Chapter 5: Worries and Problems
Later, after classes, most members of the Miraculous Team teleported to the Garden of the Ancients, for their weekly training session. After an eventful morning, they were all in the mood for spar a little. The only ones who did not join the rest of the team were Alya and Nino, who decided they needed to use their energy on babysitting duty that afternoon, and Chloe and Sabrina, who declared they both had appointments they could not postpone.
Arriving at the Garden of the Ancients, two things happened. First, the kwamis were all free to exit from their hiding spots inside the gang's backpacks, and second, the teens were once more amazed by the beauty of the place. No matter how many times they entered that garden, its beauty never ceased to amaze them. Every time they entered it, it felt like the first time they were there. The cool breeze, the smell of the grass, all of it made that place even more incredible to their eyes.
They were all eager to start training. But before that, they had to speak to Master Fu, about what happened the night before. They were all surprised when they saw that Hawk Moth had used a Scarlet Akuma Butterfly to create Ifrit, and they feared what that could mean for them and for the future of their struggle against Hawk Moth. As they walked towards the temple, where they knew the old master would be meditating or reading, they hoped that he could answer the questions they had inside them. And more importantly, they hoped that he could put some of their worst fears to rest.
As they entered the temple, Master Fu was finishing setting the table, as if he knew they were coming to talk to him. Greeting him, he quickly greeted them back, as he offered them a cup of tea and a plate of cookies, while they sat down. The kwamis themselves joined them, as they attacked one of the plate of cookies that was on the table. And after a couple of cookies and a cup of hot tea, they explained to the old man why they were so concerned about what happened the night before.
"We wanted to tell you about it, master, but we felt that this was something we had to talk about with you in person, and not over the phone." -Marinette said.
"You probably did well, my dear. Things like that should always be discussed in person." -Master Fu nodded his head.
"But what does this mean, master?" -Mylene asked him. –"I mean, you told us that Hawk Moth used them before, to create more powerful Akumas, which were impervious to most kinds of physical attacks. But you also told us that to create these, he needed to use more of his power to do it." -she said.
"Do you think he's becoming more desperate, and decided to use his powers to create just this one, or does he have several ones stashed away, waiting for the right time to use them?" -Adrien asked.
"Also, if what he said is true, does this mean Hawk Douche's powers are growing even faster than before?" -Kim asked. –"Are we to expect that more of those Akuma Butterflies will be used?"
The old master did not answer right away. Taking his time, he sipped from his tea cup, enjoying the delicious herbal tea, before placing the cup back on the saucer. He could see the concern in their eyes, but as always, he did not rush into giving them an answer. Fu believed that an answer to any question should be given thoughtfully.
"All the things you've just said are a possibility." -Master Fu declared with a serene voice. –"Each day it goes by, Hawk Moth's powers continue to grow, just like yours. This is a war that we are fighting against him, and we cannot put aside the possibility that he is becoming more desperate in trying to defeat you." -he said. –"Initially he only had two lieutenants, and now he has three. He also began by just using regular Akuma Butterflies, but now he's also using Scarlet ones. He's stepping up his game, just like you are with your powers."
"So, what does that mean for us, master?" -Juleka asked.
"It means that you must be careful. Arthur Golden once said that "a wounded tiger is a dangerous beast", and he was right. A wounded animal is far more vicious and dangerous than one that isn't wounded. And by defeating Hawk Moth's attempts to get your miraculouses, you have injured his pride, making him far more dangerous… not that he wasn't dangerous already, but because of that humiliation, he will certainly go to greater lengths to kill you and get your miraculouses." -Master Fu declared. –"Using another Scarlet Akuma Butterfly this soon, is proof of it."
"And that's not all. This time he akumatized a dangerous arsonist that was locked up in a psych ward, master." -Alix pointed out.
"Yes, I know, my dear. I've read it online." -Master Fu told her. –"I know just how dangerous he was, and how, after you defeated him, he was taken back to the hospital." -he added.
"What if next time he decides to akumatize a serial killer, or a murderer?" -Rose asked. It was only now that she realized how that could happen, and what that would mean for them. –"I don't even want to think what will happen, if he akumatizes someone like that." -she said, as Juleka hugged her.
"You and me." -Max said. –"That guy yesterday acted like a crazy maniac, and he was only an arsonist. I can't even begin to picture what an akumatized serial killer or a murderer would behave. But I can tell you all one thing. It wouldn't be pretty." -he said.
Fear. That was the sentiment that was coursing through the young heroes minds right then, and Master Fu knew it. It did not take much for a person to see it. In fact, the old master with all his wisdom could picture what kind of thoughts they were all having right then. They were all thoughts that were linked to fear, the most ancient and primal of all emotions.
"I understand your concern and your fears. But I do believe that will not happen. At least, not yet." -Master Fu declared, trying to lay their concerns to rest.
"And why not, master?" -Nathaniel asked him.
"Because, Nathaniel, Hawk Moth needs to have absolute control over his victims. He gains control over them, thanks to the dark emotions that reside in his victims' hearts. And while it's easy to gain control over someone who's been fired, or had a bad day, or was humiliated, by granting them their wish for revenge, a murderer or a serial killer desire for revenge might be too strong for him to control at will." -Master Fu explained. –"Remember, when akumatized, the victim is under Hawk Moth's control. He may give it free will to do as it pleases, but if it strays from its path, he will punish it and force it do what he wants. But in order to do it, he must use his powers to do so, and the stronger the victim's will, the more energy he needs to use to subjugate it."
"You would think it would be the opposite. I mean, a murderer or a serial killer, if given the chance to kill again, that would be the equivalent of letting a kid inside a candy store and tell him that he could eat all the candy he wants." -Max hypothesized.
"Yes, you would think that, Max. But let us remember, Hawk Moth controls his victims thanks to a link between himself and the dark emotions in the victims' hearts. The stronger those emotions, the more powerful the Akuma will be. But at the same time, the harder it will be for him to control the Akuma, in case it strands from its path." -Master Fu told him. –"Now, I'm not saying he won't do it, but for now, let us hope that he doesn't have that idea. Like I said before, Hawk Moth will not rest until you are dead and your miraculouses destroyed."
"So, we just hope that that psycho doesn't have that desperate idea? Is that it?" -Alix asked the old master, her voice filled with sarcasm.
"I know that you wish I had a more definite answer to that issue, Alix, but unfortunately I don't." -Master Fu answered her, with his usual voice. –"I know that it is frustrating not knowing what will happen next. But one must always look upon the future with hope. And when I look at you all, I know that no matter the challenge, you will be ready to face it. That, I am sure of." -he smiled.
Like it had happened before, the words spoken by Master Fu were the ones that needed to be spoken, to transmit a sense of both hope and optimism to the teenagers. It had assured them that even when things looked dim, that one must always hope for the best, while preparing for the worst.
"The master is right." -Marinette said. –"We have to believe that we will all be up to the challenge. Otherwise, we might as well give up and hand over our miraculouses to that psychopath, and I don't know about you, but I'm not willing to do that, ever." -she declared.
"Me neither." -Adrien smiled at her. –"I'm with you, until the end, bugaboo." -he winked.
"So are we." -Rose said. –"At least, I think speak for the rest of us." -she said, as she looked at the faces of her friends.
"You betcha." -Max said.
"There's no way we would ever let that bastard win." -Ivan said.
"It will be a very cool day in Hell, before I give up and hand over my miraculous." -Juleka smiled at Rose, while pointing into her belt buckle.
If there was something that always amazed the old master, was the way how fast the young heroes were able to go from being completely depressed and miserable, not to mention worried, to being hyped, confident and hopeful. It was something that he admired in them all. Though life had taught him that miracles do not happen regularly, Marinette and the others had already proved to him that even if miracles did not happen, they were ready to make them happen, armed only with their good disposition and their hope that in the end, they would be triumphant.
"What about the Scarlet Akuma Butterflies, master? Do you think Hawk Moth will use more of them, from now on?" -Mylene asked the old master.
"It is a possibility." -Master Fu said. –"By using another one, after he used one on the dead pharaoh a month and half ago, means that his powers are growing. I don't think that from now on he will exclusively use those, when creating Akumas, but he will certainly begin to use more of them. You must all be ready to face the possibility that there will be Akumas bearing one of those butterflies, and that they will be stronger than the usual Akuma." -he declared.
"In others, we better get down to training, so we're ready to face them." -Ivan pointed out.
"Yup, pretty much." -Kim said, while shrugging his shoulders.
"Well, then what are we all waiting for? Let's get to training!" -Alix exclaimed.
"I'm with you." –Max said.
Leaving Master Fu to finish enjoying his tea, everyone exited the temple, making their way to the spot where they usually trained. All, except Marinette. Telling the others that she would catch up to them, she stayed behind to talk to the old master. She had an issue that was heavying on her conscience, and she felt that only Master Fu could help her with. Sating in front of the old master, she sighed before talking, trying to choose the right words.
"I have a confession to make, master." -Marinette told him. –"I've already talked about this with Tikki here, but I feel that I need some reassurance." -she admitted, as Tikki landed on her left shoulder.
"And what is it that's bothering you, Marinette?" -Master Fu asked her, curious. –"As always, don't be shy and tell me what's the problem." -he smiled at her.
"Well… I feel that… I feel that my powers are not evolving as fast as the others." -Marinette sighed. –"I mean, I know that my sixth sense has been upgraded, and I'm ever so grateful for that fact. That power has got me out of some tight spots, and not just me. It has also helped me get the others out of trouble." -she declared. –"But I feel that… I feel that while the others are unlocking and mastering new abilities, I'm still stuck with the same ones. I mean, I'm not complaining about it, master, but… but it's like the others are already on a whole different level, while I'm still on the same level as I was, when we began our journey as miraculous holders."
"She spent a good portion of this morning talking about this, before heading to school." -Tikki added. –"I think it's because of some crazy dream she might have had, but she can't remember it." -she said.
"Dream or not, Tikki, this is a fact. While the others are already unlocking and perfecting advanced attacks, I still haven't been able to do that." -Marinette sighed. –"My friends have chosen me to be their leader, and… well, what kind of a leader am I to them, if I can't even keep up with them?" -she asked her kwami.
Marinette had been struggling with those questions, since the night before. She had managed to save a lot of innocent people from the flames, but she felt like she had not done enough, because she was not strong enough. And that was bothering her. Realizing it, the old master sipped the tea from his cup, before talking.
"Marinette, let me ask you this… why is it that in the Tale of the Tortoise and the Hare, the tortoise is the winner, and the hare is the loser?" -Master Fu asked her.
When the old master asked her that question, Marinette knew the answer by heart, but she did not answer right away. She took a couple of seconds to think it over, before speaking it.
"Because the hare knew she was faster, so she decided to just take her time and not rush into the finish line, and the turtle never stopped and ended up winning, because the hare believed there was no way she could be beaten?" -Marinette asked, wondering if she had given the old master then answer he wanted.
"Precisely, my dear. Because the turtle kept going, unlike the hare, who decided to stop, just because she was faster, and believed that a turtle could not be faster than a hare." -Master Fu told her. –"Which is to say that one of the morals of the story is that you can be more successful by doing things slowly and steadily, instead of acting quickly and carelessly." -he said. –"Or simply put, as long as you don't give up, you'll reach your goal. There's no problem in you being slower in acquiring new abilities than your friends, Marinette. It just means that you will acquire them a little later."
Hearing him say that, Marinette knew that what he had just told her was true. Yet, hearing those words did not make her feel completely convinced. But Master Fu had not finished talking, and what he told her next, convinced her that it was alright for her that it was alright for her to take longer to acquire and master new abilities.
"I still remember what it is to be young and impatient, Marinette. And it's only fair for you to think that your powers aren't developing as fast as your friends. But take it from someone, who has been monitoring you from the start of your adventures. You have come a long way, just like your friends, and eventually you will also unlock and master new abilities, which will make you an even better heroine and leader, than you already are." -Master Fu told her. –"And answering your question, what kind of a leader are you, if you can't even keep up with them? The answer is quite simple. You're a leader who cares about becoming better, so you can lead them in battle and be there for them, when they need you the most. You are a leader who wants to becomes stronger to protect and help those who fight by your side. That's the kind of leader you are. And your friends are incredibly lucky in having you as their leader. Never forget that." -he said.
"Thank you, master." -Marinette said. His words had given her a lot to think about, but they also gave her what she felt she needed, reassurance. –"Once more, your words of wisdom have given me a lot to think about." -she smiled.
"I'm glad I could help, Marinette." -Master Fu smiled back at her. –"And remember. If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me. Although, I would advise you to share your problems with your friends. Being your friends, they will be happy to listen to you and advise you." -he told her.
Heading out, to join the others, Marinette was surprised to see Adrien sitting on the steps of the temple's entrance, waiting for her. Unlike the others, who were already getting ready to train at their usual spot, he decided to wait for Marinette; not only because he wanted to talk to her, but also because on that day, they still had not had the opportunity to be alone for a little bit.
"Oh, I wasn't expecting to see you here." -Marinette said, as she approached him.
"I decided to wait for you. Told Plagg to go ahead with the others, while I waited for you." -Adrien told Marinette. –"Plus, I wanted to spend a couple of minutes with you, alone." -he said, as she sat next to him on the steps. –"So, what did you talk about with the old master? You don't have to say it, of course…"
"Oh, there's no reason for me not to tell you, Adrien. There are no secrets between us, remember?" -Marinette giggled, making him smile.
Feeling that the two of them needed a moment alone, Tikki told the two teens, that she was going to join the rest of the gang, while also telling them that they ought to not take long to join them. Understanding what she was doing, Marinette smiled at her kwami, silently thanking her, before turning her attention to her boyfriend and telling him what she talked about with Master Fu.
"Well, let me just tell you this. You don't have to worry about that. No matter what happens, you'll always be the team's leader. And I know that I'm the only one thinking that, Marinette." -Adrien comforted her. –"You may not be the most powerful of us, but you've got one thing that makes you the perfect person for the position of leader." -he told her.
"My good looks?" -Marinette asked, with an impish smile, joking.
"Well, yeah, that too." -Adrien chuckled, making her also chuckle, as he placed his hand over hers. –"But I was actually thinking of your brain. I don't know how, but you always manage to keep a cool head under pressure, while coming up with the best strategies and the best plans, for whenever we're in a tight spot, like that!" -he said, snapping his fingers. –"You're resourceful. You manage to see the big picture, without neglecting the individual elements in it. That takes great skill, and even if some of us can also do that, you're the best at doing it. That's just one of the reasons why you're such a great leader, and why I don't have any problems in putting my life in your hands."
Marinette blushed a little when he told her that. It did not matter if they were dating or not. She always blushed, whenever Adrien praised her, and though she sometimes felt that as something annoying, because it made her look incredibly shy, she hoped that even 60 or 70 years from then, she would continue to blush like that, because it allowed her to show Adrien just how much she enjoyed his praises.
"When you put it that way, I guess I'm a really good leader." -Marinette said.
"And if you're still not entirely convinced, then, let me tell you something else. A true leader is not someone who tells a person what to do just because. Instead, it is someone who can place itself in the others' shoes and know their strong points and their weak points, and which way they can be used for the greater good. And you are that kind of person, bugaboo." -Adrien declared, smiling at her.
"That's beautiful, Adrien." -Marinette told him, blushing a little, once more. –"You have a way with words." -she said.
"Just proves that I'm not just a pretty face." -Adrien said.
"You were never just a pretty face. Not to me, at least, my silly kitty." -Marinette told him.
That last comment from the blue-haired girl, made Adrien blush lightly. But Marinette also noticed that there was something up with Adrien. The way he placed his hand over his left ear, was something he did, when thinking about something unrelated to the conversation. Nearly three years of observing him and gathering the courage to tell him, how she fell about him, she had gotten pretty good at knowing all his tics.
"You also look like you've got something on your mind." -Marinette said. –"What is it?" -she asked him, curious.
"Uh, it's nothing… I mean, it might be something, or it might not be. I'm probably just imagining things." -Adrien told her.
"Well, imagining or not, tell me what it is. Maybe I can help." -Marinette smiled at him.
"Well… alright." -Adrien said. –"I don't know why, but today I got this feeling that there's something wrong with Chloe." -he told her.
"What makes you say that?" -Marinette asked him, curious.
"I don't know. Like I said, it was a feeling. A feeling that she was hiding something." -Adrien said.
"Maybe you imagined things?" -Marinette asked him. –"Then again, I know that you and Chloe have been friends for as long as me and Alya, so, you know her better than most of us do. If there's anyone who can easily see if anything's wrong with her, that's you." – she said.
"Yeah, that's true." -Adrien said, as he started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" -Marinette asked him, curious.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking that the reason why I asked my dad to transfer me to Françoise-Dupont was because of Chloe" -Adrien told her.
"I had no idea of that." -Marinette said, surprised.
"But it's true. At my old school I didn't have many friends. I had maybe one or two, and one of them was Kagami." -Adrien said. –"Still, they were more like acquaintances of mine. I didn't have what you would call real friends, who understood me and who were there for me. They weren't like Chloe, who was my only real friend, back then. She was always saying that her school was great, and that she wished I attended it, so we could see each other every day. So, I asked my dad if I could transfer to her school, so I could be closer to her. In the end, I ended up in the same class as her." -he stated.
"Well, I'm glad that happened. Because if it wasn't for that, we wouldn't never have met, and we would never have fallen in love with one another." -Marinette smiled.
"I don't about that. Still, I'm also glad it happened." -Adrien smiled back at her. –"In a way, we can say if it wasn't for Chloe, we wouldn't be dating." -he said.
"Remind me to thank her for that, later." -Marinette said with a mischievous smile on her face, as she leaned over to kiss him, when they were interrupted.
"Sorry to interrupt this tender moment between the two of you, but the others are waiting for you." -Tikki told them.
"Yeah, so, you better get a move on. You came here to train, not to date." -Plagg said, as Marinette got up.
"Alright, alright, keep your pants on, Plagg. We're going." -Adrien chuckled, as he too got up and followed Marinette and the two kwamis.
And while the heroes training began, Alya and Nino arrived at the Cesaire household, after getting Nino's little brother, Chris from the day-care, and where Nora, Alya's older sister, was waiting for them to arrive to babysit the twins, before she could go training. As always, Nora complained that the two of them had taken too long, and that thanks to them, she would have less fifteen minutes to train that afternoon. And as always, they ignored her complaints.
Taking the twins and Chris to the kitchen, Alya quickly went to the refrigerator and grabbed a couple of things from it, while Nino set the table for them. He already knew where everything was in the kitchen, so it was a synch for him to do so. Once the table was set with everything from bread, croissants, orange juice, yogurt and several pieces of fruit, the three youngsters sat at it, and quickly began to eat. As they did that, Alya asked Nino to keep an eye on them, while she went to her bedroom.
"That Nora… sometimes I think she takes that training of hers too seriously." -Alya said, as she placed her backpack on her bed.
"Well, she does want to become a fighting champion, so it's only fair for her to want to train as hard as she can." -Trixx said, as she and Wayzz flew out of Alya's backpack. When he heard that she was going to her bedroom, Wayzz took the chance to fly from Nino's back, into hers, feeling it would e best if he stayed in Alya's bedroom, with Trixx.
"I thought you would be on my side, on this one." -Alya told Trixx.
"Oh, I am, girl. But you've got to try and see your sister's side of this situation, as well." -Trixx said. –"Plus, you and Nino did arrive a little later than you were supposed to." -she said.
"Indeed. She had a reason to be upset." -Wayzz said.
"It wasn't our fault Chris forgot his lunchbox back at the day-care and we had to go back to get it, and you know it." -Alya pointed out.
"Even if it wasn't, you know how Nora is. If she was a little bit more punctual, she would be a watch." -Trixx joked, making Alya laugh.
"Definitely." -Alya agreed with her, as she stopped laughing. –"Anyways, let's just focus on what we have to do, and by "we", I mean Nino and myself." -she said. –"We've got to babysit the three pests, until my dad gets home in a couple of hours."
"What's your plan then? Tell me that it doesn't involve those little pests playing with me and pulling my ears." –Trixx asked her.
"Nope. You and Wayzz are off the hook this time. You can stay here and rest. Nino and I are going to put on a movie for those three to watch, under our supervision, right after they finish their afternoon snack." –Alya said, when they both heard one of the twins screaming. –"What now?!" -she sighed, knowing that one of the twins had done something.
"You better go and check it out." -Trixx told her.
Exiting her bedroom, it took Alya less than a second to understand what had happened. Chris had spilled orange juice onto Ella's shirt, because supposedly she called him a name he did not like.
"Chris! Why did you do that?" -Nino asked his brother. He had turned his back on him and the twins for two seconds, and that happened.
"She called me an idiot!" –Chris said.
"No, I didn't! You're lying!" -Ella exclaimed. –"You're a liar and an idiot!" -she told him.
"No, you are the idiot!" -Chris told her. –"You and your sister are idiots, and you're also ugly!"
"Ugly?!" -Ella and Etta exclaimed in chorus. –"You're the one who's ugly!" -they once again spoke in chorus.
"Everyone, enough!" -Alya told the three of them, as she entered the kitchen. –"If you keep calling each other's' names, I'm going to have to punish you all, by not letting you watch any TV, you hear me?!" -she threatened them. –"So, you better start apologizing, before that happens."
There was a moment of silence, before any of them talked, and it was Nino who broke it, attempting to show his brother that he had to apologize to the girls. He knew they had started it, but that was no reason for Chris to do what he did.
"Come on, Chris. Be nice to Ella and Etta. They're your friends, right?" -Nino told his little brother. –"Apologize to them, okay?" -he asked him.
"But I don't want to!" -Chris told Nino. –"They started it!" -he said.
"No, you started it!" -Ella said.
"Right now, I really wish I was sparring with the others in the Garden of the Ancients, instead of here, taking care of the pests... that, or being an only child." -Alya thought to herself. –"I don't care who started it, or who finished it. You will all apologize, and that will be that." -she told them. –"If you don't, there won't be any TV for you , like I said before."
It was only when Alya threatened them a second time with that promise, for her sisters and Chris to apologize to each other's.
"Finally! Sometimes I wonder what's worst... Babysitting the twins and Nino's brother, or going head-to-head with that crazy gypsy witch." -Alya thought to herself. –"Alright, let's get you changed, little miss. And you, when you're finished, follow Nino to the living room." -she told them.
Taking Ella to get changed, Alya was hoping that that was the last bit of mishap any of them would cause that afternoon. Once they came back, Alya told Ella to finish eating, so they could join the others in the living room, where Nino had taken them.
As he kept an eye on them, Nino opened his backpack and placed everything he and Alya were going to need to do their homework, while babysitting the kids. He had turned on the television, hoping to keep them under control. A minute or two later, Ella and Alya joined them.
"Now, you stay there and be nice. Nino and I are going to sit at the table and do our homework together." -Alya said, as Ella sat next to Etta on the sofa.
"Are you going to date as well?" -Etta laughed.
"No, we're not. And even if we were to, that would be none of your business." -Alya told her, after which Etta looked at Etta, and they both smiled mischievously.
"Alya and Nino, sitting in the tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" -Ella and Etta started to chant. –"First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes baby in the baby carriage, sucking his thumb, Wetting his pants, Doing the hula, hula dance!" -they laughed.
"Why, you little pests!" -Alya exclaimed, scolding them with a lively voice, as she began to chase them. –"I'll teach you not to chant that when I'm around, you little sapotis!" -she said, as the twins continued to run as fast as their little legs allowed them to, while laughing like crazy.
"Girls are weird." -Chris told Nino, as he watched Alya chasing the twins around the living room.
"You have no idea just how weird they are, Chris." -Nino told his little brother. –"But don't tell them that, because if you do, you might end up regretting it." -he chuckled.
It was four in the afternoon, when a Bombardier Challenger 350 with the logo of Fashion Couture on its fin, landed on Charles de Gaulle airport, carrying only one passenger, Chloe's mother, Audrey Bourgeois. She was only supposed to arrive the following morning, but given what happened in New York a few hours prior, she decided to come earlier.
She had slept through most of the flight, but that did not do anything to improve her humour. She was still steaming mad about what happened. Two weeks of planning, had gone down the drain, when two of the models did not show up, and the other three kept complaining about numerous reasons, which she had deemed trivial, at best, making it impossible for the photoshoot to take place. All of that, combined with a splitting headache, had put Audrey into a foul mood. Still, she hoped that a week in Paris would help to recharge her batteries and to improve her mood. Looking out the window, she saw that Jean was already waiting for her, next to the limousine. Audrey had called the hotel an hour earlier, warning them that she would be arriving shortly and that she expected to have someone waiting for her at the hangar.
"At least, this time he's on time." -Audrey thought to herself. –"Last time, that useless no one was late, and I had to wait two minutes for him to show up." -she thought, when she heard the sign, saying it was safe for her to remove the seatbelt.
She was about to remove her seatbelt, when her cell phone began to ring. Checking it, she saw that it was her secretary. Audrey had given her instructions not to call her, unless it was extremely urgent, so she wondered what could have been so urgent, that she needed to call.
"You better have a good reason to call me." -Audrey said, as she answered her phone. –"What do you mean by that? That's not my problem, that's your problem. I told you to find an alternative… Don't interrupt me, when I'm talking, you imbecile! Like I said, that's your problem, not mine! I pay you to find solutions to problems that happen, when I'm not there!" –she answered. –"Now, the next time you call me, it better be to give me good news, or you'll be out of a job and on the unemployment line! Did I make myself clear, or are you too stupid to understand what I just said?!"
Ending the call, Audrey sighed, wondering just how stupid her secretary was, if she had to call her to solve a problem, which was her work to solve.
"Useless, that's what she is! Why I ever hired her, I don't know. But it was probably because the other candidates for the job, were even less competent than she is." -Audrey sighed. –"I'm beginning to think that once I get back to New York, I'll have to hire another imbecile to do her job, because she clearly can't handle a simple task as that one."
When the jet plane came to a full stop inside the hangar, the flight attendant came out of the cabin to open the door. As she did that, Audrey got up from her seat, grabbed her purse, as well as her sunglasses and her trademark hat.
"I hope you had a good flight, Mrs. Bourgeois." -the flight attendant told her.
"Did I address you? If I wanted to engage in small talk with you, I would have talked to you!" -Audrey scorned at her. –"Now, hurry up and get my bags… and remember, each of those bags are worth more than you make in 10 years! If there's even a scratch on them, I'll make sure that you pay for them!" -she warned her, as she exited the jet.
To Audrey, though there was some wind, the air felt slightly warm for that time of the year. Then again, she was more accustomed to the weather in New York, so every time she stepped foot in Paris, she felt it strange. A sudden gust of wind, almost made her hat fly, but she was able to hold on to it. Approaching her, Jean greeted her.
"Mrs. Bourgeois." -Jean smiled at her. –"I hope you had a good flight."
"I'm only going to tell you, what I told that idiot, over there… Did I address you?" -Audrey told him, as she put on her sunglasses and her hat. –"Your job is to drive me to the hotel, not to ask me how I am. Now, hurry up and help that idiot with my bags. I want to get to the hotel, so I can have a facial treatment and a massage, before dinner." -she said. –"Well, what are you waiting for?! Go help her! And once again, I'm telling you, what I told her. If I find a single scratch on any of the bags, they're value is coming out of your salary… I swear, I don't even know why my husband hasn't fired you yet!"
One more chapter finished. :) Initially I wasn't going to write Audrey landing on the airport, but I felt that we needed that, especially, because on the next chapter, we're going to see just how her relationship with Chloe is (and I can tell you this... if you think the way Audrey is in the series is bad, wait until you get a look at what I've got in store for her).
I also wanted to give you a glimpse at something that I've been wanting to add to the mix, and that was Marinette's insecurities as a leader, to also show just how Adrien is always there for her, not only as her boyfriend, but also as her partner and second-in-command. As always, feel free to comment, fav and leave suggestions to improve this and future fics.