Making her way to the Agreste house, Marinette searched her bag for her compact mirror. Wanting to make sure she was not a hot mess on her first day, checking over face, to her horror, Marinette realised she had not put any make up on her face.
Fuck sake look at me!
Huffing, she delved into her bag reaching for mascara, not that she needed to worry, as it was her talent that had got her chosen, not how she looked.
"You look fine!" Tikki piped up from out of the bag, "there's nothing wrong with how you look.
"Thanks Tikki," she whispered, as she found the mascara. "I still want to be as presentable as I can though." Marinette clumsily started to apply her mascara as she walked to the home of the iconic Gabriel Agreste.
"Worry more about whe-"
Her Kwami tried to warn Marinette, as she walked face first into a lamppost, clumsily smearing mascara down her cheek.
"Fuck sake, what is wrong with me!" She examined herself in the mirror again, still walking, "Tikki, do you think the tribal look is in this season?" She quickly applied mascara and popped the tube back into her bag, muffled giggles coming from where Tikki hid. "Where are those-got it," she pulled out a wet wipe and tried to dab the black mark from her cheek. Almost at her destination, she realised she only had minutes to spare. Unbeknownst to her though, a certain blonde had been watching her with a bemused look on his face, as he was returning from a morning jog.
Unable to hear the exchange due to his headphones, Adrien jogged up behind Marinette and put his hand onto her shoulder, causing her to jump at the unexpected contact, and flailing around with her arm outstretched, ready to defend herself.
"Sorry-sorry-woa-"
"Shit. Agreste. You scared me!"
"Obviously!" He observed, he took his head phones and was looking at the way her legs had been positioned. Ready to pounce, they were parted and slightly bent, to him this looked quite comical. "You heading to meet my father?"
"Yes," she relaxed as she turned back towards the house, quickly shoving the mirror back into her bag. "Out for a run?" Observing the beads of sweat on his forehead, noting the messy way his hair was drooping onto his face.
"I was up early," he winked at her, his words, and his appearance, caused her to think of her early morning with Chat. "The sunrise was beautiful."
She stopped, "I watched the sunrise this morning too." Blushing, which Adrien noticed. "Shit I'm gonna be late!"
Quickening her pace, with Adrien on her heal, they reached the gates leading into the courtyard to his house. She went to ring the buzzer, but he stopped her with his hand and swiped his key fob.
"Thank you," she said not looking at him, staring at the big double doors leading into the house, she swallowed hard. Marinette was apprehensive.
How the HELL does this look. First he tells his father to basically hire me on the spot, then he brought the flowers, which wouldn't have gone unnoticed...now he's let me in to his fucking house!
"After you," he held out his hand to gesture her to step through the entrance before him.
"Agreste this looks bad!" She looked astonished that her words had slipped out. Covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes were wide. "Shit! Did I say that out loud!?"
Adrien chuckled at Marinette, he understood what she meant but he didn't care, she was talented, and had every right to be here, even if he had highlighted her to his dad. It was his mission to be part of her life as himself. He ushered her into the house where a lady carrying an iPad had been caught unaware of their entrance. A eyebrow raised, she looked over them as she made her way down the majestic staircase. Marble floors, marble stairs and clean white walls were the perfect backdrop for the multiple works of art that adorned the room.
"Adrien, we didn't know you had gone out this morning?" Her lips pursed but curling at the corners, she turned her attention to Marinette, who clung to the strap over her shoulder. "Miss Dupain-Cheng I presume, I was expecting you on the intercom, I recognise you from your school days with Adrien."
Marinette smiled awkwardly, her and Adrien had not been friends in school, so was unsure how Nathalie could have recognised her from a handful of sightings. Looking between the two of them, Adrien shifted uncomfortably and the lady in front of them looked at him bemused.
"I am Nathalie," she extended her hand to shake Marinette's, who had a very firm handshake. Nathalie smiled, "Mr Agreste will be meeting with you shortly, have you got all your information?"
Marinette nodded and patted her bag, a true smile on her face now at hearing her idol would be meeting with her. Natalie gestured for her to follow her into a room on the left hand side of the grand reception area. Crossing in front of Adrien to follow Nathalie, he shot her a big wide toothy smile, along with his hair still being messy, her thoughts wondered to Chat again. Hiding her thoughts, she half smiled back and followed Nathalie into the next room, shaking any distractions from her mind.
—
The morning went so quick, filling in forms, watching health and safety videos, reading handbooks and signing a disclosure, it had been a blur. Luckily food was provided by Gabriel Agreste for all employees, perfectly prepared by the onsite chef. Minimal as it was, Marinette was grateful, as she had unfortunately forgotten to pack lunch.
Meeting some of the other people who worked within the house, they were astounded that he had brought her straight to work directly with him. Such opportunities were normally only given to the most talented designers within the firm, not one who had been plucked straight out of university.
One person in particular took notice of this. A tall dark male with a defined square jaw and a Grecian nose, he was slim in build with well braced shoulders and thin arms which ended with long, nimble fingers. His eyes were chocolate brown, with a calculating look looming in them and he had a permanent smirk hiding perfectly straight, white teeth. He had been quick to approach Marinette, once the plates had been stacked and the employees had a break before getting back to work.
"Good day Mademoiselle-?" He had taken her hand, and gently placed a soft kiss on her porcelain skin.
"Please call me Marinette," she politely replied at his enquiring gaze.
"Ah, Marinette!" He stood up straight, seemly towering over the petite lady in front of him. Her name rolled off his tongue with a sickly smooth velvety flare. "You are a mystery to me and my colleagues."
Bit creepy, I don't like the way you're looking at me.
"Ah-" Marinette waved her hand free from his grasp and feigned appreciation at his possible compliment, her body tensing. "Nothing mysterious about me Monsieur-?"
"Please call me Chase, Chase Brodeur," he replied with an almost chuckle, "I am surprised you have not heard of me," he smirked. "I am one of the most prestigious designers to come from l'Ecole Supérieure des Arts et techniques de la Mode. This is where you go to study, yes?"
How humble of you...
"Sorry to disappoint you Chase," Marinette could almost smell the pretentiousness and self importance oozing from his pores. "I am a student at Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne," although amazingly proud to be at this establishment, her words were not smug, more, matter of fact.
Chase thinned his lips out of apparent discontent that had arisen with her words. Marinette's confidence did not waver, her smile was fixed but did not reach her eyes as his betrayed him.
"I'm sure it will be a pleasure to work alongside you," his words were laced with bitterness as he promptly turned his attention to behind Marinette. "Ah Monsieur Agreste," he bowed his head as Marinette tried to keep her composure before she turned around to see the talented Gabriel Agreste.
Shitshitshit! Keep it together. Calm, calm, cal-"
"Please stop with the formalities Chase."
Oh it's just Junior.
Marinette relaxed slightly as she turned around, a mixture of relief and disappointment that it was not his father. She had a pained smile on her face from the exchange she just had. Adrien seen this and felt happy he had intercepted Chase's focus, smiling at Marinette, he was looking much more dapper now as apposed to his earlier sweaty self. Dressed in moss green chinos, with a cool grey cotton shirt, the sleeves turned up to his elbows and the unbuttoned collar was absent of a tie, his muscular frame was apparent. He donned carefully sculpted locks which matched his smart casual attire, his strikingly green eyes fleeted between Marinette and Chase.
He does scrub up nicely.
Marinette subtly admired his attire, and a wider smile graced her face as he approached the two designers.
"Marinette, how has your morning been?" He asked in a professional manner and kept himself stood straight, a stark contrast to the last two encounters they had in recent days.
Following suit, Marinette kept it professional. "Pleasant, thank you."
"Have you found everything ok so far?" He peered to Chase who was standing too close for comfort for his liking. Feeling the need to protect her, his words had suspicious tones.
"Yes-" picking up on his tone, she gestured with her eyes to Chase behind her, "-thank you." She released a sigh, she didn't realised she was holding and relaxed completely.
"You are welcome," he gave her a knowing look, Marinette could feel the tension emitting from Chase.
Something has definitely happened here...
Her eyes narrowed for a second before Adrien brought her out of her thoughts. "Marinette-"
That's me!
"-my father has sent me down to accompany you to his office."
Thank fuck- Oh shit it's happening now! God I wish I wasn't feeling so crappy.
Eyes wide, butterflies rose up inside her with excitement, and slightly emotional, yay hormones! He offered her his arm to escort her up in a gentlemanly fashion and nodded goodbye to Chase. Before Marinette left, she turned to Chase looking at him over her shoulder with a polite smile.
"I look forward to working with you."
I most certainly am not!
His eyes appeared sunken and his lips pursed with her words, watching her, he observed the familiarity between the two in front of him. Eyes narrowed, the cogs turning his head.