Chapter 3 is ready! This is about the length you can expect for every future chapter. Somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 words. I'm currently working on the next chapter. I'm off work today and rather bored, so I'm kinda just pushing them out while the ideas are fresh. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Three: The Magazine

~Adrien~

Adrien wakes up early on Monday morning for school. He had a great weekend. He spent Saturday with Marinette working on the photoshoot. It's amazing what having a friend nearby could do to make the boring old shoots more entertaining, and Marinette was by far his most entertaining friend. He was glad to have spent so much time with her that day before he had to leave to practice piano and follow through with the rest of his schedule. Vincent seemed to be rather fond of Marinette and praised her for her modeling. She really was a natural.

Adrien climbs out of bed and stretches wide before making his way to the bathroom to start his morning routine. Take shower, brush teeth, dry hair, comb hair, put on deodorant, clothes, shoes, coat, grab Camembert for Plagg, ensure Plagg is comfortably hidden, grab homework and backpack, and hurry to the dining room for a lonely breakfast.

Adrien sighs as he enters the dining room, but his eyes widen when he sees his father sitting at the table waiting for him.

"Father? I didn't know you were joining me for breakfast this morning." He says.

"Sit down, Adrien. I wanted to talk with you before you heard it from a friend or saw it for yourself." Gabriel explains.

Adrien looks at him puzzled, "Talk with me about what, Father?"

Gabriel sighs and slides a magazine over to Adrien, "I had Vincent show me the photos from Saturday and I liked the ones of you and Ms. Dupain-Cheng, so we decided to release them to the public. We made sure to state that Marinette was wearing clothes of her own design while you were in clothes designed by me, so she gets credit for her own work, but it seems we neglected to be transparent about the nature of your relationship with Marinette."

Adrien listens to his fathers words as he looks at the magazine in front of him. On the cover is one of the photos taken of him and Marinette. He's holding her close, his hand on her cheek and his forehead against hers. Her hands are on his chest, holding tightly to his shirt, their eyes are open, staring at each other with an intensity he can clearly remember.

He didn't know what came over him while they were modeling, but he was lost in her beautiful eyes and he never wanted the moment to end. He could've held her close to him forever. He wanted to hold her forever.

Adrien continues looking at the magazine and finally reads the large caption across their photo, "Adrien Agreste's new girlfriend: Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Adrien's eyes go comically wide, "G-girlfriend?" He sputters, "Haven't they ever seen modeling photos? What made them jump to the conclusion that we were dating?"

"You two were rather cozy in your photos. Much more than Vincent would've asked of you." Gabriel explains.

Adrien flushes, "We were just going through the motions! Marinette was a natural. It was easy to flow into new poses with her and we just happened to end up there. But we aren't dating! It's just a picture!"

Gabriel raises his brow, "You seem rather put off by the idea of them thinking you're dating."

Adrien shakes his head, "Marinette is amazing, father. This is going to bring so much attention down on her. We've already had one scandal where fans thought we were dating back when my bodyguard was akumatized. We were chased all over the city and poor Marinette was placed under the spotlight. She deserves better than that. She should be recognized for her talent, not for being my supposed girlfriend."

"I remember the previous scandal, I had to have my contacts erase a few incriminating pictures of the two of you in a fountain while Ms. Dupain-Cheng was still in her pajamas." Gabriel shakes his head, "Marinette is a talented young girl, her talent will shine through even with this magazine claiming her as your girlfriend. For the time being, I think it may be best that the two of you play along with this."

"Play along? You can't mean-" Adrien begins.

"I want you both to date, Adrien. I've already dealt with this rumor once before, hiding it away a second time will only cause more trouble. You care about Marinette and she clearly cares for you. I'm simply asking that you don't deny the rumors. Marinette's reputation may be hindered more if people think she's playing with your heart by either clinging to you or turning you down. This picture clearly shows a loving gaze between you two. People won't believe you if you deny it." Gabriel says.

"Y-you want us to date?" Adrien asks, stunned.

Gabriel sighs, "Yes Adrien. I want you to date. Whether it's real or not doesn't matter. Marinette would make a fine match for you, and it'll hopefully deter some of your more rabid fans from trying to get close to you. Particularly that Lila girl that was here last week. This may help you to get her to back off of you."

"Lila?" Adrien questions.

Gabriel sighs again, exasperated, "I saw the photo of her kissing you too, Adrien. You're clearly uncomfortable with her. This relationship with Marinette can help you deter her while remaining polite. I know you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, even someone as conniving as that girl, so here's another way for you to handle it."

"I can't just decide to date Marinette. She has to agree to it too!" Adrien exclaims.

Gabriel waves him off, "She'll agree if you ask. Your bodyguard will be taking you to the bakery to meet her for school. I know she has a penchant for being late, so you should be able to catch her before she leaves if you head out now. Good luck, Adrien."

Adrien thanks his father before hurrying out the door. Once he's in the car and Gorilla isn't able to listen, Adrien speaks to Plagg.

"What do I do, Plagg? My father wants me to date Marinette! I can't do that! I love Ladybug and Marinette deserves better than someone that can't give her their full heart and attention." Adrien says.

Plagg shrugs, "Just tell her the truth and fake date her then. No feelings get hurt and you do what your father asks without having to give up on your love for Ladybug."

Adrien sighs, "What if Marinette doesn't agree?"

"Then you figure out a way to placate your father." Plagg says.

"You're right. I'll tell her the truth and we'll go from there." Adrien decides.

~Gabriel~

Gabriel watches as his son leaves to head to school. His plan seems to be working so far. He can already feel the heartbreak and jealousy of Adrien's admirers. Telling the tabloids that the two were dating was a brilliant plan. Marinette will no doubt keep up the ruse to help Adrien, and Adrien will keep it up to please Gabriel. Perhaps the two will make it real instead of simply pretending.

Gabriel sighs. One could only hope. Ever since he learned of Marinette's crush on his son, he has been silently routing for her. Of all his admirers, Marinette is the best suited for him professionally and personally. After the events with Lila and Marinette's concern for Adrien, she solidified her spot as Gabriel's number one suitor for Adrien. It's only fair that he helps bring them together with this stunt.

"Nathalie, I want you to keep a close eye on the tabloids and the news today. We want them to remain focused on Adrien and Marinette's relationship. If the story starts to wane, I want you to send out some minor information on Marinette, and maybe share some of the pictures from the previous scandal. We need the media to fully believe in their relationship. With any luck, we may be able to akumatize a few of the jealous rivals." Gabriel says to his assistant.

"Of course, Sir." Nathalie replies as she begins to walk off.

"Oh, and Nathalie?" He calls.

"Sir?" She responds.

"Schedule another photoshoot for tomorrow. Run it by the Dupain-Cheng's so that Marinette can leave school early with Adrien for the shoot. I have a concept in mind that may help their relationship along." He instructs.

"I'll get right on it sir." Nathalie responds before finally leaving the room.

Gabriel smirks to himself as he begins working on his new concept. Tomorrow's shoot will be great.

A/N I am a huge sucker for the Gabriel matchmaker stories. This is a bit OOC for him, especially in the recent seasons, but this is what I wish Gabriel would be like. Conniving, but still clearly cares for Adrien and his happiness.