Fake Dating

20 - A helping hand

It wasn't the first press conference in LadyBug's career, but definitely the worst one. Just before the meeting the girl had had bad feelings, however she attributed her anxiety to the latest events in her life. She had always felt unsure during meetings with journalists, because she was aware that usually they are intelligent people, thirsty for information – the more sensational the better. She had to keep being on her guard for the whole time, even though Tikki had trained her how to deal with uncomfortable questions.

Before Marinette entered the conference room, she took some deep breaths, repeating herself that there were no reason to be afraid of. Who cared that two days ago some tabloid had published a photo with her and Adrien. They both were single, nobody cheated on anyone else... Yeah, right... Everyone in that room cared about that news! They would ask about it for sure! Fortunately, Tikki had prepared her for such questions, so Marinette had some ready answers that would help her direct journalists' attention to the new LadyBug's album and a future tour.

OK, sink or swim!

As usual, spotlights dazzled her, when she walked in, but she was too experienced to blink. She wore LadyBug's professional smile and sat down at the conference table. She knew the host of the meeting very well – Michel Lapin had already compered some of her previous press conferences. She hoped he wouldn't let all those vultures eat her for brunch. Especially the one whose red hair Marinette recognised immediately.

Alya...

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Ladybug's press conference!" Michel greeted the journalists. "We appreciate that so many of you accepted our invitation. Before we start with questions from you, our star would like to announce something important. The floor is yours!"

Marinette smiled at him gracefully. She felt the knot in her throat loosened a bit. She brought a microphone closer, folded her hands and looked straight at the journalists. Just like she'd trained with Tikki. She was to seem self-confident and at ease. Pretending. Again pretending...

"Good morning!" she greeted. "Thank you very much for coming. It's a privilege to be here, at the leading trade show in the music industry. I'm happy to be a part of this event by joining one of the concerts at Midem. That's an honour." She stopped for a moment before she proceeded to the actual part of her announcement. "We invited you here today, because I wanted to share some great news with you." Again she made a pause, and she observed some stir in the room. Dictaphones and smartphones were turned up, cameras were zoomed at her face. The journalists held their breath. 'Oh my God, Tikki is genious!' came through Marinette's mind. Then she spoke again: "This morning I signed a contract with Sony Music Entertainment. We're going to release my first English album soon."

That was a bombshell, but not the one they'd expected. All hands raised and Michel began doing his job.

"Monique!" he chose one of the journalists in the first row.

"Monique Dubois, 'Popstar' magazine. Have you already decided what kind of music you'll record on your first English album?"

"I don't think we're going to change my style." Marinette replied. "I'd like to record English covers of my biggest hits. We'll be looking for new inspiration as well."

"Are you going on tour after releasing your album?" Monique added one more question.

"Definitely. But it's too early for details."

The journalist nodded and wrote something down. Meanwhile Michel chose another one.

"Jacques?"

"Jacques Martin, 'La Musique Populaire'. How the tour will influence on your private life?"

"Similarly as all my previous tours." Marinette smiled despite the fact she tensed inside. They were entering a slippery slope, so she needed to stay focused and to use all Tikki's hints to turn the attention away from Adrien.

"Your life's changed a bit recently..." Jacques commented, which was followed by a meaningful snort of Alya Césaire who was sitting right next to him.

"I think I'll manage to deal with that." LadyBud replied in a cold tone. But if she thought that would be enough to close the subject, she was wrong. A second later the red-haired journalist's hand raised.

"Alya?" Michel chose her.

"Alya Césaire, an independent blog. Two days ago the fashion and the music industries were thrilled with the news of your secret relationship with Adrien Agreste..." she began, savouring the words, and that made Marinette mad. "Is it true that your hot yet short-living romance was ended by Gabriel Agreste himself?"

She was damn good! But Tikki was better – she'd foreseen that question.

"This is a question for Mr. Agreste, not for me."

"So, you admit that your relationship is history now?" Alya spotted.

"None of a kind. All I'm saying is that I cannot answer questions that should be asked to someone else."

'Was that romance intended to cover the fact that Adrien is gay?"

"Again, it's not a question for me to answer." Marinette answered back and glanced at Michel hoping that he would choose another journalist to start their questions. However the host and the rest of people gathered in the conference room were too focused on that word fencing between her and Alya.

"So, what was a purpose of your relation?"

"Why are you looking for a hidden intention for everything?" Marinette replied with a direct question and looked straight into her opponent's eyes. "Why everything must be connected with show business? Do you even believe in true love?"

Alya gasped and blushed suddenly. Another journalist took the opportunity and raised his hand.

"Philippe?" Michel pointed him.

"Philippe Delacour, 'Pop Musique'. I have a question. Was your contract related to the latest visit of Adrien Agreste to London?"

Marinette felt lost. She didn't know anything about any Adrien's trip to England. Suddenly she discovered an important gap in Plagg's plan – they hadn't exchanged their schedules. Now they would be caught not knowing answers about the past or the nearest future. If the agreement between them would be still valid.

"I don't think so..." she said carefully. "I guess that a company such important in the music industry wouldn't follow anyone's pleading in the process of choosing new clients. I do hope that I've earned the contract with Sony by myself. By my hard work."

"Damien?" Michel chose another journalist.

"Damien Moreau, 'Le Journal de Nice'. Isn't it like your alleged relationship helped to sign the contract?"

"Alleged?!" Marinette exclaimed with reproach, forgetting for a moment about staying indifferent to the emotions.

"Well, it's a bit a coincidence that your secret romance was revealed soon before the contract with Sony."

"That's the question to your colleague..." Ladybug cut the subject, glancing at Alya. "I can't imagine that such a complicated agreement would be prepared within two days."

"Camille?"

"Camille deWitt, 'Le Monde de la Musique'. If your relationship is so serious, why Adrien isn't here with you?"

Ouch, she found a weak point. Marinette felt that all her seeming self-confidence disappeared and she began panicking. Her heart skipped a beat and her hands sweated.

"We... We have some obligations..." she replied with difficulty.

"But... You miss him, don't you?" Camille asked with a sly smile on her face.

"Very much..." Marinette whispered, feeling that her eyes filled with tears. "Excuse me!"

And she ran away, leaving excited journalists behind. They got a scoop they wanted.

***

A/N: All names and titles of magazines or newspapers are fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.