Adrienn sighed as she tossed the expensive covers of her long legs. She had decided to call it a night a little over an hour ago, but sleep wasn't getting to her. The young brunette tossed and turned, trying to at least get a power nap in, but it was to no avail. Adrienn decided it was better to stop trying now and head to the kitchen for a glass of milk.
A shiver ran through her body as her small feet hit the cold ground. She padded towards the door and made her way downstairs. There was light streaming out of the kitchen, which surprised Adrienn. Alfred also went to bed at the same time as she did. Slowly walking up to the door she stuck her head in, to find Alfred sitting there in slippers, a fancy looking pajama set and a robe. He didn't even look up from his newspaper,
"Miss Adrienn. I believe you are also having difficulties finding sleep." He said a smile evident in his voice. Adrienn chuckled lightly, walking up to the empty chair opposite him and taking a seat. Alfred already had three glasses prepared on the table. Probably for Bruce if he returned earlier than expected. Adrienn helped herself to a glass of milk and took a few gulps.
"Bruce isn't back yet?" she muttered . Alfred simply shook his head as an answer.
Adrienn's mind has been thinking weird ever since Alfred has planted the idea of a relationship in her head. Naturally being and over thinker, she knew that this issue will be on her mind for a long time. Was she really that hard to live with? Was Adrienn really just bearable as a friend? Nothing more? Adrienn has evaluated her personality there and back over a hundred times. She really needed an answer.
Throughout her life she has always looked for a boyfriend that was at least half the man Bruce was. At least. She only lowered her standards when she realized that there were definitely no more men like Bruce. Adrienn thought a lot about her past relationships… she thought a lot about their non existence. The young brunette never really had a serious relationship. Of course there were the random hook ups here and there but nothing that lasted longer than a week. Adrienn couldn't even remember exactly when the last time she had had sex with someone was.
She has stopped fucking around a long time ago. She longed for a normal relationship. She wanted to have someone waiting for her at home. Hell she wanted someone she could cook for, clean for and just take care of. Adrienn needed someone in her life. She was still young but ever since her mother passed, she felt lonely.
"Miss?" Alfred's voice suddenly brought her out of her daze. She looked down and saw that he had put his hand over hers, gently squeezing it. Adrienn has just realized that some stray tears were escaping her eyes. She quickly wiped them away and looked up at Alfred, with the best smile she could force on at that given moment.
"I am alright. My contacts have given me a hard time recently…" She sniffled pointing at her eyes. Alfred chuckledsoftly.
"Princess I knew you since you were three years old." Alfred used her old nickname as he looked at her, "You really can trust me with anything and I won't judge you…. I hope you know that." Adrienn looked at the old butler and began to cry.
She hated crying it made her feel weak and useless. It made people realize that she was breakable that she wasn't strong. It made her vulnerable. It was one of her bad traits. She always presumed that she had to be strong for others. She needed to have the power others don't. In order to achieve that Adrienn pushed all her feelings behind putting everything else first. Her always cheery persona helped her in this case. She could fool anyone even her closest friends. This act has been going on since her high school years.
"You can tell me anything Adrienn… you do care for him don't you?" Alfred asked the question, getting straight to the point. He didn't want to beat around the bush.
Plus it was obvious to him. Ever since she way young the way Adrienn looked at Bruce was different. She looked up at him with start crossed eyes. The way she looked at him was with love that is evident. The one thing that bothered Alfred more than dirt in the home was the fact that the brunette did not want to admit it for heaven's sake.
The brunette's stubbornness was just as bad as Bruce's complete obliviousness towards her. Alfred definitely had many migraine attacks from the behavior of those too. At this moment he just felt sorry for Adrienn. He didn't know what to do with her. The only thing that he wanted for her was happiness. He doubted she could find it anywhere else thought. Alfred didn't want to get too involved though. Bruce was a complicated person but he wasn't that stupid… sooner or later he will realize that the best person for him was there. Right in front of his eyes all along.
"I do care for him Alfred… I have for a very long time." Adrienn sniffled loudly as tears kept pouring from her eyes. "I just know he doesn't look at me like that. The hope that he did was always in me until today… but he only cares for Rachel. I am just his little toddler he sees as his sister. I mean nothing…" Adrienn sniffled, jumping to harsh conclusions immediately. Alfred frowned at the thoughts in her head.
"Adrienn!" He called rather loudly, "You are one of the most important people in Master Wayne's life! Do not even think that!"
Alfred was thinking about how he can get involved in this, his brain working a mile a minute. One thing for sure he needed to get involved vie Adrienn or Bruce and at this moment Adrienn seemed like an easier plan. It seemed wrong to manipulate people this way but Alfred was tired of sitting around and waiting, he needed to get involved in a more subtle way.
"He doesn't want me…" Adrienn cried her voice going high pitched. It clicked for Alfred. A light bulb appeared above his head as an idea popped into his mind. It was a great gamble but both of them were just too stubborn or oblivious and Alfred has had enough. He had promised Thomas and Martha he would look out for their son. Hell, he had also promised Michelle to help her daughter find happiness. Let the manipulation begin…
"Maybe that is the case Miss." Alfred shrugged. Adrienn looked up at him, her eyes all teary. "He doesn't want you in that way, but you are one of the most important people in his life. Just never forget that okay?"
"What would you have me do Alfred?" She sniffled, calming down and deciding to settle down.
"Go out and have fun. You are not bound to him. Date people…" Alfred suggested. "After all he may not be the one for you…" Alfred had to force all of the words out of his mouth. He was downright lying to her but it was for the best. He hoped at least.
"… Okay." Adrienn said giving in.
Alfred smiled knowing that Adrienn was rather easily influenced by the people in her life that are important to her. She always wanted to make them happy… and that wasn't too good for her personality.
She never really realized her feeling for Bruce until now. Love was still a strong word to use… but she really cared for him deeply. After all he was the only person always in her life to pick her up and to help her get through with everything. Adrienn needed someone who would do that for her. She got up and walked over to Alfred pulling him into a hug.
"I am sorry about everything Alfred…" She sniffled, "Please don't tell Bruce about this… Please."
"I won't miss don't worry. Just… don't give up." Alfred smiled at her. She got up and got up and walked back up to her room, trying to forget about everything that happened. She was upset there was no denying that.
One thing that was for sure… no matter how hurt she was by Bruce's views on thing she would not leave him alone. She will be there for him always and help him with his journey. Adrienn swore to support him with all his girl problems… well Rachel that is. Thinking about Rachel definitely made her a little bit angrier. She was flawless… she definitely was someone for Bruce. Tears streamed to her eyes again. Should she be more like her? Maybe she was too loud…
Adrienn groaned as her mind went into overload. She stood up feeling the frustration in her body. She got up and walked to the desk with determination. She grabbed a piece of paper and pencil jotting down her fears of the moment. The pencil broke as she was pushing it with too much force against the paper.
I will not be a weak person any longer and I will move on.
I promise I will always support Bruce. I will always love him.
With that Adrienn got up and went to the window with her lighter that she carried with her. She was a candle enthusiast so having a flame wither was necessary. She burnt the piece of paper and watched as the wind blew the ashes away. This was her ritual. Whenever she felt down she burnt her fears away. Fire always seemed to calm her nerves down. The sight of the flames engulfing everything seemed to sooth her.
Adrienn closed her eyes, imagining explosions of flames. Her life two years ago provided her with many encounters with flames and what not. A part of her missed it. The excitement and the heat against her skin as she watched the flames. While the other part wanted to just hide away in a corner and punish herself for everything.
Adrienn opened her eyes, hearing footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Bruce, limping towards the bedroom. A sudden wave of shock over took Adrienn. She looked at her friend with a worried expression as she ran over to him.
"I am fine Adri… just a few bruises." Bruce groaned a little as Adrienn rushed to his side.
She looked up at and knew that he needed her here as emotional support. Adrienn knew that she had to stay no matter how much pain that will cause her. She knew she had to move on with her love life but she needed to find the will power to help him no matter what. It wasn't impossible.
"Bruce… happy birthday." She smiled, pulling him into a tight hug.
He needed her.
-Hello again my lovely readers who still read this part of the stuff (still wanting to know if I should just message the people instead of ramble on here like a mad woman.)
First, I am ECSTATIC about all the reviews! It really makes me feel like a kid on their birthday or Christmas! Thank you again for all the reviews ideas and constructive criticism. Makes me so happy that people actually take time to do so xD
-Mika927 : Adrienn is awesome I wish I could be like her at times :/ I am happy you want to read more! I will try my best to update fast! :)
-Foxy Roxi : Bahaha yeah, I just had to put the scared scene in it :) Lol poor lil' old Alfie is the smarted out of the bunch xD
-Superdani a.k.a Gillian Smith : Alfred is awesome! I love him! I wish I had him as my best friend!... and Bruce of course hehehe… oh the things I would do to Bruce… lol nvm.
-devi no kaze : the world is a mean place… but a smile can always get you through things! hahah :) we can't complain too much though, we have awesome things like batman and seriously awesome comics to kill our boredom with for example! or we could just burn notes… it actually helps!
-Adalheidis Svanhilda : Yes ma'm! Rachel bashing coming up soon! I promise! And I am trying my best to update so please don't hunt me down! :S (yes I am a bit scared xD)
-CatsGoMoo : I sense a relationship guru in our presence! Imagine this though… Alfred showing Bruce and Adrienn into a closet… bahaha… I actually had a good laugh there! XD I agree with you, I am tired of all the Bruce-chasing! I mean I would definitely be the first to do that but still… a little change is always good. Bahaha I am actually a bit scared to disappoint with the clichéness. I really don't want to go cliché so I am scared xD hehe I wish there was like a cliché alert built in on fanfiction. that'd be awesome… xD
-Angelical love : You are definitely onto something! And I promise you, Rachel hate will be coming up soon! Just give me time!
I HOPE I DIDN'T MISS ANYONE OUT! :S I tried to get back to where I was with the replying to reviews but oh well :S if I missed you out I am sorry! you can hate on me! :) hope you all like this chapter! :) take care people :P