"Malika!" cried my mother as she ran breathlessly, trying to reach me in time. I wanted to call out to her, to hug and kiss her one last time. I knew that our home and our people were being burned down and that there was no way out of this. I covered my mouth with my hand, forcing myself to hold back a scream as I watched Afzal, my father's right hand man slice her throat. I may have only been twelve, but I knew for a long time that Afzal had wanted the throne to himself and I guess once my father had died in battle, he figured that it was the perfect opportunity to do so.

Tears escaped my eyes as I choked back sobs as I watched my mother's limp body fall to the ground in a lifeless heap. I heard Afzal's footsteps retreat, but dared not look. After a few minutes of calming myself down, I opened my eyes and looked out from my hiding spot to see that the coast was clear. I took a few more deep breaths, trying to plan how I could get out of the palace unscathed. Just as I got ready to pull myself out from underneath the stone bench, Afzal's rugged menacing face smiled at me with black eyes, "Hello Princess," he laughed as he took my arm in his iron grip and pulled me out from underneath as I screamed and clawed at him wherever I could. All he did was laugh and tighten his grip on my arm as he dragged me along.

He tossed me to his soldiers as if I were nothing but a doll. They eyed me mischieviously as Afzal spoke, "The Pit," was all he said and my eyes became the size of my head as I realized his plan. I screamed with terror until one of the soldiers hit me on the back of my head with the handle of his sword. My vision became spotted and blurry as I tried to keep myself from losing consciousness, but I only lasted a few more seconds until everything went black.


"Mal," I heard somewhere in the distance, "Mal!" I flutter my eyes open to the sight of Bruce beside me, brushing my thick dark locks across my face. His dark brown eyes gaze into my radiant emerald ones, full of concern, "Baby, you were having a bad dream again." He smiles softly at me.

The memories of my childhood have plagued my dreams every single night since I was banished to Hell on Earth. I realize how much the sheets and my hair have stuck to my sweat-slicked body and groan in disgust, "What time is it?"

"4:53" Bruce answers after rolling over and checking the alarm clock on the bedside table. I get up tentatively, remove my bare body from the bed and saunter over to the adjoining bathroom, making sure to sway my hips as I know the Bruce is watching me. I make it into the bathroom before peeking my head out.

"You coming?" I wink before walking to the shower and turning it on. I let the water run over the front of my body first before I feel a pair of strong muscular arms grope my waist from behind. I turn towards Bruce before crashing my lips into his as the scalding water runs down both of out bodies.

"You know, you really need to get out more, Bruce. Do you even know what they say about you? Some of the things are just ridiculous." I say as I tuck my white sleeveless blouse into my high-waisted black pencil skirt before slipping on a pair of black stiletto pumps. I check myself in the mirror, checking to see if my hair and make-up are up to par.

"Let them say what they want. I don't want to ruin their fun." Bruce smirks and I turn towards him exasperated.

"Well that's all fine and dandy for you, Bruce. But I am the one that's stuck answering all of these questions about you."

"I will never understand how you can make it through a full work day in those shoes, Mal." Bruce shakes his head, changing the subject. Two can play at that game.

"Bye babe. I'm taking the lambo." I say quickly, grabbing my petticoat and leaving the bedroom. I hear him groan as I smirk to myself. I grab the keys, say goodbye to Alfred, and make my way to the garage.


"Miss Tahan, you're needed in OR 3." I'm greeted with as soon as I walk into the hospital. I nod in understanding before making my way to the locker room, putting my purse away and grabbing my lab coat. I head into OR 3 and are greeted by my fellow colleagues.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let's get this operation going." I say after I finished calculating just how much anaesthetics this patient would need to last the surgery.

For the next 10 hours, I am flying from OR to OR and from room to room, working on the anaesthetics for all of my patients

"Hi babe. What's up?" I ask when I pick up my vibrating phone.

"What are you up to?" Bruce asked on the other side of the line.

"Just got off work. I'm going to go pick out a dress for tonight and then I'll see you." Bruce chuckles on the other side of the line.

"Always unprepared, Mal?" I roll my eyes and hush him.

"It's not unprepared. It's procrastination. There is a difference." I joke.

He laughs, "See you soon, love." I say my goodbye and hang up while getting into Bruce's lambo, appreciating the beauty of the car.

I make my way to the ritzy side of town to find an evening gown for the party Bruce is hosting tonight in honour of Harvey Dent Day. I go through a few different stores trying on a bunch of different dresses until I come upon the one that will be perfect for the evening. After all, the girlfriend of a reclusive billionaire has to make up for the lack of her other half. The gown is an eye catching white number with jewels encrusted all over and is backless. The material hugs to my body and makes my boobs look like they're a cup size larger while pushing them up and together just right. The back-line stops right above my butt and the neckline is a perfect fit for my favourite necklace. I smile at the cashier as I grab my bag and leave, heading back to the Wayne Manor.


"How do I look?" I ask Bruce as I come out of the bathroom with my dress on, my diamond earrings in as well as my necklace and my studded bangle, my make-up done perfectly, and my hair up in an elegant up-do. He looks me up and down and he is speechless.

"Bat got your tongue?" I wink. His face sinks into confusion.

"What did you say?"

"I said 'cat got your tongue'?" I repeated, correcting the Freudian slip I had made. He looked like he didn't believe me still so I walked over to him and pushed my body against his. I was correct in the assumption that this would distract him.

"My God, Mal, you make me want to go out into society again just so that I can keep those bastards' hands off you."

I trail my hand up his arm and to his face, resting on his cheek, "Don't worry about me, babe, you know I can handle myself perfectly well." I smirk before kissing him and turning away to grab a pair of black stilettos. "See you later tonight, babe" I blow him a kiss before leaving the bedroom and descending down the stairs to meet the guests.

I roll my eyes in annoyance as I see all Gotham's elite step out of their fancy cars and limos to remember the death date of a fraud. I hate ever single one of them and can't stand the fact that I have to pretend to like them in order to keep up appearances and keep myself under the wraps. I take another deep breath before making my way towards the crowd. "This is going to be a long night." I whisper under my breath.