13. Chapter 13

She got three possible reasons why her parents would call her even if they were preoccupied several miles away.

First scenario: "Hi Marinette, your Maman and I saw your name on the national news as the one who knocked a man out of his wits. It was an act of self-defense, but look what happened? You've been labeled as a wanted criminal. Also, you're grounded."

Second scenario: "Hi Marinette, your Maman and I received a call from Mr. Damocles that you ditched your school's field trip and told Ms. Bustier that you'll catch up with them, but look what happened? You even lied to us. Also, you're grounded."

Third scenario: "Hi Marinette, your Maman and I was informed by Mr. Agreste about you abducting his beloved son, promising him to be with your class before the end of the day, but look what happened? Now your name was banned in the fashion world. Also, you're grounded."

One way or another, for them to call her in an untimely situation would only mean bad news.

But she couldn't hang up with them, with or without a witness. They were her parents, whom she loved most and wouldn't trade for anyone in the world, and not answering their call was very disrespectful on her part. They didn't raise her to be an ingrate daughter.

Taking a deep breath, she pressed the Accept button.

"He-hello, Papa?"

"Hello, sweetie! How are you?" Tom's jolly voice boomed. "How did you find Normandy?"

"It's..." she trailed off while staring at the view outside the bus' window. She was technically in Normandy anyways. "Good. The place is great. I thought you'll be back by tomorrow?"

"I know, but we're on a break right now, and your Maman here is enjoying her mimosa."

She swore her Papa winked there.

"Anyways," she spoke immediately to abrupt his inquiries. "How's the convention?"

"Same as usual. Rowdy bakers and superior confectioneries." her father scoffed. "Your Maman is good at telling time than me, so I believe it's already five in the afternoon there."

"Quarter to five, to be exact."

"Oh, Let me tell you that I'm in a speaker mode so she's currently listening to our conversation."

She gulped audibly. "That's...good to hear."

"Oh, can we do a video call?" he suggested. "Unless you're busy."

"Bus - busy?! No, no, I'm not in a bus, erm, I'm mean busy... Why would I be busy?" his daughter stuttered while mentally slapping herself.

"Besides." she went on. "Isn't this an international call?"

"This one is free with no service cost, don't worry," Sabine assured her.

Marinette could actually say no to them. She had lied to people several times since she became Ladybug, including her parents, so this could be one of the many.

But those lies were due to a selfless conduct. Her current situation was not even related to the superheroine or someone in trouble - well, only Marinette was the 'someone in trouble', but that was different - so she couldn't think of any valid excuses.

But then, lies, regardless if they are white or black, are considered to be a lie.

The designer glanced at her companion who was fidgeting on his seat.

Bless Adrien and his pure soul - he was supportive enough to cheer his totally screwed classmate who was about to be grilled over the phone in a few moments.

Praying silently, she clicked the video icon.

The screen's brightness adjusted a bit and showed two beaming adults in their formal attire, courtesy of Marinette, then lowered a little.

Their daughter was about to compliment something about their clothes but cut short by Sabine.

"What's wrong, honey?"

Either her parents were damn psychic, or her face gave it away.

"Maman, Papa... " she began cautiously. "There's something I need to tell you. I -"

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng!"

Marinette almost jumped when the model squeezed himself to show his presence in the camera. She didn't mean to exclude him from the video call; she didn't want him to receive the blame.

Adrien got worried about her reaction and felt like he was intruding when he joined their conversation, even though he knew he was simply an outside party.

But then, he has a fault that merits an apology.

"Oh, hi there Adrien! What a coincidence you're with our Mari." Tom smiled then glanced at his wife with a glint in their eyes.

No wonder their daughter was acting up that way.

"Yeah, he's with me." the said daughter remarked shyly. "Listen, I think we need to tell you first before you both hear it from someone else."

"And I would like to give an explanation as well." her companion quipped, which earned a scowl.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Adrien. I'm the one who instigated it."

"But I'm the one who aggravated it."

"If you're trying to do me a favor because of the defense I did with Miss Bustier, then consider it done."

"That's not it, Mari-"

"Kids?" Tom interrupted their garbled arguments. "Is this something that will make us mad?"

The teenagers went silent, followed by a groan on the other line.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, what's going on there?!"

"You - you see Papa... " she stammered, breaking a cold sweat. "Adrien and I did something out of the norm, and now we're -"

"I'm sorry for taking your daughter!"

CRASH!

Whether Sabine dropped her mimosa or crushed it by bare hands, Adrien didn't want to know.

He came out too strong and so wrong in an uncalled manner that the Dupain-Chengs' blood froze.

"Wa - wait! I didn't mean like that! Marinette is safe with me, and she's the one who takes care of me, but we just left unsupervised which made everything wrong!" he explained with panic.

"Do-don't tell me." the parent hitched. "You and my daughter did -"

"NO!" the two exclaimed in unison, almost shouted that the other passengers hissed at them for silence.

"No, Papa - just no. That's not what you think it is. Geez, give me some credit." Marinette abruptly said while Adrien made some sorry gestures around. "We're not with the class right now, but we're approaching Rouen so rest assured that we'll be joining the field trip."

"We got left behind when an Akuma attack broke, so I agreed with the plan of commuting to cut the chase," Adrien added. "But because of my public crowd issues, we got some delays."

"Miss Bustier knows about our whereabouts and Alya was pitching us their locations, so yeah, we can manage."

"I didn't mean to tie your daughter up with me." Wait, that sounds horribly wrong. "Or forced her to do something for me." Bad wording, Adrien! "What I'm saying is that she wants me to join the field trip since it'll be my first and last school outing before graduation. And I'm not sure if I'll be allowed to enter University."

Tom and Sabine gave an exasperated sigh then looked at the boy warmly. He didn't sense any pity in their eyes, even on Marinette's hand that lingered on his skin.

If he'll be given a chance to choose a family, he would definitely choose them.

"We understand, Adrien. And don't worry - we're not mad at you, or even with Marinette." Sabine's words calmed their wrecked nerves. "We are proud that she's considerate of her friend. But we might appreciate if she informed us beforehand, not during the time we made a surprise call to break such news."

"My phone's battery is low." the designer confessed. "And you're out of town."

"We trust your judgment, Dear. That's why we don't really expect you to open this up. Your honesty matters us most."

"I also trust you, Adrien." this time it came from Tom. "I know you'll take care of our daughter."

"I surely will." the model nodded.

"But really, Papa, Maman. I know you want to surprise your daughter and check her well-being with that free service perks that you have, but what's the reason for this call?"

Realization finally dawned on her parents' faces "Oh yeah, we almost forgot. But it's not important right now. There's an Akuma attack according to you guys, so I know the basis of what I've heard today."

"Basis of what?"

"The bakery. You know, if it's fine and well."

Marinette's face paled.

She was sure she turned all possible outlets off that could cause fires like ovens and stoves. She secured the door locks and windows before she left. She closed the faucets for flooding the place. She cleaned the tables, threw out the trash, shut all entertainment devices off and -

"None of those sorts happened." her mother chortled, knowing how her wild imagination works. "And I can read your mind all the way here."

"You scared me, Maman!"

"What's the Akuma attack?" Adrien inquired.

The burly man shrugged "Ah, you know. The typical. Property damages. But I'm sure Ladybug and Chat Noir will save Paris and - whoops, we gotta go now! Break's over!"

"Oh. Take care, Maman, Papa!" the pig-tailed girl waved her hands while her parents made some kissy faces on the screen. She giggled.

"Have fun with your miraculous adventure!" her father teased. "And Adrien?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Always remember: women are always right."

Then the call got disconnected.

The teenagers finally relaxed and exasperatedly sighed with relief.

"Sorry about my folks." Marinette apologized with a lingering thought about the unfinished topic. At least none of her three worst scenarios had happened. "They're overbearing sometimes."

"No, it's alright. They're cool, actually."

"They are." she smiled a bit then grimaced. "You're going to finish your studies, right?"

The blond scratched his cheek. "If by entering University you mean, then I haven't discussed it with my father yet - "

"But you will be."

"I need to talk to him first -"

"You will."

Adrien finally understood the meaning behind Tom's words. So he chuckled.

"I will."

Their bus halted.

"Speaking of 'you will'" she asked while fiddling her unread messages. "Have you contacted your father about your whereabouts?"

Then he remembered Natalie.

"I - I think he has an idea." the blond replied as he hurriedly opened his voicemail box. "But I'm not sure yet."

His father's assistant left him four voice messages.

First: "Where are you? Contact me immediately once you receive this."

Second: "Adrien, where are you? Your friends told me you're fine but your phone was off. Your teachers told me you're with Miss Dupain-Cheng but her phone was off too. Explain everything once you receive this message."

Third: "Please contact me, Adrien. Don't make me report this to your father."

Fourth: "I don't know if you got my messages, or I failed to receive yours. Your bodyguard is on his way to Normandy to meet you, and before he did, please don't go with random strangers. If they approached you: run."

Before he could hit the Call button, a large man in black shirt hovered their seats while his six back-ups caged them.

That moment, the teenagers knew they were in danger.

Adrien came from a renowned family - a wealthy mother and a genius father. He was famous not only because of his lineage but because of his accomplishments as a model. Any splices of his life could lead to a media sensation.

If you want fifteen minutes of fame? Look for an Agreste.

"Adrien Agreste."

It wasn't a question.

The boy didn't answer him. He didn't even dare to glance at his small brave companion.

Let them think that she was someone he didn't know or didn't care about. He must convince them that she was not his precious friend, that she was nothing but a mere stranger.

"Someone wants to see you." the man went on.

"What if I say no?"

He channeled half-Adrien half-Chat on his reply. If it's 100% Adrien he might stammer, and if it's 100% Chat Noir he might growl.

"You don't have a choice." was the firm response.

The homeschooling. The bodyguard named Gorilla. The security lockdown on their house, the hourly monitoring of Natalie, the fencing classes and other extra-curricular activities - these were preventive measures for him to avoid such situation like this.

As if on cue, Doris Day's song was momentarily played on the bus' radio.

Whatever will be, will be.

"If you refused to cooperate." the man looked at the composed pig-tailed girl without flinching. "We'll extend our invitations to her."

Adrien stilled, and almost stopped breathing.

Anybody but her, he mentally screamed. Anybody but Marinette.

He just made a promise to Tom and Sabine minutes ago that he must take care of their daughter.

Plagued by Plagg's constant reminder, he controlled his urges to destroy. But everything is damned - human or not, he'll Cataclysm whoever dared to touch her.