LB - All I'm saying is, it's ridiculous!!

LB - you cant just put on a pair of glasses and expect nobody to recognize you!

LB- what on earth were they thinking?!

CN- my lady, it's a superhero movie, not real life!

LB- everything should be realistic!

LB- sci-fi is dumb

CN- superman is not a sci-fi movie

Chloe- idiot, your dad has been saying your name for the last 2 minutes, fucking pay attention!!

Adrien quickly looked up to see his father's disapproving face.

Well, let's face it, that was his usual face.

But still.

Embarrassed at being caught not paying attention, Adrien blushed as he slid his phone into his pocket. "I'm sorry Father. It won't happen again."

Gabriel simply raised a brow, looking unconvinced. He'd have to pay better attention. It was never a good idea to make his father angry.

Sitting up a little straighter in his seat, Adrien cleared his throat, and shuffled the papers on the table in front of him. He hoped it was enough to show his father he was ready to pay attention now. But his father just continued to stare at him.

After a couple minutes, Adrien started to get nervous, and tried hard not to fidget. His father hated fidgeting. He couldn't stop his foot from tapping soundlessly on the floor under the table. If his father didn't hurry, he'd start shaking his leg next.

Why oh why, couldn't his father just start talking again?!

Glancing at Chloe, he noticed her staring boredly at her nails. So, no help there.

Just as he was about to give in and say something, his father finally shifted his gaze away from his son and down to the papers on the table.

"You say you have decided on refreshments, yes?"

"Ugh, yes!" Chloe stated with a roll of her eyes, looking none too happy about it. "From the Dupain-Cheng bakery, as requested."

Adrien puzzled over this a moment. "Chlo, we checked out at least half a Dozen patisserie's before settling on Tom and Sabine's."

Chloe huffed out a breath, before stating haughtily, " Well of course Adrikins, just because your father requested there, didn't mean I wasn't going to do my research to make sure they were, indeed, the best."

Father and Son both stared at her. Adrien in puzzlement, his father with an unreadable emotion on his face.

"Miss Bourgeois, while i understand your feelings towards your old schoolmate, please refrain from such open animosity. Jealousy is very unbecoming on you."

Chloe's jaw dropped. Nobody ever spoke her that way. Anyone who did recieved a scathing retort. But then, nobody ever dared speak to THE Gabriel Agreste that way either. If somebody were to ask who was scarier between the two, 95% would say Gabriel. Chloe was no Exception.

Although, it wasn't like his father to be quite so crass either. Yet one more thing to puzzle over with regards to his father.

Shaken from his thoughts, Adrien realized his father was talking again. Damn. What had he missed??

"by my apprentice."

Ahh, yes, the infamous apprentice Adrien had yet to meet. Marjorie or something. She was all Gabriel had been able to talk about for months now. Praising her work, and her cleverness in designing fantastic clothing that wasn't too expensive. Effectively making the Gabriel brand accessible to everyone, not just the well off class.

She was also the reason Adrien was allowed to do other things, not related to the company. Now that his father was no longer trying to push him into that role. He had been overjoyed when his father had given him the news! Almost like he had expected some kind of argument. He didn't recieve any!

Chloe looked at Adrien and rolled her eyes, before turning back to his father, with a calm mask now in place.

"Yes, Mr Agreste. Now as for the fashion show, have you decided what you'll showcase?"

Giving a small sigh, he watched his father rub the bridge of his nose briefly, before shuffling his papers. Funny, his father didn't generally show alot of emotion. And was that... Sadness that lingered in his eyes for a few brief seconds??

Odd.

Finally, "Yes, i have. I had hoped she would return so she could choose them herself, but we can't wait forever."

Whoa, what?!

Where did she go?? A holiday? Sick? An open ended leave of absense, perhaps?

He'd have to ask for introductions, when she finally returned.

"Adrien will, of course, model the men's line, with 2 others. Two outfits each." as he said this, he set aside 2 profiles of male models he had chosen, another blonde and a brunette. And then also set aside a stack of designs for men.

"As for women, I have selected-"

"I'll do it!!" Chloe practically shouted.

What was this?! Chloe had never expressed an interest in modelling before.

Gabriel simply stared at her, his usual stone gaze never wavering. Then, "Why?"

Trust his father to have already come to the same conclusion he had, and call her out on it.

Chloe glared at Adrien's confused expression. "Oh puh-lease, it's no big deal."

Leaning back in her chair, she adjusted her yellow blouse. Then wiped some invisible link off her always impeccable black capris. Finally, Chloe crossed one foot over the other, then crossed her arms and turned her head away, embarrassed.

"Your father is right. It's rude to treat Marinette like I do, regardless of our history. What better way to show her that than offering to model her designs."

Damn, so close. Marinette. Pretty name.

"Ooooooo... I have never heard this story before!" Adrien rested his elbows on the table, and rested his chin on a fist. "You always used to simply tell me-" Adrien made his voice high pitched, "Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! Everyone adores me!!"

Chloe just glared at him.

"Rude! That is NOT how I sound!"

"That was quite a convincing impression of a teenage Miss Bourgeois, Adrien." Gabriel stated, with a small chuckle.

Adrien's gaze Whipped to his father's so fast, he was sure he would get whiplash. No way... Did his father just... Laugh?! What on earth was happening?!

Then, "Very well, Miss Bourgeois, I will allow it. But if you use this as some kind of prank, there will be consequences. Is that understood?!"

Aaaannnd, mood over.

Wow. Who knew his father had a protective streak for the girl. She must be something special.

"Of course, Mr. Agreste. I wouldn't dream of trying anything." she exclaimed in a huff.

That was more like the old Chloe he knew. Didn't like how someone questioned her, and so got defensive and haughty.

With that statement, Gabriel continued on, business as usual.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxco

Chloe demanded they meet up the next day. No matter how much he tried to tell her he had a photo shoot, and wouldn't be home til 3:30, she insisted it was fine. She could deal with wasting half the day waiting for him.

So with some misgivings, he agreed to meet her.

"I'll be ready to leave my house by 4. No earlier. I mean it Chloe."

All he recieved was an eye roll and a wave, as she turned and left his father's office.

She was really lucky she was his childhood friend. He wasn't sure, if they had met as teens, he would have liked her much.

But, knowing her as well as he did, he was fairly certain she wanted to vent about his father. Yay... Fun times.

Glancing at his phone, he noticed it was almost 3, and almost ran out of the house, just wanting to be home with Ladybug.

Ahh, his lady sure made the day seem brighter. The world seem happier. His life seem less mundane.

She was slowly beginning to remember stuff, and he couldnt wait til she remembered enough to tell if they could be together or not.