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Nathalie stared down into the dark, ominous staircase that is hidden under her ex-boss's bed. Her eyes are wide and mouth slightly agape in shock. A shiver ran down her spine and nose wrinkled at the horrendous smell.

Adrien stood next to her in worry, continuously glancing between his temporary guardian and the hidden stairwell. Adrien explained everything about his mother's pin and the weird carving in the wooden bed frame. He didn't know what Nathalie is thinking but the look on her face sure concerned him out of his wits.

Heck, the blonde is a little frightened by the woman's silent, stalk-still form. It seemed even Nathalie is too intimidated to get any closer to the entrance than Adrien is. With a shaky breath, Adrien spoke, "Are we going to call the police about this?"

Nathalie is snapped out of her deep thoughts and looked at the teen. Her lips thinned out for a moment before replying, "I'm going to have George go down there before the police."

Adrien is about to ask who "George" is until remembering that that is the "Gorilla's" actual name. The ex-model would sometimes forget that his bodyguard has an actual name since he never talks, only grunts.

"Wait," Adrien said, coming back to the situation with the stairs, "Why are you sending him down there before to police? We don't know what's going to be at the end of those stairs."

With a shaky sigh, Nathalie sent a quick text to the "Gorilla" to come immediately with a flashlight before turning to answer Adrien. She knelt down to the teen's level and secured her hands on his shoulders. Curious green eyes met unsure blue.

"I know it might be dangerous but...we might find answers or clues to all the questions we've been asking. The police might classify those things from us since your father is one of the top illegal criminals in Paris," Nathalie explained. Adrien isn't sure how much he liked that answer but didn't question her any farther. Then, his bodyguard arrived just a split second later.

His eyes widened at the sight of the stairwell before Nathalie explained everything that happened. The "Gorilla" nodded in confirmation and headed over to the eerie-looking stairs. He pointed the end of the flashlight down at the stairs and turned it on.

Most of the darkness vanished instantly, showing more steps leading down deeper into the depths of the ground. The light illuminated the old, brick-like stone walls and stairs. Yet, the blanket of shadow still covered whatever mystery lied beneath its surface.

Adrien can feel a slight chill run down his spine. This shouldn't have surprised him that his father would have a secret room within this giant mansion. This shouldn't have scared him as much now knowing his father is the notorious criminal, Hawkmoth.

So, why is the blonde so alarmed and felt his body tremble in fear? Why is he still surprised by the most secretive man Adrien's ever known having secrets? Why does his stomach twist and churn? Is it from the smell...or something else?

Adrien took in a shaky breath of air and released it through his nose, combing his hand through his golden locks of hair. He sat down on the floor when feeling a little lightheaded and suddenly hit by a wave of tiredness.

Nathalie sees this and made her way over to the teen. She crouched down and placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder, gaining his attention.

The woman gave a small, reassuring smile as she said, "Why don't you go lay down for a bit and rest? Then, we can go to that one bakery across from the park."

Adrien glanced away from Nathalie for a moment to look at the stairs before returning his gaze back to her. He nodded his head in agreement before standing up and headed for the door. Adrien stopped at the door and turned around, asking, "If it's not too much trouble, could you please get my mother's pin back to me when the bed comes back down?"

"Of course," Nathalie replied. With that, Adrien left for his room.

The "Gorilla" finally began to make his way down the stairs, every step he took echoed off the walls. There are also sounds of dripping water accompanying in the capacity of noises. At times, he came across spider webs and flinched away from each one he stumbled upon. He did have a bad case of arachnophobia, after all.

George eventually arrived at the bottom of the cold, musty stairwell. He is met by an iron door with a small, one-way window embedded in the metal. The bodyguard reached out his oddly ape-like hand to the handle and twisted it open.

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As promised earlier, Nathalie took Adrien to the Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie. The said blonde is wearing his usual disguise while munching on chocolate-filled croissants. Yet, he didn't have his go-to joyous attitude like he usually did when he came to the bakery.

However, Nathalie is across from him with tense muscles and looking everywhere that isn't Adrien. There isn't much to look at considering there is only one other person sitting in a faraway table and the bakers are in the kitchen. This didn't stop the fidgety woman though.

The blonde didn't seem to really notice, too focused on the sweets and continuously glancing at the one other person in the bakery. It is hard for him to see but that person seemed...familiar.

"Hey, Nathalie. I'll be right back," Adrien said, getting up from his seat and walked off. Nathalie didn't say anything. She is too anxious waiting for a text message from George about whatever is down those steps.

The teen planned to just do a walk by and act like he is heading to the restroom. Green eyes glanced over at the person and immediately knew who it is.

And, it seemed this person recognized him too, even with the disguise.

Both brown and green eyes went wide.

"Never thought I would see you here, Adrien Agreste."

Adrien blinked before replying, "Ditto."

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