The Princess and Her Criminal

Farwell Father

Adrien's Pov
I arose later than usual,  but that was expected, after all, I did stay up quite late last night. I tiredly rolled out of bed, falling in the process, but I was too tired to care. Reluctantly, I got up from the carpet and made my way to the bathroom, where I had a bath and brushed my teeth. As I was beginning to put on my clothes, I remembered the plan. I groaned as I changed into my Chat outfit. Well, the bright side is I get to see my princess. I wonder if she even is awake. She isn't really the morning type, yet again she always goes to bed late so what should I expect. I gulped, today is the day... the day I finally stand up to father. As I open my window, Paris' midday wind rushed against my face, a blend of hot and cold air. Persons minding their own business as they hurriedly made their ways through the crowd. The vehicles' horns could be heard along with the loud chatter of pedestrians and the singing of a few birds in the distance. The smell of cheese and jam from the shop not too far from my base lingered in the air and I smiled to myself, another day in Paris. I leaped through the window and into the abandoned concrete building beside my window, making my way to the top, and propelled away on my staff. Soon enough, I successfully arrived at my first destination. Though I tapped several times on the trapdoor, Mari didn't unlock it, so I climbed over to her window and quietly made my way inside. I flicked the light switch on, only to find my gorgeous princess still fast asleep, at this time of the day. But I gotta admit, she did look stunning asleep, though what surprised me is that she sleeps gracefully (no drooling, or weird positions, etc)...unlike myself, boy do I wake up in some bizarre positions... Ugh! I need to focus, snap out of it Adrien! I pulled my eyes away from my princess and quietly made my way to her closet. Taking the box I made my way back to the window, giving Mari a kiss on the forehead before crawling through. "Good luck, kitty," I smiled to myself as I pulled back in Marinette's window. I wonder when she'll be waking up...oh well. After a few minutes of jumping from roof to roof, I found myself infront of headquarters. I could feel my hands tighten around the little box and the way my heart tried to rip through my chest. A tall woman with blue and red hair stood in the distance staring down into a tablet, mumbling to herself. She looked worried or frustrated, but I paid no keen attention to that. "Natalie!" She looked up at me, starred for awhile, almost as if she was inspecting me, like she wasn't sure it was me. Did something happen that I don't know about? Finally, she walked towards me. "Yes, Adrien?" She stood infront of me, resuming whatever she was doing on her tablet. "Di you know where father is?" I asked, she didn't look at me but she responded with a nod. "May I speak to him?" Again she did not look at me but shaked her head no. It's not like her to respond by shaking her head, I'll admit, I was worried about her but I had something to deal with first. "Why not?" She fixed her spectacles and continued 'working' on her tablet. "Your father is busy, Adrien," she replied, "however, you may speak to him for 5 minutes after your three missions today are completed." I sighed. What now? Right! The box! I forgot about that...how did I even forget? I could literally feel the cold metal through my leather gloves, I'm such an idiot at times. "Actually, I need to speak with him now, it's important," Natalie raised an eyebrow,  though she still did not look at me in the face. "And what is so important?" I smiled, we are finally getting somewhere. "Remeber that weird yellow gem, I was supposed to steal from the museum but failed the mission?" Natalie nodded, a slow one this time, as though, that gem had something to do with her worried and frustrated look earlier. "Well, I sorta got it back?" Her eyes widened and she nearly dropped the tablet in her hands. "W-what?!" She looked at me for the first time since this conversation started. "Well, I stole it back, it's right here, in this box!" I smiled holding the box out. "Wonderful job, Adrien. Your father will be pleased," my heart skipped a beat. He'll be...pleased? It's been so long since he's actually been pleased about anything I did... Ugh! Snap out of it! Pleased or not, I'm still quitting! "Alright, you can give me the box, I'll give it to boss," Natalie had regained her usual posture and robotic voice by now. "No! Uh...C-can I please give him? I would like to do it myself, " She didn't respond for awhile, as though she was thinking of how she should respond. "Alright, but don't be long, your father is a busy man," I nodded and smiled at her. "Follow me, Adrien," She walked down a few hallways taking some turns before stopping infront of a black wooden door. "Sir, Adrien would like to speak with you, it is important!" A fainted sigh waa heard before a "could it wait?" She replied with "no sir." Before the door was unlocked and we were allowed in. "Don't be long, Adrien," she reminded before leaving the room and locking the door behind her.  My father sat at a black office desk, looking at a computer screen. The room was dark due to the lights being off and the curtains being pulled shut with the exception of the computer's light and a small lamp sitting on father's desk. Though, I could still make out the things in the room. The desk was covered in scattered paper and father looked as though he hadn't slept that night. The smell of coffee had filled the room and the bin was filled with screwed up paper. Gulping, I took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "Good day, father," he didn't respond but instead continued typing on the computer in front of him. Yep, he was NOT in a good mood, not even his usual mood it scared me. "Um... I got you a gift?" What am I saying?! Get yourself together, Adrien! "Is that really why you are bothering me? I have work to get done!" He slammed his hand down on the table causing me to flinch in the chair. "I-I think you'll like it," I slid the metallic box infront of him, only to get a glare as a response. "Don't waste my time, Adrien!" He shouted. "I-I promise you, I'm not wasting your time father," stopping what he was doing, he slowly opened the box. "You better not be-" he stopped speaking as his eyes landed on the gem. "Hmm...I guess you were right, you didn't waste my time, for once. Well done," He looked up at me, as his lips formed into a smile. FOR ONCE?! Hmph! What's so special about the gem anyways? Father NEVER smiles and rarely ever compliment me... "Thank you father," this is going to be way more difficult now...Father is never so nice, now J don't really want to tell him I'm quit...Get a grip of yourself! You can do this! Imagine how proud my princess will be! "But what is your reason for doing this?" He closed the box and placed it in a drawer. Now or never. "Sorry, father..." he looked up at me confusion lacing his face for a split second before his usual stern look replaced it. He sat quietly infront of me, wanting an explanation as to why I'm sorry. Taking a deep breath,  I finished my sentence. "But I'm glad that you liked the farwell gift." I got up and turned around heading for the door, to leave. "What?!" Father's hand slammed against the table once again, and his voice was filled with anger. "Adrien! This better not be some sick joke!" I turned the doorknob before turning my head to my father. "Oh! Father, this is no joke," with that I left, closing the door behind me. I could hear my father scream my name but I had already left the room and I had no intention on turning back. I left headquarters and made my way back to my base, got changed into my civilian clothes and walked to my princess' home aka the Dupain Cheng Bakery. Mission success, farewell father... I'm finally free!