Adrien nearly got whiplash when he and Nino turned from greeting Marinette's parents at the door, and he caught sight of Marinette. As usual she had given him no preparation for completely blowing his socks off by how absolutely stunning she looked. No one would have known that this girl had just stood at the edge of a literal volcano earlier that day fighting to save the world (although Adrien whole heartedly was convinced she hotter than any volcano!)
Marinette had crafted the most stunning soft pink cocktail dress. It had delicate lace in a mandarin collar, that was nearly transparent down to her collarbone, before the pink underlay took over. It curved against her body in tiny interlacing blush flowers, falling above her knees. She was a little unsteady on her matching heels, but Adrien took two long strides across the space between them, and was at her side in no time, like a magnet.
Sabine smiled with happy tears shining in her eyes, as she held out her camera. She had picked out the fabric for Marinette last time she had visited Shanghai, but her daughter truly had a gift for merging the styles of past and the future in such a beautiful way. She couldn't believe her little girl had transformed into such a capable and confident young woman.
Tom was trying unsuccessfully to hold back a flood of his own emotions. He couldn't help but see so much of her mother in her...and in that dress standing next to the young man that had captured her heart. Oh, it was just too much!
"Hey handsome!" Alya sang, twirling herself into Nino's arms. She was gorgeous in a strapless ivory beaded top, which flared out into a vivid tangerine skirt.
"Whoah, you look incredible babe!" Nino said breathlessly, readjusting his graffiti-print suit jacket, with touches of orange to match with Alya.
The two couples hugged Marinette's parents warmly, and headed off.
"Looking sharp," Marinette nudged Adrien as they headed out the door, taking in his suit. There was no doubt in her mind that he could have just walked off the page of a magazine. She noted the way the cut of his jacket accentuated his board shoulders, and his muscular build. The only downside was that he was certainly going to turn heads, and Marinette would've rather flown under the radar after the whole media fiasco. So much for that...seeing him like this was so worth it!
"Mari I..." Adrien uncharacteristically stuttered.
"What? is everything okay?" Marinette paused beside him.
"You're, you're just incredible...I wasn't sure...after everything today..." Adrien rubbed gentle circles against the back of her hand.
"It has been a crazy day," Marinette admitted, "...but, if anyone gives us a hard time about those photos..." then she tapped her purse at her side, and Tikki poked out her little round head and winked at Adrien with a cheerful smile, before popping back into hiding. "Let's just say, it won't be the first time Ladybug strung someone upside-down from a streetlamp!" she said overly brightly.
Adrien chuckled, his apprehension fading away with his Lady at his side, "That is true, but it has usually been me on the other end of your yoyo string!"
"There you go! You can warn them I don't play around!" Marinette declared with bravado.
"I love you so much," Adrien shook his head smiling.
"Love you too," Marinette said softly, taking his arm to join Nino and Alya in the car.
Adrien's fears were apparently well grounded (likely from previous experiences with crazed fans and aggressive paparazzi). As soon as they got to Le Grand Paris hotel, the front doors were crawling with reporters and civilians holding their phones and cameras out, trying to snap a photo of Adrien Agreste's latest 'arm candy.' As soon as the car pulled up, they couldn't even get the door open because so many people were pressed against the windows. Adrien's bodyguard tried to pull forward, but even the exits were now blocked by a hoard of people.
It was actually Chole Bourgeois herself who came to their rescue! She came storming through the swell of people, dressed in a skintight gold dress, with hotel security following in her wake. She authoritatively dismissed the "rabble," and cleared a path for them to get through. 'Honestly! This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! This is your home Adrienkins. Of all the nerve, them getting in your way. You certainly know how to stir things up. At least Komar doesn't get caught on camera with all his female fans. You have to watch yourself when they hang off you like that."
"It wasn't even me!" Adrien tried to explain to Chloe.
"There you go! That's the spirit," Chloe agreed without really listening, while she led the procession back through the main doors. The onlookers were disappointedly barred from entry. "One just has to know how to deal with these kinds of people," she lectured.
"Thanks for the help Chlo," Adrien said, recognizing that no matter what he said, she'd just think what she wanted anyway.
"Not at all," Chloe brushed it off with a display of modesty. "That is the duty of a hostess. I can't have my friends be accosted at the door, even if this is the biggest event in Paris all year! Well, enjoy yourselves and I will check in with you later. I've got to see where Komar has gone off to again."
Without another glance she was gone in flash of gold, leaving them taking in the extravagantly decorated entry. Her parents has spared no expense as usual.
"Did she just call us her 'friends?" Alya raised an eyebrow.
"I guess so," Marinette looked at Alya in amusement. Who knew Chloe Bourgeois was capable of such a thing?!
The room was already pretty crowded with people from school, other students, their dates, friends of the Bourgeois family, and other celebrities. Music was blaring from speakers on the other side of the room where the flailing popstar XY was attempting to DJ. Nino rolled his eyes. He had been the go-to DJ for most of the class parties over the years, but he'd decided to decline Chloe's invitation this time so that he could spend the night at his girlfriend's side. Everyone in the room now wished that he had reconsidered. XY was actually standing in a red spotlight making an effort to sing along to a love ballad! Nino cringed, and sought out food instead.
"Oh my gosh you guys, you've got to get over here!" Nino called over to them, where he had already made himself at home in front of the buffet table. "I don't even know what half of this food is, but it is off the hook!"
Nino popped a crème puff into Alya's mouth, which made her giggle and cover her mouth.
Adrien smiled at Marinette, and held out a strawberry just out of reach. Marinette made an attempt to nip it out of his hands, but he was too quick for her and pulled it back. Choosing a new strategy, Marinette poked Adrien in the sides under his suit jacket where she knew he was ticklish, and sure enough his defenses buckled. In victory Marinette snatched the strawberry from him and popped it in her mouth. Adrien's sudden look of surprise turned to a Chat-like mischievousness, when he swiftly took Marinette in his arms and kissed her. He stepped back wiping red strawberry juice from his lips with a smirk.
The laughter between the two couples was suddenly cut short when a blonde girl in a sequin dress who had been watching them from the other side of the room marched across to the table, snatched up a cherry tart and in a righteous fury threw it right at Adrien's face! "I thought you said you'd come to the party with me! I waited for you for over an hour and then you show up with some other girl! Get lost jerk!" she cried and then stormed away.
Adrien only stood still for a second in shock with cherry filling dripping down his cheek, before he tried to call after the girl to explain. "I never...I mean that wasn't me...it's all a big misunderstanding!" he tried to say, but she held up her hand with eyes blazing.
"Save it Agreste! How can I believe a word from you after everything you told me this afternoon!" she snapped over her shoulder, and made her exit.
"Maybe I should go talk with her?" Marinette offered.
"Uh seeing as you're the object of Adrien Agreste's true devotion, I don't think you're the person she wants to see right now," Alya stopped her friend. "I'll go after her." Alya headed towards the girl's bathroom to console the heartbroken girl, and try to gently explain that she had been deceived by a false look-alike.
Suddenly Max ran up to them grabbing Nino's arm franticly. "Nino! You've absolutely got to do something! XY is ruining my sound equipment! I had my computer set up, and he is messing with all the settings and is going to blow the speakers! There is a 79.874 chance of mechanical energy compressing air and converting the motion into SPL at an unstable rate. The electric current sent through the coil is going to induce a magnetic field that overwhelms the system. Please for the love of Alexander Graham Bell you've got to stop him!"
They had never seen Max so panicked before, and Nino just nodded, letting Max drag him toward the blaring "music."
Marinette handed Adrien a napkin from the table, and he thanked her, wiping off the residual sticky red streaks down his face.
"Are you okay?" Marinette asked in concern.
"I guess I should've expected some fallout after those pictures today," Adrien sighed. "Chaos used those girls to try to get to me, but they didn't know that. They thought it was me showing interest in them, and now they'll be the ones getting hurt."
"It wasn't your fault," Marinette said.
"No, but that won't make it any easier on them...plus how can I explain what actually happened!" Adrien rubbed his arm in frustration. Then he threw up his hands, "we don't even know exactly what is going on!"
"We're going to get to the bottom of this! Anyone who really knows you, knows you would never treat anyone like that!" Marinette took his arm, and tried to encourage him.
"Thanks," he patted her hand. "I hope so."
Some yelling and cursing was emitted from the microphone, and everyone in the room looked over to where XY and Nino were playing tug-o-war with the microphone, and Max was furiously tapping on his computer, trying to alleviate the stress on the system.
"It's my gig! Dad said I could do what I wanted! I sighed a contract! Get your own spotlight!" XY squealed in a high pitched whine, throwing an absolute tantrum.
"I'm not taking it from you, I'm just trying to help you," Nino held XY at bay with one hand, while trying to pass the microphone to Max. "Just chill dude, and let us readjust the settings so you don't blow the whole..."
With XY clawing to get the microphone back, he launched himself at the microphone, hitting Max's computer off the table, and sending the whole system crashing to the ground with a piercing squeal that resounded over the speakers, ending in dead silence filling the room.
Max's mouth was open and his eyes bugged out in disbelief, Nino looked despairingly at the trashed equipment, and XY laid on the floor in dumb shock.
Chloe burst into the center of the room with fire in her eyes. "What have you three done?!" she shrieked. "You've ruined my perfect party! What kind of party doesn't have music!"
"Chloe," the meek voice of Rose piped up. "The night doesn't have to be over. We could..."
"So everything is just going to magically turn out better than ever with some happy thoughts, rainbows, and unicorns?!" Chloe snapped sarcastically at Rose.
"Shut up!" Julica shouted, standing in front of Rose, making everyone freeze in shock that Julica had actually raised her voice.
"I didn't know that Couffaine-girl could even talk," a boy with black spiky hair whispered to his friend.
"I was going to say," Rose patted Julica's arm, "we could help if you don't mind live music instead."
"Live music?!" scoffed Chloe in disbelief. "How am I going to find a band available to book at this hour?!"
"Well, Kitty Section has been working on some new songs," Rose smiled.
"You'd do that! For ME!" Chloe changed gears, and grabbed both of Rose's hands excitedly. Then she snapped to attention and pointed her index finger at XY. "And you! You're fired! I don't know how Daddykins talked me into having you here in the first place!"
"Fine! I didn't want to be at this kiddie party anyway. I've got so many better places to be. Now I can work on crafting my new sick beats, and you won't get to hear them!" XY yelled back, snatched up hit sparkly studded jacket, and stomped out the door with a nod to his groupies, who obediently trailed after him.
With a couple phone calls Kitty Section had arranged for their instruments to be delivered, and Max had managed to salvage most of the sound equipment. With Markov's help he had even fixed his computer (with only a hairline crack across the screen to show for the ordeal), and the group assembled themselves at the front of the room. Luka was still out of town on tour with Jagged, but the previous year Wayhem had jumped at a chance to be in a band with Adrien. Wayhem had practiced guitar night and day (with a lot of support and patient guidance from Luka when he was in town), and actually he wasn't half bad. As soon as Rose stepped up the the microphone, and Ivan hit the the drums they were off. Everyone in the room cheered, and gathered around for the impromptu concert.
The night wore on and the crowd surged around Kitty Section as they wrapped up their last song. They had put on an awesome performance! Rose panted with a smile on her face. She didn't care that she probably wouldn't have a voice left by the next day. Julica beamed proudly over at Rose, and touched the strings on her guitar that her father had given her. Ivan pointed his drum sticks out toward Milan in the cheering crowd. Milan touched the button her had given her, and blew him a kiss. Adrien gave Wayhem a high five, and he looked as if he would burst with pure happiness.
Stepping down from the keyboard, Adrien found his way through the crowd back to Marinette.
"What did you think?" Adrien asked.
"That was incredible! I have never heard you play like that before!" Marinette grasped his arms enthusiastically.
"I guess I was trying to impress someone here today," Adrien's green eyes lit up at her praise.
"Well it worked. You must be exhausted though! You guys never stopped! Want me to grab you guys all a drink while you start cleaning up?"
"You don't have to..." Adrien started to insisted, but she smiled and headed off in the direction of the bar.
"You go ahead and pack up with the rest of Kitty Section, and I'll take care of hydrating you all!" Marinette said, marching off on her mission.
Adrien finished snapping his keyboard back into his case, and followed Max down a back hallway to load it in the trunk of Kim's new car he had just got for graduation from his grandparents. Ivan was rearranging his drums, to try to get them to fit like Tetris. Then Max sent Adrien back for some cords that he had forgotten.
On his way back Adrien saw a beautiful girl with short black hair, and a striking red dress. She tripped in front of him and fell with a pained 'yep.' Adrien was the only one near, and jumped into action coming to her aide.
She winced, attempting to put pressure on her foot by standing up too fast, and slumped back down to the floor.
"Are you okay?" Adrien asked, kneeling down beside her.
"Oh, I think I'll be okay, but I fell pretty hard," the girl gasped, looking up at Adrien with sky-blue eyes. "Do you think you could help me make it to the elevator?"
"Well, sure I guess," Adrien said, taking a concerned look at her right ankle, "but do you really think you should be putting any pressure on that injury?" Maybe you should get it checked out first."
"I'll be fine, I just need to lie down upstairs," she assured him.
Adrien bent down, and she put her arm around his shoulder, leaning on him, rather than putting too much weight on her foot.
"Easy does it," Adrien reminded her kindly.
It didn't take long to help her to the elevator, but upon reaching this destination, she threw her other arm around Adrien and tightened her grip. Adrien wheeled back when she tried to press her bright red lips against his.
"Whoa! What are you doing?" Adrien tried to push back from her.
"You told me to fake an injury so we could get away from that clingy girlfriend of yours," the women laughed, holding onto his jacket.
"I what?! I never...wait, when did I supposedly tell you to do that?"
"Just like 1/2 an hour ago or something. You were so convincing! I've always been such a fan of yours Adrien, but when you pulled me away from the party and stared to kiss my neck like that...well, how cold I resist! You did say you had a room upstairs here right?" she bit her manicured nail, and looked at Adrien through her long eyelashes.
"Hold up! You've absolutely got the wrong guy. I've been playing keyboard with the band this whole time! There is no way I could have been the one you talked to, plus I would never in a million years cheat on my girlfriend!"
"Never say never Adrien," she whispered, leaning herself up against him, which made the slit of her dress reveal her tanned leg, all the way up her thigh.
Meanwhile, Marinette had been trying to balance drinks for her friends, and had been waylaid by Chloe.
"Dupain-Cheng have you seen Komar around here?" Chloe asked Marinette, nearly knocking over the precariously balanced tray in her hands.
"Uh, no, sorry Chloe. Where did you last see him?" Marinette asked.
"You make it sound like he is some lost earring or something! If I knew the place place he was, I'd be checking there, rather than wasting my time talking to you about it," Chloe huffed impatiently.
"Oh, well sorry. Just trying to help," Marinette said, but Chloe's response was interrupted by her muscle-clad model boyfriend sneaking up behind her, and lifting her off the ground with a 'whoop.'
"Komar! Where have you been? You missed all the excitement," Chloe pouted.
"I'm sure there is more excitement to come," Komar laughed, and glanced over at Marinette. His eyes boldly roamed from head to toe, and he flashed her a smile. "No boyfriend hanging off you tonight?" Komar continued to grin at Marinette.
"Just off to find him to get him and our friends these drinks actually," Marinette said quickly, trying to pass by, but Komar stepped into her path, and took hold of the tray.
"Why don't you let me help you with that! It looks heavy doing it all on your own," Komar offered. Chloe crossed her arms giving Komar a glare that he either didn't notice or ignored.
"I'll be fine. I'm stronger than I look," Marinette took the tray back.
"You'd have to be to come out in public after everything Adrien Agreste's put you through today," Komar sighed sympathetically.
Chloe's mouth popped open, and Marinette wheeled around angrily to face Komar.
"She and Adrien shouldn't have to hide just because some trashy girls tried to put the moves on someone just because he's rich and famous!" Chloe jumped to be the first to defend them, which surprised Marinette.
"You can't believe everything you see on the media," Marinette added, giving an appreciative nod to Chloe.
"Sorry, sorry, I must have hit a nerve! I shouldn't have said anything," Komar held up his hands in surrender, and wrapped his arm around a tense Chloe. "It's not like I blame the guy! Of course it isn't his fault that gorgeous women turn his head. I mean, it's only the nature of man after all. It's not like he would go looking for that kind of attention, right?!"
"Of course not! Now if you'd excuse me Adrien and I..." Marinette turned away from Komar and Chloe swiftly.
"If you're looking for Adrien I just saw him with some hot, young thing by the elevator. She must have been another model or something. Not to worry you, but you might want to hurry, they were looking pretty friendly," Komar called after her.
Marinette did not turn around to give Komar the satisfaction of knowing his words had shaken her. Instead her face went red, and she gripped the tray tighter, forcing herself to deliver it to the rest of the members of Kitty section on the other side of the room. Having successfully set down the drinks, but seeing no Adrien, she ducked out of the room and headed for the elevators.
Her feet skidded to a stop seeing a woman in Ladybug-red grabbing onto Adrien's suit, and leaning in close to him. She hated to admit that Komar had been right, this woman absolutely could've made it as a model, and she had her hands all over Adrien! Marinette felt like the air had been punched out of her, and then as the room started spinning, she tried to snap herself out of it. What if this wasn't Adrien at all, but the mosquito kwami imitating him! Adrien would never...
Just then she saw the woman whisper something in his ear, and he grabbed her by both arms and put as much distance between them as possible. "I assure you, this 'never,' really means NEVER!" he said firmly. "I'm sorry about whoever tried to convince you otherwise, but I've got to go."
"What?! Do you have some kind of dual personality or something? Are you trying to make a fool out of me? Is this how the famous Adrien Agreste gets his kicks!" the woman snapped. "Good luck to that girlfriend of yours! She's gonna be shocked when she find outs what kind of dog you really are!" The woman in red grabbed up the edge of her dress, kicked off her heels, scooped them up, and stomped angrily away from him.
Adrien looked after her, running his hand through his hair, and shaking his head. Then he looked up and caught Marinette staring at him from the doorway. "Mari! Oh man, you saw that. Geez they're getting worse and worse. You gotta know, I didn't lead her on, it wasn't..." Adrien ran up to her, and took her hand in his.
"Yeah, I know, I saw," Marinette looked down, nodding. "I gotta admit, it was hard seeing it, but I know you'd never hurt me like that."
"Of course I'd never hurt you," Adrien looked anxiously at her, trying to meet her eyes.
"She really didn't know you at all," Marinette looked up at him, with the start of a smile. "I mean, she called you a dog!"
Adrien smiled brighter, seeing that Marinette still trusted him. "I thought when she said it Plagg was gonna tear through my jacket pocket and bite her for that one," Adrien tapped his jacket.
"I'll just be glad when all of us make it through tonight in one piece. I don't want to have these girls tearing you a part!" Marinette sighed, putting her hand on one hip.
"I should keep you by my side, so you can protect me," Adrien put his arm around her waist.
"Who better to defend my Kitty's honor!" Marinette laughed.
"My hero!" Adrien said dramatically, putting his head on her shoulder.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Hi readers! I hope that you have enjoyed my story so far! I love to hear from you in the reviews. There are more adventures to come as things start to heat up;)
Random fact: Max's reference to Alexander Graham Bell was made because this scientist established the decibel scale, which helps us understand which noises can damage hearing.