"I'm Back."

"A.B."

  The two idly prattled on, the conversation mostly just witty surface-level banter, comfortable but entertaining nonetheless, though there was a feeling of distance that resembled Deja Vu, the strong feeling of familiarity making the distance between the two that much harder to bear. Well at least for Elias, believe it or not, it kinda stung seeing Marinette seem to have adjusted well after their break up but because it was his fault they broke up he had no right to be bitter.

She looked stunning. Even more stunning than she did when they had first met in her parents' bakery. But of course, he couldn't let his awe creep onto his face he didn't wanna make her uncomfortable. Well, more uncomfortable. Their conversation ended and almost on cue Aletta had returned and the two took their leave.
———————                                ———————-
The next few days flashed by relatively quickly considering it was spent preparing for his upcoming concert in Paris as well as getting fitting for the Bourgeois' event; They had a way of doing things, go big or go home so despite this being the first event of it's kind no one was foolish enough to show up undressed. Audrey Bourgeois's hand in the preparation as well as event planning is more than enough proof of that so he and Adrien needed to have the appropriate attire to match the dress code as well as the theme (Which was 'Aubrey' egotistical much).

Due to the collaboration with 'Agreste', Gabriel has decided to use this as a way to draw the public's attention to the brand there's bound to be a lot of paparazzi filming around the event, as well as photographers. Elias has always hated paparazzi, the sea of flashes always leaving him with a headache which is why he never attends such events but this is not really something he can back out of.

Soon enough the day of the event had arrived, he and Adrien did their final fittings earlier that morning, and the rest of the day was him getting ready to perform for the opening of the event. And Adrien tailing him to provide "emotional support" in his words. The sun set and they were off to the venue.
___________

Marinette was running around her studio like a mad woman trying to see the final details on her dress while Luka sat waiting for her on her couch already dressed up.

'I thought she was going with Adrien.' WELL ABOUT THAT!

Mr. Agreste already had planned to have Adrien and Elias go to the event together so there would be no point in her tagging along, so plan B was Luka who was invited but didn't have anyone to go with.

He sat on his phone unbothered by the ruckus the girl caused as she paced around a whispered to herself.
"FINALLY, DONE!"
Luka shot up at the sudden exclamation. Watching as Marinette tugged the dress of the mannequin running into the bathroom to get ready.
"Mari, slow down, we aren't late." He tried to speak over the sound of the slamming bathroom door to no avail, she was already locked in there getting ready.

He turned back to his phone with a sigh waiting for the girl the finish cleaning up, scrolling through his phone for a solid thirty minutes before the bathroom door slammed open Marinette stepped out with her hair in an impressively done high bun and her make-up done. She stomped towards him holding her dress up in one hand.

"Zip."
He did.
"Great now I just need my purse."
"Here."
"Thank you, Luka. Finally! Let's go."

They headed down to Luka's car; Marinette's dress wasn't the most motorcycle-friendly. They just need to get there earlier than most to make sure that the Agreste part of the fashion segment runs into no issues that would be cause for concern.
They made it to the venue seeing the paparazzi already crowded at the entrance.
"Damn, there's still about 45-odd minutes before the celebrity guests arrived." She sighed in shock.
"Well, they need to get a good view of the only part of the event they'll witness live." Luka responded before pointing out something else."I think that's Chloe's car."
Marinette spotted Chloe's car pulling into the event, probably here for final preparations for her mother. She answered Luka's enquiry and got herself squished up to walk down the red carpet towards the entrance.
Both cars pulled up to the carpet at the same time. Paparazzi and what she assumed were fans getting ready to snap pictures.
"I'll open the door for you," Luka spoke before getting out of the driver's seat to open the door and letting her step out.

Her pink heels reflected the red bounce light of the carpet. She sees the flashing lights from the paparazzi snapping pictures of Chloe Bourgeois as stepped onto the carpet, several men in black suits assisting her. She looks stunning, her blonde hair in an elegant bun, some strands of hair meticulously out of place to give an intentionally messy look. As for her, it was a piece from her mother's newer line of clothing, that fact given away by the black and white palette. It was beautiful.

Seeing Chloe gave her the confidence to get out of the car assuming she'd be overshadowed by her presence. She took Luka's outstretched hand raising a bit too quickly whilst eyes were on the problematic blonde. She stood comfortably on her pink heels letting the long fabric of her lacy sleeves cascade down the sides of her long mermaid-style dress to the red carpet. The shiny cherry blossom pink material contrasted the almost velvety black material covering her body in a way that best complemented her lean figure.

She looked up from her dress smoothing it out and pushing a strand of hair in her face behind her ear.

'No biggie Marinette it's just a red carpet walk, you'll be fine.'

Luka offers his arm for her to link it, a soft reassuring look on his face. She took his arm comfortably, the blues of his suit complementary to her pink. She would know cause she designed the suit herself.

Luka's hair was styled to perfection making him look extra handsome, also her doing. Despite his modest lifestyle and approach to life, he was still the son of Jagged Stone, naturally giving him access to many different privileges, first and foremost a chauffeur who took the keys from him and took the driver's seat.

He also drew quite a bit of attention from some paparazzi wanting to get a glimpse of Jagged Stone's allegedly "camera shy" son, as the tabloids and some celebrity websites would call him. She could hear the sounds of cameramen yelling for his attention only some getting a look from him.

Marinette made sure to hold her head high, and not be intimidated by the clicks and flashing. She was so grateful for Chloe's presence on the carpet, most of the focus on her, allowing them to enter the venue without much effort.

"That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." She spoke letting go of Luka's arm as they walked into the venue, non-celebrity guests stood in the main hall networking. She couldn't help but feel satisfied knowing the hall looked exactly as she'd hoped it would, though she didn't plan the event she did have a hand in it, and seeing it come together was still rewarding.

"Dupain-Cheng! Couffaine." She heard her name from behind her from none other than Chloe Bourgeois herself. "Bourgeois." She answered back. "Hello, Chloe." Luka followed. Chloe's entrance drew eyes from the guests waiting to greet the Mayor's daughter.

Chloe and her entourage drew nearer. Chloe leaned in for a strange greeting, her cheek hovering by hers and their shoulders touching lightly in an embraceless hug. "Where did you get your dress? It's quite frankly quite beautiful." Chloe spoke leaning away. "Or is this your doing?" Her tone was harsh but her intentions were pure. "My doing, I felt as though I needed to at least look the part as Mr Agreste's apprentice." The blonde scoffed at her response turning to Luka. "It's been a while hasn't it Luka." Chloe smiled at the musician her demeanour less haughty. "Yes, it has." He responded, his voice as smooth and soft as usual though the teasing smile on his face gave off a different connotation.

A wink of silence ensued making her feel like she had just witnessed something she wasn't meant to see. The wink was interrupted by Chloe snapping her head towards her "Marinette, Alya was looking for you, go find her."
She wasn't buying it for a second, considering the fact that Chloe had only just arrived, Lord knows how she has managed to have such information.
"Now shoo. I need to speak to Couffaine." She attached to his arm shooing her entourage away as well.

"See you round Marinette, lemme know when you wanna leave alright," Luka spoke before getting dragged away to the drinks table with Chloe.

And now she was alone in a huge room full of entrepreneurs and marketers.

Shit.
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A/N: Remember when I said this chapter would've been out last Sunday? LMAOOO!