"Miss Cheng!" a loud, shrill voice called from down the hall. Marinette cringed. She knew her current project would have to wait until later, no matter how important it was. Nevermind that Gabriel Agreste himself had requested that this project be finished by the end of the week. Nevermind that she was on the brink of a fantastic idea for the new summer line. Nevermind that she didn't have time for the drama that was about to take place in her office. Nevermind that she had a meeting about this very portfolio tomorrow morning. No, she would have to come back in a few hours to pick up where she was being forced to stop. She saved the file quickly and closed the clothing design program.

As she prepared for what was surely going to be a headache, she put away her tablet and wireless keyboard as well, tucking them safely into the drawer of her desk and away from snooping eyes. Marinette resisted the urge to scowl at the sound of clicking heels, and tried not to grumble a bit as her co-worker appeared in the doorway of her office. There was a knock on the door, and the other woman cleared her throat loudly. Marinette looked up from her screen, her long straight hair fell over her shoulders as the sat up, and she beamed at the beautiful and furious woman standing in front of her.

Alyssandra was a complicated woman. She was intelligent and quick-witted, and devastatingly gorgeous. She was a classic french beauty by men's standards. Long thin legs; like someone had grabbed her waist and her ankles and pulled them a little longer than humanly possible. Pale skin, and a full head of platinum blonde hair that didn't frizz or fray, cut on a straight line. Her striking blue-grey eyes lined by flawless eyeliner and ruby red lipstick did more for her than she probably intended, and her matching red heels only complimented her slim waist and elegant frame. She was also quick to judge and hard to impress. She was the most senior designer here at the company and by far the most demanding and most entitled. Marinette had come to despise her.

Marinette continued to fake a smile, "Bonjour, Allie. Can I help you?"

"Ugh," the other woman made a gagging noise, "Do not call me 'Allie', it's childish and embarrassing. Seriously, grow up. This isn't high school, this is Fashion. We aren't friends, we are co-workers." She spat the word like it tasted bad. She sniffed, "Oh, and get these taken care of. They've been sitting in the return bin for almost two days. I can't find anything in the storage room. You should organize that. Briene, put those on Miss Cheng's desk." The blonde woman pointed a perfectly manicured finger at Marinette's desk.

The new intern appeared from behind the other designer, and smiled apologetically at Marinette before dropping the large pile of clothes on her desk. All of the papers that Marinette had just organized fluttered off her desk, landing lightly on the carpet of her small office. Briene, the newest intern at the company, rushed out of the office to stand behind Alyssandra once again. Alyssandra huffed and turned away, her almost white blonde hair shining in the soft lights. As she walked away she mumbled, "I can't believe a creative genius like me works for a company like this. If they don't start treating me with more respect I'm going to..." Her characteristically nasally voice trailed off as she turned around the corner of the office.

Briene followed after the blonde, looking back at Marinette with apologetic eyes. Marinette smiled at the young intern and mouthed the words "It's alright" to her. Briene visibly relaxed and disappeared around the corner. Marinette knew all too well the hardships of working under the high-strung designer. She herself had been under Alyssandra's thumb for her first few months here. She would not hold it against Briene that Alyssandra bossed her. She focused again on her desk.

Marinette sighed, and looked at the pile of clothes and the papers on the floor that she would have to organize again. The thought made her want to break something, or maybe push all of the papers off Alyssandra's desk. Maybe she would tip over Alyssandra's coffee, or conveniently take her cell phone and hide it somewhere. Marinette glared after the blonde woman. Alyssandra was pushing her luck. Senior designer or not, she was beneath Marinette in status and should not be allowed to order her around. Marinette was her boss for all intents and purposes. She could have Alyssandra fired. She wouldn't do that, but she could. She would just put the clothes back in the return bins and make Alessandra take them back herself.

Marinette took a deep breath, there was no need for silly, girlish games like that. The world of fashion was competitive, and Alyssandra was still tender from losing the position of Head Designer. They may be women, and when they weren't at work they could fight girlish wars, but at work, they could be professional. Or at least, Marinette would be. Her frustration aside, Marinette's heart swelled a little, most of the clothes strewn about on her desk and floor were mock ups of her designs. They had been run up by the in-house shop and showcased for the other designers to bounce ideas off of. She was reminded again at how far she had truly come since she started as an intern almost a year ago.

She had graduated from high school and jumped right into design, knowing that it was her passion from a young age, and fell in love with design even more at the Academy of Fashion of Europe in France. She moved out of the city, and got an apartment and a roommate. She worked hard and rose to the top of her class. She waited tables at a small cafe to pay her way through school, and she learned to budget her money. She stayed up late and woke up early, always working to be better, to be noticed, to show that she could do it. Her hard work paid off. She had graduated design school with her name all over the young scene of fashion. She was approached by many companies, from all over the nation, but ultimately chose to stay in France. She accepted an internship at Square, and worked her way up. After a year of climbing and pleasing management and jumping through hoops, she was now the Head Designer for the largest branch company under the label of Agreste Designs. She was living the life she had always dreamed she would live, and she loved every minute of it.

Square was a younger company that had caught the attention of Gabriel Agreste as a worthy competitor, so instead of fighting them, he took them under his wing, a boost in business for both companies. Square earned the endorsement of the largest name in fashion when Agreste Designs gained all the fame and revenue that the young company brought in. Marinette joined the team with hopes of eventually jumping from Square and into Gabriel's good graces, and eventually out to her own small company, or becoming an integral part of the Agreste Empire. She was one step closer now that she was Head Designer of Square.

She and Alyssandra had applied for the open position of Head Designer at the same time, and after two weeks of interviews and competitive showcasing, Marinette was given the job. However, even though Marinette was now technically her boss, Alyssandra still treated her like she was her intern. Marinette tried to be understanding, it would be hard to have someone younger than you be your boss. It would be hard to be the most senior designer and lose the position to someone new. At the same time, it was beyond inappropriate and incredibly frustrating to be treated like an intern as the Head of the Department.

With that thought, Marinette frowned and pushed the clothes out of the way, making more papers and some of the clothes fall to the floor, and pressed the intercom button on her desk phone. She would bring in the big guns. She set the receiver to her ear. It rang a few times before a man answered, "This is Andrew Gris. How can I help you?"

"Bonjour, Monsieur Gris. This is Marinette Dupain-Cheng from Design." Marinette smiled.

"I know what department you work in, Miss Dupain-Cheng." Andrew's voice teased from the other end of the intercom, "And bonjour to you, too."

A light blush dusted Marinette's cheeks. This happened every time she talked to Andrew. She tried to just talk to him, but always found herself flirting with him instead. It had been a problem since day one. She cleared her throat, "I'm trying to be professional, Monsieur Gris." Marinette rolled her eyes and sighed, "I have a favor to ask."

Andrew hummed, "Anything for my favorite designer. What is it, Chérie?"

"If I fluttered my eyelashes, could I convince you to talk to Alyssandra for me? She's being insufferable." Marinette tried to sound cute.

Andrew hummed, and Marinette could hear his squeaky chair groan as he turned around in the swivel chair, "You probably wouldn't have to flutter your eyelashes."

"Andrew." Marinette scolded.

He laughed, "Okay, okay. I'll do it. What did you want me to talk to her about?"

Marinette sighed, "I have already talked to her, and she won't listen to me. This is the third time this week that she's given me the work that Briene can do, and should be doing. She treats me like I'm still her intern." Marinette tried not to whine, "I will do her work for her today, but not anymore. I have to finish the preseason mock-ups, submit my progress for the Agreste project, and go on my lunch break. I don't really have time to return samples."

"But you always do such a fantastic job, Chérie." There was a pause on the other end of the phone, and then a laugh, "Miss Dupain-Cheng, if you would stop being so sweet and approachable, then people wouldn't try to take advantage of you." There was a smile and a hint of teasing in his voice, "I'm sure that Alyssandra just gives you her work because she knows you'll do it. She probably doesn't even ask."

Marinette frowned, hating that Andrew had described the exact situation without even being there. She huffed, not appreciating Andrew teasing her at this moment, even if she did enjoy the flirting. She wanted to be mad, but found herself flirting back, "Well, if you could control your employees and keep them in line we wouldn't have this problem." She said with more sass than she would have ever thought she could use with him. A few months ago she wouldn't have even dared.

Andrew laughed again, "If you hadn't come in and jumped over everyone in my company, flaunting your talent and outshining my designers at every given chance, they wouldn't be so jealous."

Marinette smiled. She loved her job, and was proud of how far she'd come. If fashion school had taught her anything it was that she would never make it if she gave away her chances and opportunities for the sake of being nice. There was plenty of ways for people to succeed, and she saw her chance to have the job she wanted and took it. That didn't make her very many friends, though. Though, it did put her closer to Andrew, and she wasn't complaining about that.

She sighed, "I know."

Someone's voice mumbled something to him in the background, and Andrew thanked them, his voice soft as he talked away from the phone, "Anyway Marinette," he returned, "Thanks for letting me know. I'll talk to Alyssandra. And why don't you take Briene with you to the storeroom and show here how to do her job instead of just doing it for her? Even if that means it won't be perfect. I have an urgent phone call I have to take." He paused, "But I'll have my cell phone, so if it's urgent, you can text me."

Marinette smiled, and replied sarcastically, "Thanks, Andrew."

There was another laugh and the intercom cut off with a small beep.

Marinette smiled, she was glad that she was now friends with Andrew, and could speak so freely with him. She stopped for a second, and was again surprised that she really had worked her way to the top. She could speak freely with Andrew because she was on his level. When she first started at Square, she was terrified of him, and the position he held in fashion. He worked directly with Gabriel Agreste to manage all of the Square shops and was the Executive Design Lead for Square. Not to mention he was gorgeous.

It was rare to find a man in fashion that was both handsome and heterosexual. Andrew was wildly talented as a designer, a force to be reckoned with as far as business and leadership were concerned, and on top of all of that he was clever, kind, and a lady's man. He was taller than Marinette by a good five inches, and thin and muscular like a model. He had blazing blue eyes, and dark wavy hair that seemed to just sit perfectly on top of his angular face like the perfect accessory to his perfect ensemble. He was the heartthrob of the office, the CEO of the company, Gabriel Agreste's drinking buddy, and most trusted business partner.

Marinette buried her face in her hands, what was she doing flirting with him all the time? She was supposed to be working, and focusing on her career. But, she couldn't help it. Even though she had the upmost respect for him as her manager, and the owner of the company, she couldn't stop herself. She groaned. He didn't make it any easier, calling her "Chérie", and singling her out all the time. The pet name meant nothing, but she was the only designer directly under Andrew with a nickname. She didn't like to brag about it, but she was his favorite hands-down. He spoiled her.

With a sigh, she stood and straightened her dress. She walked to Alyssandra's office, her heeled ankle boots clicking on the marble floors. She would be the bigger person. She didn't need to fight with Alyssandra. She was here to get Briene and leave. She poked her head through the doorway, and smiled.

"Hey, Allie! Andrew wants Briene to go the storeroom. He wants to let her get acquainted things and where they are. I know you're busy, so I'm happy to take her. Can you spare her for an hour or so?" Marinette smiled at the intern.

Alyssandra glowered at Marinette, then returned to her computer screen. She ignored Marinette for a good, solid minute while she typed angrily, pretending to finish up something important before looking at Briene. She sighed, "Fine, Miss Cheng, but next time get your own intern. And don't call me 'Allie'."

Marinette bit her tongue, and resisted the urge to tell Alyssandra that she was technically her intern. She found patience in the fact that Andrew promised to talk to the haughty blonde woman about her attitude. She was also excited to get to know Briene a little better. Interns were never placed under the Head Designer, so she would only get to know them if they became designers like Alyssandra. She hadn't been a designer for long enough to have an intern of her own before she moved up to the role of Head Designer.

"Thanks, I'll take good care of her. She'll be back before you know it." Marinette motioned for Briene to follow her.

Briene beamed at Marinette and jumped up from her seat to race after her. As soon as they were out of earshot, Briene sighed and gushed at Marinette.

"Thanks for saving me, Miss Dupain-Cheng. You're my hero."

Marinette laughed, "Alyssandra really isn't that bad. She's a talented designer, and a good teacher when she wants to be. She has earned her place here, even if she's a little hard to warm up to."

"Still," Briene made a face, "Thanks for getting me out of that office."

"It was at Andrew's request that you accompany me. So he's your hero, not me," She looked sideways at the new intern, "Though I'm glad he did. It's nice to finally get to talk to you. I'm so busy all the time, that it's hard to get to know the newer staff. It's also strange to work with the higher ups. They're all so much older than me."

Briene blinked, looking at the other designer with curious eyes, "How old are you Miss Marinette?"

Marinette smiled, "I'm just barely twenty-three."

The young intern blinked, "Me too!" she gaped, "When did you graduate?"

"A little over a year ago." Marinette tucked her hair behind her ear, "Before you decide to be too impressed you should know that I fell in love with fashion and design a long time ago. Going to the academy was like a dream come true, and I completed the program faster than normal. I interned here for a year before they hired me on as Head Designer. And, I've only been Head Designer for about four months."

"That's incredible Miss Marinette." Briene gawked at her.

Marinette stopped, "Please, just call me Marinette. No more of this 'miss' stuff. That's too serious. Especially since we're so close to the same age."

Briene smiled, "That's fair, I suppose." She laughed a little, and after a moment mumbled under her breath, "You're so much kinder than Alyssandra. She treats me like I know nothing about fashion. I feel like all I do is bring her coffee and answer her phone. I mean I know the world of fashion is a vicious place, but she doesn't have to confirm that so vehemently. I mean, I'm the top of my class, and she makes me feel like I'm still a beginner."

Marinette snickered, "I know how you feel. Alyssandra was my guide too, until I became head designer. But, I stand by what I said. She is a talented designer, and a great asset to our team and Square as a company. And, as you work hard, I promise it only gets better. You won't have to rely on other people so much." She looked at Briene, and changed the subject, "Have you been to a real storeroom before?"

Briene stopped, "Wait. Is that really where we're going? Is Square's storeroom like the storeroom at the academy?"

Marinette looked at the other girl with a knowing look, and then an excited smirk, "Not even close."

Briene swallowed, her face turning pink, "Oh, I don't know if I'm ready to go to the storeroom. Isn't that something that only the designers do?"

Marinette quirked an eyebrow, "Aren't you a designer? Didn't you graduate from fashion school? Do you want to answer Alyssandra's phone all day? You are just as qualified as me or Alyssandra to go to the storeroom. It's not like we're asking you to design the entire next season. While I'm confident you could do it, that's my job." Marinette smiled.

Briene looked at Marinette, still obviously nervous.

Marinette laughed, "Come on. It's a rite of passage to go to the storeroom."

Briene felt her heart pound, and then a smile spread across her face as she followed Marinette. As they approached the door, Marinette took Briene's badge and swiped it next to the door. As the lock flashed green, Marinette turned to the other girl and handed her the black name card, "See? You have access, which means you have every right to be here. Andrew doesn't grant access to the storeroom to just anyone."

Briene smiled, and walked into the large room. It was filled to the brim with everything she'd ever imagined was in a place called 'The Storeroom'. Rows and rows of delicately crafted clothing, all zipped up in fine, grey dress bags, and labeled by year and season. As she looked at it she realized that there were even more clothes lined up behind them, and above them. Shelves and shelves of clothes. There were drawers and baskets and shelves full of fabric. Everything from chiffon to silk jersey and jacquard was lined up in every color and pattern Briene could think of. She felt she might there was the shoes and accessories. Sorted by color and style and size. She could see that there was more to explore behind just what was in front of her. She almost squealed, but remained calm. Briene was floored. It was beautiful.

"So?" Marinette asked.

Briene jumped a little, and spun around, "Oh Marinette, it's wonderful!"

Marinette sighed, and looked around, "It really is. Square is one of the few companies in France that still has a storeroom like this. It's one of my favorite places in the entire company."

Briene walked to the fabric and touched it with her fingertips, "And all of this is for us to use?"

Marinette folded her arms, "It is. We even have a sewing room in the basement, too. But that's an adventure for another day. Now," she paused, "I'm going to be right back. I have to go and get some things. Please feel free to explore and familiarize yourself with everything. When I get back, we'll get to work."

Briene beamed, "You trust me in here alone?"

Marinette waved a hand, "Of course! You're an adult aren't you?" Marinette snickered, and waved a hand, "Enjoy it."

Briene disappeared into the rows of shelving without even waiting for Marinette to say goodbye. Marinette turned and walked out, the doors swinging closed behind her with a click. She smiled, remembering the first time she had been in the storage room. It was different than the storage closets in fashion school. Always fighting with the other students for supplies, and having to make do with whatever was left. Though Marinette would openly give credit for her best work to the challenge of working with the scraps left in those closets, she was glad to leave that behind her. Square was a company with class and power. They had supplies to share and go around and keep every designer here in the home office happy.

Marinette continued to reminisce about her fashion school days as she found a rolling hanger rack. She pushed it to her office, trying to prepare for the task ahead of her. She opened the door and frowned. Alyssandra had blessed her with the gift of more clothes while she had been gone. The fine fabrics were all crumpled and stacked higher than she was tall. More of them had spilled off her desk and onto the floor. Marinette groaned, and cursed her kindness for the millionth time in her life. She kneeled down and picked up the clothes one by one, hanging them gingerly on the rack, and smoothing them out as she went. She filled the entire rack, and still had more clothes in her office. She stood, and set off to find another rack.

Once all of the samples were on the racks, she pushed them towards the door. They were heavier than she'd expected. Once she had them both in the hall, she looked back at her desk and decided not to think about picking up all the papers Alyssandra had thrown to the floor just yet. She walked to the other return bins, and picked up the other clothes that needed to be returned, and hung them from the rack as well. She was already going to the Storeroom anyway, and giving Briene more to do would help her learn.

She walked back to the storeroom, and swiped her badge. She pushed the carts into the room. She looked around, and didn't see her new intern friend anywhere. She looked around a bit before calling out, "Briene? Where did you go?"

"Oh," Her voice came from behind the other set of shelves, "Marinette, you're back!" the young intern appeared around the corner, and beamed at her, "Thank you so much for letting me explore a bit. It's truly fabulous here."

"You're very welcome. I'm glad you like it. It does my heart good to see another person who loves this room as much as me." Marinette smiled, and then gestured to the clothes on the rack, "Now, as promised, to work. Have you seen those bins that are around the office labeled 'returns'?"

Briene nodded.

"Well, that is where designers put the samples after they're done with them. They usually pull them for fabric comparison or inspiration. But, they have to be put back so we can find them again. At least once a day someone usually empties the bins and brings them back. However, with Fashion Week and the deadlines for the new season racing towards us, no one has emptied them in a few days. So, we have quite a few things to put away. Come on over, I'll show you how it works."

Briene beamed, glad to be finally working with clothes, and even happier to be with Marinette. She hadn't imagined that she would get to work with someone so talented, and she hadn't imagined that anyone in fashion could be as kind as her.

"The clothes are stored first by year, then by season, then by release date, and then by name alphabetically. For our latest season, as you work with it the most, you'll be able to sort it pretty well without trying. But if you have to put things away that are much older than that it can get confusing." Marinette paused, "Make sense so far?"

"Yes. I think so." Briene smiled.

Marinette picked up a shirt from the rack. She turned it over and pointed to a tag down on the back, "These are ST Tags, that stands for Square Tracking, and they are a quick and easy way to put things away. Take a look at it, tell me what you see."

Marinette handed the shirt to the other girl, and Briene studied the tag closely. She looked up at Marinette after a few moments, "I'm sorry Marinette, I don't understand this. It's just a jumble of numbers and colors."

"Very good! It's alright you don't understand just yet" Marinette winked, "it will take some time for you to get acquainted with the system, but once you get it, it'll be easy as cake, and my parents are bakers. I know about cake."

"I'll pretend I believe you." Briene offered, suddenly nervous about the task ahead of her.

Marinette smiled, and pointed to various places on the tag, "The first thing you need is this number. It tells you what year it's from. From there there will be six colors and six collections. The tag will only have the color that it belongs in. Next, this number tells you what number it was released in. And the best part," Marinette walked Briene and the shirt to an aisle and climbed up the step ladder. She grabbed the empty clothing bag and turned it so Briene could see, "the bag will always have the same ST Tag as the item."

"That's convenient." Briene's mood lightened a little.

"There is a cheat sheet, well I guess a guide," Marinette pointed to the end of the shelves, "on the edge of every aisle. The best way to learn is for you to practice. It'll take you awhile to put these away. Think you can do it?" Marinette winked.

"I'll sure try." Briene laughed.

"Wonderful. I'll leave you to it. If you need anything come find me, if not, I'll be back for you in a couple of hours. Sound good?"

"Sounds great." Briene gave her a thumbs up.

"Feel free to take breaks if you need them, and be safe. Alright! I'll see you later." Marinette waved, then pointed at her, "But really, come find me if you need me."

Briene laughed, "I promise."

Marinette walked back to her office, and frowned at the papers still scattered around on the floor. With a sigh, she bent down and picked them up. She set the stack of paper on her desk and her phone buzzed in her pocket. She sat down in her spinning desk chair and slid the icon over.

"This is Marinette." Her voice sounded cheery, even though she was feeling drained from the day's work. She stared out the window to the city outside.

"Marinette, I'm glad you answered." It was Andrew, "I have a favor to ask you. Please tell me you'll do it."

"Andrew?" Marinette laughed, "Why are you calling me on my cell phone? Is this appropriate?" She hummed, teasing.

Andrew coughed, "I thought you might still be in the storeroom with Briene."

"No, Sir, I just got back." Marinette smiled, and started to sort the papers again. They were slightly crumpled from being tossed to the ground. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that it wasn't worth it to get back at Alyssandra.

"That's good. You must have faith in Briene if you left her in there." Andrew teased, "But really I have something I need you to do. A favor. Please, Chérie."

"You're obviously trying to be convincing, but" she paused, "it depends on what this favor is. A girl has to have standards, you know."

Andrew sighed, "Here's the deal. Paris Fashion Week is coming up next week, and Square has been chosen to represent the Agreste Designs Group."

Mariette opened her drawer to put the papers away, "Yes, of course I know that, I don't come here just to look pretty, I do actually work here."

"Well," she could hear the worry in Andrew's voice, "I just got off the phone with Mr. Agreste's private office. The lead secretary can't make the trip. She caught some horrible bug and can't even get out of bed. She has been pulled from the team going to Paris."

"That doesn't sound like something I can help with, Andrew. It's a sad story, but I'm a designer not a nurse." Marinette huffed as she shut the drawer loudly.

"I'm getting to the favor part." He laughed, "Miss Halene, the secretary who caught the bug, was supposed to accompany me to the press meeting and fashion shows in Paris. She was going to be my companion. Square will be representing Agreste Designs and I'm representing Square. That's a lot of pressure on me, Miss Dupain-Cheng. And now, I'm alone."

Marinette opened up her project once again, "I can't imagine how hard this is for you, Sir. But, how can I help you with that?" she sat back into her chair, and turned again to look out the window.

With more flirting than was probably needed, Andrew replied, "I need a partner, a co-pilot, a sidekick. I need someone enchanting and delightful to help me be the face of our company. Marinette, be my date to Fashion Week in Paris. Please?" Andrew's voice pleaded.

Marinette's head spun around at least twice before she registered his words, he couldn't be offering her what she thought he was. Paris Fashion Week? Date? She hummed, "What?"

"You are the Head Designer of Square, to say that you are famous is an understatement. When Miss Halene bowed out, you were the first choice to take her place. Please, Marinette, it will be the most stressful and most fantastic experience of your life. And if you don't come, I will have to take Alyssandra." He whined a little, "I've done nothing to deserve that."

"But, Andrew, Paris Fashion Week? Isn't that only for the best of the best of designers? I mean, the biggest names in fashion will be there. I may be the Head Designer, but I've only had that title for a few months." Her voice cracked, "They can't possibly think that I'm the right choice for this."

"Marinette, you are one of the biggest names in fashion. Anyone who is anyone already knows who you are. You are the youngest Head Designer in the history of fashion, you've enchanted the people of the world. It would be an honor to escort you, be seen with a beautiful woman, and not to mention great press for you personally. And, of course, for Square."

Marinette blinked, Andrew had called her beautiful. She shook it off, "First you said I was a replacement, then your date, and now I'm being escorted as the most popular name in fashion? Make up your mind, Chèrie." She attempted to hide her nerves with teasing.

"Miss Halene really can't make it, and I really do need someone to come with me. I can't do Fashion Week alone, Marinette, I'll never survive. When I asked the corporate office whom they wanted me to bring in her place, their first choice was you. You are the shining star of fashion in France - Fashion's 'Spoonful of Sugar'. Please, Marinette?"

Marinette sighed, hoping she wasn't biting off more than she could chew, or getting herself in too deep with the charming and handsome CEO. She caved, "When do we leave?" she smiled.

"Oh Marinette, you have made my day, no, my year! I will tell Mr. Agreste that you said yes, and take care of all the arrangements. I'll forward the email to you that has all of the details." She heard him clicking and typing on his computer.

"You're welcome, Andrew. Besides who wouldn't want to go to fashion week with a handsome guy like you?" She surprised herself with her forward flirting.

"Have a good rest of your day, Miss Cheng." His voice was playful.

"You too, Mister Gris." She laughed, and took the phone from her ear, and pressed the red button that ended the call.

She leaned back in her chair, and looked at the ceiling. Fashion Week in Paris. She'd dreamed of Fashion Week and attending Fashion Week. She lived in Paris with her parents before she moved to go to fashion school and work for Square, and she would watch the live reports from her computer with eyes like saucers. She would sketch her favorite designs in her light pink sketchbook and dream of the day when she could be a part of all of it. She would have never dreamed that she would be the head designer representing the largest fashion company in France. Now here she was, the head designer for Square, and going to Fashion Week with Andrew.

She sat up straight, pink tinting her cheeks. She was going to Fashion Week, and that was exciting. But, she was going to Fashion Week with Andrew. Her mind and heart raced. She would be rubbing elbows with the biggest names in fashion, and with Andrew. She looked at her reflection in the large window of her office, noting the red creeping up her neck. She was going on a week long date with Andrew. They would be alone together. She derailed that thought before she could go any further, and turned back around to face the project that needed finishing. Daydreaming would have to wait, she had a deadline to meet.

She pulled her keyboard and tablet from the locked drawer of her desk and quickly clicked open the three or four programs she needed to get this finished. Before long her computer dinged, telling her that Andrew had sent the email with details. She squealed a little, forgetting the project again, and clicked to her company email /

She opened the email as fast as the computer would let her. Displayed on her screen was a schedule that she and Andrew would be following. There was an itinerary, including departure and arrival times and where they would be staying in Paris. There was a list of all of the events that she was to attend, with and without Andrew. Marinette thought she might die. She was so excited. She read to the bottom of the email, and noticed that she was only to wear items from Square's latest line. She beamed; she got to wear all of her own designs to Paris Fashion Week.

This was going to be great. Truly a dream come true. Minus her nerves about Andrew. She was going to the City of Love with Andrew. She let her head hit the desk with a groan. She would have to learn to get over herself before then.

After the project was done and sent to Mr. Agreste's office for review, after she had fetched Briene from the storage room, and after she had promised to let the young intern organize the storeroom again, Marinette was more than ready to go home. As she got ready to leave work she could hardly dial the number of her best friend fast enough. She set the phone to her ear, and the other girl answered after one ring. Marinette could hear the smile in her voice, "Hey there, my fashionista! What's up?"

Marinette squealed, "Oh Alya! Guess what!?"

Alya laughed, "You know I don't guess, Girl. I demand the truth, spit it out."

Marinette laughed at Alya, finding joy in her friend's honest and pure personality. She sighed happily, "I am going to Paris Fashion Week! And not just as a designer, as the Head Designer of Square. I'm representing all of Agreste Fashion. I'm so nervous and excited I might throw up right here!" Marinette gushed.

Alya laughed, "Congrats, Girl, you did it!" there was a pause, "And getting a chance to see the most attractive male model in fashion, directly from the Agreste family tree. That's a pretty enchanting prospect, eh?"

Marinette sighed. Alya had continued to hope that somehow Adrien Agreste would fall into her lap, and their star-crossed love from her junior high life would somehow take off since they were both in fashion. Marinette didn't have the heart to tell her that the only times she saw Adrien was on the covers of the magazines that sat around the shop. She hadn't seen him in person since the last day of school almost seven years ago. Not to mention she had made a royal fool of herself in front of him every day they were together. But Alya was so hopeful for her, it was hard not to feel like it could happen. Marinette gave in, "It would be nice to see him. But I might not have time to even look for him since I'm going with my boss, Andrew. Our schedule is packed pretty tight."

Alya scoffed, "That twig. He's so stuffy and rude. I don't understand how girls like guys like him." Alya made a snorting sound.

Marinette laughed, "He's not that bad," she didn't divulge that she was developing a large crush on the attractive designer, and changed the subject, "and not everyone can score a young man as strapping and handsome as Nino."

"He is quite handsome." Alya purred.

Marinette laughed.

"Whatever," Alya interrupted, "Enough about handsome Nino and Blandrew, and back to Fashion Week! That's so exciting! I'm so proud of you!" Alya paused, "Wait. That's like really soon, right? When are you leaving?"

Marinette beamed, "Sunday morning. The first show is Sunday night."

"What a great opportunity, Nette! You did it!" Alya showered her with praise.

"I know, I sort of can't really believe it!" Marinette beamed.

There was a ruckus wherever Alya was, and then she got back to Marinette, "Sorry, Girl, I'm gonna have to get back with you later. Gotta jet! Don't forget to take tons of pics for me and the blog! Pretend like I'm there with you. Give someone your phone, make them take pictures."

"WIll do. Bye Alya, love you!" Marinette waved at her phone.

The phone beeped in her ear, letting her know that Alya had already ended the call. Marinette smiled. Alya was always in the fast lane. Always going, always ready for something. It was one of the things Marinette admired most about her.

With that thought, Marinette put her phone down, and signed off her computer, the project was sent off. She would be able to finish the final touch ups on it tomorrow before the weekend. She packed up her things and walked out of the office. She was, as usual, the last one to leave the office. She turned off the lights and locked the doors. She walked home, to a small apartment down the street, and stood behind her door as it clicked shut. She couldn't keep the smile off of her face. She was going to Fashion Week. In Paris. She was going home to Paris, and it was going to be spectacular.