"Oh, wow! He's stunning! He's like your own personal Adonis. And that ring! Talk about gorgeous!" I was showing Alya a picture of Adrien on my phone and my new engagement ring. I put my phone down onto my desk and sighed to myself. Meanwhile she clapped her hands together in exhilaration. "I've said it once and I'll say it again! You've won the marriage lottery, Marinette." "Adrien and I barely know each other. How can you be so sure we'll even get along?" My own hand threw up into the air. "You said he was nice, right?" Alya's eyebrow arched. "Well, yes. He's very kind," I admitted with a shoulder shrug. "Then you're off to a good start anyway. Hey, by the way. How did he know you like Cat Noir and Ladybug so much?" "His dad had a whole file written up about me. Can you believe that?!" I groaned upset. That must be a violation of privacy or something! Her eyes widened again, and not in a pleased way this time. "Wow, really? You weren't exaggerating when you said he has control issues." "Tell me about it. He's probably going to try and dictate every inch of my life once me and Adrien are married." "But at least you'll be marrying his son- the model," her elbow nudged me in the ribcage.
I looked at straight at Alya and frowned. Yes, Adrien may be a model…. But I already had my own personal model sporting a cat costume complete with eye mask and tail. I was completely, entirely ecstatic with that for years. Life used to be so much simpler before… Well before I grew up and was forced into an engagement for the benefit of others. Sigh, if only Adrien and Cat Noir were the same person. But of course that's impossible…..
Life doesn't work that way.
While I was staring out into space in a wistful sort of manner, Ayla gave me a puzzled expression. Her hand waved in front of my face. "Uh, hi? Earth to Marinette? Not daydreaming about Adrien already, are you?" She chuckled. Snapping out of it my head shot in her direction, eyes bulging. "Huh?!" "Boy, you are out of it today," her casual grin came back. Mine did not. I simply blinked at her, unsure what to say next. I mean, what was I supposed to say to that? She's not wrong, after all….
She leaned in a bit closer to me from across the workbench where I was currently sitting, the corner of her grin widening. "So, when do I get to meet him?" "Oh! Uh, I don't know actually. I'm not sure how many people Mr. Agreste wants to know about the engagement yet." "Why should he care? I'm your best friend; future maid-of-honour at your wedding. Adrien's dad should be fine with us hanging out." "You'd think so, but he seems like the overly-private type. I doubt he'll let me have anyone over to the mansion at least for a little while," another sigh left my lips as I leaned back slightly, letting one arm fall down at my side.
Ayla watched me a moment then nodded her head in defeat. "Yeah, I guess maybe he'd like to take things slow for now. Best not to get on his bad side- so early into your family union, anyway." "I really think that man hates me, and I have no idea why! We haven't even said more than five words to each other. Yet he throws us a big engagement party the first night we're together." "Wait, I thought you said he didn't want anyone to know about your….." Ayla's finger rose up a bit. I shook my head. "Not anyone who's a Parisian big-wig, that is." "Ah," and she nodded too in instant understanding.
Neither of us said anything for a moment. The silence in the room was only broken when Ayla gazed back over at me. She looked my way and smiled gently…. "Ah, don't worry, girl. Everything's going to be fine." "Heh, I think I'm being gaslit into believing that, considering how literally everyone keeps telling me the same thing," I mirrored her pleasant face. My thoughts lingered on what she'd just said briefly…. "So close those beautiful eyes of yours and rest easy. I'm here- I'll always be here for you, Marinette. I'll never let you out of my sight…. Never." I suppose I haven't really lost anything… I haven't lost him. I'll never lose him, so in a way, they're right- they're all right. So long as I have Cat Noir, everything will be alright. I'm so fortunate that way, always having my angel-in-disguise nearby.
I must have been genuinely smiling cause Alya appeared to relax, or at least she did for a few seconds. "You worry too much." "Yeah, I guess I do. You're right, Alya; it's not the end of world. Everything's going to be ok…. I think everything's going to be alright going forward."
"Where is she?! Show me where she is NOW!"
Both Alya and I flinched out of pure shock. This unfamiliar female voice bellowed from down the hallway. "Uh oh. That doesn't sound good," Ayla turned back to me with a worried look. Before either of us had a chance to move, the workshop door suddenly burst open. Under the doorframe stood this pretty blonde-haired girl, roughly our age I'd say, in a very expensive designer suit. Her foot was already tapping impatiently with one fist firmly planted on her hips. She did NOT look happy.
Her eyes lit a fire once they finally locked onto me on the opposite side of the room. "You! Are you Marinette Dupain-Cheng?!" She demanded, pointing a rolled-up magazine my way. "Uhhhhhhhh, maybe," I cringed. Depends on who's asking, though judging by her attitude thus far I can guess that I don't want to know. This diva stomped over to my desk and actually had the audacity to hit me on the head with her magazine! Multiple times, I might add. Ayla stiffened up; first in disbelief, then in rage. "Hey! You can't just attack her like that!" "Yes, I can! This bitch thinks she can marry my Adrien!" "Adrien?" I blinked, more than a little flustered and confused by this point. My arms were raised above my head now in a protective manner. All I really wanted was for her to stop whacking me.
She huffed all dramatic-like, rolling her eyes with insolence. "Ugh! You don't even deserve to know his name! What makes you think that a little no-account whore like you can marry him?! Hmmmmm?! Where do you get the nerve?!" "I-I don't know what you're talking about!" I stammered defencelessly. "Me either, but you better quit yelling at her. This is harassment!" Alya shouted, coming to stand protectively beside me behind my workspace. This brat huffed again, crossing her arms and spinning her torso sideways. "So what if it is? What are you two losers going to do about it? Call the police? Ha! My father is the mayor of Paris, I'll have you know!"
Alya growled, placing her hand solidly on my right shoulder. I said nothing, too terrified to make a sound. You see mean girls like her in movies, but I've never experienced one in real life before. Sounded like she was the jealous type too- yippy. At least Cat Noir never cornered Luka like this back when Luka had a thing for me in undergrad. I didn't know that Adrien had female-friends who were also… interested in him, let's say. Trying to get out of the friend-zone, so it were. Wait, who is she again?! How does she know Adrien, and more importantly, how does she know who I am and that we're engaged?
Her perfectly manicured hand slammed down onto the table right in front of me. My eyes grew in absolute horror as she brought her face very close to mine from across my workbench. She was so near that I could almost feel her breathe on my skin. Her razor-sharp eyes locked onto mine. "Listen here, you slut. Don't even think about marrying my Adriekins. He's MINE- got it? I'm not about to hand him over to some bimbo who looks at ancient, totally-out-of-style clothing all day. He's too good for you!"
"Y-You know Adrien?" I ventured to ask in a shaky voice, afraid of what she might do if I stayed silence any longer. "I think it's a little more than "know", Marinette," Alya tacked on, rolling her eyes. The diva shot her a punishing glare. "Shut up! Course I know Adrien. We're childhood friends- besties. I've had a crush on him since forever and you're not going to screw this up for me! He and I would make the cutest couple. Not like you in those rags. Your hair isn't even blonde! You stay away from him! Got that, loser?!" "I… I… I…" My mouth opened and closed but couldn't get anything coherent out.
"You do know it's an arranged marriage? Neither Marinette nor Adrien asked to be in this relationship," Ayla's fist planted on the side of her hip as well. Ooooooooh, that was not received well. The diva looked like she was about ready to strangle both Alya and me. "There is NO relationship! No marriage. No engagement. No romance. No love!" As if she couldn't be any more animated, she waved her arms in a scissoring motion in the air. Weeeeeeeeell, she's not wrong about the last one. Being friends with Adrien isn't the same as loving him. Someone else already fills that role in my heart….. Only then did I see an opportunity to speak up- timidly.
"H-How did you even hear about…..?" The diva cut me off with another murderous glare. "Your engagement? It's on the front page of every newspaper and magazine!" She plopped down the magazine she was holding onto my desk. My face went white as a ghost beholding its cover. A picture of both Adrien's and my face?! The caption read: "Paris's most famous male supermodel takes a bride? Meet Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the future Mrs. Adrien Agreste". My hands flew down to grab the piece of paper, bringing it right up to my face. "What?! No! No, no, no, no! This can't be happening! We literally just met each other yesterday! How'd they find out so fast?! This is NOT good!" Momentarily forgetting all fear of the diva, my mind went into a whole new kind of panic. Oh my god, this is horrible! This news is going to be everywhere in Paris by now. What if Cat Noir sees it? What if he buys a newspaper in his civilian form? Is it possible to clear out every news-stand and magazine rack in the city? Or country?
As I stood there, mouth agape, the diva snatched back her magazine. Seconds later my phone started buzzing on my desk. My stomach dropped at the sight of the caller ID. Oh no; it's Adrien! I totally forgot we exchanged numbers on the train this morning! Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, I clicked "answer" and brought the phone up to my ear. "Hey…. you," don't say his name! This woman will go nuts- well, even more nuts- if you do. "Marinette? Hi, it's me. Listen, I just saw the university newspaper." "You don't say?" Play it cool, play it cool- she's watching you! "Yeah, and we're on the front cover!" "Yeah, I know. I…. sorta just found out myself," my eyes sagged; this- THIS- was the real nightmare. "Are you ok? Has anyone mentioned it to you?" He sounded concerned. "Uhhhhhhh, weeeeeeeeell…" My gaze drifted back over to the diva, who was glaring daggers at me.
"Who's that? Is that Adrien?! I wanna talk to him!" "Don't you dare touch her phone!" Ayla grabbed her hand which was shooting for me. "Give me the phone! Adrien?! Adrien!" "Who's that?!" "Uh… Um, no one! I gotta go!" "Wait, Marinette! Stay there! I'm sending….!" Click!
The diva was practically sprawled across the top of my desk trying to get at me. While Ayla held her off I made a mad scramble straight out of the room and down the hall. I was searching for the first open door I could find, which just happened to be a windowless janitor's closet. "Better than nothing!" Running right in, I slammed the door shut only to discover that it didn't have a lock. This day just keeps getting better and better. While I was trying to hold it shut with both hands, Tikki flew out of my shirt's pocket to float in front of me.
"What are you going to do now, Marinette? You can't stay in here forever." "I can try!" I gritted through my teeth in response. Tikki shook her head. "Why not just call Adrien back and get him to come pick you up?" "You think psych-lady would ever let me leave with him?! Adrien can't come within a ten-mile radius of here, lest she stab me to death with her stilettos in a jealous frenzy. God, she's worse than any akumatized person I've ever had to fight before!"
"But you're Ladybug: Paris's great defender!" Tikki countered with a grin, spreading her arms a little for emphasis. I was not smiling back at her…. "I've never had to deal with crazy love-struck girls before! Sure, I had to face off against Luka that one time, but he was jealous of me! This is totally new territory for me!" Hard to be targeted as Cat Noir's boyfriend when nobody actually knows you're dating. THAT was the true blessing in disguise. Course that meant that everyone- including all my friends- shipped Cat Noir with Ladybug, but I could deal with that. This, here right, I could NOT deal with!
"I wish Cat Noir was here," I whispered under my breath. Tikki flew up a bit closer to me, giving me a sympathetic look. "Cat Noir can't help you out with this one. You're going to have to rely on Adrien." "I know you're right," I pulled out my phone and clicked on my contacts. Even if he can't come here himself, he'll be able to send someone who can pick me up. I was about to press Adrien's name until a loud banging on the janitor closet door made me flinch. "I know you're in there, "Miss Dupain-Cheng"! Open up! I'm not done talking to you!" "She means yelling at you," Tikki gazed up at me remarking in a hushed whisper. My whole body was shaking in fear; I felt so helpless and small hiding in here. Miss Diva's fist wouldn't stop pounding on the wood of the door; I think she was actually starting to crack it. "Open this door! Open this door now!" "I can't call Adrien now! She'll hear me," I whispered to Tikki in the tiniest voice I could muster. You could barely hear what I was saying over all the banging.
Her little shoulders shrugged. "What else can you do?" "I have to transform into Ladybug and get the hell outta here!" "You can't transform. Now that news of your engagement is out, this place is probably crawling with reporters; someone might see you. Besides, there's no windows in here you can escape from." "Escape…..?" Thinking at a rapid pace, my eyes combed over the tiny room in search of some way out. They stopped once I spotted the fire alarm; the kind when pulled signals water to start raining from the ceiling. I quickly blinked back over to Tikki.
"Tikki, are all the samples in their water-proof containers in the workshop?" "Yes?" Her eyebrow raised in confusion. I didn't even have time to smile. "Good!" Without wasting a second, my hand proceeded to smash the fire alarm bell. That typical loud ringing began echoing all through this level of the wing. Then the sprinklers started. The diva could be heard yelling on the other side of the door, which by now she had stopped pounding on. "Ah, my hair!" She couldn't have cried louder. Tikki gave my shoulder a congratulatory pat. "Well done, Marinette," she praised, still in a hushed voice.
The diva's feet could be heard running back down the hallway, followed by another quick set of footsteps. I opened the closet door to find Alya standing there with my jacket draped over her arm. "There you are!" She gasped when she saw me. Before I knew what she was doing, she took my coat and put it overtop my head so to protect my hair from the downpour of water. She then wrapped her arm securely around my back and gave me a reassuring grin. "Come on. Let's get you outta here!" We ran through the sprinklers and sea of people who were rushing onto our floor to see what the matter was. Since no one saw me push the fire alarm and there were no cameras in the janitor's closet, nobody ever figured out it was me who pushed it. The sprinklers were shut off by the time we reached outside, but the diva was nowhere to be seen. Still, we didn't stop running until we were safely outside the palace right at the front golden gates. We took a few much-needed breathes before looking back and then at each other.
"Man, what a bitch. Talk about being delusional," Alya put her hands back on her hips. "Not to mention possessive," I added in a small voice. That's when she looked my way again, her expression softer now. "You ok, Marinette?" "I'll be a lot more ok if I never see that insane woman again." "Uh, yeah. About that…. I'm sorry, but I don't think that'll be the case," Ayla's eyes scrolled off to the side, her hand rubbing the back of her head awkwardly. I looked at her incredulously, praying her words didn't mean what I think they meant. "Why?" "Er, well… Let's just say she wasn't lying when she said that her dad is the mayor." "What?!" My back arched in horror. No way, he's really the mayor?! I thought she was just saying that so we wouldn't call the police; I didn't think she was telling the truth! And if he's the mayor, then he must know Mr. Agreste… Oh no.
Alya's head fell in agony. "Her name's Chloe Bourgeois. Apparently she and Adrien have known each other since childhood, or so she screamed into my ear." "No…. This can't be happening. Is she really Mr. Bourgeois's daughter? Please tell me she's not." "I'm afraid so. I'm sorry, Marinette. She's really gotten it into her head that she and Adrien are made for each other." "And she'll see me as standing in the way of their happiness….." I groaned. Ayla nodded in agreement. "Precisely.
I have a horrible feeling we haven't seen the last of her."
