"Mommy, where are we going?" asked Hugo, looking up at her with his, big, bright, green eyes.
The air was cool that morning, but Hugo's warm hand was reassuring in hers. "We're just going to deliver something real quick and then I'm going to take you home."
"But why didn't we go there first?" he grumbled, turning his head away from her to the people walking on the other side of the road.
A couple walked slowly with a little girl between them, swinging her gently as they moved forward.
"Manon's running a little late this morning, but she'll be there by the time we drop this off." Marinette turned down the street, the packet of macaroons dangling from her arm, all the while hoping she wouldn't run into Chat Noir's civilian self.
It was ridiculous to think he'd make the connection, especially if they only met once, but whenever Hugo wore his favorite jacket all Marinette's logical thoughts were immediately replaced with extreme paranoia.
The Chat Noir themed hoodie was given to him as a joint present from Alya and Nino on his fourth birthday and Marinette had fought tooth and nail to take it from him.
Nothing she'd done ever worked and after a small tantrum her guilt made her give it back to him with an apology and a kiss on the cheek.
The last thing she wanted was for anyone to find out whom Hugo's father was and despite how bad she knew she'd look in the eyes of everyone around her, he was worth protecting. She just wasn't sure who she was protecting him from.
"Wow, is that the place?" he asked, pointing towards the Le Grand Paris.
It hadn't changed much since Chloe inherited it from her father with yellow awnings instead of red and pale, golden paint.
After running yet again for Mayor of Paris, Andre left the hotel to his daughter. And the thought of seeing Chloe after so many years made her sick to her stomach.
Marinette did her best to smile, but even to her it felt forced and unnatural. "Yep, so you need to be on your best behavior. Everything inside is really expensive so please try not to break anything, especially if it's shiny."
He nodded enthusiastically and Marinette sighed, ruffling his dark hair, "Come on."
Stepping into the building Marinette's grip on Hugo's hand immediately tightened. The doorman offered her a polite smile, tipping his hat off to her and she nodded to him in greeting. Her heart pounded in her chest and Marinette couldn't help but feel small in the empty lobby.
Please don't let her see me.
She walked up to the receptionist's desk and placed the macaroons in front of her like a barrier, "I have a delivering for Miss Chevalot."
The woman's ginger hair swayed to the side and Marinette's face paled as she recognized the woman's round classes and diamond pattern sweater. "S –Sabrina?"
"Oh, Marinette," exclaimed Sabrina cheerfully, "It's been so long. It's good to see you."
"You too, Sabrina," she replied, "I didn't know you worked here."
"Oh, Chloe's just been so wonderful. She gave me this job after graduation and asked Mayor Bourgeois to promote my father to Inspector. It's just a shame you had to leave before you could see it," she added, "What was it like being home-schooled?"
"Oh, uh...good," said Marinette, "Um, so about the order to Miss Chevalot –,"
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, what a surprise." Marinette's heart stopped and every limb in her body suddenly went cold.
YOU ARE READING
Too Young For Love (On Hold) ~ A Miraculous Love Story
Fanfiction"Chat Noir," she murmured. "His father is Chat Noir." It's been six years since Hawk Moth was defeated and Ladybug hasn't seen Chat Noir since. After sharing something special with her partner, she can't help but feel haunted by his abrupt disappear...
