Understand love

Chapter 8

After Gabriel's announcement, there was a media frenzy. Everyone focus on this news, pushing mundane matters aside. Many people began to create theories wondering about the origins of the Monarch. Some correctly speculated that the mysterious disappearance of Emilie Agreste was the cause. Unfortunately, the majority accused Gabriel of seeking power and control, while fearing the true nature of his wish. Because of this, the shares of Gabriel's Brand dropped dramatically, causing many stores to close. After some time, people made the connection between the Alliance and the powers given by the Monarch. This caused the few people who tried to find good in Gabriel's actions to also change sides.

People and journalists gathered in front of the estate, camping out day and night waiting for explanations. The citizens of Paris demanded justice by punishing the designer. The media, on the other hand, demanded answers to their questions. The tense atmosphere forced the residents of the Agreste estate to lock themselves within their four walls. Adrien, who missed his friends, and the tense atmosphere at home forced him to sneak out. He needed to breathe, to create the illusion of normality. That is why he transformed into Chat Noir, leaving through an open window, and then jumping over the great walls of the estate. Despite the fact that the world learned the truth about his father, no one had yet connected him with the identity of Chat Noir. People considered his activity as an act of kindness, which is characteristic of heroes. Thanks to this, he could easily sneak out unnoticed. Unfortunately, this freedom was not limitless. Since he is a recognizable person, all meetings with friends had to take place in closed rooms, without witnesses. That is why Adrien mainly spent time in other people's houses.

Gabriel and Nathalie, being homebodies, didn't feel as much discomfort despite being forced to stay confined within their estate. However, the tension in the air was palpable to them as well. Gabriel walked around nervously all day, barely sleeping or eating. Nathalie could barely force him to eat even one meal. Knowing that no one would buy his works anymore, he completely gave up on designing. One day, wanting to forget about everything, he took out two bottles of the most expensive wine and started drinking. Glass after glass disappeared until two bottles were completely empty. Gabriel, being very drunk, barely keeping himself upright, left his room and went downstairs straight to the exit door. The moment his hand reached the door handle, Nathalie's scream stopped him. Concerned Nathalie went downstairs, standing next to Gabriel, hoping for some kind of explanation. Gabriel began to babble, while waving his hands at the same time. Although Nathalie didn't understand a word, seeing Gabriel reach for the door handle again, she guessed his intentions. Gabriel once again began to blame himself for all the suffering of this family, and his babbling must have been words of remorse. Nathalie sighed loudly. She took both of Gabriel's hands, which were on the door handle, and slowly led him back to his bedroom. On the way, Gabriel babbled again, but Nathalie could only make out her name repeated several times. The next day, they both decided to keep quiet about this event, wanting to forget about it as soon as possible. Gabriel avoided Nathalie's gaze for several days, embarrassed by his behavior. He felt bad knowing that Nathalie had seen him in such a state and was forced to save him from falling once again.

The three of them sat in the kitchen, having breakfast. Gabriel stared at his plate, fiddling with his food. Nathalie read news on her tablet, while Adrien typed in a group chat with his friends. Each was absorbed in their own activities, which made the atmosphere less oppressive, though it was still far from warm and family-like. Nathalie took the cup to her mouth, slowly sipping the coffee it contained, when her attention was caught by the headline about an interview with Tomoe. Still sipping her coffee, she entered the article and began to read it. When she reached Tomoe's words, "I was unaware of Gabriel Agreste's activities. He was working behind my back. He used our joint project, which was meant to unite people, as a means to an end," she choked on her coffee. Her coughing fit woke Gabriel, who immediately went over to her and gently rubbed her back. Once she calmed down, both boys looked at her with concern, worried about a possible relapse of her illness.