Chapter 16

                                    

                                          
The scanner beeped as it's red glow shone over the price tag. A number flashed across the cashier's screen. $12.99. That was how much Nathalie's betrayal cost her. About a half hour ago, she had split up with Tikki and headed to the nearest store, a Target. She knew they would have a Ladybug costume set like every other store in Paris these days. 
                          
"Cash or card?" the cashier asked.
                          
Nathalie looked up from her fidgeting hands and replied, "Cash."
                          
She handed the cashier a twenty and rushed off, completely forgetting the change, which the cashier gladly slipped into her own pocket. Nathalie tore open the costume's packaging and disposed of the entire outfit except for the earrings. They were the only thing she needed to fool Hawkmoth. She started towards the Agreste mansion, hands shaking. This was her first rebellious act towards Gabriel. She never dared to disobey his wishes and she was nervous. Nathalie didn't have second thoughts about any of this because she knew she was doing the right thing, but she did feel sick to her stomach at the thought of what her boss might do if he discovered her lie. 
                          
Before she knew it, she was face-to-face with the looming gates that guarded the household. They seemed taller than usual and a little more frightening. Her hand reached out to press the button next to the gate. A camera shot out and a robotic voice confirmed her identity after a quick facial scan. "Approved household member. Access granted. Gates opening." The gates immediately swung open and she walked to the front door. Her heels clicked and clacked as she walked down the stone path. Her still shaking hand opened the door and she made a sharp left just before Gabriel's office. With a shallow, shaky breath, she attempted to calm herself before knocking on his door.
                          
She softly whispered to the ceiling, "Come on Tikki. I hope you're ready." 
                          
She hoped Tikki was ready for her part of the plan because these phony earrings could only distract Hawkmoth for so long. 
                          
Gabriel's voice broke through the silence. "Come in."
                          
She steadied herself and put her acting skills to work. All she had to do was pretend she wasn't about to throw up from her nervousness for the next couple hours. "I have the earrings sir."
                          
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"Ughhh!" Plagg yelled to no one in particular. "Where is that old man?!" He had yet to find Fu and time was running out. Hawkmoth was getting impatient. As if he could sense Plagg thinking about him, Hawkmoth projected a purple glow over Plagg's face.
                          
"Where are the Miraculous?" He demanded.
                          
Plagg rolled his eyes impatiently. "We're working on it. You can't expect us to find a mysterious box that's been successfully hidden for hundreds of years in 2 hours."
                          
Hawkmoth growled and responded, "How dare you speak to me that way? I ought to--"
                          
"Sorry to interrupt, but I've gotta hang up now Hawky." Plagg willed the purple mask to go away, and it dissipated into the night sky. He saw Adrien from the corner of his eye. "Hey, Adrien! We need to go. I don't think he's here."
                          
Adrien looked around for a second before replying, "Why don't we split up? You can keep looking here and I can search the other side of the city."
                          
"Okay," Plagg replied. He reentered the house to search for Fu as Adrien lept away.
                          
He ran across the city destroying the hearts of those that dared to love, but all the while searching for the elusive Master Fu. Adrien stayed in the shadows so as not to be seen by his victims. He didn't need to hide, but a part of him was ashamed at what he had become. Deep down, he knew it was wrong. He knew everything he was doing was wrong, but he also felt like he was doing some good. He was trying to prevent others from ever feeling the heartbreak he felt. 
                          
Suddenly, he heard a laugh. Instinctively, he jumped up on the roof for a better vantage point. He saw a young boy walking with his mom and they were laughing together. The boy was young and naive. He reminded Adrien of his younger self. Back when his mom was around to have a good time with. He turned away from the scene to wipe a tear from his cheek. Adrien missed his mother more than he cared to admit. The worst part was that every day she was gone, he could feel her growing father and farther away. His father refused to talk about her, so Adrien had to pretend like she had never existed and he hated it. He would rather feel sad for a while and remember her than push all of his feelings inside of him like his father and forget her completely, but there was nothing he could do except to suppress the pain. He turned back to the mother and her son only to find a man walking up to them. The woman turned and smiled before giving him a quick peck on the cheek. He grinned and picked up the laughing boy and hoisted him onto his shoulders. 
                          
"The perfect family," Adrien whispered to himself, "The one I will never have." He wondered if being akumatized would be his last chance at a good relationship with his father. 
                          
Adrien watched as the picturesque family walked away and he longed to join them. His thoughts were interrupted by the voice of his father, Hawkmoth. 
                          
"Plagg has found Master Fu and the Miracle Box. Meet him at the park fountain. Now!"
                          
Before Adrien could reply, his father's voice had disappeared. Adrien Agreste realized something he had always known, but had never dared to admit. His father didn't care about him and being akumatized wasn't fixing their broken relationship. It was only making it worse. 
                          
Adrien realized this too late. He sighed and turned around to head to the park and obey his father's wishes. 
                          
When he arrived, he saw Plagg standing by the fountain threatening the old man, who was on his knees. 
                          
"Stop!" Adrien cried, "Don't hurt him!"
                          
Plagg turned to face Adrien. "Why? Have you gone soft and taken pity on the old man?" 
                          
Adrien began to sweat nervously. "No, no. Nothing like that. He's just... uh not worth our time. Yeah, he's not worth our time. Let's just leave him here." In truth, Adrien didn't feel pity for the old man. He felt guilt for allowing Plagg to threaten him. 
                          
"Fine." Plagg was suspicious of his partner, but wasn't in the mood to argue. "Just grab the box and let's go."
                          
Adrien ran over to Fu and knelt next to him. "I'm sorry sir," he gave a quick apology as he grabbed the Miracle box from his hands. With a look of regret, he joined Plagg as they headed back towards the Agreste mansion and his father. 

                          
A/N: okay, okay. I'm sorry for not updating! Algebra 2 will be the death of me. Who decided to invent asymptotes and all these rational equation graphs? UGHHH!!! Math takes up all my time!!!
                          
I should probably sleep now. I'm really not a morning person, but I love to stay up late! Byeee! Hope u enjoyed