The next evening, Luka admired Kagami during her practice as usual. He smiled more than he had in years. He knew it was because she meant so much to him. He could not tell her because he worried she didn't feel the same about him. He saw her attack the dummy and smirked. She was good. Her fencing had certainly been approved these past months.

    Meanwhile, Marinette stood waiting for Felix's arrival. She felt nervous which was silly since he was taking her to the work party because he had won the small little bet he had made with her. She blushed when she thought about how his outfit would compliment her dress. She put on a necklace, and with Tikki's help styled her hair in a nice braided bun. She added a blue ribbon to match.  She wore the miraculous as usual, but since her bottom ear lobes are pierced too she wears the miraculous in the top section and has some dangly hoops in the bottom lobs. She completes the outfit with a blue pair of high heels. She hopes she will trip over her feet tonight. She has Tikki hidden inside a blue bag with white spots on it. This way she will keep her hidden from the prying eyes of her coworkers, boss, and Felix. 

       The party is across town to provide more room for it. The bakery is nice, but rather small for such things. Felix smiles when she answers the door on the first ring. "Eager to see me, are you, Blue Raven?" He asked. "Dashing Finch, your suit looks grand on you," She said. She suddenly felt shy around him which is ridiculous because he is only Felix. She let him take her hand as he led her to his car. She was grateful, he opened the door for her. Once inside, she put on the seatbelt and temporarily removed her shoes. She was not quite used to them yet. 

        Upon arrival at the event, Marinette put the shoes on and fastened them properly. Thank goodness she did not need such fancy attire as ladybug she thought. She entered with Felix at her side. She heard the gasps from the others when they saw her. Strangely, it was not like she was the only lady in attendance. Why should they give her such a response?

        "Blue Raven, shall we dance?" Felix asked. Marinette nodded her head. She let Felix lead her onto the dance floor, forgetting the others watched them as she enjoyed time with her dance partner. She heard the song change to a slow dance three songs into it and laid her head against Felix's chest. He held her close dancing with her in his arms. 

    "Look it is our boss, who was set aside when Adrien found someone new. Too bad for her, she is stuck with that second-rate cousin of his," A lady known for her avid gossip stated. She did not care if anyone overheard her.  Many others agreed with her, but a few were sympathetic towards the blue-haired boss of theirs.  "Maggie, hold your tongue, you should not say such things. Marinette is good to us, She pays us all fine wages and gives us a decent Christmas bonus. Besides, even she deserves happiness and if, that comes in the form of Felix then so be it. Felix has proven himself a decent man." Katharine said.

         Felix noticed Marinette started to weep at the harsh words of those around them. He glared at them. He could not believe they would stoop so low as to say such a thing. It was not Marinette's fault his cousin had done her wrong. He knew Adrien was his half-brother, but since Adrien's aunt had raised him he did not bother to correct the wagging tongues in this matter. 

       "Leave Marinette out of whatever ails you, I assure you she is a fine young woman and it would do you good for you to notice as much!  I know I have not done well by her in the past, but at present, I intend to do what I can to see to it that she is not dragged into the gutter by you gutter mouths," Felix remarked. Then, he escorted her to the side room. He felt Marinette could use some time to calm down after what happened. 

        Marinette looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Why he had stood up for her she would never understand. Could it be he had feelings for her? Could she dare to hope that he understood her?   Felix offered her a handkerchief, and she wiped the tears away.

        "Why are you so good to me? I doubted you even now due to the past, and yet you defended me in front of my bad-mouthed employees. Why? Why should you do such a thing?" She asked.

          "Marinette, no one should make you feel beneath them. Least of all such disgruntled people who work for you. You are not trash, and you deserve better." Felix answered. He heard her sigh. He touched her face with his hand unsure if she would react well to such a gesture.

           "F-Felix?" She muttered. Felix kissed her cheek, chin, and the corner of her lips. He dared not hope for more now. He was not sure that she was ready. In time, he hoped to claim her lips with his. "Marinette, I care for you. More than I probably should, and I will prove it to you." He said.  

      Marinette caressed his left cheek with her thumb. Felix closed his eyes wishing not to forget this moment in case he discovered it a dream. She responded by pressing her lips against his right elbow. Then, she wept. She did not know why she responded this way. She felt the tears burn against her cheeks. 

      Felix opened his eyes, wiped her tears away, and held her close. "Don't cry, Blue Raven, don't cry." He said gently.

   Find out more in Three No's and a Yes Part 6  

 Author's note:   The next part will be the final part of this particular storyline.

  Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!