Marinette furiously typed away on her laptop as she was translating her presentation. She sighed heavily as she tried to find the right words to substitute her own. English is not her first language, hell, she doesn't even know Chinese fluently. She did take a language class in English when she was in college just to make sure, but that doesn't mean that she's a whiz at it already. Although Adrien was kind enough to help her practice.
She froze mid-sentence as her thoughts floated back to him. She clenched her fists tightly as she furiously began typing, using her anger as fuel instead as a distraction. She couldn't and wouldn't be affected by him. He means nothing to her, since she meant nothing to him. They are over. That was the end. There's no turning back. She doesn't regret it. That's right, she doesn't regret it at all. There's no more feelings left no more—
"Marinette, are you alright?" her father's calming voice asked as the hatch opened slightly. She turned around to his concerned face and nodded in response. Tom smiled and entered the room with some snacks.
"Here, don't forget to take a break every once in a while," he reminded his daughter as he placed a kiss atop her head. She smiled thinking how much she missed her parents.
"Thanks, Papa. Don't worry, I just need to finish this soon before I start packing again," she took a croissant and started nibbling on the warm bread. He smiled and left the room for her break. He closed the door and headed back to the bakery to finish some more orders. She cautiously looked around again then called out her friends.
"Alright, come on let's take a break for a while," she called out the kwamis from their hiding places. Squeals and giggles erupted from every corner of the room as a flurry of tiny creatures made a beeline towards the croissants. A soft smile etched on her face as she could see all of them together once more. With the exemption of Plagg that is. At the thought of the kwami of destruction, Barkk voiced out her thoughts.
"I can't believe Plagg choosing to stay with that cheater!" Barkk voiced out in a manner of disgust.
"It's not strange that he chose to stay than go. He had always prided himself for calling his master his favourite," Sass pointed out.
"But that's not a reason to stay away from the guardian. Not after what happened, especially when that girl's involved," Nooro reflected remorseful. The other kwamis were silently eating their share, unsure what to make of what the butterfly just said.
"Why did you accept his deal, Marinette?" Duusu asked in the same lively voice. Marinette turned her head the other way, unable to look at them.
"I know this sounds selfish, but he could be my only chance to live my dream. As much as I don't like it, I don't have any of other choices now. I'm sorry Duusu, but I want you to know that whatever happens I'll never let him take you again. I promise," she swore to the little peacock, hoping to reassure them that they'll be safe. The little kwami smiled as it landed on her palms, bringing it close to her face for a hug.
"Knock, knock, knock. I'm coming in future designer."
Speak of the devil, the very man they were just talking about has arrived. The kwamis scattered and hid away, knowing well enough that Felix is too observant for his own good.
"Come in," she called out when she noticed that he didn't open the door yet. With her confirmation, he emerged with his own work on hand.
"Welcome, you should've called me when you arrived. I feel like a kid when my parents are still the ones greeting you at the door," she admitted while she made room for him by bring a chair in front of her own.
"I did say I would be coming by at lunch, but I got held back and wasted too much time already," he told her in an annoyed tone, while he loosened his tie to release the tension. He must've had a terrible morning to be this cranky. He heaved a heavy sigh as he looked at her and immediately fixed his attitude toning down his anger.
"I've just pitched you in to my mother. She's having a meeting with the board this Monday to discuss about it," he added in a less aggressive tone this time, as he took a seat and looked at her presentation prepared.
"Wow, so soon. I didn't think it was possible, usually I would have to schedule at least two weeks before," she remarked while offering him a snack. He happily took one, calming down his nerves as he leant back replying, "With my power I could get a meeting set right now if you want."
"I see you're finishing your presentation. I'd change this, it's too wordy," he commented as he placed the cursor on the item. He deleted the row and rephrased its translation. They started exchanging ideas and words to each other hoping to fix the translation problem.
"It would be best to stick to the superhero theme that you've been offering and selling the image by. This is huge potential with the rise of heroes here in London. Being neighbors with France and the few appearances of the duo there could also be a potential. Children really love them," he suggests as he changes some pictures.
"We can also add those designs and patterns not part of the theme to show your flexibility," he continued, while picking out from her tablet what would be appropriate to impress the board.
She continued her typing and editing while a comment slipped out unexpectedly, "Never thought you'd agree with the hero theme." She stiffened when she heard her say it out loud.
"Why wouldn't I? They're your best work. You also already have a market for it," he explained while sending over the images that would work best.
"You even created the villains' theme. Pretty impressive," he remarked while a peafowl image was sent over.
Marinette's blood ran cold when she saw the image in front of her. This wasn't just any peacock based image, it was the peacock based on Felix's design when he held it. As seen from the intricate red jacket lined with gold and it's sharp golden feathers on its collar gave it a regal look. It was during the first time she saw him and couldn't help but admire a refreshing look to the brooch, but that didn't make her hate him any less during that moment.
But that's beside the point right now. The point is that Felix was quick to catch Gabriel Agreste's identity, it wouldn't come as a surprise to her to know if he figured her out, too. She couldn't have that, especially if that person is him. She glanced at him for a split second just to see his reaction. However, his eyes were glued on her portfolio and not her, yet this did not calm her nerves as she went on high alert.
"But why are we sticking to the theme so badly? I want to emphasize how these clothes would be benefiting them economically and financially. I want them to know that these clothes aren't just for show but are also practical," she pressed hoping that she'd be able to emphasize her works importance than the themes and beauty she creates. He only gives a lazy nod as if he wasn't really listening.
"From my experience with akuma's it can be difficult for those who are wearing clothes that don't let you run fast enough or the clothes' absorption and even how it captures heat. I've seen a lot of people getting sick after a battle because of the change in environment and—
"But we're not selling to Paris, now are we?" Felix sarcastically pointed out, when her rambling slowly sounded accusatory. This attitude ticked her off as she popped back, "I know that, but if we're trying to become bigger than the Gabriel shouldn't I think about stationing in other places, especially Paris."
It seemed that her tone also struck a chord on the boy as he "We can't be too sure about that. And why are you getting so defensive all of a sudden?"
"I'm defensive? You're the one who entered the room in a bad mood. I've been trying to be polite but you've been jabbing at me!" she defended as the anxiety from earlier is slowly seeping out.
"Since when did I jab you? Yes, I was angry when I arrived, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take it out on you," he retorted with a sharp glare that could shut up even the most pretentious old timers.
"Since when? Um, I don't know since you said that I couldn't have a chance to become bigger than the very person we are trying to beat. Or did you just forget your own plan?"
"I didn't mean it like that, I'm not trying to jinx it alright. Not everything is about you!"
"I'm not trying to make this about me, I'm just asking you to fix your attitude."
"Alright, if that's what you want then I'll stop," Felix replied before going silent. Marinette rolled her eyes at his childishness and joined in the silence. The tension was so think that you can cut it with a knife. The two did not speak nor did they turn to each other, only keeping to themselves while continuing their respective work. This kind of position seemed to be working for now until she finally needed a proper translation for her current statement.
She went back and forth with the backspacing and rewriting. She even went on the godforsaken Google translate, but she still doesn't think that the statement was appropriate. She glanced at her companion, and immediately turned her head back not wanting to talk to him at all. He noticed this and thought to ignore it, were it not for the annoying typing sounds she was making now, a sign of her frustration. He debated whether or not to help, but with the increase of her annoying typing and frustrated noises he finally spoke up breaking the silence, "You could ask me."
Silence, then the continuous frustrated typing. He clenched his jaw then took out his phone and sent her a message. He watched as his icon popped up on the side of her screen. She promptly ignored him, sliding down his icon. A playfully, evil grin formed as he started spamming her until she replies.
F: U can ask me
F: I can help u know
F: Hey
F: Hello?
F: I know u can see this
F: Cmon just answer me
F: It would be quicker if you let me help
F: Don't be so stubborn
He could see her twitch at every message. His enjoyment couldn't help but seep out every time she'd glare at her screen as another message appeared.
M: fine if itll shut u up
M: translate it
F: Thank u very much
F: Here that wasn't so hard now was it
M: alright good bye👋
F: Aw I thought I could finally talk to u
M: theres nothing to talk about
F: R u still angry from earlier?
F: I'll apologize then
F: I'm sorry for being angry and for shouting at u and implying that you're selfish and dramatic. It was out of line of me for saying that. Instead of diffusing the situation I only made it worse
M: you implied that i was selfish?!
M: thats not sincere 😒
He rolled his eyes at her message, he's already trying to own up to what he's done wrong on his part but she isn't taking it. He looked up to find her staring at him with a deadpan expression. He returned the neutral look and typed back.
F: That's what stood out for you?
F: Fine
F: So what's sincere for u?
F: It's not like I'm the only one at fault
Marinette's eye twitched at his words, she turned to look at him but could only glare, when he looked back at her with a smug grin.
M: fine then im sorry for taking my anger out on you too 😔
F: That's not a sincere apology
They both simultaneously raised their heads to each other, one with a shit eating grin, the other with an irritated gaze.
M: fine drama queen 🙄
M: pls forgive me my amazing~ investor i shouldnt have been sooo~ annoyed at your gracious presence pls dont be angry any more🥺
She raised her head to him as she pressed send. He looked down on his phone and read the message only to choke back a laugh. He looked up at her with an amused face and said, "I didn't know you were able to do something cute after all."
"Flirting with me now, are you?" she rolled her eyes at his comment, finally talking to him.
"I am now that you're talking back," he delightfully replied propping his chin on his arm. She tried to comment on it, but couldn't find any words to retort it with. Instead she huffed and looked away indignantly to focus on her work once more. But she couldn't hide the amused smile that crept on her face.
It seems like their little pointless argument has been resolved through the same childish manner that started it.