Dream a little dream of me -Miraculous Au

Chapter Nine

Now, I know what you may be thinking, haven't you collaborated with Gabriel Agreste before?, and you're right, I have. But it doesn't make me any less wary of him. He's cold and calculating. Audrey told me to be careful of him, he's not someone to play with.

I look at my phone, his caller ID making my heart pump faster. Hesitating, I answer it.

"Miss Du-Pain Cheng." He addresses me, sounding much older than I remember. I can't tell if it's more or less intimidating. "Normally I have Natalie handle this kind of business, but this is different. I would like to invite you over for tea to discuss this...inconvenience."

I think back to the last time something like this happened, when Nino mentioned Adrien in one of his famous tracks. A small compliment. The next thing I heard was that lawyers were involved but I'm not sure what happened afterwards.

"Yeah, we need to fix this problem."

"Natalie will be in contact." And then he hangs up. I used to admire his genius and designs but then I actually joined the fashion world. From models to assistants, everyone knows everyone else's business. There's no need for faking when everyone is the same, that's why I finally saw his true colours. Rude, pretentious, and miserable.

I still don't know how to comprehend everything. So much is going on. I used to be able to cope with a lot of things on my plate, but this takes the whole cake. I've changed and I think everyone notices too. I mean, how could they not. I don't feel like the same Marinette with her peppy smile and continuous optimism. Everyone else is still how I remember them, how is it that I'm the only one that's feeling this way? I want to run and cry, but Luka is here.

Surely he must be feeling something towards the pictures. Anger? Jealousy? Happiness? I just don't know and it's making me more frantic. How can he be so calm about this? Does he even care? He's just sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed.

Before I burst into tears in front of him, I calmly walk to my room and once the door is closed, finally allow myself to let my tears loose. Wanting to scream and wail my heart out, I decide to just let my hot tears run down my face. My eyes are scrunched and my lips are bitten together just so I don't make a noise. If he hears me, I'm afraid I'll really fall apart.

~~~
I arrive in front of the Agreste mansion by myself. Luka let himself out while I was in my room to go home and change. He's already inside, which I can already sense is awkward. Meanwhile, I'm standing outside the iron gates as it starts to drizzle. Flashes of all the times I stalked Adrien cross my mind. I really was a weird teenager.

I press the intercom button and a camera pops out of the wall. "Please come in." The voice tells me, not even waiting for me to speak first. The huge gates open and I walk towards to front door where a perfect postured woman stands.

"Follow me, they're all waiting for you." Natalie says, not even greeting me. She's one of the only people who haven't changed. Not her personality and certainly not her signature up-do.

She leads me away from the marble foyer to the black and white dining room. I've always wondered why the table seats so many but today I know the reason. At the head is Mr Agreste, followed by Adrien, Luka, and twenty other people after them. Though, there is a space reserved for me because I'm supposed to sit between both of 'boyfriends'. I nod a greeting to the blonde boy beside me.

I feel nervous as the room has a very off putting vibe, cold and hostile. The two boys probably feel the same as they don't make eye contact with anyone but their own team of publicists and lawyers.

"Let's get straight to the issue, the picture of you and Adrien isn't good for the Agreste brand. He's my only successor and appearing in even the smallest of scandals is harmful to his clean reputation and my distinguished business."

Come to think of it, I've never seen any news stories covering Adrien, with the exception of his mother's funeral and how he's the heir to the company.

"But father-"

The old man shoots his son a death glare. All Adrien does in response is bow his head and look down at his lap. I want to protest but my voice doesn't come out. Poor, sweet Adrien.

"Did you forget that your career is at stake? This isn't a game, Adrien. I'm this," he gestures with his hands, "close to arranging that thing we spoke about earlier." I don't know what he's referring to, but it's enough to make his Adrien and his fleet of lawyers go even more quiet.

"I have something better than some phoney deal, I have a marketing plan that is going to break the fashion world." The doors slam open and the clicking of heels fills the marble room. Her blonde bob moves as she walks, shining thanks to all the treatments it goes through.

"Audrey, you're late."

"The fact that you don't know my weekend schedule is ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. I would think a long term friend would know this by now."

Her own fleet of staff follow her as she makes her entrance. Their laptops are already out, and stacks of papers are being brought in. She didn't come to play.

Gabriel just sighs.

"Now, may I continue with my brilliant plan?" She slides her sunglasses down as if she's asking for permission, but she isn't someone who cares if it's given or not. "When I saw the news I realised that our fashion prodigy has the power and influence to make trends so now is the time to act."

"Me?" I ask. All eyes are on me, even Audrey, who rolls hers.

"Yes you, darling. Just imagine it, your debut collection, Adrien and Liam-"

"Luka." He speaks for the first time.

"That's what I said, Leo." She stares blankly at him. "The two of you will be the centre of the show, along with Marinette, and this will help establish her brand as a fashion powerhouse."

"That sounds ambitious, Audrey. But gossip fades and new topics rise, so this is all very temporary." He says smugly, letting the blonde woman know her apparent place.

"I sure you're very familiar with being temporary, but I know how to keep my relevancy." Sharp words are accompanied by a sweet smile. "That's how I'm always one step ahead; we give the tabloids what they want, we fill them all with new and juicy news, and while all this happens, Marinette debuts."

Gabriel smiles.

Hey guys!

Thank you so much for over 600 reads! I'm so happy that people are reading what I write. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Caitlyn.