The Wedding Planner

Chapter 2

"Beautiful as usual" Margaret compliments as she packages the gown from Marinette's office.

"Thanks. I think I'm going to call it a day now." She picks up her purse and heads for an elevator in the corner of the studio floor.

"See you tomorrow." Margaret waves her off before rejoining the few remaining people finishing up.

Marinette swipes an access card which opens the elevator doors. She steps in and rides it up to her apartment on the 3rd floor of the boutique.

She steps into her generous apartment and video calls Alya on her phone. She relaxes into the couch as Alya picks up. "Hey girl, actually done with work at a reasonable time?"

Marionette sighs, "Yeah, for once." She stretches her arm behind her head, "So you're not going to believe who came in today,"

"Chloe?" Alya says knowingly, "It was all over social media, that's she's having the 'wedding of the century' done by, none other than 'M' herself." She smirks.

Marinette rubs her temples at the thought, "Don't remind me." She shakes her head, "And no, I actually had a conversation with Adrien, alone, in my office. He kinda snuck up on me, really." She turns her face away as her cheeks grow warm.

"You're kidding! Was it weird, you didn't spazz did you?" She raises an eyebrow.

She scoffs, "Oh please, don't you think I've matured past that phase?" She smiles, looking back at Alya who has a knowing look, "Only a little,"

"Mmhmm. So, when're you guys running away together?"

Marinette cheeks glow bright red, "Shhh, no no no, don't even- I would never, how could you say such a thing?"

She laughs, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding... mostly." She winks.

Marinette sighs, "Anyway... he was wondering if you and Nino were free to get lunch or something this week or whenever."

Her eyes light up, "Gettin' the group back together? Sweet! One sec," she turns and shouts behind her, "Hey, you free for lunch with Marinette and Adrien this week?"

Nino walks into frame behind Alya holding their toddler, Manny. "Adrien? Sure! I'll just drop this guy off at grandma's house."

"We're in! How about this Saturday?" Alya looks back at Marinette through her phone.

"Fine with me. I'll text Adrien and let him know. He has a new cell number," she mentions off hand.

"Hmm," Alya scrutinizes, "that explains the lack of contact over the years..."

Marinette shrugs, "Things happen, life happens. He has a whole company to run."

"So do you!" She points out, "It's just that, I was pretty sure he had forgotten about us."

Marinette shakes her head, "Well he hasn't. And it will be super nice to catch up all together. Make up for lost time."

"You're right," she nods, "this will be nice." Crying is heard in the background, "Oh, I better go see what that's about. See ya."

"See ya, I'll let you know when Adrien confirms."

"Cool cool." Alya waves before the call disconnects.

~

Marinette wears a dark navy dress, heels, and large sunglasses at her desk, her foot tapping rapidly as the clock inches towards two o'clock. She tugs at her dress, not used to wearing the formal business clothing which she only pulls out of her closet for meeting clients. It was another idea Margaret had for upscaling their brand, and of course, she was right.

Tikki flies out of her desk, "Chloe won't recognize you, don't worry. I bet she hasn't thought of you since Francoise Dupont High."

She cracks a smile, "I mean, you're probably right, but I'm still worried. What if Adrien mentioned that I'm M, or that he's meeting up with Marinette tomorrow, so she suddenly remembers me and will connect the dots and-" there's a knock on her office door. Tikki flies to her hiding spot.

Margie peeks her head in, "The Agrestes are here."

Marinette straightens up, instantly regaining her professional composure. "Send them in."

Chloe bursts in first wearing a white jumpsuit, "M! So glad to finally meet you in person. I couldn't trust anyone else to get my wedding right but you."

Marinette stands to greet her, "I'm honored to give you the wedding you want most," she says through a slightly strained smile. She motions for Chloe to sit in front of her desk.

"Adrikins!" she calls back as she sits.

Adrien trails in and closes the door. He smiles warmly at Marinette, "You must be M."

"Duh," Chloe interrupts, "I came here for M, so I get M. It's so funny sometimes how you doubt me." She turns back towards M and pulls out her phone, "So here's the list of things I want at my wedding."

Marinette leans in and looks at the list, struggling to control her expressions, "Uh, can you explain what you mean by... 'horse holding train'?"

"I thought you were a professional," she mumbles, "I want to ride in on a horse at the ceremony, it will bring me down the aisle to Adrien. Another 5 or 6 horses will come in behind me holding up my vail train. But they must all be very well behaved and trained; they will not soil the pristine nature of my all-white wedding. So, white horses obviously."

Marinette realizes that her mouth is hanging open a bit, "Oh, I see." She continues looking at the list, but then looks up at Adrien. "Adr-, er, Mr. Agreste. Do you have any requests for the ceremony or reception?"

He shakes his head, "As long as Chloe is happy, I'm happy."

"Aw, Adrikins, that's right." She leans in for a kiss which he returns; a quick peck, but takes all of Marinette's willpower not to react.

"Can you send this list to me? And I can get started right away on the planning." She slides Chloe's phone back across the desk, "And what date did you have in mind for the big day?"

Chloe picks up her phone, "Next month, the 17th."

Marinette's eyes go wide behind her sunglasses, "Next month? Some of the things on your list require more than a month's notice, Miss. Bourgeois."

Chloe's eyes narrow, "I was told you're the best wedding planner in Paris." She states sternly, "Unless I'm mistaken, I believe you will Get. It. Done."

Adrien puts a hand on her leg, "Chloe, darling, there's really no rush."

She turns to him in astonishment, "Adrikins, every other month this year is taken by some other major celebrity couple's wedding day. It would be a total faux pas if we were to impose our wedding on a claimed month. Think of the press and the gossip that would follow; it could even bring down Agreste Industries. It must be next month." She turns and smiles at Marinette before standing, "I'll be in for my dress fitting next week. The list includes my measurements and the style I want." She starts walking towards the door, "Come along, Adrikins. Let M get to work."

He stands up from his chair, giving Marinette an apologetic look. He looks to see if Chloe has left the office before turning back to her and whispering, "See you for lunch tomorrow." He smiles before following Chloe out.

Marinette lowers her sunglasses, taking them off. "This is worse than putting up with her during school." She mumbles.