The Double Face of the Designer's Son

Chapter 8.

"Don't be bemused, it's just the news!"

Nadja Chamack's signature catchphrase caught the attention of everyone in Paris, as always.

"More news on Paris' heroes! Last night was the first appearance of a villain since the death of Gabriel Agreste just two weeks ago. Cat Noir appeared, and this is the third time we've seen him since then: once on patrol, once fighting a villain, and once two days ago, hopping onto the balcony of a mystery lady! More details to be aired at 5 PM! Don't miss it. What was new about our heroes this week? Let's ask an expert. Please welcome our special guest, Alya Lahiffe of the Ladyblog. What can you tell us, Miss Lahiffe?"

"Well, Nadja, one of our heroes was sporting an intricate new hairstyle! No, Cat Noir hasn't gotten a fade. Ladybug was seen wearing her hair in a lovely double-helix braid."

"Wonderful choice. All of us here agree that the DNA braid is beautiful on Paris' lady hero! Our experts say this may have important indications concerning her identity. What can the people of Paris expect to learn from the celebrity's coiffure?"

"Well, many of us recall the hypothesis of Gabriel Agreste being Cat Noir. The spokeswoman recently appointed for the Agreste label, Claire Sancouer, was spotted just hours before with her hair in the impressive braid, leading us to believe that this theory may have some credibility."

"What do you think personally, Miss Lahiffe?"

"Well, I don't believe that Gabriel is Cat Noir, but the recent developments are pointing me to believe that one of the many employees recently appointed for positions under the new owner of the label may be our mysterious hero."

Adrien switched off the TV. He had a date to get to, and Claire was his driver today. She waited for him at the door, laptop under her arm.

"Ready to go, sir?" He nodded. Claire opened the door and approached the front gate. There was a noise like a struggle coming from the outer wall, causing Adrien's brow to furrow in suspicion. Claire opened the front gate and reporters streamed in. Paparazzi cameras flashed in the faces of the dead designer's son and his stone-faced assistant.

"Sir! What's your opinion on your father as Cat Noir?" A microphone pushed into his face.

"Do you know for sure that your father is dead and not in hiding?"

"Mr. Agreste! Is Cat Noir one of your employees? Do you know his identity?" Adrien held up his hand to protect his eyes from the flashes of what seemed like a thousand cameras.

"Mr. Agreste has no comment at this time." Claire insisted from somewhere behind him.

"Miss Sancouer! Are you aware of the theories surrounding the correlation between your hairstyle and Ladybug's?"

"Mr. Agreste has no comments at this time. I have no comments at this time." Claire parted the red sea, made up of surging waves of nosy reporters, leading her boss to his car. Adrien got inside and his assistant got into the driver's seat, leaving the press outside clamoring for a comment from Adrien and his assistant, the supposed hero.

"Wow. Those people are insane." Adrien put on sunglasses, and Claire pulled some out of the glove compartment for herself. The addition of sunglasses to her stern style made her look like a character from the Matrix, but Adrien chose to ignore this. He had more important matters to focus on. For example, he was going on a blind date. He didn't know if he'd met the person or not. He didn't even know how to begin a conversation, let alone how to go on a date with a stranger. Adrien nervously cracked his knuckles. Looking at his nails, he considered his old habit of biting them. It had developed when he realized he could no longer communicate with his old friends after he flew to America. He glanced at the scar Marinette had mentioned, then looked away. He didn't need to tear up thinking about his own cruelty again.