4. Chapter 4
If Marinette mistakenly took Adrien as Chat Noir, Adrien almost swore Marinette was Ladybug.
He saw how the thief pushed the old man, and almost behind Marinette when she made a chase. Her petite body, her hair and her agility - which he never knew she had - was similar to that spotted heroine.
The commotion was almost perfect for him to transform, but because Plagg being Plagg, he was still not fully-charged after eating a block of cheddar cheese.
Talk about bad luck.
So he did what a Knight would normally do to his Princess. It was a success but as a consequence...
"You're alright - er, I mean - I'm about you. Ah, no. How about alright? Urgh...I'm alright!" she stuttered, reverting her back when they were still in collége.
I scared her again, he thought glumly.
His concerns grew when she jounced on his touch then gave him some nervous stares and a flustered face.
The crowd's rowdy cheers interrupted them, especially when the security officers contained the unconscious thieves.
The blond's attention was immediately shifted to the approaching elderly, then remembered the cane on his hand.
"Thanks for letting me borrow this," Adrien said as he handed the item back to the owner.
"Thanks for beating them on my behalf." the old man accepted it then looked at his companion. "Thanks to you as well. I never thought a pretty lady like you can be that deadly."
Marinette was unsure how to take the compliment. "Ah, I just did what any concerned citizen would do once they encountered a situation. And it's my pleasure to help."
The man shook his head with a bemused expression. "No. What you did was exemplary. Same with you, young man. Dashing towards your lover like a knight in shining armor."
"We're not lovers!" they exclaimed in unison, then blushed profusely like they've been caught in a lie, which altogether seems contradictory.
Their reactions earned a chuckle. "I'm curious about the two of you. I'm hoping if you can join me for breakfast, as a payment for saving my life."
"Oh no. You don't have to do that, Monsieur..."
"Antoine, Mademoiselle. Call me Antoine."
"Yes, Antoine, Monsieur. Thanks for the invite, but we have to decline. Your gratitude is enough for us, right?" Marinette said as she gave her companion a pleading look.
"It's your thought that counts, Monsieur Antoine. Besides, we also have matters to attend..." Adrien supported, then trailed off when he heard an announcement. "...or not."
The designer caught the changes in his expression, then followed his panic stares when he eyed the departing train. She didn't need his words to know that they were supposed to be on board at the moment.
Talk about bad luck.
When Antoine saw their paled faces, he immediately knew that their train just left them.
He knew he was to blame why the teenagers got stuck. Trying to brush his guilt, he checked his wristwatch.
"Let me tell you that the trains depart here after an hour, so don't worry if you ever missed your ride. The tickets are refundable here anyways." the old man told them. "Also, I know where I can get you two to Normandy faster."
Both looked at the man like he was an angel sent by Heaven. But before they could say something, their stomach grumbled simultaneously.
"Looks like it calls for breakfast." Antoine laughed much to their embarrassment.
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The three stopped at a nearby open cafe.
It has vintage interiors, and the authenticity of their antique designs was supported by an outdoor signage dated way back 1900s. It was a type of establishment that operates around five in the morning, probably to cater those who were out for breakfast.
Most of the customers there were middle-aged men in business casual and casual formal alike. There were women there too both in pumps and trainers. Some were leafing newspapers, mainly on current events and editorial pages, while others were scanning on their tablets. Outside the tables were people on their mobile phones and few of them on their cigarettes.
It was a place for adults that displayed a different aspect of society. And currently, their youngest customers were Adrien and Marinette.
The door was pulled open by a tall woman in white tablier. "Welcome to Hibiscus."
"Good morning, Felicia. I'll be taking the usual."
"Not a problem, M. Pohler." she smiled then eyed at the teenagers with curiosity. "So you're with your grandkids this time?"
The two caught the blush on the old man's cheek. "Yeah. I guess my usual seat was not taken?"
"Of course. Just a short moment and someone will accompany you."
One of the barista leads them to a vacant table on the left side near the windows. The remains of the morning fog were still visible, making a translucent effect on the glass as they watched the bustling streets of Paris.
Like a gentleman, Adrien pulled a chair for Marinette, in which she accepted with a blush, and did the same to Antoine. The wooden chairs creaked as they sat on it, but it was sturdy and comfy enough to recline their back.
"Their bestsellers here are their pancakes." the elderly said as he tapped the menu. "You can choose whatever you want. It's my treat."
"Then...I'll go with pancakes then. How about you, Marinette?"
"Same." she squeaked.
"Anything else?" the barista asked as he scribbled the orders. "How about drinks?"
"Uh.." the model looked at the menu again. He almost forgot Natalie and Gorilla weren't around to monitor his sugar intakes. "Then I'll take Caramel Latte."
"Mine's Americano. Make it black."
The men raised their brows incredulously except Adrien. He had the same expression the first time he caught her gulping a tall mug of sugarless black coffee after pulling an all-nighter.
"A woman who captures my heart. How fitting, Mademoiselle." the elderly chuckled.
She tried to hide her flush but failed. "I - I don't have enough sleep, that is. Need to energize."
"I see." Antoine beamed while folding his hands. "Anything else?"
It might be abusive, but hell, these are free.
"Erm, do you have any chocolate chip cookies?"
"Yes, we have available packs on the counter." the barista replied then looked at Adrien for an additional order.
"How about a platter of cheese? Preferably camembert?" the blond asked.
"I apologize, but we don't serve camembert here. Will brie be alright?"
"Yes," he said then tapped his shirt subtly to hush his excited kwami.
Once the barista left, the teenagers introduced themselves then gave a brief reason why they need to rush to Caen. When Antoine asked them why they were left behind, both lied that they overslept.
The two felt like the man didn't buy it, and with his suggestive smirk, it seems like they were giving him an alibi to play hooky.
When their meal arrived, the model and the designer were awed at the thick, fluffy pancakes that were smothered in butter and honey. They tried not to moan after they took their first bite. It was as if their souls reached the gates of Heaven.
Antoine was amused by their blissful expression. "That's your reward for saving an old man like me, though if I'm going to evaluate your actions, it seems like I'm not your first case."
Adrien and Marinette eyed each other carefully.
Ladybug and Chat Noir saved several people, not only old men. However, no one knows their identity, not even their respective partners.
"Now that you've mentioned it..." the blond paused then placed his utensils on the plate. "This made me recall something."
"Same here."
Marinette just remembered the old man she saved from a running car, which coincides the day she got her Miraculous.
Adrien just remembered the old man he saved when he fell on the pavement, which coincides the day he got his Miraculous.
"I see. Are you two crime-beaters or something?"
It was Adrien who first made a reaction. "Ah, no, no, no! We're just normal kids with a normal life. I'm doing fencing, that's why. But for Marinette..."
"Ah, m - m - m - me?" she stammered. "Oh. I'm pretty good at gymnastics. In school!"
"As well as parkour?" it was the blond who made the question.
"As well as parkour. They're like best buds with gymnastics. Quite similar. You know?" she answered firmly, which only raised the model's lingering doubts.
She was being cornered by his impossibly green eyes, but she tried not to falter on his inquisitive stares. She might need to think some reasons he could buy later.
The man coughed when the mood became sour. "Alright. I get it. So...how's the food?"
That was when the teenagers realized that their plates were empty.
"The most amazing pancakes I've ever tasted." Adrien swooned.
Marinette hummed her approval. "I don't mind spending my first paycheck here."
"I'm glad to hear that." the elderly responded with a smile. "I don't think my gesture of gratitude is enough, after all the trouble that I've caused."
"Oh no, Antoine, Monsieur. It's your thought that matters. We just returned the wallet to you, and you returned us a favor of a free meal."
"No, Mademoiselle. You didn't return a mere wallet. You returned my life to me."
He opened his wallet to reveal an old photograph of a woman in her early twenties. "You see, this is my Maman. And this is the only surviving photograph that I scrapped when all of our belongings were destroyed during the World War. My only memento to the woman who bore me."
The teenagers fell silent, especially Adrien who empathized the old man's struggles. Despite his age, Antoine was still a son who misses his mother.
Just like him.
The heavy atmosphere began to shift when a loud mobile tone sounded. It was coming from Antoine, who casually pulled his phone out from his pants. He adjusted his glasses to see the caller ID, and when he recognized it, he smirked.
"Just in time," he muttered as he answered. "Hello, Pierre? Did you finally get my message? Yes...you see, there's this emergency situation that my friends need to attend...Yes...Oh, yes. Remember Gabe? Yes, his lad is a handsome one...Yeah, poor soul...Oh please don't tell anyone...Eh, with a stunning beauty...Yeah, makes me reminisce my younger years...Cinnamon rolls? What's that?...Oh, shut your trap. Back to business - they are chasing their so-called friends. I'm not sure exactly...Five minutes? Perfect...Yes, deluxe...Of course, they didn't know...Wait, what?! How could - Nah, I'll deal with it later... shush... Alright, bye."
The two looked at him like he was imposing a verdict.
"A van will going to pick you up here," he explained while slipping his phone back in his pocket. "You will be riding a public bus going to Saint-Clair, which I believe is faster to reach your destination. Lucky if you'll pass your school bus along the way."
They resisted the urge to kiss the feet of their savior, but not the impulse of giving him a heartfelt hug.
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In just fifteen minutes, the teenagers were inside their vehicle and ready to leave Paris.
Once settled, Marinette looked at Adrien who was staring blankly outside the windows.
If she didn't know the person, she wouldn't see the sadness that ebbed on his poker face.
"Adrien, are you alright?"
He didn't flinch when she felt her hand on his. Instead, he relished her warmth. "I'm fine, Marinette. I just remembered my mother."
"I know. I under - "
The vibration of her phone interrupted her. The caller ID was flashing Alya's name.
So she answered it right away.
"Hey, Alya. What's u - "
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry - "
When Adrien silently mouthed 'what's wrong', she immediately turned the loudspeaker on. "Okay, calm down. I'm not getting your point why you're sorry, Alya. Adrien's listening here."
[Oh my gosh, Adrien. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sor - ]
"Marinette and I don't get it why. Tell us."
[Okay. Breathe in, breathe out.] Alya muttered, more likely to herself. On the background, they could hear Nino's talking about something, but they couldn't decipher his words.
[Okay. I calmed down. I already said my sorry, and also on behalf of Nino. So let's get to the point - they found out.]
"Found out what?" Marinette asked.
[They freakingly found out, girl. That you two are missing! And guess who announced it? It was Chloe! That stupid, bitch Chloe!]
Oh.
Talk about bad luck.
Nino took over the conversation. [Gosh, I'm sorry for that guys. I'm - I'm holding Alya right now. Saving her from possible criminal charges like murder or something.]
"Yeah, do that."
While Marinette was busy bantering with their friends, Adrien caught a commercial ad on the bus monitor about a hair grower, which suddenly got cut and replaced by a news flash.
There was a mention of Ladybug and Chat Noir's Akuma action on the scrolls, as well as other current events like inflation, political issues, unexplained property damages, exchange rates, weather updates -
The audio wasn't loud enough to hear the entire words of the reporter, and his seatmate was discussing some evil ploys thru her phone so his attention was somewhat divided. But when a CCTV footage appeared on a screen with a supporting amateur video about the commotion that happened at a certain railway station, he stilled.
"Uh, Marinette?" he tugged her sleeve without tearing his gaze away from the monitor screen. "I think we don't need to worry if the whole school found out."
He felt her tensed reaction when she shifted her seat. A few seconds later, she spoke "Nino? Please tell Alya to spare Chloe."
It was Alya who voiced out this time [What do you mean spare Chloe?! I swear I'm going to rip her hair like a - ]
"No, save your strength this time. We have a bigger problem here."
[What do you mean by that?]
"Are all the school buses equipped with televisions that are hooked to stream news?"
[Of course, but ours is currently off. Why?]
"Because." the designer huffed. "We're on the news right now."
She didn't hear her friends' words anymore. Like Adrien, her attention was solely focused on the monitor screen.
"...that the former Senate President of France, Senator Antoine Pohler, was saved by two young heroes - and were not talking Ladybug and Chat Noir here - who bravely handled two criminals named Genard Rye, 28, and Karl Hemet, 35. The reason of intent was still under investigation, but according to our sources, Senator Pohler was on his personal visit alone when the criminals made an attempt to rob, which was intercepted by a Parisian couple. The Senator didn't make any comments, as well as the couple who remained anonymous. Several witnesses dropped names, and might be supported by the respondent officers who got their statements."
Talk about bad luck.