In his office, Gabriel sorted out the items he would be handing over to Marinette. On his desk lay the iPad with all the translations, along with the book and finally, positioned along side, was a small trinket box. Black in colour, the box was minimal, but the contents were magical.

*Ring ring*

"Sir, there is a Miss Rossi here to see you," Nathalie spoke on the phone.

Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing as he had forgotten about his agreement with Lila.

"Naughty Nathalie, you should be resting-" he smirked flirtatiously and Nathalie giggled. "-Please inform Miss Rossi that I am not available at this time, thank you." He added, "Marinette will be here soon can you keep an eye out for her and let her straight in please."

He stood at his desk, examining the little black box. Opening the box, his eyes lingered on the Miraculous inside, a tear forming in his eye.

*Ring ring*

"She's talking to Adrien," Natalie whispered down the phone.

Putting the box down next to the other items, he made his way to his office door.

Lila sat with a smirk, a feeling of accomplishment rushed over her. She was one step closer to reaching her goal-Adrien.

"Miss Rossi, I am sorry but our agreement will no longer be going ahead." Gabriel turned casually to face an angry and shocked Lila.

This look on her face was true, there was no hiding behind fake smiles or calculated expressions, this was all Lila. Eyes wide, fists clenched, tension riddled her body. Anger and despise radiating from her aura as she stood up with force. Wishing to be Akumatised and yet left wanting again.

'What the hell is going on?'

"Mr Agreste!" Lila was almost snarling her words at a very calm Gabriel. He saw the anger in her, as he expected, he knew that displeasing Lila could have grave consequences, even without her being Akumatised. "I don't know what the hell is going on but we had a deal!"

"I am sorry Miss Rossi, but I have had a much needed change of heart these past two days." He looked at her with understanding and some pity, "you are a very talented young girl-"

"But you've decided my talents are no longer needed is that it?" Her speech quick but steady, not faltering in showing her true self.

Marinette approached Adrien's home, excited to see him, apprehensive about seeing his father. Undeterred, she rang the buzzer and the gates opened without anyone talking to her over the telecom system. As she walked into the court yard, Nathalie opened the door.

"Good afternoon Miss Dupain-Cheng-"

"Please call me Marinette." Marinette smiled as she climbed the few stairs leading up to the grand entrance.

"Of course, Marinette." Nathalie smiled back. "Before you see Adrien, Mr Agreste would like to see you in his office." Nathalie gestured for her to sit down and wait.

"Hi bug-utiful" Adrien appeared at the top of the stairs, almost using the wrong nickname when in the presence of others.

Marinette chuckled watching him smile nervously as he put his hand to his nape when making his way down the staircase. Nathalie had just put the phone down to inform Gabriel of Marinette's arrival.

"Marinette needs to see your father first Adrien," Nathalie commented towards Adrien, who had joined Marinette. "In private," she added. Looking at him, she smiled as he kissed Marinette's head and put his arm around her shoulder in a protective fashion.

A baffled Adrien looked between Nathalie and Marinette as the door to his fathers office opened.

"Lila," Gabriel was pondering and absentmindedly put his hand on the book that was out on his desk. Lila had seen this book before, this was the book she had stolen from Adrien, this was the book containing images of heroes. This piqued her interest, another opportunity perhaps. "I know forging an alliance with you was not an appropriate way to act."

"Use and abuse is that it?" Lila shot at him with daggers in her eyes.

"Lila I-"

Gabriel was interrupted by the phone ringing announcing Marinette's arrival.

"I'll be out momentarily, thank you Nathalie." Gabriel looked at Lila, unsure of what else to say to the young pained girl. "I am sorry Lila." He walked past her to the door turning his back on her, still unsure of what would happen when she left.

"Good afternoon Marinette," he greeted her as he opened the door. "Would you please join me in here for a moment," he smiled as he gestured to his office. He turned back to Lila, "Miss Rossi was just leaving." Marinette's eyes widened on hearing Lila was in there.

Lila approached the door, clutching her bag to her chest with feigned disappointment on her face. Shoulders slumped as she exited the room, she shot a hateful look towards Marinette and Adrien and stormed out of the house. Marinette could not help but wonder if she had also flashed a smirk momentarily in her direction. Marinette and Adrien both felt uncomfortable.

"I'll be out shortly," Marinette gave Adrien a quick peck on the cheek, and entered Gabriel's office.

"Nathalie," Adrien addressed her as he stared at the now closed door. "What's going on?"

"Marinette, I wish to extend my gratitude to you for not saying anything-"

"I haven't done it for you." Marinette snapped back at Gabriel.

They were sitting on opposite sofas either side of an oak coffee table. Marinette was only there for the Miraculous, being in Gabriel's presence made her feel uncomfortable. Gabriel could see this on her face.

"Marinette," Gabriel was unsure on how to approach her due to her closed body language. A feeling he was not used to having. "I really do hope I can show you how sorry I am for my actions," Marinette did not answer, so Gabriel got up and made his way over to his desk. "I hope by giving you these-" he gasped at the sight before him.

Marinette got to her feet and made her way over to where Gabriel was standing.

On the desk she could see the tablet and the book, no evidence of the peacock Miraculous.

"Marinette, it was here I can promise you," Gabriel turned to her in astonishment.

"I know who has it," she stated as she turned to the door.

'Lila.'

'Marinette thinks she's won, she won't know what's hit her!'

Lila smirked as she walked away with satisfaction and revenge in mind.

Thats the end guys!

hope you like the story I have written. This is my first of hopefully a few. I am planning on writing the fight scenes which Bunnix intercepted, however, they will be separate from this.

I hope you like the twist at the end, or maybe you seen it coming!

Thank you for your comments, favourites and follows.

Lady Rhi X