M'Ladybug | Adrinette//Ladynoir

Chapter Ten | Rich Man's World

Not even a second after Adrien rapped on the door, it swung open revealing a blonde woman with stunning green eyes to match Adrien's. The woman's smile never dropped, even as her eyes raked over both Marinette and Adrien.

"Hello! Don't just stand there on the doormat, come in, come in!" She opened the door wider and Marinette saw that her apartment was perfectly organized and polished, not a hair looked out of place.

The same was true for the woman. She was gorgeous. She was petite, and her long blonde locks curled in loose waves all the way down her back. Her porcelain skin practically sparkled in the fluorescent lighting, and the only flaw she could find in her face were slight wrinkles around her eyes from laughing.

She walked over to Marinette. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Mrs Agreste." She held out her hand, which Marinette took apprehensively.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Marinette; I'm in Adrien's class."

The woman nodded and moved on to Adrien. "I was hoping we could have some alone time, my son."

Adrien's mouth quirked into a smirk. "You know I was hoping the same thing for the past eight years. You can wait one more night."

Mrs Agreste was practically fuming. "Right, well, uh, I have had dinner waiting for you for a while, and I can heat some up for you and your...friend."

Marinette smiled warmly, despite the growing tension throughout the room. "It's quite alright I don't want to impose."

Adrien's mother said, "It probably would be best if you left," at the same time Adrien said, "Nonsense, stay."

His green eyes pleaded with her, and, just like the sucker she was, she gave in. "I guess I can stay a while longer."

Adrien nodded happily while Mrs Agreste's mouth formed a thin line. "Of course dear," The woman said, in a tone clipped and jagged.

The trio sat down for dinner. Marinette hardly even noticed what she was eating as an awkward silence descended over the table.

Mrs Agreste cleared her throat finally. "So Marinette, have you always lived in Paris?"

Marinette nodded. "I'm half French, half Chinese, but I've never left Paris." She said, smiling.

Mrs Agreste gave another tight lipped smile. "So what kind of work do your parents do?"

"They own one of the finest bakeries in Paris." Marinette exclaimed proudly.

"Ah I see, I guess that doesn't make a ton on money, judging by the look of you." Mrs Agreste said simply, not finding anything wrong with her remark.

Marinette's jaw dropped. She looked down. Her clothes weren't anything special, but they were made by her because she liked to make them, not because she couldn't afford them.

"My parents work hard for their money. And they make plenty, not that it's any of your concern." Marinette felt her temper rising steadily, and clenched the seat of her chair.

"Ah I seem to have struck a nerve. You shouldn't be ashamed, not many people have near as much money as the Agreste family does.

"I am surprised to find you both such good friends. Normally we find people a...well, little bit higher on the social ladder."

Marinette could feel her eyes welling up with tears. She'd always know she wasn't good enough for Adrien but hearing it from his mother was so much worse.

Adrien looked outraged. "You can't talk to her like that--"

Marinette interrupted him sadly. "Yes she can Adrien, it's how you talk to people lower than you are."