Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. I own only my OCs for the purpose of this FanFiction.
Note: You're gonna love this chapter!
"The longer the explanation, the bigger the lie."
A Chinese proverb.
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon for the two girls walking down the street. The two girls were Marinette and Vanessa and they were blissfully happy. Out of their confined school on a rare free day, their studies given a break for free time to meet Vanessa's older sister. Crystal.
Family trumped school.
They weren't alone as a pair. Marinette had been told to babysit Manon and also pick up Fang, Jagged stone's crocodile, from the vet so she did both. The crocodile only liked Marinette and it looked like he was fond of Vanessa and Manon as well.
"Wheeeee!" Manon cheered as she rode on Fang's back. Fang waddled in front of two girls, wagging his tongue out.
"I still can't believe you're Crystal's half-sister!" Marinette gushed in disbelief. For the day, a pink skater dress with long sleeves hugging her arms, a high neck design and ruffled along the edge of the full skirt.
She matched it with black tights, leopard-print booties, a dark-pink purse with Tikki napping inside and a necklace of a silver chain holding a big white plastic plate adorned with fake rhinestones. Her hair was loose with a green ribbon tied in a bow at the back of her head.
"If you really knew my sister, you'll believe it." Vanessa commented knowingly. She felt giddy, bursting with delight and excitement, leaving for joy to spend her rare free day with her sister, since Crystal demanded Vanessa to meet up.
And on this special day, she adorned one of the dresses Marinette made (in chapter 4). It was in lavender with a pretty floral print, a halter neck that was tied at the nape of her neck, knee-high skirt and a split skirt showing her legs at maxi length. She paired the dress with a blazer bearing the English flag on it, white heeled ankle-boots, a black choker with silver butterfly pendant and an expensive silver bracelet with sapphires on her right wrist.
The girls planned to go to the Hotel de Paris to meet the actress. Marinette felt dread of setting foot in Chloe's hotel.
"Does your sister have to be here?" Marinette whined, knowing there was a fat chance her ex-friends would be there with the witch. And Chloe.
"It's the best hotel in Paris. Crystal only wants the best." Vanessa explained.
Marinette bit her lip, not wanting to ruin Vanessa's long-awaited meeting with her sister who she hasn't seen in months, but secretly worried about running into the kids again. Especially Lila.
Noting her rising stress, Vanessa took her hand and held it tight assuringly.
"Don't worry. We'll be safe there. Crissy made sure no one would disturb us, and we're expected to go into her suite."
Marinette slightly smiled, her spirits lifting up from her shoulders. She believed Vanessa. They would be safe in the most prominent hotel in city and on the orders of one of the most famous actresses today.
Unfortunately, Marinette was right.
At Hotel de Paris, her old class was there, lounging in the lobby. Rose was showing off her new pet, a tiny Persian kitten, and Nino bought along his little brother, Chris. The class were being taken care like royalty, on young miss Bourgeois's command.
"Thanks for inviting us, Chloe." Lila said in a sly tone as she and Chloe walked from the bar, cocktails in hand.
Chloe huffed. The only reason their class was having such a regal time was so Lila can be treated as a queen in Chloe's home and resume her power over everyone. She was taking advantage of Chloe to make her do her bidding or she'll get Hawkmoth involved and get akumatized again.
She was ruthless.
And then Lila's eyes bugled out and spat out her cocktail. Chloe almost laughed but she settled for a smirk.
"What are they doing here?!" Lila hissed.
Chloe looked and saw Vanessa and Marinette waiting at the empty front desk, a little girl in purple dungarees on Jagged Stone's pet crocodile at their feet, their backs all facing her and Lila. The latter snatched the receptionist just as the worker walked by them on the way to the desk.
"Those girls, why are they here?" She demanded.
The receptionist hesitated to answer, but a nod from Chloe prompted him to flash a picture of the African-British girl. "A guest asked for a miss Vanessa. A very important one."
"I don't care, she can't be here. Get rid of them!"
Chloe immediately protested. "This is my daddy's hotel! A paying guest requested her to be here!"
"Get rid of her or Hawkmoth will be paying another visit."
Chloe snarled but, once again, yielded to Lila's effortless power. A few minutes later, the receptionist made to the front desk, to where the two girls waited.
Vanessa spoke first. "Hello, I'm here for-"
"I sorry but you must leave."
"What?"
"As of today, you are banned this hotel."
"Excuse me?"
Marinette didn't hesitate to speak out, "You can't do this!"
"Out, out, out!"
The girls, child and reptile were roughly shoved out, practically thrown out the doors to the outside. They felt humiliated, angry even at the sudden wicked deed.
Vanessa pounded the doorframe, utterly infuriated. "I can't believe this!"
"What happened?" Manon asked, big-eyed of innocence while sitting on Fang's back, the crocodile wearing the same look of questioning. "Why has the mean man pushed us?"
"We've been unfairly evicted." Vanessa answered. "How could can we get banned when this is the first time I came here?"
"Chloe must've told him to kick us out." Marinette replied with a grim face.
"Hey look!"
"Here she is!"
The girls turned around at the sudden yells, the anger drained from their faces for shock. A swarm of people with flashing cameras, microphones, phones and notepads headed to the Hotel de Paris, running up the steps to corner the three kids and their temporary pet.
"Oh no! The press!"
"Worse. Paparazzi!"
"Miss Camberwell!"
The paparazzi pounced on Vanessa, nonstop questions and bring lights flying, phones and microphones shoved up close in her face.
"Miss Camberwell, is it true you are being bullied?"
"Miss Camberwell, are you a victim of homophobia or was it a stunt move to build publicity for your father's campaign?"
"Are you suggesting a future role in Missus Edward's upcoming music video?"
"Are you being sued for leaking information about the video?"
"Miss Camberwell!"
"MISS CAMBERWELL!"
"Stop it! Leave me alone!"
Vanessa pressed herself against the doors, scared out of her wits, acting like a cornered cat. Fear ate her up as she felt trapped, unable to escape the press. She banged on the locked doors, begging to be let in, but no avail, so she cried, curling up in a ball. Manon screamed, frightened by the vulture-like people taking no sense of personal sense. Fang growling, trying to back them off. Marinette stood in front of the three, her stance strong and protective.
Back in the lobby, the kids soon headed the faint noise of banging, yelling, and cameras flicking.
"Do you hear that?"
"What is going on?"
They got up from the couches and walked to the front desk where they heard the sounds coming louder, originating from outside the front doors.
"What is that?"
Standing the desk, Lila leaned against the furniture, smirking in pride and Chloe was hanging her arms down, guilt written on her face. Adrien peaked out the glass part of the door and saw Vanessa, Marinette, Manon and Fang outside, cowering under the menacing mass.
"Marinette is out there with Vanessa! And they're being hounded by reporters!" He cried, shocking his fellow classmates.
"What?"
"They are?"
"What are they doing here?"
At the shouts, Chloe snapped out of her guilt-ridden facade and strutted to the doors. "Get them inside!"
"But they're banned!" The receptionist protested.
"Not anymore! Move!"
Ignoring Lila's whine, Chloe and Adrien opened the doors, letting the desperate British girl in, followed by the crocodile and Marinette grabbing a crying Manon running inside. The girls fell to their knees when safe inside from horrible scrutiny.
"Oh lord…" Vanessa moaned, breathing heavily.
Juleka drew in a quick intake of air, ogling her donning Marinette's dress, the colour and shape just brought out an elegant yet alluring side, matched with her own British accessories.
Marinette held Manon in her arms, gently patting her back, trying to calm her down, shushing sweet words in comfort.
"It's ok. You're safe." Adrien reassured, lightly touching her shoulder but Marinette flinched from one glance and his touch, refusing to even look at him.
"But they're banned!" The receptionist exclaimed again.
"Shut up!" Everyone cried altogether.
"The press is going nuts out there!" Kim observed.
"Why is the press after you?" Max asked.
"Figure it out!" Marinette snapped, Manon's tears muffled in her chest.
"I can't believe you're as petty as ban us!" Vanessa shouted, standing up and glaring at the daughter of the hotel's owner. "Why did you do that?"
"Don't look at me! Lila wanted you out!" Chloe pointed to the real culprit. Lila.
"Since when you do anything for others?" Marinette asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Since you left."
Marinette was even more confused by the comment, but Vanessa's now angry raving muted her.
"Is this about last night? 'Cause the picture I'm painting of you is adding more black to emphasise your heartless soul!" Vanessa yelled.
Lila scoffed as she defended herself. "It was your own fault for embarrassing me last night!"
"Oh please! Your big mouth did the work for ya! Now you bought paparazzi at my feet! This is why I left London in the first place!"
A glass of water appeared right in front of her, held out by a pale hand wearing a black fingerless glove running up her arm. Vanessa jumped and looked to where the arm belonged to. A goth girl with purple-tipped black hair stared at her, frozen to the stop.
"Thanks…" Vanessa took the glass, drinking down the refreshing water. Once finished, she casted another look at the goth girl. "What's your name?"
The goth girl's lips twitched madly to different corners and angles, crazy faces appeared on view, even her language was unfamiliar, speaking jumbles of gibberish, and then she ran off, leaving Vanessa bewildered.
"…I don't think she likes me." Vanessa said finally.
Nearby, Juleka let out a silent wail and then slammed her head on the nearest wall, making repeated head presses in denial.
The yells outside continued to rave on, begging for Vanessa, refusing to flee for another day.
"They're not going away, aren't they?" Alix wondered out loud.
"Not until I give each and every one of them an interview." Vanessa answered, rolling her eyes.
Alya, noting just Marinette's obvious discomfort, suddenly dashed outside to scare off the reporters.
"Get back, you bloodthirsty parasites!" She screamed.
However, it backfired.
"Hey, it's Alya Césaire, creator of the LadyBlogger!"
And one by one, each reporter criticised her.
"The one who posted that interview with Ladybug's best friend."
"That joke interview?"
One reporter burst out laughing. "That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard! And I work in VSD!"
"I saw that interview. What a blabbermouth."
"You have to be an idiot to believe that tall tale!"
"The first rule of journalism, sweetie: always check your sources."
"If you have a blog dedicated to Ladybug, you would obviously know that she never stayed in one place and I doubt she would befriend a citizen who tell her true identity to complete strangers on live camera."
"It sounds like you just get a rumour off a toilet wall and didn't bother to confirm it."
"You just a kid, it's not like you're an actual journalist."
Alya felt slashes to her chest, feeling insulted by the criticism and accusations. The pain of knowing the truth, losing her best friend and accused of sharing the lie fell heavy in her heart. She heard snickering. With a glance, she saw Lila outside, leaning against the doorframe, the Italian backstabber taking sick delight in the humiliation she enviably caused.
That was until attention switched to her so fickle.
"Hey, you're the girl everyone talking about!"
Lila, flattered, flicked her hair. "Oh…that's me!"
Big mistake.
"Did you really body shame a member of DanceMad? The exact word you used to describe her was Fatso?"
"Do you really know what Ladybug's secret identity and threaten to tell on a live feed? Was that an attempt at blackmail?"
"You claim to go skiing with the most hated man in America. How can that be when he withdrew from the Paris Agreement on climate change?"
"You were never seen helping Prince Ali or any charitable event. Did you lie for attention?"
"Are you homophobic?"
"You gladly ate illegal cheese outside of Italy?"
"Are you claiming ownership of Freestyle Clash?"
"Miss Rossi!"
"MISS ROSSI!"
Lila was feeling the same fear as her victims felt when she had them locked out with the jackals. Bombarded by questions, no respect for her personal space nor her personal feelings so she made a quick escape, running back inside the hotel. Alya quickly followed suit, not hiding the wide smile on her face. Sure, she was criticised, but it was price to pay for Lila's exposure.
"They're like vultures!" Lila exclaimed.
"Did you lie to get special treatment from the Bourgeois family?" One reporter shouted behind the doors.
"What did he say?" Mylene asked.
"Nothing! Nothing!" Lila quickly said, determined to conceal her dirty secret.
The door cracked open, allowing a persistent reporter pushed half his body in, his head sticking out and face lighting up when he spotted Adrien.
"Oh, Adrien Agreste! Are you aware of the two-timing of your girlfriend, Lila Rossi?"
A foot kicked him out and slammed the door shut.
"Who's said I'm cheating?!" Lila shouted, red in fury.
"You're not exactly faithful and we're not even dating." Adrien retorted, unusually acting feisty to her surprise.
Vanesa pulled out her metallic lavender-coloured phone, dialling fast. "I'm ringing my sister!"
"Your sister?" Nathaniel questioned.
"She's staying here! We were meet up with her until you threw us out!" Vanessa snapped before she focused her attention on her phone, her call answered. After a minute of panicked talking and nodding, she hung up, sighing of relief. "She's coming down."
"You have a sister?" Kim wondered out.
"There's another one of you?" Alix quizzed.
"Oh no, way more outspoken. Besides, she's my half-sister. Same dad, different moms."
"What's your sister like?" Chloe inquired.
"Loud, outspoken, knows what she wants, glamorous. Kinda like you."
Chloe branded her shoulder while smiling, flattered.
"This is all your fault!" Lila stomped in between them, pointing straight too Vanessa. "You made this mess!"
Fang glared up at Lila's offering arm, growling then jumping up, snapping at her. Luckily for her (and unluckily for him), she pulled back her arm just in time to avoid missing that limb.
"My fault? You're the one who acting petty! All I did was show up and not fall for your fake words."
Teeth bared in a snarl, little of Lila's patience falling short, promoting her to make another desperate lie. She grabbed Vanessa's arm, snatching her silver bracelet.
"My bracelet!" Vanessa cried.
Lila dangled Vanessa's precious bracelet in front of her, expressing no shame nor remorse. "Looks like Little Miss Innocent stole Crystal's bracelet!"
"How you know it's Crystal's bracelet?"
"It's the same brand as Crystal's! It's the exact same match she wears in the magazines!"
"I could've bought the same one as her or have it custom made."
Sabrina peered at the bracelet Lila was holding. "It's from Pulcher. These things aren't cheap. They cost, like, 300 euros."
"Vanny is not a thief!" Manon leapt out of Marinette's arms and landed on the front, mimicking her babysitter's bravery earlier, her effort directed at Lila. The one who really caused this mess. "You are! You stole Mari's friends!"
Marinette's hands flew to her cheeks, barely shielding her offence. "Manon!"
"Lila is not a thief!" Chris got in front of Lila to defend her despite his shortness. "Lila is so cool! She invented the game Freestyle Clash!"
Puzzlement shot Manon. "Freestyle Clash was created by a big man."
"Not true!"
"So true! I met him! Mommy talked to him. He's HUGE! I would say he's fat, but Mommy said calling someone fat is rude."
"You're wrong!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Ha! You agreed with me!"
"Do not!"
"Do too!"
The fighting stopped short as the doors banged again, the edges threatening to burst.
"You do know that you just a media storm, right?" Vanessa said, folding her arms. "You can't make news out of a lie, that's for tabloids."
Lila clenched her teeth menacingly. "You don't know who you're dealing with."
Vanessa made a faint chuckled, smirking. "Oh no, it's YOU who don't know dealing with."
Ding!
Swoosh!
"NESSIE!"
All heads turned to the sudden yell and almost all instantly froze because there, stepping out of the elevator, was a young woman posing for action, hair flipping back from her head thrown back while doing her yell. Long fluffy hair in rich, simmering copper ran down her back. Her caramel skin was lighter than Vanessa, soft and shiny. Her face was largely hidden behind black sunglasses with gold accents and pink lens, a beauty mark on her cheek and full lips painted in a dusty tea-rose pink shade. She had a strong yet voluptuous figure, standing tall, legs running long and hips wide. Her body only wore a bold magenta dress cut short past her hips, sleeveless and wide necked. Gold stilettos and a big flurry lavender-pink coat accessorised her dress, along with a gold bracelet, a gold necklace, and big emerald earrings rimmed with gold.
A moment of stunned silence passed. Some begun to squeak, unable to speak normally.
Alya breathed out her words as she slowly exploded. "Oh...my...GOD!"
"ITS CRYSTAL!" Chloe jumped when she saw her, her favourite movie star and role model.
With that, all the girls squealed and shrieked, and all the boys drooled over the actress shamelessly. However, Marinette only held Manon while being silently stunned and Vanessa…
"Crissy!" Vanessa cried, running towards the actress with her arms out.
Crystal dashed down from the elevator just as eager, taking off her sunglasses. Vanessa flew to Crystal and each girl flung their arms around each other, engulfing in a tight hug of desperation and protectiveness. The girls knelt from the emotions they felt, Crystal hugging Vanessa in a similar protective way as Marinette with Manon.
She begun to wail as dramatically as her acting. "Oh, Nessy! I can't believe it, you were locked out! My baby sister kicked out unjustly! And you have to face those scary badgers by yourself! Oh…!"
The tears she shed were real, despite the extravasated performance. Her eyes matched Vanessa's, wearing dark-eye eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner. She kissed the younger girl's cheek multiple times, as if to take away her fears. The kids were bewildered by the scene played before them. The only time they saw the great Crystal fall in a crying mess was in her movies during the most emotional scenes. But this scene was much more. With their faces pressed together, sharing the same striking violet eyes of Elizabeth Taylor. Up close, they looked really alike.
"Dude, they could be sisters!" Nino noted.
Marinette shot him a deadpanned frown. "They ARE sisters."
The kids were, for lack of a better word, shocked.
"What…?"
"No way!"
"That can't be true!"
"Half-sisters. Same dad, different moms." Marinette answered causally.
Chloe snapped her fingers, lighting up with realisation. "That's why she's so familiar! Vanessa is the youngest daughter of the Camberwell family, one of the richest and most power families in the world, and she the sister of Crystal! She's was pictured Crystal sometimes! I forgot Crystal's last name is Camberwell and her daddy is a mayor too, like me! I thought the mayor only had one daughter!"
"I'm gonna have a little word with the receptionist." Crystal said in a calm yet deadly way. She stood up, hugged her sister one last time and stepped towards the front desk, greeting the man with a sickly-sweet grin.
Then she unleashed her fury.
"YOU IMBECILE!"
Her scream rivalled Chloe. The similarities were uncanny.
"This is outrageous! Truly outrageous! This is supposed to be the best hotel in Paris! Where's the security? Where's the service? For God sake, I paid for rest and security, not Fawlty Towers! This is nothing like the Ritz! If this was London, I would make sure you have no job by tomorrow! I specifically requested that you let my sister in, and I found out that you kicked her out in the whims of a girl I never met! Have you bothered to call me for confirmation? "
"I've told you she likes the spotlight." Vanessa said to Marinette, smiling and feeling better. Her sister was as gorgeous as she was boisterous.
On the other hand, Lila paled until her skin was as white as Marinette's. The horrible realisation hit her, that she had just humiliated the daughter of a rich and powerful family as well as the younger sister of a famous actress, the very people she lied about!
"Why didn't you say you're the Mayor of London's daughter and Crystal's sister?!" She shrieked at Vanessa.
Vanessa smirked teasingly. "No proof?"
"Uh...here is the whole Camberwell family." Max inputted, holding up his phone. "It's a year old but same people."
All looked over his shoulder to see his phone viewing a picture of the banquet the mayor of London held. At each side of him flagged his current wife, his ex-wife, his eldest daughter Crystal and youngest daughter Vanessa. The truth in clear view.
Lila cringed. "Oh boy…"
"And what? You believed a fan who doesn't know my own sister over my sister who I showed you photographic proof? Honest to God, I don't know a Lulu Rusty!"
"Lila Rossi." Rose corrected.
"Whatever the lyrics, I don't know the artist!"
"Oh my, her sting is worse than her buzz." Chloe commented before she went into a dreamy trance. "She's so wonderful…"
"Who the bloody Hell is Lola? I never heard of her!"
"Really?"
"YES!"
"She's says you're giving her private acting lessons."
"I was not!"
"Are you sure? Miss Rossi is quite adamant of-"
"How many times do I have to say it for you to get it? Read my lips! Learn my dialogue! I DO NOT KNOW HER! I'm a celebrity! I'm rich, famous and gorgeous! Of course, people would want private lessons from moi, but I never did. I'm too busy preparing for my new role and fighting for the protection of orangutans in Borneo!"
"Orangutans?" Ivan questioned.
"It's her favourite animal." Vanessa explained.
Just then Crystal switched her fury on the kids, demanding one thing. "Which one of you is Lala?"
Everyone pointed at Lila. She gulped at the ferocious gaze of the actress 'she was getting private acting lessons from'.
"You got my sister kicked out of this hotel?"
Uh-
"You bullied her in a nightclub?"
"How did you-"
"And you lied about knowing me? You lied about me teaching you privately? You believe your own lies? Does that mean you followed me from Borneo?!" Crystal gasped as she jumped to conclusions, too winded up by recent events. "You're a stalker! POLICE! SOMEBODY CALL THE POLICE!"
"Wait! I'm not a stalker!" Lila cried, reaching her arms out in surrender, one of her hands grasping Vanessa's bracelet.
Crystal stopped ranting and squinted at the piece of jewellery. "Hold on, is that…" Then she ranted again. "YOU STOLE MY BABY SISTER'S BRACELET?!"
She snatched the bracelet out of Lila's hands, the girl still bumbling her excuses.
"B-B-B-But it's yours! The same one you always wore!"
"You mean the one I'm wearing right now?"
Crystal then flicked her wrist, proudly wearing the same expensive bracelet as Vanessa's, yet it was pure gold and embellished with rich emeralds.
"I never take this off, except for baths and the pool. Besides, these bracelets are from Pulcher. Its custom made, part of a matching set we got together. She could've bought an identical one to mine if she wanted. And silver? With my complexion? You're joking. I'll look like an eskimo."
She made a sharp turnaround, her whipping long hair hitting Lila in the face, and gave Vanessa back the silver bracelet, planting a kiss on her beloved sister's forehead.
"I'm sorry, Nessie. I'll take care of it."
And she went off at the terrified receptionist again.
"You just anyone in! Outrageous! Truly outrageous!"
The kids watched wide-eyed of the scene Crystal made, just as dramatic as her movies.
"Wow…"
"She's…"
"Another Chloe!"
Vanessa shrugged as she put on her bracelet. "Told ya,"
"She's better in person than on screen!" Chloe exclaimed happily.
"What is going on out there?"A woman appeared in the lobby, looking around, clear aggravation expressed. "Can't a lady think in peace?"
She was a curvy woman, snout and thick-limbed like Mylene but with more muscle. She was mocha-skinned, darker than Vanessa and Crystal's, black hair stylized in braids thrown over her shoulder, wise almond-brown eyes and wore a demin-fabriced navy jacket and jeans, a white t-shirt underneath, an aqua-blue baseball cap on her head turned sideways, big gold hoop earrings, and a big thick chain necklace.
As with Crystal earlier, the kids got excited.
"Oh my god! You're Missus Edward!" Alix exclaimed.
"Duh." She said nonchalantly. Then she grinned when she saw Vanessa. "Lil' Nessie! Come here." She pulled Vanessa pulled in a hug, patting her back. "Heard Criss raving. I thought a ghost was lurking this joint. What happened?"
"How do you know her?" Alya demanded.
"She's my producer's girl's kid sister."
"I heard Crystal is dating a record producer." Alix commented.
"Allan Gavroche!" Nino piped, hands in prayer form. The man was a god to him, more than anything he wanted to follow his sneakers.
Missus Edward pressed two fingers to her forehead and sighed heavily. "I came here for peace and quiet, but I haven't got any. My cell has been blowing up all day. Hell, even Allan called me. Turns out the internet is going crazy with the most bizarre rumours and they're all about one unreliable source, some wannabe called Loser Really."
Lila grunted of embarrassment by another person she lied about.
"Don't listen to those rumours, girl. I don't know this Loser, especially a bad dancer. I saw that video of her from Balter."
"What video?" Alya questioned. "I didn't post it yet."
"Yet?" Lila growled. Alya just sniggered at her.
"She says she's has a part in my upcoming music video, I don't even have a theme! And sexy hips? Since when I dance sexy hips? There's nothing sexy about those hips. Bum bum bum ba lump..."
She twerked her wide hips, mocking Lila in the process. And saw Lila at her right.
"Oh. You're here. If you're gonna lie, you gotta get your facts right. I mean, saving Jagged Stone's cat from a plane? Get out of here! And dancing with me? You obviously never paid attention to my videos. You need to call Miley Cyrus and let her know you're stealing her stuff. Stripping your jeans and shaking your half naked booty in front of a camera is NOT dancing. Y'all crazy."
She scoffed at Lila and walked over to the front desk to complain. The kids were still stunned.
"Anything else to say?" Alya asked snidely.
Lila was unusually silent.
"Hey, V!"
A man showed up and Nino went speechless, overwhelmed with emotions too many to count.
"It's small-B..." Ivan muttered, answered for Nino.
small-B was a rapper, one of the famous ones today. Manon was right, he was HUGE. He was as fat as a hippo, bigger than Ivan, chubby yet happiness danced on him. His dark skin black as night, eyes small and hazel, hair short and jet-black and his teeth gleamed in a cheerful smile. He wore a blue tracksuit, yellow sneakers, a small single silver hoop earring and a silver chain necklace with small 's' and big 'B'.
"V..." A wide grin on his face, he high-fived Vanessa and side-hugged her. "Hey, girl. How you doing? How you like Freestyle Clash 2?"
"You mean the game Lila made?" Chris piped up.
small-B quirked a curious expression. "Lila, little man?" Chris pointed to Lila. Recognition hit him. "Lila Rossi…I heard of you. I was just talking to my lawyer about you."
"Lawyer? Why?" She asked.
"Because you are taking credit for my game, Freestyle Clash. And according to the law, it's a case of copyright violation. I thought I would first see you in court."
"Court?!"
"Isn't that too extreme?" Nathanaël said.
"Not as extreme as the internet blowing up lies concerning my game. Matters such as this need to be handled. If we let posers walk over us, we'll never reach our dreams." He turned and glanced down on Lila, scaring her with the sudden intimidation of his size. "Your parents must be very disappointed in you, little missy. How do you think you would get away with this? I have concept, previous versions, meetings, sponsors, ads, everything to prove that I made Freestyle Clash, not you. This lawsuit is gonna wipe you out. As a matter of fact, what are you doing here? I thought the hotel is supposed to be exclusive."
He went over to join in the complaining, leaving the group of kids bewildered again.
"Told you so!" Manon said, sitting back on Fang. The reptile made a sort of smirk.
"Marinette!"
In a flash, Marinette was swept off her feet and was now held in the arm of Jagged Stone, the rock star.
"My favourite designer! How's my Fangy-Wangy?"
"He's perfectly fine. The vet gave him a clean bill of health. You kept him very well."
He set her back up and knelt down to her precious pet. "Were you a good boy for Mari? Yes, you are! Yes, you are! And look, you made a new friend! Hello, there!"
Manon giggled and gave a wave. "Hi, Mr. Stone."
"Marinette, I need you to design my next album. You're the only one who captures my style! You-" He stopped talking, suddenly taking a sniff. He made funny faces until he sneezed. "AAAA-CCCHHHHOOOOO!"
"Jagged!" Penny cried.
"Do you have a cold? An allergy, maybe?" Marinette asked, worriedly.
"What? No! I don't get sick often and I'm allergic to only two things, non-organic flour and-"
Jagged Stone stopped himself again when he spotted the kitten in Rose's arms.
It made a cute mew.
"CAT!"
He screamed and jumped away, hiding behind a red-plush chair.
"That's worse than non-organic flour!"
"You have a pet kitten yourself!" Rose insisted, holding out her new kitten to him.
He arched back, deathly scared as if the creature would kill him. "Why would I have a pet that could kill me?!"
He started scratching, quickly getting a rash to go along with the sneezing.
"But you do have a kitten!"
"Says who? AAAAA-CCHHOOOOO!"
"Her!"
Rose pointed to Lila.
"Who's she?"
"That's Lila!"
"Who? Marinette I know, but Lila? No." Jagged Stone turned to Marinette and Vanessa. "Is she a friend of yours, girls?"
"No way."
"Hardly."
"She said she saved your pet kitten from a moving plane and got tinnitus." Mylene inputted.
"And you wrote a song in dedication to her!" Kim finished.
Juleka kept her month shut as she knew the real truth.
Jagged Stone rolled his redding eyes. "Have you been reading those trashy gossip magazines? They're saying the same thing, but that's insane. Me, wrote a song of a girl I never met on an event that never happened involving a pet I never had? So un-rock'n'roll. There are hairless cats, but I don't like them. Remind me too much of my allergy. Plus, they give me the creeps."
He shuddered. Then he glanced to Rose's kitten, screamed and darted away, away from the cat.
Penny Rolling sighed and explained to the unreasonable teenagers. "I know you kids aren't fans of Jagged, but it's has been stated every times in many interviews that he's highly allergic to animal fur and what's why he has a crocodile. He even cancelled his USA tour because he was exposed to a cat and ended up comatose in the hospital! It was all over the news. Any fan of Jagged Stone knows that, it's practically basic fact."
"But we are fans!"
Penny was impressed. "Clearly not."
"Lila said it happened!"
"Does this girl have any proof of her friendship with Jagged?" As soon as she said it, the teenagers went silent, unable to say anything to support Lila. "No photos? No calls? Nothing? Just her word?"
With that last question, there was a chorus of nods and yeses.
Penny scoffed. "Her word is false. I can confirm it, Jagged Stone confirms it, his mother confirms it, even the doctors he had over the years can confirm his serious allergy. If it is true, then news like that would've made the world headlines and he won't have a severe allergy." She shook her head, walking away to tend her musician and his allergy. "It's like they never read anything in their life."
"Oh, my goodness!"
The doors opened and shut in one second, and in came Clara Nightingale.
"It's a circus out there!" She bellowed. The young woman calmed down from her experience, then walked down, and smiled as she saw Marinette. "Hello, Marinette. I'm been meaning to tell you that your ideas for outfits for me are great! By the way, those reporters out there were asking me about my trip to Achu. I've never been there, and I certainly have not met a…Loco Rosy." Then she went straight for the front desk.
"Move aside!"
With the strength of a mother, Nadja pushed through the crazy mass and closed the door behind her. "Most secure hotel in Paris, my a- Manon!"
"Mama!"
Nadja picked up her eager little girl. "Did you have nice day with Marinette and her new friend?"
"Yes, until we met that mean girl! Mama, there's a girl here who said she's created Freestyle Clash, saved Jaddy Stony's cat, and starred with Crystal!"
"Manon, good girls don't tell lies."
"I'm not lying! Chris is!"
"She did it all! It's true!" Chris defended.
Nadja glanced at Lila and groaned. "Oh lord, not you again. It's bad enough that the whole media is publishing that girl's lies, now she's within breathing reach of my daughter. I do not want my little girl around someone who spouts lies like a sprout of water! Honestly, Manon doesn't even believe her lies and she's 5!"
She hurried past Chris and Lila, shielding Manon as if from the negative influences of Lila. Nino pulled Chris back, frowning at the 'popular' girl.
"Thanks a lot, Lila!" He snapped. "Now she thinks Chris is raised by clowns! She's never let Manon anywhere near him or us again!"
"She will! She'll get over it."
"What if she does a live report?"
"She won't."
"She can. She's Nadja Chamack."
"What?"
"Manon's mom is Nadja Chamack! She's on TV all the time! She interviews all the famous dudes and dudettes! She even did Ladybug and Chat Noir! Don't you watch TV?"
"Wow!"
A boy their age raced down the lobby, staring amazed at the bursting doors.
"Prince Ali!" Rose leapt at him, pulling him in a happy hug. "I didn't know you're here!"
"I'm here as an ambassador for my country for a few months, I haven't had the time to tell you through letters, emails or phonecalls. I'm attending a private boy's school. Did you see what is going on outside? There are people everywhere! Amazing!"
Unlike the previous celebrities, he got excited by the sudden hysteria the media brought. His chaperone, on the other hand, was angry by the craziness and was part of the complaints ranting at the front desk.
"Oh, Ali! Lila is here, remember?"
"Of course. A friend of Rose is a friend of mine."
Rose got confused right away. "What do you mean?"
"I meant that your friends are my friends."
"I thought she was helping you rule your country."
"No. You introduced her to me just now. I only heard of her through you. This is the first time I ever heard and met a, eh, Lana Rossellini."
"LILA ROSSI!" Lila screamed. "Rose, I thought you were fantasying your relationship with Prince Ali!"
"You thought I was making it up?" Rose gawked as she got upset towards her idol.
Then Prince Ali gasped. "Vanessa Camberwell! How lovely to see you!"
He walked over to Vanessa where he bowed before her and kissed her hand. Although she admitted being a lesbian, Vanessa blushed at the kind gesture.
"You know her?" Alya squawked.
"Of course, everyone does! She is Vanessa Camberwell! The youngest daughter of the Mayor of London! Sister of the famous Crystal herself! She's practically royalty herself."
"We met at the royal wedding." Vanessa said in a calmer tone.
"Do you know every star?" Lila growled out.
"Just the ones my family knew."
"Vanny babe…"
Heads turned to XY swaggering their way, Lila in his view. She smirked his, attempting to lure him in, but he walked around her and headed straight for Vanessa.
The girl of the name groaned in disgust. "What do you want?"
"Now, now, Princess," XY looped his arm around her. As soon as he did, she shrugged it off and took two steps back. "All I want is one date."
Juleka watched on sadly, waiting for the acceptance of her crush. However, it never came. Instead, Vanessa protested.
"I know your game. You only want to date me for publicity. I don't need a beard. I'm proud of what I am."
"Beard?" Adrien probed.
"I told you before, I. Like. Girls!"
For the second time, Juleka sighed dreamily and fainted.
"Juleka!"
"You're supposed to be in love with Lila!" Chloe pointed out for the thrill of it.
"Who?" XY asked, until he saw said girl. "Hey, you're the girl everyone is talking about."
Lila smirked in suggestive knowing until he asked one question.
"Did you really cheat on Adrien Agreste?"
"UHHH!" Lila threw her hair back, growling beyond frustration.
"Kids!"
"Now what?" Lila groaned.
"Alya!"
Alya's mother Marlena, chef of Hotel de Paris, came running to them.
"Is it true? Did your friend-" At that, she noticed Lila. The worried mother grabbed hold of her and started gently pulling her away. "There you are! You need to go!"
"What?"
"We gotta get you to the hospital ASAP!"
"Why?"
"She must be checked for maggots."
"Maggots?!"
"Casu Marzu means rotten pie in Italian. Why do you think it contain?"
Everyone gawked at the new fact, disgusted with it.
"Gross!"
("Now you know why I won't eat Casu Marzu." Plagg whispered to Adrien.)
"What were you thinking? Casu Marzu is illegal!" Marlena scolded.
"I never ate Casu Marzu!" Lila finally admitted, unfortunately bringing more unwanted attention on her.
"You lied?"
"All this time?"
"Oh my God…"
"After everything that happened today, you still think she's the real deal?" Alya retorted.
"Everything else I said is true!" Lila pressed on insisting.
"You lied about Crystal, Jagged Stone, Missus Edward, Freestyle Clash, XY, Clara Nightingale, Prince Ali, maggot cheese…"
"OK! So, I make that up. But I'm telling the truth!"
DING!
Bob Roth stomped out of the elevator, roaring. "I can't think with all this noise! Damn reporters, damn blog, damn what's her name! XY, you are not going anywhere near that Italian girl! She cheats on her famous boyfriends!"
"I also made that up too."
DING!
Alec furiously swept his finger across his phone. "Unbelievable! Unbelievable! This girl is taking over the media with her fake lies! Just who the Hell is Lina? Or is it Lana?"
"And that."
DING!
Simon Grimault screeched as he ran around, arms waving wildly. "This hotel is haunted! Lali Ruby's ghost stalks the hallways!"
"And that."
"Now, now, calm down!" Mayor André Bourgeois tried to calm down his guests.
Lila's lies caused chaos not just outside in Paris but also inside the Hotel de Paris. And Mayor Bourgeois was at the risk of losing his guests due to her lies. Rumours flying, hysteria building, sanity screwing loose.
"I need to check out!"
"I cannot stay here if you cannot control your own city."
"You said no cats! AA-CCCHHOOOO!"
"There's a crazed fan on the loose and you're not doing anything!"
"You just let anyone in!"
"This hotel is supposed to have the best security!"
"We didn't pay for this!"
"Your hotel is haunted!"
"This Loco must be a delusional stalker fan."
"Get the police now!"
"Sent her to a mental hospital."
Chloe heckled at the accusations, enjoying Lila's blight. "You're in for it now."
Lila didn't move. She stayed frozen, her teeth shown in a nervous wince. All this talk of arresting her or sending her to a mental hospital rattled her nerves. Finally, after months of lying through her teeth, her lies put her on the spot, making her reap what she sown. She was in big trouble and she lied about it! There was only one thing she could do to fix the mess she made. Not a good choice but she had to do it for the good of her.
"Look, I was lying about knowing famous people." She confessed, speaking calm and sad unlike her usually quickness. For the first time, she was honest. All eyes set on her, listening to her truth.
"See, she was lying!" Vanessa called out.
"Yes."
"So, you were pretending? You really don't know that many famous people and you haven't travelled all over the world?"
"Yes!"
"You lie to get attention, to get popular and admirers?"
"YES!"
"So, where were you exactly?"
"I skipped! I stayed at home eating ice cream and watching soaps!"
"She watches soap operas?" Marinette said, kinda baffled.
"That explains everything." Vanessa said and the pair giggled together.
"You head me, I LIED!"
There was a pregnant silence following Lila's confession until Mayor Bourgeois cleared his throat and spoke.
"…Alright. Now the girl has confessed and will be escorted out, I assure you that everything is well now. Go back to your rooms and I will handle the press."
His once unhappy guests did as he told, walking to the elevators to return to their rooms. Nadja left the hotel through the back entry, carrying Manon. Marinette and Vanessa left with Crystal, not bothering a glance to the other kids.
"Daddy wants a press conference with Lita's family." Crystal said, holding her phone to her ear. The last dart to Lita, meaning Lila.
"What?!" Lila bellowed.
"Daddy doesn't need to hold a press conference." Vanessa said, more concerned with her family than the liar.
"He insisted. The family honour is at stake, he said."
"Or his honour."
"Marinette, wait!"
Just as she entered the elevator with Crystal and Vanessa, said girl glanced, prompting her to gasp.
"Luka."
The blue-streaked boy waltzed up to her, the light shining behind him as a halo highlighting his peaceful face. His strides reached inches away from her, the tips of their feet touching. Marinette gazed up at him, the tall height dwarfing her.
"What, what are you doing here?" She asked nervously.
"I came here to pick up Juleka. It took me a while to get past the crazy people surrounding the place." He flashed a sincere smile. "I'm happy to see you again. You just disappeared off the face of the earth. I missed you." His sweet compliant made her blush. "I wonder if you want to go to the school dance tonight?"
Her face went crooked. "Wha…?"
"There's no one else I wanted to go with. Well?"
"I…"
"If you're scared of going back here, I promise to protect you. Your friend, Vanessa can come along if she wants."
"Deal!" Vanessa jumped over Marinette, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
"Vanessa!"
"What? I love dancing. You make smashing dresses, wear one of them!"
"Great! I'll meet you at Françoise Dupont. The theme is golden rock'n'roll, so it sounds fun. See you tonight."
Marinette gaped at Luka and Vanessa making the decision for her. Then she and Vanessa stepped into the elevator where Crystal was waiting, bubbling of enthusiasm.
"A dance! How wonderful! School is the best place to flaunt your stuff! You need to stand out and take down that Leela! Trust me, I know. Now we have 6 hours to get ready. I'll book appointments for your hair, clothes, shoes, nails, makeup. No one says no to me…"
Her voice hushed as the elevator doors closed. Luka folded his arms, quite pleased with himself.
Juleka, coming to his side, cuffed her hands. "She's coming?"
"Yeah…" He turned to her, a little smirk on his smile. "And her friend too."
Juleka blushed. Although she was thrilled to hear Marinette was coming back, she was talking about Vanessa first.
"Watch it!"
Two hotel employees held Lila by each arm, 'escorting' out of the hotel, away from the guests she upset. As the mayor had promised, the reporters have deserted the entrances, leaving an empty space for Lila to be left on. The other kids exited the building on their own, though they felt ashamed of what happened.
Lila huffed, brushing her arms. "How rude!"
Adrien was more exasperated with her. "Rude? After what you've done, you still have the gall to blame someone else?"
"Are you deaf?" Alix questioned. "Did you not hear the scolding Crystal gave you? Or small-B? Or Penny, Missus Edward, Bob Roth?"
"They're such divas!" Lila defended.
"We got told off because of you! You, especially!" Nathaniel rebuked.
"Need lotion with that burn, girl?" Nino snarked, hands protectively on his little brother. Chris was whining, water gathering in his eyes.
"You lied to us?" The little boy whimpered out.
"Of course I didn't." Lila faked the sympathy.
"Why should we believe you?" Mylene glared hard at the girl who used to scare her every day at school. "Everything you ever told us was a lie."
"I have not!"
"Stop lying!" Rose wailed angrily. "I can't listen to you anymore! I can't tell if you're lying or telling the truth!"
"It was blown out of proportion!"
"So last night wasn't a case of catfights then? And today was a sequel?" Kim chided.
"Like I said, blown out of proportion!"
"Everything you said is a lie!' Max maintained.
"No way!"
"Vanessa's right, your big mouth did cause all this mayhem." Sabrina stated.
"It was Vanessa and Marinette's fault! They framed me together!"
"Don't blame this on Vanessa and Marinette!" Ivan boomed. "Everyone you lied about was in this hotel."
"Face it, Lila." Alya chastised, giving Lila the discipline she needed. "You caused this mess. You said this and that and this happens. You lied about knowing Crystal. You bullied one of the two people who didn't believe you and she's Crystal's sister!" Lila refused to even look at her, making Alya more furious. "Fine. Just lay in the bed you'd made. Just know that I had enough of your B-S. You're on your own dealing with relentless reporters and cross celebrities. At this point, you're lucky you're pled insanity to avoid a restraining order. Bye!"
With a feisty salute, Alya marched to the direction of their high school, presumably to finish off arranged the dance (which Lila neglected to do). One by one, almost everyone else left for home for the dance tonight and ignored Lila. Juleka and Luka walked to their boat-home, simultaneous sporting happy smiles.
Just before she left, Chloe whispered in Lila's ear. "Maybe I should one of those reporters about you and Hawkmoth."
Lila blanked. That said and Chloe shot her an evil sneer, she and Sabrina going back into the hotel to Chloe's suite.
"See you tonight." Sabrina bided.
"If you're still want to show your hideous face in public!" Chloe crackled, beaming with new satisfaction she had finally something to hold over the two-faced girl.
Lila was left alone outside. The cold air barely cooled her boiling rage. Her teeth grinded and created white dust.
Humiliated. She felt humiliated.
By Marinette's new school.
By Marinette's new friend.
By Marinette's new friend's famous sister, Crystal.
By numerous people she lied to know.
By the media circling her lies.
By her 'friends'.
By Alya.
By Chloe.
By everyone!
"Just when did all this crap come from?!" She screamed. "Seriously, what does everyone have against me? I only want to be liked! Honestly, some people are so sensitive. It's just a little white lie." She whipped out her phone, quick to search. "I gotta find out how they know in the first place. I told no one but my class and that boy last night!"
The memory remained fresh in her mind. The boy was charming, handsome and suave. However, she didn't get his name and he hasn't called yet. Strange…
On her phone, articles of her fibs had been published her lies, causing the hysteria. Fantasy clashed with reality. Debates opened. Arguments formed. Most, most of the arguments debunked her claims of truth.
Anyone at that club last night would have post what happened. There was a few posts but the real hit was this blog. Good Old Reliable Jake.
"Who's Jake Galella?"
Whoever he was, he bought up articles featuring her and what she said.
Every. Single. One.
Hench the drama.
"Ciao, Lila."
Lila raised her head up and gasped. There standing in front of her was the boy from Balter.
"I heard you were here." He said.
Despite the delight bursting in her heart, she shook her head. "I don't have time for you now, I'm trying to handle a crisis here."
"I just wanted to give you my card since I realize you never asked for my name. Here you go."
He handed her a small piece of hard paper, like a professionally-fashioned business card. Lila, not caring at the moment, merely glanced at the content on the card, reading his, name, number, email and his blog address-
She whizzed to her phone and back to the card. Then looked at her phone and went back to the card. And then she freaked out.
"You're JAKE GALELLA?!"
The boy named Jake shrugged. "Honestly, I'm impressed you didn't do your homework. Most people would recognized me first hand and avoid me due to my reputation as a notorious journalist. They say I spread gossip like wildfire. They call me Jake the Fake. But I don't care."
He was so chilled, not bothering with the girl's feelings. All that matter was his work. He used her lies to make a story for his own benefit.
"How could you?"
"I need a story to give my boss, you wanted attention."
She growled at him. Nonetheless, he continued talking.
"I run a blog but I also work as an intern at the local newspaper. I published both sides of the same coin. Your stories are itching to be heard."
"By a selected few!"
"You never said that. You wanted everyone to know. And I got proof."
He bestowed a recorder, pressing a number to unleashed his voice. And hers.
"You're a very fascinating girl, Lila. Do you ever think to tell your tales on a wider channel?"
"Of course! I want the whole world to know me!"
He secretly recorded their conversation?
"In case I have to prove your lies are true." He merely explained.
Lila looked like a fish with her jaw dropping down. This blogger was nothing like Alya. Journalist was too polite a word for what he was. Not a shred of remorse for what he does. He was devious, ambitious, having no regrets in throwing someone under the bus for a scoop.
"You said you wanted to know everything about me!"
"I did."
"You said you can make me famous!
"I did also."
"You said everyone will love me!"
"The public disagreed with you."
"You made this mess! You lied first!"
"I don't lie. I embellished the truth."
"Oh, you dead meat! I'm gonna-"
"What are you gonna do? Make up a nasty rumour featuring me? I'll write it up and post it to the world on my blog."
For once, she shut her mouth. He wasn't a typical victim. He can fight back as much as fire as her.
"In the journalism world, you have to step on a few toes to catch a break. Thanks to you, I got a break!"
"I'm ruined!"
"And I'm discovered! My editor wants me to work full-time! Millions are reading my blog! Now, if you excuse me, I have work to do. Ciao."
He waved goodbye, then sauntered off, which left her fuming. Lila saw red. Steam blew out of her ears. Her feet stomped the ground, making pounds and leaving footprints.
"YOU LYING CHEAP COWARDLY BLOODSUCKING BOTTOM-FEEDING LOWLIFE!"
"Grazie!"
The cruel irony was that she met her match. She makes rumours, Jake makes reports.
A perfect match made in Hell.
VSD is a Famous tabloid newspaper in Paris.
Pulcher is a Latin word meaning 'beautiful.'
The trick Manon used on Chris whilst they argued is used famously by Bugs Bunny.
Elizabeth Taylor was a famous British-American actress until her death in 2011. She was considered as one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema, some movies included Cleopatra (1963) and Taming of the Shrew (1967). She was especially remembered for her piercing violet eyes.
Fawlty Towers is a British comedy from the 70s. Set in a hotel, it features its snobby owner and the hilarious situations he, his staff or guest get into. The show was named 'the greatest ever British TV sitcom.'
The Ritz is a famous hotel in London.
The colours of Missus Edward's outfit are a tribute to Portsmouth, Virginia, the birthplace of Missy Elliott.
small-B is based on The Notorious B.I.G., the famous rapper. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Beard is slang for when a gay person has an escort of the opposite sex to give the gay person the impression of being heterosexual.
Casu marzu is a traditional Sardinian sheep milk cheese that contains live insect larvae.
Jake Galella is created to be the match of Lila.
His first name rhymes with 'Fake.' His last name comes from Ron Galella, an American photographer and 'the Godfather of the U.S. paparazzi culture.' He took pictures of many celebrities out of the public eye and had feuds with some of them, notably Jackie O. The latter actually took him to court for harassment and invasion of privacy.
His eyes are based on the Italian Evil Eye. In Italian culture, the evil eye is personalized as a blue glass eye painted in two shades, deep royal blue and light sky blue, white iris and black pupil. The evil eye is a bad omen by Italy and other cultures, believed to be cast by a malevolent glare and cause misfortune to the innocent.
In the last chapter, Jake was from a little village in Italy before he moved to Paris. Ciarlare, which I made up, refers to his slimy nature. It's from the Italian ciarlare, meaning to chatter or prattle and another word for charlatan.
Jake's blog, Good Old Reliable Jake, is from the song by Evil Dead: The Musical, 'I'm good old reliable Jake.'
Note: Jake won't be planning on becoming an Akuma, he's most likely to make them.