"Let me finish first. My name is Marinette." I removed my mask, revealing my face, and was met with a sea of shocked expressions. However, the boys beside Damien seemed to recognize me as the Model, the Ice skater, and the Actor. "Yes, yes, I am all of them. Can we please stop the shouting and screaming? It's making me nauseous." With that, the room fell into silence, and all eyes were on me.
"But it still doesn't ring a bell. Why are you here at this time in my house?" Damien Wayne finally spoke up. I couldn't say I liked him much, but this spy job required me to be around him and protect him, regardless of personal opinions.
Alfred intervened, addressing Damien's question. "I asked her to come here, Master. Don't you remember? I mentioned this morning that there would be a special guest."
"Now that everything's been settled, I would like to take my leave," I stated, addressing Mr. Bruce Wayne. However, before I could make my exit, the others insisted that I stay for dinner. Luka seemed especially delighted by my decision, as he was famished.
As my plate arrived, showcasing a mouthwatering steak, I picked up my fork and knife, ready to take the first bite. But just as I was about to indulge, an urgent call interrupted me. I reluctantly dropped my cutlery and answered the call. "¿Hola? Sí... Sí, está bien. Estaré allí en unos minutos. Envíame los archivos relacionados con él... Sí, haz eso también. Adiós."
Turning back to the table, I apologized, "I'm sorry, but I need to be somewhere urgently. We'll have to postpone dinner for another time. Luka, once you're finished, please drive back home. I'll find a cab for myself."
I quickly dialed Happy's number on my phone, connecting with him via WeChat as the chaotic scene unfolded around me. The frantic employees of Stark Industries were in disarray, their confusion adding to the already tense atmosphere.
"Everyone, please calm down!" I spoke firmly into the phone. "I can't work effectively in this chaos. I need a clear and concise explanation of what happened from the beginning."
As I awaited Happy's response, my attention was abruptly diverted as a sniper's bullet struck my cab driver, causing the vehicle imbalance. I managed to grab a hold of my laptop before it slipped from my grasp.
Taking control of the steering wheel, I fought to stabilize the car and bring it to a controlled stop. Frustration welled up within me as I lamented the timing of this attack. Couldn't they have waited just ten more minutes?
Two figures emerged from the shadows, steadily advancing toward me with menacing intent. It seemed that I would have to confront them head-on.
As Felix emerged from the shadows, his familiar figure took on a menacing aura. I confronted him directly, calling out his presence and mocking his attempt at stealth. "Come out, Mr. Modeler! Did you think I wouldn't notice someone tailing me since this sunset?"
Felix stepped forward, his face displaying a mixture of disappointment and resignation. "How... I should have known better. It was practically spelled out for you to figure it out. Yet, I dared to hope that maybe you wouldn't recognize me," he admitted, his tone tinged with self-deprecation. "Nevertheless, you have made progress since our last encounters."
I couldn't help but agree with his assessment. Felix had been quite ridiculous in his previous attempts to deceive me. "So, now that I am exposed, care to enlighten me about your purpose here?" I inquired, seeking confirmation to avoid any misunderstandings.
He hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly revealed the truth. "I was sent here to look after you... by your father," Felix confessed, his expression reflecting his shame at having failed his mission.
I couldn't help but be taken aback by his response. "Which father?" I blurted out, sudden realization dawning upon me. With recent revelations and upheavals in my life, it was no wonder I was caught off guard. "How many fathers do you have... Plagg, the commander," he replied, clearly perplexed by my question. It was understandable; he was unaware of the significant changes that had transpired in just a few short nights.
A mix of emotions surged within me as the implications sank in. "Does that mean the information I received from headquarters about you being the target of the Joker was false?" I questioned, seeking confirmation. Felix nodded in response, confirming my suspicions. It was an abrupt realization that I had wasted precious time and energy on a false threat.
As I was about to scold Felix for his previous failures, I heard an urgent voice on the other end of the line. It was Happy, notifying me of a pressing problem that required immediate attention. "Miss, we have a problem here. Time is running out," he explained, his tone filled with urgency.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, I decided to postpone addressing Felix's shortcomings for now. "I won't spare you or Plagg, but your turns will have to wait," I said tersely, conveying my disappointment without further discussion. There were more pressing matters at hand that required my immediate focus.
With that, I shifted my attention back to the issue at hand and began working on resolving it. Felix took on the responsibility of driving me home, allowing me to concentrate on the task ahead. The journey was long and exhausting, filled with tension and anticipation of what awaited us.
Finally, we arrived home, and I let out a sigh of relief. "Is it working now?" I questioned, seeking reassurance that the problem had been resolved. Happy nodded, indicating that the situation was under control. "Okay, I have contacted some expert technicians, and they should be arriving shortly. I've briefed them on what happened, and they will be implementing a firewall to prevent a recurrence. I've already paid for their services, and they are trusted friends, so we can rely on them to handle the sensitive information," I explained, providing an update on the course of action I had taken.
Ending the call, I felt a sense of accomplishment mixed with lingering fatigue. The immediate crisis had been averted, and measures were being put in place to safeguard against future threats. Now, it was a matter of waiting for the arrival of the technicians, who would fortify our defenses and ensure the security of our systems.
"When did you inform them? I was right here, listening to your conversation from beginning to end," Felix curiously questioned my decision.
"Idiot, I can text them as well. Do I need to call and notify them? As I said, they are my friends, and friends reply to you directly. Unlike you, who doesn't even call me for years after our last mission together," I retorted, exasperated by his questioning.
As I opened the door to my house, ready to finally rest, Felix unexpectedly rushed inside. "I would love to stay here for tonight," he boldly declared, claiming a spot in my home without any invitation.
"I didn't even ask yet," I groaned, feeling the exhaustion settling in. It was well past midnight, and I longed for a moment of peace and solitude.
Just as I was about to explain the situation to Luka, who had come downstairs in concern, I interrupted myself. "I will answer every question tomorrow. Right now, I am too tired and have a lot of work to do tonight. Goodnight," I stated firmly, prioritizing my rest and pending tasks.
However, before I could make my exit, Felix's voice echoed from behind. "Hey! Where am I supposed to sleep? I can't sleep on the couch," he complained, adding to my mounting frustration.
With an exasperated sigh, I replied, "Come, follow me." I led him to my room, feeling reluctant but acknowledging that I had no other suitable option. "Here, you can sleep in my bedroom," I reluctantly offered, hoping it would be enough to appease his demands.
"Really..." Felix's smirk was unmistakable.
Felix's POV:
I drove Mari home, observing her engrossed in her laptop and seemingly preoccupied with a video call. She had been on that call since before the attack, and I could only guess it was another mission or task she needed to oversee. Her dedication to her work both amazed me and concerned me. While her passion was admirable, it also made me worry about her well-being. It wasn't Plagg who had sent me to protect her; it was my request to him. I wanted to be by Mari's side and take care of her. She was brilliant but often neglected herself and her interests, prioritizing her responsibilities above all else. If she continued down this path, it would only lead to her demise. It was now my task to ensure she took care of herself, from monitoring her rest and diet to supporting her mental well-being. I wanted to teach her that it's alright to have someone she can rely on, someone to lean on when needed.
When Mari said, "You can sleep in my bedroom..." I couldn't believe my ears. I was overjoyed at the thought of being so close to her, even if it was just in the same room. I hadn't expected her to be working overnight after everything that had happened today. She needed to pay attention to her own body and well-being. I knew I should stay awake and keep an eye on her, or at the very least, check on her from time to time. However, despite my intentions, exhaustion took over, and I found myself falling asleep. I couldn't resist the allure of the soft but slightly firm mattress. It felt new as if it had never been used before
Damien's POV:
I couldn't help but wonder why Mari had left last night. What was so urgent that she needed to be somewhere else? Is she involved in something secretive that we should know about? I need to find out. If I can uncover her motives, it would be a way to prove myself to my father, to show him that I am just as capable as my brothers. They sometimes mock me, saying that I don't deserve the Wayne name because I wasn't selected and trained by my father like they were. But if I can unravel Mari's secrets, it would demonstrate my resourcefulness and determination.
I should get ready for my classes now; I don't want to be late. Just as I was about to leave my room, my father called for me. "Damien, I want to have a word with you," he said. I invited him in, and he unexpectedly started fixing my collar. "Well, you know the lady who visited last night? I was informed that she is your classmate. I want you to behave respectfully in her presence. It doesn't matter what you do at school, but make sure you leave a positive impression on her. She is an important person, so keep that in mind. And one more thing, try to be friends with her. I would appreciate it if the two of you became close. I hope my message is clear," he stated before leaving the room.
What? He wants me to befriend her? That's impossible. But then again, if I were to become her friend, it would provide me with more opportunities to uncover her secrets. Maybe this could be advantageous for me after all. I'll have to tread carefully and see how things unfold.
When I arrived at school, I noticed that Luka, Marinette, and... Felix were together in her car. Why was Felix driving her car? Attempt 1: I decided to wish her a good morning in front of the school gate. I stood there, waiting for her to approach. "Hi there, good morning!" I tried to smile, but it didn't quite work out. However, before she could reply, Felix interrupted, saying, "I'm not so sure about good, but yeah, morning to you too, Wayne," with a poker face. What's with his expression? What does he think of himself?
No problem, I had another idea. Attempt 2: I wanted her to sit next to me without any argument. As she entered the school building, she was about to climb the stairs, but Felix called her over to his seat. "Mr. Vanily, she was assigned to sit with me. Are you trying to defy the professor's decision?" I was furious. He had ruined my plan. "There were no assigned seats. Yesterday you were sitting alone, which is why the professor suggested she sit beside you."
Attempt 3: I thought of giving her my handwritten notes and offering to help her with her studies. However, as I was about to approach her, a few male students beat me to it, wanting to offer their notes. To my surprise, she declined all of their offers. "I appreciate your kindness, but I have my notes, and as I have a clear understanding of the concepts, I don't need anyone's help." She was certainly intelligent but not very friendly. She politely turned down their offers with classy words, but it felt somewhat offensive. Since she rejected them, I didn't stand a chance either.
Attempt 4: I decided to introduce my friend to Marinette. As soon as the class ended, she was once again surrounded by my classmates, who were acting like a bunch of lunatics. Why was she so busy now? Oh, right, she wasn't wearing a mask today. My class is filled with playboys.
I called out to her to get her attention and glared back at the others surrounding her. "Marinette..." She looked at me and slowly made her way toward my seat. "Yeah, what happened?" Her voice sounded uninterested, but I had to proceed with my plan. "I want to introduce you to my friend. This is..." Before I could finish, she cut me off. "Mr. Jon Kent." They shook hands, and he said, "Miss, it's been a long time." Do they know each other? I was puzzled. She replied with professionalism, "Yeah, it's been three years. How's your father?" I was even more confused now. She knew about Jon's father and had met him three years ago. No one in this school knows about Jon's father, or at least they shouldn't.
"He's alright. He would be so happy to know that you're in Gotham. How about you visit him? The day after tomorrow is my birthday, and I would love to have you there." What? Jon was inviting her to his birthday party. This was all going over my head. I needed to talk to Jon about Marinette later. But for now, this attempt had also failed. I needed to come up with a more productive way to befriend her.