Chapter Fifteen

* * * * *

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What?"

"We can't find Emma anywhere," Matilda said, her voice shaking. There was no doubt that she was crying.

I swung my foot over the side of the bed, now fully awake. "What do you mean you can't find her? What happened?"

Matilda sighed. "She got into a little quarrel with some of the girls and they said some things that made her cry. I already spoke to the girls before they went to bed. Usually around three or four in the morning, Emma would usually be up, but I went to her room and she wasn't there."

Oh my, what could have those girls probably have said to her? "I can't believe it. Do you guys have anywhere in mind where she probably went?"

"We already checked everywhere in the neighborhood and house. No one has seen her. I'm so worried about her, Marinette. It's the first time a child in our care ran away. We can't even go to the police because it hasn't been three days," She explained and a sigh passed my lips as I ran my finger through my hair.

"Let's just continue to look, Matilda. She can't have gotten far. I'll call up Adrien and we'll both help to see if we can find her."

"Thank you, Marinette!" She exclaimed, sounding relieved.

"Don't worry about it. Call me if you hear anything," I said before hanging up.

I ran my hand over my face and got up.

Where on earth could Emma be?

* * *

It has been four hours and there was no sign of Emma.

The woman at the home are devastated. It was the first time that they were experiencing something like this, no wonder it hit so hard.

I just hope nothing is wrong with her wherever she is.

"What did they say to her that was so bad it made her run away?" Adrien sat across from me, sliding a cup of hot chocolate my way as he sipped on coffee.

"I asked Matilda, but she said she didn't want to tell because I was going to get upset," I glanced outside the cafe. We were sitting in a cafe near the home, taking a break from looking for Emma.

"It's that bad?" He asked and I nodded. "This is just terrible."

I sighed.

Adrien phone rang and I looked at him only see him answering and putting it on speaker. He put the phone at the center of the table, looked at me and put a finger on his lips.

Did this boy just tell me to shut up?

"Father," He said and I rose and eyebrow.

"Adrien, are you close by?" the voice of Gabriel Agreste was heard. Even over the phone the guy seemed intimidating.

"I'm twenty or so minutes away. What is it?" Adrien replied.

"There is someone here at the company asking for you," Gabriel said and Adrien looked confused.

"I'm busy, at the moment, so tell them to come at a different time."

"This person is important and you will be here," Gabriel then stated sternly and I snickered behind my cup, earning a glare from Adrien. "Take Ms Dupain-Cheng with you."

He then hung up.

"What could my father possibly want from me now?" Adrien groaned, running the last of his coffee.

"Why do I need to be there?" I asked, getting up. Adrien did the same and we walked out of the cafe.

* * *

We took the elevator up to the floor where Gabriel's office was and Adrien led me down the hall, and away from wondering eyes.

Why is it that there are always people whispering and watching when we go out? Like, can't we get a little space?

Adrien knocked lightly on the door we stopped in front of and pushed it open. Gabriel was sitting behind his desk looking scarily intimidating.

That, I expected to see. What I didn't expect was a small body crashing into mine almost knocking me over.

My eyes widened when I saw a head of blonde hair and big, blue eyes staring up at me.

"Emma!" I exclaimed, picking her up and perching her on my hip. "How did you get here?"

"I walked," She lowered her head.

I was about to say something, but Gabriel spoke.

"She was sitting by the doors when I got here this morning. She was asking everyone who went inside for Adrien and Marinette, so I decided to intervene. My question to you is who is this little girl?"

"Father, this is Emma. An orphan  at a place where Marinette visits often. I began to accompany her a few times," Adrien explained to his father and Emma rested her head on my shoulder. I needed to have a serious talk with this girl. I was so glad that she was safe, but what she did was stupid and dangerous.

"I see," Gabriel muttered, rubbing his chin. "Why is she wondering the streets of Paris on her own? It is very dangerous."

"She ran away from the orphanage," I cut him off, giving Emma a look that made her hide her face in my neck. "We have been looking for her and if it wasn't for you calling we would still be looking, not knowing she was here all along."

"What happened?" He asked, clasping his hands together.

"That's what we are about to find out," Adrien told him. "We have to get her back to the orphanage."

"Okay, but us three have to have an important talk," He then looked at me. "Including your parents, Marinette."

I groaned internally, but nodded.

Adrien took Emma on his back and we walked out of the office, went down the elevator and exited the building.

We went to the parking lot and Adrien put Emma in the car before we got in ourselves.

He started the car and began to drive.

I turned to look at the silent girl in the backseat. "Are you hungry, Emma?"

"Yes, Marinette."

"Let's find a diner," I said to Adrien and he replied by telling me he knew one around the area.

"Marinette. Adrien," Emma called and I turned to her.

"Yes, Emma?" We answered in unison.

She twiddled her thumbs and squirmed in the seat. "Are you guys mad at me?"

"N-," Adrien began, but I glared at him. He cleared his throat and said, "Yes we are."

Emma sighed and stayed silent.

* * *

Emma was having a field day.

She wanted pancakes, waffles, crepes, eggs, bacon, sausage and even ice cream, and Adrien was so ready to pay for it all.

If it wasn't for me, he'd buy all of that. I only ordered pancakes for her along with a cup of tea and orange juice. She was even ecstatic with just that.

I sat and watched her eat and she was such a precious little thing, but I can't let her cuteness distract me. She had to be scolded.

"Emma," I called for her attention. She swallowed the food in her mouth and looked at me. She knew exactly what I was going to talk to her about.

"Yes, Marinette?"

"Why did you run away?" I asked,  my cheek pressed to my open palm.

She put down her fork and frowned. "The girls are mean and I don't want to stay there anymore."

"What did they do?" Adrien asked, leaning his elbow on the table.

"We were playing and they started to tease me," Her lip started to tremble. "They said that I was ugly and that the scars on my hands and feet were nasty.  They started to call me names like burnt girl and Cruela. It made me feel sad. They said my p-parents hurt me because I was annoying and I deserved it."

Emma was crying and we were immediately by her side. I couldn't believe those girls said that to her! They always seemed so nice and they said that to Emma?!

"You're not any of those, Emma. You are beautiful and your parents were stupid for not taking care of a sweet girl like you," Adrien told her softly.

I was beyond pissed, but I was even more heartbroken for the little girl we held. She has been through much and she's just five.

"I don't wanna go back," She sniffed, wiping her red nose. "Can I stay with you two?"

Adrien and I shared a look before I moved my eyes to her tear stained face.

Adrien used his thumb to wipe the remaining tears and gave her a smile. "We can't keep you, Em. You have to stay with Ms Matilda."

"Let's make a deal," I suggested and both blondes looked at me weirdly. "If you promise not to run away again, we'll visit you three times a week."

Emma counted on her fingers and held up three fingers with wide eyes. "Three days?!"

I grinned. "Three days." I wanted to say more, but our schedules were already so hectic and that's all I could give.

"You have to promise though," Adrien said, holding out his pinky.

Emma did the same and gave him the grin that I loved so much. "I pinky promise."

He ruffled her hair. "Good girl. Now eat up. Matilda is worried about you."

She nodded and did as she was told.

I will definitely have a talk with those girls when I go back to the orphanage.

My phone buzzed and I picked it up and saw that I got a message from Nathaniel.

It's been a while since I've spoken to him and I'm wondering what's going on.

I opened the message and read what it said.

Nathaniel
Hey, Marinette. Can I come over later? I have something important to talk to you about.

Me
What's so important?

Nathaniel
I can't tell you over the phone.
Can I come over?

Me
Fine. Don't come too late. Be there by six or five.

I turned off my phone and smiled, watching Adrien tease Emma.

What could Nathaniel possibly want now?

* * * * *

Early chapter, guys! You're welcome.

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

What do you think will happen next?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Remember to leave your feedback, too. Until next time,

Bye bye little butterflies🦋🦋🦋.