Blushing Miraculous

The Event

The Gabriel Agreste Foundation Triannual Charity Event was taking place in downtown Paris. The city's most distinguished citizens always attended. Adrien couldn't stand going.

Pulling up to the building, Adrien got out of the car to make his way down the red carpet. There were plenty of news outlets and photographers there to take everyone's pictures as they walked inside.

He had done this a million times before. Smile and wave for the cameras. It's the same at every event. He wasn't sure that his smile was convincing though, all he could think about was how Marinette was waiting for him. There was no way that things could get any worse.

"Adrikins!"

He was wrong.

Chloé Bourgeois ran up to him and tried to kiss his cheek. He expertly dodged her lips.

"Look at us!" she announced, hooking her arm around his. "We totally seem like a couple!"

"Get off of me, Chloé," he said, pulling away from her. "We're not a couple, and we never will be."

"Oh, don't be shy Adrikins. Now smile so we can get a good picture together." She turned towards the cameras and put her hand on her hip.

Adrien was about to object but he saw Nathalie glaring at him from the corner of his eye. He couldn't afford to anger her, so he plastered a fake smile on his face and posed. After a few minutes, they finally got inside the building.

************************************

Marinette sighed as she stood at the railing. She went over and checked the time on her phone.

Tikki came up next to her. "Still no sign of him?" she asked.

"No, not yet," Marinette replied. "He's usually here by now."

"There haven't been any akuma attacks, have there?"

"No, there's nothing going on." She put her phone down and walked back to the railing. "He probably just got delayed with something. I'm sure he'll be here any minute."

************************************

Adrien sat down at his table. Unfortunately, Chloé was assigned the seat next to him. He leaned over to Nathalie, who was on his other side. "Can we leave soon? I'm really not feeling well," he whispered.

"No Adrien. Your father hasn't even given his speech yet. We'll leave after the important stuff is over."

He sulked in his chair. Now he was stuck listening to Chloé go on and on about her outfit and how expensive it was.

When most of the guests had taken their seats, Mayor Bourgeois went up to the microphone on the stage. He thanked everyone for being there and introduced Gabriel Agreste, who appeared on the screen behind him.

Adrien watched his father give his speech. He spoke for about twenty minutes. When he finished, Adrien looked over at Nathalie, who shook her head.

Mayor Bourgeois then introduced the next speaker. After she spoke, he introduced another one. After he spoke, Mayor Bourgeois announced that they would start the auction.

Adrien once again looked over at Nathalie. And once again she shook her head.

************************************

Marinette sat in the lounge chair on her balcony. Tikki was there too, keeping her company. She checked her phone again, but there were no alerts.

"Still nothing?" the kwami asked.

"Nothing," Marinette said. She sighed and rested her elbows on her knees. "I'm sure he's on his way."