The Fundraiser
Leo was in his room building a maze out of Legos, while his mother was getting things ready for the big fundraiser for the orphanage that was going to be later this evening. He knew he was suppose to be getting ready himself, but he wanted to have some fun for himself. When Leo was done with his maze he smiled at his work.
"It's perfect," the little boy said with a smile.
Leo then started going downstairs to find his mother, but he stops when he was hearing a conversation between his mother and Penguin.
"You're not really worried about James Gordon?" Sofia questions.
"Please," Penguin said. "The issue is the person who ordered his appointment."
"I see," Sofia answers.
"Do you?" Oswald questions.
"Oswald, we both know the mayor's a weasel someone must've paid him off," Sofia said, "But I don't see why that means you can't attend my dinner."
"Because my dear the mayor has vanished," said Penguin, "But I will find him, I will learn the name of my enemy and there will be a reckoning." Then smiling he adds, "And that is why I might not be able to make it this evening."
Sofia gave a fake smile, "Very well," she said, "But a few of the children are doing a song. Martin is taking part, along with Leo too. It would mean the world to Martin if you could come."
"Of course," Penguin agreed with a smile, "Now don't let me keep you." He gestures with his hand for her to pass him.
Leo watches his mother leave, making sure she didn't see him, but he decides to stay at his place on the stairs, as he listens to Penguin and Mr. Penn talk.
"If you think she's the one we could have Victor... talk to her," said Mr. Penn.
Leo covers his mouth as he lets out a whimper.
"You do realize she is literally my only friend," Penguin tells him, "I need the mayor, I need proof."
"But sir, what if Ms. Falcone, not saying it is her, has seen to it that the mayor is missing well... permanently," Penn comments.
"I could be chasing a ghost while she prepares her next move," Penguin realizes as Penn nods. "Oh I wish I had a spy, close to her, someone quiet," Penguin stops when he realizes who that could be. He then tells Mr. Penn, "Bring me Martin."
"Who?" Mr. Penn asks.
"The boy with the pad around his neck," Penguin explained, "The one who can't talk."
Leo watches as Penguin walks to the front door with Mr. Penn following behind him. Leo then thinks about everything he heard both the conversations with Penguin and his mother and with Penguin and Mr. Penn. Did Penguin suspect his mother of doing something against him? Is Penguin really going to use Leo's best friend against his mom? Leo wasn't sure what to think of all this. But one thing was for sure, Leo knew what Mr. Penn meant have Victor talk to his mother, after all he was born and raised in the mob.
Leo had to find his mother and warn her what he heard, he would keep what he heard about Martin to himself, but Leo wasn't going to lose her like he lost his uncle and godfather. He ran downstairs to find his mom.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Leo called out for Sofia.
"In the kitchen baby!" Sofia called.
Leo ran into the kitchen and found Sofia with a few chefs. He then ran to his mother and hugged her.
"Mommy I need to tell you something important," Leo replies sounding worried.
Sofia nods and tells the kitchen staff, "Everyone please leave the kitchen for a few minutes, I need to talk to my son in private."
They all then immediately left leaving mother and son alone to talk.
"Now Leo what was it you needed to tell me?" Sofia asked.
"Mr. Penguin thinks you did something bad that's about the mayor and Detective Gordon," Leo said, "And that you might be why the mayor is missing and the man who was with Mr. Penguin said something about having Victor talk to you."
Little did Leo know Sofia also heard the conversation between Oswald and Mr. Penn. But Sofia just smiled at Leo and said, "Thank you sweetie. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?"
"No Mama, nothing," Leo answers. He was going to keep what he heard about Martin himself, in case if Sofia goes back on her promise of not having Martin get hurt.
Sofia was silent for a couple moments, not losing her fake smile she then said, "Alright. Now get ready for the fundraiser."
"Yes Mama," Leo said and headed upstairs to get ready and change into his dress clothes.
A couple hours later, Leo is looking at himself in the mirror. He was dressed a white long sleeved shirt, a blue vest, blue jacket, blue pants, black dress shoes and a black bow tie. He then picked up his locket and decided to put it in his pocket for now.
Then there was a knock on the door. "Leo are you ready?" Sofia's voice called out. "It's almost time."
"Coming Mama," Leo said. Then taking one last look in the mirror Leo says to himself, "I guess I'm ready as I'll ever be."
Leo then opened his door to see Sofia, dressed in a black dress, black choker and dress shoes, waiting for him.
"Oh Leo don't you look handsome," Sofia smiled and kissed his head.
"Thank you Mama," Leo said, "You're very pretty."
"Thank you sweetie," Sofia said, "Now come on the fundraiser is about to start."
Leo nods, taking his mother's hand and following her downstairs.
"I need to go find Chef Louie," Sofia told Leo. "If any of the guests arrive just opened the door and greet them."
Leo nods, "Yes Mama."
About fifteen minutes later the guests started arriving. Leo, who had been to many different parties and events already he had no problems with greeting the guests. Drinks were being served too, there was wine for adults, but they also had sparkling water for the kids. A little later Penguin and Martin walked in.
Leo ran over to them and hugged Martin. "Martin!" Leo cried happily.
"Oswald you came," Sofia said with equal enthusiasm. "Look at you two, so handsome."
"I know how important tonight's party is to you," Oswald replies, and looking at Martin he adds, "And I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I missed Martin's performance."
Sofia turning her attention to Leo and Martin she said, "Why don't you two go find the other children."
Leo and Martin walked away, leaving Sofia and Oswald alone. It didn't take long for the two boys to find the other children.
"Martin?" Leo asked, making his friend look at him, "Is Mr. Penguin nice to you? Does he treat you right?"
Martin frowns in confusion and writes on his notepad, "Yes, of course. Don't you already know that?"
"It's just I know Mr. Penguin means a lot to you, but please be careful," Leo said, "You're my first friend, my best friend, and the last thing I want is to see you being used by someone."
They noticed Sofia walk pass them as the adults, who were with the children, were guiding the children to the kitchen. Martin looked at Oswald and he pointed his two fingers to his eyes and pointed to where Sofia went, indicating to watch Sofia. Martin nods, but before he leaves Leo grabs his arm.
"Be careful," Leo whispers. Martin nods and then leaves.
Leo then glares over at Penguin and walks over to him.
"Mr. Penguin," Leo stepped towards Oswald, not losing his glare on him. "I want you to leave Martin alone."
Oswald simply chuckles, shaking his head. "I understand that you're Martin's friend, Leo, but I think he's more than capable of choosing who he wants to be around with."
"You're taking advantage of him," Leo snapped, and Oswald raised an eyebrow. "Just because I'm six, doesn't mean I'm dumb. You're using him to spy on my mom, aren't you?" Leo notices Oswald falters for a split second, but he continues, "And in case you were wondering, Martin didn't tell me anything. I heard what you were telling the man you were with when you were here earlier today. And no, I didn't tell my mom about this, I didn't want her to go back on her promise. But I'll make you a promise right now Mr. Penguin, if I found out you're not only using Martin, but also treating him badly or that if you don't really care about him. Then you won't have to worry about your empire anymore, because I'll make sure it ends, right then and there. Permanently."
Leo then walks away leaving Penguin speechless, not expecting to hear that from a child, like Leo Falcone.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!