𝓐𝓶𝓫𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓽- 𝓐 𝓕𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮 𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂

𝑀𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝓁𝓎 𝒜𝒹𝓋𝒾𝒸𝑒

Marinette worked slow shifts before, but today was especially boring. She had display duty, which entailed making desserts and replacing the old ones from the window displays. To her, the kitchen was the most exciting part of working at a bakery was the baking itself. To create a treat that makes people smile when they enter her shop was a delight that she enjoyed ever since she was old enough to do so.

As she hummed the tune of her favorite song and dumped out some expired macaroons, the bell jingled from above the door.

"Welcome to Boulangerie Patisserie, how may I help you today?" Her mother asked as the customer walked around the store. She wouldn't have to worry about theft; Sabine was behind the cash register counting bills.

"I'm great, how are you today, ma'am?" An oddly familiar voice replied. Marinette had a gut feeling, but shook off the thought- it couldn't be, the possibility was absurd.

"I'm good! What can we do for you today?" Sabine asked as she placed all the 5 euro bills in the cash tray.

"Just a box of macaroons will do. I'd love to try them out, but I haven't been able to taste any sweets from Paris yet." He turned to see Marinette glaring at him while she folded in boxes.

"Oh, hey! I was wondering if you worked here, the family photo is adorable." He mentioned a portrait of when Marinette was three, smiling and holding a bouquet.

"Oh, this?" Sabine looked at the portrait as well.

"The photo was taken when we first opened the bakery. By that point I had barely gotten my citizenship, and your father had quit his job. It was a great risk starting a business with such a young daughter, but look where we are." She smiled, her smile lines spreading like ripples in a pond.

"That's such an inspiring story. What was it like, trying to get your citizenship?" He sat down at one of the tables, head in his palm.

Sabine and Félix chatted about their lives as Marinette continued her daily chores and tasks. She couldn't tell if he was being genuine, but she appreciated how respectful he was to her mother.

Marinette gave him the box and he thanked her with an unsettling smile. She wanted to curse him out, yell at him so that he would leave promptly and never return. That wouldn't happen though, not as long as her mother was standing behind the counter.

"I have to say, your name fits your beauty. Don't you think so, too ma'am?"

"Marinette? Yes, we named her after the sea, since that is where her father and I met. Did I tell you about that story yet? I don't think so." Sabine continued with her and her father's love story.

Marinette glanced at him once, and he mouthed her name with a smile.

"Oh, look at the time. I'm sorry, I must leave now. It was a pleasure meeting you and your beautiful daughter, ma'am. Until we meet again, Marinette." He waved as he left the store, the jingling of the doors' bell following him.

The bakery remained silent as Marinette looked at her mother. What was that? Why did he care about her family so much? She turned to see where he went; he had gotten into a sleek black limousine driven by a man who looked like Godzilla.

"Well he was nice. A charmer, too! You chose a good friend, my dear." Sabine patted her shoulder. Marinette felt bad about lying to her mother, but Félix had started it first.

"Yeah, I really did." She watched as the limousine drove away from the bakery.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆🐞⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

Marinette sat down in her chair and slid to her PC. If Félix was Adrien's cousin, he would have some public attention. As Marinette typed in his name, she noticed two results.