Chapter 10 The Invitation

Jacqueline strolled into the building at just after eight o'clock in the morning. She was dressed in a sensible charcoal pant suit and tan pumps. Today promised to be a busy day with client meetings scheduled from nine o'clock on and she was not looking forward to several of them. Nelda met her at the elevator with a cup of orange juice and a beautiful envelope. "A messenger brought this over a few minutes ago. I had to sign for it and I hope that's ok. It's addressed specifically to you."

Jacqueline eyed the envelope warily. "I hope it's not from Jack," she mumbled under her breath. She took the envelope and juice from Nelda and used her backside to open her office door. She deposited her briefcase on her desk and left the glass of juice there as well. Using a heavy handled letter opener she broke the seal on the envelope and was surprised when it opened to reveal of sapphire blue background with beautiful white script inside.

Your Presence is Requested at the

Sapphire Ball

A benefit for Gotham City's Children's Hospital

Hosted by Friends of Gotham City's Children's Hospital

Wayne Manor

Saturday August 14, 2016 beginning at 8:00 PM

A silent auction will be held the night of the event

Please RSVP using the enclosed card

Formal attire required

Ladies are expected to wear gowns in various shades of blue

The RSVP was attached to the bottom of the envelope and was already addressed and stamped for return. "Nelda," she called out knowing her secretary was curious about the envelope, "it looks like you'll have to help me find a gown. I've been invited to a ball at Wayne Manor."

Nelda squealed with delight as she rushed into the office. "When can we go shopping?" she asked clapping her hands excitedly. "I know you have appointments with clients all day today, but maybe tomorrow? Or tonight? What kind of dress?"

Jacqueline shrugged her shoulders. "It just says formal attired in various shades of blue."

"Oh my gosh! We have to go tonight! Blue is not the most popular color for formal wear this season and if we don't go soon all of the dresses will be gone!" Nelda left the office muttering to herself about calling several dress shops.

Jacqueline smiled. She was sure Bruce was behind the invitation. Her phone beeped and she half expected it to be Bruce and was disappointed to find a message from Jack. "Dinner tonight?"

She shook her head. "Sorry, plans. Raincheck?" she responded.

She watched as three dots appeared at the bottom of the message indicating he was typing. "Rain or shine doll face. No Saturday. Got plans."

She wondered what crime he was planning on committing Saturday. "Later then." She responded and threw her phone on the desk. Her first appointment was coming and she hadn't drank her juice yet.

Three hours into the morning and Jacqueline was developing a headache. She had picked up some of the more difficult files from her predecessor before he retired and no she was beginning to understand why he had completely left the practice for the Bahama's. "Ms. Cornwell, you cannot will something to someone that doesn't belong to you. The estate in Prague is not included in what you were granted after your husband's death."

"This is ludicrous!" the short dark haired woman yelled at her. "You are an attorney and should know how to get around such atrocities. That estate belongs to me and I would like to deed it over to my son!"

Jacqueline took a deep breath before glancing over at Nelda whose mouth was hanging open. They had been dealing with Ms. Cornwell for over an hour on this one subject alone and her next appointment would be arriving soon. Ms. Cornwell was one of their more vicious clients who thought the law did not apply to her. "Ms. Cornwell," Jacqueline said with exasperation. "Your late husband did not leave this piece of property to you because you were unfaithful. You cannot deed it to your son because it has been deeded to another. I will not discuss this with you further. My next appointment will be arriving in a few minutes. Is there any other business you would like to discuss?"

Ms. Cornwell sneered at her. "I'll discuss moving my business elsewhere," she said starkly before grabbing her ridiculously expensive purse and bolting to the elevator.

Nelda shook her head. "I really don't like her," she said.

Jacqueline snorted. "Well somebody likes her because she has been married three times and has produced a child with each husband."

Jacqueline's cell phone rang. She smiled when she saw the number. "Nelda, its Bruce would you please excuse me?"

Nelda grinned but hurried out of the room and closed the door. "Why couldn't you have called thirty minutes ago with some emergency can gotten me out of my last meeting?" Jacqueline asked as she answered the phone.

"That bad huh?" Bruce replied huskily.

"I despise rich people."

"Ouch."

"Well I don't consider you one of the despised ones. You don't act like you own Gotham City and the surrounding areas. You dear are a decent human being."

Bruce chuckled. "Sometimes. Other times I am a sexual deviant."

"As long as you are deviant with me I'm fine with that."

"Dinner tonight?" he asked.

"Can't I have to go dress shopping. Apparently my name has ended up on some incredibly sought after party invitation lists. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

"The Sapphire Ball that's being held at Wayne Manor. The ball that you will be my plus one too. I don't know anything about that ball. Why would you think that?"

She smiled into the phone. "Does that mean I get to RSVP or is already decided I'll be there because I'll be on your arm?"

"You can say no, but I hate having people at my house and not being there."

"Why wouldn't you be there?"

"Because I'll be with you."

She grinned again. "I'll be there Mr. Wayne, but I really have to go find a dress. I don't own very much formal wear and nothing in blue."

"It's fine. I understand. I'll call you tomorrow to work out the details, but I'll be sending Alfred to pick you up the night of the affair. Bring a bag with you because I don't plan on you leaving with all those rich people."

"Another slumber party at Wayne Manor? You can count me in!"

He chuckled into the phone. "I'll call you later," he said before hanging up.