"So, it's official?" Emma asked later when she and Arianna were having coffee.

"Yeah, it is. I tried forgetting him, but I wanted to be with him so I decided to give it a shot. If he breaks my heart then I'll just punch him like I did Michael."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. I've seen the way he looks at you. You know it's not going to be long before others find out you two are dating. Paparazzi will be all over you. What will you do?"

Arianna shrugged. "I know dating a billionaire will have its prices and I'll have them stalking me, but I'll figure out what to do when they come."

"Just don't punch them. I don't think that would look good."

"For me? Or for Bruce?"

"For both of you. Did he tell you about the charity event next week?"

"Yeah. We aren't going to tell anyone we are dating, but if they ask we won't deny it. Of course like you said it won't take them long especially if he has his arm wrapped around me."

"I'll be there so if it gets too much for you I'll bail you out."

Arianna smiled. "Thanks."

The week leading up to the event had been wonderful. Arianna was so glad that she gave Bruce a chance. She hadn't been this happy in a long time. Occasionally she would surprise him with lunch or he would surprise her. Everyone at Arianna's work now knew that she and Bruce were officially dating and it wouldn't be long before the whole city knew. She wondered if she could handle all the attention she knew she would get.

Arianna was just walking back from the corner store when something caught her eye. She glanced in the alley way and saw her neighbor, Adam, had another man by his shirt, shaking his first. She didn't think much of it until she heard them talk.

"You were supposed to bring them to me." Adam said.

"Hey, I don't work for you. If you want them then you will have to take that up with my boss."

"Your boss and I had a deal."

"I have no control over what my boss does."

Adam took out a knife and pressed it to the man's throat. Arianna wasn't sure what she should do. Should she help the guy out? Of course that may get her hurt or worse and also they both sounded like criminals. She could call the cops, but by the time they show up the two men may be gone. Besides, she didn't have proof of anything. She didn't even know what they were talking about.

"I'd like you to send a message to your boss." Adam looked in the direction of Arianna and she quickly ran passed the alley, hoping he didn't see her.

She didn't stop or look back until she was in her apartment. As she put her groceries away she couldn't help but wonder what they had been up to and what had they been talking about. Well, it was no good dwelling out on it. It wasn't like she was going to find out.

The next day as Arianna was on her way to work, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Every so often she would glance around, but saw no one looking at her. She shook her head, probably just paranoid from what she saw last night.

The incident soon left her head as she arrived at work and was around all the kids. Little kids always put a smile on her face. They were so care free and innocent with no worries at all.

Arianna was just settling a fight between two kids when another came up to her, tugging on her shirt.

"Ms. Ari, there is a man staring at the school."

"Where at?"

The kid pointed and Arianna went to look. She didn't see anyone looking at the school so she didn't think much about it, but in the back of her mind she was a little worried. She would have to keep an eye out for any weirdoes poking around.

Arianna was happy when work ended and it was time for dinner since Bruce was taking her out. He wouldn't tell her where so she was curious and excited on where they were going.

There was a knock at the door and Arianna opened it with a smile. "Right on time."

"You sound surprised." Bruce chuckled.

"Just making a comment. Are those for me?" Arianna asked, seeing the flowers in his hand.

"Who else would they be for?"

Arianna shrugged. "A secret girlfriend."

"If I had a secret girlfriend-which I don't-I wouldn't bring the flowers to you."

"True point. Come in while I put these in water."

Arianna took the flowers from Bruce then put them in a vase. While she was doing that, a group of key chains hanging on the wall caught his attention. There were many different colors and said something different like 30 days, 60 days and 90 days.

"My reward for staying sober." Arianna said when she saw what Bruce was looking at.

"They reward you with key chains?"

"Yeah. Not much of a reward, but my 180 days glows in the dark."

"At lest you won't lose it then." They both laughed as they headed out.

Arianna was getting better at riding in cars. She wasn't as afraid as she once was and Bruce made she he was careful since he didn't want her to have a panic attack, though she assured him she wouldn't.

A few minutes had passed and Arianna noticed that they were headed away from the busy city. She looked at Bruce with confusion. "You aren't taking me to an abandoned warehouse and having your way with me, are you?"

Arianna sounded so serious that Bruce thought that she actually was serious, but then he glanced at her and saw a smile on her face. "Nothing of the sort."

"So, you going to tell me where we're going?"

"No."

Soon Arianna could see a house in the distance, but as they got closer she realized it was bigger than a house. It was a mansion.

"You're taking me to your home?"

"What? Not fancy enough for you?"

Arianna laughed. "I'm just surprised is all. We've only been officially dating as of yesterday and already you're taking me home with you."

Once inside, Arianna couldn't stop looking wide eyed at everything around her. She had never been in such a big and nice place before.

"You live here? Well, of course you live here. Someone as rich as you wouldn't live in a rundown apartment. So, why did you bring me here?" Arianna turned to Bruce and saw him smiling. "What are you smiling about?"

"You."

"What about me?"

"You're just cute."

"Um, thank you."

Bruce chuckled as he grabbed Arianna's hand and lead her out back. Arianna's eyes widened when she saw a table set up with candles and flowers.

"Wow, you did this? It's lovely."

"I would love to take full credit for it, but I had help."

"Who would that me?"

"That would be me."

Arianna looked over at who spoke and saw an older man carrying a tray with two plates. Arianna and Bruce sat down as the man put the plates on the table.

"This is Alfred." Bruce introduced.

"I'm the butler."

"You have a butler?"

"Don't look at me like that. I don't make him wait on me hand and foot. He's like a father to me."

Alfred soon left the couple to their dinner. Arianna joked that Bruce could probably hold the Olympics in his backyard.

The night went better then Arianna expected. She was so happy to be with Bruce. He made he felt safe. She hadn't been this happy in a long time.

Once they were done with dinner, Alfred brought out desert.

"Pumpkin pie with whipped cream." Arianna smiled in delight. "My favorite."

"Is it?" Bruce asked, trying to sound surprised, but failed.

"You asked Emma."

"Yes I did."

"Thank you, Alfred."

"You're welcome, Ms. Cooper."

"Call me Arianna. Ms. Cooper makes me sound old." Arianna laughed.

"You're welcome, Ms. Arianna." Then Alfred headed back inside.

"You can leave out the Ms. too." Arianna hollered after him

Bruce laughed. "He's very polite."

"I've noticed."

The night was so wonderful that Arianna didn't want it to end, but it did. Bruce did promise her they could have more dinners like that which made Arianna very happy.

Soon the day came and it was time for the charity event and Arianna was more nervous then she had been in her entire life. Not only would this be her second big event in Gotham, but she would be going with Bruce Wayne. She was trying to prepare herself to be bombarded with questions and cameras.

When they stopped in front of the building, Bruce looked at Arianna. "You don't have to do this, you know?"

Arianna looked at him with confusion. "What?"

"You don't have to be here with me. As soon as we step out of the car everyone will be on us and asking questions."

"I know and I'm prepared for that…kind of. I want to be with you and I know that paparazzi will be all over us. That's what comes with dating a famous person."

Bruce smiled at her. He then got out of the car and went over to Arianna's side to open the door for her. Arianna took a deep breath as she took Bruce's hand and stepped out of the car. As soon as she was out, cameras started snapping. Arianna could hear people making comments. One of them said, "Why is Bruce Wayne with her? She doesn't look like anything special."

"Ignore them." Bruce whispered. "You're special to me."

Arianna smiled at that. She wasn't going to let what anyone said ruin this night.

Just as they were about to walk into the building, a reporter stopped them and asked if they were dating. Arianna smiled as she answered, "Yes." Then the two of them made their way inside.

"I didn't think you would be the first one to admit it to the press." Bruce said with a smile.

"I'm full of surprises."

"So I've noticed."

Arianna felt a little out of place as she and Bruce walked around the room. While he was greeting and talking to people, Arianna was looking around trying to find Emma. At least she would know one person here that she could talk to.

The couple made their way through the crowd and over to the refreshments table. Bruce poured them both some punch.

"Still a little nervous?" Bruce asked.

"A little. What do you do at these functions anyway?"

Bruce shrugged. "Talk to people, maybe make a speech. I'm donating some money to this charity so I'm probably going to have to say a few words."

"Better you then me."

"You used to dance in front of people. How is talking any different?"

"I'm better at dancing then talking."

"Ari."

Arianna turned at the sound of her name and was embraced by Emma. "Good to see you too, Emma."

Emma pulled away as she smiled. "How is the new couple doing at their first event?"

"Just fine."

"She was the one who announced it to the reporters that we were dating." Bruce said.

Emma looked at Arianna with shock. "Really? I thought for sure Bruce would speak up first."

"Hey, just because I am scared and nervous doesn't mean I have to keep my mouth shut."

Emma laughed. "Whatever you say, Ari."

The charity event continued and soon everyone was talking about Arianna and Bruce. Some people came up to them and asked if it was true that they were dating. As someone was walking away Arianna caught what they were saying.

"How long do you think that's going to last?"

"I say a few days. A week at the most."

"I can't believe some people." Arianna said.

"What are they saying now?"

"Discussing how long our relationship will last."

"I actually can't blame them. Before you came along I had a different girl every time."

"It's not the real you."

That caught Bruce off guard. He raised an eye brow. "What do you mean?"

Arianna shrugged. "I just don't think that's how you really are. I've been with you long enough to figure that out. I just don't know why you would pretend to be a playboy."

"What if I wasn't pretending?"

"Then I don't think you would be with me now."

Bruce smiled.

Soon the charity ended and Arianna admitted that it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Bruce then dropped her off at her apartment. She kissed him good night then went up.

When Arianna walked in, she stepped on something that crinkled. Looking down she saw it was an envelope. She picked it up and opened it, wondering what it was and who it could be from. What she saw made her eyes widen.

I know you saw us in the alley. You better watch your step.

She quickly shut her door and locked it. Then she made a run through of the apartment, making sure no one was inside. When she was sure she was alone she sat on her bed, staring at the note. What was she going to do now?