Chapter 5 -

-Present-

Marinette clenched her fists walking closer to Gabriel, stopping just inches away. "I think it's time for you to leave."

Gabriel had sat dormant for 7 years because of this ridiculous girl. Years wasted not only for him but for his wife. He knew she was tied to Ladybug in some way. He had watched her closely the first few years, waiting to catch her with the kwami or anything that could lead him to Ladybug. But nothing. He staged accidents, fires, muggings and robberies. It never happened. Only Carapace and Rena Rouge responded to his coordnated attempts. He still couldn't shake the feeling.
Gabriel glowered down at Marinette opening his mouth to threaten her once more but was interrupted by a knock at the conference room door.

"Um, Ms. Dupain-Cheng?" it was the timid secretary peeking her head in once more. "I'm so sorry for interrupting, there's a Mr. Agreste, I-I mean another Mr. Agreste, here to see you…" and before she could finish, Adrien appeared behind her letting himself in.

"Father?" Adrien asked. A serious looking Marinette had been standing inches from his father who looked also quite displeased, more so than usual. At the sight of his son, Gabriel retreated, taking a few steps back and smoothing out his tie.

"I didn't expect to find you here." Adrien said slowly.

"I am a patron of the Spring Show now. I was just giving Ms. Dupain-Cheng my expectations." Gabriel turned his attention back to Marinette. "My expectations are clear, right Ms. Dupain-Cheng? He asked carefully.

"Crystal." Marinette said gritting her teeth.

Gabriel gave no response and exited the conference room. Marinette exhaled loudly, dropping her tensed shoulders. She felt hot. She pulled off her blazer and slide into the closest chair, burying her head in her arms on the desk. Adrien felt the urge to rub her back and comfort her. He knew how demanding and intimidating his father could be. Instead he took the seat next to her.

"Is everything alright? I didn't realize you were working for my father now. Is he being too hard on you?" Adrien asked. If there was something he could help with, he wanted to know. He did want Marinette to have another reason to dislike the Agreste name.

"How did you know I'd be here?" Marinette asked lifting her head up, dodging his questions. Even though the room was empty, she couldn't help but feel like anything she said or did wasn't safe from Hawkmoth.

Adrien looked directly into Marinette's blue eyes. She was holding something back.

"I may have called Nino to see if you were still at their place. He said I could find you here..." He paused waiting for Marinette to call him a creep or a stalker. She just looked at him blankly. "Are you okay, Mari? You seem off… was it something my father said?"

Marinette shook her head and forced a smile. She couldn't say anything to anyone. Especially Adrien. "I just have a lot do, sorry."

He didn't want to give up. He knew there was more. Adrien looked at his watch, it was past 11:00. "Get lunch with me."Adrien said. "You look like you need a break."

"I can't." she quickly said, standing up. She made her way around the room collecting all of the handouts that were left behind. Normally the secretary would handle this. Marinette just needed to put space between her and a handsome Adrien who was asking her out to eat. Nothing was making sense.

Adrien watched as Marinette organized the table and stacked papers. Last night it was a sexy pencil skirt and exposed shoulders and today it was a very generous dress hugging her body. Did she know how eye catching she was? She probably captivated everyone in whatever meeting this was. He wished he could've been here for it.

Running out of things to organize, Marinette paused. Adrien was staring at her, still in the same spot at the table. His amused expression made her cheeks get hot. Was there a polite way to get rid of him?

"I think you got it all, Mari. The secretary will be grateful." he stood walking over to grab the stack of papers from Marinette. He set them on the table and then turned to look down at her blushing face.

"Please?" he said. His green eyes intently staring into hers. A warm smile on his face.

Marinette knew Gabriel would be watching her every move. Getting lunch with Adrien was the opposite of being careful. Then again... she hated being threatened. A part of her wanted to make him nervous. And the earnestness of Adrien's offer made her curious. Why was he being so persistent with her?

"Okay then." Marinette agreed. Adrien flashed a grin that made Marinette feel weak in the knees. "A quick lunch and then back to work." Marinette clarified. Adrien nodded still smiling.

Unlike Marinette, Adrien had a car, and had a license. He insisted he drive them to anywhere she wanted. He also told her about how, in the states, having a car was a necessity and how he enjoyed driving himself around. He offered to teach Marinette if she wanted to learn. 15 year old Marinette was screaming internally.

Marinette chose the closest restaurant to her house incase she needed a quick escape. She had to be on high alert.

Walking in, Marinette explained how this was her favorite noodle shop where she was a regular. The owners were an older Chinese couple that loved picking on her for not practicing her Chinese. Adrien laughed remembering when he was the one helping Marinette with her Chinese in high school.

"They're gonna love me then," Adrien winked and approached the counter to order.
Without hesitation, Adrien proceeded to order in Chinese. The older woman was so amused she came around the counter to quiz him on words. Passing the test, she then wanted to take a picture with Adrien to send to her friends. Watching Adrien pose for a picture with the old women was too cute for Marinette to handle.

"Its about time you found someone to share a meal with, young lady."
The old man, Mr. Chu, came around the counter and congratulated Marinette on finding a good match.

This sent Marinette in a frenzy trying to explain that they were just friends. Mr. Chu scolded Marinette for being dishonest with him in Chinese. He insisted they were a couple and wouldn't hear anything else.

Adrien just smiled at Marinette's defeated expression.

After the older couple finally let them go with their noodle bowls, they found a booth in the corner.

"Told you they'd love me" Adrien bragged.

"I'll never be able to come back without you or else I'll get lectured by Mr. Chu!" Marinette scolded.

"Guess you'll have to invite me then" Adrien mused. Marinette half smiled. Something about the way he teased her brought back memories of her and Chat. She missed him.

As they chatted and ate, Marinette realized how hard it was to not be friends with Adrien. He made it so easy to talk and be herself.

The two slurped up their noodles and Adrien told Marinette more about the states and what a different place it was. He also talked about his university and how he was sad to leave his American friends behind.

"So your degree is in physics? Why are you not perusing that?" Marinette asked.

"I actually wanted to teach physics. At our old high school." Adrien said slurping his last noodle.
"Well why aren't you?" Marinette asked. Picturing Adrien as a teacher in front of a class of teenage girls made her smile. To be so lucky.

Adrien laughed. " I don't know. I just haven't gone after it yet. Besides, my father lined up a few shows for me to keep me busy while I'm home. Although, the Spring show was my doing..." he paused looking at Marinette.

Marinette choked on her broth. Her face grew hot and she knew her cheeks were bright red. "Oh. Why is that?" she asked coyly, not wanting to make eye contact.

Adrien smiled. "I wanted to see you again, Mari."

Marinette was definitely a deep shade or maroon. She didn't know what to say.

Feeling awkward, Adrien added "I also wanted to wear your designs. You've always been talented."

"You haven't seen my designs since high school!" she said incredulously. "What if my style changed and I put you in-in all leather spandex or something?"

Internally she noted that it wasn't a bad idea.

Adrien smiled shaking his head. The inner Chat Noir was bursting to make a comment about how well he could make that work. He decided against it.

"How come you missed the first few fit..." Marinette was cut off by a bell dinging signaling someone had entered the shop.

A bald man with a scar running down his cheek to his chin approached the counter.

Spotting him, Marinette immediately tensed. She picked up her bowl and slurped down the rest of her broth.

Adrien, noticing her posture, looked over his shoulder to the man that walked in.

"Do you know that guy?" Adrien asked turning back to Marinette. Marinette was already grabbing her wallet and phone from the table.

Avoiding the question Marinette forced a smile. "Thanks for lunch but I am under a time crunch and it's getting so late."

Not wanting their time to end so abruptly, Adrien put his hand on Marinette's.

"What do you have left? Maybe I can help." Adrien offered.

Marinette's hand was tingling from his warm touch, it took her a second to collect her thoughts.

"Um.. I need to get everything to the venue tonight." I was going to go home and grab everything and change out of this." She motioned to her ridiculous dress.

Adrien had noticed the dress as soon as he had entered the conference room. It was a hell of a dress that he would be keeping a mental image of.

"Well I'm sure having a car would be helpful. I'll come with you." He insisted.

The man was no longer at the counter. He was making his way over to their direction and landed in the booth across from them. Marinette quickly pulled her hand away from Adrien's and decided. "Fine."

'I guess Adrien is coming to my apartment' Marinette thought. Blush crossed Marinette's face once again.