The same dream of the little boy was in Adriana's mind as she made breakfast. The repetitive but sweet dream she kept having every night, but somehow never grew tired of.
"Hello?" Adriana answered her phone while sprinkling shredded cheddar onto the two eggs she was scrambling.
"Good morning," she heard Bruce say.
"Hi," she said and picked up the spatula.
"Happy Saturday..." Bruce said and then became quiet.
"Same to you," Adriana said, feeling overwhelming awkwardness lingering over the quiet line.
"Allow me to apologize for last night," he finally said. "What happened was entirely my mistake and I deeply regret it. I know there's no excuse for what occurred. I'm truly sorry, and I want to ask your forgiveness."
"Wow.." Adriana said, stifling a laugh, when he was done. "You sound so...corporate."
"Too formal?" he spoke. "I'm sorry, Adriana...I really fucked up. Please, let me make it up to you."
"Bruce.." Adriana said while smiling. "Don't worry about it, it's totally fine."
"Are you sure? I feel really bad-"
"I'm sure," she said and laughed. "Chill."
"Oh..okay," he said, not sounding quite relieved.
"I hope you had a good evening though," she said with sincerity. "With Stacy."
"Yeah..it was fine," he said quickly. "Adriana, you should let me make this up to you. I feel like I need to."
"Why?" she asked and put two waffles into the toaster. "I mean..we're adults. Things happen..You told me before I came over that you had plans ...and plus I was late so really, if you think of it that way, it was my fault that things kind of overlapped. Feel better?"
"No," Bruce said. "I can't stop thinking about you..and what happened. I feel pretty awful. And embarrassed, quite frankly."
"I forgive you, Bruce," Adriana said, trying to get him to stop feeling so down about something that she didn't see as a big deal. "It was nothing. I mean..you're a man, I get it."
"A woman in the head of all of us men. Seeing all of our thoughts." Bruce said. "You must despise men. Or at least be disgusted."
"No, no," she laughed. "I'm used to it. Anyways, you're attractive, successful, and young and you're a guy. It's totally normal that you'd have girls around. There's no reason to beat yourself up, it's not like we're in a relationship or anything. Don't sweat it."
"You're right.." Bruce said. "We're not in a relationship."
"Exactly," Adriana said while looking in her refrigerator for syrup.
"Right," he said in a simple tone. "So...would you like to be in a relationship?"
"What-" Adriana said and accidentally dropped the bottle.
"I'm sorry, that was a little forward," he apologized.
"No, just took me a little off guard," she said and picked up the syrup and walked back over to her plate.
"Can I try this again?" he said, sounding annoyed with himself.
"Umm...sure," she said.
"Okay," he took a deep breath. "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"
Adriana was quiet for a few seconds, thinking about the fact that she was already lying to Bruce about being Shade. How would this even work? How would she keep her vigilantism from him if they became closer?
"Ouch..." Bruce said. "So that's a no."
"No," she said, snapping out of her thoughts. "I was just..distracted. Sure, we can have dinner."
"Thank you for giving me a second chance," Bruce said.
"You're welcome," she said kindly.
"Would you like to go to Acuavit?" he asked.
"Sure, I've never been there," Adriana said, knowing it was a five-star restaurant that she had never had the occasion or budget for until recently. "Oh..that's my other line, my sis is calling me."
"I'll pick you up at 7," Bruce said.
"Okay, see you then," she said. "Bye bye."
She ended the call with Bruce and answered Harri's video call while using her other hand to pour the maple syrup.
"I quit my job todayyy," Harri beamed.
"I'm so happy, Harri," Adriana smiled.
"Yes, more time to focus on wedding planning," she replied and showed Adriana her diamond.
"Aww...I love you guys," Adriana said, truly happy for Harri and Antonio.
"We love you more," Harri said. "How's your morning?"
"Oh..pretty good.." Adriana said. "Got asked out on a date."
"What!" Harri smiled and flipped her sleek dark hair over onto her other shoulder. "Tell me about him! You didn't even tell me you met anyone."
"Well..it was Bruce," Adriana explained.
"Bruce Wayne? He want to take you on an actual date?"
"Yes," Adriana replied.
"Girllll," Harri was smiling even brighter. "Tell me everything! So he just called you this morning to ask you out?"
"No..actually he called to apologize for something," she said. "Then he asked me out."
"Damn...so what is this? A forgive me date? I feel bad for something date? What did he do?"
"I don't think so..I mean he asked me if I want to be in a relationship before he asked about the date-"
"What did you say?"
"Umm..nothing-"
"Good. So what does he have to apologize for?"
"Oh, that.." Adriana said. "Well I was at his house, training and we sort of started..you know-"
"You had sex!" Harri beamed. "And he still wants to see you and take you on a date! For a guy like that, that means something. So he's apologizing for what?"
"We didn't fully..." Adriana said. "I mean it was just foreplay...oral."
"Ohh was it big?" Harri laughed and brushed her hair.
"I didn't see it," Adriana said.
"Oh I see," Harri said. "He's a giver! Was it good?"
"Yeah..." Adriana answered. "Maybe a little too good. I mean he could do that professionally..for real."
"Oh my goshhhh," Harri laughed louder. "I'm sure he's had a lot of practice."
"Speaking of which...another girl came over when we were in the middle of that..and I left."
"Huh?" Harri asked. "Why? He let her in? Is that why he's sorry? He wanted a threesome?"
"No, Harri, gosh," Adriana said. "The places your mind goes."
"Ok tell me."
"I left because..she was young and sweet and..I don't know. 20. Wide eyed and innocent. He offered to lie to her and send her away."
"I don't see the problem," Harri said. "You should have let him send her home and then you two should have gotten your freak on."
"I couldn't do it Harri...she was so.. I don't know," Adriana said.
"I know," Harri sighed. "Your gift. I guess you really got to know her in those few minutes."
"Yeah," Adriana said. "But we have a date so I guess that's good."
"You guess?" Harri said. "My intuition tells me there's something you're not telling me."
"No.." Adriana thought of the vigilantism, on both her and Bruce's parts. "It's fine. Just complicated."
"When's the date?"
"Tonight. At Acuavit."
"Five star of course. You're dating a billionaire. What are you wearing?"
"I don't know."
"You still have that dress from when we went shopping right? The black one?"
"That?" Adriana thought of the dress with the PVC level shiny corset-like top and flowing black floor length skirt. "I don't think I should go to such a...high class place looking like I have a whip and handcuffs in my purse."
"Bruce will love it. Wear it!"
"Ok...If you insist."
"I insist. Red lipstick too. Fishnet pantyhose. They will only be visible if you take steps. Some black heels...straighten your hair, super sleek. No hoop earrings, wear diamond studs-"
"Okay boss," Adriana said.
"I'm serious. Get your nails done. Black polish-"
"Black nail polish?" Adriana said.
"Trust me hun," Harri said. "I gotta go though, dentist appointment soon."
"Okay sis," Adriana said.
"Don't forget what I said. NO hoops, diamond studs."
"Okay!" Adriana said and laughed. "Bye."
