Heavy Heart | Miraculous Ladybug

Monte Carlo

At seven Hao picked up Marinette in a 2021 Roll Royce Ghost. The event was causal and nothing big or extreme. They drove to the airport where they got lead into a private jet that was flying to Monte Carlo. "How long will this flight be?" Mari asked.

"Not that long. This is a fast jet, it's my sister's jet and she let me use it."

"That's nice. How old is she going to be?"

"Twenty-six."

"I hope I won't be a bother."

"No, no you won't. We're going to my friend's place where the party is being held. Luckily he's staying in Monte Carlo for a few weeks so we can crash there. My father can't make it, but this is more of a friend gathering thing."

"Anything you gotta warn me or tell me about?"

"Well, my friend, Jim Gwan was one of my friends from grade school. He was a Korean exchange student. His girlfriend, Byeol Hak is an icon fashion model in South Korea. Jim told me that she spent one point two million on a pair of earrings. My older sister, Ai isn't dating anyone right now. She lives off the Tung family money just like me. They all are great, but just watch out for Qianfan Mai."

"God, what does he do?"

"He's all about money and stocks. He'a part of the Taiwan tycoons and the worlds biggest finance company. He owns a good slab of it by seventy-six precent."

"Must be a very formal man."

"He is. Yet he acts like he's God."

They got to Monte Carlo in a record of time and got a car ride over to Gwan's place. When they pulled into the gates of the Gwan residence the home was very modern and it rested on a hill. It was like a hillside modern mansion that looked around one hundred fifty million dollars. The car pulled into the front of the house where Jim walked out to greet them.

Jim wore a black Ralph Lauren sports coat, dark jeans and a white buttoned up shirt. "Dang Hao Hao, you haven't changed a bit."

"Shut up man." Hao hissed, then to Mari's shock he hugged him. "It's been so long."

"Nothing better than seeing your face." He laughed.

"Oh and before I forget." He placed a hand behind her back. "Mari, this is Jim. Jim, this is Mari."

Jim stuck out a hand while she shook it. "Hello..." He got a good image of her face before he knew who he was looking at. "Marinette Cheng. Please, come in and have some wine."

"Are they here?" It was Byeol who was walking out to greet them only stopping in her tracks. "Marinette Cheng. Thank you for coming over. Please, make yourself at home."

They got settled in the house and Jim and Byeol were rather nervous not knowing why the most respected, well-known and wealthiest descendant of the Chengs were at their home. "Oh God, what do we do?" Byeol whispered to her boyfriend.

"I don't know. Just don't scare her off and ask Hao why she is here." They heard the doorbell ring. "I'll get it."

He walked off leaving Byeol, Hao and Mari in the kitchen. "Hi."He spoke seeing it was Ai. She pointed towards her ear as he caught on. "Oh right. Happy birthday."

"Thank you." She walked in the house while he lead her to the kitchen where everyone was. Suddenly her eye caught sight of Marinette she couldn't believe it. "Holy crap."

Hao looked around nervously realizing that Ai might make a big deal out of Mari. "Uh...Ai, meet my friend from school, Marinette Cheng."

"Oh my God, I cannot believe you are here in person. Like in Monte Carlo right now. You ate everything a woman would want to be and I adore you. The Chengs are like Gods and maybe we could be friends."

"Oh, I would love too..." She trailed off realizing how well known she was too.

"Well, Ms. Cheng. Do you like wine?" Jim asked.

"Please, call me Mari and yes, I like wine and my mom won't mind."

"Right." The doorbell rung. "I'll get it, don't worry."

They all sat at the bar in almost an awkward silence. Jim got the door and there stood the last member of the party. "Hey Qianfan."

"Hey, sorry. I'm a tad late, but millions down the drain." He walked in the house, heading towards the kitchen. "Happy birthday Ai."

"Thanks, I was beginning to think that you wouldn't come." She teased, sipping a glass of wine.

"I was just late, but I'm here. Also, nice Celine dress."

"Thanks, I got the red one because it matched my hair."

"Hey how are you doing? Name is Qianfan Mai a CEO of a finance company." He walked over to Mari and shook her hand.

"That's nice."

"You look like a business woman, so tell me. Do you do any business?"

"Oh God." Mumbled Hao as he watched the two talk at the end of the table.

"No, I'm going into junior year. My family does business and I have a part time job too. I was in a photoshoot today."

"Oh, that's lovely. Which magazine?"

"The France Vogue and possibly the Hong Kong Vogue."

"That's wonderful. Are you planning to be a model?"

"I'm more into designing things, but I'm losing interest a little bit."

"Oh, that's fine. So tell me, is your family Chinese?"

"Well, my mom is Chinese and my father is French, but they split and is in prison."

"Last name of your family?"

"Cheng."

"Is your family the peanut packing Chengs?"

"No."

"Well, I'm far off. So...who else is in the Vogue?"

"Adrien Agreste."

"Nice. How much money do you get—er...what's the pay when you modeled with him? I do finance and I own a big company of people who do that. I get thirty million each year."

"If it the magazine is public, then I will get fifty million." He drew his breath back at the amount of money she told him.

"I-impressive."

Her phone started to ring and she excused herself walking out of the room to answer it. When she was out of the room Qianfan spoke: "She modeled with Adrien Agreste and the pay is fifty million!"