I had quite a few readers interested in this story when I mentioned it in Gabriel's Plot. That's why I'm posting it now. It's not complete, but I'm down to the last two chapters. This story will be far deeper and more elaborate than the previous one, and the story line will only have about 10% in common with that story. Two major differences will be some good Lila salt and the second will be my portrayal of Gabriel's match making. I made him more calculating. Please enjoy, and tell me what you think.=^-^=

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind I do not consider myself adept at fashion AT ALL. I'm also American, and used shallow Google searches for certain information. If you find something completely wrong, pleas don't bash the fic. You can take it up with me via PM.=^-^=

Ch. 1 - The Internship

It was that time of year again; the time for 2nd year Lycee students to apply for internships for their desired vocation. The stress alone was enough to cripple many applicants on a number of career tracks, but that weeded out the weak. Gabriel appreciated that particular effect as he looked over the applicants to his own yearly internship. He'd spent the last couple of days going through them, and now he felt he had the lineup he desired. "Nathalie!" He called as he pushed the rejects aside for disposal.

"Sir?" She swiftly appeared before him with her tablet at the ready.

"These will be this year's interns. Please have all of the letters ready for delivery by tomorrow. Also, have my lead designers come in Friday for an early meeting. They'll need to see the student's portfolios so that I can match up who will work with whom."

Nathalie nodded as she took up the papers. As she straightened them she suddenly felt something odd. "Um, sir? Is this all of them?"

Gabriel raised an irritated brow at her question. "Of course they are, Nathalie. Why would I call you in here otherwise?"

His pointed tone had the secretary straightening her posture. "My apologies, Gabriel, but I was just surprised at how few you selected. You usually have around twice as many interns."

Gabriel laced his fingers together as a small grin tugged at his lips. "Ah, you do indeed have a point, Nathalie. This year will be a bit different. I have temporarily raised my standards." Nathalie still looked confused. "You needn't worry for the reason, just carry on as usual." She gave him a curt nod and departed.

He sat back in his chair as he pulled out a magazine. It was an issue from a few months ago that contained a scandal Adrien had gotten caught up in. Ever since the boy had turned 16, the tabloids have been circling him with stories about mystery lovers, and secret trysts. It was normal for models like him, really, but one of the most annoying stories had nothing to do with his love life. This one may have involved Adrien, but it hit Gabriel's pride with the furry of a ballistic missile. The title said it all. "Model Son a Creative Dead-end?" He was sure Adrien hadn't even realized what that reporter was trying to get at when he mentioned his hobbies. Nathalie prepared a special lesson for him in regards to reporter tactics after that. It was amazing how oblivious the boy was, but it did bring a dreaded problem to his direct attention. Even if it was something he'd been painfully aware of for years, he needed to deal with it now. He needed an heir to his brand.

Marinette dashed into the class room with an extra spring in her step. "Alya I-" She paused when she saw all of the girls hovering around Lila… again. Even after a couple of years, Lila still had everyone around them wrapped around her finger. Marinette was almost positive she was the only one in her class who knew Lila was lying. In the rest of her classes, there may have been one more aside from Adrien, but they kept their head down.

Alya turned to her and waved. The aspiring reporter had gotten used to the slight grimace Marinette held on her face when Lila was around. "Come over here, girl!" Marinette was pensive as she gave the crowd a wide berth. Alya met her two seats away and sat down. "I know you still don't like her, so I'm not going to gush over her awesome news this morning alright? But you looked excited just a second ago. Spill." She nearly demanded looking calm and collected.

Marinette let out a sigh of relief. It was something they'd come to terms with when Lycee began. Marinette didn't like Lila, and Alya didn't like Marinette being mean to her. They decided to meet half way. As long as Alya didn't bug Marinette about Lila's claims, then Marinette would leave things alone. It usually worked. Times when it didn't usually had to do with an event Marinette wanted no part of, or a certain blond boy. "I got a letter last night."

Alya raised a brow. "Okay, but then you would have called last night."

Marinette nodded. "Yeah… but I was still kind of coming to terms with it…." She pulled out the letter and held it out to her friend. "Just read it."

Alya held the paper still from Marinette's trembling hand. After only a few seconds of reading the girl's eyes widened. "…You…. Oh my god, Marinette!" She jumped at her friend for a hug before she even finished. "I told you!"

Marinette struggled to stay on her feet from the force. "Careful, Als!"

"I told you didn't I? You were a shoo-in!" She loosened her grip and pulled the letter back up. "They would have been crazy to pass you up."

Marinette blushed as she pointed to the letter. "It's more than that actually. Keep reading."

Alya raised her brow again. They'd gone over the details for at least a few hours when Marinette was submitting her application. Her eyes immediately homed in on the final paragraph, and her jaw dropped. "No way…" She held the paper closer to make sure she was reading it right.

"T-That's why I didn't call last night… I couldn't believe it either. He's never done this before, I spent hours looking it up, I swear."

"Morning, babe… Babe?" Nino greeted before noticing the near shock on his girlfriend's face. "What's wrong?"

Alya stood up and held the paper out to show the curious DJ. "You remember that internship with Gabriel that Marinette applied for?"

"Yeah… she got it? Awesome!" Nino pumped his fist.

"Not just that. This year's applicants also have something extra waiting for them. They are promised a guaranteed designer position upon graduation if they do well during the internship. Marinette could have her dream job in just 2 years!"

Nino's brows went as high as they could go. "So… wait…" He stopped, suddenly looking confused. "Don't most internships offer employment at the end?"

Alya scoffed at him with a grin. "Not Gabriel. When Marinette, and I were doing research for her application we looked at the history of the brand. Over the past decade, only 2 interns have ever been hired on after graduation, and never in a design position."

Marinette's expression was a mix of excitement and nerves. "It's never happened before, and I don't know if I should be freaking out or excited…"

"You look like both…" Nino responded still not really getting it. He knew enough about the man to know he had high standards. After taking a second to think about it, the news he didn't hire interns didn't surprise him. "You know… Adrien did mention something was off about his old man. We were talking yesterday, and he told me his father wanted him to learn more of the business side of things this summer. He even cut down his photo shoots to do it too."

Alya crossed her arms. "Hmm… You think he's serious about Adrien taking over the company after all?"

Nino shrugged. "Well, yeah… At least that always seemed like what he was gonna do. He's doing a business track and everything."

"Good point…" Alya agreed.

"You mean his father made him do the business track." Marinette muttered looking deflated. They already shared few classes, and now they'd be lucky to have even one together next year.

Alya pat her on the back. "I know, Marinette, but you know what will happen if Adrien goes against him."

"Yeah, Marinette, plus my man's cool with it. Actually, there was something else I wanted to tell you two this morning. I got this super weird email from that secretary lady who works for his dad." He pulled out his phone to show them. "It basically says I'm allowed to be considered a friend of Adrien… but more creepy and formal."

Alya laughed at the formal typed document. "Seriously? Two years and you're finally approved to be a friend?... Or temporary approved acquaintance…. Wow… that is creepy." Alya cringed at the wording.

Nino shrugged again. "Yeah, but this means I get to chill with my man over the summer when he's not busy. I'm supposed to give advanced notice, but I can pop over to his place whenever." He explained with his thumbs up.

"That's great, Nino! For both you and Adrien." Marinette congratulated. And she really was happy for him, but more so for Adrien. Having Adrien join them through phone was better than nothing, but Adrien always looked so disappointed when he couldn't really join in.

"It's about time your papa-sicle gave you more freedom." Plagg complained as his chosen put his books away. "But what's his angle?"

Adrien rolled his eyes. "Plagg, there isn't an angle. My father wants me to learn more about the company so I can run it."

"No, the friend thing!"

Ah, that made more sense. Nathalie had told him after dinner last night that Nino was finally considered an acceptable friend. "You know how protective my father is. He just finally sees Nino the way I do, that's all." Of course he was secretly worried there really was more to it.

"Okay, but vetting your friends? What era am I in again?"

"Chill, Plagg." Adrien sat down on his bed. "I mean, yeah it's weird, but I'm 16. My father knows he can't control me forever. He just wants to make sure I'm successful."

"Instead of happy. Got it." Plagg ribbed as he made a gagging motion. "It makes me sick how he treats you."

"I know, Plagg, but he's my father. I know he can be harsh, but he-"

"Ugh, just save it! Even with a lull in akuma attacks, I have too much crap to deal with." Adrien just rolled his eyes. Plagg hadn't changed much at all in the years he'd known him. Trying to really change his mind was something he already gave up on.

"Adrien?" A knock was heard along with his name.

"Yes, Nathalie?"

"Your father needs to have a word with you before dinner."

"Sure, I'm coming." The model left Plagg to his cranky kwami business and went immediately to his father's office. "Father? You needed to speak with me?"

"Yes, come in." The designer was at his desk looking through folders. As Adrien approached, Gabriel pushed his papers aside and laced his fingers together. "I have already told you I expect you to take over my label in the future, and you are already aware of your school expectations."

"Of course, father. I've already had my schedule for the fall approved." Adrien responded with calm he's had good practice in over the years.

"Yes, Nathalie has already shown it to me, and she should have already given you your schedule for the summer?"

Adrien nodded. "Yes, sir. She told me I was going to be more involved in the internship program this year, and I wouldn't be doing as many photo shoots."

"Indeed." Gabriel confirmed with his standard icy tone. "As she may have already explained, this year's program will be a bit different. There is a very important reason for that. Nathalie mentioned she heard you and that friend of yours talking about university. What are your plans for that?"

Adrien's mind was suddenly going a mile a minute. Since when did his father ask him what his plans were? He was always just told what to do. "Um… I didn't really decide."

"Come now, Adrien, surely you've thought about it?"

This whole conversation was getting weird. Adrien had had so many one sided conversations with his father, none of his previous effective responses could cover this answer. "Um… well… When we were talking, Nino mentioned how Alya was looking around for a journalism degree…"

Gabriel's gaze sharpened ever so slightly. "No, son. What are your plans? You wish to go to university correct? What would you want to study?"

The awkward air thickened as Adrien thought over what he should say. What would his father want him to say? "Business…?" He finally answered to the slight irritation of his father.

"If I'm being honest, son, that answer is disappointing."

"I don't understand, father. What do you want me to say?" Adrien pleaded, breaking his composure.

"If you could study anything you wanted in university, what would you choose? I do not see how this is a difficult question to answer."

"If I could…" Adrien was now very confused. By the time he went to university, he'd be able to choose for himself given he finally moved out. Of course, his father would no doubt still meddle as much as possible to ensure he was prepared to take over the family business. Is that why his father was asking? "… Physics." He finally finished with a slight smile. "Though I can't get any more specific than that right now."

"Good. A satisfactory answer." Gabriel then stood up and placed his hands behind his back. "Now we can make a deal."

"A deal…?" The feeling his father might finally understand him suddenly dropped like a rock in his stomach.

"Yes, Adrien, a deal. You will take over this company one day, make no mistake, but I'm sure you would welcome a chance to pursue an education in something you'd prefer. I'm willing to fully fund that education without significant company expectations. You will not be required to work in company business during the course of your chosen degree, and your modeling will be reserved for only the seasonal ones. All the rest of that time is yours."

"So… I wouldn't have a schedule? And you wouldn't take it back because I'm not doing what you want?"

Gabriel couldn't help but grin slightly at his son's awed expression. It was the effect he was looking for. "Yes, Adrien. So long as you are not a danger to yourself or others. Also, I will still expect you to follow a diet for the seasonal shows."

"O…Okay, so what's the rest of this deal?" Adrien asked trying to shake himself out of his stupor. His father said deal, and this was something he seriously wanted to make happen.

"Ah, good answer. A good businessman knows not to get caught up in what they can get out of a deal before they know what they may lose." His father explained as he came around his desk to be face to face. "This summer's internship will be very special, and by the end of it, you will choose one of them. Since you have no talent for design, this intern you chose will be your partner, the one you trust to make the decisions you cannot make. I will bring them into the company as a junior intern, but they will join the lead design team by the end of your time in university. This is how I will ensure your success with the company."

So he was going to pick? And this person would help him run the company? "Father I… How do I pick?"

Gabriel couldn't help the slight chuckle that question gave him. "I suppose that is not a bad question. With no talent for design, choosing a talented designer would be difficult. I, however, have already done the hard part. I raised my standards for the program this year. These interns had to pass the criteria I use in selecting junior designers. They have already been proven to be talented. You need only choose one you work well with, and show they would be good for the company. In short, get to know them, how they work, what they like and so on; they will be a life long partner after all."

"Okay, so you want me to pick one just because of what I think? Are you sure?"

"Adrien, I'm only doing this for your sake. I design and run the company, but you can only do the latter. If you could not work well this person, my efforts would be pointless. I also find it strange you would want to chose someone you don't get along with in this situation." The elder Agreste declared feeling suddenly more irritated. He then let out a sigh. "At the end of each week, I will arrange for a short meeting in which you can tell me your thoughts on them. Also, your friend... Lahiffe was it? He will be allowed to come and you may consult with him over which you would have as your partner."

"Nino? Really? Thank you, father!" The young model beamed.

"Yes, yes. It is a very important decision, and Nathalie assures me he is harmless. The only thing I want you to worry about this summer are your photo shoots, and getting to know the interns."

"Yes, father, I understand." Adrien couldn't wait to call Nino and tell him. Hopefully he'd be free to hang during the day.

"Good, and just to show how serious this is, I have a contract drawn up. Nathalie will be waiting outside for you to sign. You may take your time going over the terms in detail, but I have already signed it. You can take that as my promise that I will not go back on my word about anything I promised you."

And it was at this point Adrien knew he meant every word. His father had broken promises without batting an eye for years. Missed tournaments, lost weekends to last minute photo shoots, changing his mind about letting Adrien go out… This contract was more than a promise. His father would never break a contract; it was a matter of pride. There had even been a model who publicly called his father out, but Gabriel never fired that model. He'd had a 3 year contract with the company. That model's contract wasn't renewed, of course, but his father never went against any of the terms.

Upon leaving his father's office, Adrien was met with Nathalie just as he was told. "I have the contract laid out on my desk. You will have until 8 to sign it, so that leaves you a few hours to read through it. You may also invite over Mr. Lahiffe for consult before signing." She led Adrien down to her desk.

"Um… do I have to read it all?" He asked looking at the document that was at least a dozen pages thick and printed small. "And… why does it have so many pages?"

Nathalie gave a slight smirk at the mention. "A good contract plans for the unknown variables. Your modeling contract was similarly long."

Adrien sat down and flipped through a few of the pages. "But father only said I had to get to know the interns and choose one as my partner at the end… right?"

Nathalie gave a nod. "Yes, but this document also states what is expected of you during the program, such as approved activities, and it also covers his part of the deal. That is on page 8, right after the proposal clause for the end of the program."

Adrien went right to it despite it filling 2 pages by itself. "Wow… I guess it really is a big decision?" Just skimming through the first part explained how he would go about announcing the intern he chose, and how the media will be handled.

"Yes, which is why I allocated an appropriate amount of time to reading through the entire document." Nathalie reiterated. "I will be more than happy to remain here and explain anything you find that is confusing."

Adrien shook his head. "No… No, I think I'm good. I don't need to really know all of the small details. I understand what father wants. He wants me to have a designer I can trust to help me with the company. In return, I get to pursue whatever I want in university no strings attached."

Nathalie nodded. "Yes," She paused a moment to look at the young man, and couldn't help feeling proud of how mature he was acting. "And, Adrien, I have faith in you. I know Gabriel's expectations of you can be high, but you are more than capable of breaking past them."

"Thanks, Nathalie." Adrien responded with a blush at the woman's rare use of affectionate words. Nathalie may have been his father's assistant, but she felt like a second mom at times like these. "By the way… if I went ahead and signed, could I still invite Nino over?"

The woman raised a brow, but couldn't keep the grin from her face. "So long as you have no other questions, and feel you understand the contract, I don't see why not. Once you have signed the highlighted areas, I'll have it notarized, and get you a copy by tomorrow morning."

Adrien decided to look a little harder with the latter part of the contract so he knew exactly what his father meant by expectations while he was in school. After that he took a few minutes to skim the rest and to sign, and already had Nino on the phone by the time Nathalie was done checking it over. "Thanks, Nathalie!" The blond beamed as he dashed up to his room.

The meeting with the designers went faster due to having fewer interns, but it still came with an annoyance or two. Gabriel was dealing with one of them at the moment, though it was indirectly his own fault. "Adrien will not be doing any couple shoots this summer. Ms. Rossi will just have to deal with working with another model."

Stephen, Gabriel's most senior designer, couldn't help rolling his eyes. "Yes, but you know how she is. The girl has the look, but is difficult to manage."

"Are you telling me you cannot handle a teenager, Stephen?" Gabriel questioned with a stern tone. He expected only the best from Stephen after all.

"O-Of course not, Mr. Agreste, I-"

"Good," Gabriel began again with a hand up to cut his employee off. "Then do so. Difficult models are everywhere in fashion. Think of it as an obstacle and overcome it."

"But, this girl, she has not worked with professionals before, yes? Her profile says as much." Stephen pleaded for the intern. Lila had been a terror to the interns last year, causing many to quit after only a week.

"If she cannot handle Lila Rossi, then she doesn't need to waste my time. My decision is final." The older designer decreed with a hand towards the door. "I believe we are done here."

Stephen sighed and nodded his head. "Yes, Mr. Agreste." Stephen hated it when Gabriel got that way. The man was a genius with cloth, but on anything else, he was a tyrant. Sure, he knew Lila well enough now. He could get around her whimsical tales, and need for attention, but this girl? Any of these interns for that matter? He could only pray half of them made it past 2 weeks. Lila didn't like to be questioned, or corrected. Stephen couldn't understand why Gabriel kept her around. Yes, she had a powerful impact on camera, but she was toxic. When Adrien was working with her, she rarely bore her fangs, but who would hold her back now?

Back inside his office, Gabriel was already dealing with the problem again only from Nathalie. "Stephen had a point about Lila."

"Not you too, Nathalie." Gabriel let out with a sigh. "Any intern that cannot work around a difficult model is not what Adrien needs."

Nathalie nodded as she placed his copy of the contract down. "Yes, but I was thinking more about your deal with her. As soon as she hears about this contract, she'll know you don't intend to let her get anywhere with Adrien."

"My deal with her? If you could even call it that." Gabriel queried with a scoff. He knew she'd only proposed herself as a good friend to try and get close to him. "She couldn't keep her end of the bargain even after 2 years. I believe I have been patient enough. Lila may be useful, but this is my company I'm planning for. If she's not a talented designer, then she'll just have to get over it."

"What about Marinette Dupain-Cheng? Isn't she one of the bad influences Lila was warning you about?"

Gabriel raised a brow and looked over the folders on his desk. Marinette's was on top, and he flipped it open. "True, but when selecting the interns I only took into account the fact they were talented. You were the one to vet their relationships, hobbies, and personal histories."

Nathalie was taken aback by the reversal. She really didn't consider Lila when she was inspecting each candidate for Gabriel's approval. He had given her a list of requirements and she filtered them from there. "Of course, sir…"

"Then why don't we see how things go for now? We can always modify things further down the line if she proves to be a problem." Regardless of what Lila said, if Marinette got through Nathalie, there was little to worry about.

Part one sets up a few things, but I want to clarify a few things that may not be so clear above. First of all, the issue with Alya, Lila and Marinette. I like Alya, and so I generally don't like to have her go down with Lila in the end. Sorry, but that's me. This relationship I've set up is the best way for me to get what I need out of her as a character. It's shown in the show that Alya is still friends with Marinette even when she's against Lila. (Though we all know she could have had way more faith)

The second thing I want to establish is only because while rereading it, it came off as weird sounding. The deal between Gabriel and Lila was that Lila would make a 'good' friend for Adrien while keeping away bad influences. Gabriel did know that Lila was just trying to get close to his son, and approved only because Lila was useful and that Adrien's relationships were not something he had an interest in controlling at the time.

Anyway, I'm sure the other stuff is covered further in the story, but feel free to ask or point out problems as they come up. This is my most detailed and intricate MLB fanfic so far so I imagine I've made a few mistakes at least. Let me know what you think, and thank you for reading.=^-^=