The bar was loud, loud enough for Marinette to drown out her ruthless thoughts. She enjoyed the constant buzz, it gave her something to focus on, something to think about that wasn't the quick passage of time.
"You're excited right? Working for Agreste Fashion has been your dream since forever. I was so excited when you told me you got an interview, but was the news so big you had to call me out to celebrate?" Marinette rolled her eyes, twirling the straw in her drink slowly.
She dragged her eyes up slowly, meeting Alyas excited gaze as she settled in the stool next to her.. "Yeah, this isn't to celebrate. This is to drink my sorrows away."
"But I thought you said you got the job?" She asked, turning to order a drink from the bartender.
"Yeah I sure was hired, but I wasn't hired as a designer! I was hired as Mr. Agrestes secretary." She looked back to her straw chewing on her lip. "It's been five years since I've had to deal with the terrifying gaze of Gabriel Agreste since he and Adrien left for the US after highschool. I was hoping I would be able to start designing right out of University but working as a secretary? That sounds awful. Not only that, but Gabriel Agreste terrifies me. As a designer I was hoping to stay away from him directly but that doesn't seem to be the case."
Alya took a long sip of her drink before speaking again. "So how was the interview, did you meet the oh so terrifying Gabriel Agreste?"
"No, it was an assistant who interviewed me, all she said was, 'Your knowledge in fashion will be a big help to Mr Agreste.' I leave next week and the Monday after I get there is when I start." Marinette groaned, mocking the assistant's nazily voice.
""But a fully paid trip to the US? That's exciting girl. You've been to NewYork, you know the ropes. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, you get to work for one of the biggest fashion icons in the world, in New York freaking City!"
"I guess I'm just worried about uprooting my whole life and moving away, for something that might not even work out. What about my family and my friends, it's all happening so fast."
"Listen, even if you don't become a designer for Agreste Fashion, the experience itself of being so close to the action is sure to score you another job anywhere else as a designer. And, I'll miss you of course! But you'll make new friends, none as great or beautiful or amazing as me, but still new friends! Plus~" She wiggled her eyebrows at Marinette, smirking. "If you get lonely, Adrien will be there." Once again, Marinette rolled her eyes.
"No way Alya, I'm not going down that road again. Adrien I are donzo." She sighed sipping her drink. "Just like me and Luka, and me and Nathanael, and me and literally any man I date."
Alya laughed, patting her friend on the back. "Don't be so hard on yourself Mari. Nathanael moved, not your fault. And you and Luka work better as friends, also not your fault. Maybe you'll hook up with Mr Agreste." Marinette gagged, slapping Alya who laughed loudly. "What? Hooking up in his office would be hot!"
"Oh my god, not with a man who could be my father. Stop before I throw up on you." She laughed, shaking her head. "Anyway, I'm not focusing on romance right now. I'm going to work my little booty off and impress Mr. Agreste so that he'll make me his newest designer, and then my babies will be on runways and magazines and all over Paris!"
"Well I'll drink to that, you got this Marinette! I have so much faith in you! Do you have all of your stuff packed?"
"Yeah my mom and dad helped me pack up all of my clothes and essentials, the rest of my necessities are being mailed. The apartment is fully furnished and I don't have to worry about rent until after the first six months. A steal right. Nathalie said it was to ensure that I was the right fit for the company before making any serious financial changes for my life."
"Well how kind of them."
"Psh, they probably just don't want me slandering them all over the internet."
"That too, plus it's Agreste Fashion. You'll be working under the CEO, they've got the money for it. You'll be pretty important huh?"
"I guess, I just hope I can impress him enough to become a pretty important designer."
"Like I said, I have faith in you. Be sure to send me lots of pictures and make me jealous over how amazing your life is." Marinette grinned. She always felt better after talking to Alya. She clinked their glasses together before taking a sip. She could do this.
...
Moving to a completely new Country was hard, saying goodbye to her friends and family was even harder. She had cried boarding her plane, but had refused to look behind her at the people she was leaving. She was strong, and excited. And although it wasn't the position she wanted, it was still a job in fashion. She would just have to work her way up. The flights were long and noisy, though she did manage to fall asleep the last few hours despite the crying child behind her. Bless Luka and his noise canceling headphones. Being awoken by the flight attendant did embarrass her briefly, but it was a minor sting. She had apologized profusely, scrambling to grab her belongings.
Her major issue however, was no one had told her how confusing the airport was. It took her nearly two hours to grab her suitcase and make her way out, only to be greeted by screaming and honking. Adrenaline coursed through her veins as she scrambled to open up her uber app and have them take her to her new home. There was no way she would be trying to hail a cab, no unneeded stress. She had taken several Uber-like rides back home so this was nothing new, she was happy she had lived in a city before. Though, nothing had prepared her for the beautiful lights of manhattan. She stared out of the window, eyes wide as she scanned the tall buildings.
"I can't believe I live here." She muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something?" The driver asked, peeking at her in the mirror.
"Oh no! Nothing, but uh, do you have any food recommendations?" She was glad she was fluent in English, she could only imagine how awful this transition would have gone had she not been. She only hoped she would have time to visit Time Square soon.
As nervous as she was, the excitement of being on her own for the first time was pushing the anxiety back down her throat. She stared at the large building, suitcase in hand. She had been emailed earlier that her things would be arriving by tomorrow, which would give her the day to unpack and then Sunday to relax before her big day Monday.
"Uh hello...I'm new here. I live...here, My name's Marinette Dupein-Cheng" She said awkwardly to the man standing at the door. He smiled kindly, opening the door for her.
"Welcome home, Lise inside will have your key, just show her your identification" She nearly squealed in excitement as she scurried through the door. How fancy, her own doorman. It made her feel safe to know there was always someone outside to make sure she got in safely.
"Hi, Marinette Dupein Cheng, I'm moving in today." She said more confidently, placing her ID on the desk.
"Ah...the Agreste girl...Yes, he stopped by today to make sure all was in order for you. I have your key right here. Room 1507."
"Thank you so much." She took the key eagerly, dragging the suitcase behind her. The elevator was smooth and didn't make her nauseous at all which was a plus. She exited on the fifteenth floor, walking slowly down the hallway reading the numbers.
"1505….1506...1507!" She stuck her key into the door and pulled it open, her heart racing in her chest. The lights were off and the apartment was quiet. When she stepped inside she flipped the light switch and locked the door. The lights were warm and the place smelled as though it had been freshly cleaned The door opened to a small entryway with a door on one side and small table on the other.
She placed her key on it stepping further inside. It led into a decently sized room with a kitchen attached on the back. The area was small but cozy, the big fluffy couch called her name as she dropped the suitcase and moved to the coffee table positioned in front of it. A small note was placed, obviously for her to find.
Welcome home Miss Dupein-Cheng, the apartment has been furnished with all of your basic necessities. Do not hesitate to contact me at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you need anything or have any questions. Lise and Robbie will be sure to help you as well
She assumed they were the two downstairs.
I look forward to working with you. See you Monday.
Agreste
She smiled, placing the note down and moving to her bedroom. It was small, a full sized bed in the middle with two bedside tables on each side. She would need to buy sheets and a comforter for it. The attached bathroom was nothing special, she was disappointed at the lack of tub but it was functional and that's all that mattered.
"Guess I'm sleeping on the couch tonight." she mumbled plopping herself down on the bare mattress. She pulled out her phone looking to order some takeout, there was no way she would be cooking today. Besides, she didn't even have any food, nor the energy required to cook said food.
She sighed, moving to grab her suitcase and unpack it when her phone rang. She looked down, excited to see it was a facetime from Luka.
"Hey Luka!"
"Hey, how's the big day? You all settled in?" She laughed, showing him the bare room.
"As settled as I can be. I'm just putting away the things I brought. The rest comes tomorrow."
"Look at you, big business woman huh?"
"Psh, only for now."
"I'm proud of you. It takes guts doing what you did."
"I'm still surprised I managed. I feel like I've been moving on autopilot." She sighed looking around. "I'm nervous. I've never been on my own like this."
"You and Alya lived together for University."
"That's different. I had Alya, this is my first time completely alone."
"You'll do great." The knock at her door made her smile.
"You're right. Thanks for checking up on me. I gotta go though, food just got here and I wanna eat shower and sleep."
"Don't blame you. Night Marinette, I love you." Her heart swelled and she smiled at him.
"Love you too."
She felt kind of lonely, sitting on the floor eating chinese takeout off of her coffee table and watching youtube on her phone, but also strangely accomplished. She felt as though she had finally moved on in life, taken the first big step. Now, only great things were coming her way, she knew it. She could take on whatever Gabriel threw her way, and then, one day she would be the next big star. Her name would be everywhere, she just had to believe it.
...
Monday had come much too fast. The weekend breezed by, filled with unpacking and shopping. Marinette barely had time to catch her breath let alone relax Sunday as she had planned.
She stared up at the large building, feeling her heart hammer in her chest. She could do this, it was only the first day, she would just be learning the ropes today and meeting everyone. Nothing to worry about. She pushed herself forwards, despite her nervousness, reminding herself to put one foot in front of the other; the rotating doors nearly tripped her up, though she did catch herself and continued forwards, her red heels clicking against the marble flooring.
"The key to confidence is acting like you're confident." She whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. With her head held high she pressed the elevator button to the 30th floor. She could do this.
"Dupein-Cheng?" She was surprised the girl sitting at the front desk had known who she was the moment she had stepped towards it. She didn't recognize her, and she was sure she would have remembered hair as red as hers.
"Y-Yes that's me."
"Excellent, Mr. Agreste is waiting for you in his office, follow me please." She held her bag strap tightly in her fist as she followed behind the woman.
The key to confidence is acting confident. The key to confidence is acting confident. The key to conf- "He's right in there." The woman knocked before opening the door and peeking her head in. "Mr. Agreste? I have Marinette Dupein-Cheng here for you." She held the door open and smiled at her. "Go ahead."
"Thank you." She swallowed the lump in her throat before entering. "Thank you so much for the opportunity Mr. Agreste, It's been a dream of mine to work for your company for so long." She looked up and her heart sank to her toes.
"Nice to see you again Ms. Dupein-Cheng."
"Oh uh-Marinette is fine... ."
"I'm sure I'm not who you were expecting?"
"Well, no sir. I was expecting Gabriel Agrese- B-But it's not a problem! Obviously it's not a problem, why would it be a problem?"
"I suppose and explanation is in order." Adrien's face was straight and it made Marinette's feet feel frozen to the floor. "Well, as of the beginning of this year, 6 months ago to be exact, my father decided he would be retiring." Marinette watched as he stood from his desk and approached her. "So of course, I took over as head of the company. I've been working as such since January, but finally my father has decided to leave and go back home to Paris while I remain here. Things recently have been a bit hectic for me and I arranged for Nathalie to find me a secretary. I was surprised when I heard your name come up, but also strangely comforted. You know the brand, and you know me. It was easy enough, I've seen your work first hand and I think you're an excellent designer. It will be nice to have your input but for now you will be in charge of my phone, my schedule and anything else I need you for, understand?"
"U-Understand!" She said a bit too loud. She cleared her throat before nodding. "I mean, yes I understand."
"Good. Your desk is right out there." He pointed outside of the door. "It has some files for you to look over and what not. If you have any questions, the woman who helped you find me can answer them. Her name is Lydia Tikki and she's our customer service rep. She knows a lot and will help teach you."
"What about you?" She regretted it the moment she said it. His eyes were sharp and cold as they landed on her.
"I'm too busy to worry about training you. It's on you to read, memorize and understand everything in those files. When you get the chance I need you to call Yarlette's fashion and set up a meeting with them." He moved back to his seat. "We have to talk about the fall deal and the sooner the better." She nodded, waiting for him to say anything else. He glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "What are you still doing standing there, get to work." She jumped slightly, spinning on her toes and exiting quickly.
She pressed her back to his door, clutching her chest. Was that really Adrien Agreste?
"Crazy right?" She looked up, raising an eyebrow at the man sitting on top of her desk. He had tan skin and fluffy dark hair beautifully contrasted by his striking green eyes. He was gorgeous. "He went from a golden retriever, always excited and smiling, to the devil. Don't worry though, we'll help you out here, he's not as bad as he comes off. I'm Plagg by the way, Rowan Plagg, but everyone calls me Plagg, I do all of the boring numbers shit, nothing exciting to talk about there, but I'm loving your outfit~ Red blouse and red heels, gorgeous."
"Uh th-thank you. I wouldn't say he's the devil, definitely not as friendly as I remember though."
"Well, you can't be too friendly when running a booming business. Anyway, the computer systems are easy as pie, if you know how to use excel you know how to do everything. Tikki's a bit busy, but she left some detailed notes here. You should be fine. If you need me~" he hummed, standing and scribbling something down on the sticky notes at her desk. "Feel free to call me."
"Y-Yeah I will, uh thanks." She watched him leave chuckling when he smacked someone's head as he passed by them. It was nice to know she had at least one friend. She settled down at her desk, starting up the computer and opening the first book.
This was going to be a long first day.