Part 3: Matchmaking Time
Adrien and Marinette were just about done with their assignments thanks to Nathanael. He was a big help in their project. It was lunch time when they finished turning in their portfolios. Adrien was busy looking at his schedule.
"Ashley's joining lunch," he whispered to Marinette.
"Should we invite him?" she asked, glancing at Nathanael.
"Nathan, wanna come with us for lunch? You do have some designs to show my father, right?" Adrien called for the redhead.
Nathanael nodded to him. "Sure, I guess I could join you."
Adrien's ride had arrived. Ashley got off the car and hugged her cousin like always. She looked extra beautiful that day: a baby doll dress, a pair of platform straps and loose curls.
"My Mom wanted to do a makeover and I was the victim," she sighed.
"You look cute," Marinette remarked.
"Thanks!" Ashley chirped.
The couple glanced up at Nathanael. He was gawking at Ashley. The girl smiled sweetly at him. He shook his head to push away his thoughts. Marinette took the front seat, so Ashley was squished between the boys. Nathan blushed every time she was pushed to his side when the car turned. Ashley was feeling uncomfortable too. She held onto her cousin to reduce the impact but it was no use. Once, her lips almost touched Nathan's cheek which made them both blushed madly. They reached the hotel where Gabriel had already reserved a table for them.
"I wasn't expecting an extra," Gabriel remarked.
"He's here to talk about the designs you assigned him to do," Marinette explained.
"Well, we can always add him in," Adrien said.
Gabriel nodded to his son's words. Nathanael sat opposite of Ashley. He could clearly see how cute she was even though they have not seen each other for several years. Ashley was acting her normal self. She tried her best to ignore the fact that her crush was right in front of her.
"So, Nathanael, how is the design coming up?" Adrien asked.
Nathan nodded, explaining, "I did as Mr. Gabriel told me to do, a Valentine themed couple jerseys, t-shirts, suits and dresses."
"He has been working hard on it," Marinette added.
Gabriel nodded. "Show it to me on our way to the photoshoot studio. Adrien has one today and I need your help as the girl, Ashley," he said.
Ashley nodded. "Okay…" she muttered.
They got to the studio. Nathanael started showing Gabriel his designs. Marinette pushed Ashley into the fitting room. Adrien went to his fitting room by himself.
"You sure are acting awkward around Nathan," Marinette remarked.
"I guess," the younger girl muttered.
Marinette gave her a dress she had to wear. Ashley changed into it, sat down in front of the mirror and waited for Marinette to do her hair. The older girl started to brush her hair.
Nathanael was busy with Gabriel when Ashley came out of the fitting room. Some of the studio crews cooed and praised her. She played with the hem of her dress, blushing and looking at the floor. Marinette beamed at her. Ashley forced a smile.
"You look amazing as to be expected," the cameraman said.
"Thank you…" Ashley drawled, glancing up at Nathanael.
"You have a thing for my niece?" Gabriel suddenly asked.
"N-No, Sir!" Nathan panicked, glancing up at Ashley.
Gabriel shrugged. "You can stay until they finished or you can go home. Give the designs I approved to Marinette for her to start on the sewing."
"Okay," Nathanael nodded.
He stayed for a few shots. Ashley was paired with Adrien as always. They had to act like a love-hate couple for some of the shots. It was to be featured in a magazine. Adrien even had an interview session, which was the only time Ashley can take a breath.
"Doesn't she look cute?" Marinette asked him.
Nathan was startled by the question. "Yes…" he drawled nervously.
Ashley ran up to Marinette in her red strapless dress. She heaved a sigh. "They said I can take five…"
Marinette nodded to her. Nathan kept his eyes on her, mesmerized by her beauty. The orange haired girl turned to look at him. She gave out a shy smile before making her way to the changing room. Nathan snapped out of his thoughts.
"I have to get going home," he said.
"Oh, already? Let me ask the driver to send you…" Marinette said.
Shaking his head, he replied, "No, I'll manage."
Marinette giggled to herself. She went up to her fiance when he was done with the interview. He took the drink from her hand as she wiped his sweats away. Ashley came out in another costume, ready for another photoshoot. She turned to look at the couple who chuckled at her. She tilted her head in confusion.
Ashley woke up early the next day. She went downstairs to the dining room after she got ready. Adrien and Marinette were having their breakfast. Ashley joined them. She happily grabbed a plate and placed a few buns in it. The couple watched her, smiling to themselves.
"Ashley, do you wanna come with us today?" Adrien invited.
Ashley turned to him. "Where to?"
"To our college. There are a few places to show you before the fashion show..." Marinette explained.
The girl pondered for a while. She kept munching on her food. The two chuckled at her reaction.
"Can I?" she asked.
Nodding, Adrien said, "Sure. We have a few things to settle so we'll ask someone to keep you company first."
Marinette agreed. "We'll join you once we're done…" she said.
Ashley nodded. She suddenly smiled to herself. Adrien stood up, patting her head.
"Go and get ready soon…" he said to her.
Ashley nodded, swallowing her last bun. She ran back upstairs to get ready.
-skiptime-
Adrien and Marinette watched as Ashley hopped out of the car. She hummed a song, waiting for her cousin and his fiancee. Suddenly, she heard something fell behind her. She turned around and froze. Nathanael froze, his eyes fixed on hers. Ashley looked away, scratching her temple. Snapping out of his thoughts, Nathan quickly grabbed the things that had fallen. Adrien and Marinette got out of the car. Ashley pointed towards the redhead. The couple turned to look.
"Nathan, good timing!" Adrien called.
Nathan twitched. "Yes?" he asked nervously.
"Could you show Ashley around the college? You're free until afternoon right?" Marinette asked.
The guy slowly nodded to them. The couple smiled broadly. Marinette pushed Ashley to Nathan's side. They averted each other's gaze.
"We'll join you as soon as possible," Adrien said, waving his hand.
Nathan wanted to call them but they blatantly ignored him. Ashley played with her skirt as she waited for him to say something. He slowly turned to look at her. She looked straight into his eyes. He could feel his cheeks heating up.
"Uh...if you're busy, I'll walk around by myself…" she muttered.
"N-No. I'll show you around…" he insisted.
He gestured her to follow him. Ashley formed a smile. She paced up to follow him. He stole a glance at her and heaved a sigh. He showed her to the library, a few of the classrooms, the graphic designers' side of the college. They soon reach the fashion students' side of the college. Ashley was amazed by the stage in front of her.
"Is this a hall?" she asked Nathan.
He nodded and said, "Yes. It's usually used for fashion shows and final year students' presentation…"
Ashley nodded, looking around. "It looks so grand…"
"Sometimes, it's rented for special occasions as well: functions, charity dinner, showing a new fashion line…" he kept on explaining.
She nodded to his explanation. Nathan watched as she strolled around the place. She gazed at the stage a few times. The guy abruptly took out his sketch pad and started drawing her. Ashley went up to him curiously. She took a peek at his sketch pad. He was about done. He showed it to her.
"That's nice…" she mumbled loud enough for him to hear.
Nathan started to show her more of his sketches. Ashley looked at each of them with amazement in her eyes. Adrien and Marinette came in to check up on them.
"Would you look at that…" Adrien heaved a sigh.
They could see Nathan and Ashley, sitting close to each other. Marinette chuckled at the sight. Nathan was excitingly talking about his sketches. Ashley nodded and giggled at him.
"Looks like we're not needed here," Marinette chirped.
Her fiance nodded in agreement. Ashley noticed the two. She got off her chair, running up to them.
"Adrien! Marinette!" she called.
Nathan put away his sketch pad, walking up to the couple as well. He gave out a small smile.
"Thanks for looking after her…" Adrien teased.
The redhead nodded. "You're welcome. I have to get going to class now.." he excused himself.
"Thank you for your time…" Ashley said to him.
He nodded once and walked away. Adrien pulled his cousin into a hug. Ashley giggled again. They went out to lunch. Ashley ate her food happily.
"Did you have fun?" Adrien asked her.
Ashley shyly nodded to his question. She could feel her cheeks hitting up. Marinette smiled at her reaction. She patted her head as encouragement.
"But really, are you guys up to something?" Ashley suddenly asked.
Marinette rubbed her temple nervously. Adrien shook his head, denying whatever his cousin was thinking about. Ashley looked doubtfully at the two. The couple sweat dropped, feeling nervous. The young girl shook her head at her thoughts.
"I don't mind though… Thanks anyway…" she muttered.
Adrien and Marinette turned to each other. They nodded, satisfied with their plan. Ashley looked away, blushing again. She spotted a large mascot bear outside of the restaurant. He was giving out heart shaped balloons to the children passing by. A thought came into her mind.
"It's almost… Valentine's Day…" she mumbled.
Marinette nodded. "Yes, it is…" she nodded to her.
Nathanael returned home after his last class. It was evening when he exited the college area. He heaved a sigh, holding tight onto his sketch pad. His thoughts lingered on the time he spent with Ashley.
"I should finish the sketch and give it to her…" he decided.
As he was walking, he passed by a large poster of a funfair. The date of the fair was from 14th Feb to 20 Feb. The thought of asking her out popped into his head. He shook it away immediately.
"As if she would ever go out with the likes of me!" he sighed.
He ran home, knowing that his love may not be replied.