Check Mate

Chapter 21

Marinette couldn't follow the conversation in the car. She was in a bit of a daze. Felix's mom, ("Call me Aunty Bri, dear!") had spent a decent amount of time cooing over her and her dress. Chloe had warned her that Felix's mother (whom she'd only met briefly at Felix's birthday party) was a bit energetic and extremely doting. She'd thought she was over exaggerating but no.

No she was not.

Her natural energy was like ten of an over caffeinated Claude.

And do not be a fooled, because just one of an over caffeinated Claude was exhausting to deal with.

Speaking of which, have you ever had a mini-team of people swarming around you to help you look your best? No?

Well that day she did.

Chloe had professionals massage the stress out of them both and give them facial treatments, some time in a really nice sauna, and of course we can't forget about the mani-pedi's. Once she'd walked out of the spa, she felt all light and wobbly. Those poor masseuse however...

Let's just say that poor woman had one hell of a time getting the stress out of Marinette.

Oops.

Then the process of getting ready...

By the kwami's. She'd never had so many people working on her at once.

Allan had done her hair (she hadn't known he could do hair but he mentioned something about a sister) while Allegra and Chloe talked make up like it was a war strategy, examining her complexion and eyes, whilst a professional make up artist (with their help) painted her face with creams and primers and a million other things she couldn't name, working an entirely different kind of magic. Claude had been cheering, holding up encouraging signs (where he'd gotten those she had no clue) and fawning over her the whole time, asking if she wanted this or that the entire time.

By the time the dress was on and Chloe had gotten ready she was completely worn out.

Until she saw Felix.

Because god damn he looked good.

A three piece charcoal grey suit over a slate grey undershirt, his hair combed and slightly gelled away from his face. Star shaped cuff links at his wrists with his black oxfords. He looked gorgeous, and the cravat he wore (the one she made) did wonders on bringing out the blue in those beautiful grey eyes and yeah....

He was so out of her league.

She was totally screwed.

Then Chloe had bragged about her to his mother. Totally mortifying.

So forgive her for not being able to track the flow of the conversation whilst she was brain dead.

She briefly heard something about a cousin that had Chloe pale as she proceeded to shut that down quick, typing on her phone so fast Marinette would swear her thumbs were smoking.

But she couldn't really comprehend that. She was in la-la land.

La-di-da.

Her body was in the car sure, but her brain?

It was on the moon.

It certainly didn't help that Felix, who was sitting on the other side of her (and away from Chloe) had taken her hand and was reassuringly stroking the back of it with his thumb.

Brain. Fried.

She was gone. Simply gone. Reduced to nothing.

She could only just barely manage to smile and nod at whatever it was Mme. Culpa- Aunty Bri- and M. Culpa were saying.