Chapter 3
When morning came and woke a sleep-deprived Marinette, she instinctively knew it was far too early for her to get up. Which proved correct, when she glanced at the clock next to her bed that brightly displayed 5:00 am. Her mind just couldn't seem to rest anymore and let her go back into the sweet abyss of unconsciousness. Because the first thought that came to her mind was facing the reality of the day, which is to say having to face her crush and partner. She wished desperately that she could just skip school. However, her attendance record was already close to being in the red, thanks to being Ladybug, and she was not about to get grounded again. Plus, she knew she had to face Adrian sometime and running away would do no good.
Finally deciding just to get up, she like usual, went about her typical morning routine, without the rush, and arrived to school early. As Marinette entered the rectangular, multi-leveled, and long-desked classroom, she was too tired at first to be aware of the buzz going on around her. That is until Lila entered her view and made her shake in annoyance for what was sure to be another outlandish lie. As Lila approached her with her fake friendly smile, she finally noticed many of her classmates were looking between her and Lila and talking excitedly among themselves.
Once Lila had finally reached Marinette, she unexpectedly grabbed both Marinette's hands and jumped up and down exclaiming loudly for everyone to hear, "I'm so happy I get to be the model of your next great design and that we get to work together. I've always wanted to, and now we can be even closer friends since we will be working together."
Confused and annoyed yet again by the lie that so easily fell out of Lila's mouth, Marinette had a hard time composing herself, and her sleep-deprived state wasn't helping. Finally, after taking a deep breath she asked, "I'm sorry Lila I haven't heard anything about working together with you and having you model something I have yet to create. Can you explain to me how we could possibly be working together on something I never agreed on doing?"
Acting out a surprised face Lila obviously was trying to make everyone think that what she was about to say was going to be shocking. And truly indeed it was shocking, when the next words out of her mouth were, "Didn't Mr. Gabriel Agreste tell you that you would be working with me while interning with him at his company? He wanted you to create some outfits, and me to model them as part of your internship."
Marinette may have thought before that some of the lies Lila told were outrageous, but this one took the cake. Because really, how could she prove this to be true?
Seeing the unbelieving look on Marinette's face, Lila pulled out a familiar, heavy, off-white sheet of paper and handed it to Marinette to read. As she did, that was when her joy of being an intern turned into a nightmare. For once in her life, Lila wasn't lying. There was no mistaking that official Gabriel Agreste seal.
Due to shock, Marinette almost missed what Lila said next, but managed to catch it despite her hazy brain still trying to compute this disaster.
"I guess you weren't notified. The letter must have been lost in the mail or delayed. Oh well, at least you know now. We start interning in two weeks. See you then!" Putting on an affectionate face, Lila turned to walk away, but before she did, she put one hand on Marinette's shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Just because you make the designs doesn't mean I won't be the one taking the credit. You're nothing but a loser with no talent and everyone will eventually see that."
Before Marinette could even muster a response, Miss Bustier entered the classroom and smiled kindly at Marinette, then said, "Glad to see you made it on time Marinette." Then turning to the class, she said, "Everyone please take your seat as I take roll."
As Marinette tried to swiftly as possible reach her desk, so she could sink in despair at the rotten turn of events, bad luck struck. Just as she was about to pass Adrien's desk, the top of her foot found the edge of the last step she was to climb up on and she ungracefully landed face first on the floor. Adrien, being the kind person he is, attempted to help Marinette up.
Then all the sudden she once again remembered the events of last night, causing her to lose all her composure and started to panic. Which ended up making her unintentionally push him away, stand up, and flee to the safety of her desk. When roll finished and class began Marinette was still having a little mental breakdown.
How could she do that to Adrien and in front of all the class? All he did was try to help her up like usual. Adrien would think something was up. How could he not? Why not just put a big note on her forehead saying, "I'm Ladybug"?
Last night she had even given herself a pep talk to act normal, like Tikki advised. She told herself she could manage that, but obviously it hadn't worked.
It also continued not to work the whole rest of the school day. Whenever he tried to approach her, she ran away, and whenever he attempted to look at her, she averted her eyes.
Alya had numerously asked, "what her deal was?", but she had managed to find some sort of flimsy lie every time. Of which she knows Alya didn't believe for a minute. As the bell rang giving the signal for lunch, Marinette bolted out of her desk, grabbed her stuff, and ran yelling back to Alya that she had to help her parents at the bakery for a little bit during lunch. As she passed Adrien by, he once again attempted to confront her to ask her what was wrong, but she continued to ignore him.
By this point, Adrien was convinced he had done something to upset her and still hadn't been able to figure out how. Discouraged, Nino gave him a comforting pat on the back and tried to cheer him up by saying, 'there must be something else going on with her and he was positive by tomorrow she would be back to her normal self.'
Despite his best friend's attempt, Adrien wasn't cheered up in the least. While on his way back to his all too big and quiet house, in the limo his dad made him take to go anywhere no matter how little the distance, Adrien sulked. First Ladybug was upset at him and now Marinette. He didn't know how to make anything right for either one of them. He never really had any friends growing up so he wasn't sure how to handle this, especially if he couldn't talk to either of them at the moment.
And for the rest of the week that moment continued to be an impossibility. Strangely enough there were no Akuma attacks yet again, making it three weeks in a row. Which was the longest time Hawk Moth had ever gone with no attack. Maybe as his civilian self he was out of town or on vacation. Although, picturing Hawkmoth in a bathing suit, relaxing on a beach somewhere was hard for Adrian to picture, and a bit disturbing. Still Hawkmoth was so persistent and driven it was strange to think he had just up and left for so long, but what else could it be?
Anyways, with no Akuma attacks it meant not being able to meet up with Ladybug. At first he thought he would be able to catch her during patrols, but Ladybug it seems, decided to suddenly stop going on patrols. Well at least not with him. News feed showed her still patrolling but not at their pre-scheduled times. So yeah, she made it clear she wasn't ready to talk.
As for Marinette she continued to avoid him like the plague. How she managed it for so long was beyond him. It seemed like she had a sixth sense of when he was coming to try to talk to her. Also, she never arrived before schools started, only just as the bell was ringing. She either went home for lunch or dragged Alya away somewhere for lunch, of which he couldn't find. In between classes she seemed to go hide away until the next class began. And after school she ran right out the door to go home. He couldn't even show up to her house after school due to all the photo shoots and fencing practices.
Finally, after an excruciatingly long week, it was Marinette's first day of interning for his father. Gabriel insisted she come in the limo that was there to pick him up from school. Despite his nervousness and the listening ear of Gorilla, after a couple minutes into the drive with awkward silence and Marinette still avoiding his gaze, he had to ask, "So I've noticed you've been avoiding me, did I do something wrong? If I have, I'm sorry and I'll try to make it up to you."
Startled by the pain and sincerity in his voice, she just couldn't stop herself from turning and looking at his worried expression, then without meaning to said, "No! How could you have done something wrong, it's all me." Realizing what she said, she knew he would want to know the reason, and that is what she didn't want him to ask about in the first place. Darn mouth of hers. It never worked the way she wanted it to. At least not to the face of Adrian.
When Adrian noticed no other explanation was forthcoming, he asked, "What do you mean by it's all you?"
"Well um, you see, um, I've just been so busy and it's all my fault for piling too much on myself causing me to neglect my friends." Turning her face to see if he bought her lame excuse, she could tell he didn't, and cringed as his face melted into disappointment and hurt.
"Marinette, I know when we first met it wasn't in the best of circumstances and there were some misunderstandings, but I believed we could get over it and be friends and be honest with each other. Guess I was the only one that thought that."
Once again Marinette hated this part of being a superhero; keeping secrets and lying. She was never a good liar and time didn't help. Why did this have to happen? Why did it have to be him as her partner? Why did she have to care so much? Her heart couldn't stand hurting him even if it was for his own good.
Sighing, Marinette realized the only thing she could give is a half-truth and soon to be unanswered questions. "It's not like that Adrian, I consider you my friend. It's just I found something out that I shouldn't have and I have no clue how to handle it and act around you. I'm still trying to figure that out right now. And I'm sorry, I can't tell you what I found out. So please don't ask."
Startled, Adrian didn't know what to think. What could she possibly have found out about him? She already knows about his mother. Could it be the fact that he isn't the perfect boy and model she looks up to? Despite how much he desperately wanted to ask her this, looking at her face hanged in guilt, confusion, and vulnerability, he just couldn't do it.
"So what should we do now? Is there a way to go back to how things were between us? Or is there anyway I can help you look at me in a different way then just the image or part of me you found out?"
Hesitating, Marinette didn't know how to respond. Anything she asked about him may lead to him finding out she knew he is Chat Noir, which means him knowing she is Ladybug. That could put everyone, including him, in danger.
She just couldn't think of a way around this other then try to not focus on him being Chat Noir. Which was easier said then done but what other option did she have? She couldn't avoid him forever. They were friends both in and out of the suit and it was childish of her to try to avoid him in the first place. Plus, it is about time she truly looks at him for who he really is, and not with rose colored glasses or logical partnership.
Mustering up a smile and holding her hand out to shake, she said, "Nice to meet you Adrian, I'm Marinette. Let's be good friends from now on and get to know each other. I'm a bit clumsy, always late, and I love fashion."
Adrian smiled with relief and took her hand and said, "Nice to meet you Marinette, as you know I'm Adrian the fashion model but actually I'm just a normal high school boy who loves physics, video games, and likes to tell pun-y jokes Like so pun-y you are going to die."
And die they almost did as both of them couldn't stop laughing even as they pulled into the parking lot of Adrian's house. It was probably just sheer relief of starting off a new and better friendship then his sad excuse of a joke. Both knowing it was weak by comparison. However, it was the first time Marinette could recall Adrian ever saying a joke not behind his mask and she found she truly liked this side of him. The side that had a bit of a mischievous sparkle in his eye along with a kind and warm sunshiny heart.
As Marinette and Adrian walked through the door to the Agreste Estate their cheerful chatter came to a stop as they noticed Gabriel standing at top of the white marble staircase. He was as stone faced as usual which made any cheery atmosphere dissipate almost instantly. Looking down while fiddling with her fingers nervously, Marinette anxiously waited while Gabriel descended the stairs, not knowing yet how to act around this man who she would soon be spending quite some time with.
Adrian noticing this leaned down and whispered, "I know he is a little intimidating at first, but I can tell he already respects you and your work."
Like magic Adrian's words soothed her, calming her racing heart. Standing up a little straighter and looking up at Adrian she gave a confident nod then turned her attention to Gabriel who was now walking towards them.
As he stopped next to them, he reached out his hand and said, "Nice to see you again Ms. Dupain-Cheng. I look forward to working with you."
Looking directly into his eyes and taking his hand, Marinette gently shook it and replied, "Nice to see you again Mr. Agreste. I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity you have given me. I will work hard and won't let you down!"
Seeming satisfied Gabriel nodded and turned to his son and said, "I expect you won't be a distraction to Ms. Dupain-Cheng as she is working."
"Of course not father."
"I also expect when the time comes you will help her learn the ropes when it comes to photo shoots and fashion shows."
Smiling over at her he replied, "Of course it would be my pleasure."
Giving another satisfied nod he said to his son, "That will be all Adrian, please return to your room to work on your piano practice."
Smiling and giving a parting wave then a thumbs up to Marinette, Adrian climbed up the stairs to go to his room.
Turning back to Marinette, Gabriel said, "This way please" as he turned and walked towards a door to their right, which Marinette assumed to be his office.
Stepping into the room behind Gabriel, his office was just as she imagined it. All white and black marble walls with one big window reaching up to the ceiling behind his brown mahogany desk. On the desk were several neatly stacked and organized papers. On the right side of the room held several filing cabinets and other office materials.
What did surprise her though was what she found on the left side of the room. The whole left wall was filled with neatly stacked fabrics of all kinds in an open shelved look, with several sized mannequins and a long desk in the corner, along with the best brand of sawing machine out there.
Noticing her surprise Gabriel said, "I don't always have the time, but I still like to occasionally do the sewing myself."
Feeling a little more respect towards the man, Marinette smiled and turned her attention back to Gabriel as he started to pull out a thick book from one of the drawers in the desk. Moving back towards her he handed her the book.
"I want you to go through this and point out any mistakes, as well as any opinions and impressions you have on the works listed. Then bring it back to me within the week."
Marinette's eyes bulged as she skimmed through the massive book. Could she even get through half of this in a week? However, from the dead set look on Gabriel's face she knew she had to manage it somehow.
Marinette raised her head and smiled up at Gabriel and said, "Yes sir I will have it back within the week."
Nodding Gabriel moved back to his desk and sat down, then pressed a button she hadn't noticed before, that was on the top of his desk.
Turning back his attention to her he said, "Natalie will be arriving in a moment to take you to your workspace. It has all the necessary equipment and supplies you will need. I expect you will manage your time wisely and leave around dinner time to be with your family and take care of schoolwork and such. Also, tomorrow when you come, please bring a sample of some of your works and current projects you are working on."
Smiling to herself for being prepared Marinette reached into her school bag and pulled out a neatly organized pink polka-dotted folder that she had compiled with, what she hoped, was some of her best projects and current projects he may like. After pulling the folder out she said, "No need to wait for tomorrow sir, I have it with me", then handed the folder to Gabriel who set it aside for later.
"Thank you, Ms. Dupain-Cheng. I will look over this and report back to you with my feedback by the end of the week when we meet to go over your analysis of the works I gave you."
Just as he finished saying this Natalie walked in, to escort Marinette to her working area. As they were leaving Gabriel spoke up and said, "Ms. Dupain-Cheng I had forgotten to mention, I have chosen your classmate Ms. Rossi to model some of your work. She is also new. However, I expect you to meet the qualifications and style she is looking for. If you fail, please expect your internship to be cut short."
Gulping, Marinette slowly turned back towards Gabriel and took a calming breath while looking him straight in the eyes and said, "I understand completely sir, as I said before, I won't let you down." Then with all the grace she could muster she turned back on her heels and headed out the door, missing the amused smile on Gabriel's face and the quiet words of, "we will see."
Marinette was in heaven as she looked around her workstation. It was quite a bit smaller than Gabriel's office but had the similar white and black marble walls with a wall of fabrics and a mannequin in the right corner of the room. In the middle of the room was a long white marble table and stool. On one end of the table sat a slightly lower grade sewing machine then Gabriel's, but still one she never would have dreamed about even touching before.
Wandering over to the fabrics she gently felt them and marveled at the high-grade material. She couldn't believe she would eventually be able to work with these fine materials and make her own designs out of them. It was like a dream come true.
As she gawked at everything around her, she hadn't noticed Adrian had opened the door and was looking at her with smiling eyes, until he said, "Looks like you're in your element. Glad everything is to your liking."
Whirling around she almost tripped over her feet as she looked at Adrian and blushed in embarrassment.
"I'm sure you think I'm silly getting a little too excited, but this is always what I dreamed it would be when I become a designer. Being surrounded by high quality fabrics and materials, having a sewing machine that could do all I needed it to in order to make my design exactly what I pictured it to be, and a space all to myself to be as creative as I want. I didn't expect to have this all until I was much older. I'm just so overwhelmed and happy. I can't wait to start working."
"I don't think it is silly at all. Your dreams are important to me and I'm happy to be a part of it and that my dad is making it possible for you. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with."
"Thanks! Although your dad hasn't said anything about working on a project for you. Unfortunately, my model will be Lila. And if I don't meet up to her standards, I'm out. So, who knows how long I will get to enjoy all of this."
"Yikes! Sounds like a lot of pressure, and knowing Lila it's probably going to be hard. But I believe in you. If you can make Audrey Bourgeois compliment your work, than Lila should be no problem."
"Yeah, except for Audrey Bourgeois didn't hate my guts at that time."
"Point. However, I'll be around to help you and I might just be able to work my charm and get Lila to cave in." Winking at Marinette, she couldn't help giggling as she imagined a bit of Chat trying to swoon Lila. Although, being Adrian doing the swooning, it probably would work but also make Marinette a bit jealous in the process.
"Well Romeo, lets hope it doesn't come to that and my work is what will make her kneel."
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