Chapter 9

"I was the apple of my fathers eyes, or at least that's what my Nonna said. My mother...well she'd always been a free spirit with a jealous streak. When she met my father...things were fine for a while. The family had finally felt as though Cecelia would settle down and lay her roots. They couldn't have been more incorrect, my father was head over heels for my mother, but Cecelia just kept him around for entertainment. Until she grew bored, then she would move on to the fisherman's son or even the town magistrate, ten years her senior." Marinette couldn't keep herself from vomiting the words up. She'd kept all of these feelings and details to herself for years. "You keep referring to her as your mother and by her name. Why is that?" Meg sat cross legged across from Marinette. "Because despite everything she'd done, the small child in me still craves her mother. I'm constantly battling myself when it comes to addressing that woman." Marinette hated to admit to herself that a fraction of herself still wanted her mother.

"So your mother didn't love your father then?" Meg cautiously asked. "She loved nothing but herself and a good time. But my papa's love for her was so deep he always forgave her. He was a good, tender man and she preyed upon his kindness. She only started to stick around when Papa started to successfully earn wages as a cobbler, he could mend a shoe faster than anyone. It wasn't until Cecelia started to feel ill, did things change. Her shenanigans had caught up to her I guess and she fell pregnant with me. So they married, before she could ruin the Gippetti name. My father was thrilled, he'd even made her a pair of wedding shoes. But she...she never forgave my grandfather for forcing her to marry." Marinette almost whispered. "You've never talked about your grandfather before." Meg leaned forward, intrigued. "He was never around much, he was either out tending the farm or at a tavern getting drunk. But he was stern and very catholic, he would have shunned my mother had it not been for my Nonna. But anyways, when my mother became pregnant, she'd settled down and fell into a domestic routine. She'd cook, clean, care for my father and everything in between. She hated it."

"When she went into labor, she had a hard time. She nearly died, she begged them to let her and I die. What kind of mother does that?" Marinette squeezed her skirt into her fists, Meg sat in silence. "But the Lord had other plans, she recovered and I was born. She never forgave me, when she gave birth her waist size increased and the bags under eyes became more prominent. She was never meant to be a mother. But Papa...he reveled being my father. He taught me how to mend socks, how to haggle, and he loved me. Wholeheartedly, he loved me." Marinette bit back the tears that pooled in her eyes and she took a deep shaky breath. "When he began to get sick...he did his best to hide it from me. Everyone in the family was concerned for him, except Cecelia. The way she looked at him...it was like a cat watching a mouse die after toying with it. Papa did his best to keep the spirits up, even when he didn't have the strength he'd sing to me at night. It was my most favorite thing in the world. He was God awful at it, but it didn't matter." Marinette smiled softly as she finally allowed the tears to flow.

"What was the lullaby?" Meg softly asked as she handed her cousin a handkerchief. "I think it was called Stella Stellina. I used to have a music box with the tune but Cecelia took it with her when she left. I've never understood why she wanted it, everytime she looked at me it was with resentment." Marinette dabbed her eyes. Meg was about to ask another question when a soft knock sounded at the door. "Come in." Marinette answered as she hurriedly wiped away her tears. "What on earth are you two still doing awake, it's nearly quarter past two!" Aunt Giry lightly scolded. She noted Marinette's tear stained face and sent a concerned look towards her daughter. "Oh we were just discussing my plans for opening night of the opera." Marinette replied. The room fell silent as Madame Giry raised an eyebrow. "Well off to bed with you two, we have some potential funders coming in the morning. With that Meg bound off of Marinette's bed, she quickly hugged her cousin goodnight. It felt wrong to leave Marinette alone and she cursed her mother for coming in just when Marinette was opening up. The two Giry's left Marinette alone in her room. Marinette sighed, it felt good to talk about some of her past with Meg. Mariette laid back into her bed and closed her eyes. Sleep came all at once that night.

The following morning Marinette woke up groggy and heaved herself from her bed. She cracked her neck and stretched her joints as she stood. Today was the most important day of her life. Today would define the Populairs' future and those who depended on it to succeed. Marinette scavenged her wardrobe for her best dress. It was plain, but the color complimented her and it would have to do. Marinette decided that today would call for a more extravagant updo, but nothing too crazy. She'd always kept her long curly hair up, she couldn't stand the curls in her eyes or the tangles that came with the freedom. Once she'd completed her hair and changed into her dress, she did a once over in her mirror. She looked pale and worn out, but she was presentable and that was all that mattered. Still it didn't hurt to pinch her cheeks a little. Taking a deep breath Marinette opened her office door and headed towards the main entrance of the Populair.

The repairs were nearly complete and the rehearsal was underway, all they needed now was a headliner, their very own Prima Donna. Upon arriving, Marinette could see Meg, who looked like she was about to fall asleep standing. Aunt Giry stood beside her daughter, her back straight and her hands poised in front of her on her cane. Before them stood three possible investors, two of them old and one of them that looked no older than fourteen. "Ah, here is the mistress of the house!" Aunt Giry exclaimed as every pair of eyes in the room moved to her. "Good Morning gentlemen, I hope I haven't kept you waiting." Marinette smiled and mustered her most professional voice. Immediately the men sized her up, she needed to make an impression quickly. "Well madam, we've only been waiting a few minutes so there's no harm." A portly gentleman with the shiny bald head answered. "Well, one must build excitement from anticipation somehow." Marinette smiled.

The bald man nodded in agreement, "Well we are each eager to see what you've done with the Populair. Every townsfolk, whether merchant or noble, have been whispering about your endeavors." Just as Marinette was about to speak to the other gentleman, a rather tall man with a long beard cleared his throat. "Might we see the repairs and hear your business pitch? I have lunch with my wife and she's very particular about punctuality." The man looked to his feet, he must have been a shy man. "Yes of course, but first may I know your names?" The two men blushed deeply at the sweetness in Marinette's voice. "I am Monsieur Paquet, and the tall man besides me is my partner and life long friend." Paquet smiled and nodded his head, the tall man offered his hand to Marinette. His movements were awkward and fast, it was like he was terrified of women. "Hubert." Was all he responded with as he shook Marinette's hand.

"And you?" Marinette pointed her gaze to the young man before her. "Me? Oh, well my name is Constantine." The boy smiled a toothy grin to Marinette. "I don't mean to be rude but aren't you a little young to be an investor?" Marinette looked at the boy with more scrutiny. His clothes, though nice, were second hand and stitched in multiple places. "Well, I'm here as a representative from my employer. I have his letter here." Constantine fumbled through his pockets and pulled a slightly crumpled paper from them. "Sorry, I ran here." He rubbed the back of his neck as Marinette grabbed the paper from him and began to read.

"Dear Mademoiselle Gippetti,

My name is….

AN: Hi guys, sorry that this chapter took a little longer than expected. I fell into a bit of depression episode but I'm feeling much better! Please, forgive me if this chapter is a little off. I will try to have the next chapter out in about a week or two! As always I enjoy your reviews and it honestly gives me a sense of accomplishment. So thank you guys very much! See you next chapter!

-K