The answer was that it was pretty darn hard. The second I saw him the next day, I could tell that he looked at me differently. It was only for a second, but it was there. I guess I should explain how I saw him…

I wasn't really thinking about it, well, maybe I did subconsciously, but when Mr. Fox let me off early from work, I came back to the Manor and went to go find the library to chill for a while in an attempt to hide from Bruce, but because of my luck, I couldn't find it.

Then I heard voices, and I could make out Alfred. "Alfred, is that you?" I walked into the room and there was Alfred in the chair and Bruce was on the floor…doing push-ups…shirtless. I began stuttering and quickly walked out of the room. "Sorry," I called in.

Before either of them could do anything, I quickly walked up to the guest room. Once there, I couldn't help but laugh. As embarrassing as that was, I got to see Bruce Wayne do push-ups shirtless. That was anything any fangirl could ask for. In fact, if I went back to my world right now, I would be just fine with that. Well, sort of…

There was a knock on my door shortly after.

"Kris?"

I took a deep breath and opened the door for him to come in. Thankfully, he was fully clothed. "Look, um, Bruce, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to just waltz in. I was just looking for the library, and then when I heard Alfred's voice I—I just…"

"Whoa, slow down," Bruce said. I kinda felt my knees go weak again at how beautifully he said that. "I'm not mad. How were you supposed to know what was going on in there?"

It was impossible to ignore how he was looking at me. And I knew why, and I wanted in that moment to tell him everything. I wanted to tell him that I knew all about Batman and he didn't have to hide it from me. I wanted to tell him about Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul and Rachel and how his house was going to burn down. But most of all, I wanted to tell him that I didn't belong here and that I couldn't stay forever.

"Look, I came to ask you something," he went on. "There's a business dinner tonight, and I was hoping that you would come with me. After all, I'm going to need someone to keep me sane throughout all that talk about work."

I gave him a small smile. "Doesn't Bruce Wayne have a couple models to bring with him?"

He grinned at me sheepishly. "Well, yes, but they don't exactly make good small talk. I'll need someone like you who can keep up with the conversation."

I overdramatically rolled my eyes and smiled wider. "Well…if you insist!"

He took his wallet out and handed me a couple hundred dollars. "In that case, go out and buy yourself a nice dress."

"Oh, no, I can't take this money. Remember? I'm trying to pay you for letting me stay here."

"And I've already told you that you don't have to. Consider this a gift from a billionaire to his house guest."

He left and I sighed, not being able to get that look in his eyes out of my head.

I called a cab and went to the nearest dress store. I really hated shopping for everyday clothes, but dress shopping was something else. I loved trying on tons of different dresses, even if I knew they wouldn't fit me.

After trying on way more dresses than necessary, I went with a knee-length purple dress that showed off my figure, but not so much that I looked like I was trying to pick up Bruce Wayne like every other girl in the city. And the bottom of it flared out enough so that no one would stare at my butt. Before checking out, I also grabbed some make-up to wear for that night in addition to some bobby pins and accessories for my hair and of course, a nice pair of low heels. I never wore anything above two inches. Why torture myself for the sake of vanity?

By the time I got back, I didn't have very long to get ready. I took a shower and blow-dried my hair as fast as I could, then I proceeded to pin it up so that it all went over my shoulder in nice, perfect curls. After I was satisfied with how it looked, I took some little jewels and twisted them all through my hair. Finally, I donned my purple dress and black shoes.

Bruce had called me a car, telling me that his two models were going to be taking up the room in his own car. I forced myself to not be upset and just remember that he had an image to uphold.

When I came down the stairs, I was really in a hurry because I knew the car was waiting for me to take me to the restaurant. I dug through my purse, making sure I had everything, when my stupid shoe caused me to slip and I had a brief heart attack as I fell…right into Bruce's arms.

"Careful!" he laughed.

For the millionth time, my face got hot. I just couldn't stop embarrassing myself, could I?

"Wow, you look beautiful."

"Thank you," I smiled.

"Looks like my gift certainly was put to good use."

He looked like he wanted to say more, but a loud honk outside forced us to stop our mindless chatting. Bruce opened the door for me, then said quietly, "Remind me to get that driver fired later. Honking from the car is no way to pick up a lady."

I giggled and quickly left to go to the restaurant.

When I arrived, I was escorted to my table by the hostess, and I was met with Mr. Earle and a bunch of other workers I didn't really know.

"Ah, Miss Jacobson," Mr. Earle said as he pulled out a chair for me. Well at least the jerk didn't forget how to be a gentleman. "Bruce told us you were coming. Is he with you?"

"Uh, no actually, he—"

I didn't finish my sentence because at that moment, Bruce walked in with a model on each arm. I had always been jealous of those models. I mean they looked flawless, and they got to hang on Bruce. But of course, I reminded myself that I was the one actually living in the same house with him…and I had seen him shirtless. I blushed a little bit as I remembered this afternoon.

"Hello, everyone. Sorry I'm late," Bruce said. He took a seat next to me and the models shared a seat next to him.

Conversation did not go on long before the models got up and went over to the little pool. I watched as they took off their shoes and decided to take a little dip.

"He's done something the police never have," one woman said.

"You can't take the law into your own hands," another man replied.

"Well, at least he's getting something done."

"Bruce, help me out here, huh?"

Bruce turned to the man. "Well, a guy who dresses up like a bat clearly has issues."

Okay, that was way funnier to me because I knew the truth. But no one else laughed, thinking he was just being his jerky self. I pressed my hand to my mouth to stifle my giggles.

"But he's put Falcone behind bars," the woman continued.

"And now the cops want to bring him in. What does that tell you?"

"They're jealous."

One of the waiters came up next to Bruce and said with an even tone, "Sir, the pool is for decoration, and your friends do not have swimwear."

Bruce turned around to find his models inside the pool with their clothes on. He smiled and turned back to the waiter. "Well, they're, uh, European."

The waiter gave him a dry laugh. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave." When he saw Bruce pull out his checkbook, he added, "It is not a question of money, sir."

"Well, you see," Bruce said, standing up. He placed the check in the waiter's pocket. "I'm buying this hotel and setting some new rules about the pool area."

He took his champagne glass with a smile and went over to his dates. I always loved his face when he walked away.

"I think the Batman deserves a medal," the woman added.

"And a straitjacket to pin it on," Earle said.

At that moment, Bruce himself got into the pool with his lady friends.

"Kris, what's your opinion about the Batman?" Earle asked me.

I tried to tune out the obnoxious giggles behind me as I said, "Well, he saved my life yesterday, so already he's got points in my book."

"What happened?" the woman asked. I really liked her. She had that motherly kind of overtone that I really appreciated. And besides, anyone who likes Batman is a friend of mine.

"It was my fault. I was somewhere I wasn't supposed to be, and I got into a bit of trouble. But the Batman was there for me and helped me to safety. I don't think he's a bad man in any way. I mean, if he saved me, how bad can he be? I think he's just trying to bring justice to those who deserve it."

"See?" the woman said. "There you have it. If he saves innocent people's lives and brings down the guilty ones, he can't be a bad person."

I stayed out of most of the conversation that followed. After all, a lot of it was about work that I wasn't involved in. I was just a personal assistant.

At least the food was good.

My car was supposed to pick me up at 10, and I kept sneaking glances at my phone and calculating how much longer it would be.

Bruce came up to the table, soaking wet. His models had white robes on and were laughing together like idiots. "I'll be bowing out now. Thanks for dinner, Mr. Earle." He handed me some more money. "For your meal."

Everyone looked at me, and I turned pretty red under all of their gazes. But I was pretty relieved he was paying for everything because I was still close to broke.

I watched as he left, and then saw his façade completely fall apart as he bumped into Rachel.

I figured while I was here, I might as well meet her.

Thankfully for me, my car came and I was finally able to leave this uncomfortable setting.

"Excuse me, Ms. Dawes?" I called.

Rachel turned around and looked at me. "Do I know you?" she asked with a smile.

"No, but we have a mutual friend. Uh, Bruce Wayne."

"You're friends with Bruce?"

"Sort of. I was in a bit of trouble, so he's letting me stay at the Manor until I can stand on my own again."

"Really?" I noticed a flash of guilt cross her eyes. I knew she had just spoken to Bruce and he acted like a playboy in front of her, but she reprimanded him for it. "That's really nice of him."

"Anyway, I just wanted to meet the person who actually treats Bruce like any other guy, rather than an icon."

"Right. What was your name again?"

"Kristina Jacobson, but I go by Kris."

"It was nice to meet you, Kris."

"Likewise."

I left and got into my car and was driven back to the Manor. I didn't see Bruce and I didn't know where he was, but I honestly didn't care. I just wanted to throw off these clothes and crawl into bed. So that's just what I did.