"Then help me. Take me out of here please." Mari pleaded still crying and holding his hand. "Please don't let them arrest me. Please you said to call you. You said you would help me if I needed you."
Adrien looked at her then at the Judge before facing her again. "Of course Mari."
"Help me please." Mari holds his hand with both of hers. "Please don't let them arrest me. I don't want to be in jail. Please I beg of you, please help me."
Adrien couldn't help but look at those sad bluebell eyes of hers, and it was like there was nothing else but the two of them.
"We are all here to intercede for Marinette." Father Carlos said to the secretary.
The secretary looks at the group in front of him. "Oh yeah? What relationship do you have with her?"
"I'm the parish priest of the church in her neighborhood, and I know her since she was born. I have always protected her." Father Carlos answered.
"And I'm like a father to her." Fu added evident in his voice that he was upset.
"And I am Mari's boyfriend." Nino said.
"And I am like a mother to her." Mrs. Lahiffe added.
"I'm just a very good friend who cares for her a lot." Marlena finished for them.
"Mari calm down, please calm down." Adrien said in a soft voice.
She looked at him with tears falling down her cheeks. "You will help me right? Since this jerk over here is against me." Mari said looking at the Judge.
"You expect me to be on your side after you broke my windows?" Tom said emotionless.
Adrien looked at Mari a bit surprised and had an eyebrow raised.
"Someone who is like her father, a protector, a boyfriend, a mother, a friend than why does the young lady declare that she has no one to have her back?" The secretary asked looking at the group.
"That must be what Marinette thinks, but now you know the truth." Father Carlos replied.
"Tell me how much the penalty fee is to free Mari." Nino started taking out money.
"Yes you need to let her go." Fu said then everyone started speaking at the same time defending Mari.
It took a while to calm them down. "It won't be easy with the Judge, who has her case. He's trying to stop the young delinquents in Paris."
"But Marinette isn't a delinquent." Father Carlos replied irritated. Everyone agreed.
"Than what do you call a person that steals all the milk she finds in her neighborhood?" The secretary asked showing the documents at them.
Everyone turned to look at Fu confused.
"You say that Mari broke most of the windows in your house?" Adrien puts his hands in his pockets as he looks at Judge Dupain confused.
Tom crosses his arms. "That's right she broke them with rocks."
Adrien narrows his eyes. "Is that why she got arrested?"
He shook his head. "No, not for that I didn't accuse her. They arrested her for another crime." Mari sighs looking down and Adrien looks over at her. "Remember when I told you she would end up in the delegation again? Well look how soon it occurred."
Fu looked sheepish. "I didn't tell you that she stole the neighbor's milk because you know that she is kind hearted, and she wanted to take it to the children of the orphanage. They starve to death you know."
Father Carlos nodded. "Of course, I know Marinette is a girl full of good feelings." Everyone agreed to that statement. "Let me talk with her."
"I said no." The secretary was irritated, and everyone started complaining. He put a hand up. "The Judge and psychiatrist are questioning her right now."
"What's the Judge's last name?" Fu asked curiously and fearful for the answer.
"Dupain." The secretary answered looking at the documents.
Fu covered his face in his hands. "Father my girl threw rocks at the windows of that Judge."
"That too?!" Father Carlos asked surprise as the secretary just smirked to himself.
"We need to make a list of the things you need dear." Sabine said excitedly to Lila, who was sitting next to her on the couch.
"'But the last thing I want is to be a burden for you guys." Lila said softly.
"The counterary you'll be our happiness and pride." Sabine holds her hand. "I couldn't be fully happy with the sadness that I carried in my soul." Sabine wipes a tear away. "Now I can enjoy everything because I finally got you back." Sabine smiled.
"I'll do anything in my power to contribute in that enjoyment mom." Lila smiled back and hugged her.
"The doctor is also here. He's a friend of my girl, and he can help her." Fu said happily as he saw the psychiatrist with the Judge walking over their way.
Adrien goes over to the secretary. "What is the young lady being accused of exactly?"
The secretary showed him the documents. "It says here that she stole 12 bottles of milk from the houses of the neighborhood she lives in." The group starts speaking over him. "The neighbors were the ones to accuse her."
"12 bottles of milk?" The group keep speaking over them as Adrien glances at Judge Dupain. "Why would she want them?"
Judge Dupain shrugged. "Probably to earn easy money by selling them."
Fu was furious hearing that. "That's a lie what you just said is a lie! My girl might be a little crazy, but she is no thief! You can't accuse her like that!"
Judge Dupain looks over at him. "Please calm down sir."
"We aren't the ones accusing her Mr. Fu." Adrien said softly knowing how much he cared for Mari.
"You have them in the palm of your hand, especially your mother Sabine." Isabella said excitedly to Lila, who was looking at her necklace in her hand. They were walking in the back garden, and they sat down on two chairs. "And what a beautiful jewelry they gave you."
Lila nodded still looking at her necklace. "Uhuh diamonds and gold. The first of many jewelry I expect to receive."
"I imagine that you never dreamt of having a necklace like that." Isabella smiled taking the necklace from Lila's hands. "And you owe it to me." Isabella starts to put it on. "To me your dear aunt. Don't ever forget that."
"No how do you think I could ever forget." Lila takes the necklace back. "Don't worry okay."
"With all the attention that you are getting, I don't want you to loose it and push me aside. Think as it like this just how I lifted you up I can let you fall." Isabella said with a light smirk.
Lila tilted her head slightly. "Are you threatening me?"
Isabella stood up and walked behind the chair. "No it was just a simple warning."
Lila laughed. "How scary because if I fall you fall with me." Lila put the necklace on.
Adrien walked to the cell where he saw Mari hugging her legs still crying. He sighs softly and looks at her with gentle eyes. "Mari what did you do with the milk that you stole? Did you sell it?" Judge Dupain stands beside him.
"No." She whispered
"Where did you take it?" He asked softly.
"To the orphanage." She wipes her tears.
"Why?" His tone doesn't change.
"Because the children there are always starving, and I know how that feels." She said softly.
"Mari how did you take 12 bottles of milk to the orphanage?" Adrien asked curiously.
"I used a shopping bag. I could barely carry it, but it was worth it seeing the smiles on the children's faces." She replied back.
"You know that could mean jail for you right?" Judge Dupain asked looking at her.
She put her legs down. "Then I don't care if I get arrested."
Judge Dupain raised an eyebrow. "You don't regret what you have done?"
"No I don't regret it." She stands up and walks over to the bars. "Especially seeing the happiness of the children when they drank the milk. Why wouldn't I steal the bottles of milk when the neighbors drink milk everyday but the children barely drink it at all, and so you know if I have to steal the milk for them again I will. What do you think about that?" She challenges the Judge while crying.
Adrien watches her even though what she did was wrong he couldn't help but admire the determination, she had to help the children of the orphanage, and he pitied that she was being punished for trying to do a good act, even if she did it the wrong way.
As the group was waiting for the fate of Mari father Carlos pulled Nino aside. "Why did you say that you were Marinette's boyfriend?"
Nino looked at him determinedly. "So she could count on some support since that guy made it seem important that Mari doesn't have anyone in her life."
Father Carlos nodded. "That's true Nino you aren't to far from the truth." Father Carlos smiled softly. "It would be so different if Marinette had a formal relationship with you. Especially if you guys were about to get married."
Nino smiled brightly. "That's what I'm hopeful for father."
Fu walked over to them. "If only that way Mari would work in her house and not get into trouble."
Adrien and Judge Dupain glanced at each other before they started walking away from the cells. "So what shall we do with her Judge?"
Judge Dupain looked at him. "In my opinion, we need to send her to a prison for women."
Adrien blinked surprised at the decision.
Ruby was heading to the living room when she heard Audrey calling her from the top of the stars. "I'm so glad to have found you. I wanted to ask you if my daughter Chloe called again." Audrey walked down the stairs as she spoke in a sarcastic manner.
Ruby sighed. "No Mrs. Audrey."
Audrey glares at her. "It's ridiculous that you, and your brother want me to believe that Chloe is alive. You are just playing with my feelings."
"Adrien doesn't want to harm you. He was the first one convicted that Chloe died so much that he asked me to take her stuff out from the bedroom." Ruby said gently.
Audrey was shocked. "What?! Are they in his way?"
Ruby shook her head. "Of course not Mrs. Audrey it's just that every time he sees the stuff of Chloe's, he feels sad feels bad it hurts him."
"Prison seems too much." Adrien said gently. "Even though she commits errors Mari is a kind girl."
"Don't lie to yourself Adrien that girl is a delinquent, and she'll be a bigger one if we let her continue in the path she is in. She is surrounded by negative people and well push her down deeper each time. She is on the street walking to her total destruction." Tom said sternly.
"For the same reason, I consider that she should be helped." Adrien said gently.
Tom raised an eyebrow. "But how? She is rebellious, no one can control her. She doesn't study nor have a real job. She has no one to guide her-"
"Well she lives with that man who took her in." Adrien interrupted him.
"You saw how the man is. He's uncultured. Even with a kind heart he can't do much for that girl." Tom replied.
Adrien sighed. "But to send her to jail is worst Judge. With all respect, I don't think it's the right decision."
"Then someone needs to become responsible of her, so she won't continue in that destructive path. Tom concluded. "Is it possible that you can take care of that delinquent?"
Adrien thinks it over before walking back to the cell Mari was in seeing him Mari runs to the bars. "So can I leave?"
Adrien sighs and looks at her sadly. "No Mari."
"Why not? You told me to stay calm. To trust you." Mari looked at him sadly.
"Yes but...there are problems." He looked at her sighing.
Mari held his hand who was holding a bar. "You'll let them arrest me right? Help me, you promise that you would help me."
He looks down. "Yes but-"
"It's time to decide Agreste." Judge Dupain walked behind him. "I already gave you my point of view, I need you to agree with me."
"So will I be sent to jail?" Mari asked softly. "Don't leave me in suspense."
"So Dr. Agreste what do you decide?" Tom raised an eyebrow.
"If there's no other option Judge, I accept the responsibility." Adrien looked at Judge Dupain with determination in his eyes before looking st Mari with a smile. "I'll take care of Mari."
The group cheered after hearing that Mari would be freed. Adrien watched them for a moment before speaking again. "But there are conditions to be able to free her."
Fu frowned. "I knew it was too good to be true."
Father Carlos looked at Adrien. "What are the conditions?"
He looked at the group. "Mari can only be free by Judge Dupain if someone has responsibility for her, and she won't go to prison, which would happen if no one becomes her guardian." Everyone in the group started to volunteer themselves for responsibility of Mari but Adrien shook his head. "Sadly, none of you are eligible." Everyone looked at him shocked and confused. "Until now, you guys couldn't handle her."
"So she will go to prison?" Fu asked worriedly.
Adrien shook his head with a smile. "Not exactly from this moment on I will be responsible of Mari."
Everyone was surprised just then Judge Dupain comes over and handed Adrien a form. "Here is the order of release signed Dr. Agreste the young lady is now free. Hopefully, you don't regret your decision."
Everyone, including Adrien smiled at the news. Nino, however, wasn't happy about the conditions.
Mari was facing the wall upset when she heard a noise she turned around and was surprised to see the cell door open and the psychiatrist standing there with a smile. "You are now free Mari." Mari smiled brightly in relief. "But you won't return to your neighborhood." Mari looked at him confused. "You'll come with me now." Mari was still confused, but as long as she was getting out she didn't really care she just smiled brightly at him, and he returned the smile.
After a while, in his car Mari noticed that they were arriving at his house. "What are we doing here isn't this your house?"
He nodded. "Now it's your house too Mari."
He parks the car, and they got out. He opened the front door for her, and they walked inside the house. "You're saying that I'm going to stay here?"
"Yes Mari you are going to stay in my house." He smiled at her gently.
"Is it like if I got adopted by you?" Mari asked softly.
Adrien chuckled. "Something like that I'll take care of your well being for now."
Mari rubbed the back of her neck. "You sacrificed yourself, so I wouldn't be put in prison right?"
"You could say that." He said gently.
She smiled and buried her face in his chest her way of a hug since she doesn't really like touching man, but she felt that she could trust him. Adrien softly wraps his arms around her in a hug.
"I care for you psychiatrist." She breaks the hug to look at him. "If you help me change I'll be grateful to you for the rest of my life. I promise."
She smiled at him and leaned up kissing his cheek. Adrien blinked surprised at the action and he felt a weird feeling inside of him. When he recovered he led Mari to the main hall, and he saw Nstalie walk up the stairs. "Good evening Natalie."
Natalie stopped halfway the stairs and turned to face him. "Good evening sir."
Mari smiled at Natalie. "What's up."
Natalie smiled at her. "How are you Mari?"
"Well if I told you Natalie you would cry." Mari replied playfully.
"Natalie we need to prepare a room for the Miss." He told Natalie while looking at Mari. "She will sleep with us in the house."
"In the service section sir?" Natalie asked curiously.
Adrien shook his head. "No a guest room."
"Fu I don't like the decision they made based on Mari." Nino and Fu were eating dinner from a food stand.
Fu looked at him confused. "Why don't you like it?"
Nino looked at Fu. "You seem calm how can you be like that without Mari?"
"Son we should be dancing of how Mari got free from the delicate situation she was in. If it was for the Judge, she would be in prison by now. Luckily, the psychiatrist defended her." Fu said calmly.
Nino frowns. "But that's wrong."
"You need to understand son if they take Mari to prison even for a small amount of time she'll die there." Fu takes a bite of his food.
"But that man took her to his house." Nino said defensively.
Fu raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"
Nino crosses his arms. "Who knows him? We don't know how he is what habits he has."
"From what I know he is a decent and cultured man." Fu replied calmly. "Even father Carlos seems okay with it."
Nino shook his head. "He's a man and I don't see any trust in him."
"Well Mari follow Natalie, so she can show you where you'll sleep." Adrien gently pushes Mari forward.
Mari turned to face him and puts her hands behind her back with a smile. "Actually, I am starving. When I was about to eat the police came and took me away."
Adrien looked at Natalie. "Natalie take her to the kitchen first and give her something for dinner."
Natalie nodded. "Yes sir."
"And find her clothes to sleep since she didn't bring anything with her." Adrien added looking at Mari.
"There's no need when it's cold I just sleep with the clothes I am wearing, and if it's hot I sleep just like how God brought me to the world." Mari smiled brightly at him.
Adrien chuckled. "Yes but you still need to...change your bad habits here ok?"
Mari nodded and gave him a salute as if she was in the military. "Yes sir well until tomorrow sleep well and dream with the angels and thank you for saving me." She smiled softly.
"Until tomorrow." He whispered and wasn't sure if she even heard him. Mari walked to the kitchen following Natalie and Adrien just stood there with the brightest smile he hadn't had in years.
"Good thing you arrived love." Sabine smiled as Tom walked into their room.
"I'm sorry for the delay and Lila?" Tom asked walking up to her.
"She was waiting for you for a long while, but she was exhausted with the excitement and went to sleep." Sabine replied kissing his cheek. "And Isabella went to her apartment to get some things." She saw how tired he was. "Sit down dear." She has her hands on his shoulders as he sits down on the bed. "What was the problem in the delegation?"
He sighs. "It had to do with it young lady who...casually it was the same girl who threw rocks at our windows."
"Really?" Sabine sat down next to him with a sad look. "Tom you accused her?"
Tom shook his head. "No they arrested her for another crime. She stole I don't remember how many bottles of milk from her neighbors."
Sabine became more upset. "Poor thing she must have been hungry."
"She claims she did it to give them to some orphans from an orphanage. Either way it doesn't stop being a crime." Tom said emotionless.
Sabine stood up and started pacing back and forward before stopping and looks at him. "And they arrested her for that?"
He looks at her. "No Sabine they won't arrest her for that. That delinquent saved herself because another generous heart like yours protected her. Do you know who? Adrien Agreste."
Mari was eating her dinner, and she had to admit that even though it wasn't the food Fu made it was still pretty good.
As she ate Natalie walked over to her holding a nightgown. "Here Mari. It belongs to a niece of Mrs. Audrey. She left it the last time she came to visit, but you can wear it. Don't ever not wear it if Mr. Adrien finds out he'll get mad."
Mari shook her head. "No I will make sure that he doesn't get mad for anything."
"Hay Mari why did the master bring you to the house?" Natalie asked curiously.
"Oh he'll help me. Since I get into a lot of trouble, he said that he would be my correcter. He would correct me or something like that." She shrugged.
"And when will you leave?" Natalie asked.
Mari looked at her. "From what he told me I would live here from this moment onwards."
The next-day Mari slowly woke up and looked at her surroundings realizing that she wasn't in her bed, she quickly sat up looking around shocked. "Where am I?!" It took a while for her to remember everything that happened the day before, and she took a breath in relief. "Oh I thought it was all a dream." She smiled softly.
"I pleased your brother. Last night, I finished taking out all of my daughter's stuff from his room he seemed like her stuff bothered him a lot." Audrey spoke as she walked into Ruby's room.
Ruby stood up and put her hands in front of her. "Understand for Adrien it is very hard to live with Chloe's personal stuff." Ruby sat down again on her bed.
Audrey sat down next to her. "Because it makes him remember her, and the memeries of my daughter bothers his conscience."
Ruby shock her head. "There's no reason for that. Chloe's death was a tragedy-"
Audrey stood up again. "Maybe we shouldn't insist on that." She walked forward before turning to face Ruby.
Ruby sighs standing up. "You're very unfair thinking those things about my brother. It's outrageous for you to think Adrien is capable of such a thing."
Audrey puts her hands on her hips. "Don't defend him so much. There is no way to proof what happened to my daughter. She can't defend herself anymore, but Adrien will take advantage of being a widow to keep on having some fun."
Ruby stares at her. "My brother doesn't have fun. The only thing Adrien does is work."
"During the night?" Audrey asked sarcastically.
Ruby nodded. "Por night poor day 24/7. It's not the first time Adrien leaves for an emergency. I can assure you Adrien doesn't have fun the way you are imagining."
"Maybe I am a bad thinker Ruby, but I bet on anything that before a bird sings Adrien will try to bring a woman in this house to replace my poor daughter." Audrey croses her arms.
Ruby shook her head as she grabbed her schoolbooks and walked out of her room Audrey followed her. "You shouldn't be talking or thinking like that about my brother because you have no right to." Ruby turned to face her.
"I know what I'm saying Ruby." Audrey said harshly.
"If you say so." Ruby walked away.
Audrey shook her and was about to walk away when the door of the room in front of her opened and a strange woman wearing a white grown walked out. Audrey screamed in shock, and the woman looked at her confused. "Gezz where's the dead guy?"
Adrien was in the library looked through Maya's homework. "Was the homework hard sweetie?" He looks at her.
Maya nodded. "So much daddy I was waiting for you to help me, but I was tired and went to sleep." She said softly.
Adrien put her homework back in her backpack. "Sorry dear I came home late last night."
She looked at him blankly. "You were having fun right?"
Adrien looked at her shocked. "Who told you that?"
"No one I just know. You were having fun last night." She said softly.
Audrey looked at the woman. "You...you are-"
Mari walked closer with a soft smile. "Mari."
Audrey remembers her now. "Of course the daughter or whatever you are to the tea seller but what are you doing here and with those clothes?"
Mari smiles brightly. "So you know I was here since last night, and the clothes are because since I didn't bring any clothes to change into Natalie let me borrow these clothes that belong to a niece of yours."
Audrey shook her head. "I don't understand."
"The crazy cue doctor brought me. He took the job of correcting me and for him to be able to do that I have to live here in this house." Mari said confident.
Adrien sits on his chair as Mays sits on the desk. "Dear that's not true daddy wasn't having fun. I was helping a person that was struggling."
"Who?" Maya asked emotionless.
Adrien looked at her. "A young lady-"
"What's her name?" Mari interrupted him.
Adrien chuckled. "Mari."
Maya laughed. "That's a funny name."
Adrien smiled. "Well when you meet her, you'll see that she's a fun and nice girl."
"When well you take me to meet her?" Maya excitedly asked.
"Whenever you want she is living with us." Adrien said gently, and Maya blinked in surprise.
"What stupid thing are you saying?" Audrey asked irritated.
"That the crazy cue doctor the master of this house brought me here." Mari said slower so the women would understand.
"But why?!" Audrey couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Mari shrugged. "Because some neighbors in my neighborhood accused me of being a thief, and the grumpy man had his head in a hole wanting to put me in prison."
"Where do you say his head was in?" Audrey couldn't believe this girl.
"In a hole you must be a bit aged not understanding the youth of today." Mari said shaking her head with a smile.
"Have more respect street rat and give me the favor to immediately leave this house." Audrey said pointing out the door angrily. "I told you to leave!"
Mari blinked at her. "How would I leave didn't you hear me? I'm going to live in this house from this day forwards."
Audrey shook her head. "You are insane!"
"The one that is insane based on what you are saying is the crazy cue doctor for bringing me here, so now I'm going to stay here because he told me so." Mari replied back calmly.
"Stop it already. I can imagine what's happening behind the scenes in all of this. Adrien will give me an explanation!" Audrey storms of angerly and Mari blinks watching her leave.
Adrien was standing up as he organized some paperwork in his briefcase. As Maya was spinning his chair. "Why is she here daddy?"
He looks over at her. "Because she needs someone to take care of her."
"So she's a child!" Maya said excitedly.
Adrien chuckled. "No she's not a child, but she's like one."
Maya looks at him frowning. "She doesn't have a house or family?"
Adrien smiled gently. "That's a long story to tell sweetie. The important thing is that she'll stay with us for a while."
"Adrien!" Maya sits on his chair as he hears Audrey yelling his name, he turns to see her storming in. "Can you explain to me what that street rat is doing in this house?!" Adrien looked at her with a confused and stern look.
"What a great idea Aunt Isabella had." Lila smiled looking at herself in the mirror. "She went over the wall." Lila smirked. "We'll have a great life. We will take whatever we want from these idiots." Lila fakes a sad smile. "My poor suffering parents." She smiled grabbing her purse and walked out of her room.
Maya span in Adrien's chair as Audrey yelled at him. "I just bumped into her in the hallway in terrible clothes! And the worst part is that she says that she'll live here. What kind of joke is this?"
Adrien sighed. "It's not a joke Audrey it's reality."
"What are you saying?" Audrey blinked at him.
"She is a troubled young lady, and I took responsibility of her understand?" He asked calmly.
"No I don't understand anything!" Maya looked at them confused. " That street rat can't stay here under any excess!" She starts to walk away.
Adrien took a deep breath. "Look Audrey!-"
She turned around and walked back. "No I don't want her here any minute longer! You need to order that rat to leave immediately!"
Tom was eating breakfast in the garden as Lila, Sabine and Isabella walked up to him. "Good morning dad." Lila said with a smile. "We're leaving now."
Tom looked at his watch. "So early? It's only 8 in the morning."
Sabine smiled walking up to him. "We want to take advantage of time we have to buy so many things."
"Everything our daughter needs buy for it Sabine." Tom said with a smile.
Lila smiled softly. "I don't need that much plus we have a whole life ahead of us."
"Don't listen to her." Isabella said softly. "The poor thing needs so many things she spent her whole life with borrow ons and limitations."
Sabine looks over at Tom. "See you at noon?"
Tom thinks about it. "Probably in the evening I have a lot to do today."
"Than until this evening dad." Lila goes over to him and hugs him.
"Sabine don't limit the costs buy her everything she wants." Tom said smiling.
Lila smiled back. "Thanks dad." With that all three women walk away.
Adrien tries to stay calm, especially with Maya in there. "Let's deal with the situations in order first I wanted to thank you for taking Chloe's stuff out of the room-"
"No don't change the subject that's not important right now." Audrey glared at him.
Adrien nodded. "Okay then let me explain to you, and I hope you can understand me."
"Now? Now you're going to explain to me? You didn't count on me when bringing that vague woman in this house." She glares at him even more.
"The problem with that young woman occurred very late last night. That's why I planned to tell you this morning." He said calmly.
"Yea the decision was already taken." She uses air quotes and turns around her back facing him. "My daughter Chloe is dead, but I still represent her and my duty is to keep the moral and respect of this house that once was hers."
"Audrey you are misinterpreting things. I don't consider that young lady as a love interest." Adrien said more to himself than to Audrey. Audrey faced him again. "It's only a case I need to do."
"Such a case." Audrey said sarcastically. "A streat rat that is bold bad mouthed and to top it off a thief."
Adrien whispered hissing. "Audrey please-"
"What kind of example is this for the child? Don't you realize the harm of having that uncultured woman in the house is for Maya?" Audrey asked interrupting him.
Adrien was losing his patience. "I'll help anyone who needs it. You who goes to church frequently should know that-"
"Don't tell me you brought her for community service." Audrey spoke irritated.
"I brought her to save her from a cruel destiny." Adrien spoke harshly.
"And you didn't think of your daughter? What kind of father our you!?" No Adrien I handled a lot of things, but I can't permit this! And since you caused this problem you need to fix it!" Audrey walks away.
Adrien turns around to see Maya blankly looking at him. "Come here sweetie." Maya got off from his chair and walked over to him as he bent on one knee to be eye level with her and held one of her hands. "Go with Natalie in front of the house since the school bus should be arriving soon."
"Alright daddy." She starts to leave, but he stops her.
"And my good-bye kiss?" She smiles and kisses his cheek. "I love you sweetheart."
"Me too." She replied with a smile before walking away.
"Take care and behave." He told her before she left the door.
Mari was sitting on her bed when she heard a knock on the door. She looked up and saw Natalie walk into the room with the clothes she had yesterday. "Good morning Mari."
Mari smiled. "Good morning Natalie."
Natalie walked by her side. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes I can't imagine anyone not sleeping well in this bed." Mari replied playfully.
"Here are your clothes clean and iron." Natalie hands her the clothes.
Mari grabs it. "Wow they feel brand new like when I got them in the market."
Natalie smiled gently. "Will you eat breakfast Mari?"
"Yes." Mari thinks for a while. "Come sit next to me Natalie." She pats the spot next to her. Natalie sits next to her. "The older woman is a bit crazy am I right?"
"Why do you think that?" Natalie asked calmly.
"I bumped into her outside, she was furious she's crazy." She shakes her head.
Natalie nodded. "I can imagine you will have a lot of problems with her in this house. Actually, I doubt that Mrs. Audrey will let you stay in this house." Natalie stood up. "I need to go since I need to put someone in their transportation for school." Natalie walks out of the room as Mari processes what she said.
Adrien was walking the hallway when his phone rang. He picked it up. "Hello?"
"Good morning Agreste." Tom said from outside his car.
Adrien continued to walk. "How are you Judge Dupain?"
"That's what I wonder about you. How is it going with that girl in your house?" Tom asked curiously.
Adrien sighed. "Well since she went to sleep last night, I haven't seen her, which means she hasn't acted badly, but I am having problems."
"I warned you." Tom gets in his car.
"No it's not with her. It's with the family. There are does that can't accept her staying here." Adrien stops walking.
Tom's driver closes the door for him. "What do you think about meeting later today for coffee, so we can talk. I want to give you a family surprise."
Adrien smiled. "It would be my pleasure Judge Dupain. Tell me what time you what to meet and where."
"It's still so early and look at how much stuff you brought me." Sabine Isabella and Lila were walking through the mall holding bags full of stuff.
Sabine smiled. "We're barely getting started."
Isabella spots a dress in the window of a store, and she grasps going closer to the store. "This dress is divine! It's exactly the style I like." Isabella said starstucked as she faced them but then frowned. "But in a store like this, it must cost a fortune."
Lila smiled. "You would love to have it right Aunt Isabella?"
Isabella nodded with a big smile. Sabine smiled brightly. "Well if you love it that much let's go buy it."
Isabella squealed but then frowned. "No Sabine with how much you already spent for Lila. It's a lot for today."
Sabine shook her head. "Stop saying silly things let's go buy it." Sabine walks into the store as Lila and Isabella squealed to themselves.
Mari put her fork down, she didn't have an appetite anymore after remembering what Natalie told her. She sighs and stood up and started pacing back and forth. She didn't want to be a burden for the psychiatrist after all he has done for her. Just then she sees him walking in the dining room. "Good morning." She noticed the slight frown on his face. "The crazy woman probably already talked to you right? I swear to you that I didn't do anything to her. I bumped into her upstairs, and she was the one to insult me. She got so mad when I told her I was going to live in this house." She sighs.
Adrien smiled at her. "I already know that Mari."
She looks at him shyly. "So are you going to tell me to leave? Are you going to tell me to go back to where I came from?"
Looking at her sad eyes staring at him left him speechless unable to speak for a long while, but he soon recovers. "Don't worry Mari you will stay here but please try not to bump into her, especially when I'm not in the house."
Mari nodded. "If it was for me, I wouldn't want to bump into her again. I will behave, I promise you that you won't regret bringing me here. I can help you clean and do chores do whatever you ask me to."
Adrien chuckled. "No, nothing of that you won't be a servant here."
Mari looked at him confused. "Then what?"
"A member of the family." His smile never faded.
Mari smiled brightly. "A member of the family? Unbelievable I always wanted to be part of a family."
Adrien was starstuck looking at her bright smile, and he smiled as brightly.
Later that day Adrien goes to Judge Dupain's house, and the butler Plagg opens the door for him. "Please come in Judge Dupain is waiting in the living room."
"Thank you." Adrien walks into the living room.
"How punctual Adrien." Judge Dupain extends his hand to shake.
"That's a habit of mine Judge. Adrien shakes his hand.
Tom chuckled. "Do you want to go to the garden to talk or do we stay here?"
Adrien shrugged. "Whichever you prefer."
"Than here Plagg, please serve us coffee." He looks over at Plagg.
Plagg nodded and walked away just as Tom saw the one person he was planning to surprise Adrien with. "Here comes the family surprise I told you about." Adrien turned around to see a young woman with brown hair smiling at him. "Dr. Agreste I present you to my daughter Lila." Lila extended her hand to him expecting him to kiss the back of it, but he just held it looking at her surprised. "Sweetheart this is Dr. Adrien Agreste."
"Hello?" She said softly with a bright smile.
"Nice to meet you." Adrien replied back.
Mari had her feet in the water of the pool when she saw a small girl in a school uniform walking up to her. "Hay are you the daughter of the cra- I mean of Dr. Agreste?"
The girl smiled. "Yes are you Mari?"
Mari smiled brightly at her. "Yup."
The girl giggled. "What a funny name. Who gave it to you your mom or dad?"
Mari frowned at that question.
Plagg put the coffee on the coffee table, and Adrien thanked him. Lila just stared at him fondly. Even when Tom called her name, and she replied with. 'Yes dad?' She never moved her eyes away from him.
"Tell your mom that Adrien Agreste arrived." Lila finally looked away to Tom and nodded standing up and walked away. "What do you think of my daughter?"
Adrien picked his coffee cup up. "She's pretty but I thought you told me that you didn't have children."
"I did tell you that, but Fortunately I was wrong." Adrien looked at him confused. "I confused you even more right?"
Adrien chuckled. "Yes you did."
Tom smiled. "It's a long and comforting story that I'll tell you."
"You won't tell me who gave you your name?" Maya sits on her knees.
Mari looked at her with a gentle smile. "Wouldn't a priest have done it?"
"A priest gave me the name Mayaposa since priests are the one who baptizes. My mom choosed the name, but dad didn't like it that's why they call me Maya." Maya said with a big smile, and Mari returned it. "So who gave you your name? Your mom or dad?"
Mari sighs. "The thing is I don't have a dad or mom."
Maya frowns. "Are they in heaven? My mom went to heaven and my grandmother Emilie, but you did meet your parents right?" Mari shook her head no. "Weird so are you going to work here?"
Mari shook her head again. "No your dad said I would be part of the family. What do you think about that?"
Maya smiled. "My grandmother Audrey doesn't like you."
Mari smiled. "Oh really? Well guess what I'm staying here even if that crazy lady doesn't want me to."
Maya giggled then they heard Audrey yelling Maya's name, and they both turned to face her. Audrey walked over to her. "What are you doing here Maya?"
Maya stood up. "I came here to-"
"You have no business here in the pool." Audrey grabs her arm harshly. "Much less to talk with this one."
Mari glared at her. "Don't be cruel don't you see that she's younger than you?"
"You be quiet street rat." Audrey replied angerly. "I swear to you that you will regret coming here." Mays starts complaining in pain as Audrey drags her away. Once they were in the main hall Audrey lets her go. "Go to your room and start doing your homework, and I don't want to see you talking with that street rat again." She walks away, and Maya walked up the stairs giggling at what Mari said.
"What do you think about the story?" Tom asked looking at Adrien.
"Fantastic." Was all Adrien could say hearing the story.
Tom nodded "I didn't know anything Sabine hid it from me in fear of me leaving her again. If it wasn't for that friend who appeared who knows when I would have known the truth and never have recovered our daughter."
Adrien smiled. "I can imagine how happy you must be."
Tom smiled. "Yes, we both are. The truth is we were always wanting a daughter."
Adrien nodded. "And she is pretty just like your wife."
Tom looked at him. "Your wife was pretty too."
Adrien frowns. "Yea Chloe was pretty."
Mari leans on a railing outside waiting for the psychiatrist while thinking. 'he isn't here yet the crazy cue doctor isn't here yet. I shouldn't have to deal with anyone's insults.' She thinks about earlier when that crazy woman yelled at her. 'What if I escaped? If I return to my house?' Mari thinks about her past life, but then she remembered last night when she kissed the psychiatrist cheek and for some reason, she feels herself getting hot.
