Chapter 6
That day it was raining heavily. Although the forecasts said that that day would be sunny, apparently, they had been wrong. And it always makes Gabriel lose his patience. But on the other hand, it could be a perfect opportunity to akumatize someone.
His pleas were answered immediately. He entered his lair quickly and created an akuma that could transform into lightning in the rain.
Chat Noir was on his way to help Ladybug, who was already on the scene. With the rain coming, they feared the battle would get complicated. Luckily, Chat Noir manage to arrive on time.
I proved to be a pretty good opponent for the superhero duo. The lucky charm was a very large umbrella that blocked the rain, which did not allow the akuma to spread through the clouds. Chat Noir destroyed the akumatized object, a lightning rod. Ladybug purified the akuma and after throwing the umbrella into the air, everything returned to normal. Except for the rain clouds. Small droplets began to fall, indicating that the rain would resume its intensity.
"We'd better retire, you don't want to get wet, kitty." Ladybug teased.
"Well, that's not good for my fur." Chat Noir ran his hand through his golden hair, making Ladybug laugh.
"Bye kitty." Ladybug tossed her yoyo into the air to retreat. Chat Noir jumped to the ground to hide in the closest alley.
"Are we leaving now?" Plagg said.
"I need to check on Marinette first."
"Again?" Plagg remembered rolling his eyes at him, because a few days ago, Adrien had gone to see her.
"Lila was acting up again when I wasn't looking and I'm not going to let Marinette get akumatized."
"But she's about to rain!" exclaimed the Kwami, looking up at the sky.
"Does the water scare you, Plagg?" Adrien said mockingly.
"No, but it's cold and not very nice." Plagg shivered a bit. "Besides, didn't you had to meet up with your girlfriend?"
"You know me and Kagami are just friends now. Besides, it will only take a while." He gave Plagg a piece of Camembert to recharge her energies "Plagg, claws out!"
He jumped from ceiling to ceiling until he reached Marinette's balcony. He felt a couple of droplets falling from the sky. He knocked quickly on the door that gave access to his friend's room and in a few seconds, Marinette opened it.
"What are you doing here?" Marinette whispered.
"I came to see you; this cat needs to talk to you."
She let him enter her room. He jumped into the girl's bed and they went down to the other part of the room. Marinette took some pillows from her bed and arranged them to sit on the floor. Chat Noir did the same. Marinette had her hair down and had on the pajamas that she was wearing from that time they escaped from his bodyguard's care. He had to admit that she looked really pretty.
"These days I was wondering how you were doing since we haven't talked for a long time."
"Well, it's complicated." Marinette winced when she mentioned that.
"Has someone been bothering you? because you know you can tear them apart with my claws." Chat Noir mimicked the scratching of a kitten. Marinette giggled a bit.
"There is a girl who swore to destroy me if I don't do what she says and today she has tried to hurt me."
Chat Noir already knew who he was referring to, but in order not to arouse suspicion, he would begin his own interrogation. Still, he couldn't hide how furious he felt. He would talk seriously with Lila about this.
"May I know who she is?"
"I don't think it's convenient" Marinette replied.
Chat knew she was getting defensive so he had no choice but to resort to more drastic measures.
"If you're not going to answer me then I think you'll get a visit from the tickle monster."
"What?!" She exclaimed and before she could run away he began to tickle her.
"That enough, Chat Noir!" Marinette couldn't help but laugh until tears came to her eyes "Okay, her name is Lila Rossi."
"The Rossi's daughter" Adrien said, trying to look as confused as he could.
"Do you know her?" Asked Marinette.
"Let's just say that in some places she's quite well known." The boy scratched his head, a little nervous. In those moments, he was regretting giving her that advice of not to expose Lila. But he knew that if they took things the wrong way, it would end badly. That was why he endangered his "friendship" with Lila. Because it was the only way not to endanger Marinette's physical and emotional integrity.
"I may not be able to help you physically, but I will give you some advice. Trust the people closest to you and don't let that Lila you speak of, to cross the line with you."
Marinette looked at the ground, not knowing what to say. But then she remembered something that did seem like it was very important for Chat Noir to know, at least from Marinette and not from Ladybug.
"There is something else. Lila has been acting strange lately. She disappears without warning, and sometimes I have seen her talking to someone on the phone in a very discreet way, because when people approach her, the conversation changes. It's... like she's up to something.
Chat was a little thoughtful. A flash of lightning illuminated the room, and he saw how the window was covered little by little with drops of water. "I think I have to go now; cats don't like to get wet."
Marinette grabbed his tail before he jumped to the top of her room to leave.
"Are you going to go out like this with that rain? It's pouring rain outside; you could stay until it stops."
"I'm sorry, but I have my own responsibilities to fulfill and I can't stay her any longer."
Marinette thought for a moment and then she remembered something that she could use.
"Then wait here." She found the umbrella that Adrien had given her the day they met and gave it to him. "You need it. Just give it back to me when you come back, it's from a friend."
"Thank you very much, princess" he bowed.
He went straight out onto the balcony and onto the street. He walked away and covered himself as much as he could with the umbrella until he reached a few streets from his house. He jumped into his room and fell gracefully on the floor.
"Plagg, claws in."
Apparently, his suit could not take away how soaked wet he was.
"Kid, next time, let me know you'll do that and I'll put on a wetsuit." Plagg shook himself, wetting the ground a bit.
"Sorry Plagg, I didn't really expect to spend so much time at Marinette's house."
"Yeah well, I hope we're not going to get sick after this." With that, he took a piece of Camembert from his supply and began to consume it.
Adrien went to the bathroom to take a hot bath, so when Nathalie or her father came in, he would have proof of why his hair was soaked. And he hoped that by doing this he could avoid an impending cold.
The next day Adrien woke up with a numb body. He felt the discomfort of when he had a fever as a child. It was an annoying and uncomfortable feeling. He got up as best he could and saw that it was time to get ready to go to school. He used all of his energy to get to the bathroom and brush his teeth. He splashed some water on his face to see if it would work, but it didn't.
When he was ready, he heard Nathalie play and went in with his daily schedule.
"Good morning, Adrien. Today you have a photo shoot and your Chinese and fencing classes got moved for today."
"Thanks Nathalie"
I notice that Adrien was looking a bit strange. His face looked a little pale and his eyes had a little dark circles.
"Are you okay Adrien? You don't look very well." His forehead felt a little warm.
"Do not worry, I'll be fine. I don't want to let my father down" Adrien said with a smile.
"Okay, but if you feel unwell, I'll bring you home."
They both headed to school. In the car, Nathalie couldn't help but see Adrien turn a little paler as they drove. When they arrived and he got out of the car, she stopped him by grabbing his wrist.
"Adrien, are you sure you want to go to school? You look kind of pale." I take his hand and I notice that he was very cold.
He denied.
"Goodbye, Nathalie."
She was still very concerned, even more so with the way he said goodbye. Upon entering, Adrien realized that his friends looked at him with concern.
"Dude, are you okay? You look sick" Nino said.
"Yes, Nino is right, you're look whiter than normal." Ayla saw his face, a little worried.
Marinette was also watching him with concern. She was sure that he had symptoms of fever. Was his father that cruel to send him to school in that state? She decided that she would keep an eye on him. If something happened, she could always call her mother who had Gabriel's assistant's phone number.
At break, Adrien sat on one of the benches in the courtyard. His friends accompanied him. Marinette remembered what her father said once: a croissant can give you energy.
"I notice you look without energy. Here." She pulled her croissant out of her backpack and handed it to him. He looked at him indecisively
"But it's your only croissant."
I can have another one at home, but you need it more than I do.
"Thank you very much, Marinette."
He ate it slowly. Adrien notice that he no longer feel taste on his tongue. He took some water, since he felt more dehydrated than normal. Maybe he should have listened to Nathalie. Miss Bustier was worried about him and she was about to send him to the infirmary, but he convinced her not to. After all, there were only five minutes of class left.
When the end of the day came, he left at a slow pace. His car was there waiting for him. Nathalie came out to meet him. She had a worried face. Did he really look so bad that his friends and acquaintances would react like this?
"I'll take you home, Adrien", Nathalie said determinedly.
"But what about the session… I don't want you to get in trouble with my father."
"The photo session can wait" She took his face gently "But not your health, your well-being is more important."
She helped him up and she entered the car behind him as well letting Adrien's head stay on her shoulder. She took his frozen hands, trying to warm them between hers.
"We must get you to the mansion quickly" she addressed the bodyguard "Gerald change of plans, take us to the mansion now."
The gorilla nodded and headed for the Agreste mansion. He parked as close as he could to the door. Nathalie helped Adrien out of the car and they both entered the mansion. Nathalie left Adrien leaning against the wall, next to the door of the atelier.
"Stay here Adrien. I'll go get your father."
Nathalie ran into the atelier, where Gabriel was. She didn't want him to scold Adrien and she didn't mind taking the scolding herself. But Adrien's well-being was her number one priority right now. She saw Gabriel about to enter to his lair.
"Mr. Agreste, I need you urgently."
Gabriel was surprised at her presence.
"What are you doing here? You and Adrien should be in the photo shoot of today right now."
"Gabriel…"
"Are you disobeying my orders?"
Adrien entered the office as he could, without the two adults noticing. He held onto the door weakly. His eyes rolled to his head and he passed out.
Both adults stopped the discussion when they heard that dry sound.
"Adrien!"
He was cold.
"I'll call the doctor." Nathalie took her phone and looked for the doctor's number among her contacts, dialing it immediately.
Gabriel carried his son in his arms before the Gorilla intervened. He noticed how cold and weak he was. He took him to his room, followed by his assistant, who had the phone to her ear, hoping that the family doctor would answer soon. The designer carefully laid his son on the bed and tucked him in. He closed the windows with the remote control. He saw his assistant talking on the phone.
"And the doctor?" Gabriel asked as Nathalie ended the call.
"She's on her way" she answered. "But she gave me instructions while she gets here."
Nathalie searched through Adrien's drawers, from which she took out a cotton handkerchief.
"I need you to wet this and put it on his forehead. I'll go and bring the thermometer."
She went to the atelier and to her desk, from there she extracted a thermometer. She went back upstairs, and she entered just to see how Gabriel stroked her son's head, brushing her hair back from her forehead so that he could place the cloth soaked in water.
Nathalie put the thermometer in her mouth. The doctor arrived in a few minutes. She examined Adrien and then gave her diagnosis.
"Looks like it's a very high fever. He must rest for a few days to recover. No activities that require going outside for a while. I'll be up to date if you need me".
"Thank you, doctor" Gabriel shaking her hand.
After the doctor left, he returned to his son's room, where Nathalie was at the door watching Adrien.
"Thank you, Nathalie. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't brought him here. I'm sorry for the way I reacted"
She nodded silently.
Gabriel entered and kissed her son's forehead, once again changing the compress he had placed on her forehead.
"I'm sorry, son."
Nathalie was watching him. It was because of this kind of thing that she was supporting her boss. Because even though he was Hawkmoth, he loved his family and was willing to do anything to keep it safe.
She remembered how Gabriel treated her the first week of work she had. She could tell that it was the same hell or at least for someone with no work experience like her. Luckily, Emilie was there to support her even though she had to take care of herself a lot because of her pregnancy.
"Nathalie, I need you to take these folders to human resources and bring me back my folders with the designs." Gabriel handed over several folders in her hands.
"Understood sir."
She went to the place she was assigned to, and returned in the car. Emilie was in the entrance wrapped in a blanket.
"Mrs. Agreste. Please shouldn't be here." Nathalie advanced toward her.
"I was waiting for you. Come with me."
Gabriel's assistant followed Emilie into the dining room.
"I know the first days are hard, so I would like you to take some tea with me" Gabriel's wife said, holding a porcelain cup in her hands.
"I don't think my boss would like that."
"My husband will not bother you while you are with me. He is usually a bit harsh on his employees. But I always try that he does not overdo it with his demands."
They both drank their tea in silence, the sound of the clock in their ears.
"Nathalie, what made you take this job?" Asked Emilie.
Nathalie thought for a moment before giving her answer.
"The need of moving forward" she said as she looked at the liquid inside the cup, "I had financial problems for a couple of years."
"You still have them, don't you?" Emilie asked sweetly.
"Yes, I lived many months without a stable salary. I was surviving on my part-time job. That is why I live so far away."
Emilie put her cup on the table.
"It can be fixed. I'll talk to Gabriel so we can get an apartment near here. It doesn't bother you, does it?"
"No, I actually think it would be convenient" Nathalie said, agreeing with the idea.
Soon they heard loud footsteps approaching. Gabriel walked into the dining room, but Emilie got up and stopped him before he could say anything to the new assistant.
"Love, leave her. I was the one who invited her to drink tea. One time doesn't hurt. Also, I love the company."
He took her by her shoulder and hugged her, giving her a kiss on her forehead.
"Go rest you need it. You both need it" he said, placing one of his hands on her belly.
Mrs. Agreste went to the matrimonial room. When she had left, he turned to her assistant.
"You must excuse my wife; she likes to hang out with the employees." Gabriel pressed the bridge of his nose a little.
"She doesn't bother me at all" Nathalie answered stoically.
"We'll work another hour and then you can go." With this, Gabriel left.
The woman nodded and went to her desk. She worked on one of the reports until it was time to go.
For the rest of the night, they watched Adrien. They entered sporadically to ensure that the boy's temperature remained stable. Nathalie entered Adrien's room stealthily. He sat on the bed and changed the wet cloth on his forehead. This startled Adrien a bit, who seemed to have hallucinations from the fever.
"Mom…"
The woman stroked his hair carefully. She bit her lip at what she was about to say.
"Shh... Easy there, here I am."
Adrien stopped moving restlessly. Nathalie covered him well and left the room.
Plagg watched from the ceiling, unable to believe what he had seen. Plagg floated up to him and lay down beside him, hiding in the pillow.
"Sleep well, kitten."
I'm back with a new chapter, I got so inspired after watching Monster Fu :)