Marinette hurried to fix her hair while she waited for the cab to reach the office. She had been so tired the night before from trying to figure out what her next design should be and forgot to set her various alarms.

She rushed out of the taxi and into the corporate building, barely managing to finish her chocolate croissant before entering the main floor. Marinette waved to the receptionist and made her way to the elevator, hitting the up arrow.

When she reached the top floor, she saw everyone was in a flurry, keys typing, pencils drawing, and scissors snipping. She seated herself next to Camille and Genevieve, who had swatches of cloth laid out on the wooden desk, examining each carefully before comparing it to her sketch.

She had taken Marinette's suggestion and turned into more of a semi-formal dress, targeted for high school and college girls looking for something to wear to a dance.

"Oh! There you are!" Camille said. "Were you sick?"

"Forgot to set my alarms," she explained. "After I finished up some work I just conked out."

"Well, good thing you're here, because we have a lot to do. Our deadline is in three days to finish the designs for the line so they can be created in time."

Marinette nearly choked. Three days? How were they supposed to come up with an entire line in less than 72 hours? She let out a groan. Last night really didn't go well as she had only come up with two ideas.

"This is a nightmare," she said under her breath.

"Don't worry," Genevieve assured her. "Camille and I each have a few ideas. But we could really use your input."

Marinette unpacked her bag and quickly got to work, reviewing the list she had made the evening before.

"So I was thinking that we could possibly have a more romantic gown. Large skirt, off-the-shoulder neckline...really make the person wearing it feel like a princess."

"It's not practical," Marinette said. "Unless it's for a wedding. The market for such a dress wouldn't be very large."

"Okay, but what about those fancy parties, soirees, and galas. Wouldn't you want to wear something beautiful like this?" Camille sat a piece of paper before Marinette and Genevieve, causing them to gasp.

"Cam...this is—"

"Beautiful." Marinette examined it more closely and noticed the fine details in the sketch. This was made with love, a love for design and fairytales. The intricate swirls on the layered skirt, the small, delicate golden roses trimming the bottom.

Camille's cheeks were dusted with pink, pleased at the praise.

The entire line was targeted for the younger generation, ages 16- 22 to wear to various events. This whole campaign seemed a bit random, if Marinette was being honest with herself, although she could see the benefits. It's hard to find the perfect dress for the perfect event, so having a large collection of different, unique but fashionable, dress clothes would make shopping for special occasions much easier.

The women talked as they worked, each offering advice and input on one another's work. Marinette was focused on making her ideas come to life on the pages, while Camille was calculating the costs of creating the clothes. Genevieve resigned to choosing the right fabrics, which tied into Camille's cost averages.

Not long into the job, Nathalie came upstairs, clipboard in hand.

"Mlle. Dupain-Cheng?" she called. Marinette whipped her head up from the current sketch of a fine suit. The first thing that came to her mind was how she was late that morning.

"Yes?" She nervously stood up, fidgeting with the handmade bracelet she wore on her left wrist.

"Young M. Agreste would like to see you in his office." Nathalie pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and motioned for Marinette to lead the way, who casted nervous glances to her coworkers before heading into the elevator.

This would be the first time she went into Adrien's office, as he wasn't quite officially CEO yet. He wouldn't want to see her unless he had to and whenever they were unlucky enough to pass each other in the halls, he'd ignore her while she scowled.

"If this is about this morning..." she blurts to Nathalie, who looked up in surprise. "I know I was late. I overslept and then there was traffic—"

"Whether you are on time or not isn't his concern," Nathalie replied stiffly. Marinette slightly, hoping whatever the reason she was needed wasn't anything bad. Although, anything with Adrien is bad news.

Reaching the very top floor, Marinette and Nathalie exited the elevator and the bespectacled woman led her to the dreaded office.

"M. Agreste, here is Mlle. Dupain-Cheng," she greeted, ignoring the glare Adrien sent her way.

"Thank you, Nathalie," he said through gritted teeth. "Your presence is no longer needed."

"Sir, your father made it very clear that—"

Adrien's features softened. "Please? I'd rather discuss this in private." He casted a wary look to the nervous bluenette.

Eyeing the two, Nathalie nodded. "Five minutes." She left the room abruptly and once the door closed, there was a deafening silence.

"M. Agreste," Marinette said, loving how annoyed Adrien got. "Why am I here right now when I could be getting some work done?"

Adrien sighed and pulled out a manilla envelope from his bottom desk drawer. "It would seem," he began in a monotone voice, "that my father has chosen you to be one of the designers for the Christmas Gala."

He plopped the envelope on the desk and Marinette cautiously walked forward, hesitating before taking it. She made the mistake of looking up to see Adrien was staring at her.

"What?" she snapped. "Trying to trick me and see my reaction?"

"Nothing of the sort. Even though you are very gullible." He smirked at the daggers she sent his way. "I'm sure there are better designers than someone like you but apparently my father sees a spark of talent in you that he thinks he can fan into a flame. What a joke. It's like trying to make a fire with wet wood."

"Excuse me, but I'll have you know that I graduated top in my class."

"You have a degree. Congratulations," he said sarcastically. "Do you know how many people get degrees yet fail to execute anything they've learned in the real world?"

"People like you?" Marinette shot back. "It's clear you're an amateur at this. I mean," she gestured to the mess on his desk and the rather empty room. "Look at this place! So messy and hardly festive. Scrooge."

Adrien completely forgot about the holidays, not paying attention to the world around him. Was this the reason why his father never spent any time with him at Christmas after his mom died? He hated that he now had a certain level of understanding with Gabriel now that he was in the office more frequently, soon to be every single day until he had kids of his own to pass it on to.

Just the mere thought made his stomach churn.

"I'm not Scrooge. I just haven't had time to decorate yet because I'm so busy dealing with people like you." He ran his hand through his hair.

"My goodness..." Marinette murmured. "You forgot it was Christmastime."

"I didn't forget. No one can ignore the blasting Christmas carols and the large twinkling trees." But Adrien knew she was right and hated himself, and her, for it.

"Nathalie!" he called. The middle-aged woman walked into the room within seconds, as if she were paying close attention to their conversation since leaving the room.

"Yes?" she asked, failing to conceal her slight amusement.

"Please explain everything to Mlle. Dupain-Cheng. I have an appointment."

"But sir, you're free—"

"Don't forget to lock the door and let the others know of the new job! Thank you!" He hurried out the door and wondered if he'd ever get a chance to make things right.

It seemed everything had been going wrong for him lately.

*****

"And besides managing the design staff, that's all that you're needed to do...just make sure you keep everyone in check." Nathalie had finished listing all of Marinette's responsibilities as Head Designer and it was starting to feel like a bit much. The task of organizing an entire gala with someone named Louis in only four weeks seemed near impossible.

Yet the pay was three times higher.

The company funds would be used to purchase anything necessary. With Louis by her side, having heard he was an excellent marketer and top in management, hopefully things wouldn't be so bad.

It was already late in the day by the time Marinette was back with Genevieve and Camille. That didn't mean there wasn't much left to do. As soon as she finished up her current tasks, she packed up and headed home, wishing the others farewell.

Marinette decided that she shouldn't share the news until after her family had heard first. She hurried to find a cab and get back to the bakery.

Walking into the small business she called home, Marinette was bombarded with the sweet aroma of fresh-baked croissants. She could hear her Papa humming in the back and knew he was oblivious to the world around him as he did what he does best: bake things with love and care.

Sabine walked out from around the counter and embraced Marinette, who was slightly taller than her. "Hello dear," she greeted. "How was work?"

"Very busy," Marinette replied. "I have some news, Maman. I'll help you and Papa set the table first and we can all sit down."

Sabine said nothing as she helped her daughter put the forks and plates down. Either she got fired, or she was promoted. Whatever the news may be, she was proud of her daughter for getting this far.

Tom clapped her on the back when he saw she was home and sat down at the counter, waiting for Marinette to start explaining as he cut into his food.

"So..." she started. "Nathalie came and led me to Adriens office."

Oh dear, Sabine thought, here we go.

Marinette looked up at her parents, her eyes sparkling. "Mr. Agreste has appointed me as Head Designer and Planner for the upcoming Christmas Gala at Gabriel. My paycheck will be doubled, plus a three grand bonus for the holidays." Seeing her parents' eyes light up she made something clear. "It's a lot of work and a huge responsibility. I don't know if I want to be doing this."

"Honey, do you want to do it? Don't feel like you have to do it for us. You've already done so much, helping us work in your very little free time." Tom gave her hand a squeeze.

"We are so proud of you," he said. "This is amazing."

"Thanks, Papa." She got up and wrapped her arms around his large figure, giving him a small kiss on the cheek. "I wouldn't be here without you both. If you hadn't been supportive, who knows where I'd be right now."

"Probably still working at the bakery," Sabine laughed. "You had big dreams and you're making them come true. What's better than that?"

The family of three finished their meal and Tom sat on the couch, turning on some cooking show while Marinette helped her mother do the dishes.

"Sweetie?"

"Hmm?"

"This job...you mentioned Adrien." Sabine kept washing the plate in slow smooth circles.

"And?" Marinette had a feeling where Sabine was going with this. "It's fine! We don't see each other often. I'm fine."

Sabine set the rag down and touched her daughter's cheek. "Not that, dear. You should really forgive him. Isn't it tiring to have to hate someone all the time?"

Marinette offered a small smile. Of course her mother would try to convince her to go and apologize. Just like Alya and Nino did. If Adrien wanted to go and spill all her other darkest secrets, fine. But if he does, then he shouldn't expect an apology from her, let alone for her to speak to him.

"I'm not making up with him. That's already been decided. Why should I give him another chance to ruin my life?"

"Honey, he didn't ruin your life?"

"Everyone thought I was a gold digger!"

"That's not true. You still had your friends. Besides, don't these things always happen, with or without secrets to feed the gossip?" Sabine took Marinette's hands. "You need to forgive him if you're going to be spending more time with him."

"I won't be. Louis is managing the project. It's not like Adrien and I will be seeing each other every single day, okay? He's not directly involved so I won't have to deal with him and his dumb ego."

Sabine smiled cryptically in return. No one can avoid each other for that long. Not when they are hopelessly already in love.

They just don't know it yet.