Broken....But Not Destroyed

Chapter 8

Marinette couldn't help but feel anxious. She was constantly tapping her foot, that was until Felix put his hand over hers to calm her down. This however ended up with Marinette's heart beating faster instead. Felix was so kind to her. So caring. So different from Adrien. Every now and then she'd wonder what her life would've been like if she had met Felix before Adrien. But she kept denying that she was now falling in love with him. How could she accept that she was falling in love with her ex-fiancee's cousin?? And she was sure Felix didn't feel the same way. After all, she wasn't special, was she?

"Feeling nervous?", Felix asked breaking the silence.

"Yeah", Marinette mumbled back. She squeaked as the clock chimed, indicated that it was 11 am. The discussed starting time for the meeting. However, Adrien nor Lila was anywhere to be seen. 

"Late", Felix grumbled. 

As a proper business man, Felix was always punctual, well organised and well prepared. His cousin however didn't seem to share that same agenda. Taking the company his father built for granted is he? Felix wondered. Felix himself had completed a business degree and studying a minor fashion course and completed successful internships under his mother in order to gain understanding of the fashion business. His cousin had done no such thing. It seems his success was all due to Marinette. 

"He never attended meetings. Always sent me ahead then showed up towards the end", Marinette explained. 

"I guess Rossi was supposed to show up then", Felix chuckled. 

10 minutes later both Adrian and Lila walked into the conference room. 

"Sorry Felix we were- MARINETTE??", Adrien yelled, startled to see his ex-fiancee sitting beside his cousin. 

"Oh no! You're not here to spread more lies about me to Felix are you?", Lila started sobbing. 

"That is enough!", Felix's voice cut through, "Both you and Ms Rossi are late, Mr Agreste. Just beacuse we are cousins does not mean you can take this lightly. This is the world of business. In fact I was just about to cancel this meeting. You're lucky you made it in time". 

Felix was stern and showed he wasn't going to take this lightly. 

"But you have to understand Felix-", Lila started only to be cut off by him.

"Mr Graham de Vanily to you Ms Rossi. You have no professionalism", Felix stated. 

"Felix come on", Adrien said, putting a hand over Lila who looked so close to tears. 

"Adrien, as a somewhat close relative, you can address me by my first name, but Ms Rossi is being unprofessional. We are businessmen, and I expect you to act like one. Now lets get this meeting started. We are already behind schedule", Felix glared. 

"O-of course", Adrien stuttered. 

So unprofessional. Looks like without Marinette he's nothing. Seems like he hasn't realised yet.

"But why are you here Marinette. Surely Felix- uh Mr Graham de Vanily wouldn't someone like you", Lila started, trying the stir the pot. How dare she!? How did she even get a job here!?

"Actually, Marinette is my secretary and the one who designed our new line", Felix smirked, seeing the shock on Adrien's face. "Now why did you want to meet?"

Marinette stayed quiet and she felt Adrien's eyes on her. Be professional. He has no power over you here. Felix is here with you. Marinette smiled at both Adrien and Lila, confusing them a bit. 

"Well, we're here cause Lila said someone had stolen her designs similar to this. Ang now it all makes sense. Marinette you stole them from Lila didn't you!? Even after I fired you, you still somehow keep harrassing Lila. Are you that petty about me dumping you? Do you hate us that much?", Adrien rambled, fury in his eyes.