Secrets, Lies, and Everything Else Chapter 16: "Of Models And Mishaps Part 3"
Question: does anyone know what Adrien's photographer's name is? Ya know, the Italian dude? Adrien calls him Giuseppe in one episode but he's called Vincent in another. (not to be confused with Vincent Aza, who is also a photographer aka Pixelator guy)
It says his name is Vincent on the wiki though so Imma go by that but like he needs a real name ;w;
"Sir, the other two kids have arrived." Nathalie informed Gabriel Agreste, who was sitting on a stool with his laptop.
Gabriel lowered his glasses, "Splendid. Audrey should be here any moment now."
There was a large platform in the middle of the room where Nathalie stood. A wide green-screen acted as the background, and the lights had been adjusted to perfectly illuminate the scene. Vincent and a couple other photographers were standing along the side of the platform trying to get closeups.
Marinette, who had just arrived with Alya, scanned the room for either Luka or Adrien, or both. Adrien was getting some last minute touch-ups from his make-up artists while Luka was leaning against a wall strumming his guitar. Marinette walked up to Adrien.
"Sorry about...whatever happened back there."
"No, I just...got annoyed at something."
"At what?"
"It's dumb."
Marinette laughed, her voice sounding like a melody in Adrien's ears.
"Still, I shouldn't have stormed off like that. I'm a terrible friend. No wonder you hate me."
"I don't hate you!"
"So you like me?" Adrien asked hopefully.
"NOPE HEH WHAT I DON'T LIKE YOU ONE BIT!"
"I thought-"
Marinette blurted out, "You're a great friend!"
"Uhh, thank you, I think..." Adrien said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"So, I guess this is it." Marinette blinked at the large platform.
"I guess it is. But we're ready. It's not like we're being judged by the world's harshest fashion critic or some-"
"UGH, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, UTTERLY RIDICULOUS!" Someone screeched.
"Annnnd that must be Audrey." Nathalie sighed.
"Good luck." Luka whispered from the other side of the room.
Audrey burst into the room, "What is up with the decor in this place?! FAKE PLANTS?! Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! They don't even look real! And the new fashion designs you sent me," She pointed an accusing finger at Nathalie, "don't have NEARLY enough glitter on them. Also, WHY IS THERE NO SPOTLIGHT ON ME?! I NEED A SPOTLIGHT AS I TALK!"
"Ma'am is that really necessary-" Gabriel was cut off before he could continue.
"OF COURSE IT IS! I'M AUDREY BOURGEOIS!"
Gabriel nodded curtly as one of the tech people positioned the stage light towards Audrey, who was still most unimpressed.
Taking off her sunglasses, she glanced at Adrien and back at Gabriel.
"Where's the second model?"
"Lila Rossi apparently 'passed out'," He did air-quotes with his fingers, "so we found a replacement."
"Hmmmm...you look familiar..." Audrey squinted her eyes at Marinette.
"She's the girl who created the feather-hat that I wore in a photoshoot last year. She's really cu- cool."
"I guess she'll do." Audrey said, sitting down in a chair next to Gabriel.
"Adrien, Marinette," Nathalie gestured to the platform. Both teens walked up to the platform and stepped up as the camera people positioned their equipment.
"Okay, so look natural, but not too natural." Audrey instructed. She watched as Adrien and Marinette struck a pose.
"NO THAT'S TOO TENSE! MAKE IT LESS TENSE!"
Adrien put his hands in his pockets.
"BUT THAT'S TOO NATURAL! IT NEEDS TO BE LESS NATURAL!"
Adrien smiled awkwardly, putting his hand on Marinette's shoulder.
"NONONONONONO MAKE IT MORE TENSE YOU'RE STILL NO NATURAL!"
"Uhhhh..." Adrien put his hands behind his back.
"OH MY GOSH IT'S WAY TOO TENSE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! YOU CALL THIS FASHION?!" Audrey screamed.
Gabriel suggested, "We could bring in chairs for them if you want them to be in a sitting pose."
"Finally, someone who has a good idea." Audrey scoffed, crossing her legs. Vincent got up and set down two chairs facing each other on the platform.
"See, this is good, let's just continue with the shoo-" Nathalie didn't even get to finish her sentence.
"No, they should be facing the front, not the each other!"
Vincent adjusted the chairs.
"Maybe they'd look better turned to the right..."
Vincent, once again moved the chairs.
"My right."
Vincent pushed the chairs the other direction.
"No, the other right."
"There is no other right-"
"Actually, remove the chairs."
Vincent grumbled something but pushed the chairs of the platform.
"Maybe it would look better with wind...anyone got some fans?" Audrey asked.
A tech person aimed a fan in Adrien's face.
"NOT THAT CLOSE YOU IDIOT!" She motioned with her hand, "Further...further...further. Stop. No, move it a couple centimeters back...exactly two inches back and it'll be perfect-"
"Audrey, we're burning daylight!" Gabriel hissed.
"Mhhhm..." Audrey wasn't even listening, "I SAID 2 INCHES NOT 3-"
Nathalie smacked her head with her clipboard.
"Does this happen every time she comes here?" Marinette asked Adrien.
"Kinda. She usually isn't this picky about it. Apparently this magazine is a big deal."
"Nice."
"You think so? I think it's lame. Just more pictures of me for all of Paris to gawk at. Whoop-de-doo." Adrien rolled his eyes.
"I thought you liked modeling?"
"I do. But not when crazed fans are chasing me across the street asking for an autograph. Like that time we went to the movies together and everyone thought you were my girlfriend..."
Marinette blushed, "Heh yup, that was horrible! Such a tragedy!" She smiled nervously at Adrien.
Now it was Adrien's turn to blush, "I-I didn't think it was that bad.."
"AHA!"
Both Adrien and Marinette looked back at Audrey.
"New plan: get rid of the fans. We never needed them in the first place."
"..."
"You're kidding, right?"
"I know, my ideas are so stunning, they're unbelievable."
"Debatable." Nathalie muttered under her breath.
Gabriel got up, "We have to start the shoot somwtime."
"We're not rea-"
"I don't have all day! I still need to work on my other clothing designs!"
"Ugh, I guess we can make do with this setup." Audrey finally agreed.
Adrien and Marinette posed again, alternating positions.
Vincent rubbed his chin, looking through the pictures he took on his camera, "I feel like we're missing something."
"yOu nEeD rOmAnCe!" Alya called out from where she was standing next Luka.
Everyone stared at her unblinkingly.
"i MeAnT fRiEnDsHiP!"
"..."
"I'll just go now." Alya exited the room like nothing happened.
"...As I was saying, these pictures feel incomplete." Vincent spoke.
Gabriel looked over Vincent's shoulder, "Nonsense, they look-
"Sir, with all due respect, the auburn-haired girl had a point. We need to making this interesting. It looks just like last year's magazine covers." Nathalie said.
ALYA, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE AGAIN?! WHYYYY?! And just when Adrien thought things were going well too...
"Maybe move closer together." Audrey instructed.
Adrien and Marinette scooted towards each other.
"More...a little more..."
Adrien and Marinette were now standing face to face.
"Now you can pose together!" Audrey said.
"We were already posing together." Adrien told her.
"Not together together, you weren't."
Adrien raised an eyebrow.
"Like a couple."
"That's really not necessary." Adrien wheezed.
"Fans aren't going to like re-used material." Audrey remarked.
"I know but-"
"Dude! Would it KILL you to hold Marinette's hand and pose with her?!" Alya was at the door.
"No-"
"If Adrien doesn't want to do it, then I could be a third model and pose with Marinette." Luka suggested.
Luka? Posing? With MARINETTE?! Nope, no way that was happening.
"I'LL DO IT!"
Haha, yes you'll have to wait for the next chapter to see Marinette's reaction.
):D