Chapter 3: Political Manoeuvres and Letters
And as the discussion in the Dupain-Cheng residence came to an end, at the Hotel de Ville, another kind of discussion was about to begin. Mayor Bourgeois was having one of those days, where he would rather have stayed in bed. Sighing, he had already drunk two full glasses of pineapple juice, to try and calm down his nerves and raise his spirits, which he desperately needed. But even that did nothing. Since eight in the morning, André Bourgeois had not stopped. He had already lost count of how many meetings he had that day. He just knew that he barely had time to breathe. All because of the demonstrations that took place, where the citizens of Paris demonstrated their discontent, and even their hatred for the heroes of Paris. All that had forced him to attend countless emergency meetings. The following one was with the prime-minister, and he was not happy about it. Alone in his office, he tried to find the strength to endure the rest of that day, which he knew, was going to be hellish.
"What did I do to deserve this?" -Mayor Bourgeois asked himself. –"What I wouldn't give to pass the buck to someone else, and go home." -he sighed, as his thoughts were filled with the image of the hotel and Chloe. –"Go home, and see my daughter, who I didn't even get the chance to wish her good luck on her finals, today. Once more, I'm a horrible father. I just hope I can make it up to her on her birthday, in a few days."
Once more, he had allowed his work to get in the way of private life. But before he continued to think about that, he heard someone knocking at the door. It was his secretary, warning him that his next meeting would begin in five minutes, this time with the prime-minister.
"Now, there's someone I'm not in the mood to talk with." -Mayor Bourgeois sighed. –"I just know that this meeting will be anything, but pleasant." -he thought.
Just like it was happening with the mayor, the prime-minister and the government were all under fire. He needed to see the situation resolved. With him were numerous other people, which made up his entourage. Sitting down at the table, he smiled, knowing he was about to get even more headaches than he already had. Like he imagined, the subject the prime-minister wanted to discuss was the demonstrations that had taken place in the last few days.
"You need to understand that it is necessary for us to do something. We can't allow this to go on." -the prime-minister told the mayor. –"We need to make sure that the citizens of this city, and of this country feel safe." -he said.
"I agree with you on that. But how can we do that? I mean, Hawk Moth has been at large all these months, and the government did pretty much nothing to find him." -André declared. –"The police has been doing pretty much everything. As far as I know, the government has done very little to put a stop to him." -he said.
"That is not true. In the ministry of Interior has been doing everything we can to find where he is hiding, together with the Police Nationale, the Gendermarie and Paris municipal police." -one of the prime-ministers accessors declared. -"And let us not forget that the newest SWAT teams that have been responding to Akuma sightings were also part of that conjoint partnership, between all police branches and the DGSE, who is responsible for their training."
"And I am sure that the citizens of Paris, are just as happy for having them, as I am. But no matter how many times they respond to one of those sightings and engage the Akumas, it's always the heroes who save the day." -André said. –"They are the ones who do most of the job. It's true that the police have been vital for when an Akuma appears. But regarding on the matter of finding out where Hawk Moth is hiding, they have failed miserably." -he declared.
"You must realize that the government also has other priorities. Hawk Moth may be a terrorist, but he's not the only one we have to deal with. We simply can't redirect the entire budget to fight terrorism to catch him. It's not realistically possible, and you know that." -the prime-minister declared. –"And before you ask, no, we can't stretch the budget any further than it already is. And Brussels is not going to increase the budget for counter-terrorism either. They believe that the money the EU spends on it, is already too much."
"So, this is your way to tell me that it's easier for us to say that the heroes are the problem here, and not the government, who can't admit that they have screwed up. Is that it?! Because if it is, then, congratulations! The people who were in front of this building, protesting that you haven't done anything, are absolutely right!" -André yelled, frustrated.
The more he heard, the less he wanted to hear. One of the things that André Bourgeois hated the most about his job, was to hear people telling him that it was not possible to make things happen. It made him realize that it did not matter how much power he had, because there would always be someone with even more power than him, to tell him what could and could not be done. Sighing, he continued to listen not only to prime-minister, but also some of the others, who kept repeating the same thing, over and over. Twenty give minutes into that meeting, and the mayor just wanted to get out of there.
"All we're asking you is to perhaps not show your support to the heroes as you've been doing. I don't mean to say that you don't support them, but you might want to hold back on what you say about the way they deal with the Akumas." -the prime-minister said. –"It's never good for a politician to be associated with people that are seen as, well, let's not call them criminals, because they aren't. Let us instead call them vigilantes. Yes, vigilantes." -he declared.
"Associated with vigilantes? The way you're saying it, it's almost like you're just coming up with a better word for criminals!" -André shouted.
"You didn't hear me call them criminals." -the prime-minister pointed out.
"But you might as well call them that, from the way you're talking about them!" -André exclaimed, angry. –"They do more for this city, than any people who's in our line of work. It may be hard for you to admit it, but it's not hard for me to do it." -he stated
"Look, I'm not saying they don't make a difference. But right now, that's not what's important here. It's about calming things down. And in order to achieve that, we need to be neutral. Just don't support the heroes like you're doing right now. That's all we ask of you." -the prime-minister said.
"But I can't do that! I can't be neutral regarding them! I've been one of their biggest supporters, since they first showed up! I mean, I was saved by them, on more than one occasion! And I'm not the only one who owes their lives to them. Every time one of those Akumas shows up, they show up and they defeat it, saving the lives, not only of innocent citizens, but also of the victims of that magical terrorist!" -André shouted. –"What kind of message would I be conveying to the public if I suddenly proclaimed that heroes are a threat to the city, or as so politely said, start acting neutral regarding them? Me, who was photographed alongside them, and participated in various solidarity events that promoted them? I would be seen as a hypocrite! And worse than that, it would make me look like I was just looking out for my own interests!" -he continued to shout.
"I understand what you're saying, but you need to realize the position the government in." -the prime minster declared. –"Even the president has been advised not to address the matter in his speeches."
"I don't care what the president has been advised to do, or not! And you're the ones who need to understand the position I'm in! You are the prime-minister of our country, and these gentlemen work for you and for the government. But I, I answer directly to the citizens of Paris! You and the government are responsible for what happens in the country, but I am responsible for what happens in the capital! And in case you've forgotten, we are in France, the country of revolutions! Every now and then, we have an uprising in the streets, and I don't know about you, but I don't like to feel like my head is in the stump, just waiting for the guillotine's blade to come down and chop it off like a ripe melon!" -Mayor Bourgeois exclaimed. –"Times like these that I wish I had become a movie director, instead. At least I wouldn't have to deal with this kind of issues." -he thought to himself.
That thought was a truly nice one. But as much as he wanted to, that was just wishful-thinking. He was stuck in that room, and there was no way he was going to be able to leave, unless an earthquake happened, or an Akuma showed up.
"I understand your frustration. But if you do as we're telling you, things we'll eventually calm down. Besides, you need to start thinking about your re-election in November." -the prime-minister declared. –"I would hate to see you replaced by a man like Ambroise Delay. The man would give a splendid politician, if it was not for all the crap he says." -he said. –"And unlike what you might think, I don't want anyone declaring a witch hunt on the Miraculous Team."
"You'd fool me, and pretty much everybody in this room." -André declared.
"Now, André, please; I'm trying to work with what I have." -the prime-minister said. –"Besides, if we play our cards right, you and I will be remembered as the best Mayor of Paris, and the best prime-minister in the history of France." -he told him. –"Especially, when we get Hawk Moth, behind bars."
"What are you talking about?! How would we even be able to do that?! You said that you couldn't redirect or stretch the budget to find out where he's hiding. Or were you lying about that?" -André asked him.
"No, I was being honest about it. Our budget is already stretching quite thin. But I have good news on that matter, which I was saving, to end this meeting in a good note. We have a private contractor who is willing to offer its services in helping with the fight against Hawk Moth, for almost nothing." -the prime-minister declared, with a smile on his face.
"Are you telling me that someone is going to help find Hawk Moth, for nothing? Out of the goodness of their hearts?" -Mayor Bourgeois asked him, not believing what he was being told.
"Yes, André. That's exactly what I'm telling you." -the prime-minister answered. –"And to be honest, it won't be for nothing. But what they want in exchange is something that can be offered to them, without much fuss." -he admitted.
"You mean, they want some favours." -André declared, bluntly.
"Yes, and no." -the prime-minister said. –"They aren't things that are illegal. They are things that just need a little push in the right direction to happen. You know how the bureaucracy is in this country. In exchange for speeding up that bureaucracy, right here on city hall, they will use their resources to help us nab that Hawk Moth, by working side by side with all the police branches." -he stated. –"It's like they say, many hands make light work."
"And who are these people?" -André asked, suspicious.
"You may have heard about them. They are a business conglomerate based in Germany, that over the last few decades diversified their range of acquisitions. From private security to computer software and hardware, alongside genetic and medical research, they own numerous companies. And in this case, it will be the private security aspect that will help us nab that terrorist." -the prime-minister said. –"They have various companies specialized in private security, which rival the DGSE, and are known for their efficiency and results." -he stated.
"You still haven't given me a name." -André pointed out.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It slipped my mind." -the prime-minister said. –"They are the Hedyloidea Enterprises." -he declared. –"You'll see. With them on the job, not only your poll numbers will go up, but so will mine and the president as well, when Hawk Moth is in jail."
After classes ended, and after taking three tests, Miss Bustier's class went home, exhausted, knowing that the next day, they would have three more exams to take. Following their teacher's advice, who told everyone to do something fun in order to rest, they all knew well what they were going to do to relax and regain their strength. And in Chloe's case, that meant a full body massage. Like it happened so often, before she left for school that day, the heiress warned her butler she was going to need a full body massage, when she got back from school. And when she did, Jean told her that her usual masseuse was waiting for her on the hotel's rooftop, near the swimming pool.
Going to her bedroom, she dropped everything she was carrying on her bed, and quicky went to get one of the bikinis she wore, whenever getting a massage. And following her was Sabrina. Because she did not feel like going home yet, she decided to keep Chloe company. The blonde asked her if she too wanted a massage, to help her relax. She promptly thanked her, but said that she was good.
"Thanks, but I think I rather just soak up some sunrays on one of the reclining chairs near the pool, you know?" -Sabrina declared. –"I need some sweet, sweet vitamin D." -she joked, which made Chloe chuckle. –"And the best part is that it's free. All I need to get it is a reclining chair, the Sun and my sunglasses… oh, crud, I must have forgotten them at home."
"You can borrow mine. I won't be needing them." -Chloe said, while pointing at her pair of sunglasses, lying on her bed.
"Thanks, Chloe." -Sabrina smiled, as she took out her glasses, and then grabbed the sunglasses and put them on. –"There, I'm ready for the sun." -she said. –"How do I look?"
"Perfect, kiddo." -Mika told her.
"I think they look better on me." -Chloe said, as she began to change into her bikini. –"But they also look cool on you." -she admitted, as she took off her blouse. –"I really need this massage to relax, after those finals, and what we were told today."
"You're still thinking about what Marinette said that happened in her dream, aren't you?" -Sabrina asked her. –"I know, I am." -she said.
"Me too. It's never a good thing when you have a dream where someone tells you that there's something bad coming." -Chloe declared. –"And even worst, if that someone ends up being some of the people who once wore your miraculous, and who don't tell you what it's really coming, because they themselves don't know it either." -she said. –"I don't know how I would react, if that happened to me."
"I know I wouldn't react well, just like Marinette, who ended up sleeping that well." -Sabrina said. –"I can only imagine how she must be feeling, with the spirits of the previous Ladybugs telling her that despite of having the whole team by her side, in the end, she'll be the only one to be able to stop that threat, alone." -she pointed out.
"Which is another reason why I need this massage. Thinking about an incoming threat, which Marinette will be the only one able to stop it, makes me more nervous than the fact that we're having all our finals this week." -Chloe said. –"I know that makes me sound utterly peddling, but I don't really care. I need to feel relaxed, and to get those awful thoughts out of my head, even if it's just for a bit." -she declared.
"You're in your own right to do that, my queen." -Pollen told her. –"And I'm quite sure the others are also trying to find a way to relax, after the day you all had, and what you were told." -she said.
Once Chloe was ready, she and Sabrina made their way up to the hotel's rooftop, which was closed down to the public after lunch. As the elevator doors opened, the girls saw Chloe's usual masseuse, Giles, waiting on them. He was a tall man in his late 30's with brown hair, blue eyes, thin lips and tanned skin. He was wearing a white shirt, black khaki shorts, and matching shoes. On his shirt, you could see a name tag with his name, under the hotel's logo. Not wasting any time, the blonde quicky lay down on the massage table, closed her eyes and allowed Giles to do his work. The nerves of the finals had left her quite tense, and Giles noticed it. More than once, he commented that she needed to relax, or her muscles would continue to soak up the stress. Other than Jean, Giles was one of the few members of the hotel's staff Chloe was okay with him talking to her, as if he had known since she was a little kid. Of course, and unlike Jean, he still addressed to her by her last name.
"What have you been doing lately, miss Bourgeois? Your arms feel like you've been carrying weights." -Giles asked, as he massaged Chloe's upper arms.
"I've been working out. I can't let this body get flabby." -Chloe commented.
"I see. Then, may I recommend that you take it a little easier on the workout? If you keep straining yourself like this, you're going to need a lot more massages to relax your muscles." -Giles said.
"You would think you would tell me to do the opposite, so you'd get more tips from me." -Chloe joked, as he worked on her shoulder. –"Be gentle on my left shoulder. It's a little sore." -she warned him.
Hearing her say that Giles chuckled, and so did Sabrina, who kept hearing their whole conversation, while enjoying the Sun. Under the reclining chair, Pollen and Mika observed in silence, both wishing they could show themselves and enjoy the Sun. Still, they knew they would have to wat until Giles left. Shortly after, Jean showed up, bringing some refreshments for the girls. Thanking him, Sabrina grabbed the orange juice and sipped it, as he asked them if they needed anything else.
"No, thank you, Jean." -Sabrina told him, as she took another sip from the glass.
"We'll text you, if we need anything." -Chloe said, as Giles began to work on her feet. –"Careful, Giles, I'm a little ticklish there." -she warned him.
After Jean left, Sabrina made sure that Giles was distracted and grabbed one of the glasses from the tray, which had lemonade, and placed it under the reclining chair, so Pollen and Mika could also have a sip, which they both needed.
"This heat is killing me." -Mika said, as he drank a sip of lemonade. –"Icy and delicious, just I like it." -he commented with Pollen. –"But it could use a little bit more ice."
"Be careful with that ice breath of yours, or you'll end up turning the lemonade into a lemon popsicle." -Pollen warned him, before taking a sip.
"Don't worry, I'm only going to cool down the glass, not what's inside it." -Mika said, as he used his ice breath, freezing the glass, after which, he took a quick sip from it. –"Mmm… much better. Perfect temperature" -he said.
As the massage continued, Chloe felt her body slowly relax. Turning around, she allowed Giles to work her back, which she knew was where she was most tense. With her eyes closed, she felt as if she was being rocked as the minutes passed, beginning to feel sleepy. Suddenly, she stopped feeling Giles's hands, wondering why he would have stopped. But as quickly as she stopped feeling them, she felt them once more, as they pressed against her both shoulder blades. Smiling, the blonde allowed herself to be carried away by the rhythm with which Giles' fingers touched her skin. Feeling them, she agreed that there was no better person for the job than him. And then, suddenly, she felt something unexpected. A different kind of touch. A unique touch. The wet touch of a pair of lips. Feeling it again, Chloe realized that someone was kissing her on the back of her neck. It took her second, but she recognized the way those lips were kissing her.
"S-Sabrina? Is that you?" -Chloe asked, as she felt another kiss being planted on her neck.
"Yes." -Sabrina said, as she placed another kiss on the blonde's shoulder, who had opened her eyes. –"I told Giles that I would finish your massage." -she stated, as she began to massage Chloe's neck. –"And I felt that you would enjoy a couple of smooches to your back.
Giggling, Chloe said nothing, allowing Sabrina to kiss her back a few more times, before continuing to massage her. The blonde could feel Sabrina's hands, and was wondering how she did not notice the difference between Giles' touch and Sabrina's. Hers was more gentle, more distinct. She should have recognized it, from all the times she asked Sabrina to massage her shoulders and back, after a P.E. classes. But she tried not to think of how that had slipped her, as she enjoyed being massaged by her girlfriend, who she could feel, was putting a lot of effort into it.
"Mmm… you have fairy's hands, Sabrina…" -Chloe declared, as she felt another kiss, this time on the back of her neck. –"And fairy's lips too." -she giggled.
"Well, you made me give you so many massages over the years, that I pretty much became an expert on where you like to be massaged and touched." -Sabrina chuckled, as she applied pressure to Chloe's lower spine, making her yelp. –"Sorry, Chloe." -she apologized.
"I-It's okay. Just be careful where you place those hands of yours." -Chloe said, when she felt a cold chill against her skin. –"Pollen! If you're there, get Mika away from me! I don't like it when he breathes ice on me like that." –she told her.
"Oh, I was just having a little bit of fun!" -Mika sighed, as Pollen dragged him away. –"Your girlfriend doesn't appreciate the little things, kiddo! With this heat, she ought to be thanking for having someone who breathes icy wind against her, to remain cool." -he told Sabrina, who giggled.
"He's right, you know? With this heat, it feels good to have some icy wind against your skin." -Sabrina said, as she put some more oil over Chloe's skin, and resumed the massage.
"I never said I don't like icy wind when it's hot. I just don't like it, when I'm getting a massage." -Chloe said, as Sabrina continued to massage her lower back. –"Mmm… right there, Sabrina. Use your knuckles right there." -she said, savouring the pressure Sabrina was putting on her.
This went on for another 20 minutes, after which Sabrina concluded the massage. She believed she had done a good work, and Chloe's smile was proof of it.
"Mmm… I feel fantastic, thanks to you." -Chloe said, as she stretched her arms, while smiling at Sabrina. –"Do you really don't want me to call Giles back, so he can give you a massage too? Or, maybe I could try and give you one?" -she asked the redhead. –"I don't usually give massages, so I don't know if I'll do it right. But I'm willing to give it a try, to thank you for giving me a great one."
"Thanks, Chloe, but I'll pass. And it was only half a massage I gave you." -Sabrina declared, with a mischievous smile on her face. –"Besides, I need to get going home." -she said.
"Do you really have to?" -Chloe asked her. –"Can't you stay a little bit longer?"
"Unfortunately, no. You know that there are few things that I like to do, more than to spend time with you. But I still need to revise a couple of things for tomorrow's finals. And, my dad's making dinner tonight. That means it's bouillabaisse night, and I need to help him with the fish, because my mom isn't the biggest fan of scaling the fish." -Sabrina smiled. –"My dad's bouillabaisse is the best." -she said, as she imagined it, and licking her lips in anticipation. –"You've got to come and have dinner at my place, when it's my dad cooking, one of these days, Chloe. Believe me, after you taste his cooking, you'll never want to eat at the hotel again."
"Tempting. But I don't know if your dad has what it takes to compete the chefs in the hotel's kitchen. Remember, Alya's mom works here, and she's one of the best chefs we have, and you tried her food." -Chloe told her.
"I know. And her food is great. But my dad's food has that homely touch that you can only get from home cooking." -Sabrina declared. –"Great, now I'm even hungrier than I was a few seconds ago." -she joked, as Mika flew inside her backpack –"I really have to go, if I still want to revise a few things, before helping my dad with dinner. And you should too, Chloe. Tomorrow we've got our math final, and you spent the last weeks struggling with those equations."
"I will. After I take a much-needed bubble bath." -Chloe declared, as she got out of the massage table, wrapping the towel around her. –"Are you sure you can't stay a little bit longer? I can have Jean drop you at home in a flash, if you stay a little bit longer." -she suggested.
Sabrina was about to tell her that she appreciated the offer, but that she could not stay any longer, when they both heard the elevator door open. From inside, Jean emerged with an envelope in his hand.
"This has just arrived for you, miss Bourgeois." -Jean said, as he handed her the envelope. –"A letter from your mother." -he smiled.
Holding the envelope in her hands, Chloe was both thrilled and anxious, like every time she got a letter from Audrey. On one hand, she liked to know how her mother was doing, and how her treatment was going. On the other, she feared that things were not going as they were supposed to, and that Audrey had reverted to her old self and decided she did not need any treatment.
"Thanks, Jean." -Chloe said. –"And it's Chloe, not miss Bourgeois, Jean. You know you can call me by my first name." -she reminded him.
"Yes, I keep forgetting." -Jean apologized himself.
"Anyways, would you mind taking Sabrina home, please?" -Chloe asked him, before turning to Sabrina. –"That way you'll have more time to study, before helping your dad with dinner.." -she told her.
"Uh, thanks, but I think I'm staying a little bit longer." -Sabrina told her, while giving her the look that she was there for her.
Sabrina knew that Chloe did not like to open Audrey's letters by herself. And know that, she did not mind staying a little bit longer, to see if she was alright, after reading the latest letter. After telling Jean that when she was ready for him to take her home, Chloe would text him, this one excused himself, leaving them by themselves once more. When the elevator doors closed, Pollen and Mika showed themselves again, exiting from their hiding places.
"Another letter from your mom." -Sabrina commented, as she looked at the sealed envelope.
"She wrote you back very fast, this time." -Pollen commented.
"Do you want me to open it?" -Sabrina asked Chloe, who she could see was hesitant.
"Yes, you do it. I'm too nervous." -Chloe said, as she handed her the envelope. –"And can you read it too?" -she asked her, to which the redhead nodded.
Gently opening the envelope, Sabrina took out the letter inside, noticing there was something else inside the envelope. Taking it out, she saw it was a photo, a photo of a white Persian cat.
"My dearest Chloe, I have two pieces of news that I want to share with you. First off, I'm going through a rough patch. The treatment isn't going as well as I expected. It's really hard for me to share with others about my own feelings, without hurting the feelings of other people in the process. For the first time in years, I've began to realize just how much I've hurt people around me, and how much I'll have to make up for, when I leave her. I'm really hoping I won't be here for much longer, but if it takes a long time for me to get better, then I suppose I have to get used to it. I miss you and your father, every day, and it's hard for me to have to rely on nothing but photos of you two, to keep my memory of you two. The only good thing about all this is that I've decided to adopt a pet cat to help me with the therapy. His name is Luxor, and he is one of the therapy animals that they use to help patients here at the clinic. He is very precious. I have included a picture of him for you to see. I never thought I would feel attached to an animal, but here I am. How are things with Adrien? I hope you two are together, like you've always dreamed of. Hope to hear from you soon. Your loving mother, Audrey." -Sabrina read., after which she showed Chloe the photo of the cat Audrey had adopted.
When shown the photo, Chloe's heart melted for a brief second. Luxor looked incredibly fuzzy with its pristine white fur and fluffy tail. But its most distinctive trait was its eyes. They were different colours The right one was blue, and the left one was grey.
"Oh, he looks adorable!" -Chloe exclaimed, as she looked at Luxor's picture. –"My mom has hundreds of flaws, but bad taste isn't one of them." -she commented. –"She adopted the cutest Persian cat I've ever seen. I can't wait for her to finish her treatment and be well, so she can bring him home with her, so I can pet him."
"I'm beginning to feel jealous over that cat, and I haven't even met him." -Pollen declared, as she looked at the photo. –"But he is cute, I'll give you that." -she said.
"Oh, Pollen, you don't have to get jealous. The cat's a pet, you're not a pet. You're my kwami, and my friend." -Chloe told her.
"Thank you, my queen." -Pollen smiled at Chloe.
Looking at Chloe, Sabrina could tell from the glow her face was emanating that she was happy. It warmed her heart to see her like that, because she believed that Chloe deserved all the happiness that came her way.
"What?" -Chloe asked, noticing Sabrina was staring at her.
"You're happy." -Sabrina told her.
"Of course, I'm happy." -Chloe declared. –"I mean, I'm not super happy, because my mom's having trouble with her treatment. But I'm happy that she found a pet to keep her company, and hopefully, it'll help her with the treatment." -she said.
"Do you want me to help you write her back?" -Sabrina asked her.
"Yes. But we can do it tomorrow, or after tomorrow." -Chloe said. –"I know you have to go." -she declared.
"No. Let's do it now. I know that you won't be able to focus on anything, before you write her back. And we both know that's what's going to happen; and you need your brain free of distractions, to focus on the finals." -Sabrina told her. –"Come on, Chloe. I'll help you write her back." -she smiled, as she grabbed her by the hand and guided her towards the elevator, with Pollen and Mika following them.
Once in Chloe's suite, the girls promptly started to work on the letter. Just like it was not easy for Audrey to share her feelings with others, the same could be said about Chloe, who found it hard to share her own feelings with her mother. She had confided with Sabrina and some of the others, that she sometimes felt like they were two strangers, trying to get to know each other. Luckily, Sabrina knew Chloe better than she knew herself sometimes, and knew just how to make her say, or in that case, to write the right words. Her relationship with her mother was complicated, but it was slowly getting better, thanks to those letters they wrote to one another, as part of Audrey's treatment. And Sabrina wanted their relationship to continue to improve. She did not know if one day Chloe and Audrey would have a relationship like the one, she had with her parents. But if there was a chance in a million of that happening, she wanted to do everything in her power to make it happen. One of her deepest wishes was for the heiress to experience the maternal bond she had been deprived over the years, and have another reason to smile.
"Hmm… it looks good." -Sabrina said, as Chloe finished writing the letter.
"I guess it does." -Chloe said, as her eyes checked the letter she and Sabrina had composed together. –"Dear Mother; Luxor is so cute! I can't wait to officially meet him in person, so I can pet him! Things at school are going really well. I just finished my first finals, and now I'm just waiting for the results, while also getting ready for the second round of finals. I'm really hoping that I've passed. I also want to tell you that Adrien and I are just friends, and nothing more! He's dating Marinette, and they totally deserve one another. I never want to break them up. If I did, Adrien would hate me forever, and our friendship will be ruined! He's like a brother to me, and that's it! In fact, I should've realized a lot earlier than I did. I'm sorry that your treatment isn't going well. I miss you, and I hope that you're getting better soon. Anyway, I have to go. Daddy's calling me. Love from your daughter, who hopes to see you soon, Chloe." -she read it. –"You don't think I need to add anything else?"
"I don't know. Do you feel like adding something else?" -Sabrina asked her.
"No, I don't. I think I've told her everything I wanted to tell." -Chloe answered her, after taking a moment to think about it. –"If there's anything else that I need to tell her, I can't think of it. So, my mom will just have to wait for my next letter." -she said, as she grabbed an envelope and slipped the letter inside.
"Never you thought that you would be doing this, did you?" -Pollen asked her, as she landed on Chloe's left shoulder.
"No, never. Not even in my wildest dreams, would I ever think that one day I would be writing letters to my mom." -Chloe admitted.
"Life's a funny thing. You never know what's going to happen next, or what awaits you." -Mika declared.
"That's something my grandmother Josephine would say" -Sabrina said. –"And if we think about it, it's a good thing we don't know what's going to happen, because it makes all the more magical." -she smiled
"I agree. It wouldn't have been the same thing to know everything that has happened to us." -Chloe agreed, as she looked at Sabrina. –"Thanks again for helping me with the letter, Sabrina." -she told her.
"Don't mention it. You know that I love to help you with them." -Sabrina said, as she placed her hand over Chloe's and gently squeezed it. –"Besides, that's what best-friends do for one another." -she smiled.
"You're right. Especially when they're not just best-friends." -Chloe smiled back, before pulling Sabrina and kissing her.
"You're really needy, you know that?" -Sabrina raised her eyebrow at her.
"I know. But we both know you don't mind, when I get like this." -Chloe giggled, as she planted another kiss on Sabrina's lips, who swiftly returned the kiss, by kissing her back.
"Huh, excuse me, but we need to get going, remember, kiddo?" -Mika reminded them, as the girls broke the kiss.
"He's right. I better call Jean to take you home." -Chloe sighed, as she grabbed her cell to text her butler.
"Don't worry. In a few days, I'll be able to spend the whole afternoon with you." -Sabrina told her, to cheer her up. –"And remember, you're birthday is coming up, and I've got you something really beautiful." -she said.
"Oh, a present! What is it?!" -Chloe asked her, excited.
"You have to wait to see." -Sabrina chuckled.
"Okay, I guess. But in return for having to wait to know what you got me, on Saturday, you're coming with me shopping. I still haven't found a birthday present for miss Bustier, and for Marinette too, and you can help me choose them." -Chloe warned her.
"Deal." -Sabrina agreed. –"Just you wait until you see what I got you, Chloe. I don't need a crystal ball to know you're going to love it."
So, this one took a little longer to finish, but between a heat wave and work, a guy just can't get a break to write. xD
I admit that this isn't the most exciting chapter ever, especially because it began with a meeting between mayor Bourgeois and the prime-minister. But truth be told, it was a necessary chapter to show just how thngs are slowly changing in the world. The heroes, who once were applauded as well, heroes, are now begining to be seen by people as menaces, and the government has to do something to deal with it. The Hedyloidea Enterprises will also play a significant role in season 2, and in more then one way. You'll see what I mean. Regarding the rest of the chapter, it was mostly Chlobrina fluff, which I don't mind writing it, because I just love how they are one of the cutest couples in my AU, rivalling Adrinette and Julerose. :)
I also want to thank LaViolaViolaRosa for helping me out with the letters from Audrey and Chloe. I was having a hard time writing them, and she was incredibly nice in helping me, by writing them. So, yes, she gets the full credit for the letters. Thank you so much for helping me out, again. :)
As always, feel free to comment, fav and leave your suggestions to improve this and/or future fics. I've been having a few suggestions from some of you guys, and I must say, thank you all for sending them to. I'll try my best answer you all back, as soon as I have a little free time.