Criminal

Chapter 5: Intern

Marinette looked into he mirror, her slightly bruised cheek had been covered with concealer and foundation. Her hair tied back in a sleek ponytail and she wore a gray pencil skirt with a white button shirt and a matching blazer. The bluenette packed her sketchbook and keys into her purse, and headed out of her homey apartment.

She sucked in a sharp breath as she got out of her car. There she stood, before the building owned by none other than Gabriel Agreste. She wanted to become a designer like him one day, and she knew she had to start somewhere. She felt her heels click against the marble floor as she walked inside the busy building.

There were people everywhere in organized groups frantically running around, the inside of the building was very modern and mostly white and black. It was like taking a step into the future. She already felt nervous. "Mrs. Dupain-Cheng is it?"

Marinette turned around to find a woman in a suit, with very straight posture and a red streak in her bangs. Her face seemed expressionless, or rather emotionless, she looked bored. "That's me." Marinette said, a small smile on her face.

The woman nodded, "Follow me." She said, and began to walk over to the white marble steps, she seemed extremely formal. Marinette frowned in determination, she was lucky enough to even snatch an interview to work for the Gabriel Agreste brand. If she could be able to actually design and contribute to their work, she would simply pass out.

Marinette looked at the classy name tag on the woman's suit, her name was Natalie. "Right this way." She said, turning a corner which lead to a rather large office door. Marinette gulped, trying to think about something else to keep her nerves at bay. She puffed out her chest as Natalie opened the door, revealing a large office surrounded by windows.

Natalie stood by, as Marinette slowly walked into the room.

The office was surrounded by glass windows, a few desks and tables with clearly expensive vases. She gulped when she saw Gabriel Agreste sitting with his hands folded. He was very intimidating... "Ms. Dupain-cheng?" The bluenette nodded in response before taking a seat.

She tried not to make it obvious that she was nervous, clutching her purse to her side. He cleared his throat, sitting up right and she realized how tall he was. "It's an honor to meet you, sir." Marinette said, and he only nodded. "What is your experience in the fashion industry Ms. Dupain-cheng?" He asked, clearly wasting no time.

Marinette fixed her posture, reminding herself of how serious this was. She had to give it her best. "Well I've been designing clothes my whole life, I've won several designing competitions, and I've been sketching my designs since thirteen years old." Marinette said, hoping she answered his question exceptionally. Gabriel nodded, "Do you have any with you?"

Marinette nodded and pulled out her sketch book, handing it to him without hesitation. Gabriel fixed his glasses, she had clearly designed the cover of her sketchbook as well. He flipped through the pages, taking his time to look at each and every detail. "These are, impressive." He said, seemingly pleasantly surprised.

He handed her sketchbook back to her, folding his hands once more. "List some fashion inspirations, both past and present." Marinette nodded, "Well I always took inspiration from nature, and the beautiful attractions we have here in Paris. A big part of my passion and interest in fashion, was you."

Gabriel raised his eyebrows, listening closely. With all the designs he had already looked at from her, he wanted her to prove something before he hired her. And he had just the assignment. "Natalie, bring in Adrien." The assistant nodded and stepped out. Gabriel stood up and fixed his tie, walking over to the window.

"I'm sure you're aware that my son models for my brand. If you're up to the task, I'd like you to create a specific design that matches my son's... perfection." He turned when the door opened once more. Marinette pressed her legs together, extremely nervous.

Adrien Agreste had entered the room, and he was mouthwatering.  She tried not to gape at him, and instead focused on the task Gabriel had suggested. "If you manage to exceed my expectations, you will be a designer here the Agreste brand and Adrien will have a photo shoot in the clothing you designed for him which will represent, my company."

"However, if you don't live up to my expectations... You will have wasted my time, and won't get the job." Gabriel said sternly, and Marinette gulped. She felt like there was a lump in her throat and her heart was racing. She stood up, "I will be happy to represent your company, Gabriel." He furrowed a brow, shaking her hand before she smiled at Adrien.

The mischievous glint in his emerald green eyes gave her a sense of familiarity and recognition as he reached out his hand. Her heart hammered in her chest when she shook it, and Natalie lead her out of the room. She let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding, and continued to follow Natalie out of the building. "You start tomorrow, Ms. Dupain-Cheng, be here by noon."

The bluenette nodded before leaving, finally allowing herself to relax her shoulders when she was outside. That was intense... She thought about Adrien, there was something about his eyes that she just couldn't wrap her head around. She shook her head and walked back to her car, it must've been nothing.

Adrien stood in his father's office, facing the window as he watched Marinette leave the building and get into her car. "You think she's fit for the job, father?" He asked softly and he heard Gabriel clear his throat. "I don't think she'll disappoint." He turned around to look at him, his hands behind his back.

Adrien nodded and left without another word, allowing himself to smirk once he finally left the office and walked back into his own. He wasn't used to seeing Marinette look so professional, he was used to her bare face and pink pajamas. It made him smile at the thought of her being an intern for his father's company. He'd get to see her everyday.