I've had my eyes set on you." Gabriel started, his eyes moving on the pages filled with designs. "My son may have already told you that I've been looking for a new look for the new collection...something fresh for the Agreste brand."

Marinette just nodded, watching Gabriel as his eyebrows rose slight. He rubbed his chin as he studied one design in particular. Marinette could not see what it was, but she was getting more and more nervous. "Um, yes...Adrien told me. But...I...I don't think I'd ever be made for this. I...I am not good enough, my designs are not perfect and-"

"There is no such thing as perfect designs, Marinette." He said, looking over her. "Not even mine are. But those imperfections make them unique and seem perfect." He continued, his eyes back on the design. "I like this pattern you're creating, as well as the designs. They're unique, indeed." Gabriel looked at Marinette again, noticing how red her face got.

The designer sighed, "You know what's missing?" Marinette's eyes got big. Shot. She knew this would be bad. She knew he'd hate her designs. All she wanted was to hide and never be seen again. Gabriel didn't let her answer him. "Confidence."

Her eyebrows raised as he said this. "Miss Dupain-Cheng, you are very talented, especially for your age. You are indeed a visionary, as Audrey told you once. But you are so afraid of owning it...that won't be good for you in the future." She gulped, looking down.

"You're right, sir."

Gabriel sighed, closing her sketchbook. He placed his elbows on his desk, "However, I want to help you get over your fears. Own up your ideas." She looked at him, her eyes widening as she saw Mr. Agreste smiling. Yes, the harsh, lonely designer was smiling. "I want you to be a part of my new collection. Your designs are exactly the touch I need."

Marinette could not believe what she heard. She stared at Mr. Agreste in shock. "W...what? For real?" She whispered, seeing him nod. She smiled wide, getting up. "Thank you, Mr. Agreste. This means the world to me!" She felt tears in her eyes as she bowed to Gabriel.

He got up, handing her the sketchbook. "No need to thank me. I am not doing you a favor. You are talented and I want you in my team." He said simply, holding his hand out. She smiled and shook him. "Nathalie will let you know more about the schedule. I would like having you send me some of your designs until next week in a digital format. Especially that suit on page 5. I think this would be perfect for Adrien."

At the sound of his name, Marinette remembered all this was because of him. He went against her wish and talked with his dad...and he offered her a chance working with him. Just like Adrien told her he would.

"Speaking of Adrien...is he around?" Gabriel shook his head. "Oh, okay...um, I will talk to him tomorrow then. Thank you again, sir!" Marinette bowed again.

"Of course...and young lady?" Marinette looked at him, curious, "Don't be afraid of new beginnings." She frowned a bit, confused, but just nodded.

"Sure...have a nice day, Mr. Agreste." Marinette waved, then followed Nathalie out.

She smiled bright. As soon as she was out the gate, she yelped, jumping. "Congrats, Marinette! See, Adrien was right today!" Tikki looked at Marinette from her purse. She blushed, then nodded.

"I have to thank him...all this is because of him...because he believed in me." She blushed more, then grabbed her phone. She could call him or text him. But something in her told her it would be better to tell him in person. So she called Alya instead.

"Hey, girl. I was about to call you, because I have the BIGGEST scoop of the day!" Alya started, making Marinette giggle.

"Well, me too! Gabriel Agreste asked me to be a part of his new collection!" Marinette moved the phone away from her ear as Alya screamed loudly.

"Really?! Oh my God, no way! Congrats, Marinette! I am so happy for you!" Marinette giggled. She bite her lip, making her way on the bridge. She waved at Andre as she walked past him and down the stairs.

"Now, about the scoop-" Alya started, but Marinette didn't listen as she saw someone she hoped she'd see today.

Don't be afraid of new beginnings.

Maybe Mr. Agreste was right. She smiled, "Alya, I'll call you later." Marinette said and ran in the direction of the boy that was on the bench, like he was waiting for her.

Adrien looked out the window, his thoughts only of Marinette. He had to talk to her as soon as possible. He had to let her know he felt something for her. He wasn't sure if it was love, but he was sure it was more than a friendly feeling.

Just as he thought of her, he saw Marinette walking over the bridge, talking over the phone, the biggest smile on. "Hey, can you please pull over?" He asked his bodyguard. He heard him groan, but pull over just like the boy asked. "Thanks."

Adrien hoped out the car, then ran to the other side of the street, following Marinette. "What's wrong, Adrien?" Plagg asked, poking from the blonde's shirt.

"Nothing. But I realized I feel something for Marinette. And I am going to let her know, Plagg." He smiled, waving at Andre as he passed him.

"Luka!" Marinette smiled. He looked at her, a big smile on his face. He got up, about to speak, but was stopped as Marinette hugged him tightly.

"What's wrong?" He asked, worried, wrapping his arms around her. He felt her giggle.

"Nothing! But...Mr. Agreste asked me to be a part of his new collection with some of my designs!" Marinette said, making Luka smile. He picked her up, spinning her in his arms. She laughed, holding tight onto him.

"Congrats, Marinette!" He said, stopping spinning. They both laughed, then slightly parted, but they kept their arms around each other. Marinette looked up at him, her cheeks red. Luka's eyes were focused on her. He smiled, softly.

Mr. Agreste's words kept playing in her head. Without thinking much, she tip toed to Luka. She noticed him tense, but slightly bend his head down.

Until their lips touched.

Adrien stopped as he finally spotted Marinette. His smile was big. He was about to call out her name, until he saw what was going on. He took a few steps in her direction, but stopped. His smile faded, his eyebrows moving closer together.

There was a feeling he has never felt before. It was like someone was twisting something in his chest. An aching pain, making him feel emptiness in his stomach.

There was Marinette...with Luka.

And they were kissing.

A/N: Please don't kill me after this! I was so sad writing this -but I was also excited-.

I've always felt that, while Adrigami had to happen so that Marinette matured and kinda moved on from her obsessive passion for Adrien, in order for Adrien to realize how much Marinette means to him, Lukanette had to happen...for real. And I want to explore this side in this story.

I know it would've been so much more nicer for Adrien to tell her how he felt and them kissing...but I love pain I guess? Plus, many exciting things are about to happen now with Lukanette between Adrien and Marinette.

Merry Christmas again and...sorry!:(

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Kisses. xx