"Are you lost, Madam?"
Himawari freezes in her spot and slowly turns around, in front of her is house Bourgeois's butler, Jean.
"O-oh, sorry… I'm looking for… uhm…" she stops herself a little bit before continuing "I'm looking for Chloe…"
"Madam Chloe?" the butler looks at her for a moment "Madam is…enjoying her alone time…"
The raven head nods, she understands what the butler is saying. The spoiled blonde girl has every right to have some moment for herself, especially in such a crucial time as right now.
Butler Jean's eyes are still glued on her, observing. He never notices this young girl in his lady's friend circle and yet, she is here, asking to see her. The sympathetic look in her eyes, although it makes him feel so pathetic for not being able to protect Chloe, something about them makes him think that maybe, just maybe, this girl holds the answer that Lady Chloe needs.
"Let me show you the way."
Himawari is surprised at first, but she nods her head and follows the man to a private quarter of the hotel. Just like her, he wants to help Chloe too.
"Thank you, Mr…"
"Jean, please call me butler Jean." he bows a little "I hope that you can help Lady Chloe, she… she really needs someone to rely on…"
"I understand. I will try my best."
Butler Jean opens the door, allowing the raven head to step into the room. Her eyes scan around the luxury-designed room as they land on a small figure sitting right by the big window. The blonde is looking at the big window, feeling the moonlight shining through the glass. The view of the busy Paris street is breathtaking, lit up with the street lights as people are walking around, enjoying their time with their loved ones.
"You know, I have always wondered, how it feels to be down there, blending in with the normal people…"
Himawari walks closers to her, listening to the blonde.
"I mean, to be down there, listening to the music, eating all the food I want to eat, living the life I want to live and just… just enjoy the life of a teenager…"
Himawari keeps listening, she doesn't say a word. It's rare to see Chloe being like this, so calm, so mature, and yet, what she wants sounds so childlike…
"To be honest, I don't want this at all. This marriage and union and just following what my parents want, I don't want it."
"Then why don't you tell them?" Himawari asks "Why accept the things you don't want?"
"Because…"
Her voice trails off, Chloe wears a nonchalant look on her face like she already has the answer to that question but doesn't want to say it. She can't because it will ruin her parents' reputation. As much as she hates to be put in this situation, Chloe understands her duty as the mayor's daughter. She is the tool for their political and career gain, no more no less.
The blonde is given a lavishing life since she was a kid. All the fortune that her parents have poured into her was to one day marry their daughter off to a wealthy family. All parents want their children to be happy, but some of them also want to gain something back, and Chloe's parents fit this narrative perfectly. This marriage not only will continue to fuel the blonde's luxury lifestyle but also give them the fame and fortune they need to further their career, a perfect win-win situation.
"Tonight might be the last night I experience my freedom…" there's a mocking tone in her voice, as if she is laughing at her own self right now "Why don't you entertain me, Himawari?"
"Entertain you…?"
"Let's have some fun tonight."
There's a ball ready for her downstairs, everyone is eager to see the main character come down and announce her engagement. Leaving right now might not be a good idea, and Himawari can also get into trouble. But, the look in the blonde's eyes makes it very hard for her to say no.
They're asking, no, they're begging her…
"Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere, anywhere that is not Le Grand Paris…"
And the raven head obliges.
Maybe she can call Luka and tells him what happened, maybe she can send him a text, maybe she can just come down and see them. But none of those thoughts go through her mind as Chloe pulls her out of the room and heads straight to the side door of Le Grand Paris, finally sneaking out of the hotel.
Himawari follows the blonde, allowing her to go wherever she wants to go and do what she wants to do. They walk through street after street, arriving at Andre's ice cream stand to get some cold treats, then walk past the Seine River before arriving at the Eiffel Tower.
Paris at night is beautiful and dreamy. Everywhere they go, they can still see the iconic Eiffel Tower lights up the city. There's something so magical, so wonderful about Paris at night, maybe it's because of the cobblestone street, or the historical landmarks that lits up when the sky turns dark, or how the light emitting from the big Tower shines brightly against the night sky. Everything is breathtaking.
Chloe sits down at one of the benches that face the beautiful Eiffel Tower, admiring the view. This is the first time ever that she really savors the magnificent sight of Paris's most iconic landmark. Something about this feels liberating, the idea of escaping the place she calls home just to look at this lovely scenery. Her parents might be worried, they might be looking for her, or maybe they don't even care. Maybe they're trying to calm down the guests, giving them reasons why their daughter is not there at the hotel.
Chloe might be a spoiled little brat but she never once disobey her parents, especially her mom. She admires her, so much that she is willing to embrace that over-the-top personality of the greatest stylist of all time, Audrey Bourgeois. Her mother is perfect, from her beauty to her style to her work, everything about that woman in Chloe's eyes is perfect. And yet…
The thought of her parents 'selling' her to the son of a publishing company leaves a foul taste in her mouth. She tries to ignore it, thinking that everything they do is for her own good. She wants to believe in that idea, that her parents truly care about her and her future…
"But they don't…"
Himawari's soft tone is the breaking point for Chloe as tears spill out of her eyes. The dejected feeling that has haunted her for so long is finally released. The blonde continues to cry, she doesn't care if there are people around sending her weird looks, or that her makeup is being ruined, or that she is wailing like a little kid. The pain and the loneliness of being Chloe Bourgeois, the false belief about her parents that she has hung on to for so long, just yesterday she was enjoying her life and now, they are ready to send her off to someone else.
The raven head inches closer to her, wrapping her arms around the poor blonde. Her phone is ringing, so many missed calls and unanswered text messages, but they're not important right now…
Chloe cries even harder when she feels those arms circle around her, pulling her close as she rests her forehead on that slim shoulder. It's a warm embrace, so kind and gentle, one that eases her pain away minute after minute. Himawari doesn't care if her clothes are getting wet, or how tight the grip on her back is, or if the person in front of her is the biggest bully at school.
Right now, the blonde in her arms is simply Chloe Bourgeois…
"It's okay, it's okay now…" she said in the most soothing tone, her hand gently brushes the blonde's head "You are safe, you are safe…"
Luka frowns when his call is sent to another voicemail. Everyone in the ballroom is freaking out because Chloe is missing. Audre has come to Adrien and asks about his daughter's whereabouts, but the blonde boy only shakes his head, he doesn't know.
Himawari is nowhere to be found and they have a unanimous assumption that the blonde and her are together. Luka has tried to call her so many times, and with each call sent to the voicemail, his concerns increasing rapidly. What is going on…?
"This is utterly ridiculous, where is that little girl?" Audrey exclaims "This is all your fault for spoiling her. Now look at what happened. My reputation will be ruined!"
"My fault? What do you mean it is my fault? You're responsible for this mess, not me!" Audre raises his voice before turning to the other main character, trying to appease the young boy "P-please forgive us. I'll make sure that Chloe will be here soon…"
The young boy doesn't seem fazed at the chaotic scene that is the Bourgeois couple fighting each other over whose fault it is. Most of the guests have left the hotel, with only a few staying back to ease the situation. The young heir of the publishing company turns his gaze to Luka's group, observing as he slowly makes his way to them.
"Hello there…"
"H-hi…" Adrien is the first to respond, putting on a smile as he greets the other person.
"No need to stress out." the smile on the boy's face doesn't reach his eyes "I don't see the other friend of yours, do you happen to know where she is?"
"Uh…"
"What friend?" Audrey snaps at them "You're right… Aren't you guys suppose to be a group of four?"
The woman looks at them skeptically before a realization hits her. Smoke emits from her head as she finally understands what's going on…
"So it's her… She's the one who took Chloe away?" she grits her teeth "Where is she? Where is that stupid girl Adrien?"
"N-no, what are you talking about?" he tries to defuse the situation, but his attempt falls on deaf ears.
"Tell me where she is Adrien. If it's true that girl was the one behind this, I'll make sure she will pay for what she d-?!"
"And what will you do?"
Luka, still standing at his spot, looks at the blonde woman. The venomous glance threatens to tear her apart if she even dares to finish her sentence. Audrey is taken aback by the glare, it sends a chill down her spine. This boy, whoever he is, is not someone she should be taken lightly. Maybe after this whole mess, she can hire someone to investigate this young man…
"This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"
With her iconic catchphrase, Audrey walks back to her husband, who is still irritated at what happened. The young boy looks at them one more time, the corner of his lips curves up, there's a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Maybe when she and Ms. Bourgeois come back, we can have a chat about this…"
He walks away, leaving the hotel after bidding his goodbye to the couple. Kagami's eyes are on him, observing. She hasn't said a single word after the incident. While Adrien is worried sick about his blonde friend, Luka's expression is so grimaced, he looks like he can kill someone right now.
"This is getting very interesting…" she smirks.
"What do you mean, Kagami?" the blonde boy looks at her "Don't you worried about them? Where could they be?"
"Oh Adrien… You and your naivete…" she shakes her head in amusement "You should know very well what Himawari can do when she sets her eyes on something…."
"Come on, she's not like that at all." he sighs "She's too nice to do this kind of thing."
"That's what you said. I have different thoughts though…" Kagami chuckles "For someone like Himawari, it's quite fitting for her to pull this kind of stunt, isn't that right, Luka?"
Adrien exhales, of all the times she can provoke the older boy, Kagami chooses this moment. Luka seems to lose his patience more and more as each second passes by, gripping his phone tightly as he tries to get a hold of a certain raven head. He should have known that Himawari would do this. With a heart of gold, she would do everything to please her friends, even if it means to get herself in trouble.
With Audrey and Andre keep fighting back and forth, butler Jean walks in, and behind him are the two girls, Chloe and Himawari.
"Chloe!" Andre speaks up as he walks toward her, but he is stopped by Audrey.
She looks at her daughter, wearing a dreadful expression on her face. The woman walks toward Chloe, each creaking sound of her heels carries a wave of pressure until she is standing in front of her. Unlike her husband, who seems to show some concern for their daughter, the look Audrey has on her face is nothing more than infuriated. There are no caring or worried words coming out of her mouth.
She raises her hand, a loud and dried smack cuts through the awkward silence.
Himawari gasps as she pulls the blonde away from her mother, her amethyst eyes staring at the woman in disbelief. Butler Jean stands in the front to shield the two girls away from Audrey, with Luka, Adrien and Kagami protecting them. The raven head holds Chloe's face in her hands, checking to see if she is hurt or not. The impact leaves a clear, red handprint on her face as it is still burning. Chloe doesn't say anything. She doesn't know if she's too scared or too shocked to even process what just happened to her.
"What are you doing Audrey?" Andre exclaims furiously.
"What am I doing? That little brat has the nerve to ruin my image in front of thousands of people like that. One slap would not even make it up for the damage she put on my reputation!"
"Madam, please calm down!"
"Step aside, butler Jean!" she grits her teeth "Until she learns to behave like an adult, I shall teach her that lesson."
"Stop it Audrey!" her husband grabs her hand before she can take any step closer to Chloe "Stop this nonsense!"
The woman begins to shriek, struggling to get away from her husband's grip.
"Master Adrien, please take Lady Chloe out of here." butler Jean instructs "Please take her somewhere safe."
"I understand."
The group takes Chloe out of Le Grand Paris, wincing at the loud shriek behind them. Andre doesn't oppose that idea, he knows very well what would happen if Chloe stays back.
When they finally arrive at their ride, the blonde stops at her dead tracks. Confused about why she is here, she finally snaps back to reality. She wants to say something, but no words come out of her mouth. The cheek is still burning, she can feel it in her palm.
Her mother, the one she has the most respect for, has slapped her in front of everyone…
"I-I need to go back…"
"No, you're not going back there!" Adrien stops her.
"Let me go, I have to go back there. Mother is angry at me… I can't…"
"No, you can't. It's too dangerous for you to be here now." Himawari steps in "Even if you want to, we won't let you. You need to go somewhere safe!"
The blonde looks at her, her eyes searching for something, for any lies that she thinks Himawari is telling.
She's just acting… There's no way she is this worried for my sake…
But all Chloe can see is the pure genuine worry in her eyes. Those amethyst eyes don't lie, not at all. Himawari truly cares for her…
She feels something being shoved in her palm, a piece of paper with a phone number on it. The blonde looks at her one last time as tears gather in the corner of her eyes.
"When you are safe, call me. I want to know that you are safe."
With that, Kagami, Adrien and Chloe step into his limo to drive back to the Agreste's manor, leaving Himawari and Luka alone as the older boy calls for his ride. No one says anything, the pure shock of what just happened is too overwhelming for anyone to speak. When the car arrives, they get in and go back home in silence.
There's an awkward space between them as no words are exchanged. The driver glances at the rear mirror a couple of times, he doesn't understand the odd silence between the two.
When they arrive at Himawari's house, Luka steps out and tells the driver to go back as he can walk from there. The driver refuses at first, but he finally gives in when the older boy said that his father allows this. When the car leaves, Luka escorts Himawari to the front door before taking his leave, not saying anything to her.
She looks at him, her eyes still following his back as the guitarist slowly walks away from her house. The raven head holds onto her skirt tightly, she bites her bottom lips, and an ugly frown appears on her face. She turns to the front door, and her hand touches the doorknob, something inside her screams loudly, telling her to not walk in. She hesitates to open the door.
It's like the wind is guiding her step, Himawari unconsciously turns around and before she knows it, she is running to catch up with the teal-haired boy. Her feet feel painful from the running, she is wearing heels after all…
"Luka!"
The older boy stops walking when he feels a tug from behind. Turning around, he blinks in surprise when he sees the raven head panting as she tries to catch her breath. He doesn't say anything and Himawari knows the reason for his silence. If she is in his shoes, she would probably be angry too…
"I'm sorry…"
She has a tight grip on his white dress shirt, his outer suit jacket is hanging lightly on his arm. Luka looks at her, noticing how she is wearing a guilty look on her face. When she notices that he's staring at her, Himawari blushes and breaks her eye contact, lowering her head to let the bangs cover half of her face.
They stay silent for a moment before Luka exhales loudly, reaching his arm out and pulling the raven head into a warm embrace. Himawari is surprised at first but she finally relaxes in his arms hiding her flustered face in his chest.
"You…you will be the death of me someday…"
"I'm sorry!"
Luka sighs again, covering his face with his palm to hide the blush. How can he stay angry at her when she is right here, looking at him with those big amethyst eyes and saying her apology in such a sweet way?
"Don't do that again, please? You don't know how worried I am when you don't pick up my phone calls."
"I'm sorry…"
She nods her head, understanding what he is saying. When Himawari relaxes in his arm, she finally has time to notice the numbness in her feet. Walking in heels is not something she is used to, and she just ran to him with these high heels…
"Uhm…" she winces at the pain "Hurt…"
"Hurt? Where?" he pulls her from him, eyes scanning for any injury she might have.
"No, it's my feet. Running in heels is not a good idea…"
Her answer earns a chuckle from him as Luka shakes his head lightly, amused at her answer. Himawari never ceases to amaze him with how her words can crack a smile on his face. Luka wraps his suit jacket around her slender shoulders, preventing her from getting cold. The older boy looks at her a little bit before an idea pops into his head.
"Hold on now…"
Himawari blinks a few times, she doesn't understand why Luka is kneeling down to get the heels off her. Now that those torture devices have left her feet, the raven head sighs in pleasure when she feels the ground against her skin. But before she can say anything, Himawari lets out a yelp as she is lifted off her feet, and her face grows various shades of red.
Luka is carrying her in princess style…
"Wh-wha… P-please let me down…" she stammers, feeling the heat on her face growing stronger "I-I can walk…"
"And let you hurt your feet? I don't think so."
As much as she tries to tell him to let her down, Luka just laughs in amusement as he makes his way back to her house, a bubble feeling bursts in his chest when she's in his arms like this…