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“Marinette, we need the props set up. The models want to practice their walk before the show opens in two days,” Rose chirped as she stood on the stage. She remained several feet away from the raven-haired girl as she knew Marinette’s patience was beginning to wear thin with all the demands being placed upon her.
“Tell them to wait five minutes. Dress rehearsal isn’t even set until tomorrow.” She blew out a breath as she turned to see Rose’s scared face after Marinette snapped at her. Softening her tone, she offered, “See if Ivan will help you, Rose. He knows where the props are. If he needs help, grab Kim as well. I know he’s not busy at the moment.”
Rose nodded and hurried off before Marinette could revert back to her anger and snap again.
Marinette returned her attention to her final design for the fashion show she’d been placed in charge of a few months back, hoping she could get it finished in time for the model to wear in two days’ time. She knew she was cutting it close, but she really wanted to make her name with this show, especially after Adrien’s father promised to attend.
She smiled as she recalled how Adrien had been excited at his father’s promise, one she’d managed to wrangle herself after stating how much his presence would be appreciated especially after he’d graciously donated a few outfits for the fundraiser. Getting his promise to come had been harder than gaining the other outfits for the show from other designers throughout Paris, she soon learned, but she’d driven a hard bargain and she’d won the older Agreste over in the end.
Pulling a pin out of her mouth, she quickly fixed the hem of the pant leg she held of her design, missing the soft footfalls coming from behind her.
“Hey, beautiful lady, need a hand?”
She jumped at the sound of his voice and would’ve fallen if his quick arms hadn’t grabbed her, righting her at the last second. Turning toward the guy responsible, she sent him a mock glare and muttered, “You shouldn’t go around scaring people with pins in their mouth, kitty.”
“I’m sorry, M’lady, but I couldn’t help it. You’re too cute when you’re working hard, you know?” He came around her and studied the outfit on her mannequin, asking, “Can you use a hand?”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Actually, I could use a model. Here,” she pulled the suit off the mannequin and handed it to him, “watch the pins in the hems when you put it on.”
“Mari, come on. Please don’t torture me.”
She smirked at him over her shoulder, saying, “You asked if you could help. This is how you can help, model boy.” She pointed at the small dressing area. “Go.”
He hung his head but did as she commanded, hoping he’d get rewarded if he remained on his best behavior for her.
He knew how important this fashion show was to her and her future. She’d put hours upon hours of work into making their high school show comparable to ones he’s done professionally for yours. He couldn’t be any less proud of her though he couldn’t wait for it to end, either. He wanted his sweet girlfriend back. The one who didn’t spend all their time together worrying about new sketches and designs, lighting, music, and everything else that needed to make a fashion show happen.
He couldn’t remember the last time she’d relaxed after being put in charge. He’d already promised himself to spoil her after the fashion show ended. He planned on starting with a romantic dinner for two followed by a romantic walk around a nearby park and ending with a romantic kiss under the Eiffel Tower. He’d been planning their evening almost as long as she’d been planning the show. He could only hope neither would flop for both their sakes.
“Adrien, are you done yet? I need to make sure the hems are the right length.”
“Coming.”
He hurried to put on the suit’s jacket, catching a pin with his pinky and muttering under his breath about evil pins. He came out of the dressing area and strode over to her, using his best runway walk, which caused her to giggle a moment before she resumed her serious face. As adorable as he thought her serious face, he missed hearing her giggle and seeing her carefree.
She went straight to work on the pant hems and soon had them pinned at the right lengths, thanking Adrien for helping her out. She shooed him back to the dressing area to change so she could quickly sew the hems and call it for the day.
A glance at the clock on his phone and his eyes bulged at the late hour.
“Marinette, you promised your parents you’d be home an hour ago.”
“It’s that late already. Oh, man, they’re going to kill me.” Her head hit the table with a thud.
Worrying about her health at that moment, he made a judgment call.
“Finish up the hems. After that, I’m walking you home. No ands, ifs, or buts. Got it?”
She giggled again, knowing he rarely got that serious with her, and nodded. “Got it, kitty. Five minutes.”
Those five minutes would lengthen out to twenty as Rose and a few others asked her advice on setting up the stage along with a few complaints from the classmates who would play the models.
Seeing her grow more frustrated, Adrien took the initiative and handled the models’ questions, heading to the stage with them and showing them Marinette’s vision for the evening.
When he finally returned, he found her putting away her supplies and packing to finally head home for the night. He sidled up to her and planted a quick kiss on her cheek, murmuring in her ear, “You’re going to be greater than my father one day, Mari. I can already see it. I just hope this poor model you’re dating can handle sharing the limelight.”
She turned to him with a soft smile as she gazed into his green eyes, whispering back, “Oh, I don’t think he’d mind one bit. He’s the best model-slash-partner I’ve ever met. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
His cheeks reddened at her sweet words, leaning in for a quick kiss on the lips before taking her home to her parents.
He stayed for another hour. Leaving only when Nathalie threatened to double-book him on his day off if he didn’t return home within the next ten minutes.
“I’ll see you later, Bugaboo. Don’t worry. Your big day will go splendidly. I just know it.”