"H-A-R-R-I," Harri spelled aloud for Arsenio, even though he already knew how to spell her name.
"Harri!" Arsenio said and he wrote her name on a sheet of paper.
Harri watched him write the 'I' at the end of her name and then proceed to write the letter F.
"Are you writing my last name too?" Harri asked. "¿Estás escribiendo mi apellido?"
"Sí," Arsenio replied and kept writing.
"Seriously," Harri said and looked over at Adriana. "This kid is too smart!"
"Lo sé," Adriana replied. I know.
Harri watched with fascination as Arsenio continued to write. He then began to write numbers.
"You've memorized my phone number?" Harri asked.
Arsenio nodded and smiled and then started to spell out Alfred's full name and then wrote his phone number.
"I go to school," Arsenio said to Harri, who still wasn't used to seeing such a small child speak so clearly and in full sentences.
"What?" Harri asked.
"He wants to go to school," Adriana said. "And I've told him that he will, in a few years."
"Oh for sure," Harri said. "If you went to school now you'd be stalked by paparazzi nonstop."
"Papá?" Arsenio asked. "Daddy?"
"Oh, no not your papá," Harri explained. "Paparazzi are people that follow you around to take your picture."
"I like picture!" Arsenio said with a smile.
"Yes," Harri said. "You are very cute and photogenic."
"Photo...genie?" Arsenio asked.
"Not a genie," Harri said. "Photogenic. It means you look super cute in photos."
"Ohh..." Arsenio said.
"Well, you are just learning all kinds of new words today aren't you?' Adriana asked.
"Photo-genie!" Arsenio said. "Papá...zee?"
"Paparazzi," Harri said again and wrote the word down on the paper for Arsenio. He was fascinated by the spelling and wrote the word on his own a few times.
"Photo genie?" Arsenio asked Harri and she spelled the word on the paper for him. He looked at is and pronounced it again. "Photo...geen..ic."
"Well done," Harri said. "I can't believe you read so well.."
"Alfred teaches him every day," Adriana explained. "Names..and phone number apparently."
Arsenio went on to write Bruce's full name and his cell phone number.
"Daddy!" Arsenio said and smiled up at Harri.
"You know how to write my name, your mommy's and daddy's and Alfred's," Harri said.
"Yeah!" Arsenio said and kept writing. "And Jack!"
"Jack?" Harri asked as Arsenio began to write. Harri looked at Adriana. "Is he talking about Jack Hayden?"
"Yeah!" Arsenio said. "Jack!"
Harri looked at Adriana for explanation.
"Well, Jack is good friends with Bruce now," Adriana said as Arsenio continued to write. "So..yeah, Arsenio knows who he is."
"You did not tell me this!" Harri said and Arsenio looked at her confused. "I mean I had no idea your daddy was now good friends with such a...nice man."
Harri had only met the Joker once, at the dinner that Bruce insisted on throwing for him after he rescued Adriana from her abduction. At the time he did not know that he was the Joker. Harri was infatuated with him.
"Well, yeah, they get along," Adriana said.
"Do they?" Harri asked.
"Sure..they go hunting and stuff," Adriana shrugged.
"Mommy?" Arsenio asked.
"Yes, baby?" Adriana replied.
"Jack come today?" Arsenio asked.
"What? He's coming over today?" Harri asked with excitement.
"No, no," Adriana replied.
It was not what needed to happen. The Joker had been over nearly every day since Bruce had been away in rehab. Arsenio enjoyed his company greatly, but both he and Adriana decided it would be best for him to stay away for a few days while Harri was visiting. With Arsenio and the Joker together in the same room, it was more than obvious that they were blood. Harri remembering what he looked like was nerve wracking, especially with Arsenio right in front of her. Adriana wondered if one day she would be able to tell Harri the truth, but today was not that day.
"Oh..." Arsenio said, with disappointment.
"You should invite him over!" Harri exclaimed with too much excitement and then calmed herself down.
"What?...No...I mean, I'm sure he's busy," Adriana explained.
"Well, how will we know that if we don't..." Harri said and picked up the paper Arsenio had finished writing on. "Call him?"
"Hey, Arsenio," Adriana said to her son. "Do you want to go and hang out with Evelyn for a bit and try to put together that new gigantic puzzle?"
"Okay," Arsenio nodded.
"Okay, I'll go get her," Adriana said and left Arsenio's room to find his nanny.
Adriana eventually found her in the gym taking selfies in front of the large mirror there.
"Oh! Mrs. Wayne," Evelyn said and nearly dropped her phone. "I won't post these on social media, I promise."
"What?" Adriana asked confused.
"I mean..pictures of the inside of your home and stuff.." Evelyn said, embarrassed and sounding like she knew she was in trouble.
"Oh," Adriana said, "Well...it's just the gym. As long as you don't say where you are, I don't really mind. Just no photos of the more personal areas of the mansion and no photos of Arsenio."
"Thanks," Evelyn said, sounding relived. "Of course I'd never take pictures and no photos of the baby ever."
"It is a really good gym for selfies though," Adriana laughed.
"Totally," Evelyn said. "Were you looking for me?"
"Yeah, would you mind watching Arsenio for a bit?" Adriana asked.
"It's my job," Evelyn smiled. "And I definitely don't mind."
.
.
.
"I don't see why you won't just call ," Harri said. "Invite him for lunch or something. I mean...he practically saved your life it's the least you could do."
"You just want to see him," Adriana rolled her eyes.
"Well, of course," Harri said. "He rescued my sister. And of course..it doesn't hurt that he's extremely easy on the eyes."
"No," Adriana said. "I don't have time to throw a lunch-"
"You have staff," Harri laughed. "Can't you have the chef make something? You don't have to always cook everything yourself and wash the dishes yourself-"
"It's what I prefer to do," Adriana said.
"You can chill for a few hours," Harri said.
"I just...don't feel like having company. I'm tired. I didn't get much sleep last night," Adriana said.
"How are you tired? You went to bed at like ten!" Harri laughed.
Of course, Adriana was not ready to tell Harri that she spend most of the previous night tracking down a pyromaniac that had burned down two apartment buildings. Vigilantism took away many of her resting hours.
"I just am," Adriana said. "Too tired to entertain."
"Let me entertain," Harri said. "You can just..sit there and be boring. And I'll do all the talking."
"Harri," Adriana said. "You have a husband."
"Yes," Harri said. "And he knows I love...men. Especially super hot ones. It's not like I'm going to sleep with him, I just want to...you know. Flirting is harmless."
"Is this really necessary, Harri?" Adriana asked.
"No, not really," Harri said. "But, he's so gorgeous."
"You're acting like a teenager and it's really annoying," Adriana said to Harri.
"Is he still single?" Harri asked.
"How should I know?" Adriana asked.
"Are you telling me you're not attracted to him at all?" Harri asked. "I'd say, okay maybe he's not your type..but looks-wise, he's everyone's type."
"He's obviously not bad looking or anything," Adriana said. "But I am married. And I'm not like you. And I have a lot on my plate right now."
"Right," Harri said. "Bruce is in..treatment..but that doesn't mean we can't relax and have some fun."
Adriana could see that Harri was not taking no for an answer. But she needed to make sure that Harri did not see Arsenio and the Joker together.
"Drinks...might be okay," Adriana said. "After dinner, tonight. Around 9? I really need a nap.."
"A nap," Harri said smiling. "And time to get ready. Okay, I got ya. Let's call him."
"Let's?" Adriana asked.
"Call him on speaker," Harri said.
"You are being so..." Adriana said.
"I know," Harri said. "What can I say? I adore hotness."
Adriana sighed and dialed the Joker's number even though she already had his number saved as a contact. She read it off of the the paper Arsenio had written it on.
"Speaker!" Harri whispered loudly, reminding Adriana.
Adriana held her breath. She knew that if this went wrong she would have no choice but to explain to Adriana why the Joker would not see it as unusual that she was calling Adriana knew that over the phone he was a man of very few words, and hoped that he would not say too much.
"Hello?" the Joker said.
Harri covered her mouth and raised her eyebrows, obviously impressed with his voice.
"Jack, hi," Adriana said. "This is Adriana Wayne...Bruce's wife."
He was quiet for a few seconds, and Adriana knew he was confused by her explanation of who she was. He could see who it was on the caller ID.
"Okay?" he said.
"My sister is in town and she thought we should have you come and visit," Adriana said. "If you're free for drinks this evening?"
"Your sister," the Joker said, and Adriana could hear it in his voice that he understood what was going on. "Right. I remember her. Harri."
Harri smiled and covered a laugh.
"What time?" he asked.
"Nine.." Adriana said.
"Right..." he said. "I will be there."
"Great," Adriana said. "We'll see you then. Bye."
"Mhm," he said. "Bye."
As soon as the call was ended, Harri beamed.
"I think he might be totally into me," Harri said.
"Again," Adriana said. "Don't you have a husband?"
"Whatever," Harri said. "I think you're jealous."
"Of what?" Adriana asked.
"When you told him who it was calling his reaction was very different than when you mentioned me," Harri said.
"You're confused and childish," Adriana said. "I don't really care about his reactions. I'm married and I remember that, unlike some people."
"His voice is so deep," Harri said, ignoring Adriana's words. "I'm literally gushing right now."
"Harri...TMI," Adriana said.
"What can I say? I love men," Harri said.
Adriana shook her head.
"I have a million things to do.." Adriana said.
"Like what?" Harri asked.
"Bruce should be calling soon, so Arsenio will get to talk to him," Adriana said. "I have to do strength training which will take like two hours..I have to make lunch and dinner...change the bedding in second floor guest rooms and dust them, I try to do that twice a month...groceries are getting delivered soon too so I have to clean out the fridge-"
"Seriously?" Harri said.
"Yeah," Adriana said. "And I have to-"
"What you need to do is fucking chill," Harri said. "Why do you have to do the guest rooms if no one's there? Can't your housekeeping do it? The chef can make dinner and put away the groceries. And don't get me started on the strength training nonsense. You just said you're tired so why force yourself to work out? You're already looking more fit than ever. I think you can skip a day or two. Why don't you just eat lunch and dinner with us, let the staff take care of that stuff and take a nap? Work out on the weekend?"
Adriana pressed her lips together.
"You're right...that's what I'll do," she said.
.
.
.
"He's sound asleep," Adriana said about Arsenio. It was 8:15 p.m. and Harri was in Adriana and Bruce's bedroom. "Wait..is that my dress?"
"I raided your closet," Harri said. "This is so nice..I feel like I'm going to the Grammy's or something."
"Have fun," Adriana laughed and shook her head. "I'm taking another nap."
"What?" Harri asked. "Isn't he supposed to be here in less than an hour?"
"Yeah, so I have an hour to sleep," Adriana answered.
"And...what? You're wearing that?" Harri asked.
"Are you seriously wearing this gold dress? It's a bit much," Adriana said.
"No, I'm just trying it on. I'm a B cup so it's too loose here. I'm wearing that black bodycon you had handing on the door. Unless you were planning on wearing it?" Harri asked.
"Nope," Adriana said. "I'm not changing."
"Wearing clothes you slept in not once but twice," Harri rolled her eyes. "Jeans and t-shirt. When we have such lovely and handsome company coming. Seriously how are we even related?"
"I told you I was tired," Adriana said. "And these are fresh clothes. I didn't even leave the house today."
"Right, well sweet dreams," Harri said.
.
.
.
"Mr. Hayden," Alfred said to the Joker as he took his jacket. "Good to see you tonight."
"Yeah, you too," the Joker said to Alfred.
"Mrs. Fonseca is looking forward to your visit very much," Alfred said in a amused tone.
"I could tell," the Joker said. "Also, could tell that it was not Adriana's idea."
"Well, Mrs, Fonseca can be very persuasive," Alfred said with a laugh.
The Joker cleared his throat signaling to Alfred that Harri was on her way over to them. Alfred turned her politely and went to put away the jacket.
Harri was wearing a figure hugging, knee length black dress that was sleeveless. Her hair was sleek and jet black, her eye makeup was dark and smoky and her lipstick was light and natural. She walked over to the Joker and smiled.
"Jack," she said. "I'm so glad you made it. I'm Harri, Bruce's sister in law. I'm not sure if you remember me."
"Of course," the Joker said to her. "How could I forget? You look lovely."
The Joker watched her blush a bit. He could tell that she was taken with him and she was a gorgeous woman with beautiful and striking features. The Joker found himself looking for some similarities between her and Adriana. They were both incredibly beautiful but in very different ways. Their voices and manner of speaking were very similar. He thought the shape of both of their eyebrows were nearly identical and they were similar in height but everything else was different.
Harri was more slender and although they were the same height, it gave the illusion of longer arms and legs because of how slim her limbs were. Her skin was of a caramel color and her hair was very dark and her eyes were deep brown. She had a very sultry confidence and had a very teasing personality type. Everything about her was playful, youthful, and somehow innocent but risque at the same time. She seemed to be some sort of an endearing vixen.
"You're to sweet," Harri said in response. "You didn't bring a guest? Don't tell me you're still single."
"I am," he said to her.
"Well," Harri said and shugged. "There's nothing wrong with that. Being single can be fun. So much freedom."
"Right.." the Joker said, knowing what she meant, but also knowing that it didn't describe him.
At that moment, the Joker could see Adriana come into the foyer. She was wearing medium wash jeans and a loose fitting white t-shirt that was tucked in only in the front. Harri was wearing heels and Adriana wore black sandals. No jewelry except for the magnificent and impressive diamond ring on her finger.
As she made her way over to them the Joker took a moment to appreciate the difference between her and Harri. Adriana had an athletic but feminine physique. Even in casual clothing is was apparent that her body was very conditioned. Her hair was loose with a very slight wave and a deep blonde color, the same as her eyebrows. But her eyes were a very intense blue color contrasted by naturally black eyelashes. Her lips were beautiful and very full. It was mind boggling how her eyes and lips were both so stunning but not overpowering when combined. Her features harmonized perfectly and a gentle but impactful way.
Her energy was different from her sister's in that she was not openly playful and seductive. She was more reserved. The look in her eyes was not of high spirited energy, nor was it particularly exuberant. This was the greatest difference he could see. She had a deep and peaceful energy. She had the mellow and wise demeanor of someone much older. He knew that it was because of her gifts and the abilities that she had most of her life. She had seen the good the bad and the ugly of life from a very young age. He had a hard time imagining her being a child, being completely childlike at any point in time. He could imagine this for Harri very easily.
Without her gifts, she seemed to become a bit more naive. He remembered her denial about Bruce's very obvious problem. At least, it was obvious to the Joker. He could tell that she knew it all along, but the absence of her gifts almost gave her an excuse to cling to the denial for as long as possible. And he knew that she knew it would only be a matter of time before she would forgive. She had to forgive, always. She was the most forgiving person he had ever witnessed. Perhaps because she was the most understanding. She understood how monsters were made, how substance abuse problems arose, how lies were founded. For the first time in her life, she could be innocent, blind, inexperienced and childlike in a way.
As she finally reached them, the Joker glanced at Harri again and smiled.
He saw in Harri beauty, a sensual nature, a woman who loved to indulge. A woman who lived her life at ease. She was joyously appetitive and overflowing with a very erotic energy. She seemed to have been born into it, never knowing anything else. And the energy was for herself. He could tell when interacting with her that she was there to take pleasure in being around him and from his complements. Almost like she was absorbing it as a form of sustenance.
He then looked at Adriana.
She was there for others, to give, and was rarely completely at ease. Others were her priority. It made her needs more of a mystery, because she didn't make them readily apparent. The Joker realized that he was much more like Harri. He lived off of the reactions and feedback of others. He realized this long ago, it a way that he was now ashamed of. It was the reason her preferred a slow torture when he would kill. A savoring and refueling in the expression of others. And it was with Adriana that he realized he could received even more replenishment that he had ever imagined. It was her reactions to his touch, observing her so closely, wanting to maximize the response. It was only in those moments that she was completely yielding, surrendered and at ease. It was like cracking open the most valuable hidden treasure. One that was completely shielded from view otherwise. What a joyous pilgrimage, to reach those sides of her. She was perfect for him, the perfect contrast to complete everything in him while leaving no room for anything more to be desired. Only to reach her again. He could never accept that she was merely an experience for a period of time in his life. His soul told him repeatedly, it was never meant to phase out. Ever.
And it hurt. Because he had lost her.
But he knew that he deserved this. He had done enough evil in his life that some type of eternal suffering was in order. He was a free man, he wasn't in prison. He had plenty of money and a good life. Without this agony, the order and balance of the universe would probably turn over on itself. He told himself, this was his punishment. His life sentence.
"Jack, hi," Adriana said to him with a smile. "Thanks for coming..we'll have drinks in the lounge."
The Joker nodded once, leaving her with no complements. The three of them went together to socialize.
.
.
.
"It's dry clean only so you can just put in on there," Adriana said to Harri who was again in her walk in closet and taking off her dress.
"Mhm," Harri said and kicked off her shoes.
"Hope your not too tipsy," Adriana said. "Being hungover tomorrow would suck."
"Yeah...whatever," Harri said.
"You can keep the dress if you want," Adriana offered, not sure why Harri's mood was so poor all of a sudden. She seemed to have a great time while talking to the Joker for two hours. Adriana mostly just sat and listened.
"Yeah...thanks," Harri replied, unenthusiastically.
"Hey...what's wrong? Are you okay?" Adriana asked. "I thought you had fun tonight.."
"I did," Harri said.
"So then what's wrong?" Adriana asked.
"You know I have a lot of instinct and clairvoyance when it comes to certain things," Harri said. "Of an intimate nature."
"Uh, yeah," Adriana rolled her eyes.
"You never lied to me before," Harri said.
"Huh?" Adriana asked. "I didn't tell any lies tonight. I barely said anything."
"You always said to me you'd never cheat on Bruce," Harri said. "You know I'd never cheat on my husband but...at least I'm open about guys I'm into. Maybe one day we'll have an open marriage is there's one I like enough-"
"Harri what? You're thinking about...you and Jack? If you open your marriage?" Adriana asked, feeling nauseated.
"Come on. He's not into me. I'm just rambling," Harri said. "Because I can't believe you lied."
"What exactly did I lie about?" Adriana asked.
"You fucked Jack," Harri said and then crossed her arms.
Adriana raised her eyebrows.
"Excuse me?" Adriana asked.
"Please don't act like I'm crazy," Harri said. "I know you always hated it when people did that to you. This is my gift and I can tell. I couldn't tell before...maybe because Bruce was around? Or maybe I was too distracted by his looks the first time. But now I can tell. You've definitely slept together."
"I have never cheated on Bruce, Harri," Adriana said. "Use your intuition to see that I'm telling the truth. I never have and I never would."
Harri was quiet and looked at Adriana for a few moments.
"Okay," she said finally.
Adriana exhaled in relief.
"So tell me what happened," Harri said. "What...were you and Bruce on a break? Did you two open your marriage-"
"Harri, no," Adriana said. "I haven't slept with anyone but Bruce since we've been together and that is the truth."
Harri looked at Adriana again and decided what she was saying was true.
"I don't get it then.." Harri said, rubbing her head. "I mean..nothing has ever been clearer."
Harri paced a bit. Adriana was quiet.
"Maybe you're off this time?" Adriana asked. "I mean-"
"No," Harri said. "I kept questioning myself but...I mean he barely said three words to you but I could feel it. You two have been together before and he is still crazy for you. Your end...I can't really tell. You've always been a bit of a blur for me sometimes but on his end it was coming in loud an clear-"
"Harri...maybe he just likes me or something," Adriana said trying to end the conversation. "But that doesn't mean-"
"You still haven't denied it," Harri said. "Tell me right now that you and he never once fucked and I'll shut up and accept I was wrong for once. Adriana it's me! You can tell me...I won't judge you at all you know that. I mean..that man is fine as fuck. You know me, I would probably actually blame you more for not having sex with him if that was the case! Adri-"
Adriana felt trapped. She felt for the first time since Bruce had been away that she would cry from missing him. She needed him now.
"Harri...it's complicated," Adriana said.
"I'm your sister," Harri said. "You know you can trust me-"
"It's not just my story to tell...Bruce and Jack..." Adriana said.
"And I will keep their secrets too," Harri said. "You know that."
Adriana nodded.
"Here's the thing Harri...I will tell you what I can, but you have to agree not to ask any questions about what I'm about to say," Adriana said. "Because...I can't talk about it any further until I talk to Bruce or Jack."
"Okay," Harri said. "Just tell me...did you and Jack..I mean..when?"
Adriana took a deep breath.
"Jack and I were involved before Bruce and I were married," Adriana said and heard Harri gasp.
"So...you knew him before you were abducted? You already knew him," Harri said.
"It was a long time ago and.." Adriana said. "What I'm going to tell you..I can't explain yet but I can only hope you'll accept it and let me talk to them before I tell you more. Because..I feel like you'll make the connection eventually."
Harri nodded.
"Jack is Arsenio's biological father," Adriana said.
Harri put a hand over her stomach and another over her mouth.
"Bruce knows," Adriana said. "Jack knows. I was pregnant when Bruce and I got together..before Bruce and I ever even had sex. So he knew Arsenio was some else's. Jack was..not in a good place to be a father. Things were...really really bad Harri and you just have to trust that I can't stress that enough. I wish I could tell you more but I can't. Bruce has adopted Arsenio and...Bruce is his father. He's the only father Arsenio has known. We agreed to let Jack into Arsenio's life and..things are good now. We finally have balance."
Harri sat on the leather ottoman in the walk in closet.
"He..." Harri said, her voice breathy and weak. "Looks..just...just like Jack. How didn't I see it?"
Adriana said nothing. Harri sighed.
"Wow," Harri said.
"Yeah.." Adriana said.
"You said you have balance now.." Harri said. "But how can you when...that man in still so in love with you? I have the feeling he's single because of you. Like..he just wants you...which is...so beyond fucking weird."
Adriana still was quiet. She told Harri she would not give her any more information.
"I mean," Harri said, talking in response to her own words. "Not that it's weird for someone to want to just be with you..that's not what I meant. I just meant..it doens't match."
Harri sighed again.
"Look at him," Harri said. "I mean he's probably had plenty of girlfriends? Women are probably all over him. So why would he fall so hard for someone to this extent? I mean it was so obvious Adriana...he's enamored. And I know you've had guys before when you had your gift and they'd end up obsessed with you and acting all crazy..but Jack doesn't seem obsessed and crazy. Just seems..out of faith? I don't know. Can I just ask one question?"
"What?" Adriana asked.
"Was he a virgin or something when he met you?" Harri asked. "Then your gift and stuff probably trapped him-"
"He never wanted to...indulge in my gifts when we were together. It's like he mentally found a way around it," Adriana said. "It was..different. I didn't even know it was possible until then. I mean all the other guys I was with sort of just..loved it and plunged in head first like it was some drug. Letting them see and hear things they couldn't otherwise. Bruce was like that too in the beginning but eventually he found a way around it."
"Jack loves you," Harri said.
Adriana blinked and looked away, unsure if she should feel guilt.
"Wait, so was he a virgin?" Harri asked.
Adriana glanced at Harri.
"I know you said no questions," Harri said.
"Jack had...some psychological..." Adriana said.
"Okay.." Harri said with a nod. "I understand. So.."
"He has dissociative amnesia," Adriana said. "I was not his first but he cannot remember any others."
"Oh..wow," Harri said and then sighed.
"I feel awful now," Adriana said. "If he's in love with me and..I don't want him to hurt-"
"Don't," Harri said. "I know..I kept saying he loves you but I can also sense that he's strong. He can...live with it. But I guess it's just a foreign concept to me. Loving someone so much that you don't even want anyone else. That's...what I'm getting from him. He doesn't want anyone that's not you."
Harri looked at Adriana thoughfully.
"He seems to have also shut of his lust. Maybe out of respect? Because you're married? It's crazy seeing a man," Harri said. "With no lust. He such an enigma. He loves you but he doesn't lust after you...and the love part is so strong..so the suppression of lust is like..I've never seen anything like it. I mean he must have felt it at some point if you two made a baby obviously. I wish you could tell me more about him. He must have some..impossibly precise power and control of his mind from what you've told me about him..."
"I really can't tell you any more..I'm sorry," Adriana said.
"Okay," Harri nodded. "One last question.."
Adriana closed her eyes for a second and nodded.
"He never got hooked on your gift," Harri said. "So he actually loves you..but...did you ever love him? I mean..how serious was your relationship?"
Adriana stared off for a moment.
"We...were only together a couple months.." Adriana said. "It's..complicated. But..yes...I loved him. More than I wanted to admit at the time. But now..I love Bruce."
Harri could see the truth and Adriana could see that Harri could see it. Adriana was in love with two men but she was doing what was morally right.
Harri took Adriana's hand.
"I love you sis," Harri said.
"Love you too," Adriana said.