"All I'm saying is that, like, he passed my desk. And he looked me in the eye. And smiled at me. And do you know what I did?"
"I'm guessing it wasn't giving him your number?"
"HA! Funny joke. I tried to say hi and instead let out this weird low whine sound."
"Oh, my gosh, girl. I'm sorry...but that's hilarious! Were you foaming at the mouth, too?"
"I can't help it! He's too pretty to be real."
"Sounds like it. He's turning you into a real animal."
Marinette huffed while Alya cackled through the phone's speakers.
"Als, this is serious. I want to be the mother of his children based on his jawline alone, and I can't say one word to him. He's completely unapproachable without even trying."
"To be fair, he is a supermodel. And your boss's son. He's bound to be either so conventionally attractive it hurts, or to be so awkward-looking that you can't look away. You should know this from all of the America's Next Top Model I made you watch two years ago. Don't you remember the summer binge? The Tyra?"
"How could I forget?" Marinette glanced up at the clock. "Shoot, I've gotta go. Lunch is almost over. I just needed to vent."
"Alright, girl! Talk to you later! And if you see Adrien again, try not to growl at him!"
Marinette scowled at the phone as she hung up the call and left the cafeteria at Gabriel to head back to her desk. She was better than this! She was a grown woman, who could absolutely, 100% handle conversations with beautiful people. It was basically a job feature, so she had to be used-
"Hi! You must be new here. I'm Adrien."
To say her jaw hit the floor was an understatement. It hit the floor, and continued to fall down three more floors until it cracked a hole in the cement foundation of the building. Standing in front of Marinette with a broad smile and a hand proffered for a handshake was none other than Adrien Agreste. As in, son of the boss, international supermodel, and object of her wildest fantasies of the last half hour. He stood staring at her, a slight crease to his brows increasing the longer she stood without action.
"Oh! Yes, hi! Of course you're Adrien. Your face is everywhere here, and what a beautiful face it is. I mean- um- what I meant was that- you...you're...a good model? Because you're so pretty? I mean I meant to say handsome but you are also pretty and oh my gosh I'm rambling so much-" she stammered out, saved only by her own hand slapping over her mouth while her freckled cheeks quickly pinked.
Adrien's smile widened, but he tucked his hands in his pockets and ducked his head. "Thank you for the compliment. What's your name? You missed that little detail."
"Ah! Yes, I completely forgot to introduce myself, ha ha. My name's Marinette. It's nice to meet you."
"Well, I'll see you around, Marinette. Nice meeting you!" he said with a wave as he walked towards the elevators.
As soon as he got in and the doors closed, Marinette looked around her to make sure the coast was clear before dropping to the floor and covering her cheeks with her hands. Hearing her name come out of his mouth had reduced her to a pile of goo, and she was honestly okay with that.
Nino was smug. In the course of only a few weeks, he finally managed to learn how to have two callers on the air at the same time. Nobody even had to show him how to use the boards to make it happen. He was just a tech genius.
Or...well...he was dating one. And she had been the one to show him. But nobody else knew about her assistance and he was keeping it that way.
It made for interesting radio, that was for sure. Queen Bee And Rose had some of the most entertaining arguments ever since he figured out the board. The Queen loved getting so many words in, and would try and rile the other girl up. But, being a woman of very few words, Rose would respond very simply, which would irritate Queen Bee and entertain Nino for long periods of time listening to her huffing.
But, the most entertaining off all, was when Ladybug and Chat Noir were on the air together. Nino knew both people personally, and he had been trying for months to get them to meet. But they always said they didn't have the time, what with school and photoshoots for Adrien, and long hours at her internship for Marinette.
Listening to the two of them was hilarious, but frustratingly so. Adrien loves to play a verbal game of cat and mouse with her- or, rather, Chat and Ladybug game. Their conversations usually went something like this:
Chat: Purr-lease, you have cat to be kitten me right meow! You would love to get your mitts on me because you know we'd be friends in real life. Maybe even a couple, because I'm so irresistible.
Ladybug: On the contrary, kitty. I'm not sure how anyone could find someone who makes that many cheesy jokes attractive.
Chat: If it's cheese jokes you want, my lady, I'm going to be honest. I don't have dairy many of them, and they're not very Gouda. I know you won't Brie-lieve me, though.
Ladybug: I sincerely hope your face makes up for the words coming out of your mouth.
Chat: Wouldn't you like to know? Spoiler alert: it does.
Nino: Uh. Guys. Can I have my show back? People want to hear music, not your weirdly tense flirting all night.
Ladybug: Don't worry, Nino. This bug is out for the night. Maybe that kitty can find someone else to sink his claws into.
Chat: I'd rather sink my claws into you-
Nino: OH LOOK THE MUSIC IS JUST PLAYING OVER YOUR TALKING WHILE I TRY AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO KICK BOTH OF YOU OFF THE CALL LINE OKAY BYE!
Yeah. Things usually happened that way. But it was always entertaining. He just needed them to get together so they could stop monopolizing his air time. He was the one getting a grade and possibly a job from it.
But, maybe if the cat and the bug got together, Nino could add matchmaker to his resumé.