You Change

Chapter VIII

Shortly after

Adrien realized that he hadn't seen Marinette, at least in her civilian form, since a few days before he and Ladybug unmasked Hawkmoth, and that everything went to hell. The memory made him suppress a chill; remembering longingly when everything was simple. The last conversation he had had with her had been a brief comment on Jagged Stone's upcoming concert.

Now all of that was in the past.

Adrien watched Marinette arrive as Chloé left the room, and the two women shot each other a look of mutual displeasure. The boy smiled slightly, knowing that these two girls would never be friends, but he shrugged and ushered Marinette into the dining room.

- Bonsoir . Come in, Marinette, please- said the boy, opening the dining room door- I'm sorry I couldn't take you to my office, but the police came yesterday to look for ... - cleared his throat- well, I suppose you can imagine. And they left everything truly a mess. Our meeting will have to be in the dining room, I hope you don't mind-

-No, uh ... it's a mess ... I mean, it's fine- said Marinette, somewhat sorry.

Adrien smiled slightly, causing Marinette another nervous breakdown. Yes, she was dating Luka, but now that she saw Adrien again in all her glory she wasn't quite sure she had gotten over him yet. He closed the door to the dining room behind him and hurried to reach the girl to help her arrange her chair like the gentleman she was.

- Merci - thanked the girl. Adrien kept smiling and took a seat next to her. Marinette felt her hands sweat. Damn, why did the wretch have to be so charming? While the boy arranged his papers, Marinette gave him a sorry look- eh ... Adrien? -

"Yes?" Adrien said absentmindedly.

"Sorry I asked you, but are you okay?" She said quietly, as if she was afraid to ask that question, "I mean, I haven't seen you for a couple of weeks, and I would like to know if there is ..."

-I'm fine, Marinette. I appreciate your concern- Adrien interrupted her in a friendly tone, but she felt a little uncomfortable with that topic of conversation. Marinette understood immediately.

"You don't want to talk about it, do you?" Said the girl, lowering her sorry look as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked anything."

"No, no, it's fine," Adrien said, putting a hand on her shoulder for a second, but he took it off almost immediately, as if it burned him, "you're a very good friend." I appreciate your concern, but I'm really fine. Also, we are here for another reason-

The girl nodded.

-Well, I am sure Nathalie already explained it to you, but I will repeat the essential in case something is not clear- Adrien said, putting a sheet of paper in front of her- my father left pending the choice of designs for the next season. I cannot cancel the parade; If I do, there will be many people who lose their jobs. But I can't do it alone, that's why I need professional help- she widened her smile- you are an excellent designer, so I will need you to choose the designs for the show and prepare it. And that you finish some designs that my father left pending. After the parade, you will continue to work for the company on related matters-

-All right- said Marinette, smiling with confidence- you can count on me-

Adrien nodded slightly and took another sheet of paper, passing it to the girl to read.

-The pay will be ten thousand euros per month and your contract is for three years- he continued saying- the work is yours if you want. I know that there is no one better than you for this task, because I know you and I know that you are a great designer and love what you do. But- he added, erasing his smile- there is a very important condition if you decide to accept my proposal-