Ascension

Chapter 3: Mr. and Mrs. Agreste?

The Party was a buzz with joy, everyone chattering and having a good time, Marinette still being shy around Adrien. Alya had dragged her away to get refreshments, leaving Adrien to talk to his other guests.

"Mari, girl, those earrings meant something. You should tell him exactly how you feel before it's too late!" Alya said as she passed Marinette a glass of punch. Marinette picked up a bottle of beer for Adrien and nodded slightly, taking a quick sip of her drink.

"You're right, I need to stop being so nervous," Marinette said, knowing full well that it would never work.

She turned back to the crowd and saw Chloe making a b-line straight for Adrien, Marinette sighed heavily as the blonde girl dressed in a very flirty outfit grabbed Adrien and hugged him. Something inside her bubbled up, without even thinking she started to head back for Adrien, the jealousy rising slowly from the pit of her stomach. As Chloe let go of him, his eyes fell on Marinette once again, a small smile playing across his lips, his eyes telling her to come closer. And that's exactly what Marinette did, she stepped forward and stood at Adrien's side after handing him the beer.

"Thanks Mari" he said with a smile. Chloe was pissed. She promptly turned her attention to Marinette and threw her a dirty look. "Dupain-Chang! My Adrikins doesn't want your poverty beer, he wants first class beer" 

Chloe sneered then clicked her fingers, Sabrina handed her an unopened bottle of beer that looked expensive and Chloe held it out to Adrien. He shook his head and drank from the bottle Marinette had given him, not wanting to be wasteful. Marinette looked Chloe into the eyes with a snide face feeling the jealousy taking over. Chloes stormed off together with Sabrina. Adrien noticed the face Marinette was making and stated “Mari why are you making such a face?! I never saw that side of you... This time YOU need to apologize to Chloe and not the other way around…” Mariette was looking confused into Adriens eyes and started to wonder what was wrong with her. She was shocked at her own behaviour and watched as Adrien walked away following Chloe, calling for her to come back. He did not want an argument at his party.

After roughly 30 minutes and a slight atmosphere between Marinette and Adrien, Nino received a call from Mr. Agreste. “Mr. Lahiffe, I received the information that all guests have arrived. I am coming down now for the opening of the party and the surprise for my son. Be in your place ready.” Nino excused himself from his friends and proceeded to his ‘working station’ to wait for Mr. Agreste. After a short while Mr. Agreste came over to Nino and did not say a word, only holding his hand out. Nino understood and passed Mr. Agreste the microphone and turned down the music while he was walking into the middle of the stage.

“Welcome business partners, guests and friends of the Agreste family. It is a pleasure to have you here. Today is a special day which will only be celebrated once in a lifetime. Adrien, my son, if you would please come to the stage?” Mr. Agreste said and waited for Adrien to be close to him on the stage. “You, my son, are turning 18 today and I could not be more proud of you but as you know every stage of success is planable and therefore I would like another person to be on the stage with us. Lila, would you come on the stage too? Mr. Agreste said and waited for her to join them. All of Adrien's friends were confused and looked into each other's eyes. Chloe was getting even more fired up “Why is SHE on the stage with my Adriekins and not me?! This is ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!” 

Adrien looked just as confused as everyone else Lila stood beside him, with a diabolical grin. He looked down at his friends, both Alya and Marinette looking disgusted by Lilas presence. Gabriel continued.

"Thank you for joining us Lila, I would like to announce the arranged engagement and marriage of Lila and Adrien who will be the newest faces of the Agreste brand" The crowd froze, an unsettling atmosphere falling over everyone, Adrien looked at his father in utter disbelief. Knowing he couldn't do anything in front of the crowd he turned his attention back to his friends. Chloe's face had gone red and her eyes filled with tears, she stamped her foot angrily and stormed off. At the same time Marinette broke down also, both girls heading in separate directions. Alya ran after Marinette and Adrien watched, he reminded himself that Marinette was nasty to Chloe earlier and he jumped off the stage against his dad's protests and chased after Chloe.