Hey, guys! I'm uploading this chapter now since it's in my schedule. Yes, I have to have a schedule because of having too many stories. My plots are all jumbled up. Anyway, for this chapter, I put an exceptionally good number of DamianXDaphne moments. Enjoy! - (8/17/2016)

Chapter 30:

Damian was busy minding his own business when a knock on his door was heard. It was Jaime.

"Uh…you have to come to the living room…" he said.

The boy was confused but did as told. When he got there the monitor was on and Batman was on the other line. Starfire, Raven, and Garfield were there too. They turned to him as he walked up to them. He looked at all of them and then, at Batman.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked.

"I need you to come back," Batman started.

"Why? I'm a member of the Teen Titans. I'm not going back yet," Damian replied.

"Damian, listen to what he has to say," Starfire persuaded him.

"Yeah, Damian. Something has happened," Raven agreed with the leader.

Damian sighed. He stared at the monitor. Batman nodded to him.

"You're seventeen now. I need you to come work with me," he explained.

"Why now?" his son asked.

"There's someone you have to meet. It's important to me that you meet this person. I'll send Nightwing to pick you up tomorrow evening," Batman said.

Damian could sense the dejection in his father's tone. He nodded. Batman nodded and ended the call. Starfire went up to him.

"I'm really sorry I didn't do anything to protest," she said to him.

"It's fine. I have an idea of what father's planning," Damian replied.

"You do?" Jaime asked, surprised.

Damian nodded. He looked at each of them before excusing himself to start packing. Starfire turned to Jaime. The boy shrugged. Only the two of them and Raven knew what happened to Daphne because they were the ones who sent her off that day while Raven was told by Starfire.

"Say, we haven't heard from Daphne at all…after that one time…" Garfield suddenly spoke up.

"She must have her hands full now that she's working with Bruce Wayne," Jaime remarked.

"Yes. The last picture she sent was of her as his secretary," Raven said, showing the picture again.

She smiled at it because, in the picture, Daphne looked happy and safe. Honestly speaking, Daphne had been secretly sending her emails about what she was doing over the past three years. Raven had been telling her about everyone at the tower in return. Since they shared the same interest, which is Damian's wellbeing, they maintained a good relationship with each other.

While they were talking about Daphne, Damian busied himself packing up his belonging into his duffel bag. The ring he now wore as a locket sparkled, catching his attention. He gazed at it, thinking of the girl who had left him. He remembered the last time he had seen her which was two years ago when he suddenly shouted some words he never meant to.

"Two years…" he muttered, remembering the scolding that Raven had given him after that.

Raven stepped into Damian's room without his permission. Damian didn't look at her. He was staring at the ceiling.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"She's here and that's how you greet her!" Raven raised her voice.

Damian turned his back to her, muttering, "None of your business…"

Raven took a deep breath to calm herself before saying, "It is my business. Daphne's my friend and if you want to treat her that way, I don't think I should be your friend anymore."

The boy suddenly sat up. His eyes glimmered with anger. Raven was not intimidated by his glares. She was used to it.

"Why do you care?" he asked.

"I don't like seeing her sad. I know you're confused but at least appreciate her presence. Who knows when you'll see her again," Raven explained, sighing.

She exited the room before Damian could reply with more insulting words. Damian looked at his ring again. Did she notice he was wearing it? He heaved a sigh, lying down again.

Daphne stared at what was at the foot of her bed. It was a near pair of black pump heels with little snowflakes decorating it. Bruce had gotten them for her. She groaned and sighed.

"Miss," Alfred came by. "I have ironed your clothes."

"Thank you Alfred…" she said, taking the white blouse and black skirt from him.

Alfred nodded to her. He went to her wardrobe to grab her blazer. She went to the bathroom to change her clothes. Then, she took the blazer and put it on. She put on a red lipstick and a faint pink blush. She combed her shoulder length hair. The butler nodded, satisfied with her look that day. She put on the new heels with puffed cheeks because she didn't like heels.

"Today is a special day, Miss…" Alfred said to her.

"I wonder what he's planning…" the girl muttered.

She rushed downstairs because Bruce was already honking. She got into the car with her handbag and briefcase. The man smiled at her. She flashed a smile too. He drove them to the office like always.

"Mr. Wayne, you have a visitor," the receptionist said.

"Is he in my office?" he asked.

The receptionist nodded. Daphne was confused when Bruce's lips curved into a broader smile. She shrugged it off and went straight to her office. She sat down and started her work like always. Suddenly, an intern barged into her office.

"Daphne! There's a really cute guy in Mr. Wayne's office!" she exclaimed.

"Cute guy? Really?" Daphne chuckled.

"Will you ask him who he is for me? I'll buy you a strawberry shortcake!" the intern said.

"You know I can't say no to shortcakes, Faye," Daphne growled.

The intern laughed. Faye is as old as Daphne but Daphne was taken in personally by Bruce and Faye was an approved intern who would be doing her internship for four months. Faye wanted to say something but Bruce suddenly asked for Daphne. Faye blinked cutely at Daphne to bribe her into doing what she had asked. The orange-haired girl shook her head at her actions. The intern giggled. Daphne excused herself to head to Bruce's room.

Meanwhile, Bruce was smiling at his visitor who was looking around as if he hadn't stepped into the office before.

"Damian, welcome back," he welcomed his son.

"So...am I to work here?" Damian asked coldly because he still disagreed with Bruce's decision.

Before Bruce could answer, the door was knocked. A seventeen-year-old orange-haired girl came in. Bruce nodded to the girl. The girl took a glance at Damian before turning back to Bruce.

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Wayne?" she asked.

Upon hearing the voice, Damian turned to see who it was. His eyes widened in surprise. Bruce chuckled at his reaction. He stood up from his chair.

"Daphne, you remember my son?" he turned to the girl.

"Daphne?" Damian kept on staring at the girl in front of him.

"How can I ever forget..." she flashed the sweetest smile Damian had ever seen.

"She's my servant?" the boy asked, pointing an accusing finger towards her.

Daphne was still smiling. She was happy to see him despite having the worst last encounter with him two years ago. She was glad that he had grown into a fine young man. Damian turned back to his father who nodded at his question.

"Miss Aldrin here will be your secretary from now on," Bruce explained.

"What?" Damian and Daphne exclaimed in unison.

Their eyes met for an instant before Daphne turned to look away. Bruce chuckled to himself. He didn't know what had happened between them, but he wanted them to be together again. Dahlia had explained everything to him and what she wanted her sister to become.

"Yes. Miss Aldrin will show you to your office," Bruce said.

Daphne bit her lower lip. The man gestured her to come up to his desk. She did as told. She took the file her told her to. She found a note telling her where to escort Damian. Damian waited patiently for her. She turned to look at him. She tried to crack the best smile she could.

"Umm…please, follow me, sir," she said politely.

Damian took one last look at his father. Daphne waited by the door. They went on their way once he was ready to go. Bruce smiled to himself.

"This will be interesting," he said.

"You think so?" a familiar voice asked.

Dahlia came out of her hiding spot. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and smirked. Bruce turned to her.

"I kind of do," the man said.

Dahlia sighed. "Still…she looked as if she couldn't accept the job," she remarked.

"We'll just see about that…" the man muttered.

Daphne and Damian stepped into the elevator. Daphne flipped through the file that Bruce had given to her. Damian didn't say anything, but he kept on stealing glances at Daphne. When the elevator and the doors slid open, Faye popped in front of them.

"Hey!" she shouted excitedly.

"Wahh!" Daphne was startled, losing her stance.

She toppled backward. Damian unconsciously caught her before she met the ground. Their eyes met yet again but this time, it was Damian who looked away. Daphne stood back up.

"T-Thanks…" she muttered, faintly blushing.

"Daphne! He's the cute guy!" Faye exclaimed.

"Cute guy?" Damian was confused.

Daphne turned to Damian and sighed. "Yes, well, he's Mr. Wayne's ward…"

"Ooooh!" Faye cooed.

She circled Damian, eyes sparkling with excitement. Damian's eyes followed her every movement. Daphne slapped herself on the forehead, sighing. Faye followed them as they walked up to Damian's office. She was eager to get to know the newcomer. Daphne smiled at her actions.

"Can you watch her for a while? I need to go get my stuff," Daphne said, before exiting the office.

"I'm Faye, by the way," the intern introduce herself.

"Hmm…Damian Wayne," Damian muttered.

"So, so, are you going to work here from now on? I'm just an intern but I'd be glad to assist you," Faye chirped.

Damian raised a brow at the girl in front of him. She is a little taller than Daphne. Her eagerness was annoying him, but he kept it cool. Daphne came back after a few minutes. Faye rushed to help her out. Her hands were full of binders and files she had picked up from her old office. They placed them all onto a large desk on the right of Damian's office.

"So, what are we doing?" Faye asked.

"You're going to take my old job from now on," Daphne said to the girl.

Faye brightened up, asking, "Really?"

Daphne smiled and nodded. "Apparently, that's what Mr. Wayne informed me. I have a new job…" she muttered.

"A new job?" the intern blinked in confusion.

"Yes…as Master Damian's secretary," Daphne sighed.

"Awww…you're so lucky," Faye sighed, dragging herself to the door, "Well, I'll be redecorating your old office then…"

"Okay…" the orange haired replied with a smile.

Faye exited the office and went back to their floor. Daphne turned to Damian who was just staring at her. She flashed a smile.

"So…you're basically my servant again?" he asked.

"Sort of…I'll be helping you out with your work here. I am your secretary and your personal assistant. Well, at least that's what Master Bruce's note said, she explained, sighing.

She gestured him to his desk which had a computer and a keyboard on it. She switched it on and three hologram screens popped up as well. Damian went to sit on his chair. She started clicking on some icons.

Turning back to him, she explained, "Basically, you'll be monitoring our pharmaceutical branch from here. You'll be visiting the other office once a month, following Mr. Wayne's schedule."

"Where's the real office?" Damian asked.

"Aldrin building is the real office," Daphne muttered.

"Aldrin?" the boy sounded surprised.

Daphne nodded as she walked back to her desk. She started to rearrange her things. Damian ignored her and started to do some research on his father's company. The girl took a glimpse of him and exited the office. She came back after a few minutes. Damian was taken by surprised when she placed a cup of warm coffee onto his desk. He stared at her face.

Smiling, she said, "I thought you'd like some. If you have any question, feel free to ask me."

She went back to her desk and switched her laptop on. She started typing some things on it. She was dissolved in her work within seconds. Damian kept on stealing glances at her. She wasn't that different. She still had her sweet innocent face and large eyes. Her body was taller and a little bit more daring in his opinion. Men would fall for her in one look. She was still short, only at his shoulders' height. Damian had grown quite a bit as well. He maintained his slim body but it was a bit toned around the arms and chests. He didn't want to look exactly like his father…just yet. He is only seventeen at the time, the same age as Daphne.

On the other hand, Daphne knew that he was staring a few times, but she ignored him. She was still hurt by what he had said two years ago. He never apologized and suddenly, here he was right in front of her, acting all cool like always. She didn't like it one bit.

"Why did Master Bruce put me under him…? Did Sis Dahlia asked him to?" she mumbled to herself.

Evening came at last. Daphne had promised Shirley and Max to hang out with them. She changed her high heels with her favorite sneakers. Bruce was waiting for her at the entrance. Her two best friends were already there as well. Damian followed her from behind.

"Sorry to keep you guys waiting," Daphne apologized.

"That's okay," Shirley said, turning her gaze to Damian, "It has been a while, Damian."

"Yeah, it's been long!" Max said, punching Damian's arm playfully.

Bruce smiled at all of them. "So, where's your briefcase and the high heels? I'll take it back with me," he said to Daphne.

She nodded. She ran up to his car to put her belongings in there. Bruce turned to Damian who was staring at Max and Shirley. He couldn't believe his eyes that they still keep in contact with Daphne all this time.

"Why don't you go with them, Damian?" Bruce suggested.

"No thanks, I don't have anything to wear…" Damian replied coldly.

"I brought a spare t-shirt if you want to come with us," Max suddenly said.

"We already knew that you'd be coming back today," Shirley explained.

Daphne rushed up to her two best friends. She stopped when she saw what Damian was wearing. It was a black t-shirt and an orange hoodie. He was wearing a pair of jeans instead of his slack. He didn't look happy. Max and Shirley stifled their giggles.

"Well, since we're all ready now, let's get going," Max said, pushing Damian from behind.

Shirley and Daphne got in the car too. Shirley looked at the two, smiling teasingly as they were sitting at the back. Max winked at his fiancée. Shirley stifled another giggle. Damian grunted which Daphne took as a sign to ignore him. She looked out through the window instead.

"So…where are we going tonight?" Daphne asked.

"Karaoke!" Shirley and Max exclaimed.

"Karaoke?" Damian muttered in confusion.

Daphne smiled at the boy. They soon reached a karaoke box where the couple would always drag Daphne to. Daphne and Shirley walked in, discussing what songs to sing. Damian was pulled in by Max.

"Do you always come here?" Damian asked, looking around.

"Once a month with Daphne, all the time with Shirley," Max replied casually.

"Well, today is a special occasion," Shirley added, winking at her fiancé.

They rented a room for two hours. Shirley and Max would always start with their favorite duet song. Daphne was usually the spectator. Damian sipped on his tea as he watched them.

"Your turn, girlfriend," Shirley said, handing Daphne the mike.

Daphne took it and stood up. She started to sing the song that the couple had chosen for her. It was a love song she loves to hum and sing. A blush crept onto her face at the thought of Damian hearing her singing voice. Shirley and Max grinned as they watched Daphne danced to the song. Damian was amazed at her voice and dance move, but he acted cool and calm to hide his feelings. He knew her reason for putting on a pair of sneakers. Her face lit up with relief as she danced. Shirley stood up to join her. Max sat closer to Damian who was eating the chips they ordered.

"So, what do you think of Daphne?" he asked Damian.

The boy almost choked at the question. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Max chuckled. "Nothing at all…" he replied.

The next song was his song, so he stood up to sing. Shirley was the one sitting next to Damian.

"So, are you going to sing?" Shirley asked him.

"No, I don't sing," Damian replied coldly.

"Awww…come on! Just one song!" she half begged.

Daphne blinked a few times as Damian ignored Shirley's request. The girl sipped on her orange juice as she stared at the boy. Shirley smiled. She decided to eat the chips instead. The next song was a song they had chosen for Damian. Max forcefully pulled Damian to sing with him.

"Come on!" he said to the boy.

Damian stared at his microphone and the screen simultaneously. Max beamed at his reaction. He sang the first verse.

"I've been looking under rocks and breaking locks, just trying to find you. I've been like a maniac, insomniac, five steps behind you."

Damian awkwardly sang the next one as his friend elbowed him. "Tell the other girls, they can…hit the exit. Check please? Cause I finally found the girl of my dreams. Much more than the Grammy awards, that's how much you mean to me?" he stuttered.

Daphne and Shirley stifled a giggle. Max laughed out loud, hurting his stomach. He couldn't continue singing after listening to Damian. Shirley burst out laughing too when she saw her fiancé's state. The both rolled on the floor, laughing hard. Damian grunted. He went to sit down after that. He read the lyrics on the screen, sipping on his tea again. The next song started to play. Daphne stood up to sing since her two best friends hadn't stopped laughing yet.

"You and I…we're like fireworks and symphonies exploding in the sky. With you, I'm alive, like all the missing pieces in my heart, they finally collide…" she sang, taking a deep breath.

Shirley continued where she left off, "So stop time right here in the moonlight, cause I don't ever want to close my eyes."

Daphne smiled. "Without you, I feel broke like I'm half of a whole. Without you, I've got no hand to hold. Without you, I feel torn like a sail in the storm… Without you, I'm just a sad song…" she sang.

After that song, there was a list of other songs Daphne was forced to sing. By the time they had ended their two hours, Daphne barely had her voice. Shirley told Damian that this would always happen. Damian raised a brow at his secretary. Daphne's lips curved into a small smile. Max and Shirley sent them back to Wayne Manor after having some light snack at their favorite bistro.

"Would you like me to clean up your room first?" she asked Damian.

"No need. I'll ask Pennyworth to do it…" he said, looking away from her.

"Okay…" she replied sadly.

She walked passed him to head to her room. Damian watched as her figure went out of his sight.