Alya roared as she stormed through the door of her apartment. She slammed the door shut with a bang, and shoved her bag to the ground. She had missed another Ladybug sighting. And this time, Ladybug had wings! Real, Honest to God wings! She should have been the first person on the scene with her camcorder and phone ready to go. She should be out on the streets right now, looking for her. Instead, she had been in the printer's office, picking out a font for her wedding invitations. And for as much energy as she normally had, she was nowhere near enough energy to chase Ladybug right now. No matter how furious she was. Getting married was turning out to be much more of a hassle then she'd bargained for. When Nino had asked her to marry him, she had only thought of spending the rest of their lives together, not about what to eat at their wedding dinner. She didn't even want a big ceremony, but her parents had insisted.
They had insisted that she buy whatever gown and whatever decorations and invitations she wanted. They had insisted that she have any cake she liked, and that she and Nino have everything they'd ever wanted and more. Alya had a sneaking suspicion that this was because they had thought she might never get married. Yet, she'd met Nino in school, and they'd become fast friends, and after Adrien left and Marinette moved far away, they'd gotten closer until they couldn't stand to be apart. So, they decided to get married.
And for what!? To miss all of the big moments of Ladybug's return? She and Nino could walk down to the City Court and file for a marriage license today if they wanted, and be married without any more to do than that. But no, she had to sacrifice her passion for reporting about the strange things of France for wedding invitations. She could scream.
She threw her hood down and kicked off her shoes violently. They bounced across the floor and hit the back of her couch. She growled. She stormed to her computer and logged in, and her browser and feed sprang up, showing the hits to her site and alerts about Ladybug. She groaned, she had missed another chance to get back on top of her Ladybug game. She quickly started researching the latest akuma attacks, and combed the internet for any footage of Ladybug she could find.
And there it was. Footage, poorly shot, probably by an ametuer, of Ladybug outside of the Dupain-Cheng bakery, with large silvery wings. She looked like she hadn't used them before, since she kept running into things. Like the sides of buildings and the ground. Alya slammed her head onto the desk. She needed to know! What did this mean for Ladybug? Could they expect to see more new powers and upgrades to the old Ladybug? Her costume was already different, as was her hair. And now she had wings!? Alya felt the ache settle in, the hole in her soul where information should be. She desperately needed to meet with Ladybug again. Face to face, like she had once before. She needed to get back on her game.
She leaned on her arm and looked at the computer screen. She would have to settle on watching other people's videos for now. She pulled up YouTube, and started her search. She didn't have energy to lie in wait. But, she could research. She would need to figure out the best place to catch Ladybug.
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Adrien frowned down at the flyer. It was bright yellow with dark black lettering, and it called to him. He had read every pamphlet that the recruiters had given him. Twice. He had seriously considered the outcome of his life if he decided to follow this path. His income and the level of commitment it would take. Antoni had told him that they only did recruitment twice a year, since the training class was almost a year long. The recruits could then have time to get ready for the next training round. It was a stroke of bad luck that he had come to the fair on the day that they were doing an emergency, last minute sweep of the possible applicants in hopes of getting more trainees. They'd found him. Fresh off the stage and looking for work. The next training class started on Monday. He could be career-bound by Monday. He folded the papers in half hastily and shoved them into his pocket. He put his head in his hands. Half an hour of letting his thoughts spin hadn't done him any good. Not to mention that his Lady was out there by herself somewhere.
"What am I going to do?" he mumbled.
The bench squeaked next to him, "Well, first you have to decide what you want. Do you want to live forever in the shadow of your father? Or do you want to make a name for yourself?"
Adrien's head popped up to see Antoni sitting next to him on the bench. Antoni had certainly startled him. Adrien put his hand over his heart.
Adrien stuttered, "H-how did you know-?"
Antoni laughed, "Your last name is Agreste. My girlfriend wears strictly clothing from Agreste designs only. And you are handsome. At least, more handsome than most officer applicants. I have been watching girls swoon over you and point as they walk by. It's kind of distracting, actually. Did you know that they do that? Does it bother you?"
Antoni continued without letting him answer, "Also, I did you the honor of running a background check on you, just in case you decided you wanted to be in the training class. You're welcome. You passed by the way. Gold Star. But it showed your history of international employment. Putting the puzzle together wasn't that hard."
Adrien sighed, "What if I'm not cut out to be an officer?"
"Serving people is never the wrong choice. And I think you'd be good for it." Antoni smiled, "And I'm not just saying that because I'm in a bet with Rodgers over if you will join the force or not. Working as an officer is hard work. There's a lot of days with no rewards and days stuck doing paperwork. It's not at all like what you see on cop shows. But, when there are rewards, they make everything worth it."
"I've never watched any cop shows." Adrien smirked, "So I wouldn't hold it against you if it was." He left out the fact that he watched too many cartoons to leave room for cop shows.
Antoni laughed, "So you have a sense of humor after all!"
Adrien smiled, "On occasion."
Antoni sighed and clapped his hand on Adrien's shoulder, "I just came to cheer you up. You've had a rough go of it, ya know, according to social media and google search. And all bets aside, I think you just need to make a choice and be happy with it. You seem kinder than you look, and dedicated. And if your life with your dad says anything about you, it's that you're loyal, my friend." Antoni stood up from the bench, "Rodgers and I will be here until five. That gives you five more hours to think about it. And I'll keep the model thing between us." He winked and walked away.
Adrien watched him walk away. Kind? Dedicated? Loyal? Were those really things that described him? Antoni had admitted to being in a bet with Rodgers over his choice. Adrien figured he had only said that to motivate him. Still, it did seem a bit charmed that he'd encountered them when he needed a job and a reason to exist besides fixing his dumpy apartment. And why couldn't he be an officer?
He was fast, strong, and physically capable. He was smart, a quick learner, and willing to do what it took to get a job done. He was Chat Noir, for heaven's sake. Agile, flexible, and a hero. He had saved people before. He had answered the call of duty before, and he had given up everything to be Chat Noir. His lifestyle. His fame. His father. He craved the satisfaction of his service to Paris. If he joined the police force, he could do all of that but as Adrien, not just as Chat Noir. He fished the yellow flyer from his pocket to look at the bold black lettering once again.
"Look out!" A voice yelled, and a blur of red streaked past him. He blinked, and watched as his dear Ladybug hit the ground hard, and rolled for a few meters before she stopped.
Adrien jumped up, "Ladybug!" He moved to rush to her side, but was too slow to get to her. The people had been watching her hurdle towards them while he had been frustrating himself. They beat him to her. He huffed.
He lost sight of her. He frowned, and watched as she jumped up over the crowd, and out over the park fence, her shining wings dragging behind her. She looked beat up, and a little mangled. But, Adrien could hear her earrings from here, beeping to tell her that she was almost done with being Ladybug for now. Even if he jumped up now and gave away the he was Chat Noir by leaping over the fence to chase her, she would be gone. She flung her yo-yo, and disappeared over the top of the next building. He sat back down.
It struck him and his heart hit his stomach. She had used her Lucky Charm. That was the only reason her transformation would end. Wherever she had been, she could have needed him and he was here thinking about whether or not he should be a police officer. He frowned. She hadn't called him. She had just flown off, and saved the day all on her own. He was some kind of terrible partner if all he could do was just sit here while she flew all over France saving people. He sighed. He knew Ladybug better than that. He knew that if she'd needed him she would have called. Maybe her communicator was broken. Maybe she hadn't known she was going to be facing an akuma. Maybe she didn't know how to reach him anymore. Maybe she thought she was all alone, and even if she had needed him she didn't call because she didn't know if he would come. Adrien groaned. He couldn't think about Ladybug right now. He needed to make a choice.
He pulled out his phone. He flipped through his apps until he found the one he was looking for. YouTube. He typed in "Ladybug Paris Wings" in the search bar, and watched as the the internet slowly found what he was looking for. There was a long list of videos to flip through, but they all looked mildly promising. He tapped the first icon.
The video pulled up, and he saw Ladybug standing on a street next to a shattered window of a small bakery. There was a person inside, yelling about the broken window while Ladybug rushed away towards a fountain. Adrien raised an eyebrow. He recognized this street. It was the same street that the newest little branch of Agreste Designs was on, Square. Ladybug was at the Square Headquarters Building. She was flying at what he could only assume was an Akuma based on the bright and distracting colors of it's outfit. Ladybug was calling her Fashion Disaster. Adrien nodded. From what he could see, she was indeed a fashion disaster. Ladybug flew towards her and snatched a ring from her finger with an amount of ease that obviously surprised her. Ladybug stopped for a moment, looking at the ring, and to Fashion Disaster, who didn't really fight to get it back, and back to the ring. She crushed the ring in her hand, and the akumatazation wore off as it always did. The video ended. Adrien looked at the black screen.
Adrien pulled open his jacket and poked his finger into his pocket, hoping to gently wake Plagg. A sharp and tiny set of teeth imbedded themselves in his skin and he pulled his hand back quickly.
"Plagg!" He hissed.
Plagg made a sound somewhere between a meow and groan, and poked his head out of the pocket where he was hiding, "I was napping."
Adrien glared, "You are always napping, you lazy thing."
Plagg sighed, "Well I'm awake now, so what did you want?"
Adrien looked at the phone in his hand, and back to his pocket, "Would there ever be a reason for La Papillon to create an Akuma that was weak? Like easy to beat?"
"Well, sure." Plagg yawned, "He's probably testing his miraculous, to find the boundaries of its abilities. You don't make your sample snacks with your best cheese. You test it out first."
Adrien rolled his eyes. It was always about cheese. He sighed and pat Plagg's head softly, "Thanks."
Plagg purred gently under Adrien's touch, and Adrien smiled. He put his phone in his pocket, and folded his jacket closed. He looked at the crowd of people that had gathered to gossip about Ladybug and her newly discovered power. They were gathered around their phones and gesturing wildly with their hands, talking about what it could mean that she had wings. Adrien cared more about the distance that Ladybug had needed to travel to get to the Akuma. That was almost a two hour drive away, much further than they had ever found an Akuma before. He blinked, that must be why Ladybug had needed wings. To travel fast. She had returned quickly too.
He knit his eyebrows together. He was going to need to be on high alert, and get a message to Ladybug. He needed to talk to her. Soon. This was too much information for him to process on his own.
He stood up quickly, and the yellow flyer fell from his pocket. He looked down at the paper. If he could live a life as Chat Noir, he could be a police officer. He picked up the flyer and ran to the table. He needed to get this done as soon as possible. He took a deep breath. He could get his message to Ladybug after he filled out paperwork.
"Excuse me, Officer Antoni?" Adrien waved.
Antoni waved back, "Good to see you, kid!" He stood up and walked to the edge of the table, "Did you make a choice?"
Adrien smirked, "It looks like you won your bet."
Antoni smiled wide, and nodded slowly, "That's what I like to hear."
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Marinette collapsed into the chair inside the bakery kitchen. She was exhausted. And not even from fighting the Akuma. That battle had been way too easy for her to think that nothing was up. She was already planning a time to sit and think it all out with Tikki. But for now she needed to close her eyes for a moment. Just a moment.
Ladybug had taken Alyssandra back to the Square office after setting everything right again. And Alyssandra couldn't keep her mouth shut. All the way back to the office she wouldn't stop praising her, and telling her how much she adored her, and how great she'd always thought Ladybug was. She had gushed that she had grown up too far away from Paris to ever see her in person, and was sad that she never got the chance to go to Paris to see her in action, and what a treasure it was for Ladybug to be in her city and blah blah blah.
Marinette sighed. It was becoming a common theme of her life. People that knew her in real life, often felt polar opposite things about her as Ladybug. Alya was the only person that loved her both ways. Even if she didn't know she did. Marinette smiled. She missed Alya. She sat up, and looked at the bakery. She had so much to get done. She could use an extra pair of hands. She brightened.
She pulled her phone from her pocket, and pressed the button that still speed dialed Alya before she could talk herself out of it. The phone rang twice before Alya answered.
"Cave of the lamest blogger ever, state your business."
Marinette smiled. It was good to hear Alya's voice, "Who spit in your tea, Alya? Surely having your dream job isn't that bad."
Alya huffed, "Says you! It's all over the internet, Nette. You quit your dream job. I am going to quit mine. I can't keep up anymore."
Marinette sighed, "You're right. I can't really judge you. But I didn't leave because I don't still love fashion. I left for," Marinette paused, "other reasons. You're still the best blogger I know, and I know a lot of bloggers."
Marinette heard Alya's mood brighten, "Is that a hidden answer I hear?"
"No." Marinette lied. She kicked herself she should know better than to entice Alya like that. She was going to get an earful. Alya wouldn't hear anything else until she got what she wanted out of Marinette.
"Don't you lie to me Dupain-Cheng. Where are you? My interrogation begins now."
Marinette sat up, struck by an idea, "I will tell you where I am, if you tell me why you have decided that you are the worst blogger ever."
Alya hummed, "You drive a hard bargain. But I agree." Alya sighed, "I was so busy with wedding plans this afternoon that I missed another Ladybug sighting. She has wings, Nette. And I missed it. If I hadn't been picking between silver and gold embossed cursive letters, I could have been on the streets doing what I love. But I wasn't. And now the world doesn't have a direct line to the best Ladybug blog, because I no longer have the best information."
Marinette rolled her eyes, and the lie rolled off her tongue like melted butter, "I didn't see Ladybug outside the bakery today. I've been here all day, making bread."
Alya gasped, "You're home!? And you didn't tell me!?" Alya huffed, "You had better be putting a fresh batch of those famous Dupain-Cheng chocolate chip cookies in the oven for me as an apology because I am coming over right now." Alya hung up.
Marinette laughed, and stood up from the chair.
She grabbed a bowl and threw a few things into it. Tikki appeared with worried eyes.
"Marinette, you are too tired to do this right now. You should rest." Tikki fidgeted.
Marinette raised an eyebrow to her tiny friend, "What did you think I was going to do, just sit in that chair for the rest of the day?" Marinette laughed lightly, "I still have a list of tasks I have to get finished before I'm done for the day, and now Alya is coming over. She'll be here in like ten minutes."
Tikki frowned, "But you have already worked so hard as Ladybug today, can't you take a little break?"
"Being Ladybug is all well and good, Tikki. But I still have to live my life. And you just watch. Seeing Alya again after so long will be good for my soul. She will rejuvenate me." Marinette smiled. She was getting more and more exciting about seeing her.
Tikki sighed, "Fine. But you had better save me some of those cookies."
Marinette smirked, "I was going to make you your own batch for helping me learn about my miraculous. But if you just want scraps…"
Tikki brightened, "No, Marinette! Don't make me eat cold cookies! I will wait. You give those to Alya."
Marinette laughed hard, "You got it, Tikki. For now, though, you should decide where you want to hide for the next few hours."
Tikki looked around, "I think I'll hang out on that shelf up there. It looks warm and cozy, and just because you won't rest doesn't mean I can't nap." She flew up to the shelf.
"Happy resting, Tikki." Marinette shook her head.
She gathered the rest of the ingredients and mixed the dough with ease. She rolled the dough into balls, and popped the large tray of cookies into the oven just as Alya burst through the door of the kitchen.
"There's my girl!" Alya beamed.
Marinette spun around, and squealed before running around the large island and slamming into Alya, "I'm so happy to see you!" she held Alya close, and soaked up the feeling of being smashed by her.
"Nette!" Alya laughed, "It's good to see you, too!"
Marinette pushed Alya back, and looked at her, "You got here so fast! Did you learn to teleport while I was gone?"
Alya laughed, "No silly," she held out her finger to show her a ring of keys, "I drove Nino's car."
Marinette kicked herself, of course she had a car, "Oh. That's right. Wait, why isn't he using his car?"
Alya shrugged, "Sometimes he likes to walk."
Marinette hummed, "Sounds like him."
Alya laughed, and let Marinette go. She sat down on a stool and looked at Marinette, "Are there cookies?"
Marinette raised an eyebrow, "Is this my bakery?"
Alya brightened, "There really is cookies? I haven't had Mari Cookies in so long." Alya looked at Marinette suddenly, "Do you wanna make a jabillion cookies for my wedding?"
Marinette smiled, "Of course I do."
Alya frowned, "No really. I don't want a cake no matter what my parents say. And neither does Nino. Please make me cookies."
Marinette leaned on the counter of the island, and looked at her best friend, "I will make you cookies."
Alya relaxed and leaned on the counter as well. Then looked up at Marinette with her blogger-reporter eyes, "Now, spill your secrets."
Marinette sighed, Alya would be getting what she came for. Cookies, a break from wedding plans, and all of the dirty details of Marinette's life. Well. Almost all of them.
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Adrien leaned on the edge of the treadmill, breathing heavy. He was feeling hot and sweaty, and desperate for something to drink. This was the end of the physical exam, the end of his preliminary testing to join the police force. His mind was tired, as was his body. But in a good way. Like, how he felt after a really good fencing match, or after a hard round of karate training. He reached up for the water bottle that they had given him and drank half of it in one go.
"Wow!" Antoni raised an eyebrow at Adrien as he marked some things on the clipboard where all of Adrien's results were being recorded, "That's one for the record books. I've never seen someone do so well at this test." Antoni put his pen behind his ear, "I mean, you're like a jungle cat. You seem so scrawny. Who knew you'd be able to run like that?"
Adrien smiled, "The test is meant to wear you out or stress you out. I have high endurance."
"I can see that." Antoni huffed, "You could probably outrun 90% of the men on the force, kid. I'm impressed."
Adrien poured the rest of the water from the bottle into his mouth. He tossed the empty plastic bottle into the nearest trash can, and leaned on his knees, "Thanks."
Antoni let out a long breath, "Well, that's all of the tests we have for you, and now we just have to submit your results to be reviewed. We'll let you know by Friday night if you made the cut. But, off the record, you can pretty much count on that we'll be expecting you front and center in the training class on Monday."
"I'll plan on it. And when you call me on Friday to tell me I've made it," He breathed heavy, "You have to tell me how much money Rodgers owes you."
Antoni laughed, and set the clipboard on the counter, "Your clothes are in that bag right there, and you're more than welcome to use the shower if you'd like. Just leave the clothes in the laundry bin, and I'll talk to you on Friday." Antoni waved, and left the room.
Adrien hopped down off the treadmill and snatched the bag from the counter. He made his way to what looked like a locker room, where Antoni had said the shower was. He quickly pulled his phone from the pocket of his jeans and dialed a number. He was done with testing, and now for his message to Ladybug. An older gentleman answered the phone.
"Hello? This is Nichols." his voice was cheery.
Adrien smiled, "Nichols, it's me. I need you to make it green, please."
There was a hearty laugh on the other end, "You haven't won her heart yet? A charming lad like you? I would have thought that she'd have come to her senses by now."
"I just feel lucky that you still run the show, or I might find myself in trouble." Adrien hummed, relieved to hear a the familiar voice of an accomplice.
"Always happy to help, and it's so good to have you back, Sir. Green it is."
"Thank you, Nichols. I'll see you later." Adrien smiled.
The phone cut off, and Adrien slipped the phone back into his pocket, and looked for the showers. He was ready to feel clean after running for almost fifteen minutes straight.
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Tom looked down at the paper. It was covered in fine lettering, and the professionalism was impressive. Yet, something didn't sit right with him. He couldn't put his finger on it. He read through the proposal again.
-"As a member of the Staff of Dupain-Cheng's Tom Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie, I have learned many invaluable skills from the owners, and other staff members. I would like to request to be hired on as a professional baker after my graduation from the Culinary Programme. I would be delighted to join the team as they continue to grow and make changes to the company. I hope that my skills as a Culinary Artist, and my service to the Dupain-Cheng Boulangerie will stand as testaments to my dedication and desire to remain with the bakery staff.
Thank you for your consideration, Hayley Gregon"-
Tom set the paper back down on his desk. Haley was a wonderful chef, and a talented baker. She was smart with the tools, and had an eye for perfection. However, as much as Tom had wanted to offer the girl a chance to shine, Sabine had been right. Haley did exactly as she was told. But she did no more than that. She did not take risks, or ask questions. She hadn't offered the bakery much of anything in the way of growth besides the manpower. Tom knew that she had grown as a baker and chef. With that in mind, he still didn't think that he wanted to add her to his staff full time. He and Sabine did very well by themselves, and now they had Marinette. Tom smiled broadly.
His own daughter had come back to his home, and of her own free will had asked to be taught all about the bakery. He would much rather have Marinette in his kitchen than Hayley, even if Hayley had better credentials. Marinette had the spark of creativity. She pushed the limits of what could be done, which was why she had made it to the top of the world of fashion by only the age of twenty-three. It was a risky move to give so much responsibility to Marinette, especially since she had just given up on Fashion for a reason he didn't even know. But if she was anything like him, then she needed to be busy. If she just sat around and focused on how much was going wrong, she would spiral out of control. If she was like him.
He nodded to himself, and stood up from the chair.
"Sabine?" He called.
"Yes, my love?" Sabine's light voice drifted from the next room.
Tom walked to the doorway, "I think we should let Hayley go at the end of her educational training. She has been a good employee, and learned what she could. But I think it would be better to bring up Marinette as the successor. Not a student."
Sabine turned around in her desk chair, "What if Marinette doesn't want the bakery? It was your dream, and it came true. But we can't ask her to take that on."
Tom sighed, "I know the risk. And if Marinette decides that she doesn't want to run the bakery with us, then I will open the position back up for students. But I want to give her a chance to find her place."
Sabine stood from her chair and took Tom's hand, "You are a good man, Tom Dupain."
Tom's eyes crinkled with a smile, "And you are the best woman." His smile faded, "I am going to have to tell Hayley the news. She only has a couple more weeks until she is graduated. I hope she won't be too upset."
Sabine squeezed his hand, "I know it's hard, but I trust you to make the right choice. If you believe that Marinette can do this, then I believe that she will rise to your expectations. And if she doesn't, I will be here to help you always."
Tom sighed, "Good. We are on the same page. I will write the formal response to Hayley. Then I will speak with her. Could you write her a good reference? She would be a good asset to any kitchen."
Sabine smiled, "I will do it."
Tom leaned down and kissed Sabine's hair, "Excellent. I'm going to run down and check on Marinette really quick. She's been watching the bakery for the past couple hours while I did some paperwork."
He turned away from her, and made his way down the stairs. There was a commotion going on in the kitchen of the bakery. He raised an eyebrow, and dashed through the door. On the other side was Marinette, covered in flour, and Alya, with her hair pulled back into a bun, and also covered in flour. Tom smiled.
"What's going on in here?" His voice boomed and the girls stopped to look at him.
Marinette beamed and turned to him, "Daddy!" She slapped her hands on her apron, making a small cloud of white dust around her, "Alya was helping me with the orders for the day. We're almost done. Sorry if we were too loud."
Alya laughed, "Yeah, and we may or may not have eaten a couple batches of cookies along the way."
Tom huffed, "A proper day of baking involves the eating of at least four batches of cookies. Marinette, I taught you better." he winked.
Marinette laughed, "I'm still learning. I'll get there."
Tom reached down and ruffled her hair, "I'm sure you will Mon Chou." He looked at the counter full of bread and rolls and buns, ready to be bought and sold, "I'm going to double check the orders, and give you marks."
Marinette paled, "Okay."
"Don't worry, Pops, Nette did everything just right. She's a Dupain-Cheng. She's got yeast and flour in her blood." Alya teased.
"That she does." Tom laughed, and picked up the clipboard with the day's demands listed on it. He checked it quickly, and walked out into the main lobby, where Hayley was watching the register and straightening the cafe tables. He needed to inventory the sweets for tomorrow, and get started on the dough for tomorrow. He cleared his throat and Hayley jumped.
"Mi-Mister Dupain. I didn't see you there." She smiled.
Tom smiled, "You didn't see me?"
Hayley raised an eyebrow, "For such a large man, you are light on your feet. What can I do for you?"
"I need you to be honest with me," He clicked his pen, "How are we doing?"
Hayley laughed, "We're doing very well, Sir. This is the first free moment I've had to straighten the tables all day. Marinette is doing well with cooking the dough you left for today, and we are almost out of our most popular items. So, we're good."
"Good." Tom nodded, and marked a few things on his clipboard, "Keep up the good work. I have a few other things to check up on, and then I'll come down and you can head home."
Hayley smiled, "Thanks. I'll get this cleaned up and straighten the displays."
Tom nodded, and turned back into the kitchen.
Marinette straightened, "So? Am I fired?"
Tom looked at her with a serious look, "Marinette."
She smiled weakly, "Yes?"
"I'm going to keep you for today. You pass." He smiled.
Marinette visibly relaxed. Alya burst into laughter, "You're so predictable, Nette. You can't get fired from a family business. Especially if it's your own family."
Alya's phone beeped, and she looked down at it quickly, "Huh." She made a face, "That's odd. I wonder what the occasion is."
Marinette blinked, "Pardon?"
Alya turned her phone around to show a picture of Nino in front of the Eiffel Tower. It was glowing bright green. Marinette felt her heart skip.
"Maybe the guy that runs the lights got bored of white lights." Marinette laughed.
Alya snickered, "I know I would."
Marinette tried to stay calm. She knew exactly why it was green.
"Anyway," Alya sighed, "That means Nino is on his way home, and I should get going. We have a lot of things to talk about. Like what font we want on our name cards." She growled.
Marinette laughed, "I have to help with inventory in a few minutes anyway. Be safe on your way home, and don't be a stranger."
Alya stood up and took off her apron, "I'll be in contact. We need to find a way to get back at that asshole."
"Alya!" Marinette whined.
Alya laughed, "I love you, Nette. I'll see you later." She blew a kiss towards the blue haired girl.
Marinette sighed, "I love you too. Hug Nino for me."
"I will." Alya left out the back door.
Tom turned to Marinette, "You don't have to stay and help with inventory. You've done exceptionally well today. You've earned an early night off."
Marinette smiled, "Thanks, Papa. I actually am really tired, and could use an early night. If it's really okay, I think I'm going to head to bed early."
Tom put his large hand on her shoulder, "That sounds wonderful."
"Then I'm off." Marinette kissed her father's cheek and made sure Tikki had made it back to her pocket. She hung up her apron and darted up to her room. She closed the door quickly.
"Tikki, time to go." She smiled, "My scandalous Kitty-cat is calling for me."
"I saw the picture on Alya's phone." Tikki rolled her eyes, "Let's get going. Your handsome hero is waiting."
Marinette laughed, "Tikki, spots on. Chat Noir is waiting."