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Bruce Wayne has been in a bad mood since he left home. He was set on attending alone for tonight's gala. He had put on one of his favorite two piece suits and while he was getting ready, he went over why none of his children would go to the gala with Alfred. In the end, not even Alfred wanted to go there, and his rejection put him in a bad mood for the whole ride.
Many people wanted Bruce Wayne to attend the galas alone, that way they had a higher possibility of getting a minute to talk to him and pitch him whatever business idea they had in mind.
This particular gala was organized by Gotham’s Museum. They were in urgent need of donations to restorate a wing that was damaged after one of the many fights in the city. It was becoming more and more difficult to maintain the exhibitions in prime conditions with the chances of massive destruction every week. Perhaps that was exactly the reason why Bruce Wayne couldn’t avoid his fate and decided to attend unaccompanied. And just perhaps, it was for the better that he attended alone.
The plan was simple: go there, greet some people, talk to the organizers, have dinner and leave in time for the nightly patrol.
He arrived and his car was immediately taken by the valet parking. He knew that deep down they were eager to be behind the wheel of a luxury car like his. He smiled at his thought and entered the gala avoiding all the questions from the interviewers and media covering the arrival to the gala. however he could hear that someone commented on him arriving alone. To be honest, he couldn’t care less. Surely tomorrow another gazette will feature him on cover with the title as Gotham’s most wanted bachelor. Sometimes he took the children to avoid such publicity. Not today.
Everything ran as expected. Greetings here, greetings there. People wanting to catch Bruce alone, two or three startups looking for networking and finance. He was about to call quits when one of the organizers approached him. “Mr. Wayne, it’s a pleasure that you could join us tonight.” He made a gesture to attract the attention of a woman. When she noticed that she'd been called, she approached the men.
“Mr. Wayne, let me introduce Miss Dawn Douglas.” They shook hands. Bruce noticed her nervousness in her handshake. She was cautious yet firm. “Miss Douglas is in charge of the project that was financed last year. We collected enough funds to start the first stage of the reconstruction of the west wing that was affected by the alien attack two years ago.”
To be honest, he was paying enough attention to the man to catch only a word or two of his discourse. He was infinitely more interested in the woman in front of him. She was not shy, just reserved. Her eyes reflected her intelligence. Her dress was more of the prêt-a-porter rack than one of those exclusive designs that most of high society of Gotham wore to these events. The mauve cocktail dress she was wearing made her look radiant though. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Douglas.” For a minute he felt the impulse to take her hand to his lips, but he resisted the old fashioned gesture. The wings he felt in his stomach were a sensation he doubted he would feel again. It had been a long time since he recognized that sensation and he thought that he would never have the chance to repeat the experience. .
Their chat didn’t last much and Bruce was disappointed in the fact. She was called to attend some other guests who were curious about the project. From the moment he met her, Bruce never lost sight of her, and deep down he was certain that people wanted to talk to her not only because she was head of the project, but because she was easy on the eye.
What haunted Bruce the most during the night were her lips. They were lucious and full. For the last half an hour he had imagined how it would feel just one kiss from those lips. He was certain that it would take one kiss to steal her heart away. It felt silly just to think about her as if they were teenagers.
Bruce was fully trained to notice the hints that others ignored. For example, when Dawn wanted a minute of peace. She ran from one person, and from another, and another, and they always found something to ask her. He had been attending galas since he was a teenager himself, so he knew exactly what to do to avoid unwanted attention.
Risking being the unwanted attention he was referring to, he approached Dawn. “It is hard to have a moment alone isn’t it? but if you get near the food table you’ll get a minute of peace, plus enjoy these cucumber sandwiches.” He was amused by the look in her eyes when he suggested the cucumber sandwiches which granted his laughter.
“I never thought I would find someone who enjoys these thingies.” she said, opening her eyes in disbelief.
Bruce found himself amused by her response.“It’s an acquired taste, I can assure you. If you keep on trying them, you’ll like them eventually.” He took one of them and bited it.
“Is that how you came to like them?” Dawn then took one, just for testing if Bruce could be right. It was a strange flavor that made her grimace, which caused him to smile.
“Certainly, I’ve been to many events and they always run out of the other dishes rapidly so, cucumber sandwiches are always the option, plus it is almost certain that nobody will come near them.” And for the first time in the night, Bruce saw a sincere laugh from her. Luckily nobody dared to interrupt them. Maybe it was the murderous glance Bruce gave to anyone who came near them, maybe that those cucumber sandwiches truly were nobody’s option.
Next to that table proved to be the perfect place to have a true conversation. They discussed not only the sandwiches available, but also about the wine offered, work, and plans, and suddenly they were talking about philosophy, music and their favorite movies. It was too soon to feel this much comfortable, yet it couldn’t be helped.
With his detective eye Bruce noticed that Dawn started to get anxious. Maybe it was because she was dancing in her high heels after hours standing, or it was because she was looking around trying to find a watch. As a gentleman, he offered the answer she seemed to be looking for. “It’s quarter past eleven.” Bruce informed her. Dawn had to leave at midnight and wanted to catch the last bus to her home. She could take an uber at that time, but certainly the bus was her first option. “Don’t worry about the time. I will escort you home whatever time you need to leave. I think that your boss hasn’t introduced you to at least a third of the attendees tonight, and surely is waiting for you to get away from this table” He was polishing and showing off his chivalry skills. Plus it will give him more time with her and information about her house, because he was sure that he will want to meet her another time, under different circumstances.
“Oh God, I couldn’t bother you with that!” She was ashamed for considering asking that favor. After all, he was THE Bruce Wayne, heir of those who built this city. He was charming, handsome, and a good converser, and certainly a treat to have around. But she needed not to fall for him, not now, not so fast.
Of course, when she noticed it it was too late. She wanted to remain by his side and keep on talking, about food, about silly cat videos online, about everything and anything. And he was right, her boss was eyeing them suspiciously as if trying to catch her eyes so she could go to ask him what he needed and then, he could go around talking about the project he was directing.
This conduct was obvious to the self proclaimed best detective in Gotham. He had a solution to their predicament. “Are you in the mood for real food? We complied with meets and greets of the main high society of Gotham. I think we are allowed to leave.” He was Bruce Wayne, he could leave whenever he wanted and that will be considered polite. However it was remarkable that he had lasted this long considering the reasons why he had to abandon previous galas.
It was clear that she would agree. Bruce assured that arriving at the old dinner just before entering Wayne State in fancy clothes was the funniest thing to do. And truly it was. The regulars knew that every now and then Batman and Robin come there to have a burger on their daily patrol, there were few things that could surprise them. And surprised they were to see them entering. But Bruce and Dawn were so absorbed in their conversation that they didn’t notice.
After dinner, Bruce insisted that there was an amazing spot where they could see the sunrise and she wouldn’t regret it. It was already past four am and Dawn was wondering why she felt so energized while normally she would be in bed by ten. It was hard to admit, but the reason was Bruce’s smile, a side that so far, she hadn’t seen in the interviews and posters that advertisements, magazines and news shows portray.
They were watching the dawn. Her head rested on his shoulder. And he finally stole that kiss to enamoure Dawn and he didn’t want to let go. Her lips were as soft as he first imagined. Bruce confirmed that she also felt the butterflies in her stomach when they first met. And he was glad this was not a one way feeling. They remained together until the dew decorated the leaves from the nearby trees and a cold breeze took over.
Placing his blazer over her shoulders, Bruce guided Dawn to his car to fulfill the promise he made to her. He accompanied her to the very entrance of the building and kissed her once again. Dawn thought that this was one of those magical nights that happen just once in a lifetime, a different kind of a one time thing. But Bruce held her hand and held her to his lips, “Gala season has just started and I was wondering if you would like to be my plus one in some other reunions. I may need someone who distracts the attendees while I run away ” He winked at her.
As surprised as she was, she found the courage to open her clutch and give him a business card. “By all means, count me in… I think I can pretend perfectly beside the cucumber sandwiches.” After all, this gala was a networking opportunity and she was ready for it. What she wasn’t ready for was to secure another date with Bruce. One last kiss and good night (even when it was morning) and they went on different ways.
Bruce arrived at the Manor when Alfred was ready to serve breakfast. He had his blazer over his shoulder and a huge smile on his face. Alfred couldn’t help to notice that there was a small spot of makeup on his shirt. Not that he was worried about the spot, no, he knew how to take it out and if his cleaning secrets can’t make the miracle happen, well, Master Bruce could easily afford a new shirt. He was worried about the smile he was wearing now, not because he didn’t want him to be happy, he was afraid that the smile wouldn’t last. “Don’t worry Alfred, I’ve found a gala partner, for future occasions.” Alfred released a breath he didn’t know he was holding. And he smiled as brightly as his Master.
For Bruce, attending the gala unaccompanied was the best thing that could happen.