Miraculous: The Next Guardian (book 3)

Company issues

It was a normal school day for Adrien, except that he wasn't at school. Instead, he was at the company. The board of directors requested an immediate meeting with him. He didn't know why they didn't resort to Nathalie. Either way, he entered the room of the meeting and sat down. The room went quiet as he greeted them.

"Good morning gentlemen. What is the reason behind this meeting?" He said.

"I'm sorry to disturb you." One of them said. "But, since you quit modelling for the brand, our profits had decreased by about 30 percent." Adrien raised a brow.

"Don't get us wrong. We still make good money, but not like before." Another one said.

"So what do you suggest? I don't want to be a model anymore." Adrien said.

"We can get someone else to be the face of the brand," Johan said. "What about the brunette that used to model with you? Lila was it? I believe she might have what it takes." The rest kept talking about Lila and how good she was. It wasn't until Adrien slammed his fists against the table that they stopped talking.

"Lila isn't going to be the face of the brand, not even a model here."

"Why not?" Johan asked. "She has what it-"

"I said no."

"And who are you to decide?"

"Your boss. Don't forget your position, Mr Johan." Adrien said quietly but with absolute seriousness. Johan recalled that he heard that line before. He remembered that Gabriel used to say it to him. Suddenly, a tear escaped his right eye. He wiped it silently.

"What's wrong Johan?"

"Nothing. The boy reminded me of his father. This family is something else." He said pointing towards Adrien with his finger.

"Uhh... Thank you?"

"So any other suggestions besides Lila?"

"I know someone. She can be the brand's face starting from tomorrow." The six men exchanged surprised looks. "What's wrong?"

"The face of our brand, can't be just anybody. Top models compete against each other. Our role as a board of directors is just to come up with names and invite them. The rest is up to the contestants."

"But how come I never entered this competition?"

"Because it was your father's decision," Johan said. "And I got to say it was a good one."

"Alright, fine. I'll invite her. When is this competition then?"

"The day after tomorrow, at the park at 3 pm."

"That's actually a good time. I will have finished school by then."

                               ~•~

The next day, Adrien didn't get the chance to talk to Juleka before class. He knew how much she wanted to be a model, and also Juleka was one of his friends, unlike Lila who lied her way into and out of things.

During the lunch break. Juleka and Rose we're having a meal together. Adrien approached them.

"Hey girls."

"Oh hi, Adrien," Rose said.

"Hey," Juleka said.

"Listen, Juleka. I know how much you want to be a model. There's this competition tomorrow at the park. The winner will be the face of the Agreste brand."

"Oh, Juleka please sign up. You can win I know it." Rose said with enthusiasm.

"Ok." She said shyly and looked at the ground.