Until I Heard You Sing

Chapter 8

"Tikki, what if he hates it? What if he says it's no good and I've ruined any chance of ever working in fashion ever again!" Marinette paced around her room, as her quiet and patient kwami tried to calm her down.

"Everything will be fine Marinette, you'll see. Chloe loves your dress and so does Adrien. I'm sure Mr. Agreste will love it too." Marinette heard the chiming of the bakery door and voices below.

"Marinette! Adrien is here to pick you up." Sabine called from down stairs.

Tikki swiftly hid in Marinette's bag. Marinette collected up the clothes bag with the dress inside and made her way down the stairs. She had changed into a smart casual spring dress that she had recently made, letting her hair down so that it hung soft framing her face. Adrien's eyes lit up when he saw her. Those darn butterflies, taking over his stomach again. Will he ever be able to look at her the same way again? Probably not. Not that he wanted to.

"Don't you worry about a thing honey." Sabine wrapped Marinette up in a hug. "I'm sure Mr Agreste will love you and the dress."

"Of course he will." Chimed in Tom. Marinette made her way toward Adrien, who was still standing frozen near the door.

"You look beautiful." The words tumbled breathlessly out of Adrien's mouth. He really wished he was taking her out on a date somewhere nice and not to his cold, stiff house to see his cold, stiff father.

A soft blush dusted across Marinette's face making her look even more glowing as Adrien led her to the car, waving to both her parents and promising to take good care of her. Not that they were worried. Both Tom and Sabine watched as Adrien took Marinette by the hand to help her into the car. "How much longer do you think it will take for him to realise." Tom nudged his wife.

"I think he already knows dear." Came her soft reply.

It had been unusually hot weather lately and the threat of a storm coming seemed to be hanging heavy in the air. The ride to the Agreste mansion was short, passing in casual chit chat about the dress and Adrien's visit to Chloe. Before they knew it, they were standing in the foyer of the great house with the tall intimidating figure of Gabriel Agreste making his way down the vast staircase. Marinette clung tightly to the clothes bag wrapped over her right arm that contained the dress, trying to calm her breathing. Adrien could see the nervousness of his friend, and standing a little in front of her, slipped his hand into her left one, entwining their fingers and giving a little squeeze. She was so stunned by the action, she completely forgot to be nervous when Mr. Agreste started to speak to her.

"Good-evening Miss Dupain-Cheng. I have to say I was not at all surprised when I discovered it was your name on the winning design. You have made an impression on both myself and Madame Bourgeois on more than one occasion over the years. I am sure this piece will be no exception." His voice was formal and indifferent and it almost sent a shiver down her spine. Marinette couldn't help but wonder if this was how he always spoke and her heart sank for the boy next to her who had tightened his grip on her hand. Maybe he was the one needing the support. It was time to channel some Ladybug courage.

"Thank you Sir, I'm very pleased with how the dress has turned out and I hope it will be to your satisfaction." She kept her voice light and pleasant which seemed to have taken the designer by surprise as he cocked an eyebrow at her.

"We shall see. Follow me." Gabriel led the pair up the stairs to his office where Nathalie stood with a tablet in her hand and a mannequin next to her. "Adrien you will have to let go of Miss Dupain-Cheng's hand so she can assemble the dress." Adrien gasped as he realized he had still been holding it. He mouthed a 'sorry' to Marinette, who only smiled at him before setting the dress out for display.