The New Life

Part three

I get to the car and I step inside. Before I left, Gabriel told me to take the company card to buy a few things for Lila and her room, with a budget of 1000 dollars.

I arrive at Lila's location, and I explain everything to her that she needs to know. She gets into the back seat, and we drive to the nearest mall, where we purchase her a duvet cover, pillowcases, some decorative pillows, some clothes, and a few other things. I learn that Lila is due in October, two months before I'm due. We then collect Adrien from school, and since both children seem disappointed that they can no longer attend school, against my better judgement, I take them both to McDonalds for dinner, which we all enjoy, before we head back to the mansion.

When we get back, Gabriel summons me into his office.

"Where have you been?" he yells angrily. "I was expecting you back hours ago! I need you to sign Lila up for some extracurricular activities! Their dinner will have to wait - their fencing lessons begin shortly".

"Actually, sir, I took them both to McDonalds, since they were extremely disappointed that they could no longer attend school".

"You did what?!"

"As a small treat to cheer them up, sir".

"They don't need cheering up! I know what's best for them - Adrien's my son! Don't you dare do that again!"

He's in my face now.

"Gabriel, you can't just withdraw them from school, and then expect them both to not need cheering up!"

"Don't you dare talk back to me!" he roars, and suddenly, he slaps me across the face. I stop, stunned, before turning on my heel and leaving the room. That's it. I have to get Adrien and Lila out of here.

I step out of his office, and Lila is stood outside, waiting for me to show her to her room.

"Change of plans" I say, quietly so that Gabriel can't hear me from his office. "My car's outside. We're going to put your stuff in the boot, then help Adrien to pack so that he can do the same. And keep quiet - Gabriel mustn't know about this".

She picks up on my unusual fear and urgency, and potentially sees my half- red face, and silently obeys. We put her two suitcases filled with her new things in the boot, and put the rest in bags in the front seat. I then send her to help Adrien pack up his things, meanwhile I make Gabriel a cup of tea - the time has come.

I enter his office, every instinct screaming at me not to, and I go over to him.

"Gabriel, I've come to apologise" I lie smoothly. "I've made you a cup of tea".

Without even looking up, he takes the tea and has a sip. Suddenly, he begins to gag, unable to speak and choking.

"Rat poison" I say calmly. "Not a lethal dose, but just enough to knock you out for a few hours".

I wait until he's unconscious, before moving aside his tie and stealing his miraculous. I've already got the peacock miraculous hidden in my blazer pocket, so we're good to go.

I text Adrien to meet me outside in ten minutes, then I run to my car and drive it to my apartment and back to drop off Lila's things. It's just temporary, since Gabriel has my address, but finding where he's got it written down should take him at least a few hours after he wakes up. We probably have until midnight to get away.

When I get back, Lila and Adrien are waiting for me outside.

"Nathalie, what's going on? Adrien asks, concerned. "What happened to your face?"

"Your father hit me, Adrien, and I decided I've had enough. Put your stuff in the boot and the passenger seat, then buckle in the back. We're leaving".