ADRIEN

"Let's go," Nino says as he and Luka have been in my office for the past 20 minutes, trying to bring me out of it.

"No, thanks," I mutter under my breath as I continue to go through the graphs and charts shown on my laptop and take note of the significant levels.

Luka rests a hand on my shoulder. "Nino's right. We need to let you see her again-"

I cut him off while shoving his hand away from me. "So now that I'm acting sullenly like this, you want me to see her?" I seethe out at the both of them. I turn around in my seat and glare at them. "You were so adamant in stopping me from seeing her-"

"Our judgement was wrong-"

I bust out in anger and in a sarcastic manner, "Great to know that right after I turn her down, breaking her heart into minute pieces. You think you can fix that for me? I feel horrible; I can't even forgive myself." I exhale deeply and ruffle my hair out of frustration. "Just stop trying to force me, please."

"Alya told me things," Nino starts off and I roll my eyes.

"Wow, that's great," I mutter.

"She reached out to me to tell you that Marinette needs you, too," He continues despite how unbothered I look.

"I can't believe you are dragging Alya into this kind of mess," I utter, my voice barely above a whisper and I turn back to my laptop. Luka beats me to it as he slams it close before I could go back to typing on it. "Luka!" I bellow, looking up at him in fury.

"Listen to Nino, Adrien," he states.

I shake my head. "You both have hurt me too much and I have hurt Marinette, a lot. I'm not listening to either of you. Can you give me a break, please?"

They both turn quiet, frowns gracing their faces as they cannot even bear to look at me.

"I am not only blaming you, for I should be blamed the most," I continue in a calm voice. "If you still has respect for me, even merely a bit of it, leave me."

"Adrien..." Nino whispers, "we are so sorry."

"If you're sorry then you should leave me alone."

Without a word and heads drooped down, they leave my office in defeat. Even closing the door behind them.

I throw my head back, fully leaning on my chair. I close my eyes and groan out loud, slowly running my hands down my face.

I don't want to target all my anger and blame at them. We all do not know what has been happening ever since Marinette and I have been seeing each other and even when we stopped. Now I'm just mostly mad at myself.

"What other things are going to ruin my day?" I murmur to myself, dreading whatever I need to do after this.

Suddenly, Byvael's voice from the intercom calls out loud in my office, "Adrien, please see me in my office now."

"Spoke too soon," I grumble under my breath and whine a bit when I get up from my chair.

Byvael has been more active especially in the investigation of proving the existence of Mark Nordic's cases of tax evasion. Though I keep on telling him that there is no need to do that due to his ever-increasing popularity, he keeps on insisting and says that it needs to be done.

The protests regarding the current government's response to the devastation left by the earthquake have mellowed down but it does not mean that they have completely stopped. I think the only time the majority of the public would know that it is done is if they see Byvael as the new president of this country. And I can see how that is going into Byvael's head. He has become more daring and challenging with his words; he would add more to the speeches that I prepare for him. He is now not afraid to question everything that the current government is preparing and doing, and no one cannot take him down since it is a practice of his freedom of speech. Though, it is added work for me to always make sure that his words are still respectful yet firm.

I fix my necktie and smooth down my hair a bit as I head to his office. My office is not that far from his so it only takes me some seconds before I end up in front of his door. I knock on it before slowly pushing it open to reveal Byvael sitting behind his desk, reading through a few documents scattered on it. He looks up and flashes a grin at me.

"There you are, Adrien," he utters and stands as I enter his office and close the door behind me.

I greet him, "Good day, sir."

Before I would enjoy going to his office to talk about our plans for the campaign and especially, his platforms. Now it feels like I am a man awaiting my death in the presence of the grim reaper. It feels different now as I see him, I hope he doesn't sense that mood radiating off of me.

"Good day to you, too. Please sit," he gestures at a chair in front of his desk, "I have very few important things to discuss with you."

I let out a half smile at him and sit on a free seat. He sits back on his own chair and fixes the pieces of paper, piling them on top of each other. "I want to keep this brief. Please excuse the mess on my desk."

"I don't mind the mess at all, sir."

"I've been studying, like you told me to do. I see how I have been rising." He raises an eyebrow at me, feeling impressed. "Not only am I rising with the masses, but now with the middle class. Your hardwork is paying off. I am eternally grateful for what you have been doing for this team and for me."

I shake my head and softly chuckle. "Sir, I am just doing my job."

"And you are doing it well," he adds then clears his throat. "That's why I thought of something that could be a foundation of my gratitude for you."

"And what would that be, sir?" I ask, growing curious.

He clasps his hands together and rests them on top of the desk. "There are some men that I would like you to meet, influential men. I want to put in a good word for you and I want you to be there."

I cock my head to the side. "Sir...is this a meeting? For me?"

"No, no," he denies. "I just found it great timing that I have a meeting later with a few people and then I thought of you and your potential growth in this kind of world, the political one."

"It sounds as if I am imposing, I wouldn't want to do tha-"

"You aren't," he interjects sternly. "I want you to think of yourself as a special guest, and I would also want you to be there during the meeting." He suddenly stands and walks to the window with his hands behind his back. "There are some things that I trust only a few people with...I think it is time that I start to show them to you." He turns his head to look at me with a smirk on his face. "Are you up for that challenge, Adrien?"

I fiddle with my fingers hidden from plain sight and swallow down a lump in my throat. "And what would it be about?"

His raucous laughter reverberates in the office. "Where is the fun in knowing things ahead of time? Come to the meeting and you will see from there."

------------

The meeting is in one of the most prestigious and private hotels in the city. Not everyone could enter it and almost everyone cannot afford to stay in it.

Only higher officials and filthy-rich people carry the confidence needed to step foot in this hotel. I had to hide how nervous I was and hold my head high as Byvael and I sauntered through its main doors and to the lobby. Byvael told me to dress up suitably for this kind of meeting so I made sure to wear one of my best tuxedos. But I still feel underdressed with the fact that this is my first time to be in this hotel. I even feel that my car is not fit to be parked in the hotel's basement.

"Remember, Adrien," he mutters in a low voice as he fixes his cufflinks, "These men that we will be seeing in a few minutes may be intimidating for you, but I do not want you to worry. As long as you do not go against them, they will immediately develop a liking in you."

I nod at him and we get on the elevator, taking us to the highest floor of the building. I take deep breaths as we await for the elevator to reach our designated floor. Slowly, the lights of the elevator start to dim and its doors open. Right on the other side is a man waiting for us, carrying a tray with two masquerade masks that only cover the top part of our face, in a dimly-lit corridor lined with doors leading to various rooms that I do not know of.

"Good evening, gentlemen," the man greets us, who also has his own masquerade mask on him.

Byvael merely nods at him and grabs the two masks from the tray. He hands the other to me then immediately wears his. Without a word, I follow him and place my own mask over my head then my eyes. I adjust it to a snug fit then follow Byvael and the man as they start to walk to one of the aligned doors along the corridor.

The man stops before it and utters, "They are all here." Then he opens the door and we are greeted with the sight of different men in masquerade masks as well. Ones with long and hooked noses, pointy chins, colorful and intricately-designed colors and patterns - these are all Venetian masks. Some are wearing full-face masks while the rest wear those that only cover most of the upper part of the face.

"Volto!" one of the men, a tall one with a raspy voice, immediately greets Byvael and goes near to shake his hand.

"Bauta," Byvael greets back then brings an arm around me. "We have a new one, I sense great potential from him."

The man cheers, "A scaramuccia!". He proceeds to shake my hand and I make sure to return the gesture. "It is a pleasure to meet someone new!"

"G-Good evening, sir," I stammer, unable to stop my jitters.

"Don't be shy around us, we are normal people as well!" he says, "We just have these masks to bring some kind of...playful mood in. Come in, come in, and take a seat."

He ushers Byvael and I to the middle where I meet other men as well. Though they carry different names such as Arlecchino or Pulcinella. Byvael explained that these are the different names of the Venetian masks we are wearing now. 

It is clear with how these men present themselves and even converse with each other that they know their business...and perhaps they may be the big wigs of the country - the people basically running this country's economy. One should not act stupid around them for they are the real foundation of power in the country; they are more powerful than the government itself.

It is a source of corruption when one is above the law, but this kind of set-up has been going on for decades. It has reached the point where it is common for the government to bow down to them when it should be the other way around.

"I hope you would not mind having a scaramuccia with us tonight," Byvael announces to the group as we settle down at the round table. I made sure to sit beside Byvael since the palpable aura in the room is something that I cannot handle on my own just yet.

"Do not worry, volto," one of the men wearing a mask with the long and hooked nose says, waving a hand at him. "If you trust this man, then we will learn to trust him as well."

"He is a co-worker. A really hardworking man, none of us will regret having him here tonight."

My nerves only get worse as they talk about the subject at hand. What is even worst is that I cannot connect to what they are talking about. There are a few words that I understand, especially regarding the ongoing investigation of Mark Nordic's tax evasion cases which still makes me quiver in dread with even merely the thought of it. The rest are mostly jargon - code words, from what I got through context clues.

"A new batch will arrive soon," Arlecchino mentions, taking a sip from his glass of old-fashioned whiskey and then pops a cube of manchego cheese in his mouth. "Both tic-tac-toe, though one is single."

Bauta replies, with the same raspy voice of his, "Will it add to the finger?"

"It might, unless a new car wash finds it and squeezes in a bit of petrol."

The other men nod in understanding, even Byvael looks like he is thinking hard about whatever 'squeezing in a bit of petrol' means.

It makes me uncomfortable how secretive they are keeping this meeting. The other man may have said that the masks are used to bring a playful mood in, I am sure that it is meant to hide whoever they are. Does no one else outside know what is happening now? I want to know what they are saying, but even if I do it does not mean that I can get out. This is a very controlled environment now. I would know since I noticed a number of men standing outside as if they are guarding this room.

I grab the glass of water that was placed in front of me as the meeting started and drink most of it in hopes of calming myelf. What have I gotten myself into?

Another door, a narrower one by the side opens and out comes five women who provocatively bring in one tray of drinks with them each. Their slinky black sleeveless dresses, ending above their knees, and alluring gazes bewitch some of the men as they stop to refill their drinks or change their glasses. Even these women have masks to cover their faces.

"Ah, the Columbinas are out," one man acclaims as he suddenly grabs one by her waist. She lets out a giggle in surprise and playfully slaps the chest of the man. Just watching them adds more to my growing discomfort.

The other four go around to grab our glasses or change the drink in it. One goes to our side of the table and collects our glasses. After she winks suggestively at me (which I immediately turn down), she goes to the other side. Another woman with her blonde hair fixed into a bun approaches our side to leave glasses filled with whiskey. I glance away to give her privacy in case other parts of her body might be shown as she leans down to leave the glass on my side of the table. I clear my throat and meet her in the eyes to give my thanks, but my voice hitches in my throat as I instantly freeze in place when I see her eyes.

It's her eyes.

Her bluebell eyes.

The woman does not react, instead she bows her head and immediately proceeds to give Byvael a glass then the one beside him, and then the other man. My mind goes all over as I watch her with wide eyes when she quietly serves half of the men and then stands by the side. I cannot find it in me to breathe for it feels like I received a sudden punch to the gut. 

It can't be. It can't be her. What is she doing here?! Does she perhaps know about the ongoing investigations regarding the tax evasion cases of Mark Nordic?

"Are you okay?" Byvael asks in a hushed voice, leaning close to me in concern. "Adrien?"

I blink and face him, bringing me back to my senses. "Yeah...yes, I am," I mutter, still distracted with my running thoughts. I cannot stop myself from throwing glances towards her direction and Byvael seems to catch on to what I am doing.

He follows where I was looking at then turns back to me while chuckling under his breath. "It seems that one of the Columbinas has caught your attention."

My hands go clammy as I see how he watches her. Anger and worry grow in me at the same time, I start to feel light-headed.

"She seems more of your kind of woman," he continues then his voice lowers all the more. "Actually...these women are willing to give themselves for the night so if I were you, I'd find a supple one."

I almost let out a gasp. Instead, I break into a cold sweat. "What...what did you say?" I whisper in disbelief.

"You need a de-stressor, so spend the night with one of them," he clarifies, "then when you are done, just give her money and she'll be off. We do not hold any responsibility over them so no need to see her again."

She...is willing to give her body to these men for the night? The revelation kills me slowly, inflicting a kind of pain right at my chest which causes it to clench.

"Actually, you can use the room across if you want to-"

"I want her," I utter immediately, looking straight at the woman. I cannot bear the fact that she is here. I am going to get her out of here, immediately. 

"That woman? Hm," he hums, impressed, "good taste. I'll let you enjoy her for tonight. Take the room across from this and call me if you plan to do anything more with her tonight. You can always find someone better, though-"

"No," I cut him off, "I want her."

He chuckles. "Then she's yours."

While the other men in the room enjoy the presence of the rest of the women with them, I stand and approach the lone woman at the side who is still keeping her head down. I purse my lips as my shaking hand snakes around her waist. I dip my head down to whisper at her ear, "Follow me." She simply nods, not uttering a word.

Still with my hand around her waist, I keep her close to me as I lead her to the exit.

"The scaramuccia scored a woman tonight!" One of the men happily announces, causing the attention of the rest to land on us.

I force out a smirk and swallow down the bile rising in my throat before I say such disgusting words, "One should never miss an opportunity, am I right?"

The men cheer out loud wishing for me to enjoy the night before I exit the room with her still with me.

I am right with the men guarding the room outside. There around six along the hallway and I make sure to stay level-headed as I take her with me to the room right across from us where a guard is also waiting in front of. It is just a few steps away and I do it in haste to get it over and done with.

The man guarding the door silently moves away and even unlocks it for us to enter. The lights of the room turn on and a king bed covered with white sheets is the first thing I see, followed by a wide flatscreen T.V. screwed to the wall across from it. The door to the bathroom is closed and the wall beside it is where I gently push her to before closing the distance between us, looming over her.

We heavily pant against each other while she keeps her gaze still at the ground.

"S-Sir," she starts in a soft voice, "please don't be too rough-"

"What are you doing here, Marinette?" I hiss, the tension between us growing by the millisecond.

"Sir, you may call me with any name tonight. I will not complain."

"Marinette, what the hell are say-"

Just as I was about to pull the mask away from her face, she tugs me by the back of my neck and slams her lips on mine. I feel my cheeks flush as she moves her hands, unfastening the bow tie around my neck and I feel her leg rise up to right below my waist.

I lose myself for a moment there since the way she kisses is much more different than our first during the night when I went to her apartment. There is more desperation in this one and bluntness to it. I tilt my head to deepen it, the tips of the noses on our masks hitting against each other, but I still feel taken aback when she suddenly bites my bottom lip causing me to let out a gasp in surprise against her lips.

She draws back and pulls my head lower so that she could sharply nip my left earlobe before breathing out into my ear, "Place your hand on my thigh. Kiss me from my neck down to my shoulder."

I throw her an incredulous look. "No way," I utter immediately. "I am not doing that."

She sticks out her tongue to lick the side of my cheek, right below the mask. After that, she whispers, "There are hidden cameras in this room..."

My blood then turns cold, the hairs on the back of my neck stand as my stomach drops too.

"Don't look now but nine o'clock, you'll notice one as a faint blinking light by the nightstand," she continues in a hushed voice, "They are watching us."

That explains why Byvael mentioned to use this room. It also explains her risky behavior and why she would not stop touching me all over. But that is not my only issue now. If she's here, then she clearly knows that there is a meeting tonight and what the meeting is about.

Who told her? And why Marinette?

"Hold me closer," she murmurs in between the kisses she would leave on my neck.

"The last thing I want now is for you to hate me," I whisper, bringing my trembling hand up her leg. "Please, don't."

I am still confused with a lot of things now. And the temptation of Marinette is not helping at all. The main thing in my mind now is that I really need to take her away from here, especially now that there are people watching us everywhere.

"This is not how I wanted to see you again," she confesses breathlessly as she starts to caress my face between her hands. "This is not how I wanted to kiss you again." Tears start to build up in her eyes and I take this as a chance to tenderly press my lips on them as she flutters them close. I could only feel part of it through my lips as the rest are covered by her mask.

Is this an excuse for us to hold and touch each other like this? I wouldn't want this for her, she doesn't deserve something like this for her.

Yet, I can't stop thinking if I weren't here. She would have been holding one of those men like this and would eventually have to...

The mere thought makes me sick, it makes me mad...it makes me disappointed in myself.

"You knew the main point of this meeting tonight, didn't you?"

She purses her lips and slowly nods her head once.

"And you knew what you were getting into?" I continue, my voice barely above a whisper. "Would you have..." I hesitate and sharply intake a breath as tears pool in my eyes, "have slept with one of them if they chose...you?"

I could hear my own heartbeat go haywire as Marinette silently nods her head again then averts her gaze from mine in shame.

My heart drops as I shakily exhale, tightening my arms around her body. I cannot bear the fact that this event could have gone down differently if I were not here.

"Let me take you away from here, please," I utter with a shaky voice. "Tell me what you know about this meeting but please leave this place with me. Say how I can take you away..."

She slowly tilts her head up to look at me again and brushes a finger on my lips. Looking straight at them, she murmurs, "Call Byvael and say that you'll buy me for the whole night. Then take me far away from here and I'll tell you...everything."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am going to take a 2-week writing break since I am way behind my modules (and I've failed another exam of mine huhu). Hopefully you would understand :)

I also hoped that you liked this chapter :)

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