Chapter 42,
Nathalie watched Adrien leave the classroom and she hated how upset Adrien looked, and she hated the fact that Gabriel caused this pain... again.
"What is wrong with you?" Nathalie asked, turning the screen so she could talk to Gabriel face-to-face.
"How else do you expect me to act? You should have told me Adrien was wearing out-of-date attire." Gabriel said defensively and Nathalie scoffed.
"I know you better then that Gabriel. You wouldn't just get someone's attention just to complain about what they were wearing." Nathalie said. Gabriel hesitated a moment and then he adjusted his glasses.
"Perhaps you don't know me as well as you think you do. What other reason would I have to talk to Adrien?" Gabriel asked and Nathalie glared at him a little.
"How about the fact that he is you son?" Nathalie suggested and Gabriel blinked.
"I didn't mean in general, I meant in this current moment of time." Gabriel said and Nathalie rolled her eyes.
"Oh, did you? Then why don't you stop to tell me what we discussed last night at dinner? Oh, wait, that's right, you weren't there. Actually, can you even tellme when the last family meal you had was? Because if memory serves, it was before Hawk Moth even arrived in Paris." Nathalie said and Gabriel glared.
"You know for someone who wants us to maintain a more professional role as my personal assistant, you seem to be overtly sensitive to my family affairs." Gabriel said and Nathalie's eyes widened. She sighed in defeat and set the ipad on the desk and crossed her arms.
"Fine, I'll drop it. But have you given any thought as to the contest?" Nathalie said.
"What about it? The contest?" Nathalie said.
"What about it? The contest was your idea, yes. Pick Marinette's idea so we can have her at the house and figure our if she is Ladybug or not." Gabriel reminded her and she sighed.
"Listen Gabriel. The plan was to pretend to promote in America. However, I'm not quite sure how pretending will be possible when Marinette's idea involves the orphanage and her friends participating in the fashion show. There will be too many people involved to not advertise in America. Alya has her blog that's wildly popular, Chloe could use political connections, that Max kid could infiltrate firewalls or create his own programs, not to mention how many blabbermouths are in this class. If you pick Marinette's idea you'll be forced to stick with it until it's completion. If you don't... well, who knows exactly will happen, but it won't be good." Nathalie said and Gabriel groaned.
"Great. As if my search for the Ladybug and Cat Noir miraculous' weren't tedious enough already." Gabriel said and Nathalie rolled her eyes.
"Well you made your bed, and now you gotta sleep in it Gabe." Nathalie said and Gabriel's eye twitched.
"Don't you dare call me 'Gabe'! Only my wife may call me that!" Gabriel snapped and Nathalie's eyes widened.
"I apologize sir." Nathalie said sincerely. She forgot that Emilie use to call him that.
"I don't need you here, you know. We both already know whose going to win the contest. Why don't you go and get some lunch of something." Gabriel said and he hung up the call. For a moment Nathalie stared at the black screen; at first because Gabriel left so upset, and then she gazed at her own reflection.
Did she always look this sad around Gabriel?
She went down the steps and she looked in to spot Marinette. For some reason she has been wearing this army jacket she decked out. Nathalie didn't really question it though. Many fashion designers try to set their own trends and standards and such. If Marinette was trying to get the camp look to work, she really was being subtle about it. However, right next to Marinette sat Adrien. It appeared that they were working on something together, since they kept writing in the same notebook. Nathalie sighed a little. She really hated the way Gabriel's been treating Adrien. She really hasn't been that supportive to Adrien in the past, aside from convincing Gabriel to let him go to school. Perhaps she could take a moment to check in with the boy and make sure that he was alright. Nathalie straightened her suit and composed herself before walking into the cafeteria.
"I think the red would look nice. Why haven't you worn it before?" Marinette asked and Adrien shrugged.
"It was kinda decided red was not my color; so I haven't really been allowed to wear it even though I love the color." Adrien asked and Nathalie walking over to them, so he stood up.
"Did father want something?" Adrien asked and Nathalie shook her head.
"No. On the contrary I was just wanting to see how you were doing." Nathalie said and Adrien rose an eyebrow at her.
"You do? Why?" Adrien asked.
"I believe your father was out of line with what he said before. I don't think you deserved that." Nathalie said and Adrien blinked.
"Well, I guess I appreciate that." Adrien said and Nathalie looked away a moment.
"For whatever it's worth Adrien, I think you're a good kid. It's unfair that others keep telling you that others keep telling you what you can and can't wear, when it's your body and you should be able to wear more of what you want." Nathalie said. For a moment Adrien was silent, and then he eyed her, almost like he were trying to figure out if this were all a trick or not. Nathalie felt a little hurt that Adrien doubted her words, but so much of this really did come from left field.
"Alright, thanks." Adrien said slowly, still feeling odd about this coming from Nathalie, which made her feel awkward.
"I'll let you get back to you lunch then." Nathalie said professionally and she turned to leave. But as she approached the door, she caught a glimpse at her reflection in the glass.
Did she always look this heartless around Adrien?
Not wanting to return to the children's classroom, she walked outside for some fresh air.
"Nathalie." She looked up and she saw Armand standing by the limo smiling at her.
"Oh hey Armand." Nathalie said, walking up to him and he rose aneyebrow at her.
"Is everything alright?" Armand asked and she sighed heavily.
"Just drama between Adrien and Gabriel... I would rather not talk about it." Nathalie said, holding herself a little Armand looked down at his watch and smiled.
"Well, it's lunch time. Would you like to get some food with me?" Armand asked and Nathalie blinked.
"Would that really be appropriate since you're working?" Nathalie asked and Armand smiled again.
"My job is to protect the Agreste family. Adrien is rather safe at school, and Gabrielo is safe at the house. However, given the fact that you're Gabriel's personal assistant, you would also need protecting. Therefore it's only logical that I would sort of be your bodyguard too. And making sure you stay safe while you get lunch seems to fall within my job description." Armand said logicaly and Nathalie smirked a little.
"Ok, fair enough. What place did you have in mind?" Nathalie asked as she got on the passenger side of the limo.
"Well, since I'm outside guarding a lot, I don't get a chance to eat in a lot of restaurants. But I do know some killer food trucks if you're not too uppity." Armand said with a smirk as he started up the car and drove off.
"Too uppity for food trucks? Half the time they're better then local joints." Nathalie said, dropping some of her posh-ness.
"Glad to hear it. I'd be honored to take you to my favorite truck. Uh, if you like Greek food that is." Armand said and Nathalie smiled.
"You know, I'd actually love that. I haven't had a gyro in years." Nathalie said and Armand chuckled.
"It's one of my favorites. It's "mythically delicious". I get the gyro and the shawarma. This place is actually fun because they put Greek seasoned fries on all their foods." Armand said and Nathalie blinked.
"Greek fries inside the Gyro? None of the ones I've ever had did that." Nathalie said.
"Well, I'm not really sure if it's completely traditional; let's call it 'Greek-ish'. But I don't think that's such a bad thing. I mean, I eat the fries off the gyro and shamarma, and then I eat them, but hey, that's just me." Armand said and Nathalie giggled at him.
"Sounds delicious, I can't wait to try it." Nathalie said, tucking some hair behind her ear. And once more, she caught her reflection in the side rear view mirror. She saw her smile, the slight way her eyes lowered, and the gentle blush on her cheeks.
Did she always look this happy with Armand?