28 year old Marinette Dupain Cheng was screwed. Utterly, royaly, fantastically screwed.

Adrien Agreste- son of famous fashion designer Gabriel Agreste, handsome as sin, sexiest man in all of Paris, and current owner of the Gabriel brand - was her boss. Has been for the last 7 years. 6 of which, Marinette has been fighting valiantly against her massive crush on him!

And winning!

Mostly.

But she was an assistant. His personal assistant.

And he just made it so hard!! Adrien was truly an amazing boss. Generous holiday bonuses - and no, not just Christmas! She had been gifted a car in her 2nd year with the company - Adrien having voiced that she deserved it, with all the running around she did. Her desk at headquarters was directly outside of his office, plus she had a desk at his mansion - which he had inherited from his parents when they died unexpectedly in a plane crash almost 9 years ago. So he split his time between the two places - the mansion for when he wanted more solitude, and the office for when he needed to be more hands on. And she spent an equal amount of time at both.

As well as a raise at her anniversary date every year she was with the company.

She had once asked why, to which Adrien had smiled warmly and stated that, when he used to work with his father, he had always stressed upon him the value of good help. And if ever he found a suitable assistant who was competent, smart, and a quick thinker, to do everything in his power to keep them! Gabriel's personal assistant Natalie had been with him 16 years - all the way up to his untimely death. After which she stuck with Adrien until Marinette had come along. But as soon as the black hair woman had been trained to the older woman's standards, she had retired.

Marinette had been supremely flattered that he had valued her so much as to think she was worth all that extra.

According to Natalie, Gabriel had likened a good personal assistant to his right arm. One could learn to function adequately without it, after a long adjustment period, but things ran 5 times better when you had all the proper appendages.

And she knew she was invaluable to him. He frequently dictated notes, while she joted them down. She was present in every potential hire, every reprimand, every potential promotion interview, and yes, every let go. When Adrien traveled for fashion shows, company meetings, or scouting, she travelled with him. He always got a suite with 2 rooms and a shared sitting area - so she was always a knock away if something cropped up. And he was always asking for her opinion, or her thoughts on different matters - and not just to be polite. He actually listened!

He was also supremely professional. Never once making inappropriate suggestions or jokes. Never once has she found him eying her up in anything but a professional capacity. Which made it both easy, and hard, to understand her infatuation with him!

Did she only like him because he wasn't interested in her? Or for his good looks and style? For his vast fortune? Or Becuase he was kind to absolutely every employee, no matter how small a part they played in his business? Knew every employee by name, and asked after their children or spouses? Or simply Because he didn't view her as the simply lowly assistant?

All of this would have been great. Amazing. Fantastic! Except for one thing.

Adrien was married.

Marinette couldn't even fully believe how she had ended up with this job.

She had been browsing in an unscale boutique, searching for the perfect outfit for her best friends wedding. She didn't normally shop in such a high end store, but she hadn't found anything that spoke to her in her usual ones, so she had taken a chance.

As she had walked past the dressing rooms, a high pitched, extremely angry, voice had reached Marinette's ears.

"God, are you all absolutely incompetent?! This shirt was a one of a kind, Gabriel original, designed JUST for me! And you idiots have ruined it!! Not only that, but i asked for a chic, fashional outfit suitable for my husbands office party, and you bring me nothing but club wear! How could you possibly expect me to show up looking like a hooker?! Your all ridiculously incompetent!!"

Marinette hadn't been able to just walk past after that outburst. She had peered around the corner to sureptuously peek at the dilemma, to find a strikingly gorgeous blonde standing outraged in her black strappy heels, black capris and yellow and white flowy top. It looked as though it were delicate white lace over a lemon yellow fabric, with all lace sleeves, and a v neck that accentuated the woman's slim neck and pert breasts. But quite notably, the lace running under one arm seemed to have a gaping hole torn from top to bottom.

Hanging on the rack next to the blonde were, indeed, numerous slinky, low cut tops. Some were strapless, others halter style, and some spaghetti straps. But certainly nothing that seemed office appropriate. A second rack showcases mini skirts or skirts with huge slits up the side.

She wasn't sure which employee had chosen them, but boy, did they ever not know how to read a crowd! This woman was clearly sophisticated, with lots of money - if the Gabriel original comment was to be believed.

Without giving herself time to second guess herself, Mari turned around and made a beeline for the women's section, and quickly selected a pair of high waisted, flowy black dress pants, a pair of yellow peep toe heels with a pretty white bow over the toes, and a yellow shawl like cardigan. It was almost sheer, and flowy, which made the fabric glimmer when you twisted it.

Then she made her back to the dressing room, and the - clearly - still angry and distressed woman.

Drawing on every last but of confidence she had, Marinette had marched into that room as if she owned the place. Which, it was obvious she didn't. Her pink leggings, black ballet flats and charcoal grey short sleeved tunic dress did not shout upper crust. At least she had thot to curl her shoulder length black hair that morning.

But, as her best friend always said, fake it til you make it.

"I'm so sorry miss, I could only guess at your size from the quick glance I got from the doorway, but i do believe these pants will accentuate your trim figure, and will also pair nicely with the white hancerchief halter top on the rack behind you. Paired with this cardigan I found, it shouldn't resemble anything like club wear."

The three real employees in the room stared at her in disbelief, jaws hanging open, while the woman who she was actually trying to help gazed at her, clearly startled. Which quickly shifted to interest, and then outright glee.

"Yes!!" she had cried happily, pouncing on the offerings. Without a second thought, the blonde had stripped to her underwear, and stepped into the pants, smoothing it down as soon as they were buttoned up. Taking the suggested top off the rack, she donned that, as well as the cardigan. Last, she stepped into the peep toes, and spun to admire herself in the mirror.

"I would suggest leaving your hair down," Marinette commented. "Or else part it to one side, and clip the other side back. Give it a light curl, and voila. Your husband won't be able to take his eyes off you."

Calculating eyes met hers in the mirrors reflection.

All was silent as she undressed, throwing the clothes at one of the waiting woman just standing around, before putting her own back on. Aforementioned woman scurried out of there as though there was a fire on her ass!

The blonde then turned to the brunette with a supervisor badge on.

"This woman requires a raise." she demanded, glaring at the rest of the employees in the room.

The supervisor just opened and closed her mouth like a fish, so the black haired woman spoke up first.

"Oh no miss, I don't work here," Marinette clarified. "I just happened to be shopping, and couldn't help but overhear your troubles. I thought I could help."

"Your not an employee here?!"

"Nope." she smiled.

The blonde turned back to the supervisor. "She's not an employee here?"

The brunette could only shake her head. It was clear the blonde intimidated her!

"Your sure she doesn't work here?"

Another head shake.

20 second pause.

Which turned into a full minute.

30 more seconds of awkward silence followed.

"Incompetent. Utterly incompetent. I gave you a chance to snap her up, and your too ridiculous to pick up the bone I threw you!"

With a flip of her blonde ponytail, head raised high, she made her way out of the changeroom silently.

Only when Marinette didn't follow, was there a call," Well, aren't you coming?"

Smiling apologetically at the store supervisor, she scrambled out after the blonde. She was waiting at the door as the other employee rushed over with her purchases in a bag.

Marinette followed her out to a sleek grey car, where a tall gentleman in a black suit was already opening the back door for her.

"Get in." Marinette was all but pushed inside.

Silence filled the car as the driver got behind the wheel, and took off expertly. Still, nothing was said.

Her unlikely and unexpected abductor typed furiously away on her cell phone, without even glancing at Marinette.

Still puzzled when they pull through a pair of gates, the car came to a stop, and the door opened for them.

Exiting the car showed they were parked in front of a huge manor! Huge wooden doors easily three times her height, and stone steps flanked by massive stone planters overflowing with flowers of all colors.

Those huge doors swung open soundlessly, and a woman with such black hair that it gleamed blue and was accentuated by a bold streak of red stood at the entrance.

"Where's Adrikins?"

"In his office. He's just finishing up a call, if you could just wai-"

Before the other woman could finish, the blonde had already burst through a set of doors to the left of the entranceway.

And what an entranceway it was!!

More stone steps lead to the second floor, where a stone banister allowed you to see all the doors above.

"I have solved your problem, Adrikins." floated to Marinette from inside the office.

The next thing she knew, she was staring at the most handsome man the blackette had ever had the fortune to look upon! Chiseled jaw, meadow green eyes, full lips, and the icing on the cake, sunshine blonde hair the same color as his wife's. Shaved close to the scalp on the sides, the longer top portion was swept back to one side, falling haphazardly- but oh so perfectly - to frame his face.

It had been quite some time since Marinette had been a teenager, but she'd know that iconic face anywhere - ten years later or not.

Adrien Agreste, in the flesh.

Which would make the blonde Mrs. Agreste.

Damn.

His perfect lips lifted on one side.

"My wife seems quite taken with you. You must have made quite an impression."

Marinette's buebell eyes grew wide. "Oh no, Monsieur, I didn't do anything! I simply picked out an outfit!"

"Don't listen to her Adrikins. She put those store employees of yours to shame! And when I tried to get them to offer her a job - because obviously they were all incompetent- they couldn't take the hint. But no matter, she'll be better for you anyway. She'd have been a waste in the boutique."

A blonde brow rose. "Chloe, dont-"

"Don't what? Help you out? You KNOW your father would have snapped her up in a heartbeat. Don't be too proud to do what he would have. Or I'll simply have to throw a fit until you do."

Marinette glanced from one blonde to the next uncertainly.

"Adrien Agreste." he stuck a hand out for her to shake.

"Marinette Dupain Cheng." she stated quietly, taking his hand hesitantly.

"Have a job, Miss Dupain Cheng?"

And that had been that.

After 6 months of living with her parents and working for Adrien Agreste, she had moved to an apartment half way between the office and the mansion. Her parents bakery had been too inconvenient. Besides, she'd definitely had the money for one!

Now, back to the present predicament.

Chloe had been by the office and asked to speak with her privately. Marinette had shown her to an unused conference room, where Mrs. Agreste locked the door before taking a seat.

Odd.

"Marinette, I'm sure you must have seen how stressed and overworked Adrien has been lately?"

"I suppose so, though im not sure if it's more than usual." thoughtfully, she tried to think if it had been different lately.

Chloe scoffed. "For you, perhaps no different. But he usually doesn't bring it home with him. And now he's started to. And I can tell."

Mari's mouth formed an o of understanding.

"I'm so sorry Mrs. Agreste. I hadn't realized. I'll try and take care of that, I swear -"

"Good. That what I was hoping you'd say. Because I know just what would perk him right back up! And only you will do!" the blonde woman smiled gleefully.

"Anything to help, of course." Mari asserted eagerly.

"It's simple. He needs a stress outlet. Sex will do nicely. Do be a dear and take care of that, won't you?"

Wait - what?!?!

Marinette choked on air, and sputtered incoherently for a bit.

"I'm sorry - what?!?! I'm not going to sleep with your husband!"

"Why not?" Chloe's perfect face scrunched up in a frown. "He's gorgeous and sexy and perfect. And It's not like I do. He's been sex deprived for 9 whole years! Why do you think he works so much?"

"You - I - that's not- I didn't- what the hell?"

"Marinette, you do realize Adrien and I don't love each other, right? Not like that, Anyway. He was like my brother before we got married! Which only happened because our parents had an agreement when we were born. Family duty and all that." she waved a perfectly manicured hand about airily to emphasize her point.

"So where do I fit in here?" Mari demanded.

Sharp, calculating eyes gazed at her shrewdly.

"Your gorgeous Marinette. I've noticed. Of course Adrien has noticed. If I weren't such a generous woman, id fight him for you. But sadly, i care about him. Plus, I see how he looks at you."

Puzzled, Marinette frowned.

"He doesn't look at me. Ever!"

Chloe laughed loudly.

"The boys discrete, that's all. And takes his family duty very seriously. Which is why you must initiate." blue eyes gleamed. "He's a sucker for red. And skirts."

She couldn't say no. Hadn't been capable.

Which is why, on this gloriously sunny Saturday morning, Marinette found herself walking up to the mansion for work, wearing a ladybug red strapless dress with a deep v neckline, that flared at the hips. When she spun too fast, it swirl around her thighs in a wide arc. As per Chloe's insistence, she was wearing a garter belt and sheer black thigh high stockings, with cute little red bows on the back. Paired with it were fairly conservative 2 inch black heels. She had let her hair grow out, so it was now at the middle of her back, curled slightly and pinned over one shoulder.

Nerves almost made her turn around and head back to her car. Because for all that Marinette was wearing, one thing she wasn't - was panties.

Extremely conscious of that fact - and positive that anyone who looked at her would be able to tell - Marinette rushed inside the front doors and into the office. She dashed behind her desk before Adrien even had time to look up from the papers he was reading.

When he did, it was to see a perfectly calm and seated woman, from the chest up. She smiled, outwardly showing no hint at the freakout she was having inside.

God, she shouldn't have agreed to this. Chloe was going to be the death of her.

"Good morning Marinette. I was going to call you as soon as I finished reading this brief. It would seem that the suppliers we had lined up for that shimmer fabric backed out. Give them a call, would you?"

Mentally sliding into professional mode, Mari was able to forget that she had dressed with the express purpose of turning her boss on.

Several hours later, having placated the suppliers, as well as redrafted a number of memos, answered numerous phone calls, and taking notes on a few conference calls, she found herself in need of caffeine.

It wasn't that she was tired, she was just one of those people who couldn't function without coffee!! Adrien had been so kind as to place an espresso bar in a corner of the office.

Spinning her chair around, Mari rose gracefully and made her way to the low counter along the far wall, already anticipating the glorious smell that would come from brewing coffee.

Noticing the sugar container was empty, she bent down to retrieve the box from the cupboard underneath.

Mari was startled when a choking noise filled the previously silent office, and whirled around to find its source.

Adrien was furiously pounding on his chest while coughing harshly.

"Oh my God, are you ok??" she asked as she rushed to his side.

Bending over a bit so as to see the palor of his cheeks, she was further startled when Adrien's face turned beet red, and he quickly shut his eyes.

"Adrien, talk to me! Are you ok??"

"Fine," he croaked out. "drink when down the wrong way."

Mari's brow rose when she looked around for the offending drink, only to find none.

Huh.

Maybe Chloe hadn't been totally wrong?

"Feeling better?" she asked softly, as a small smirk made its way onto her face. She placed one of her small hands on his back and moved it up and down in a soothing gesture.

"Take it easy. Few deep breaths."

A shudder ran through the man sitting before her, and she grinned, pleased.

"Can you - can you uh... Stop touching me? Please?"

Complying easily, she lifted both hands in the air and made sure to take an obvious step back.

"No touching. Got it, sir."

"Don't be cheeky with me," he whined lowly.

Mari burst out laughing. She was pleased when he finally glanced up at her.

"No cheek. All compliance. Boss man sir."

She grinned wide.

Clearing his throat, she watching his eyes glance down, before back up at her face.

"Red bows."

Mari glanced down at the design in front of him, not understanding.

"I mean, if you insist. But I think that yellow dress would look God aweful with red bows. Sir."

He cleared his throat. And looked anywhere but at her.

It took longer than it should have.

"Oh." she put a hand on her hip and cocked it to the side. "Was it too much? I thought it added a bit of whimsy."

"It- uh... It's good. Real good. Don't-- uh - don't worry there."

Marinette couldn't help feeling pleased. He had noticed!! And said it was good!!

"Thanks. I'll keep it in mind for next time."

"Next time?!" he choked out.

She just hummed in confirmation, before heading back to the coffee station.

"For future reference, Miss Dupain Cheng..." Mari turned as he paused his speech. It wasn't often he referred to her that way. Usually it was simply 'Marinette.' "Please, for the love of God, always wear panties to the office, in future."

She noted his increasingly red face.

Ooooohhhh...

Grinning suddenly, she winked at him. Freaking winked!!

"Whatever you say boss."

Maybe this was going to be fun after all.