The day went by extremely slowly. I wanted it to be 8 o'clock because I wanted this interview behind me as soon as possible.
When my live cut-ins were done for the 5 and 6, I jumped in a cab back home.
This was really difficult to dress for. I wanted to look spectacular which was childish of me, but at the same time I was on assignment.

I opted for a tight black dress and nude heels. I felt butterflies in my stomach.
Butterflies! Are you kidding me?
I was going insane. This wasn't a date! This was an interview. He was probably there with five hundred other, more attractive women than me right now.

I looked in the mirror and liked what I saw but at the same time, I was no model. I put earrings in when my doorbell rang. Who was that, I picked up the intercom.
"A Alfred Pennigton for you Miss Hunter." "What?"
"He says he is the..."
"I know who he is... Thanks, let him know I'll be right down."
He is sending Alfred to pick me up? NOT a date Catherine, this is not a date.

I walked towards the black car.
"Good evening Miss Hunter," Alfred said while holding the car door open for me. "Good evening Alfred. This wasn't necessary."
"Master Wayne insisted."
Of course he did.

We got to his penthouse. "Master Wayne is waiting for you Miss Hunter" he said while letting me off the elevator first.

Wayne was standing at the window front looking out at the spectacular skyline of Gotham. He was wearing a white collared shirt, his arms crossed.
"Miss Hunter" he said while turning around. "Thank you for making the trip." He said while walking towards me in big strides.

My knees felt like butter and my heart was racing. I was getting so annoyed with myself.
He was stretching out his hand to greet me.
"Nice to meet you in person." He said while shaking my hand firmly.
"You as well. And thank you for sending me a ride."
"Least I could do." He said while he was smiling at me. "Can Alfred get you anything?" "Water will be just fine."
He gestured at Alfred while placing a hand on my back and elegantly directing me towards the couch area. His hand was on my back for only a second but it made my butterflies go wild. Keep yourself together.

"Please, have a seat." He gestured towards the black leather couch.
"Thanks." I said while sitting down. Alfred brought my water and him what looked like Whiskey or Scotch.
"Whiskey?" I asked.
"Yes, going back to my Irish roots." He said while taking a sip not breaking my gaze.
"I had no idea you're Irish."
"Well, as Amber tells me, that's why this interview is important. To get to know the real Bruce Wayne."
Ah yes, this was just good strategy on his part. See, has nothing to do with you.
"Exactly," I said while getting my notepad and pen out of my bag.

Wayne leaned back in the couch, watching me closely as I opened the notebook.
I could see his biceps through his shirt.

"Everyone knows you're into action sports. What is it that fascinates you about that? The adrenaline rush?"
He smiled at me, his eyes narrowing in on mine.
"Adrenaline is a great thing, wouldn't you say Miss Hunter?"
I was feeling plenty adrenalined up at the moment.

"What's your next adventurous sport then?" I asked.
"I don't know. I like to see where life takes me. I'm not a big planner."
"You have to be a bit of a planer to manage all your wealth and host enormous fundraisers for political candidates."

He smiled. I tried not to look at him directly. I was barely able to concentrate as it was.
"My business life is very different from my private life. I'm not much into politics but I do support a candidate when I see that he or she shows potential of improving Gotham."
"Is that what you see in Mr Greenwood."
"Absolutely."
"Why is it so important for you that Gotham is - as you said - improving. Is it because that is your parent's legacy?"
The smile on his face vanished. His expression hardened.
"Not just that. Gotham is my home." He said matter-of factly.
"Some say you're not honoring your parents the way you present yourself in public."
I was surprised when I saw hurt in his eyes. He surely must know what people are saying about him.
All of a sudden he leaned forward, his face very close to mine.
"To that, Miss Hunter, I would say" He said while looking to the ground. "They just don't know me." He looked up again straight into my eyes. A haunting look on his face.
There it was again. That vulnerable look I saw at the party. I tried to look away but again I was spellbound.
"Master Wayne?" Alfred walked in and ripped me out of my dream state. "Someone on the phone for you sir. Sorry to interrupt."
"Excuse me." Bruce said while walking away.

I was sipping on my water, my heart still beating fast. Pull yourself together! I heard his steps on the floor. "I'm so sorry Miss Hunter, I have a business emergency I have to attend to." Bullshit. Probably a party somewhere. "Of course." I said quickly grabbing my things.

He walked me back to the elevator. As I grabbed my notepad, I dropped the pen. We both went to grab it, our hands touching. Not breaking my gaze he stood up slowly handing me the pen back.
"Thanks." I said.
"I'm so sorry again about this."
"Oh don't worry Mr Wayne I'm sure you're a busy man."
He was smiling at me as if he was saying - you have no idea.
"Surely you have more important matters to attend to than talking to a reporter." I said smiling.
He turned serious. "Right now Miss Hunter, there isn't anywhere were I'd rather be."

Heart. Stopped. Beating.

Was he joking? Was this just his way to wrap me around his finger? He must want something from me. Maybe he thinks I'm going to portray him in a better light if he gets me into bed. That's what it must be. But the way he looked into my eyes was telling me a different story.

"Ok..." I said after a really long time. Saying anything seemed really hard as I felt my voice tremble. Please tell me he didn't notice. I grabbed my my business card from my bag also as a way to break his gaze. "Here is my card, if you're still up for the interview."
He smiled, then grabbed the card.
"Of course." He said while again looking way too deep into my eyes.
Alfred walked up.
"Oh I can take a cab." I said.
"Nonsense." Bruce responded. "That's the least I can do for all your trouble."
"Well thank you again Mr Wayne." I said while holding my hands on purpose close to my body. I didn't need any more skin contact with him.
"The pleasure was all mine Miss Hunter." He said, his hands loosely in his pockets.
When the elevator doors shut I felt like I was surfacing again. I took a deep breath.
"Long day?" Alfred asked me.
"Yes, they're always long." I replied. He smiled at me.


The elevator doors closed. He took a deep breath bracing his hands against the cold steel doors. What was he doing? He could not afford getting involved with her or anyone. Bruce Wayne might be able to get away with dating someone, but not Batman.
His brain was clear - this is wrong. But he could not stop seeing her. Ever since he spotted her at the Greenwood party. In a see of eyes, her dark brown eyes were all he saw.
He couldn't afford to have feelings for her. What if she found out? She is a reporter - the secret would be out and Batman dead.
More importantly - what if someone else found out and it would put her in danger?
It was all so wrong but yet he could not stop.
He had left the party that night to find distraction from her beauty. But he couldn't find any. Her face was haunting him. He had to see her again.
Having her at his penthouse to himself was almost too tempting. He wanted to share everything with her.

He put on the Batsuit, ready to follow the tip he got from police.
"Can I get you anything Master Wayne?"
"A real whiskey Alfred." He pretended to drink in public to keep up the image of the playboy Bruce Wayne. She had bought it too. He hadn't had a sip of alcohol in years.
"You like her don't you?" Alfred inquired.
"Alfred, stop the matchmaking efforts." He said annoyed.
"I think love is a luxury even Bruce Wayne can afford."
"Batman can't."
"Even Batman can. You just have to make sure no one knows Batman likes her."
"Easier said than done."
"Master Wayne." Alfred stepped closer. "I've known you all your life. No one can be completely alone. Not even Batman."