For once, Adrien found himself in the middle of the week with no photoshoots or attention demanded by his girlfriend. After making sure his assistant would not schedule any surprise appointments, Adrien decided to head towards the shop Miraculous Ladybug Boutique had recommended.

Black Cat Suits and Formal Menswear.

Hoping to catch a glimpse of Marinette, Adrien had his driver drop him off near her apartment building and continued to the shop on foot, munching on some of Tom and Sabine's macarons as he did.

Despite the awkwardness he felt at first, he was glad for Sunday night. He felt closer to Marinette and knew a little more about her than before. And her parents almost made him feel like one of the family.

Chloe's family had always treated him as professionally as possible whenever they had dinner with them.

Speaking of Chloe, he hadn't heard from her since she had left the boutique other than the occasional check up text. But she was normally working this time of year planning Christmas events on behalf of the Mayor and his supported charities. Plus she was in charge of the Le Grand Paris Hotel Christmas Party this year, as well as the New Year's Spectacular. So she was probably busy.

Quickly pushing those thoughts aside, he continued past Marinette's building towards the shopping district, slowing down slightly in hopes to see her.

No such luck, so he pressed on, securing her scarf around his neck as the wind whipped through the street.

Adrien turned into the shopping district, parents running around to shop before their children were let out of school for the holidays. Maybe he should buy something for Marinette and her family while he was here.

"Adrien?" Adrien turned at the call of his name to find Chloe and her assistant, Sabrina leaving a store.

"ADRIKINS!" Chloe ran over to him as fast as her outfit would allow, smothering him in a fluffy embrace as her fur coat surrounded him.

"Hey Chloe, what are you doing out and about? Taking a break from planning?"

Luckily for Adrien, Chloe let go, but remained close enough so her fur rubbed on his jacket.

"I wish, some important people are coming to the hotel's Christmas party so, I'm searching for party gifts that won't take too long to arrive in time for Christmas."

"Have you tried shopping online? I'm sure it would save you time," Adrien looked to Sabrina who was struggling with the packages. He was certain it would be easier for her to do the shopping online rather than try to carry all of Chloe's packages, whether it be for guests or personal.

Adrien would probably be obliged to help too if he didn't have somewhere he needed to be.

"I can't examine the quality of what I buy online, plus they all have to be unique gifts. It will help Daddy win the reelection next year if we have their support."

"Of course," Adrien smiled politely.

"So what are you doing? Don't you have to be getting ready for your father's fashion show next week?"

"I'm actually free today, and taking the time to do some holiday shopping of my own."

"Ooo, we should go together. I have the best tastes in gifts," Chloe wrapped her arm around his.

"Actually, I'm shopping for more myself. I have to get a new suit."

"But isn't your father making your suit for all the holiday functions?"

"It's actually for… the Miraculous Christmas Ball," Adrien winced, waiting for Chloe's outrage at going to a party without her.

"The Miraculous Christmas Ball?"

"Yes, since I couldn't return the ticket, I have to go," Adrien's voice got small as Chloe released her hold on his arm.

"You're going to a party, that I wasn't invited to?"

"It'll be fine Chloe. It's just one night, and Christmas I'll be there all day for you," he pleaded.

"No. No! You are not going to that ball. Give the ticket to someone else, but you are not going."

"I...I can't."

"I'm sorry?"

"I already agreed to go with someone. Since we weren't going to know anyone else, we agreed to go together."
"Like a date?"

"No, just friends. Of convenience actually," Adrien defended.

Chloe scowled "Friends?"

"Yeah, she's really nice when you get to know her."

"She?"

"Yeah, she was the girl at the boutique when we tried to return the ticket."

Chloe gasped, almost too shocked for words.

"Let me get this straight, you are going to a ball without me, your girlfriend, only to be going instead with a girl you only just met. And all because she wouldn't know anyone?"

"Yeah?"

"It's either a yes or a no Adrien. Are you going to your father's Christmas party with me, or a Christmas Ball with some strange girl?"

Adrien took a deep breath, hoping to relax his nerves, but not finding it too helpful.

"I'm going to the Miraculous Christmas Ball with Marinette," he said quietly.

"So you know her name?"

"We are friends," Adrien emphasized.

Chloe shook her head in disbelief.

"Look, I can't deal with this right now. I have parties to plan, and don't need to worry about you and your little rendezvous."

"Rendezvous?"

"So call me when your head's on straight, and you are going to your father's Christmas party with me."

And with that Chloe marched off with Sabrina following behind.

Adrien sighed, wishing his life wasn't so complicated as he resumed his journey. Marinette was a nice girl and deserved to go to the ball with someone who could give her their full and undivided attention. Instead she was going with a guy who didn't have the guts to break up with his girlfriend all because of "societal demands". And his girlfriend saw it at some sort of temporary fling. Adrien was raised to be a gentleman, but he felt like scum at the moment.

At the familiar street sign, Adrien turned down the street, passing the boutique as he made his way to the suit shop.

While Miraculous Ladybug Boutique looked whimsical with a comforting feel, the Black Cat looked old fashioned and very professional. The only thing out of place was a slightly nervous looking man straightening a suit in the window display.

Adrien opened the door, the bell jingling as he came in.

"I'll be with you in a moment," the man stepped down from the display, his platinum blond hair coming to light that was practically glued to his head with an exception of a curl resting on his forehead.

"Welcome to the Black Cat's Suits and Formal Menswear. My name is Nooroo," the fidgety man bowed.

"Hi Nooroo, I was sent over here from Miraculous Ladybug Boutique," Adrien pulled his ticket out of his coat pocket, Nooroo's purple eyes lighting up in excitement as he took the ticket.

"Oh, this is the real thing, no doubt," he exclaimed, " Please follow me." Nooroo led Adrien to the back of the store, lined with dressing rooms blocked by wooden doors, and a platform to elevate the buyer for measurements.

"Wait here please," Nooroo handed Adrien back the ticket before racing to the back.

"Master Plagg! Master Plagg!" Adrien heard Nooroo call out.

"There's a customer here for the Miraculous Christmas Ball."

"A customer? I thought we already had them all ordered," answered a gruff voice.

"But it's a genuine ticket. I checked so myself. Would you like me to check with Mistress Tikki?"

"Don't bother the bug, I'll check it myself."

Adrien straightened up as a tall man, taller and lankier than Mr. Dupain, entered the room, with charcoal black hair littered with grey strands near his temple, and suspicious green eyes. One might mistake him for a personified witch's cat. Nooroo timidly followed behind.

"Ticket?" The man, Adrien assumed to be Plagg, held out his hand expectantly as he stopped in front of Adrien.

Adrien quickly pulled out the ticket and handed it over, Plagg analyzing the ticket thoroughly. Even going as far to briefly lick the edge.

"Cookies," he scowled before handing it back to Adrien.

"Sorry for the suspicion. Normally all our clients for the ball are in by now. Plagg Miraculous at your service," Plagg bowed, which Nooroo copied.

"And my assistant Nooroo," he added after standing up, allowing Nooroo to stand.

"Stand there," the elder man gestured to the stand, which Adrien stepped upon.

"Arms out," Plagg instructed, which Adrien obliged. Nooroo raced to his side and began to take measurements while Plagg stared.

Plagg began nodding before disappearing to the back room.

"Isn't he going to ask what kind suit or color scheme," Adrien whispered to Nooroo as he measure his arm length.

"The Master knows what will be best. Has never been wrong on a suit before."

"Perfect!" They heard Plagg call out as he reappeared with a covered silver platter in his hand. Plagg lifted the lid to reveal a pile of camembert cheese. Adrien was certain he had never smelt a cheese plate so revolting.

Plagg continued to analyze Adrien as he ate the cheese, Nooroo taking measurements and writing them down.

"Here's his measurements," Nooroo handed the notebook over to Plagg who scanned the list before looking back at Adrien.

"Choose five greens that would suit his eyes and complexion," Plagg handed his apprentice back the book, who hurried to the back with a small smile on his face.

"Green? My date is wearing pink."

"Date? No one has a date going to the Miraculous Ball," chided Plagg.

"What do you mean?"

"It's a ball designed for people to get to know each other. Singles to mingle sort of event."

"But I'm not single."

Plagg raised an eyebrow, looking perplexed at the situation.

"But my girlfriend wasn't exactly invited either."

"So who's your date then?"

"Another girl who was invited too. My girlfriend was trying to get an extra ticket when she came in trying to return her own for family plans. Since we couldn't return the tickets, we agreed to go together."

Plagg furrowed his eyebrows in frustration.

"Why do you people always make this event so complicated?"

"I found the greens!" Nooroo rushed to Plagg's side with the five samples. Plagg wiped his hands before taking the samples up to Adrien, holding them up to his face.

"My advice kid, make it less complicated. You have a girlfriend right?"

"Yes."

"Do you love her?"
"...No."

"Then break up with her. Then enjoy the ball with your 'date' and whoever else is there then live happily ever after."

"I can't."

"And why not?"

"We're a society couple. Wealthy families, connections. I don't even want to think what would happen if our parents found out we broke up."

"Then don't think, just do. This one," Plagg held his preferred shade of green, handing the rest to Nooroo.

"You look young, and I hope she's young. You'll both bounce back, and be happier for it. Most likely."

"Most likely?"

Plagg shrugged as he returned to his cheese plate, tucking the green sample fabric into his vest pocket.

"What Master means to say, the ball gives people a chance and a hope to find something new. You can't experience that unless you fully open your heart to what could happened," clarified Nooroo with a timid smile.

Adrien sat down on the platform to think, while Nooroo attempted to take a piece of cheese, only for Plagg to pull the plate away.

Opening his heart to something new? His heart had been opening to Marinette, even more so after meeting her family. But because of Chloe, he couldn't open it to her fully to see if their friendship could lead to something more or just remain good friends. And he would never be able to find out with Chloe in the picture. There was no spark any more. Adrien needed a break for a chance to find his own happiness.

"You're right," Adrien answered as he came to realization.

"I usually am," answered Plagg smugly as he popped another piece of cheese in his mouth.

Adrien stood up and pulled out his phone, quickly locating Chloe's contact information to give her a call. He paced back and forth on the platform, Nooroo watching in suspense while Plagg tried to look disinterested.

"Adrien?"

"Hey Chloe. I've been giving what you said some thought."

"Oh, and?"

"I'm going to the Miraculous Christmas Ball with Marinette as my date."

"What?"

"And, you and I are breaking up?"

"What?!"

"The love hasn't been there for a long time Chloe, and I think we need to go our own ways to find our own happiness," Adrien looked at Nooroo and Plagg and gave them a thumbs up. Nooroo returned the gesture.

"WHAT?!"

"Thank you for understanding Chloe. Merry Christmas." And with that, Adrien hung up the phone, feeling an enormous burden lifting off his shoulders. He sat down on the platform as he relished the feeling of finally being free.

"Well she took the news well," Plagg remarked before finishing off the cheese platter.