Gabriel Agreste stared at the screen before him. It was yet another report about him traveling to London and leaving the company to Adrien to marry another woman. What fodder and lies! He quickly shut off the television and slammed the remote on his coffee table before resting his head in his hands.

The sound of heels against the marble floors alerted him of Nathalie's presence before he saw her. Gabriel watched as her hand sat a mug full of tea on the table in front of him, but didn't move to drink it.

"You shouldn't be watching those," she said, eyeing him up and down and taking in his disheveled appearance. Gabriel raised his head from his hands to look at her, his blue-gray eyes piercing. He didn't say anything. Instead, he grabbed the warm mug and gingerly took a sip of the tea, as if he had just noticed it was there.

"Thank you, Nathalie. For everything." Gabriel stared into the deep liquid thoughtfully. "Without you, I don't know where I'd be right now."

Nathalie moved to sit on the arm of his chair. "Why are you going to London?" Gabriel forced himself to look up at her and make direct eye contact.

"I can't say," he sighed. "It's about time that Adrien takes on the company, and he needs a wife. Marinette is perfect for him, a very talented designer. If only they weren't so set on hating each other," he grumbled.

"Has it occurred to you that this may not be what Adrien wants?" Nathalie held back a frown and gently rested her hand on his shoulder. Gabriel didn't shrug her away.

"Oh, but it is. You and I both see the way he looks at Marinette when he's not trying to pretend he despises her. The boy is smitten," Gabriel said matter-of-factly. He almost wanted to smile at the stupidity of all of it. His son was in love, and tried to tolerate Mlle. Dupain-Cheng yet she was so focused on hating him. They'd break eventually and realize what fools they are, but in the meantime, a little shove in the right direction, per se, wouldn't hurt.

Knowing that arguing is pointless, Nathalie remained silent for a moment. "Yes, that may be true, but I don't think pushing those two together will end well." Then something dawned on her. "Louis. He isn't actually sick, is he?"

Gabriel took another sip of the tea. "Let's just say he's on a much deserved vacation."

Nathalie sighed and stood up. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about London?" she asked. More like demanded. Gabriel shook his head slightly. "If you ever want to tell me why you are leaving, I'll be here."

Gabriel watched as she left the room and finished his tea before it could get cold. He was determined to get Adrien and Marinette together, no matter what it takes, because if he doesn't...

Then the whole company is at stake.

Marinette huffed as she plopped on her bed, still in her nice clothes. Her headache was now dull, but she was certain it'd be worse in the morning. Marinette already regretted drinking so much wine so she forced herself to go downstairs to the kitchen and drink three glasses of water to clear her head.

The water helped her systems function a bit better and then it dawned on her what had happened little over an hour ago.

Luka.

He had proposed and when she didn't answer right away, they went for a walk outside as she tried to explain to him that it wasn't so simple to say yes. It was fine dating Luka, and she enjoyed his company. He was the best boyfriend she could ever ask for but...to marry him?

Marriage meant forever, until death do they part. And Marinette, being herself, wasn't sure she was ready for such dedication quite yet. She told him to give her time to think about it. It wasn't exactly a 'no' but he had canceled his tour for her and she felt horrible for being so indecisive.

She could at least wait until after the gala was over before even thinking about it. Marinette was relieved Luka understood her need to focus on the task at hand. She didn't think she could handle organizing the gala, dealing with Agreste, and weighing the proposal on her mind all at once.

Ugh.

On Monday, she'd have to go into the office to start sorting things out with Donald. Marinette didn't hate him, but he could end up being one more complication that would make her want to rip her hair out.

"What are you doing, sweetie?" Sabine said quietly from behind where Marinette rested her head on the countertop. She lifted her head to offer her mother a wan smile.

"Just trying to clear my mind, Maman." Marinette remembered the mischievous wink Sabine gave her before she left with Luka and it's only just now she realized why. "You knew." It wasn't a question nor an accusation.

"I thought you might've wanted more time but... he was so excited. What was the harm in asking?" Sabine wrapped her arms around Marinette and gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze.

"Well, now it's one more thing I have to think about. I'm honored that someone wants to marry me, but now is so not the time to be thinking about marriage."

"It's a big decision," Sabine agreed.

Marinette turned around. "What do you think I should do?"

Sabine smiled knowingly. "It's a big decision, a decision you have to make on your own. No matter what you decide, just know that your father and I will be proud of you regardless."

"Thanks Maman." Marinette gave her mother a hug and stood up. "I better head to bed. Tomorrow Alya and I've got plans."

"Goodnight sweetie," Sabine said, kissing her daughter on the cheek. "And remember: follow your heart."

Marinette smiled wryly at the advice and ascended the stairs to her bedroom, slipping out of her wrinkled dress to change into comfortable pajamas before sliding under her covers and drifting off to sleep.

Two men fought for dominance over her dreams. The one with emerald-green eyes won, smushing anything thought of a musician.

*****

"Girl, you really need to try this." Alya handed Marinette a medium sugar cookie latte. "It's so good and has some caffeine. Warms you right up."

The two women were strolling along the sidewalks of a strip mall, bundled up in several layers to fight off the cold wind that was blowing against their backs.

Marinette gingerly took a sip of the scalding drink and nearly burned her tongue. "Whoa, that's hot."

"You know what's hot?" Alya asked. Marinette raised an eyebrow. "Adrien," she singsongs, making the blunette groan.

"Alya, I don't have patience for this," Marinette said with a laugh. "I've got plenty on my mind without having to think about the proposal and Agreste. Trying not to think about work, thank you very much."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa..." Alya stopped Marinette. "What proposal?"

Marinette huffed, not wanting to speak of it. But she supposed it was her fault for bringing it up. "Luka. He proposed last night."

"And what did you say?" Alya asked almost cautiously as they began walking again.

"I told him I have too much to think about at the moment and will give him an answer after the gala." There was a long pause, the only sounds to be heard were the shuffling feet and honking cars.

Alya looked down at her phone and pulled up old pictures of Marinette and Adrien together and tilted it so Marinette could see. "Are you sure it's not because you think you might be falling for-"

"What he did was unforgivable, Alya!" Marinette interrupted. She was mad that Alya would even bring such a notion up in the first place.

"...Maybe you just need someone who understands-" Alya tried.

"Stop pressing."

"You know I'm right."

"I said end of discussion!" Marinette snapped, making them both stop in their tracks. "I'm sorry," she sighed. "I just have so much to worry about right now, the last thing I need is to think about men."

Alya put a hand on Marinette's shoulder. "I know. I shouldn't keep prying into your love life. Even when I'm right." This gets a wry smile out of Marinette and they slowed down when the bakery came into view.

"Thanks for the fun day, Alya. It was so great to not think about only work." Marinette shifted the shopping bags on her arms and embraced her best friend. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

"You know it, girl!" Alya turned solemn. "And, I understand you don't want me up in all your business, but at least think about what I said."

"Alright," Marinette said exasperatedly. "Bye!" She could feel Alya's eyes on her for a moment as she headed towards the bakery but didn't care. Marinette understood that Alya was only trying to help her out.

"Hi honey! How was your trip?" Mr. Dupain greeted his daughter, smiling wide. "Hope you didn't lose your way or your wallet?"

"Ha ha, very funny Papa," Marinette said sarcastically, setting her bags down on the floor and giving him a bear hug. She noticed he was covered in chocolate a moment too late, the stuff smearing all over her blouse.

"Oh, shoot!" Marinette looked up at Mr. Dupain and they both started to laugh at the predicament.

"Guess you love me that much, huh?" Tom joked. He started panting and Marinette led him to a chair nearby to sit down.

"Sorry, didn't mean to work you up." Marinette watched her father carefully as he settled down and caught his breath. Worry was etched in her features as she studied his face, which had become a bit red and blotchy.

"I-It's alright dear. I needed a good laugh," he assured her breathlessly.

Marinette feared for her father, as he had some heart problems in the past and now struggled to breathe at times. No one outside of the Dupain-Cheng household knew of the illness. They didn't want others to become worried. Besides, it wasn't such a big deal yet. Tom hadn't had a heart attack even though he's at high risk for one. Marinette really hoped he wouldn't have one at all because if he did, he could die or the bakery would be delayed, at the least.

"I'm fine, Marinette," Tom implored, knowing the look in the bluenette's eyes all too well. "Don't worry about me. Now why don't you go upstairs and show your mother what all you bought? She's been waiting for you to get home."

"Okay," Marinette said softly. She picked up her bags and ascended the stairs to find Sabine sitting on the couch folding laundry.

"Hi Maman," she greeted. Sabine stood up and took the bags from Marinette. She set them down on the floor and cupped Marinette's face in her hands, rubbing her thumb over the worry lines on Marinette's forehead.

"What's wrong sweetheart? Hmm?" Marinette sighed and dropped her gaze.

"Papa lost his breath again. We were laughing, but not for very long."

Sabine gave her a knowing gaze. "I see. He's fine, you know that, don't you?" she asked, tilting Marinette's chin down so that they were making eye contact.

"Yes, but I'm just worried-"

"Sometimes you must let go of your worries and hone in on the good things in life. What's something good that's happening right now?"

Marinette wasn't in the mood but played along. "I got promoted and am making more money," she answered honestly. "And I have wonderful parents, an amazing best friend, and the best boyfriend." Marinette smiled, thinking of her favorite people. Agreste was not one of them.

"Never forget to count your blessings." Sabine kissed her daughter on the cheek. "Now why don't you head to your room and change into something comfy while we watch some trashy television."

This got a genuine laugh out of Marinette. "That sounds great, Maman."

She was able to push all her thoughts aside and focus on the moments that counted, like spending time with her parents.

All but one thought, anyways.

Agreste's intensity and those damn emerald-green eyes didn't want to leave her mind.