HEY GUYS!! Thank you for 1k reads (now 1,020) and 142 votes. It's a dream come true!! I'm so happy you guys enjoy my book. 

For the occasion, I decided to update early! 

I hope you enjoy!

Marinette couldn't sleep in; she was too ecstatic for seeing her parents again momentarily. Marinette brushed her teeth, combed out her hair, and put on a gorgeous dress Zoey picked for her.

The dress was a dusty orangey-red, the dress falling to her knees, and running to the ends of her wrists. Her bodice was embroidered with lace, as well as her sleeves; which paired nicely with the orange lily in her done-up hair.

When Marinette finished her look, she rushed to the grand hall, where her parents were going to arrive. Some of them were already together with their daughters, as well as some of the competitor's younger siblings who were running around in the hall.

Marinette saw Alya chatting with her parents, deciding to walk over to drop a quick greeting. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Cesaire," she tossed them a smile, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you!"

Mrs. Cesaire smiled sweetly at her, "You too, Marinette. Alya has told us much about you in her letters," she added, Marinette turning her head at the figures she spotted through the corner of her eye.

It was her Maman and Papa.

Marinette rushed a good-bye, scurrying over to her parents. "Maman!" she hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. "Marinette, how are you?" Sabine's tone was pure happiness; very different from her usually serious one. "I'm so great," she breathed, releasing the hug, "How have you been?" she proceeded to hug her Papa tightly.

"We have been good," -she straightened her frilly hat- "After your departure many more people came to visit the bakery," Marinette laughed at the statement.
"I have to say I'm surprised to see you here," -Marinette's brows furrowed- "I thought you didn't want to be in The Selection."

Marinette shrugged, "I supposed I had a change of heart," her parents proceeded to share a look. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder, immediately knowing it was the prince based on her parent's shocked features.

"Adrien," Marinette breathed as Sabine gasped.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng. It is a pleasure to meet you," Adrien politely smiled. Sabine fanned her face in shock. "P-Prince Adrien! It is a pleasure to meet you as well," Sabine fell into a deep curtsy. "Very nice to meet you, Mr. Agreste," Tom greeted, flashing a smile.

Adrien chuckled. "Please, Adrien is just fine," he urged, "I hope you enjoy your weekend stay." "See you, princess," he waved, Marinette knowing her parents were going to comment on the name-calling. "Princess?" Sabine noted on cue.

"It seems your not the only one with a change of heart," Sabine winked, Marinette laughing through her nervousness. "Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng, nice to see you again," Luka greeted behind Marinette. Sabine glared at him, "Hello, Luka." "How have you been?" Tom added, being polite.

"Great, thank you for asking," Marinette shut her eyes; the death glare from her mother directed at her ex was making her uncomfortable. "I do hope we get to talk later, but I must get going now," Luka walked off as Maman immediately grabbed Marinette's arm. "What is he doing here?" She whisper-yelled. "He works here Maman!"

"I hope you two aren't still together," she grumbled, "You would get kicked out in an instant." "Maman, we're just friends," Marinette half-lied. "Like you and Adrien are just friends," Maman mumbled, Marinette being reminded about not missing the passive-aggressiveness she regularly got from her mother.

Marinette opened her mouth to defend herself but shut it instead, not wanting to cause a scene. There was no doubt she still loved Luka, but Maman would never know that; not until she was married to one of them. If she told her before, she would never hear the end of her lecturing.

***

A couple of minutes prior to the dance, Marinette stopped by her room to touch up her outfit, and hair. Marinette's floor-length dress consisted of a black bodice, and a long blood-red skirt, made of airy fabric, that fell down to her ankles. The red skirt had many black spots that danced along with the fabric, her red heels peeking out from the bottom.

Her hair was done up into a bun, multiple red ribbons mixed in with her midnight blue hair, some more added to her pin, flowing down to her shoulders. She wore silk black gloves, clutching a small red rose she was about to tuck into her hair.

She answered the knock on her door; Sabine coming to check on her. "You look wonderful, dear," she praised, feeling the fabric between her fingers.

Marinette smiled, "Thanks, Maman..." -she glanced behind her- "Is Papa with you? I thought you were going to stay together." Sabine shrugged, "Your father is with the prince at the moment," she replied; Zoey coming back from organizing Marinette's closet.

"Who is this young lady," Sabine praised catching her attention. "Zoey; Zoey Cunningham. It is very nice to meet you," -she extended her hand- "I have heard so much about you from your daughter."

Maman took her hand, a smile curving on her lips. "You seem very nice Miss. Cunningham," Zoey flashed a smile, "Though, I was wondering if I could talk to Marinette alone?" Sabine asked quietly, Zoey nodding and quickly scurrying out of the room. They both sat on opposite sides of the couch, Marinette trying not to be as nervous as she was when talking to her own mother.

"So, Marinette, how have you been?" she rested her arms in her lap. "Good...?" Marinette replied reluctantly. Sabine flashed a smile, "Very good," she glanced out the window, Marinette staring at the rose between her fingers.

"I-Is this a test?" she broke the silence, "Am I failing?" Marinette whipped her head up as Sabine laughed. "Can I not ask how my daughter is doing?" -she continued to laugh- "I haven't seen you in months. Is there anything you need?"

"Why do you ask?" Marinette's nervousness lowered, "I have almost everything I could ask for here!" Sabine sighed, "I just like to feel like you still need me," -Marinette's eyes softened- "You have been so distant lately, I hope you know I was only strict with you because I believed in you so much."

Marinette looked down shamefully, "I hope that doesn't bring us apart," Sabine added.

Marinette smiled widely, "No, of course, I know that Maman. I just have been so busy with adjusting to this lifestyle and getting to know the competitors..." -she rubbed the back of her neck- "I may have forgotten one of the most important things in my life."

Sabine looked down, "Marinette, there is something I need to tell you... I-" Sabine was interrupted by a knock on the door. Marinette froze, Sabine then motioning for her to answer the door.

"I- Adrien!" he let himself in. "Hey Mari, I was wondering if Zoey was around?" -he glanced around- "Most of the maids are busy, and I need someone to do my Halloween makeup," He lifted up a black pallet.

He noticed Sabine, both of them sharing a quick smile. "Marinette can help you, she has done it many times before," Sabine smiled, Marinette gasping. "W-Well, sometimes. N-Not really. I can go get Zoey if you-" "That's fine, I trust you Marinette," he chuckled, "Give me the look you imagine me in."

Sabine got up, mouthing Marinette a 'your welcome' at the door frame. Marinette told Adrien to sit down while she examined the colours in the pallet.

"Where do you want the makeup?" Marinette examined his face in the mirror. He shrugged. "I don't really know, I've never been allowed to dress up before." Adrien chuckled, "Also, make-up isn't really my thing anyway," she giggled.

"Well, let's ditch the makeup, and put these on," Marinette said getting some small plastic cat-pupil contacts from her drawer.

"These will make you look subtle, but still good for the dance," Marinette grabbed a bottle of solution. "Hold still," she mumbled, lifting his chin while placing them carefully in.

"Now blink," he did the actions. "How do I look?" they both looked into the mirror. "Purrrfect!" Marinette exclaimed as Adrien laughed, "Really now, purrrincess?"

"Okay kitty-cat, let's go," -she stopped her giggling- "The dance will start any second now,"

Stay tuned!