28: The Collector

Adrien lost his dad's book.

Yeah, I don't think he lost it. He's too responsible.

The image of the red kwami floating with a book on its hand came to mind. Marinette and her kwami must have been interested in that book. Even though I never had the chance to see it, Adrien told me that it had superheroes and the miraculous. It showed Cat Noir and Ladybug, along with Hawkmoth.

Plagg wasn't much help in explaining, but I told Adrien not to push it.

"I'm grounded for life," Adrien called me early in the morning before school started. "I'm going to be homeschooled until I graduate."

"That's not fair," I frown as I got ready to leave my apartment. "I'm going to have a talk with your father."

"No, don't!" He panics. "He's stubborn. If you try to convince him that he's wrong, he's going to blame you.

"And I don't want him to forbid me to see you."

I sighed, "…Fine. Just because you asked me."

"That's my girl," He says tenderly, making a blush appear on my cheeks. "You and Nino are allowed to visit, but only at certain times."

"It's something," I replied wryly. "Did you tell Nino already?"

"Just about to." he sighs. "I'm just glad I'll be able to see you at night at least."

"Me too, but promise to be very careful. I'm sure Gabriel is going to keep a closer eye on you now."

"I doubt it, but I promise," Adrien sighs. I heard him chuckle, "Plagg says hi."

I smiled, "Hi, Plagg. I'll see my handsome cat soon."

"He's blushing right now."

"Awwww, cutie," I cooed.

"Okay, I got to-" It sounds like he's moving around, "-got to go. Love you!"

"Love you too," I said before hanging up.

Well, at least Lila will not try anything now that Adrien is not going to school.

When I saw Nino in class, he immediately ran towards me.

"Did you-?"

I nodded, and he sighs deeply as he fixes his cap. "It sucks."

"I know," I said softly as I patted his shoulder.

Then all of a sudden, Chloé starts crying, getting everyone's attention.

I had a feeling I know why.

She started to sob about Adrien never coming to school again and the reason why. And just so happened I saw Marinette arriving at the door, listening to it all.

She took the book. And she knows that it's her fault. It's written all over her face.

"What's with your face?" Nino asks as he stared where Marinette had left running after proclaiming that she's going to help Adrien bring him back.

"A cramp. On my leg," I quickly lied. I took a deep breath and gave him a small smile. "It passed."

"Ah, alright," Nino smiled wryly. But before we could talk more, Ms. Bustier appeared to start class.

All day, my stomach was doing all sorts of acrobatic stunts that probably would make a circus proud. During the first break, I would rush to the restroom and splash cold water on my face. It was a brief relief.

But it only lasted for so long.

"Ms. Mendeleiev, I don't feel well," I told her before her class started.

She frowned and touched my forehead.

"No fever, but you do look very pale," She frowns softly. But then she went to her desk and wrote down something on a yellow slip. "Go to the nurse."

I nodded gratefully and took the note before making my way towards the nurses' office.

When I finally arrived, I answered questions to the nurse and the most she could offer me was to send me home.

I took that opportunity and left the school. But I had to make one stop before I went home.

Mr. Chan's Massage Emporium is my hope to make me feel better.

When I arrived, the shop looked closed, but I knocked on it anyways.

It didn't have to wait long when the door opened to reveal Mr. Chan.

"Miss Jolene," his eyes widened, "Please come in. You need a cleanse right now."

I followed him and it was a repeat from last time.

Except this time it felt longer.

When I opened my eyes, I did feel better, but slightly lightheaded.

"Here, drink and eat," Mr. Chan said as he offered me a cup of tea and some macaroons. "You need something in your stomach."

I nodded quietly as I grabbed them and carefully sipped and chewed. Mr. Chan sat in front of me, observing me.

"It hasn't been that long since we saw each other," He starts, "What happened, my dear?"

I sighed as I sat cross-legged, I balanced the remaining macaroon on my knee as my hands held the cup, warming them.

"There are some people who don't like me," I frown. "And recently I found out a person who I considered a friend has been a two-face."

"And that got you upset," Mr. Chan said softly.

My blood boiled for just a few seconds before I decided to calm down and took deep breaths.

"Upset is putting it too lightly," I frown, but I sighed. "I don't want to hate her. But it's going to take time to see her as a friend again."

"That's unfortunate," Mr. Chan said lightly. "But I want to say that I'm proud of you."

"Huh? For what?"

He smiled gently, "You're a good person, Miss Jolene. Even though you have a good reason to be mad at this person, you are willing to give them a chance to redeem themselves."

"I was raised to give people a second chance. But, I'm not perfect. There will be people where I don't want anything to do with them."

"That may be true, but I'm also proud that you aren't letting that hatred consume you. Sure, you might not like them, but you aren't harboring it either.

"Not everyone can let go of their anger, making them blind. But you can, making you very lucky to see the good in the rest."

The corner of my mouth twitched upwards as I quoted, "Hating someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."

"Those are wise words," Mr. Chan agrees with a nod. "I am glad that you are feeling better."

"Thank you for the cleanse. I really needed it," I said wryly as I quickly ate the remaining macaroon and stood up. Then I drank the tea, burning my tongue on the way, but I didn't want to be rude and not finish the drink.

"And thank you for the tea. It really helped," I smiled as I gave the cup to him.

"It was no problem," he nodded.

My hand went towards my satchel, but Mr. Chan shook his head.

"There is no need to pay me."

"This is your business, it wouldn't be fair if I didn't pay for your services," I answered softly as I gave him forty euros. "And please don't fight me about it."

Mr. Chan shook his head, but he smiled at me. "You're a good girl, Miss Jolene. I hope I don't see you too soon for the next cleanse."

"Thank you, Mr. Chan. For everything," I bowed my head before leaving the store and went towards my apartment.

"Cat?" I raised my eyebrow as I let him in my bedroom. "What happened?"

"My father became akumatized, but he's okay now!" He quickly explains.

But before I could question him more, my phone rang.

It was Adrien's house number. Cat had untransformed, Plagg floating down on my bed dramatically as Adrien gave him a piece of Camembert.

I showed it to Adrien and I answered, making it on speaker as I hold it.

"Allo?"

"Miss Baudelaire," Gabriel's voice clearly sounded upset. "Is my son with you?"

I looked towards Adrien and he nodded, "Yes. Would you like to talk with him?"

"Please," Gabriel said curtly.

"Father, I'm sorry if I didn't say where I was going. Please don't blame, Jolene."

"Adrien," Gabriel sighs, "You saw The Collector?"

I stayed quiet as I observed Adrien.

"Yes. I knew that I had to get out of there. You weren't you, Father. And I ran towards the first place I thought I would be safe."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Sorry if I worried you."

"I'm just glad that you are alright. Please pass me back to your friend."

We waited for a few seconds before I answered, faking that I didn't listen.

"Mr. Agreste? You want to talk to me?"

"Adrien's bodyguard will be picking him up shortly. Thank you for having him in your home."

"It's no problem, honestly," I smiled wryly. "Adrien's my best friend. He's always welcome anytime."

"Thank you anyways. Have a good day," He says briefly before ending the call.

I put my phone away and closed the curtains. Then I faced him with my hands on my hips, "I think you should start explaining what happened."

"Um, it's best if we sit down," Adrien says as he leads me to my bed. Plagg already flew out of the room and probably went to the guest room. "Ladybug suspected that my father is Hawkmoth."

"Why would she think that?"

And so he told me what Ladybug told him that the book was lost along with the Moth and Peacock Miraculous. And for a moment, Adrien admitted he almost believed that his father could have been Hawkmoth because his logo is a black butterfly. And way before Hawkmoth made an appearance...

Which is seriously suspicious…

"But since my father became akumatized, there's no way he can be Hawkmoth. So at least that's settled," He sighed. "I'm just not sure how he got hold of that book. Ladybug said that it was very important and the owner of the book has been looking for it for a very long time."

"There's only one way to find out," I told him softly. "Ask him yourself."

"How can I, when I lost it in the first place?" He groans. "My father is disappointed in me."

I was very tempted to let him know that he didn't lose it, that someone took it from him. But then I would explain how I know and I can't do that.

I could lie and say that Ladybug had it, but then Adrien would try to confront her as Cat and then he could compromise his identity. It's best that I stay quiet, even though I hate keeping it from him.

"I know you Adrien," I said softly. "And you aren't the type to lose things. I'm sure it'll appear soon. Or at least that's what I hope."

Before he could answer, my doorbell rang.

"We'll talk later," I said softly as I kissed his cheek and led him out.

I knocked on the guest room's door and Plagg quickly hid inside Adrien's blazer.

The doorbell rang again and we picked up our pace so I could open the door.

Giles nodded at me before looking at Adrien.

"Bye, Jolene," Adrien says as he kisses my cheeks before leaving.

I smiled fondly and waved both of them goodbye.

When I closed the door, I looked down at my bangle, glad that it was back to its original color.

I hope Marinette returns the book. But at the same time, if she doesn't then she will no longer see Adrien.

It's mean, but frankly I don't care at this moment. I'll be petty for a bit longer before calming down.

Omake 17

I am so glad the love of my life is back to school. If I could only tell him the truth, but I can't. I have to protect him. And everyone, of course.

No one can learn of my secret identity. Well, except Master Fu since he is the Guardian of the Miraculous.

"Marinette, did you do something to Jolene?" Alya whispered as we ate lunch together.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"For a couple of days, she's been avoiding you. Haven't you noticed?" She frowns softly. "Has she told you anything?"

"No, she hasn't," I said softly. "I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. I haven't done anything mean to her. Or at least not on purpose."

My stomach twisted as I watched her from afar as she was talking to Adrien and Nino. She laughed with Adrien as Nino showed them a funny video.

Tikki warned me that Jolene was angry at Ladybug. Afterall, it's my fault that I made Cat Noir break up their relationship.

I still feel incredibly guilty.

Whenever I bring up Jolene's name to Cat he cuts me off.

I got the message.

My only consolation is that he treats me like normal. Sure he flirts with me, but it's more out of habit, he doesn't mean it and doesn't have the same… passion it once had. Actually, that passion was long gone before I found them out, but I didn't notice until recently.

"Okay, girl spill," Alya says, making me nervous. "You know something."

Sometimes she's too good.

"I, uh, I really don't know," I stammered. "But yeah, I just noticed that she's been avoiding me."

Alya frowns as she presses her lips together. "I should ask her directly."

"No, don't!" I squeaked. Alya raised an eyebrow.

"I mean, if I did do something I think I should be the one to confront her."

"Okay fine, but if Jolene gets out of line, you know I'm backing you up," She winks.

"I doubt it will come to it. Jolene is a nice person and you know it," I smiled, but I couldn't help, but worry.

I don't want Jolene to be akumatized. It would break Cat's heart.

AN: So sorry for the longer wait, but here it is!

Thank you Momochan77, starrat, gwencarson126, jenicia stone, and FlowersHeart17 for reviewing.

And thank you too AnimeGamerGirl123, jaz7, JadedBark, alexahdez1997, London201516, AoiRozu1029, and wesleyhjyin for following and/favorited this story.

I appreciate all of you for letting me know that you enjoy this fic.

To FlowersHeart17: There will be original chapters coming in the future, but with a different antagonist that will challenge Adrien this time (not Cat Noir). I'll try not to spoil much ;)