Part 5: Matchmaking Again

Nathanael ate the last bite of his ice-cream cone. He looked over to the fountain where Ashley and Dylan were busy talking. He started to sketch something as he waited. Ashley approached him. Dylan was watching.

"So, my brother has his concerts," Ashley said, handing Nathan a pass.

"What's this?" he asked.

"A VIP pass. He insisted that you come," she explained.

Nathan nodded. "I will…" he muttered.

The pass was for the whole 5 days of Dylan's concert. Ashley, Adrien, Marinette and Katherine all had one. Ashley sat beside him to continue their discussion.

"I have some ideas for the venue," she said.

"Oh, alright. Maybe you can show me tonight? Before your brother's concert?" he suggested.

Ashley smiled. "Are you asking me out?" she asked, blinking.

Nathan's cheeks heated up in embarrassment. He looked away from Ashley. He did give one nod to answer her question. The girl chuckled nervously, rolling her eyes. Dylan who was sitting at the fountain, laughed at the sight. Katherine came to his view.

"You shouldn't be teasing them, you know," she said to him.

"Aww...it's fun," he said, still laughing.

Nathan's phone suddenly vibrated. It was the reminder for his next class. He had to excuse himself. Ashley nodded. She watched as he rushed back to college. She then went up to her brother and his fiancee. They decided to have tea before heading back. Ashley joined them.

"So, did he agree with your terms?" Dylan asked.

"I didn't give him any. We were just discussing themes and the venue," Ashley replied, smiling.

"Did you give him the pass?" Katherine asked.

Nodding, the girl replied, "Yes."

Nathanael exited his classroom after the lecture. He checked his phone for any new texts. One was from Ashley asking to meet up again about the project. He gave out a small smile at the text message.

"Nathan!" Adrien called out.

The redhead looked up to see the blonde male with his fiancee at the entrance of their college. He spotted Ashley standing beside her cousin. He made his way to them. Ashley nodded to him as a greeting.

"You're going to discuss further about the painting session?" Marinette asked the two.

"Yes. I need more details on it…" Nathan explained.

Ashley nodded to agree with him. Adrien and Marinette smiled at the two.

"Nath!" Alix's voice was suddenly heard.

The four of them turned towards her. The girl came up to them on her roller skates.

"Can you help me with an assignment? I need someone to sketch some stuff…" Alix's gaze shifted to Ashley.

The younger girl waved her hand at Alix. "Hi…" she drawled.

"Whoa! Ashley? You're still here? I'm surprised your father hasn't dragged you home yet!" Alix exclaimed.

"Well, I'm here with my brother and mother…" Ashley explained.

Alix nodded. "I see, I see…"

She stared at Nathan and Ashley back and forth. She took a glance at Adrien and Marinette who were smiling teasingly. Alix immediately understood their smiles. She turned back to Nathan and Ashley.

"Seeing how close you two are now...are you dating?" she blurted.

Ashley and Nathan froze on the spot. They took a step away from each other.

"We- we're just working on a project together…" Ashley muttered.

Alix nodded and chuckled. "Right, right...a project…"

Nathan hugged his sketchpad tight. Ashley played with her hair, feeling like she had won something. They were both embarrassed and their red faces were not helping them hide that fact. Ashley glanced up at Nathanael.

"How about you help Alix with her assignment first and we'll meet up later?" she suggested.

Nathan looked at her. "Umm… sure," he replied.

"But I don't want to bother your date~" Alix chirped.

Marinette and Adrien stifled their laughs. They were amused at how good Alix was teasing them.

"Okay, I think it's time for us to go!" Nathan blurted, pushing Alix to force her to follow him.

Ashley heaved a sigh of relief. Adrien took a step forward.

"That was quite something," he remarked.

"You guys are so up to something…" his cousin sighed.

Marinette giggled. "I am curious though, do you actually like Nathan?" she asked Ashley.

Ashley blushed again. "I can't pinpoint my real feelings yet… But I do like spending time with him."

The couple turned to look at each other. "Well, that's a good start," Adrien said.

They entered the car and were on their way back to the mansion. Dylan and Katherine were at the dining hall, having their lunch and discussing the concert. They saw the three entering the hall.

"Ashley? I thought you're meeting up with Nathan?" her brother said.

"Change of plan…" she muttered nervously.

They sat down to have lunch as well. It was a quiet lunch. After that, all of them were occupied with their own preparations for that night's concert. Plagg spent his evening in Ashley's room.

"So, what are you gonna wear tonight?" Plagg asked her.

Ashley nodded to the kwami. She went to her luggage and pulled out a casual dress. It is an asymmetrical dress. She then took out a denim jacket and knee-high boots. Plagg nodded approvingly. She excused herself to take a bath. A knock on the door was heard, Adrien took a peek. Plagg flew up to him.

"She is all set for tonight~" he said to his holder.

Adrien nodded. He exited the room and approached his fiancee who was busy in her home office. Gabriel had one made for her in the mansion so he can monitor her works and progress. She stopped what she was doing. She looked up at him who was standing behind her.

"All set?" she asked.

"Yes~ now we need the male character," Adrien said.

They smiled at each other.

Ashley was already in her outfit. Her hair was made into loose curls and she also put on a barret. She was in front of where the funfair was held. She was waiting for the others as instructed by her brother. Adrien and Marinette made an appearance. Ashley waved happily to them. She then caught sight of a very familiar redhead. He was wearing a gray t-shirt with a purple hoodie. Surprisingly, he did not bring his sketchpad. The orange haired felt a little shy.

"Hey, Ashley. I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long," Marinette said.

"Quite long…" she mumbled.

"Yeah, well we have a last minute addition," Adrien said, pulling Nathan to the front.

Nathan rubbed the back of his neck. He took a glance at Ashley. She was mesmerizing in his eyes. Her choice of outfit was exceptional. He wished he had brought his sketchpad. Ashley was clenching her hands together in front of her. She was very nervous and a bit fidgety. Her eyes were on the ground, but she did take a glance or two at Nathanael.

"I didn't expect you here…" she broke the ice.

"Uh, yeah.. Alix's assignment went well and she shoved me to these two for a night at this funfair," he explained.

She chuckled at his remark. Marinette and Adrien snickered mischievously. They were so ready to make something happen between the two.

"So, shall we?" Adrien startled the two.

They made their way to the concert area, located in the middle of the funfair. Marinette walked side-by-side with her fiance, forcing Ashley to walk with her crush.