Wow, thanks for the positive feedback, guys! I think I'm getting much more comfortable with my writing. I just hope you guys enjoy chapter 3 as much as I enjoyed writing it!
"Father," Adrien called out quietly into Gabriel's office as he poked his head through the door. It was a quiet, early morning, and he heard his father shuffling about. He hadn't slept; he was so excited about discovering Ladybug's true identity, he kept Plagg up all night talking about it.
"Yes, what is it?" His father's voice sounded from behind his desk. He sounded groggy and annoyed, but he always sounded like that. Adrien stepped in through the door and closed it behind him. "Father, are you busy tomorrow?"
"I'm always busy, Adrien." He didn't look up at his son. He merely continued working on his latest design ideas, his coffee sitting beside him as it patiently waited to be consumed. Adrien shifted uncomfortably in his spot on the floor. Gabriel looked up finally, an unamused look on his face. "Don't just stand there. Speak. It's 3 AM. Either speak now or go back to bed. Being up this late is unhealthy, and you have a photoshoot today at the park."
Adrien looked at his father and frowned a bit, but took a deep breath and asked, "I was just wondering... Could I bring Marinette to the Paris headquarters today? She really could use the experience." Gabriel sat back and looked at his son. He scratched the stubble he had yet to shave, deep in thought. "Marinette... Mari... nette..." Gabriel looked back to his papers, trying to remember the familiarity of the name. "She is the one who made the derby hat, correct?" He asked, looking back to Adrien, who nodded with a smile drawing up his face.
Gabriel scratched his chin. "I suppose. I see no harm in it... I could use an intern for the summer, as well. Someone fresh, with new ideas. Have her bring her sketchbook."
A yawn escaped Marinette's lips and she laid her head down on her desk. She let out a soft groan, "I can't believe I yelled at Chat Noir like that yesterday..." Tikki sat in front of her, stroking her head with her tiny hand. "Oh, Marinette, don't let that silly cat get to you... You haven't slept at all since yesterday."
Marinette's head shot up, and she looked to her kwami. "I can't help it, Tikki! When he mentioned Adrien I just..."
"Blew up?"
"… Yeah..." She let her head settle back on the desk once more and looked at the clock. 4:20 AM.
As Marinette dragged herself down the street to the park with sketchbook in hand. It was another warm afternoon, with the sun shining and barely a cloud in the sky. Her name was called out from behind her, "Hey, Marinette!" She turned toward the source and bumped right into Adrien's chest. "O-Oh, Adrien..." She said as she looked up to him and smiled sheepishly. Adrien beamed down at her happily, his face made up for the photoshoot. Who knew eyeliner looked so good on guys? "Hey, Marinette, I've really been needing to talk to you since yesterday, and when I went to your house, you weren't home..." Marinette couldn't remember if her parents said anything. She looked up to him and replied, "Y-You didn't try to c-call?" She tried to seem non-chalant, unsure of what to do. "No, I... I thought it would be best if I ask you in person. Would you like to go with me to Gabriel's Paris headquarters after my 'shoot? I thought you'd really like it, and... maybe we can go out to eat after. I know a really nice café nearby."
Marinette's head was spinning. Gabriel? Her favorite fashion line with her favorite fashion designer's incredibly hot son? And free FOOD with said incredibly hot son? Say yes say yes say yes! She screamed at herself, but could only stare dumbfoundedly at Adrien.
"Oh, and father said to bring your best designs. He said he could totally sponsor you again!" Adrien said as he excitedly hopped on his toes. Marinette blinked a few times and studdered, "S-Sponsor?" Adrien nodded and smiled softly. "Yeah. He said you could be his intern over the summer, which means we can spend more time together!"
Marinette cracked a small smile, then grinned, "Yes, Adrien! I would go anywhere with you! I-I mean... To Gabriel with you." Her anxiety went through the roof, and she felt faint. She grew lightheaded, and she grabbed his arm for support. Adrien looked at her hand as his cheeks reddened, his own hand going to it. Marinette's breath caught in her throat as he flashed her a small smile. He pulled away as his name was called near the fountain. "Hey, stick around. This'll only take an hour or two," Adrien's voice dropped to a loving tone, and Marinette nodded wordlessly, her body quivering from the contact. Her hand remained in his and he bowed to her, kissing it. "Milady." He said before taking off toward the fountain.
Plagg poked his head out of Adrien's jacket, "Are you TRYING to give us away!?" Adrien smiled as he jogged to the photographer. "Yeah, maybe..." He replied. He felt like he was in a dream-like state, letting out a sigh when he reached the fountain. "Just... Maybe."
"'Milady'?" Tikki poked her head out of Marinette's purse, a confused look on her face. "Did he say 'Milady'?" Marinette wasn't listening, though. She had settled herself on a park bench and was busy drawing brand new designs as she watched Adrien do his photoshoot. "I need to impress Mr. Agreste. I need new designs for his summer and maybe his fall lines. Ohhhh, Tikki! This means that I will become a fashion designer! That means I could be one of Mr. Agreste's fashion designers! That means more time with Adrien, which means a higher chance of us dating, which means we could get married! Oh, Tikki, my dream is coming true!" She bounced her legs up and down as she squirmed in delight.
Tikki sighed and looked to Marinette, "Your dream could turn into a nightmare if he is who I think he is..." Marinette snapped back to reality and looked to her kwami, "Sorry, what?" Tikki rolled her eyes, "You really are hopeless, Marinette!" Marinette merely shrugged and smiled, "I like to think of myself as a romantic." Tikki chuckled and grinned, "Yeah, a hopeless romantic."
"No no no! This is all wrong! Mr. Agreste, your eyes lack fire! Your body lacks passion!" The photographer pulled away from his camera and Adrien blinked, taken aback by the comment. "I'm sorry, Vincent. Must be my lack of sleep." Vincent huffed, "I'll say. Your sleep-depravity is ruining my shots! I need a girl!" Vincent scanned the empty park, and his eyes fell upon Marinette. "You! Girl! Come this way!"
Marinette's head shot up from her sketchbook. "Huh?"
Vincent walked over to her and pulled her up to Adrien. "Alright. Adrien, wrap your arms around her! Act like she is the love of your life! The yin to your yang, the Ladybug to your Chat Noir!" Marinette's face reddened and she retorted, "B-But Ladybug doesn't even like Chat Noir!"
"Blah blah blah, less talking more romance! Work with me!" Vincent went back to his camera. Adrien's arms wrapped around Marinette and he stared into her eyes affectionately. Marinette's face burned bright red and she faked a smile, her arms going around his neck.
A few clicks sounded from the camera, "Okay, walk down the pathway. Kiss her cheek!" Vincent demanded.
Adrien silently did as told, his arm going around Marinette's waist as they walked. He hooked his hand around her side and leaned in, kissing her cheekbone with his eyes closed. A squeak resonated from her vocal chords, and she fought back a scream of giddiness. She simply attempted to soften her smile and turned her eyes toward him. The only sounds she noticed were the birds in the sky and clicks from the camera.
She participated for the rest of the photoshoot, mostly behind the camera so Adrien wouldn't lack the 'fire' in his eyes, at least according to Vincent.
Vincent called her over and showed them the pictures after. When Vincent noticed Marinette's reaction to the couple photos, he grinned and whispered, "I'll get these developed for you," When Adrien turned away to talk to Nathalie and The Gorilla (Who really only nodded.). Marinette smiled shyly and cleared her throat, "Oh, um, thank you." Vincent winked at her and proceeded to put his camera away.
As Marinette walked up to Adrien, Nathalie smiled at her, "You're that girl he always talks about. I remember you..."
Marinette blinked, disconcerted, and replied, "He... he does?" Adrien flailed his arms out, "Nathalie, don't tell her that! Geez, you're like a mom or something!" He frowned like a small child and crossed his arms across his chest. Nathalie chuckled, showing a rare smile. "Come, you two. Mr. Agreste is waiting."