Chapter 5: Nadja Chamack

Time is ticking with the fashion show right around the corner, and Adrien needs to present his plus one ticket to Marinette, but other people have other plans in mind for this event.


On the Pont des Arts bridge looking over the Seine, stood Adrien, enjoying the sunset with Marinette after they completed yet another wonderful date. A long time ago, tourists would attach padlocks with their first names written on them to the grate on the side of the bridge; they would then throw the key into the Seine, as a romantic gesture. After picking Marinette up at home, he treated her to a fancy lunch at the Agreste mansion where they were allowed to eat in Adrien's room. Afterwards, Adrien had his driver take them to the movies where they had the whole theater to themselves, so they were free to laugh as loud as they wanted.

When the film was over, Adrien took Marinette to the Seine; they had been together for a while now and he wanted to do something special for their Month-versery. "Marinette, I have something for you…"

Taking a knee, Adrien pulled out a tiny felt box and presented it to her. When he opened the box, it displayed a small ring, it had a heart shaped crest that was divided in half; the first half was black with a light green paw print and the other half of a red with tiny black spots.

Astounded, Marinette covered her mouth, although that didn't stop her squeals from escaping. As her tears began to fall, she started fanning her face, "A-Adrien…"

He laughed as he rose to his feet, then took Marinette's right hand and placed the jewel on her ring finger; she then brought it to her face to examine it more closely. "I love it so much; thank you but what's it for?"

"It's a promise ring." Adrien lowered his gaze, taking both of her hands; he brought them to his lips, kissing them tenderly. "It symbolizes my feelings for you and my level of devotion that I have for you." With their still connected hands, Adrien pulled Marinette into his arms, nuzzling the side of her face. "It says that no matter what I will be by your side as your friend, your lover and as your partner; I promise to always protect you, Bugaboo."

Her eye twitched, Marinette instantly pushed Adrien back, "Bugaboo? Ha ha, isn't that what Chat Noir calls Ladybug?" Rotating her new ring, she retreated to the railing of the bridge.

Adrien followed her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder then turning her around, "I am Chat Noir…"

"Wh-What?" Marinette slowly backed away out of his grasp, she collected her hand within herself while she shook her head in disbelief. "N-No, it can't be…"

After looking around quickly, making sure the coast was clear; Adrien chuckled to himself, "Plagg, Claws out!" Marinette covered her eyes as she was being blinded by a bright green flash; when she uncovered them, her silly Kitty was standing in Adrien's place.

Marinette's eyes were as large as saucers, she brought her fists up to her eyes to rub them, making sure she saw what she saw. While her mouth was agape, Chat Noir slid into her space, taking her hands into his.

"I know this is alot to take in, but I'm also Aspik and I've been in love with you; even before I found out that you were Ladybug…

"No, no, no this is all wrong!" She finally came to her senses and herself out of his grasp, Marinette took her hair into her fists and began pacing in a circle, panicked. "You know the rules, we aren't supposed to know, wait-"

She halted, slowly bringing her arms down to her side; forming fist again, "Y-you know that I'm L-Ladybug? W-when? H-how long?" Marinette's brows were furrowed.

Chat slowly approached, a hopeful smile on his face, "It doesn't matter when or how, the important thing is that we found each other and we're together now."

Once again, Marinette retreated, she walked over to the railing and slumped her head into her arms, "Adrien, we can't do this…"

"Wh-what do you mean?" Still walking forward, Chat reached his arm out for her, but she stayed away.

"I'm sorry, but now that we know each other's identity, w-we can't be together anymore…"

"Wh-What are you talking about? Claws in," Now Adrien again, he began to follow her lead by walking up to the railing of the bridge. "Everything will be okay, we love each other-"

It's more complicated than that!" Throwing up her arms, Marinette rotated in a circle, "Hawkmoth is still out there terrorizing all of Paris, what if he akumatized one of us, he could force the other one to tell him our identities! This is dangerous!"

Adrien tried again, he came up behind Marinette and placed his hand on her shoulder, "My Lady, please calm down we'll figure this-"

Without warning, Marinette smacked his hand away as tears streamed down her cheeks, "You do not get to call me that anymore!"

Finally, Tikki popped out, making her own argument; angrily hovering next to Marinette. "Plagg! How could you let this happen?"

Plagg soon zipped out from Adrien's shirt, "I didn't let anything happen, the kid got a mind of his own!"

"You're the one that's supposed to be in charge of him!"

"Well if your Ladybug hadn't broken into his room, just to drop off a gift; none of this would've happened!"

"Oh so you're saying that it's my fault?!"

While they floated in the air arguing, Adrien went to find Marinette further down the bridge; she was once again hanging onto the railing. Marinette's hair blew with the light breeze, as small tears trickled down her cheek.

"My La-Bua-Prin- Marinette…" Adrien started by reaching out but pulled back, "I'm sorry, I thought that if you knew it was me, that you wouldn't feel like you needed to keep things from me…."

Marinette sighed, her arms flopped to her side as she turned to her partner, "Why didn't you tell sooner?" Wiping her tears, "Why didn't you say anything…?"

Adrien was hesitant, he stretched his neck, "I enjoyed spending time with you -with this Marinette; for the first time you weren't jumpy or nervous around me. It was nice to see you confident without the spots. I was being shellfish, I'm sorry…"

"Yeah, I'm sorry too…" Marinette sighed again, after rubbing her face in disgust; she walked over to Adrien, reached down and grabbed his right hand. Without saying a word, she took off his miraculous and placed it on her right ring finger, recalling Plagg.

Adrien brought his hand to his face, "O-Oh are we switching miraculous again?"

"No…*sniff* and we never will again…" Mari stormed past Adrien, only to pluck Tikki out of the air.

"Wh-what wait. Marinette, please we can talk about this!"

"I'm sorry, Adrien, but it has to be done." She placed Tikki back into her purse, then turned to face Adrien. Her arms were at her side and her body appeared stiff.

Adrien was in tears, he rushed over and grabbed her hands, "No Mari, wait!"

Removing her hands and standing at arm's length; Marinette cried, "I, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, guardian of the miracle box and current holder of the Ladybug miraculous; do hereby renounce you, Adrien Agreste, as holder of the cat miraculous."

A sudden rush of power surged through Adrien's body before disappearing completely, his face was pale and his eyes dull, he sank to his knees in tears, "Marinette, pl-please don't do this, Plagg he's-he's all I have now…"

Through his tears, Adrien looked up at an approaching Marinette, she looked down at her now ex-boyfriend; she squatted in front of him, holding his face in her palm. "I'm sorry, Adrien." She removed his tears from his eyes, "And to think we could've had a hamster…"

She released his face, then rose her feet and began to leave, although Adrien grabbed her ankle to force her to stop, "No! Marinette, please don't go; please don't leave me!"

She turned and looked down at him, her eyes were cover but he could still make out the tears streaming down her face, "And we would've name it-"


"MARINETTE!"

Waking up hyperventilating in a cold sweat was not the most ideal way to wake up…

"Kid, get up, Nathalie is at the door!"

Neither was that Adrien grabbed his chest to stop his heart from beating out of his chest, however the sounds of rapping on his bedroom door helped drown out his loudness in his ears.

He didn't have time to analyze the nightmare he just experienced, after wiping his brow from the excess sweat he accumulated; Adrien took a deep breath, "Co-come in!"

Nathalie didn't bother to comment on what took him so long to answer the door, she did rush in unexpectedly; probably running late with her own tasks due to Adrien's procrastination.

"Good morning, Adrien, today you have fencing practice after school followed by your suit fitting for the event and here is your plus one ticket…" Nathalie handed him a pretty white and gold envelope with a giant Agreste "G" sealing it closed.

"Yeah, thanks Nathalie…" Adrien took it from her then tossed it to the side. He pulled his knees up to his knees and placed his head on his arms, still recovering from the dream he had.

"Adrien, is something wrong?" Adrien looked up to see Nathalie slowly seated on his bed, far enough to give his legs room.

"Oh no, Nathalie, I'm fine. I-I just had a really bad dream…" He threw off his blanket then swung his legs over the edge then held his face in his hands.

Accepting that answer as is, Nathalie nodded before she rose to leave. She stopped just arm-length's short of the door, "Do you know who you are taking with you?"

Adrien had already risen and was making his way to the restroom when he stopped, "I'm taking Marinette this year, she is my girlfriend after all."

Nathalie let go of the door handle and faced Adrien, "Understandable. Mademoiselle Bourgeois is going to be disappointed…"

Before he disappeared behind his bathroom door, Adrien stopped again, "I don't mean to hurt Chloe, I'm grateful that she was friends with me but now…" Adrien sighed in frustration, he brought his hand to his neck, when he was often uncomfortable. "Chloe is 'particular' and honestly now that I've found my own footing and my own friends, I've felt as if we've grown up and grown apart…"

"I see, well I hope she won't be too upset, but I know Marinette will be excited to go with you…"

"Speaking of which, Nathalie," Once again she found her hand on the doorknob ready to go but this time Adrien stopped her, "I know it may not be my place, but I've noticed that you and father have been getting close as of late. Maybe after the show you two could go out as well…"

Nathalie was stunned, was their relationship so obvious? She felt her heart jump in her chest, "Yes Adrien, that's a good idea. I'll see what I can do. Please come down for breakfast when you're ready…" Nathalie smiled widely as she exited, then upon seeing Gabriel across the stairwell, gave him a solemn nod and proceeded downstairs.

The whole time Adrien was getting ready for school, having breakfast and heading out, he was lost in thought about the dream he had. It was obvious telling him something, but what was it?

"It was telling you that you need to tell Marinette the truth before things get too outta hand!"

Adrien once again arrived early to school, he had a present for Marinette and he wanted to be here bright and early to present to her before class, while he was wanting, he and Plagg were having a pow wow in the locker room.

"Or maybe it was telling me to keep the secret for so long that we defeat Hawkmoth and live happier ever after-"

"Adrien!"

Adrien lightly punched his locker; he knew what he had to do; he just needed to find the right time to do so. "I know Plagg, I know! But how am I supposed to tell her that? It's been over and week and I don't think that-"

"Adrikins!"

After Plagg zipped into Adrien's clothes, he turned around and greeted Chloe with less than perky enthusiasm, "Good morning, Chloe, Sabrina. How are you today?"

Sabrina perked up, hardly anyone spoke to her whenever Chloe was around; she was about to answer when she got interrupted, "Who cares! Although, I would be even better after you give me my ticket…" Chloe had her arms crossed when she removed one and presented an open palm to Adrien.

Adrien dug his foot into the ground, "Actually Chloe, I'm taking Marinette to the event this year…"

Standing there bewildered, Chloe didn't move; it took her moments before she retracted her hand then threw her head back and began laughing hysterically. She soon stood up straight then carefully wiped a tear from her eye, not to ruin her mascara, "You are so funny, Adrikins!" Chloe took a hold of her stomach as she continued to chortle. "I never knew you were so good at telling jokes!"

Both Sabrina and Adrien looked at each other in confusion, "Uh Chloe?" He waited until her laughter died down before he put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder, "It's not a joke, Marinette is my plus one this year."

Chloe's smile completely disappeared, she angrily slapped Adrien's hand off her, "Are you serious? You're taking Dupain-Cheng? This must be a joke because she knows nothing about style or fashion!" Chloe turned away from Adrien then crossed her arms again.

Adrien put his fist on his hips, "Marinette knows a lot about fashion, she made me this beret and she's also made the derby I'm going to be wearing on the red carpet!"

"See that's my point, an ugly hat and pigeon bowler does not warrant Dupain-Cheng to do anything fashion related!"

"Chloe, stop it, enough alright!"

The whole locker room echoed with Adrien's voice, rarely did he raise his voice, but when he did; he made sure that he was heard. Chloe, for once, said nothing; she only made a full rotation and turned her back to Adrien, "Chloe, for the last time, you are either be nice to Marinette or we're no longer friends."

Chloe "humph" as she flipped her hair, snapped her finger for Sabrina then started walking out; Adrien called out to her, "You've done it before, and you can do it again!"

Just as Sabrina opened the door for Chloe, did Marinette make an appearance, "Oh good morning…" The air was thick with tension, she had just missed something, and she was glad she did. "What's up, guys?"

Chloe and Sabrina glanced back at Adrien, who only cleared throat and nodded towards Marinette's direction. Chloe looked Marinette up and down then stepped forward, spreading her arms open as she approached; her arms shook as tilted her head in repulse.

Marinette hesitantly opened her arms to receive the hug, but Chloe jumped back when they got too close for her comfort, "No I refuse! I can't! Once was an accident, twice would be a mistake!" She held her arms up like a goal post and maneuvered her way out.

Flabbergasted, Marinette stared at Adrien, she was so confused, "Do I want to know what just happened?"

Adrien was rubbing his temples when Marinette met him at his locker, he shook his head, "Don't worry about it…" After kissing her cheek, Adrien opened his lockers and retrieved her invitation; he snuck the envelope behind his back. "I have something for you!"

Marinette tilted her head to the side before Adrien whipped out a gold and white envelope, now with a red colored circle and tiny black dots on the center seal. He had some time before he left home to color the "Agreste" seal with more aesthetically pleasing colors, "What's with the Ladybug seal?"

"Because you're my 'everyday Ladybug'!" Marinette took the present and looked it over then used her nails to break the seal.

"Is this what I think it is?" Adrien stood off to the side, gleefully watching as she tore the envelope open. It didn't take her long to realize what the gift was; after she saw the golden corners of the invite, Marinette lunged at Adrien; it wasn't as harsh as when Chloe does it, but it felt way nicer. "I can't believe this; I've always wanted to go to this event! Merci, merci, merci!"

Marinette was so excited, she attacked Adrien with a barrage of kisses all over his face and lips, when her excitement died down, Marinette pulled back; seeing how she just invaded Adrien's space. Although he wasn't upset about it by the large smile he had on his lips, "Ha-ha sorry…"

"Don't be I'm not…" The school bell rang in just enough time for Marinette to put her invitation away and walk with Adrien to class. "The event is this Saturday, so you'll have time to find something. I have my suit fitting after school, so I'll call you later to make sure we match."


Finally the day of the event had arrived and like always the La Grande hotel was up in arms for the star-studded event. There were guest appearances from Jagged Stone, Clara Nightingale, and XY. Adrien was busy in the dressing room before he made his way to the red carpet, replacing his favorite beret with the bowler derby Marinette made him a long time ago.

Once there, he was attacked with camera flashes and questions; most of which came from, "Alec Cataldi here, on scene at the Gabriel Agreste fashion showcase, where they will be revealing this year's spring line. Unfortunately, the event is invitation only, so we won't be able to do an in dept interview with the man himself,"

Adrien was still standing at the entrance until a young girl with bluenette hair, showed up next to him; Alec saw them and pulled them over for a quickly interview, "Luckily for us, we have the next best thing; son of the famous designer and Paris' top model Adrien Agreste! Adrien, Adrien, could we have a few words?"

Adrien stepped forward, briefly leaving Marinette, but only to answer his questions as he continued to wave to the crowd. "Afternoon Alec, how is it going?"

"Having a great day, Adrien! We're so excited to see the new spring line from Agreste brand. What can you tell us about what we can expect this season?"

"Well, I can't say much, but we have a lot of new types of dresses and suits that should all be on the shelfs by spring," He brought his hand behind his neck and laughed nervously.

"That's great, Adrien!" Alec happened to look behind Adrien and noticed that Marinette girl; he remembered her from when he and Jagged Stone were at her house doing that cooking segment with her parents, "And how's this little lady here with you?"

Adrien turned around and extended his arms towards Marinette, inviting her in, "Well this is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, she's one of my friends that I have classes with," Marinette allowed herself to be pulled into his embrace, while blushing profusely, "She's also the one that made this derby I'm wearing now," He drug her closer squeezing her hand tightly, "And my new girlfriend…" Adrien interlaced their fingers, bringing them to his lips and gave her a kiss on the back of her hand.

In the bowels of the Agreste mansion stood an oppressive father and his lovelorn assistant watching the current live broadcast of the fashion show he was "hosting".

Alec beamed at the camera, "Oh la la that's absolutely beautiful, so Marinette Dupain-Cheng, do you mind if I ask, who are you wearing tonight?

Marinette, taken aback from the sudden interest Alec had in her, removed herself from Adrien's grapes, "Well I guess you could say that I'm wearing an original Marinette,"

She grabbed the ends of her dress then twirled around showing off her design. The dress Marinette chose to wear was a one-piece black dress with a white collar and belt, with a tiny black bowler. It was an old design she came up with a long time ago, in the hopes that she would one day get invited to a red-carpet event.

"And that's so cute that you both match too! Well, I'll let you two love birds get to the show, have fun!" Alex watched as both Adrien and Marinette turned towards the entrance then rejoined their hands; turning back one last time to wave to the crowd, "You heard it here folks, looks like the up-and-coming designer, Marinette Dupain-Cheng is going to give the Agreste brand a run for his money! This is Alec Cataldi at the Agreste fashion showcase, back to you Nadia!"

"Thank you, Alec! It's heartbreak for all the girls of Paris as supermodel Adrien Agreste has a girlfriend—classmate Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

If you were to listen closely, you could hear the wailing screams of one Chloe Bourgeois. That's when Gabriel had an idea, an awful idea, a wonderful, awful idea.

"Nathalie, I need you to make a stop at the Boulangerie Patisserie tomorrow!"

"Sir? Are you not planning on akumatizing Mademoiselle Bourgeois this time?

"No, I have bigger fish to fry!"


Translation:

Mademoiselle = Miss

Merci = Thank you

A/N:

wiki/Adrien_Agreste

wiki/Cat_Blanc/Transcript

wiki/Pont_des_Arts