𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 (𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐡)

chapter 6

It was getting later into the night, and Gabriel was bored. He considered sneaking around a corner to akumatize someone for the heck of it. He had a white butterfly in his staff waiting for him when he transformed, so the idea was possible.

Lately, he found himself going into his dark lair and finding victims not solely because he needed to get the two miraculouses to bring back Emilie, but because something wasn't right in his head. He was beginning to lose the real reason behind why he was committing such horrible crimes and was striking fear into the streets of Paris only because of the hate in his heart. He could feel people struggling through the abilities of the brooch on his chest and wanted to give people the power to manifest their darkest emotions into strength. Strength to destroy Ladybug and Chat Noir because they were the cause of his hatred. If only the two young Parisian heroes could save him from his feelings as well...

Gabriel was lost in thought until an annoying voice interrupted his inner dialogue. Looks like no one's getting akumatized tonight because I'll be stuck in pointless conversation... another tally on the board for the insect and house pet, he said to himself as Audrey strutted over.

"Gabriel! I was looking for you! I must talk to you about the new collection you released... I must say, it wasn't exactly on par with my standards."

Your standards? This bitch must have forgotten that I don't work for her.

"Well Audrey, I can assure you that the next pieces I am releasing are something special, and they'll have a big runway presentation and all..."

"Speaking of runways, I still won't forgive you for giving me that second-row seat in your previous show! Do I look like a second-row woman to you?"

No, you definitely look more the nosebleed seats part.

"Of course not, I assure you that it was all one big misunderstanding and it won't happen again."

Why do I put up with this bullshit?

"Good, because that was utterly ridiculous! Speaking of which, it's all that assistant's fault because she wouldn't give me that front row seat! If anyone needs a fashion update it's her!"

Gabriel noticed himself becoming angry after she insulted Nathalie. Before, the conversation just irked his nerves, but her speaking badly about Nathalie made him resentful.

"Enjoying your conversation?" The woman with the red streak in her hair said, a fake smile painting her face.

"You! You think you're 'fashion forward' with your cheap little outfit? I'll have you know that you look utterly ridiculous!"

Gabriel was two seconds away from smacking the mayor's wife until Nathalie glanced in his direction with a look that said 'don't worry about it'.

Audrey pulled her oversized sunglasses off her face and was now two inches away from Nathalie with a twisted grimace on her face.

"You're Gabriel's maid, right? Why don't you show us to some drinks and make yourself useful?"

Nathalie stared right back at her, accepting the challenge.

"Sadly I won't be doing that, but I can show you to the door instead. And I don't give a damn if it's your party, Gabriel could buy this building right from under your hideous stilettos."

Audrey threw her gloved hands in the air. "Peasant!" She shrieked. "Why the hell does Gabriel even keep you around?" She mumbled under her breath, walking away.

"I'm so sorry Nathalie..." Gabriel said with an exasperated voice, putting his hands on Nathalie's shoulders.

"Don't be. It felt great to put her in her place. She's such a whore for attention."

"Damn straight."

Gabriel grabbed two glasses of champagne from a nearby butler and handed one to Nathalie before sitting down.

The two didn't talk much as they sat but conversation was the least of Gabriel's worries. His mind was infatuated with one thing at the moment, and that was her.

He rarely got to see her wear her hair down, and god, it was hot. She left her regular glasses behind too, and he could now fully see her face. Her beautiful blue eyes reflected the moonlight shining through the window and gleamed like stars in the night sky. The black dress she wore perfectly accentuated each curve in her body, and Gabriel found himself longing to hold her, to feel her.

As much as fear and hesitation clouded his brain, he noticed that in this moment he wanted her. He knew but desperately tried to ignore the fact that this was a feeling he could not shake. He hated himself for it, but right now, all he could do was embrace it, just like he wanted to embrace her.
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A/N: This chapter was shorter because I originally wrote one long chapter, but I decided to split it into two. The next chapter will be out soon!