“So, Adrien… what is it that made you want to apply for the position of being my assistant?”

“Well, it’s quite hard to explain with just words. But I’ve heard enough about you to know that you’re a wonderful designer with paw-sitively purr-fect designs.”

“… did you just make puns?”

“Mhm. I find them quite funny. I hope that wasn’t too unprofessional of me,”

“No, it wasn’t. I just found it interesting, is all. It also says here that you previously worked-MON DIEU, YOU’RE GABRIEL AGRESTE’S SON?!”

“That’s right. I hope there’s nothing… wrong with that, Mademoiselle?”

“N-no, i-it’s just that I’ve looked up to your father for a long time ever since my interest in fashion started. Now that I think about it, why be an assistant when you could work for a much higher position?”

“I finally managed to step away from my father’s coattails of fame, so working as an assistant will be giving me a new experience and responsibilities that I never had in the first place. I know that making my own decisions have not exactly been a dominant part in my life when it comes to my previous job, but there’s no better time to start than now. After all, the smaller things are what makes up the big ones.”

“Hm… good answer.”

“I hope that this doesn’t make you think or treat me differently.”

“Of course, not! I can tell that you’re a really sweet person and sincere about what you said. Not to mention, the other applicants I’ve interviewed seemed a bit…” she wanted to say haughty, conceited, arrogant; those were words she wanted to say out loud, but the crooked smile Adrien offers her is enough to tell her that he understands. After all, he was there in the lobby when he heard those murmurs of condescending snide remarks towards Mlle. Dupain-Cheng. How on earth could those ignorant people have the nerve (well, most of them) to apply to be her assistant and look down at her the same time? Rude, the lot of them were-are.

‘Those damn applicants. First, they’re praising you so much, but the minute I turn my back at them they talk about how naïve I am. Not to mention really rude about a lot of things, knowing that I’m still new to the industry. She looks up to him and is thankful that Adrien Agreste doesn’t seem to project any façade of politeness or niceties.

She reaches out her right arm towards him, palm open. Adrien looks to her with a raised brow and head tilted slightly, almost resembling a curious cat (who would probably be twitching his furry ears atop his head if he had them).

“Congratulations, Mr. Agreste. You’ve shown to be the most promising candidate for this job. You’re hired.”

His eyes shine like glittering stars and she can’t help but smile widely at him. He smiles back and couldn’t be any happier, shaking her hand vigorously (but not too rough).

“Thank you, Mlle. Dupain-Cheng.”

“Call me Marinette.”