Chapter Text
“I have a job for you.”
His words, as is his presence, are unnaturally intimidating.
“How can I help, Monsieur?”
The corner of Gabriel Agreste’s lip curls ever so slightly. “I saw your name on Adrien’s schedule this morning. His suit jacket for this evening’s celebration requires tailoring.”
“It needs to be brought in at the waist,” Marinette responds automatically, keeping her shoulders straight. She knows what Gabriel is like — having seen the effects of his parenting firsthand — and keeps a steady expression. Inside, her stomach clenches nervously. “Where is he?”
“At a fitting,” Gabriel replies nonchalantly. “I trust you have his measurements written down somewhere?”
“Memorized.” Marinette bites down on her bottom lip as Gabriel motions towards the suit jacket in question, the designer fabric hanging within a transparent plastic bag. “I’ll get this back to you by midday.”
“You’re carrying your kit.” Gabriel’s gaze sharpens behind his frames. “You will complete the adjustments here, as you intended.”
“I…” Marinette swallows, then carefully walks over to the jacket. She unzips the garment bag slowly, the sound grating in her ears. “Is this a test, Monsieur?”
Marinette watches Gabriel’s posture shift in the reflection of a framed photo on the wall. “I’m giving you a chance to demonstrate your loyalty to my brand.”
Marinette doesn’t quite know what to say to that, so Gabriel continues. “Adrien has been trying to convince me that you could be an asset to our family. I am inclined to give you an opportunity.”
“...and you want to watch me tailor his jacket?” Marinette asks, honestly confused.
“I merely wish to observe.” Gabriel’s breath tickles the hairs on the back of her neck and Marinette jerks instinctively, not having heard him sneak up on her. “Starting with how you present yourself. Your earrings fail to compliment the rest of your jewelry.”
Marinette fights to regain her composure, willing herself to breathe. “They’re family heirlooms.” She recites her usual lie with a careful tone. “Handed down from my lǎo lao .”
“I see.” Gabriel murmurs, still watching her work from over her shoulder. “And your necklace?”
“Given to me by a friend.” Marinette runs her hands along the silk pockets of the suit and pulls out her pin cushion. “Are you sure Adrien isn’t around? This would be easier if he was wearing it.”
“I’m afraid not.” Gabriel towers over her like a sentinel. Marinette has never felt so small. “I wouldn’t expect him to make himself known today. I, of all people, know how he gets.”
~
The job, as it turns out, is an internship.
Shocked beyond comprehension, Marinette had stammered incomprehensibly until silenced by the look of disgust on her potential employers face. Her horror must have been obvious because he schooled his expression a moment later, the lenses of his glasses glinting in the stark overhead lighting of his atelier.
“The world of fashion is a small one. You have already applied to numerous internships pending your upcoming graduation,” he had explained, quickly inspecting the finished jacket before retreating to his desk. “You have until tonight to accept my offer. I have already asked Nathalie to add you to tonight’s guest list.”
“The guest list?”
“Tonight’s Agreste pre-spring celebration.” Gabriel has inspected a message on his iPad, engrossed for a moment before setting it back down. “I will be premiering a new line here in my atelier. Dinner is at 19h precisely. The dress code is black, as always. Don’t be late.”
And now, standing on the platform of the Métro, Marinette feels as if her entire world has turned upside down.
She steps onto the train and stumbles as the car begins to shudder forwards, creaking and braking already as it approaches its next stop. She finds a seat eventually and sighs with relief as the man blasting Post Malone on his AirPods gets up and leaves the train for good.
“Marinette?”
Whipping her head around, Marinette spots the familiar bob of hair belonging to her long time unrequited school crush. She leaps to her feet and waves excitedly, sitting down with a crash as the car accelerates once again into the tunnels. “H-hi Adrien!”
“You’re just the person I wanted to see!” He smiles and sits down on the empty chair beside her. “I have to tell you something. Something important.”
“Me too!” Marinette beams, patting her knees eagerly. “Your father offered me an internship and invited me to his party tonight!”
Adrien’s eyes widen. “That’s awesome, Marinette! I knew you would go far.”
“Thank you!” Marinette desperately wants to grasp him by the hands and restrains herself, if only barely. “And what about you?”
“There’s a lot riding on this party.” Adrien’s eyes tighten and Marinette thinks he must be nervous. “We need to keep our focus while we’re there.”
“Our focus?” Marinette feels genuinely confused for the second time that day. It must be an Agreste thing. “I promise, I’ll be on my best behaviour. And I finished your jacket.”
“That’s great, Marinette. I know I can always count on you.” Adrien reaches out and gently wraps his fingers around her wrist, squeezing slightly before letting go. “This is my stop. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Oh-okay!” Marinette’s cheeks burn with glee as he leaves the train, conspicuously without his bodyguard. He must have lost him before getting on the train, which makes sense. He’s escaped the Gorilla’s clutches so many times before, it’s almost become a game of cat and mouse.
A few passengers stare at her with odd expressions but quickly look away when she notices them staring. Marinette shrugs; it’s not often you see a celebrity on the Métro, after all.
~
Marinette grabs lunch before heading upstairs and fishing her best black gown from her closet. She sets the personally designed midi dress onto her chaise and analyses the seams carefully, searching for any tears or loose threats. She’d used a uniquely embroidered tulle she’d gleaned from a vintage find to create sheer panels along the shoulders and décolletage of the dress. The romantic styling juxtaposed with the modern elegance of the silhouette would hopefully be enough to impress Gabriel Agreste and his guests.
It’s unusual for Adrien to forget his friends, especially Nino, but Marinette wonders if he just has too much on his plate. Adrien is always super busy and Marinette would know; she’s still got his entire schedule more or less digitized on her calendar. It might be a little creepy but she likes to keep tabs on all of her friends so she never misses a moment to help them out when they’re in need.
~
“Adrien? What are you doing here?”
Marinette nearly drops the fraisier she’s supposed to be setting on the bakery’s counter when he walks in through the front door’s of her parent’s business. “You’re supposed to be hanging out with Nino, aren’t you?”
“Nino.” Adrien smiles, then walks a little closer. “I have a favour to ask of you.”
Marinette bounces on the balls of her feet, their mutual friend suddenly forgotten. “Sure! I’ll do anything you need!”
“I need you to come find me tonight, okay?” Adrien’s eyes glance at the display of macarons appreciatively. “I think Father found out I was keeping a secret from him and I don’t think he’s happy with me.”
Marinette’s smile turns to sympathy in an instant. “I’m so sorry, Adrien. He’s really too hard on you.”
“We need to keep our focus while we’re there,” he says, his mask of pleasantries falling for a moment before reappearing once again. “Alright, I better head home now. I’ll see you tonight, right?”
“Right.” Marinette reaches inside the bakery case and gestures towards the passionfruit macarons. “Wait! I’ll box up some for you to go!”
“I have to run,” Adrien says, his tone apologetic. “Maybe you can bring them with you tonight?”
“Sure! Sounds good!”
“See you soon!”
“Marinette? Who are you talking to?”
Spinning around, Marinette spots Sabine standing in the threshold of the back doorway. “Adrien stopped by. He wanted to ask me if I would meet him before the party.”
“That was nice of him.” Sabine’s eyes pinch with amusement at her daughter’s cherry blush. “I thought he’d still be here. I didn’t hear the bell ring on his way out.”