Adrien and I waltzed into the dining room together. Mom and Daddy were already inside, with Daddy serving up the breakfast. I kissed him and Mom "good morning", and then went to my usual place at the table.
With a smile, Adrien pulled out my chair for me and of course, I blushed. Mom, who was sitting on my other side, swooned and clasped her hands together, making that "awwwwww" sound. "Awe look, Tom. I think they're finally getting on with each other," she means in a completely G-rated way, but still! "Mom!" I squeaked as Adrien and me both a bright red; he took the other seat beside me. Daddy dished us up a plate of chocolate croissants, looking all gitty as he did so. "Here you go, kids! This will keep you energized for the day." "Thank you, Daddy." "Yes, thank you, Tom. Your baking is always so delicious," Adrien complimented. Daddy waved his hand in a bashful sense. "Oh, go on," he chimed. Adrien and I gave each other a pleasant look before reaching for our pastries. We had just begun to eat before an unwelcomed interruption happened.
"Good morning, Adrien," our backs arched in unison at the sound of Mr. Agreste's voice. Blinking, we saw him step into the room; hands clasped behind his back like always. "G-Good morning, Father," Adrien gulped. To my dismay, he sat down at the near end of the table in front of a plate; it looked like he was going to have breakfast with us today. Yippy. No one did anything while he situated himself with a croissant and some jam. He only broke the uncomfortable silence when he began to spread jam on the bread, not bothering to look at us as he did so.
"I trust you like your new quarters, Tom? Sadine?" You could immediately tell that's not what he wanted to talk about but had to get the pleasantries out of the way. Too bad my parents couldn't tell the difference. Daddy beamed at Mr. Agreste, actually seeming under the impression that the two were becoming friends. Poor thing. "What? Are you kidding?! After living in apartments for fifty years, this place is a dream!" He boomed. "We love it here, Gabriel. This is really a lovely mansion; lovelier than anywhere else we've ever stayed before," Mom nodded in agreement with Daddy. Mr. Agreste took a sip of his tea. "Thank you," his tone was tart and unfriendly. Adrien and I didn't know what to think at his glare turning back to us; or rather, my fiancé. He stopped eating, like he was already getting ready to listen to his father's orders. I hadn't fully digested yet that his man could have fathered a son like Cat Noir; the two were literally nothing alike. Adrien must take after his mother.
I think Mr. Agreste was done with the formalities. His expression grew severe; or as severe as he was willing to show, but you knew that he was NOT happy just then. It made me nervous, the way he scowled at his son- aka, the love of my life. Mr. Agreste set down his teacup before starting into us.
"I received a call from André Bourgeois yesterday," my future father-in-law flatty informed us. André Bourgeois? Isn't that…..? Oh no. My face must have dropped so hard, my jaw was resting on the floor. This wasn't going to be good. "He informed me that your fiancée had an altercation with his daughter at Versailles earlier this week. Apparently Miss Dupain-Cheng was quite rude to Chloe." I nearly choked on my own tongue. What?! Me?! The rude one?! How was I the villain in that scenario?
Adrien and my parented appeared equally astonished and horrified by this accusation. But Mom was quick to flash me a very stern and disapproving glare. "Marinette!" "It's not like that, Mom! She came into my workshop and started yelling at me!" "That's right; it's not Marinette's fault. It was Chloe who cornered her at Versailles; not the other way around," Adrien flew right to my defence. But it did no good. Mr. Agreste shot his son a look which told him to immediately shut up.
"Chloe is your oldest friend, Adrien; your childhood friend. I know Miss Dupain-Cheng is your fiancée, but I should think you'd have a bit more compassion for your friend." Adrien's mouth opened to protest but he wasn't able to do it. Instead his jaw hung there as he tried to think of what to do next. I, meanwhile, thought Mr. Agreste was full of it. Compassion, indeed; he didn't have a compassionate bone in his body. He had no business bringing up the topic, but I knew better and kept my lips sealed.
In a show that he was most definitely in control of the scene, Mr. Agreste wiped his mouth with his napkin before setting it down on the table. His eyes locked onto Adrien's again deliberately. "May I remind you of my own friendship with Mr. Bourgeois and how valuable that relationship is to our family?" "I understand, Father, but there was nothing we could have….." "And may I remind you that I set certain rules, and I expect those rules to be obeyed?" "Yes, Father; I know. It's just that…"
To Adrien's utter relief, Daddy cut him off by planting his broad hand on Mr. Agreste's shoulder. It was funny to see the look of absolute surprise and disgust on my future father-in-law's face at this unexpected action. But Daddy flashed him the most brilliant grin, oblivious to his off-put reaction. "Ah, don't be so hard on them, Gabriel. This all sounds like just a little mix-up; that's all. Nothing to get upset about." I frowned, unimpressed by Daddy's assessment of the situation before knowing all the details. It wasn't a "little mix-up"; Chloe was out to destroy my life and she already acquired my phone number.
Of course Mr. Agreste stared back at Daddy unamused. "They are not junior high children, Tom. If there is an argument, I expect them to handle it in a mature, respectable manner." "Ah, it sounds like they did alright. And I'm sure that if Marinette did hurt Miss Bourgeois's feelings, she'll be more than happy to apologize." "Daddy!" My voice crocked. Me, apologize to that demon?! I'd rather gauge my eyes out! But Daddy gave me a parental glower which only a father can muster. "Gabriel's right; you have to be an adult about this, sweetie. You WILL apologize to the mayor's daughter if that's what's needed resolve this." "But Daddy…..!"
"That won't be necessary," Mr. Agreste picked up his teacup again. I don't know why, but the mood in the room darkened. It got so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. This was bad- very bad….. Mr. Agreste took a sip of tea, and then sent his son a very firm, terrifying glare. "Audrey Bourgeois will be hosting her fashion show for Style Queen next week." "Style Queen?! The fashion magazine?!" Mom piped up, suddenly excited. Mr. Agreste nodded before frowning back at his son. "I've taken the liberty of volunteering you as her chief male model for the event."
The colour drained from both Adrien's and my face. While I didn't dare move, Adrien blinked at his father dreadfully. "Father, you didn't…" Mr. Agreste's expression, however, remained stone solid. His lips morph into a thin, emotionless line. "Perhaps this will remind you to always consider what is best for the family first and foremost. You will attend the fashion show, you will apologize to Chloe, and you will ensure the Miss Dupain-Cheng and Chloe are on cordial terms. Do I make myself clear?" Adrien and I defeatedly glanced at each other. "Yes, Father….." Seemingly satisfied with this retribution, Mr. Agreste sat back in his chair and folded his hands out in front of him in a dominant position. Only then did he crack what you could call a side-smirk. "This will make André happy. Audrey will let Nathalie know the details," he said with finality. I looked despondently at him, then at both my slightly confused parents for a moment.
Then I looked at Adrien.
