You're home. [Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction] (Completed)

Chapter 16 - Gabriel Agreste

Marinette flinched under his tone. He recognized her. Gabriel looked at Adrien, shooting him a look as if demanding an explanation.
"When I heard my son had called off the meetings I expected a girl from a family of greater class." He sounded like he was attempting not to offend her. Which she refused to let it bother her. Even if it did in the back of her mind. Adrien pulled Marinette's chair out for her. She sat herself down, smoothing down the dress.

Adrien pushed her in like it was nothing and sat down in the empty seat as Gabriel took his place.
"Father. I called them off because I don't want to upset Marinette, my girlfriend." He kept his eyes strained to the white table cloth. Gabriel gave no reaction other than a turn of the head to get a better look at his son. Did he even think of Adrien as his son anymore?

"Adrien, the meetings were created to give whats best for you. Someone to keep the company running and the Agreste name untarnished." He said sternly.

"I understand that. But all these women that came only wanted the money and fame. They couldn't care leas for me. Mom wouldn't have wanted that and you know it."

Marinette stayed quiet through this whole conversation, not even daring to speak.

"Céline isn't here with us anymore Adrien. He has been gone for a long time."

"And you are gonna just forget her?"

"I've tried. But I can't."

The tension in the air was thick. It weighed down on Marinette's shoulders. The conversation seemed to take a wrong turn from the start.

"Mom would've wanted me to happy. You know, I took over the business hoping that you and I might grow closer working together. But instead you disappeared for 5 years." Adrien narrowed his eyes. Gabriel didn't even flinch. "Where were for the last five years?!" Adrien asked.

Gabriel cleared his throat. "Thats none of your concern."

"I think it is my concern. You left your son to run a international business with nothing more than a letter." Adrien fired back.

The conversation paused when the waiters poured the three of them a glass of wine, and then asked if they were ready to order. Marinette answered for them, shaking her head. The waiter must've gotten the memo because he backed away and went to bust another table.

Marinette tried her best to ignore the conversation the best she could, looking through the options of fancy foods she'd never heard of.

"Whether or not you believed I was abandoning you, I wasn't. I had business to take care of and thats it." Gabriel's voice was mellow.
"Yea, well not hearing from your dad for five years kinda stings."

Gabriel immediately changed the subject. "I organized this to talk about Marinette." He turned to look at the woman who had been sitting there silently. She looked up, glancing between the father and son.
"I remember her. She made the derby hat in the contest I held a while ago at your Highschool." He said, folding his hands on top of the table. "You most certainly have talent."

Marinette nodded a little. "T-thank you sir.." she kept her voice down.

"What else have you made before?" Gabriel asked. Adrien looked over at Marinette. He was interested to hear this too.

"W-well... I often add my own touch to everything. I made my hand bag I used throughout highschool. I often make and repair clothing items for people who contact me via my website. I make all kinds of stuff. Shirts, jeans, skirts, dresses..." her voice trailed off.

Gabriel took a sip of wine. "Quite the designer you are, Ms. Dupain-Cheng." He set down the glass gently.
"Your parents were the owners of a very successful bakery. Why did you move?"