That one sentence from Marinette kept Adrien on Cloud 9 for the following week, maintaining his sanity as his father's company prepared for the fashion show, along with several other local design houses. Friday, the day of the fashion show, would be when every company would finally be in one place.

Adrien waited idly in the Gabriel's section of the backstage, the designs for Gabriel's being showcased last in program. So Adrien was not due for hair and makeup for another hour.

"Gabriel's Crew, lunch for you is now available, please make your way to the kitchen," instructed one of the interns, Adrien following the other models and staff members to the kitchen.

"Marinette, where the extra programs. We are running out."

Adrien turned at the familiar name to see Marinette talking to probably an intern while a model stood nearby.

Making sure no one was looking, Adrien excused himself from the group and made his way over.

"Thank you, Marinette," the intern ran off, allowing Marinette to focus on the task at hand, which looked to be checking the model's wardrobe.

"Marinette," Adrien asked, just to be certain. He had gotten it right last Friday, hopefully he would be right today.

She looked around for who had called out to her, spotting Adrien, and immediately panic set into her face. But she quickly resumed a professionally composure before turning back to the model.

"Everything is looking fine, hang it back on the rack and change back into outfit number one," she instructed.

The model nodded and was off, leaving Marinette and Adrien alone.

"Um, hi," Marinette looked at the ground, looking guilty as though she had been caught doing something wrong.

"Hey," Adrien responded. They stood there awkwardly, Adrien not exactly sure how to proceed since she seemed embarrassed by him finding her here.

"So, which design house do you work for," Adrien smirked, satisfied at finally knowing her job.

"Ambrosia, I work under De Emil and am overseeing the interns this year."

"So second to the man in charge of design."

"Right," Marinette fidgeted where she stood, ready to explode.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It just never came up and when I found out you were Adrien Agreste, I panicked because one, I had caused you to break up with your girlfriend and two, because our companies are rivals, and I didn't want that to interfere with our friendship or anything or make the ball awkward because I originally applied to Gabriel's, but Ambrosia picked me up my final year of university so I couldn't-"

To silence her rambling, Adrien pulled Marinette into his chest, whatever else she was going to say lost into the crushed fabric of his shirt.

"One, I told you already it's not your fault about me and Chloe. Two, you working for another design house doesn't bother me."

Marinette tilted her head to look up at him, her eyes hopeful.

"Really?"

"Well, it's not as cool as being a baker," this earned him a scowl,"but so long as you are doing what you love, I'm fine with it."

"I do love designing," Marinette whispered as she rested her head on his chest, Adrien resting his head on top of hers.

"Good."

"Marinette, Ambrosia's program starts in 10 minutes," the same intern from before popped out from around the corner, Marinette and Adrien jumping a foot apart from each other.

"I-I'll be right there," Marinette responded, the intern disappearing with a cheeky smile.

"Are you free after the show," Adrien looked back to Marinette.

"I'm actually going to go crash at home after the show so I can finish Christmas presents this weekend," Marinette responded.

"Alright, I'll see you at the ball then," Adrien took her hand and planted a gentle kiss. When he looked up, her face was ladybug red.

"Ok, goodbye," she quickly scurried off towards the seating area, Adrien chuckling as she did. She was adorable when flustered.

Adrien returned towards the path heading towards the kitchen, quickly grabbing a water and a prepackaged salad. Choosing a remote spot in the corner, he made himself comfortable for the remaining forty-five minutes.

Until an unwanted blond entered the room.

Adrien hunched over, hoping she wouldn't see him, but he wasn't so lucky.

"Adrikins!" Chloe called out as she made her way over, hugging him from behind. Adrien grimaced as he accepted the hug, not wanting to cause a scene more than her yelling that nickname.

"I missed you. You've been so busy."

"We had the fashion show prep. You know how busy these things get."

"I know, which is why I decided to come visit you," Chloe made her way around the table and took the seat across from him.

"Chloe, we broke up, you have no reason to see me," he grumbled.

"Adrien."

Adrien looked up to see Chloe trying to look as innocent as possible. It wasn't working.

"I know what I said last week may have been … harsh … we were both under a lot of stress with my events and your show. We said things we didn't mean. What I'm trying to say is, I forgive you."

"You forgive me?"

"I know you didn't mean it. You're a guy, you are finally learning to express yourself and be independent. So you took it to an extreme. And it's fine. Go have your fun night as a break from your father, and I'll see you Christmas."

Adrien fell back in his chair in disbelief.

"No."

"No?"

"I'm not going to your events on Christmas. I won't even be seeing you on Christmas."

"You don't really mean that."

"I do."

Chloe transformed from a light hearted smile to glare as she stared at Adrien from across the table, leaning into his space.

"Adrien, you are being unreasonable."

"I'm being unreasonable?"

"We've been together for five years, you can't just decide to break it off."

"And why not?"

"Because we are a high society couple. We have standards and expectations. Just as you are expected to one day take over Gabriel's financially, I am to run Le Grand Paris Hotel. We don't just change because you feel like it."

"I've been feeling this way for a while now Chloe, and I'm sorry that I led you on. But this isn't just some random idea."

"It's because of her isn't it," Chloe sat up in her seat, growling with the word "her."

"Her?"

"Your Marinette. It's her fault you thinking these things. She put these ideas into your head."

Adrien sat up in his seat, "No! Where would even get that?"

"Oh don't be stupid. I saw you talking to her out in the hall, being all sappy and kissing her hand. What would your father say if he knew you were seeing someone from another design house," her voice carried through the room, people stopping to watch.

"Leave Marinette out of this. This was my decision alone," Adrien spoke through his teeth, trying to avoid the attention of his co-workers.

"Of course it is," Chloe mocked, "Because when have you ever made a decision for yourself?"

Adrien stood up, drawing everyone's attention.

"I am going to the Ball with Marinette as my date. That is my decision. You and I Chloe are over," Adrien stormed out of the room, leaving his abandoned lunch.

Chloe watched him leave, noticing everyone's stares.

"Mind your own business," she snarled as she got up, leaving the kitchen.

Adrien was nowhere in sight.

Knowing him, he was probably heading over to hair and makeup. There at least he could sulk.

"Chloe, I just saw Adrien," her assistant, Sabrina rushed over to her, holding a program in hand. Chloe tore it out of her hands and leafed through.

"I know."

Finding what she was looking for she handed it back to Sabrina, pointing at a name.

"Find out everything you can about this girl," and with some dramatics, Chloe turned about and began heading back towards the seating area.

"Yes Chloe," Sabrina pulled out her tablet from her purse as she followed her employer. The two ladies made their way to their reserved seats.

While Sabrina did some research, Chloe pulled out a pair of viewing specs and scanned the crowd, finding Marinette Dupain-Cheng whispering to her interns that sat beside her.

"Found you," Chloe devilishly smirked.