Chapter Seven: Your life starts now
You can choose to blame your circumstances on fate or bad luck or bad choices. Or you can fight back. Things aren't always going to be fair in the real world. That's just the way it is. But for the most part, you get what you give. Rest of your life is being shaped right now. With the dreams you chase, the choices you make, and the person you decide to be. The rest of your life is a long time. And the rest of your life starts right now...
- Haley James Scott
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Time ... That's what the conclusion of the meeting came down too. They needed to wait and prepare. Neither Tikki nor Plagg could tell much about the rings just to hope that the love between them isn't as strong as Ladybug and Chat Noir's. As long as that was the case there were no reasons to worry. They'd always have the upper hand. However, if the love between Felix and Kagami was pure and true ... well ... they had better be prepared.
The week after the engagement party was tabloid chaos for the Agreste's, the love and support for Adrien and Marinette had significantly intensified. Lila, however, had become the most hated face of fashion, but that wasn't going to stop her from reaching her ultimate goal.
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Marinette was running around like crazy as Emilie walked behind her trying to calm her down. It was two days before the London fashion show and Marinette was determined that her first 'official' elegant wear line would be the talk of the show. She'd come in her workout gear as the plan was to go running with Adrien once they'd finished. Fat chance of that happening, she thought as she grabbed another dress for the now 'pregnant' model to try and fit in to.
The models were contracted for London in the exact way they looked at the auditions. As harsh as this was it wasn't without reason, and that reason was to stop the designer having a nervous breakdown the few days before the show.
Marinette was on her last dress before having to pull the girl from the show. If this one didn't fit then that was it, she would be out and Marinette would be a model, and most importantly, a dress down for the showcase.
Emilie took the dress off Marinette and sent her to go and relax for a bit. The poor women had to physically wrestle the dress out of Marinette's hands and push her in the opposite direction. After pacing backwards and forwards for a few minutes she decided to go and find Adrien. She walked to where the models changing area was situated and saw him with a couple of other male models. She waited round the corner and decided to eavesdrop on what they were saying.
"Adrien's definitely got it the best! That girl is not only gorgeous but, man, she can bake." The brunette model said. Adrien laughed.
"Well, you know what they say. The stomach is the way to a mans heart." Marinette could hear the joy in Adrien's voice. She knew he was obsessed with her croissants, at one point she wondered if he should be dating her delicacies instead of her. She giggled to herself before placing a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound.
"So, is it true?" Another blonde spoke.
"Is what true?" Adrien answered.
"You've given her an eternity ring?" Marinette looked down at the diamonds glistening up the stoplights of the dressing room. Yes he has, she thought to herself with a slight smirk.
"Of course. I'm never going to find anyone who can compare to Mari."
"But you're just about to turn 20, man. You're young, you're Paris' hottest male and have pretty much every girl throwing themselves at you." The brunette speaks again. Marinette felt uncomfortable standing here now, this was private. She shouldn't be so nosey, but for some reason she was intrigued to hear Adrien's answer.
"It's like being stuck with vanilla ice cream for the rest of your life. Don't you want to taste other flavours?" The second model questioned. The innuendo of what he said hadn't escaped Marinette. Adrien barked out laughing.
"The only way you could say Mari was vanilla would be if it was secretly filled with popping candy. Honestly guys, I have no desire to even look at another woman. She's my soul mate, I couldn't find anymore more perfect for me."
"You're such a girl sometimes, Agreste." One of the models laughed.
"I still can't believe you didn't have sex with that Lila chick. She was literally throwing herself at you. I'm quite sure she would have let you do anything, if you catch my drift." Marinette wrinkled her nose, she really hated that girl.
"No, thank you! I do have standards you know." All three laughed as Marinette heard slamming of lockers and then normal chatter resuming about evening dinners, clubs and sports. She walked up and knocked on the door.
"Hey guys, can I steal my boyfriend for a moment please?"
"Sure, Ms Dupain-Cheng." The brunette walked out.
"Of course." The blonde said and that's when she noticed who it was.
"You!" She pointed at him aggressively. "You knocked her up didn't you!"
The blonde looked around the room as if the answer would be posted somewhere for him to use. He began a selection of nervous giggles as Marinette launched herself towards him. Fortunately for him Adrien grabbed hold of her and flung her over his shoulder.
"And on that bombshell, we're out of here." Adrien walked out the room effortlessly with Marinette kicking and trying to reach for the blonde model who had brought on an abundance of stress to the blunette.
"Right bugaboo," Adrien says continuing his walk out the building, "if I put you down will you promise me you won't go running back and lucky charming Riley in his Crown Jewels?"
"I can't make any promises." She answers through clenched teeth.
"Then I'm not putting you down." Adrien continued walking as the Albert Hall Staff stared puzzled at the show being performed in front of them.
"Adrien, I swear, if you don't put me down I'll be lucky charming you so hard we won't ever be having children!" Adrien stopped sharply and placed Marinette's feet firmly on the ground. He looked at her scared for his special parts. Finally she cracked a smile.
"I knew that would work." She hip bumped him and continued walking.
"That's so unfair. You cheated." He grabbed hold of her hand and continued walking. "How about we go for that run? You can think and plan as we go. The park is just over the road."
Making their way out the building the paparazzi were around three deep and blocking the exit from the hall and their direct route to the park. Both grabbed hold of their sunglasses and placed them over their eyes. Marinette kept her head down holding firmly onto Adrien's hand as her other wrapped tightly round his bicep. Adrien smiled to the paparazzi like the gentleman he was and just continued to push through.
As they made it to the park they began to run. As usual the competitiveness between the two of them became intense. Pushing, pulling and kissing became their main weapons. If they were back in Paris Adrien most certainly would have taken off his top to distract his female companion, however he was quite sure he'd be reprimanded in London. It was normal for them to be photographed whilst running back home in Paris, some of their shots had became personal favourites which they then had brought from the newspapers. The press really did love 'Adrienette'.
As they made their way back to the hall and to Emilie, Marinette had a plan. As expected the dress didn't fit the model meaning the contract had been broken and unfortunately the model had to be let go.
I hope Riley's happy with himself, Marinette thought. London Fashion was a major accomplishment for a model.
"I'll do it." Marinette announces.
"Are you sure Mari?" Adrien knew she wasn't a fan of being on the catwalk.
"Oh my darling dear, you'll look so stunning! Adrien can walk down with you." Emilie was buzzing, as much as Adrien wanted to blame his father for having to model, his mother was a big push in that direction too.
"Of course." Adrien's smile caused a chain reaction around the dressing room.
"I'll need to use the design studio at the office tomorrow to get everything altered, but I can do it. I promise I'll do well, Emilie. Tell Gabriel he doesn't need to worry I'll be doing my best." Marinette moved to Adrien's side and wraps her arm around him.
"Remember it's no longer just Gabriel, darling. It's up to all of us; you included."
"Thank you, Emilie." Marinette let go of Adrien to wrap her arms around his mother. With that Emilie left the venue to return to the Agreste building with Gorilla. Marinette turned back to Adrien.
"Ok, silly kitty. What's the plans for tonight?" Adrien smirked as he walked forwards towards his beautiful girlfriend. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body close to his. Her hands were flat against his pecks, and she stretched up on her toes to kiss him gently on the lips.
"We're going back to the room" he kissed her right cheek, "having a nice relaxing bath together," he kissed her left cheek. "We're ordering up room service" he began to kiss down her neck. A groan escaped her throat, "and then..."
"Hummmm..." Marinette replied as the pleasure of Adrien's kisses sent shivers all down her spine.
"We're going to play Mecha Strike VIII." He moved away and smiled at her.
"You've got the new game?" She asked in shock, it wasn't due to be released for another month at least.
"They've sent us a trial version, along with a console to the hotel. They want us to write a review for a Gaming Magazine."
Marinette squealed and wrapped her arms round Adrien's neck as he spun her in a circle. No one could understand their love of gaming but she supposed that's what made them special.
"You know, it's been exactly a year since our first gaming bet?" Adrien announced.
"Is that so Mr Agreste?"
"Oui, so I say the bet is on again. If you win I'll wear a dress, if I win you go on a date with me."
"Bring it on, sunshine boy."
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Gabriel was pacing around his new office at Agreste London. He stopped and looked outside the window, the view from the building was beautiful. You could see the planes lining up to land at London City Airport, and the London EXCEL centre on the edge of the river Thames. He removed his glasses with one hand and squeezed the bridge of his nose with the other.
A buzzer sounded on the desk signally a message from his secretary. He pressed a button and spoke clearly.
"Oui, Ms. Brown."
"Your wife's here."
"Merci, please send her in."
Gabriel placed his glasses back on his eyes and made his way to the Manila envelope on the desk, pulling out the sheets of paper in preparation for his wife's arrival.
"Any information yet?" Emilie came up and rested her hand on Gabriel's shoulder.
"It's Felix and Kagami." Gabriel announced holding out the pictures to Emilie.
"What? But I thought maybe it would be Adrien and Marinette?" Emilie looks down at the pictures and sees the close up of their hands. "It's her ring isn't it! Not Marinette's earrings. What we going to do?"
"We need to find the Miraculous'. We've got to stop these from combining, if it was Adrien and Marinette we know it would be for the greater good, we wouldn't have to worry." Gabriel exclaims before taking a deep breath, "I can't believe your ancestors thought playing with black magic was a good idea."
"I know, mon amour! And I really thought we'd be safe keeping both the rings."
"I'm so sorry for letting you down Emilie and loosing one of the rings, but I think if we can contact Ladybug and Chat Noir they could help. I've given Adrien the second ring. Hopefully Felix won't look for it there."
"And what if he does?"
"We pray the saviours of Paris will be able to stop him in time."
"Any idea where to find them?" Emilie asked.
"No idea, but we need to make sure Felix stays in Paris."
"Considering the job you've given him he'll have no ... choice ..." Emilie stopped for a second to think, "you knew Kagami had the crest ring, didn't you?"
Gabriel sighed and slumped down into his chair.
"That's why you made a deal with her mother, there's no family money is there? You're paying her." Emilie was disgusted.
"I made a horrible mistake. Nathalie said Kagami would be a great match for Adrien and even though Adrien never truly showed any affection towards her, Nathalie managed to persuade him to date her. She told me their rings were soul mates, and Kagami was made for Adrien. Obviously it didn't work out. I'm just so glad he found Marinette. I made such a mess whilst you were gone Em, I'm surprised he still wants anything to do with me." Tears began to form in Gabriel's eyes. Emilie walked over and knelt in front of him.
"Do you think Nathalie has something to do with all this? She knew about our rings; how did she learn about Kagami?" She placed her hands on Gabriel's thighs and balanced herself in front of him.
"Nathalie introduced me to Kagami's mother as a business option. Apparently she'd met her on business trip and having connections with the family would be very good for the business. Kagami appeared one day at Adrien's fencing and she wow'd him with her skills. They became good friends because of that. I suppose I finally saw him happy and with someone of a high social standing." Emilie pulled her eyebrows up at that. "I know, I need to stop being so stuck up."
Emilie laughed and stood up, pulling the latest news article up featuring Adrien and Marinette. She placed it in front of him.
"I'm quite sure your son is very happy now. He has his whole family back supporting him and the most wonderful woman by his side. We need to make sure we keep them protected. I fear Felix's jealousy for Adrien would make him a prime target."
"What do we do about your sister?" Emilie sighed, she knew as well as Gabriel did that her twin sister would be no use to anyone.
Just like the wrong wearer of a Miraculous can cause changes in behaviour, wearers of the rings can suffer major psychological problems. Unfortunately Emilie's sister, Amelie, was not strong enough a wearer, resulting in server memory problems.
Hopefully with the right amount of time, and specialist help, she will be able to continue her life as normal ... another reason why Gabriel and Emilie were moving to England. Emilie didn't want to lose her sister, not when she'd only just gained everyone back.
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