Zoe sighed in distaste. She knew this event would do good work, all the proceeds were going to fight cancer this year, but she still disliked the pompous event. She used to go to things like this with her father back in New York, so he could show off how successful they were. She looked down at her perfectly tailored gown and wished her girlfriend had lovingly made it. She had not seen much of Marinette today, either. Her partner had taken the day to finish her secret commission, though had made time at lunch to see Zoe. She wished she could have brought Marinette but the tickets were long since sold out and she had not even planned to come in the first place. Andre had begged her to come, so he did not have to face this event alone for the first time since his wife and daughter had left. She had been unable to refuse his request.

"Thank you, Zoe, for the support tonight," Andre said as he approached her. "I'm very sorry to keep you from Marinette."

Zoe nodded. She had explained everything to Mari who had just kissed her on the cheek and told her that she would see her tomorrow. They had plans to spend the whole weekend together again.

"No problem, Andre. What is family for?"

The man nodded. "This isn't the time, but there is a matter I wish to speak to you about. Could you and Marinette come by the hotel tomorrow?"

Zoe smiled warmly. "We actually planned to spend all weekend here, mostly in my room. I'm sure we can pop down for a visit."

"Wonderful. Thank you, Zoe, dear. I will go and check on the guests as host. Feel free to mingle, I know you dislike the social elite's children but at least consider saying hello."

"I will consider it, I promise."

Her stepfather smiled and took off into the crowd. She started to do her laps around the floor. Andre had set her up with a tab he would cover, as food and drink was not free here. Every cent naturally being funneled back into the cause of the Gala. Zoe decided to do her part and got a fruity drink in a crystal glass.

"You know, if Marinette were here, I bet a few of these would be broken already." A voice calls out behind her. She turned to see a smiling Adrien and Kagami coming through the crowd. Each of them also holding a crystal glass.

"Oh, good evening you two. I wish I could be a good girlfriend and say that's not true."

Kagami smiled at her, a rare occurrence. "She does her best given the circumstances. I'm glad to have someone else to talk to. I can only take so many puns in one day."

Adrien pouted. "I thought you liked my puns, love."

She gave him a stern look before softening. "Most of the time. You have been laying them on thick today."

"I had a pun off with Tom earlier. It was fun."

It was at that moment Clara Nightingale walked up to them.

"Good evening Clara." Zoe admired the dress she was wearing. "That's a wonderful dress. Where did you get it."

"An old friend made it. It was such a lovely dress, I had to invite them as my guest!"

Zoe looked around and saw a girl in a red and black traditional Chinese dress approaching. Her raven hair up in a bun.

"Oh no." Zoe muttered, her face flushing. "She's hot." That is when her eyes landed on bluebell eyes. "Wait, is that Marinette?"

"Very right, my love." Marinette stepped in and kissed her softly on the lips. "I had this dress left over from my heritage project I did last month and decided to wear it. Clara invited me after I gave her the dress she commissioned."

Zoe turned back to look at the dress on Clara. Her eyes had not left Marinette from the moment she had spotted her.

"Oh," Adrien remarked. "Is this the super-secret project you sprayed me with a water bottle for almost seeing?"

Kagami rolled her eyes. "If you weren't such a curious kitten, she would not need to resort to such methods."

Zoe wrapped her arms around Marinette, this Gala seemed much more fun now.

"Feel better about not being able to invite me yourself, love?" Marinette asked. Zoe blushed; her girlfriend had rightly determined that she had been feeling guilty.

"Much better. Thank you for being so understanding. Plus, also being awesome enough to get in here on your own."

Her partner smiled and leaned in. "I do my best."

Zoe did not care what the rest of the night might bring. She had Marinette in her arms. She felt ready to tackle the entire world.

Lila pinned the Butterfly to her chest. The Gala was the last straw. She had invaded it as a server, trying to see if she could find someone to bring her in as a guest. She had seen Marinette make her entrance and openly being with her girlfriend. Lila growled in outrage. No more playing around, waiting for the perfect Akuma. She begun to search for a victim that she could twist to her devices. She smiled as she found them. A man who was upset that two of the prettiest girls at the Gala had chosen to be with each other instead of him. A slighted man, she could manipulate.

Next time: Akuma Attack