Love by Design - Adrienette

Nathalie's Intervention

Nathalie usually didn't meddle in Gabriel's business. She took care of what the powerful man told her to and nothing more.  It was... safer that way. She knew her boss well enough to know that he could be scary somtimes.

Now was a little different. It worried her what he might be up to. She'd thought he'd gone ahead and arranged for a marriage between his son and that girl who lived in the bakery.

She felt a little sorry for Adrien, having such a monumental decision made for him, but watching him with the baker's daughter also brought Nathalie a sense of relief.

She'd had the sneaking suspicion for years that Gabriel was the kind of man who would try pulling that sort of thing, considering it Adrien's duty as a member of the family to further the company's prestige at all costs.

She found herself pleasantly surprised by whom the man had picked. Marinette Dupain-Cheng wasn't at all the spoiled daughter of a rich family that Nathalie had expected. She was someone who Adrien had voluntarily spent free time with even before the decision, and Nathalie wasn't blind to the fond looks the girl had for the blond model. Even if it was coersed, she was sure they would be able to have a happy, functional marriage once they adjusted.

The problem was, her boss had failed to mention it to her again since he first made the decision that day in the park. Surely he would pass it down to her to handle all the headache inducing aspects of planning a wedding? Where was the holdup?

Her concern prompted her to scan over Gabriel's contact history for the last several months, and it only got curiouser and curiouser. A/n - Sorry, not sorry.

She wasn't doing anything illegal. As the man's personal secretary, she had easy access to the information, but usually didn't consider it any of her business to look through. Now, however, she was glad she had. Gabriel did keep a running correspondence with Tom Dupain, Marinette's father. Disappointingly, it was mostly phone calls, so she had no clues to what had transpired. Then, there was the fact that Gabriel was in the process of buying 12 Rue Gotlib. He'd never shown interest in buying realestate before.

The pieces all clicked into place when she came across an email from the property's seller.

You monster! Tom told me about your plan, and I wish he'd told me sooner. I had no idea what I was doing. Now I'm ashamed for my part in it. If I could, I'd back out right now, no amount of money is enough to sentence my tenants to your control, but I already signed the papers. Once the time is up, nothing but your conscience stops you from throwing a family out on the street. Do the right thing. Tom and Sabine are such a kind couple, leave them alone. Let their daughter enjoy her young life, and when the time comes, marry who she chooses.

Countless times she had seen her boss crush other people who stood in his way, why should now be any different? Plans for the families to be joined weren't progressing because the other side weren't willing participants!

Nathalie had learned over time that everything just worked better when other people submitted to the will of Gabriel Agreste. That's why she now stood on the bakery's doorstep, intent on begging the family to just give in before her boss blew up at everybody, including her.

--

Tom and Sabine promised to hear Nathalie Sancour out, no more. It was no secret that she was the assistant of the man who was causing them so much trouble, yet she insisted she'd come to see them on her own. Gabriel didn't even know she was there.

"Just give the man what he wants." She advised them primly. "It's the best thing for everyone, including them."

"Explain to us how we'd be doing our daughter a favor by forcing her into marriage as a teenager."

"Well, you see. You're certainly not doing her a favor if you get yourselves thrown out on the street. What kind of life would you be able to offer her from that position? Adrien and Marinette seem to get along fairly effortlessly, so I'm sure they could adjust to living together. The entire reason Mr. Agreste wants her for his son is that he sees a great talent in her that he wants the access to nurture, not in any way to hurt her. Plus, Adrien is his only child, and shows no interest in designing himself, so Marinette could likely become heiress to the company!" Nathalie pitched to them with practiced ease.

"No comment, and best for everyone you say? What's in it for Adrien?"

Nathalie looked a little saddened by whatever thought had just come through her brain. "I suspect Adrien is pretty much doomed to have an arranged marriage for his father's benefit. If not to Marinette, then someone else, and likely not anyone he gets along with as well as he does with her."

"It's still fair that we should hold out as long as we can. For his rights as well as hers." Sabine objected.

Nathalie was indeed concerned for the teens, but she was also concerned for her own well being. If things didn't go Gabriel's way, he could very well take it out on his employees. Because of this, she was desperate to see to it that the man was kept happy.

"They needn't act as a couple unless they want to. Just have them legally married, and once they're of age, they can end it amicably if they wish."

Earlier on in the proceedings, Marinette's parents wouldn't have even considered that offer, but they were getting desperate. Nathalie's suggestion offered her a way out should she so choose. The time had come for them to have a serious talk with their daughter to see what she was willing for.