Ladybug. It had a nice ring to it. She couldnt help smiling everytime she thought about the man who gave it to her. And they were lucky. Or so she had been told. It wasnt like she had any first hand knowledge to the contrary, so why not just go with it. No reason to become a pessimist over something as petty as luck.
Hmm... Become a pessimist... How did she know she wasnt one? Maybe thats exactly how she was? Trying it out, Ladybug thought, Maybe there was no such thing as luck. And no matter what she tried, or felt, would have any bearing on whether or not she got better. And she'd sit here alone, forever, in this stupid hospital bed.
No. It didnt feel right. While she thought them, and tried to really feel them, she couldnt push aside the little niggle of hope that Chat Noir had already given her. Thank God!
Well that was comforting. One thing down, only at least a few hundred other things to go! But it was a start!
What was she like? Did she like reading? Was she a crafty person? could she cook? What was her favorite food? Color? Movie? Did she prefer spring or summer? Shoes or sandals? Coffee or tea? Or neither??
Oh, where to start!? She flopped back on her bed and stared at the ceiling, endless thoughts running through her head. Lolling her head to the side, her gaze wandered and finally came to rest on the paper Chat Noir had left with his phone number on it. He had said to call at any time. That he would come running if she needed him.
He was so sweet. He didnt have to help her. Ladybug was certain he had tons of other things he could be doing instead. But he seemed sincere in his offer. And seemed to regret having to leave so soon.
With a small smile, she sat up and picked up the piece of paper, and ran her thumb over his name.
Chat Noir.
Even knowing it was just a nickname, it suited him. Perhaps she should have asked for his real name, but it didnt even matter to her.
She wanted to call him so bad! But she didnt want to bother him. He had only been gone a couple of hours! If she couldnt survive that long without him, then she was doomed!
I'll talk to him when he comes back to ask for his help in finding herself. In the meantime, she should find a doctor to tell her what was going on, and what could be done about it.
He missed her already. His Ladybug.
Even though he had only first seen her that morning, he regretted having to leave. And even though he had only met her that morning, he already thought of her as his. And he hoped one day it would be true!
He couldnt wait to get back there. If Natalie, his fathers secretary, hadnt texted that his father needed him ASAP, he wouldnt have left until visiting hours were over and they kicked him out!
So here he was, pulling up in front of his fathers hulking mansion, eishing he was anywhere else! But when Gabriel Agreste said jump...
His driver/bodyguard shut off the engine and glanced at Adrien in the rearview mirror. It was hard to tell what his mood was. Or if he ever had moods. Despite having been Adriens bodyguard for as long as he could remember, Adrien knew nothing about him. He wasnt very chatty. Or any kind of chatty, actually. He mostly answered in grunts, which was why, along with his broad shoulders and bulging biceps, he had nicknamed him the Gorilla while growing up.
Giving a heavey sigh, Adrien accepted the inevitable and stepped out of the backseat, closing the car door gently behind him. As if on cue, Nathalie opened his fathers front door to greet him, her face devoid of any expressions. Perhaps it had been in the job description when his father had hired them: 'Must have no feelings whatsoever, and never express any emotions. Ever.'
That was harsh, Adrien chastised himself. They had been wonderful to him as a kid, almost filling the space his father should have filled. And for that he would always be grateful to them.
Adrien bounded up the steps 2 at a time, hoping to get this meeting over with as soon as possible so he could make it back to the hospital. Or at least, if it was too late for that, at least get home at a decent hour so he could go back first thing in the morning. He had meant it when he told Ladybug he would help her, and that she could call him anytime.
Stepping into his fathers elegantly marbled foyer, the first thing he saw was his father, standing imposingly at the top of the staircase. Behind his father, hanging on the wall, was a giant portrait of the two of them when Adrien was just a teen, with a strained smile on his face. He wished his father would take it down.
"Hello father," Adrien greeted him.
"Good evening, Adrien." Gabriel responded. There was no expression on his face at all to let Adrien know if this was a good meeting or a bad one. So internally, he braced for the worst.
"You called for me?" Adrien prompted.
"Yes." His father finally started to move down the steps, and walked past Adrien, motioning for him to follow him into his office.
More marble. Portraits of Adrien throughout his modeling career. A Beautiful portrait of his mother, who had died from cancer when Adrien was 12. Adrien loved that photo of her. Kind of an abstract. Lots of golds and yellows, reminding him very much of an Angel.
Taking a seat behind his massive desk, Gabriel regarded Adrien thoughtfully.
"I received a call from Miss Bourgeois this afternoon, about a Charity event she is trying to put together for the Childrens Hospital. She thought since you like to spend so much of your spare time there, that my Company might be willing to make a donation of some sort, or sponsor an event for it." A frown formed on his face as he spoke. "I was not aware that you spent so much time there."
"Yes, i do. Its not easy for those children. Im just trying to make their days a bit more bearable. I dont let it take away from my work, and it doesnt cost you anything." Adrien defended himself.
"Calm down, son." He had never seen his father so contemplative. "I thought it was a good idea."
What? What?! WHAT?!
Adrien refrained from wiggling his ear to check if his hearing was ok. Gabriel, his father, one of the most shrewd and cutthroat fashion designers in the world, thought it was a good idea?!
The shock must have been evident on his face, for his father seemed annoyed all of the sudden.
"Im not completely heartless."
Shaking himself out of his stupor, Adrien cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck, and let his fathers words sink in. As they did, a smile started to spread on Adriens face.
"I never thought you were, father. But It did take me by surprise! Charities used to be moms thing. You kind of stopped doing them after she died."
"Yes." It was the only acknowledgement his father gave him. But it was more than he had given him in a long time, and Adrien wasnt about to throw it away!
"I suggest you call Miss Bourgeois and discuss the matter. When you have a few ideas, you can pitch them to me and we will go forward from there."
Gabriel then picked up some papers from his desk and began reading them, effectively dismissing Adrien.
Still with a huge smile on his face, he turned to leave his fathers office, took 2 steps before stopping, turning back, "Thank you, Father!"