Marinette

"What do you mean honeymoon suites?" Adrien was staring at the hotel's manager of the extravagant Parisian hotel he booked their suites at in confusion.

"M Noir, my notes on your reservation say that you requested the two most luxurious suites for two available for the period. Those would be our honeymoon suites. With Christmas around the corner, everything else is taken."

"Why wasn't I informed about that when I was booking? As you can see, none of us are on our honeymoons."

"That shouldn't be an issue," the manager responded with a calm demeanour. "Honeymoon suites are just some of our better accommodations with additional services included, such as free meals at our restaurant, tickets to some of Paris' most famous landmarks such as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Versailles—"

"Excuse me, sir," Alya butted in, finally stopping holding back. "Are there pull-out couches in those suites?"

"Yes, of course." The man nodded. "Our hotel is always prepared for any way a newlyweds' night might go during their stay."

"Perfect." Alya smirked, turning to Adrien. "Marinette and I will take one room and you, boys, can have the other. I'm sure the bed is big enough to fit both of you comfortably, but if sharing is too much for your masculinity, take turns on a couch."

Adrien frowned. "Wait, I was—"

"Nuh-uh!" Alya wrapped her arm around Marinette's shoulder, pulling her to herself. "You aren't getting her in your room. I'm here to see Paris with my bestie, and I intend to do that."

"But—"

"Alya's right, dude," Nino added. "We've been through this already. If we let you two stay in the same room, you'll cuddle all day long for a week, and by then we'll have to go back."

Adrien pouted, glancing between Alya and Nino before shifting his hopeful kitten eyes towards Marinette. She wished she could support him. In her heart, she did: cuddling with Adrien was the highlight of her days. But Alya was right: they would absolutely never get out of that room, and Marinette wished to see Paris as well. That was the only reason she silently mouthed an apology, accompanied by the most sincerely regretful smile she could muster at the moment. A corner of Adrien's lips curled a bit; he sighed, turning to the hotel's manager, and asked for the keys.

"Right away, M Noir." With a million-dollar smile on his face, the manager finished their check-in and handed them four key cards. Ten minutes later, they were walking through two almost identical suites located beside each other, featuring big, round beds covered with rose petals, humongous pre-filled jacuzzis, chilled champagne in a cooler with a side of chocolate-dipped strawberries and personal butlers ready to cater to their every whim. This really was one of the best hotels in Paris.

"I'm so moving here once we graduate," Alya mumbled under her breath, watching the scenery outside the window. Turning back to everyone, she proclaimed, "We're taking this one, boys. Now, scram, because I'm planning on using that jacuzzi in about five minutes."

Nino gulped, the tips of his ears reddening as he murmured his goodbyes and sprinted out of the room with his bag in tow. Adrien headed towards Marinette instead.

"Adrien, you coming?" Nino called from the hallway. "Cause I'm claiming the bed if you aren't."

"Just a sec," Adrien yelled back, his eyes never leaving Marinette. He reached for her hands, entwining their fingers together. "So, I might have booked a few hours at a spa for you and Alya this afternoon."

He did what?

"You've been so stressed during exams," Adrien continued. "Not to mention how little sleep you got last week, preparing for tonight. I thought you'd like a little pampering before the show."

"So that's what it was?" Alya chuckled from her spot by the window.

Adrien glanced her way with a slight frown. "Don't tell me you knew that too."

"I knew you had yet another surprise for Marinette but wasn't sure what exactly."

"So, you mean I'm getting better at keeping secrets from you?"

"You do learn."

Adrien proudly smirked, looking back at Marinette. "You have to be there at twelve. The cab will pick you up from downstairs and will bring you back here after. I chose what I thought you'd enjoy, but if you want to change anything, just let them know. Okay?"

"Adrien…" Marinette struggled to find the words because this man! This man somehow knew exactly what she needed, when she needed it, and never failed to deliver every single time. They had met just a few months ago, haven't been dating for that long yet, but it felt like he knew her better than she knew herself. "You didn't have to. Bringing us here was more than enough."

"I know." He leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her lips before allowing a smirk to tag at the corner of his. "But don't forget I'm trying to persuade you to move to Paris, so making your stay here as enjoyable as possible is not without a benefit for me."

"Ah, so this whole thing is to make me fall in love with Paris enough to ditch Dupont?"

"Maybe? But also, can't I just spoil the woman I love a little bit?"

How could she say no to those kitten eyes of his? "As long as it's a little."

Alya snorted, plopping on a bed. "I'm not sure your and Adrien 'Extra' Noir's definition of 'a little' matches, M. I'd prepare myself to be swept away if I were you."

Adrien's grin widened just in time for Nino to peek back into the room and call him again, "Adrien, you coming or not?"

"In a moment." Said man brought Marinette's hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss to her knuckles. "If you leave your dresses on a bed, I'll ask someone to prepare them for you before you get back."

Their dresses did need a little prep work to be ready for wear. "Thank you."

"Call me when you get back? We can grab a late lunch before the show."

"That'll be fantastic."

Adrien paused, his gaze soft and loving and locked on Marinette, his fingers gently drawing circles on the skin of her hand. "Are you sure we can't talk her"—he side-glanced at Alya—" into letting us stay together?"

"Don't even think about it, Sunshine." Alya stood up, crossing her arms over her chest. "Now, go, before I shove you out myself."

"Meanie," Adrien grumbled with a sad puppy look on his handsome face. Squeezing Marinette's hand one last time, he headed for the door, saluting Alya on the way.

Alya, being Alya, stuck her tongue at him and laughed as soon as he walked out of the room. "He's hopeless."

He really was. Marinette wasn't even sure why he loved her so much, but the depths of his feelings were all too evident to ignore. The way he looked at her when no one was watching; the way he'd hold her in his arms like she was his everything; the way he'd kiss her lips like it was the only thing keeping him alive. He loved her more than she deserved. Loved her enough to make her seriously consider moving to Paris… but that was a thought for another time, because the in-suite phone rang, and a concierge informed Alya that their cab had arrived and was waiting for them downstairs.

Marinette had visited spas before but nothing as extravagant as the one Adrien had booked for them. They were greeted at the entrance, shown a list of services provided and told that the personnel had been instructed to check what services Marinette and Alya wanted before starting. The list Adrien had put together looked just about perfect, so Marinette went with it, while Alya changed the type of facial she wanted. After that, they were shown to the changing rooms, and the outside world ceased to exist. Their cellphones off, Marinette had forgotten the last time she was so lost to anything but how much she'd needed something just like this for some time now. From whirlpool baths to body treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures, hot stone massages and light meals, there was only one worry at the back of Marinette's mind: how would she attend the show in a few hours if she could barely stand on her own two feet with how relaxed she felt at the moment?

Which proved to be a futile thing to worry about because, by the time the spa personnel were done with their haircuts and makeup, both girls had more energy than when they walked in. By the time they walked back into their room, their dresses were hanging in a closet, steamed and pressed and ready to be worn. And about two minutes after Marinette had texted Adrien, he was already knocking on her door, looking better than ever in his suit and with a fresh haircut.

"I see we weren't the only ones getting pampered," Marinette said, gliding her fingers over the edge of his suit's lapel. "This colour really suits you, M Noir."

"Thank you." Adrien smiled, laying his hand on top of hers and bringing it to his lips. "We only had a fresh shave and a haircut. Nothing special. You, on the other hand, look stunning."

"Nothing special looks really good on you." Marinette propped herself up on her tiptoes to kiss Adrien's cheek.

He wrapped his arms around the small of her back—

"And that's my cue to shove you two out of the suite." Alya rolled her eyes, coming to the door.

Nino chuckled, offering her his hand. "There are only two hours left before the show. I'd like to grab a bite, not be stuck here because some people can't keep their hands off each other."

"Speak for yourself." Adrien curled an eyebrow his best friend's way, motioning to Nino and Alya's entwined fingers. "I was not the one standing by the window and waiting for his girlfriend to return."

"Only because you were busy looking up potential properties for your girlfriend's bakery."

Adrien tensed, directing his attention to Marinette. "I was just looking at what's available right now, so we could maybe visit a few bakeries if you wanted. To better imagine your potential relocating here. I'm not buying anything."

Marinette chuckled, sliding her hand into the crook of Adrien's arm. "I don't mind visiting a bakery or two. But not tonight. Tonight, I want to focus on Chattel."

"Then we should go do that." His smile softening, he placed his hand on hers. "You got everything you need?"

Marinette nodded. Twenty minutes later, they dined in one of the fanciest restaurants Marinette had ever visited. However grand it was, though, and no matter how good the food tasted, it was still a far cry from the richness and glamour of the Chattel runway.

Everything was perfect. The lighting, the stage, the whole atmosphere. The outfits looked fantastic, shimmering and sparkling under the flashes and streams of lights, flowing with the beat of the music as models walked the catwalk. Marinette couldn't look away, barely breathing most of the time. They might have been seated in the second row, but the particular angle gave her one of the best views in the room: a vision straight out of Marinette's dreams if she'd had any. Even if her gown wasn't as fancy and expensive as all of the ladies' surrounding them, it was still her fairy tale Cinderella moment, her own ball, her moment in the spotlight, which not even the midnight strike of the clock could spoil. Marinette might turn back into a pumpkin once the show ended and she had gone back to Dupont, but the experience would stay with her forever. Not to mention, her Prince wasn't going anywhere either.

The end came sooner than she'd expected. The designer came on stage with all the models as the room roared with clapping and excited murmurs. A lady beside Marinette looked her up and down, turning away with an amused smile on her lips. Marinette nibbled on her lip, swallowing down a quiver in her stomach. She might have not been the most impressive woman in here, but she didn't look that bad.

"You're the most gorgeous creature in this room," Adrien whispered in her ear, leaning down to catch her hand in his. One soft kiss to her knuckles later, he asked. "Do you want to stay for the afterparty or should we escape?"

Had he asked her this question just this morning, Marinette wouldn't have hesitated to stay as long as possible. Now though… despite being completely swept up in the moment, she wasn't naïve enough not to realize just how out of place she was here. Fashion icons and celebrities: those were the people surrounding them. And whom Marinette didn't recognize looked to be wealthy enough to blend in with royalty. Adrien and Nino looked the part. Even Alya seemed to be right in her element. Her…

"Dude," Nino whispered to Adrien, looking at something off in the crowd. "Whatever you do, don't turn to look my way. Take Marinette and run."

"Why?"

"My mother is walking this way."

Whatever that meant, Adrien's eyes widened, his pupils narrowing. He grabbed Marinette's hand and nudged her to follow him, whispering: "I'm so sorry, but we have to go now. That is unless you want to spend the rest of this trip being fed non-stop by Nino's mother in a room full of his siblings and relatives while they inquire into the tiniest details of your childhood. Fair warning in case that does sound appealing: we will not have a single moment of privacy. Nor will we be able to go to any of the places we've planned to visit. Not to mention, no cuddling. For a week."

Marinette surpassed a snort at his depressing tone. "Sounds like someone had an experience."

"Only partially, but I've heard enough of Nino's stories to know what'll happen if we stay. We can come back to the afterparty later if you want?" Adrien murmured as they exited the room.

She didn't. Not anymore. She'd rather take a walk with Adrien around the city than awkwardly stare at the rich and famous at the afterparty, feeling like a fish out of water. "No, that's fine. It's been a long day. We should rest. Maybe take a stroll along the Seine on our way back to the hotel?"

He sent her a smile. Soft, like the luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets in their hotel suite. "Let's take a stroll, and then maybe we can watch a movie?" The corner of his lips mischievously curled up. "And with Alya most likely already in Nino's mother's clutches, I bet we can stay in one room and cuddle all we want? You look so beautiful tonight, I'm not sure I'll fall asleep unless it's with you in my arms."

The butterflies in her tummy fluttered, the corners of her lips curling in a smile. Adrien never failed to make her feel like she belonged. Even if in the midst of one of the most luxurious events Paris had to offer, someplace people like her usually wouldn't even be invited. "Maybe we could."

"Then we definitely will." He brushed his lips against the top of her hand and led her down the staircase to the foyer.

"Speaking of Alya… Maybe I should text her to let her know we're leaving?"

"Sure. You do that, and I'll go get our coats."

Adrien headed towards the coat pick-up line. Marinette turned her attention to her cell phone, quickly writing a message to Alya. By the time she was done, Adrien was already walking back toward her in that full handsome glory of his. She couldn't help a smile. How did she ever get so lucky to capture the attention of a man like Adrien? He was more than a handsome face; so much more than a gorgeous smile or silly puns. Adrien was not just perfect grades and impeccable behaviour. Not even an image of perfection in every aspect of his life. He was the kindest person she's ever met. Most loving too. He never lied, and he made her feel like a Queen of France, something a baker's daughter from the province shouldn't even imagine. He was her home. "Too good to be true" was definitely said about—

"Adrien?"

Marinette looked to the side to see who was calling her boyfriend's name… Her heart stumbled, breath stilling in her chest at the sight of a gorgeous woman approaching him. Not simply gorgeous. Stunning would be a better word. With her flawless olive skin, mesmerizing green eyes, and the most luscious hair Marinette had ever seen, she looked like she'd just walked off the cover of a magazine. Her lips were painted red, an elegant orange gown hugged her curves, diamonds framed the elegant curves of her neck and wrists. An image of perfection, who looked at Adrien like he was a snack and she was about to pounce.

Marinette shifted her eyes to Adrien. He looked a bit nervous, glancing her way before turning his attention back to the woman walking toward him. They weren't too far away so, despite the chatter of the crowd, Marinette heard him saying the woman's name. She stilled, her heart pounding. They knew each other. The gorgeous woman and Adrien knew each other.

"What a pleasant surprise!" The woman gave him customary cheek kisses.

Adrien glanced at Marinette again and murmured something to the woman Marinette couldn't quite distinguish.

Whatever it was, it seemed to have given "Lila", as Adrien had called her, the go-ahead to reach forward and start fixing the lapels of his suit with a bright smile on her lips. Her next words Marinette wished she hadn't heard, but the crowd had thinned and the noise had subdued, and Lila batted her eyelashes at Adrien as she cooed, "I didn't know you were back in Paris. You should've informed me of your return. I am your fiancée, after all."