Chapter 2: Ten Years Later
A black Bentley swooshed through the streets of Gotham, racing towards Wayne tower. My husband, Jasper Chandler, sat contently by me, smirking while he spoke with a client on the phone. Actually, that was all he ever did nowadays. I really didn't want to have anything to do with Jasper and his buisness meeting, yet I was coaxed into coming.
Part of that was because, and no matter how much I tried to push the thoughts of Bruce away, I wanted to see him. I was ashamed about this because he hurt me in ways I do not ever wish to be hurt again. The pain was just too much to bare and it was just unimaginable to think that I wanted to see him again.
After Bruce Wayne left my life that day, ten years ago, I decided to move on with my life and make the best of it. I had decided to leave Princeton and attend an art school in Paris. After I grew annoyed with it, I came to Gotham City and met Jasper. A small foolish part of me fell in love with Jasper, but my heart fully belonged to the man who left me ten years ago, the man we were going to see today.
Jasper was of small fortune, but my family was far more influential and of greater fortune. My father thought it would be a good alliance with the Chandlers, even though their fortune wasn't as great as ours. I longed for someone to love me, that is one of the reasons as to why I accepted him. The first months of marriage were perfect, to my surprise I was happy and almost managed to get Bruce out of my heart. But then everything crumbled when my father died, most of the inheritance went to me, henceforth Jasper managed to get part of it because he was married to me. Jasper became obsessed with power, that's when I realized he only married me for my name and wealth. It was a marriage of convience. For that, I hated him.
I did not only hate Jasper for that, but he also put me second to his obsession. He sickened me; he was Bruce all over again.
Jasper snapped the phone shut, causing me to return from the depths of my restless mind.
"I just made another profit, stocks are going up". His smirk was irresistible, but not enough to make me melt. There was only one man who made me melt, but I am not with him anymore. Instead, I am married to a rake.
"Great." I muttered and looked out the tinted window of the Bentley. Jasper took hold of my chin, forcing me to look at his handsomely chisled face.
His emeralds flickered with anger. "You will not embrass me in front of Wayne and the others. Do you understand?'
I glared at him, wishing to snap his neck and dump his body into the rotting streets of the narrows. He shook my face harder.
"Am I making myself clear?' I nodded and his grip loosened, he leaned to kiss my pink lips softly. "Besides, it's for our benefit Vi". He lingered on my nape, making me shift against the cold leather seat that brushed against my legs. Disgust wracked my body everytime he touched me. Jasper let go of me abruptly when the door suddenly opened. We had arrived to Wayne Enterprises.
The glass doors slid open swiftly. I walked arm in arm with Jasper, plastering my radiant charming smile upon my porcelain face. Yet, inside I was screaming. Everyone in the halls were in pure awe when I whisked by them. A few secretaries with jealousy in their eyes, envious as my black Jimmy Choo's clicked on the polished floor.
We finally reached the board meeting room. A petite secretary came up to us and introduced herself.
"Good morning, I am Christina, Mr. Wayne's secretary. He will be down in a few minutes; in the meantime can I get you anything?" She was kind, Christina was the only woman in this building who did not glare at me.
I shook my head and offered her my genuine smile. "No thank you." She nodded and went back to her desk.
One of Jasper's associates pulled him aside to speak with him. I decided to sit down on one of the black stylish sofas of the waiting area. I could feel my pulse race. 'Will he remember me?Will he hate me or still love me? Because I still do.' My biggest fear was that Bruce might not remember me at all. That he would just toss me aside; a random woman he dated in Princeton, nothing more, nothing less.
I decided not to think about him anymore. Grabbing the newspaper on the table, I began to read the headline that had caught my attention
'Batman captures another powerful crime lord in Gotham City.'
My eyes continued to scan the article on this intriguing news. I always wondered who might this "Batman" be, was he even human? I pondered this for a while, until I heard his voice echo. I turned and our eyes met instantly. My stomach fluttered madly as I tried to plaster on a mask of calm,cool, and collected.
By his gaze he was surprised to see me. He changed too; more handsome than ever before. His impeccable tailored Armani suit fitted perfectly on that well toned body. His brown hair slicked back, making his hazel eyes stand out. My heart beated faster as he came closer. But all I wanted to do was run into his arms and kiss him, whisper sweet loving words in his ear like I had done so long ago. Long ago when I was happy.
"Mr. Wayne a pleasure to see you". Jasper extended his hand to Bruce, who smiled and shook his hand.
"By all means". replied Bruce.
Jasper turned to me and pushed me towards Bruce. My legs were shaking as he took me in, his eyes scanning my curves that were complemented by a slick black Gucci dress. "This is my wife, Violet". I gave Bruce my charming smile, he smiled back. I extended my hand and shook his.
"Yes I know Violet, we attended Princeton together, isn't that right Vi?" Bruce waited for my answer while his hand lingered with mine; not wanting to let go.
"Yes, good times". We let go but with a heavy heart.
"Oh, this is " Bruce turned away from me and turned to the African American man standing behind him. He seemed like a good man, full of knowledge.
"Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Chandler". He shook Jasper's hand, who did not wipe that stupid grin off his face. I rolled my eyes and locked gaze with Bruce again, who was admiring me. "You are more beautiful in person Mrs. Chandler, the Gotham City newspaper does not do you any justice at all." Mr. Fox smiled.
"Thank you, but please call me Violet". I insisted, I hated my last name.
"In that case you may call me Lucius". He smiled.
"Shall we proceed?" Bruce looked at Jasper who nodded. We all went into the board meeting room. Knowing very well Bruce's eyes were on me, I tried hard not to glance over my shoulder.
The entire meeting seemed like a blur, I did not care for Jasper's business affairs at all. I only cared for one thing...Bruce. I felt so powerless sitting in front of him, I wanted to shout and tell him I still loved him! That I will always love him! I could already decipher what was going through his mind. But it was not true, I did not love Jasper. We often stole gazes at eachother, trying to say something with just looking at eachother, but Jasper would vouch for his attention. In one moment of hope I mustered up the courage to mouth off "I love you." However, much to my dismay, Bruce turned away.