A/N: Like promised, here is more!
Chapter 6: Different Paths
I suddenly woke up to his hand brushing against my arm. I lost myself in his touch, I wanted more. I was unaware that I had fallen asleep, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, I fluttered my eyes open. We had arrived to his home. It looked exactly how he described it, beautiful spacious grounds. The field of grass still green, the oak tree hovering over Wayne manor. This home was bigger than my own, but at least his home was warm, while mine was cold as a dungeon. Wayne manor was fit for the prince of Gotham.
My eyes scanned the entire estate, finally resting on the older man standing by the steps of the grand home. I recognized instantly who it was, Bruce's guardian and beloved friend. Alfred gave me a warm smile that suddenly warmed me up inside. When Bruce and I were together, he brought me to Gotham City and to his home to meet Alfred. The man was very kind, gentle than my very own parents. He showed me kindness that not even my parents did, to them I was just a disappointment and someone in the way of their lives.
Alfred approached us, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw me.
"Miss Violet?" He questioned.
"Yes Alfred". I replied smiling at him. I pushed gently away from Bruce to hug Alfred, who didn't care that I was wet, he embraced me just as warmly.
"Oh my, you have certainly grown into a fine young woman". Alfred pulled back to get a good look at me. He had come to acknowledge me as a daughter.
"Thank you, but I am not in good conditions". I laughed as I looked down at myself, still dripping wet. Fortunately the rain had stopped just in time.
"Well come on lets get you inside before you catch a cold". said Alfred as he walked me inside the warm foyer.
"Vi, Alfred will help you, I have an errand to run, make yourself at home. I will be back soon". Bruce gave Alfred a look and he nodded. I was confused, but did not care at the moment, I just wanted a hot shower and warm clothes.
"Thank you". I nodded. Alfred and I watched Bruce leave. I was still curious, but Alfred distracted me with something else.
"Miss Violet, how about I show you to a bathroom, so you can change out of that wet apparel and place it in the dryer for you?"
"Sounds great". I replied happy to see him again.
"And afterwards a bit of supper?" He smirked.
"Even better". I beamed as I followed him to a guest bedroom. I felt strange stepping foot into this home again. At first I felt like I didn't belong here, but Bruce and Alfred made me feel that I did belong. This home still had some gloom dwelling in it, but it seemed bright at the same time. Nevertheless something was missing.
I was brought back from my thoughts that I did not notice Alfred disappear from sight, but he quickly came back with a set of clothes in hand.
"Luckily you left a pair of jeans and shirt the last time you came with Master Wayne". Alfred handed me the clothes, relieved that there was clothes for me.
"The only luck I had today". I laughed making Alfred smile.
"Right you are Miss". Alfred opened the door to the guest bedroom. It was the same one I would use when I would be here with Bruce. Of course, I would always sneek off to his room in the middle of night or he would come and take me. I was happy back then, now I was just trying to get by, foolish enough to believe there was still hope for me. "I assume you know your way around this room".
"Yes". I replied sheepishly, blushing to be more exact. Alfred nodded and left the room. I sighed as I took in the room, beautiful as it had always been. The canopy bed was filled with fine silk mint green sheets, the room had a familiar scent of lavender. It was odd because it was the only room in the house with that scent. But Bruce had mentioned before that only I had occupied, so it was my scent. Somehow as I tried to forget and get away and I couldn't. I still lingered here.
With haste I turned on the hot water, then undressed. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, paler than ever. My arm still marked by the cold hearted bastard who will be begging like a dog for forgiveness, probably come home with an expensive jewel or something more grand. I shook my head and jumped in the shower, letting the hot water run along my skin. My mind, like always was all over the place. But Bruce mostly occupied it, where was he? Why did he leave, did my presence bother him? Well, only one way to find out...ask him.
I turned the water off and stepped out to dry myself. Once I was done I put on my undergarments and clothes on. My hair was a tangled mess, luckily I found a brush. My curled hair cascaded down my back. Taking another look, I was not entirely satisfied but couldn't do much about it.
Once out of the room, I decided to explore for a little bit. I was curious to see if there was any changes. If there was any traces of something new or someone. I looked at the pictures on the tables, family pictures. Bruce was adorable when he was a child. His mother was that of exceptional beauty, no one would be able to compare to her. Her beauty put mine to shame. His father was handsome as Bruce was. Bruce certainly inherited his looks and good thinking. He also had the cool calm expression of a god.
I found myself entering a bedroom, it was bigger than the other ones. It was his parents room, well his now. My eyes scanned the beautiful decor of the room, and they landed on an antique piano sitting there, waiting to be played. I decided to play a tune that I loved, a tune that resembled me and Bruce. Our little melody. I set my hands ready and began to let them glide up and down freely, I let go. I was deep into the lullaby that I did not notice anyone enter the room.
"Claire de lune". Bruce's voice filled the empty air. I stopped and looked up at him, my cheeks turned crimson.
"Sorry I didn't mean to barge in like this". I stood to leave but he pushed me gently back down.
"Finish please, I haven't heard you play in a long time, especially this song". His eyes were warm and reflected sadness. I nodded and resumed playing, he watched me intently. I played and he listened as if I were the only thing in the world that he only listened to.
Finally I finished playing and looked up at my admirer, who gave me his irresistible smirk. "Well?"
"Amazing as always". Bruce replied and sat down next to me. "You haven't lost your touch".
"You either, your charm I mean". I replied, I missed him so much.
"Never plan to". He laughed this time.
"Where were you these past years, two years after you left, I came here to speak to Alfred. It was before I left to Paris". I had to ask, I had to know what the man I love was doing with his life. My heart became shreds when some pronounced him dead. My world crashed down. even though he was not with me, it was nice to know that he was fine and content.
"Traveling here and there. But I decided to comeback, I needed to". He replied grimly. "And you, when I came back your were not here".
"After I became bored with Paris, I came back to Gotham for a bit, I met Jasper and after we married, we decided to live in Italy for a few years". I replied, completely regretting marrying Jasper. I regretted the day I layed eyes on him.
"Why did you marry such a jerk?" Bruce expression turned angry, almost that of jealousy. Was he? If he was, then that answered a question that haunted me for ten years. And if he was, he had no right. He left me sobbing, just to fulfill his pathetic revenge.
"I don't know Bruce. I...I needed to be loved by someone, is that so wrong?". I stood in anger moving away and facing out into the gardens of Wayne manor. The moonlight shining on my porcelain face. "I was foolish and stupid to think that he would love me, or that anyone ever would. Jasper is just in lust with me, only a pleasurable desire to him. His eve".
"Vi, I know you are upset because I left. But there was another reason". said Bruce as he stood behind me.
"Which is?" I asked with a cool tone.
"I was kicked out". He replied with no emotion. Once again feeling his gaze burn onto me.
"And you couldn't tell me this? It was like you to keep secrets from me, god knows how many you kept from me when we were together. But we are not anymore and it doesn't matter, we took different paths". Tears began to pour form my eyes. Why does he torment me so!
"I never wanted to hurt you, I just needed closure". Bruce replied noticing my tears.
"But you did, I had know choice but to marry Jasper. You caused this Bruce!" I turned and glared at him. Must he do this? Must I suffer, knowing that I still loved him with all my being. My heart was his and will always be, but I was not going to let him know. He should suffer too.
Bruce took me into his arms and held me close to his chest. I wanted to get out of his grasp but I couldn't. But another part wanted to stay there forever. "I know I lost you". He whispered into my hair. But no, I was not going to win me like this, no I would not allow it.
"I am sorry I can't do this, no I won't". I pushed away from him and left without turning back, like he did ten years ago.