December 5th, gift number 5:

She had a small square package wrapped in a shiny red and black striped paper; she removed the packaging and discovered a small black box that she eagerly opened. She got out a key ring with three charms: a green cat's paw print, a ladybug and a little golden bell and also a little note that accompanied the present.

"Something is missing from this key ring, keep it precious, with a little patience, you will soon discover the missing piece... Your enigmatic kitty. "

Marinette did not have time to contemplate the little object in more detail because a familiar voice came perilously close to the hatch that led to her room. She quickly put the key ring in her pocket and heard a knock against the wooden plate that opened a short time later.

-Alya? What are you doing here? asked Marinette with confusion.

-Marinette, don't tell me you forgot? was indignant Alya

-Cat got my tongue, Alya, I'm sorry, we were supposed to meet today?

Marinette answered with embarrassment.

-Yes for... wait, what are all these gifts?! surprised Alya

-Marinette gave a small cry of anguish in response to Alya's question.

-Don't tell me it's for Adrien? I thought you were trying to move slowly on...

Adrien. She had not thought about preparing her gift yet(not that she hadn't already anticipated it a whileago:with the twenty or so gifts in her trunk) but this year,she had not yet thought about what she would give him...

By this time,20 days before Christmas,she should have started frantically designing the perfect gift and making it at the expense of her sleep hours.

But this year,to her surprise,what had become a priority was only to open the packages that Chat Noir had taken the time to prepare.

For the first time in a longtime,Adrien was not the only boy at the center of her concerns.Her partner,too,was.

-It is not for Adrien, Alya, Marinette calmly declared. Alya gave her a bewildered look that silently demanded explanations.

-That's... for me...

-But wait, who gave you all this?! Alya exclaimed with a voice of amazement and excitement.

-A secret...admirer, replied Marinette as quick as a flash

-A secret admirer? repeated Alya insistently.

-I can't tell you more Alya. trust me on that. Do you put the noodles in the water before it gets boiling?

-I am not sure I understand… replied Alya impatiently

-I will explain everything later, I promise you.

-As you promised me we would go shopping this Saturday morning? Shopping! It was completely out of her mind.

-And we go this way, she replied, grabbing her by the arm and drawing her towards the exit of her room.

- You see, I always keep my promises! Let's cheerfully heat the credit card!

-You're exasperating, Marinette.

-Exasperating is my middle name! she says with a big smile. -

Are you sure? I thought your middle name was: clumsy, replied Alya, going down the stairs and bursting with laughter.

To be continued ...