Kintsugi

Chapter 22

Marinette-

"Lillianna Kubdel"

Like Alex? Are they cousins?

"Do you know if she is related to any of the people in class?" It's strange that they both would have the same last name and not be related. It's not exactly a common name. 

"I thought the same thing with that girl Alex, and yes. Lillianna is Alex's aunt as well - her dad's sister. However they have not been on speaking terms for 20 years and since there is no last name in common between Alex and Lila they are probably not going to figure it out." Tim types a little bit, probably updating his files as we speak.

"So what is her motive? Why would she want a manipulator at her beck and call?" Jason asked, he is relaxed in his chair still - probably not at all worried about having to take down to untrained people who had no clue we were after them. 

"Well I found a couple, one being the fact that she was one of the... investors for that ring we busted the other day. Having a manipulator makes it easy to get new... additions." The room got tense, thinking of that terrible experience. "Another is that she is after the miraculous herself. The Cat always followed you, was reckless and got himself in trouble so if she got to you it would be so much easier just to get to him." A beat of silence.

"Another theory is both, she saw the girl as an asset and wanted her. Both of these things happened after the miraculous saw the light of day. The trafficking ring, and the whole bullying thing."

I nodded, focused on a spot on the table as I tried to process everything that was just told to me.

"So, what should we do right now about Lila? Should we tell her that we can find her a way out?" Damien was the one to speak this time. And he was right, being used as a commodity was an awful life to live, and Lila could get out of it if we helped her. The only question is how.

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Lila- 

I picked my head up off the table. I guess I must've fallen asleep. My face is tight from dried tears, and I scrub at the stains as I pick up my stuff from the table and head back to the elevator. I am spent from the amount of energy expended today - depression tears always do that to me. 

The elevator dings and I trudge down the hall to my room, all I want right now is just to curl up and sleep. Maybe never wake up.

The door clicks as it opens and inside all of the lights are on.

"Alya?"

"Just in the bathroom, be out in a minute." I wince, I was really hoping she would be asleep. I don't think I can handle another night of talking to 3:00am. I just needed some rest. 

"It's ok, I am just going to turn out the lights and go to bed right now. I'm beat." I force cheer into my voice and hope she buys it.

"All good! I'l be quiet when I get out then" I can hear the smile in her voice. She really is such a great person, it hurts my heart to do what I do to her. To all of them.

I have to do this. I have to do this. 

I climb into bed and turn out the lights, right as my phone buzzes. A text from Marinette of all people. 

Mari- Hey, I have to talk to you. Whenever and wherever is convenient, just please come alone.

I don't answer. A part of me doesn't even wan to think about that sketchy as heck meet up. The other part of me knows it is Marinette and it probably isn't even sketchy at all. My phone buzzes again.

Mari- I know about your powers, and your Aunt, I want to help you. My family and I want to help you. I just don't want Alya around to talk to you about it. Love her but she cant really keep a secret lol

My blood runs cold. How did she know? How in the world did she figure that out?

It is almost an embarrassingly long time before I remember who her new friends are. The Waynes know everything. They also have enough money that they can probably deal with anything - even my Aunt Lillianna.

Lila- Sure. Coffee place right next to the hotel, 7:30AM if you're more than ten minutes late i will leave.

Might as well see what they can do for me. Maybe they find a way to fix this.

Maybe I didn't have to do this after all.

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Marinette-

"She said yes, tomorrow at 7:30AM. At the coffee shop right next to the hotel."

"What do we know about that place?" Damien pulls up the schematics as he asks. Never expect a batboy to go in anything less than over prepared. 

"I have been there before; small, decent coffee though. They have great croissants." Tim takes a sip from his fourth mug of the evening. We should probably shoo him off to bed soon...

"It also is never busy at that time, it gets a lot of traffic at lunch time, but your talk shouldn't be that long. Just give her the info and get out. Make sure to give her time to think about it and give her another rendezvous for if she is interested." Jason leans forward as he speaks, catching a glimpse of the schematics Damien has pulled up.

"I would say I want one of you to come with me but... we want to lay low, and your civilian personas aren't exactly the best at that, so get everything organized the best you can Tim, and I should be able to be a delivery girl just fine." I smile at the sleep deprived CEO sitting at the head of the table.

"Yep and then straight to bed right after for you." Dick looks right at Tim. "Bed right now for the rest of you." I pop out of my seat, exhausted after the hours of planning we just had, and I head up the stairs - Damien right behind me. 

"Ok, I need to get back to my hotel darling. I cant stay here." I turn and give him a hug, making sure no one else can see.

"Of course Habibi. You have my phone if you need anything. Please call if you need me." He looks me right in the eyes as he speaks.

"And same for you. Please call me if you need me. Please." 

I kiss his cheek before putting on the glasses and transforming. I had gotten a pretty good idea on the layout of the hotel room I was staying in, so I got the portal right above the bed. It was easy to fall through, detransform and pass out.