Adrien's bodyguard was waiting for them as they left the bakery. He ran a professional eye over the two kids. Seemingly satisfied all was in order, he led them over to the car, and began to reach for the door. Adrien beat him to it, "I got this," he said, and opened the door.
"Thank you," Marinette said, shooting Adrien's body guard a nervous glance, and slipped into the interior of the car.
Adrien closed the door gently and walked around to the other side, opening his own door. He glanced at his body guard and gave a quick, slightly nervous smile.
Giving Adrien a quick approving nod, he watched his charge enter the vehicle, before slipping into the drivers seat. Adjusting the mirror so he could keep an eye on what was going on in the back, Adrien's body guard pulled out into traffic.
Marinette ran a nervous hand over the soft leather seats, "I've never mentioned this before," and she lowered her voice to a whisper, "but he's kind of scary," she said, glancing at Adrien's bodyguard.
"Yeah, he can be scary, but you want to know what I call him?" Adrien said his eye's twinkling.
"What?" Marinette asked, curiously.
"The Gorilla," Adrien whispered to Marinette.
She broke into giggles, feeling better.
"Your parents were not what I was expecting," Adrien added.
"Oh, no! Did they embarrass you?" Marinette looked worried. "I told Papa not to take so many pictures."
"No, not at all. I'm used to people taking my picture," Adrien laughed, "They were so warm and kind, and they seem to trust you very much. It's just so different then I'm used to, that's all. My father doesn't even trust me to pick out my own clothes."
"You look great," Marinette said.
Adrien reflexively smoothed down his jacket, "Thank you,"
"Um," Marinette began, wondering how to keep the conversation going, "will you be modeling tonight?"
"Not exactly," Adrian said, "I, and a few other people, will be wearing some of Father's new designs, a kind of preview before fashion week. But tonight's mostly about networking. I'm expected to mingle and represent the brand."
"So," Marinette asked, "Do you enjoy working in your fathers company?"
Adrian was silent for a moment before answering, "Yes and No. Modeling can be a lot of fun, and if it wasn't for business occasions like this, I'd probably never see him," He paused, Thinking about what his father had said when he told Adrien, he was required to attend.
"This is an important event. I expect you to continue to represent the 'Gabriel' brand with the same reserve and commitment you have displayed in the past," Staring down at this son, with a stern gaze, Gabriel continued, "You have been enjoying more freedom lately, but don't forget your responsibilities."
"Sometimes I just want to run away, explore other options. Maybe see more of the world. Do something else," He paused, then glanced over to Marinette a bit guiltily, "Wow, I sound like a spoiled rich kid huh."
"What, No!" Marinette said, "You could never sound spoiled." She smiled kindly, "I suppose everyone want's to try doing something different than what they're used to. It's natural."
Camera flashes caught her attention. They were here already. Marinette gazed out the tinted windows as the car came to a smooth stop in front of a red carpet, flanked by hordes of people. The Gorilla motioned for the kids to stay put, then got out of the car.
There were reporters holding microphones, fans holding signs, people in black suits and sunglasses and cameras everywhere. They were currently focused on a figure walking a crocodile on a leash. "Is that Jagged Stone?" she said. Then smiled to herself, who else would be walking a crocodile around on a leash. "Wow, there are so many people, and cameras," she said.
"It'll be all right," Adrien said, correctly interpreting Marinette's mood, as she surveyed the scene. "I'll be right beside you, just smile. Don't worry about answering any questions, if you don't want too."
Marinette swallowed hard.
Adrien's door opened, "Wait, right here," he said, then slipped out of the car.
Marinette took a few deep breaths. Then Adrien was there, opening her door and bending down, extending his hand. An explosion of flash bulbs went off. Blinded by the flashes, she felt his hand take hers, drawing her out of the car. It felt warm and strong and reassuring. She squeezed it slightly and felt it squeeze back.
Flash bulbs exploded, following them up the carpet, and questions fell down on them like hail.
"Adrien! Adrien! Look this way."
"Adrien, I love you!"
"Who is she?"
"Are you wearing your father's newest design?"
"Is that your new girlfriend?"
"I'll be your girlfriend!"
"Who is she wearing? Is it a new Gabriel design?"
"Adrien! Adrien!"
Adrien smiled and waved, turning this way and that, ignoring most of the questions, although he did stop to sign autographs for a few of the younger kids in the crowd.
There were girls. Lots of girls. Girls holding up signs. Girls waving autograph books. Girls clutching magazines and pictures. Her vision clearing slightly, and she noticed, with a little chagrin, many of the girls were holding the very same pictures she had of Adrien, on the walls of her bedroom.
"Marinette!" A familiar voice made Marinette turn towards one of the people in the crowd. It was Alya, holding her phone high. Marinette flashed a dazzling smile, and waved at her friend. "You look amazing!" Alya yelled. A barrage of flashbulbs went off, blinding Marinette. She stood motionless, stunned. Still holding Adrien's hand, she felt it squeeze hers and guide her along.
There was something soothingly familiar about the gesture, and she remembered another time she couldn't see and a hand had guided her along. As her vision cleared a little, she found herself looking up into Adrien's eyes. For a moment, she imagined a different pair of green eyes. Blinking she shook her head a little, trying to clear the memory away at the same time as her vision.
"I forget what this must be like for someone not used to it," He smiled at her, and guided her up the steps and toward the entrance to the museum, "We're past the worst of it," he said. A few questions drifted up to them. A few fan girls shouted after Adrien, but they couldn't push past the barriers, and the horde of people were shifting focus to the next car pulling up.
"I feel bad, I didn't get a chance to say hello to Alya," Marinette said, looking back at the crowd of reporters.
"We can find her later and give her an exclusive. The reporters can be very aggressive and if we try to go down now, we'll get mobbed." More flashes erupted from the crowd of people as a long white Limousine pulled up to the curve. "Looks like my father has arrived," Adrien said, nodding toward the limousine.
Marinette looked back and could just see through the spots in her vision, a tall blond man in a white three-piece suit, emerged from a long white limousine.
"Let's go inside," Adrien said, lifting Marinette's hand, and slipping it into the crook of his arm, "He'll probably find me later, when he's not too busy."
Marinette nodded, a little too overwhelmed to speak, she could feel his muscles under his jacket. There was something about the material that almost felt alive. It was soft and rough at the same time, with a kind of slickness. Really good quality leather also had that feeling. So did what ever Chat Noir's superhero costume was made out of, what had Alya called it, "Boyfriend Material."
"Pardon?" Adrien looked at Marinette, an eyebrow raised slightly.
"What, Oh. Nothing." Marinette blushed, realizing she had just said that out loud, "I was just remembering something Alya said. It isn't important..." Marinette's voice trailed off as she looked up, her vision finally clearing and she saw the Louvre Pyramid rising above them. "Oh, my," she breathed.
The fountains were not turned on and the water surrounding the pyramid was still, not a ripple disturbed surface. There were two pyramid's, one reaching for the sky, the other reflected, pointing down, reaching for a subterranean expanse of darkening blue. It reminded Marinette of fairytails she had read as a child, of how the fairy world had skies and moons and suns; whole worlds concealed underneath their mounds.
She had often passed under the Louvre Pyramid, to the ticket lobby. She had even climbed it a few times as Ladybug, but there was something… something magical about it tonight, entering it while it was lit up and sparkling, on the arm of famous model. She could hear strains of music drifting up from the underground area. It felt like she was entering a fairy ball and she wondered if she partook any of the food or drank any of the wine, would she be fated to stay in this world, never to return to the mundane world of her normal life. Did she want to stay in this world?
"Are you ready?" Adrien asked, indicating the entrance.
Marinette took a breath and nodded.