The day turned into quite a hectic one. Nathalie was frustrated with the missing shipment and had been on and off the phones since early morning with the distributors. Add to that Gabriel skulking around the building watching everyone, and the whole staff felt like it was walking on eggshells. There didn't seem to be a single person or department that Gabriel didn't criticise, nitpick or find fault with in some way. Nathalie tried to avoid him as much as possible. It's all very well to find fault when he hardly came near the place. She was relieved to hear from Adrien that at least everything seemed to be organised at Felix's end, with the new store opening on track for a summer collection launch.

Adrien also spent most of the day avoiding his father, instead keeping busy by running errands for Nathalie. It also gave him time to think over the conversation he'd had with his cousin. In a way, his relationship with Ladybug had always been safe and predictable. She was in love with another boy, and had always been clear on that. Even if they defeated Hawkmoth and revealed their identities, would anything really change? She'd still like the other boy, and she also said she was spending more time with him. Truth was, she was even more out of reach than ever. Of course Ladybug cared about him, he knew that, but only as a friend and partner and he was okay with that because her friendship and respect meant everything to him.

Then there was Marinette. Even just the thought of her made his pulse start to race. He knew that she had been spending a lot of time with Luka lately, but he had learned from Nino that Marinette never accepted Luka's advances. He wouldn't have blamed her if she had dated him though, Luka was a good guy, but Nino insisted that she had said numerous times when he or Alya asked about it that Luka was just a friend. Adrien had to admit though, that didn't make him feel a whole lot better about it. After all he'd said that about Marinette for how long now? Man he really was an idiot! He wasn't sure though whether she only saw him that way though.

In the past she was always kind of nervous around him, and Adrien didn't really know how she felt. Lately though, and especially over these last few days, he felt as if something between them had shifted. The way she looked at him after his father had left the office that morning, the care in her voice, the deep sincerity in her eyes, those captivating and intoxicating bluebell eyes, there was something so...so...Ladybug about her. No, he scolded himself, no, Ladybug likes someone else, they can't be the same, that would just be wishful thinking. Yet somehow it kept bugging him. Bugging...how apt he thought. A loud sigh escaped him as he stood waiting for the elevator.

"Rough day for you too?" Adrien felt like his heart flipped when he looked over to see Marinette struggling to carry a large bolt of fabric.

"Yeah, busy. Here let me take that." Adrien took the fabric from her and handed her the papers he had been carrying. "Those are for Sasha. I was just on my way down there. Nathalie thinks she's finally sorted out the missing shipment. She's been at it since early this morning."

"Oh, this will make his day." She declared. While waiting for the lift, Marinette started reading the paperwork. She was biting her bottom lip as she concentrated, and Adrien was suddenly feeling very hot around the collar. Oh he had called hard, and now having her so close to him, it was driving him crazy wanting to teach out and touch her. He needed to fill the silence quickly.

"So, aside from Lila and Veronica, how have you been finding the placement?" Marinette looked up from the paperwork. He expected to see excitement in her face like earlier in the week, but she looked worn out, exhausted even.

"Honestly, it's not what I thought it would be. I know it's only been a few days, and I'm very green to all this, but I feel so overwhelmed. Sasha has been really lovely and patient with me, but the restrictiveness of working to a company policy wasn't what I expected and although Sasha loved my idea for the challenge dress, he did point out that it wasn't 'Gabriel style' and would have been altered had I been submitting it for real. I guess I just didn't expect that." The lift door dinged, and the two stepped into the small space. Marinette was clearly in need of some pampering, and Adrien knew he was just the cat for the job.

"Well, this is my last errand for the day, so I'm good to leave when you are for our date." He heard her gasp softly next to him.

"Our...date?" She clarified. Adrien looked at her sheepishly.

"Well, yeah. If you want it to be that is?" That wasn't quite how he had planned to ask that, but the words had fallen out of his mouth before he could stop them. He panicked for a moment when she turned her head away from him. The last thing he wanted was to lose her friendship because he had misread the situation. Then she turned her head back towards him and smiled, the dusting of pink that grew on her cheeks made the light freckles on her nose stand out.

"I'd like that." She said softly as the elevator doors opened. He stood back to let her exit first before following her out, fist pumping to himself as he went.

They found Sasha buried under a pile of papers and fabrics but his frustration changed to a broad smile to see the bolt of fabric and that the missing shipment was now on track.

"Marinette, I swear you have been a lucky charm to me around here. Things never get sorted this quickly and easily, don't you agree Adrien?" The model's face beamed.

"Absolutely." He said, diving into his pocket. "She's been my lucky charm for years." As he spoke, he pulled out the lucky charm bracelet Marinette had given him all those years ago when they practiced for the gaming contest. Marinette's mouth flew open.

"You still have it." She said amazed, noting that the etched pattern on the centre stone had worn down slightly. Clearly he had held it a lot and that touched her deeply.

"Of course I did, and I think it still works pretty well."

"I'm glad." She said, turning to her bag and proceeded to pull out the charm bracelet that Adrien had given her for her fourteenth birthday. "Because I think yours still works pretty well too." Adrien could feel his heart rate escalating again. She kept it, all this time, just like he had. Sasha mocked a groan.

"Ugh, you two are too cute for this late in the afternoon. Adrien, do me a favour and take this girl out on a date somewhere, she deserves it after the day we had." The two teens blushed and gave each other shy looks.

"Well...actually…" Adrien rubbed the back of his neck as Marinette giggled. Sasha looked between the two, his smile growing broader.

"Ha! I knew it. Well Miss Marinette, I have just one task left for you to do." He grabbed a small package and gave it to her.

"I don't trust those new girls in the mail room, and this package is important. Can you take it to the post office up the road and mail it for me. I'd do it myself, but I feel like I'm going to be stuck at this desk for some time yet." Marinette took the package from him. It felt light and she supposed it was a shirt or a dress. "You're both free to go after that and I'll see you at the photoshoot tomorrow."

Walking through the lobby, Adrien noticed whispers and stares at them from some of the other workers. He could see Marinette had noticed too, ducking her head slightly. What else had that lying Lila been saying? He had tried several times to get his father to get rid of her, but Gabriel insisted on keeping the liar around. Letting his inner Chat get the better of him, Adrien grabbed Marinette's hand, linking their fingers together for everyone to see. She looked up at him in surprise, but smiled when she saw the contented look on his face, his head held high. He had to admit, he loved the feel of her hand in his.

Adrien and Marientte walked the few meters up the road to where the post office was. It had been raining quite heavily through the day, but had tapered off for now. With a strong wind blowing, they decided to chance it without an umbrella. After sending the parcel off, they were about to head over to "La Porte Verte" when Marinette suddenly turned to Adrien in a panic.

"Adrien, I left my sketchbook in your office."

"Well that's okay, it will be safe there until morning."

"I know, but I need it to show Sasha my completed challenge design tomorrow to pass the placement. We won't be coming to the office in the morning because we are meeting at the photoshoot, remember?" She was trying but failing at hiding her panic. "My whole life is in that book." Adrien took her hand and held it in both of his.

"It's okay Marinette, just breathe. We can go back to the office and get it. Don't worry." His voice was calming and she could feel herself start to settle back down.

Adrien kept a hold of her hand, lacing his fingers back through hers as they made their way back to the office building. As they walked along, it seemed that the sun was once again struggling to make its presence known. Adrien lifted his face towards the singular beam, soaking up its warmth as much as the feel of her hand in his. She leaned a little into his arm and Adrien knew that he was falling in love with her. That this precious heart walking beside him he wanted by his side everyday. He couldn't explain it, even if he tried, but there was something about her that was drawing him in and he wanted to follow that feeling, because he trusted it, he trusted her, even with the biggest secret of his life. Wrapped up in his own thoughts, he was startled from them by Marientte crying "Ewww '' next to him, and the distinct moisture of water seeping through his trousers.

A car had pulled up too quickly to the curb, sending a tsunami of water cascading over them. Marinette had caught the brunt of it, and her soft pink dress was totally soaked.

"Stupid, stupid." She moaned, stamping her foot. "If I hadn't forgotten my stupid book, I wouldn't have gotten stupid wet and ruined everything." Adrien watched her as she ranted, but all he could think of was how adorable she was. He stepped back towards her putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Hey, you haven't ruined anything, but you do look cold. We'll go back to my office and you can warm up in the shower while I get someone to dry your clothes. There's always somebody around working late."

Marinette was too flustered to argue and just let Adrien lead her back up to his office. She was shivering from the air conditioning and felt like a drowned rat. Adrien slipped off his jacket and wrapped it over her shoulders, keeping his arm around her. Once they reached back to his office, Adrien guided her towards his bathroom. "Here, there should be a robe of some kind in the closet there and feel free to use whatever you want in the bathroom. Just drop your dress out the door and I'll take it to get sorted." Feeling a little less embarrassed, Marientte went to sort herself out while Adrien grabbed himself a dry pair of trousers.

Soon the bathroom door opened slightly and Marinette dropped her dress out. Adrien picked it up and for a moment indulged in the fact that Marinette was indeed naked in his bathroom. He mentally slapped himself for that inappropriate thought. He hadn't even taken her on a proper date yet let alone asked her to be his girlfriend! He looked at her dress in his hand. Why was it so difficult to tell her how he feels? Sometimes he really wished his mother was around to talk to. Heaven knows he couldn't possibly ask his father anything.

He looked at his watch and realised that by the time the dress would be dry the cafe would be closed. "Hey, Marinette." He called through the door. "How would you feel about having our date here in my office? I know it's not quite the same thing, but I can call for take out." He felt bad about her missing out on their proper date, but he also hoped this didn't sound too lame.

"Sure, I..I'd love too." She said nervously. He could just picture her being all flushed and nervous behind the door, naked behind the door that is. He shook his head again. Stop it Agreste, you're a gentleman remember!

"Okay, well I'll go use the phone in Nathalie's office. I'll be back."

"Okay."

Adrien could hear Plagg sniggering in his jacket as he headed down the hall. "You know you could have just used the phone in your office." Adrien rolled his eyes.

"I wanted to give her some privacy." He said, sounding like he was stating the obvious. "Now shush or you'll get found out." He whispered at the two eyes and ears that popped out at him.

"Big deal, she'll have to find out about us eventually." Adrien narrowed his eyes at the Kwami with a frown. Honestly, what had gotten into him lately?

"Look, I know you like Marientte…" Plagg raised an eyebrow at him. "Okay I do too, but there's more to it than that and you know it. I can't just spring you on her. Now just pipe down will you. If you interfere at all tonight, you'll be eating processed cheese for the rest of the month." Plagg gasped.

"You wouldn't!" He exclaimed in horror.

"Try me." Adrien smirked as Plagg recoiled back into his jacket with a grumble.

Adrien was surprised to see Nathalie still in her office, but on closer inspection, he found she had fallen asleep at her desk. Poor Nathalie, he thought, she works too hard and his father really does take all her efforts for granted. He gently went over to her and slowly shook her shoulder.

"Nathalie, you need to wake up now." He said softly. The assistant blinked her eyes at him before she sat up in confusion. "It's okay, you fell asleep at your desk." Nathalie rubbed her stiff neck before looking back at him.

"What are you still doing here Adrien? I thought you were going… isn't that Marinette's dress?" Adrien turned bright red, realising how this might look.

"Marinette got splashed by a passing car. She's having a shower now and I thought maybe someone might be around to dry her dress. It's not what you think Nathalie, honest." Nathalie just gave him a sleepy smile and shook her head.

"Oh Adrien, I know that, and even if it was I'm not going to say anything to your father." She reached over and took the dress from him. "I know Rachel is working late tonight, I'm sure she can sort the dress out." Nathalie was about to get up when Adrien crashed her into a hug.

"You're the best Nathalie." She patted his back affectionately.

"Well, I try." She said playfully, but there was a concealed sadness too. It was in these moments, so fleeting and few, that Nathalie wondered if this is what it felt like to be a mother. Adrien stepped back allowing Nathalie to stand.

"Can I use your phone to order some take out. The cafe will be closing soon so it will be too late for our date and…"

"Date? As in an actual date with Marientte." She asked, though not totally surprised. Adrien rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, yeah although it wasn't initially going to be, but then I kind of changed it to be and she agreed but then she got wet so I thought we could still have the date in my office and…" Nathalie quirked an amused eyebrow at Adrien's rambling. The blonde then went quiet, and looked back up at her shyly. "I like her Nathalie. I really do. I think, maybe I love her." Nathalie put her hand on his shoulder.

"I know." She said with a soft smile. "I like her too." Adrien had a giddy smile on his face.

"Is this what it's like Nathalie, to be in love?" Nathalie looked sweetly at the blonde. Deep down she felt a pain in her heart. This is what love should be, two young people excited, nervous, finding their way, but finding it together. Maybe it's the long friendship that Adrien and Marinette had shared these last few years, but Nathalie felt there was a deep connection between the two, something she herself had never experienced, certainly not with Gabriel anyways, but it warmed her heart to see it in Adrien though.

"Yes Adrien, I believe it is, and I think Marientte feels the same way about you. Just tell her how you feel." Adrien could feel his face going pink again.

"But how Nathalie?" It surprised Adrien that after having spent the last four years sprouting his love for Ladybug, that he suddenly felt tongue tied with Marientte. "Sorry to ask you, but you know, without mum here, I don't know who else to talk to."

"Just be honest with her." She felt a bit of a hypocrite saying that. It's not like she was ever that forthright herself, but this was different. Adrien had a chance at happiness that long ago passed her by.

"Nathalie, do you think mother would have liked Marinette?" Nathalie was surprised by the question, although she probably shouldn't have been. Knowing how much Adrien still missed Emilie was part of what made her choices in life so much harder.

"Yes Adrien, she would have, just as I do. You'll find the right moment to tell her how you feel." She places her hand on his arm. "I'll sort out the dress, you organise your dinner." Adrien looked at Nathalie and smiled.

"You know, you're like a mother to me Nathalie. I wish my father could have seen that too, because you deserved so much more." Nathalie could feel the prick of tears in her eyes as Adrien hugged her again. This time though, she tightened the embrace.

"I'm always here for you Adrien, no matter what you are always my first priority. Remember that."

After Adrien made his dinner call and left, Nathalie arranged for Rachel to clean Marientte's dress before she checked her messages and saw she had several missed calls from Gabriel. She sighed heavily, not really wanting to answer the calls, but knowing she had to. Gabriel picked up the phone within half a ring.

"Why are you and Adrien not back yet?" He demanded without so much as a hello. Nathalie pinched her nose between her fingers. She was too tired for this.

"I was working back late Sir, and Adrien is having a date with Marinette." She decided to leave the details off for now. Gabriel just grunted down the phone.

"Why was I not informed?" Nathalie gritted her teeth.

"Because your son is an adult Gabriel, if you hadn't noticed, and finding a girlfriend I believe was your idea."

"So he did chose her after all?" Nathalie couldn't quite read the tone in his voice, but it seemed odd.

"I think it's more than that Gabriel. There's something special about her. Something that has Adrien captivated. I…" She cut herself off, unsure how to word this.

"What is it Nathalie?" He questioned harshly. Nathalie took a deep breath.

"Gabriel, you know I have never questioned you and have always done what you have asked of me, but I need to know what all this is about? Why do you want Adrien to have a girlfriend? Why Marinette? This isn't a game to him you know. I believe there are real feelings here and this girl is very important to him. Maybe even lifelong important. You're not planning to akumatized her or something are you." She didn't like the way Gabriel laughed down the phone, it sounded sinister and made goosebumps break out down her spine.

"Nothing so mundane my dear Nathalie. No, I have far more ambitious plans, but I'm keeping them close to my chest for now. Make sure Adrien gets all the time he wants with the bakery girl and give her the internship papers tomorrow. I want to make sure she stays close, Nathalie, see to it that she does." Gabriel abruptly hung up the phone.

Nathalie sat back down at her desk. She was too tired to think about what Gabriel meant by all that. Too tired for his scheming and plans. Too tired for akumas and magical jewels. Once it was a thrill to stand beside Hawkmoth, have him need her as Mayura, have him show attention to her. She craved his attention, she wanted his regard, his interest, she wanted his love. She had wanted his love.

"Miss Nathalie?" A small voice chirped beside her. "Shouldn't we be going home now." Nathalie looked over at Duusu, who had propped her head out from under her desk.

"I think I've realised something Duusu." She said. Watching Adrien and Marinette had opened her eyes to something she had known for sometime, but hadn't wanted to face. "I don't love Gabriel. Not any more." She sat back in her desk chair and realised how empty her life was. She didn't even have a photo of anyone on her desk. She had dedicated her life to a man that had just used and abused her for his own gains. It was her own fault of course, she knew he was trying to bring his wife back, but she had let herself be blinded to the facts that were right there in front of her face. Duusu fluttered up to rest her head on Nathalie's cheek.

"You're not going to give me back are you?" The peacock Kwami asked, her voice displaying her upset.

"No Duusu. I would never hand you over to Gabriel." With new clarity, Nathalie could see how precarious the situation was becoming. "No, we will find a way to get away. I'll just wait until Adrien finishes school, maybe settles somewhere with Marinette. He needs to get out of that house and keep Marinette away from Gabriel."

"But what about Nooroo?" Duusu asked. "We can't just leave him there." Nathalie looked at her Kwami with heavy eyes. Picking up the internship papers on her desk she sighed. Gabriel might have secret plans, but she could too.