Chapter Text
“This is not a vacation.”
Nathalie could practically feel the excitement rolling off of Adrien in waves, even despite his father’s statement. And if Nathalie could feel it, Gabriel definitely could. Still, his expression did not change as he delivered the next line in the carefully-crafted proclamation he and Nathalie had come up with earlier.
“You will be expected to be on your best behavior at all times, acting as befitting the heir to and face of the Gabriel brand. That means no drinking, no partying, no flirting with random women—”
Even though she had been there when they wrote that part together, Nathalie had to stifle a laugh. Honestly, Adrien? Who could ever see Adrien do any of that?
“—no breaking a law of any kind, and no reckless, stupid, or unflattering behavior in general,” Gabriel finished. “This is a travel event for work. Still, Nathalie and I agreed that it might be beneficial for us to experience a … change of scenery. And, of course, it’s never too early to get people talking about the next new Gabriel line.”
Nathalie grabbed the rolling clothes rack from the corner and pulled it into Adrien’s field of view. Gabriel gestured to it grandly. “These are all prototype pieces from the new vacation and swimwear line I plan to release in time for next summer. Your wardrobe on this trip will consist almost entirely of pieces from this upcoming collection, deviating on occasion only because I have not created an entire wardrobe for you yet. Nathalie and I will also be wearing pieces from the collection whenever possible.”
Gabriel cleared his throat. “Nathalie, if you would cover the travel logistics?”
“Of course, sir.” Nathalie stepped forward, tapping her tabled a few times before rattling off flight numbers, hotel room numbers, addresses, and other minutiae which the younger Agreste was surely tuning out. When she finished, Gabriel nodded once and she stepped back to her usual position, one step behind Mr. Agreste and one step to his right.
“Do you have any questions, Adrien?”
“Um, actually I do. Will there be time for me to keep up with schoolwork during this … work event?” he asked shyly.
Gabriel looked to Nathalie, who nodded. “There will be ample opportunity for academic pursuits,” he answered.
Adrien smiled. “Then, I guess my only other question is what time are we leaving?”
“Our flight to Kona International Airport is tomorrow at 10am,” Nathalie said in her usual flat tone. “We will be leaving the mansion at 7. Should you require any assistance getting ready, I will be more than happy to help.”
Adrien’s smile got brighter. “Got it. Thanks, guys. This is gonna be fun! Even though I know it’s for work,” he added hastily, seeing his father’s expression. “But spending time together, just the three of us, in Hawaii, that’s gonna rock.”
“I am glad you feel that way,” Gabriel replied, in a manner that implied he was glad as well but unsure how he felt about that. Well, there was plenty of time to work that one out. The important thing was that both the Agrestes were getting out of the house for a few days and going somewhere new.
It would be good for all of them, Nathalie thought, herself included. How often did they vary from their own self-prescribed routines? She herself couldn’t think of the last time she’d done something outside of her work (of either variety). Her sisters had been nagging her for ages to use some of her vacation days she’d saved up, but she hadn’t seen any reason to. Well, maybe this would satisfy them.
“Let’s all have a successful time promoting the Gabriel brand,” she said blandly, but all three of them knew she was just as excited as they were.
Flying wasn’t nearly so stressful when you were travelling like an Agreste. When money could buy any convenience imaginable, from the best overpriced airport food to extra legroom in first class, the hours and hours spent in the air didn’t seem so unbearable. Their first flight landed in Los Angeles, and Nathalie would have loved to take Adrien out to see the sights had they had more than three hours in their layover. Seeing them out the window as they flew out from LAX to KOA would have to suffice for now.
After wasting nearly a whole day travelling, something not even Gabriel Agreste’s money could circumvent, they arrived at their destination: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Adrien’s face had been locked in a permanent smile since they boarded the plane in Paris, and his grin widened as the hotel staff draped lei around his and Nathalie’s necks. Gabriel refused his at first, but after a bit of pushing and pleading, he accepted one as well.
They made their way to the front desk and Nathalie began the check-in process. Adrien, still full of energy, began to look around the lobby at all the beautiful decorations they had on display.
“Here are your room keys,” the receptionist said in English, handing Nathalie three plastic cards. “And our records indicate that you’ve made a special request for no housekeeping staff or turn-down service?”
Housekeeping . Nathalie was sure she knew that word in English, but what did it mean in French? Did anyone here speak any French? Nathalie had studied English, but it had never been her best language, and somewhere between Mandarin and Japanese it had gotten lost. She felt her throat closing up. Good going, Nathalie. You got them all the way here, and now you can’t even check in to your hotel .
“ Personnel de ménage ,” Gabriel said lowly in her ear, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Nathalie flinched from the sudden contact, but thankfully her mental block cleared. “Oh, yes. No one but ourselves should be in our room,” she instructed. “If room service is ordered, we will meet you at the door. No laundry or anything of that sort should be done during our stay. Is this acceptable?”
The receptionist nodded and made a note on her computer. “Sure thing. That won’t be a problem, Mr. and Mrs. Agreste.”
“Oh, I--” Nathalie started, intending to correct her, but Gabriel simply used the hand still on her shoulder to gently push her towards the elevator.
“I’m glad,” he said to the receptionist. “I’m sure that we’ll have a lovely stay. Adrien,” he added, “Come along now. Let’s go get settled before it gets too late.”
Too late was entirely a matter of personal opinion, as it was already dark outside when they entered their hotel rooms. They had two rooms, with a door between them that could be locked for privacy or unlocked to allow passage between. One of the rooms had two queen beds--for Gabriel and Adrien, they had decided--and the other had one king.
Nathalie passed through the boys’ room and dropped her bags on her floor. For a long moment she stared at the bed, with its crisp white sheets practically begging her to fall into it fully clothed and succumb to sleep. But that was impossible. Gabriel Agreste was counting on her.
She settled for undoing her usual bun and letting her hair cascade loosely down her back before heading back into their room to help unpack.
Tomorrow would start their three long days of promoting the new Gabriel vacation line.
And having fun too, of course. Maybe. If there was time left over for it.