THE BAT & THE BUTTERFLY | b.wayne

chapter: 1

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"SEE I WAS warned of this actually," marie lunes chuckles sheepishly, "jade said that you would probably say that you don't need an assistant that you're perfectly content with your butler alfred," marie explains, looking up from her fiddling hands to find bruce wayne with a thin line on his lips, hands clasped on his desk. her heart dropped at the faint sound of his tapping foot behind the desk.

despite her better judgment, she continued.

"i-i don't know if mixing your work and home life is the best course of action here mr. wayne. especially with something so big as wayne enterprises. alfred is just one man and i am also just one person but j-jade did not recommend me for no reason. i am perfectly aware of your reputation and the way the media portrays you so that won't be a problem or an obstacle. i think it's okay and dare i say trendy to be serious and cold and stoic."

bruce raises a brow.

the excruciatingly silence that followed after marie realized she had spoken beyond the appropriate realm for what she thought was an interview.

bruce's eyes narrow as he scans her sheepish expression and constant licking of the lips. he was getting dehydrated just watching her and he just downed a shot of whisky seconds before she burst through the doors as a walking resume. he opened his mouth to speak only to be almost startled by her protest.

"but! as an example of having forward thinking and preparing for the future, i think it wouldn't hurt for an image change, mr. wayne. as your potential new assistant i would closely with your pr personnel to do just that! i-i mean you just recently took the mantle after years of rejecting your inheritance of the wayne enterprises. ideas are gold and i think you may find my brain...," marie takes a deep breath from her panting, "a gold mine."

i effed it up. she internally groans. i know it.

bruce clears his throat and leans back against his chair, blinking blankly strategically. in reality he was attempting to blink back his racing mind from his recent drink and see if anything the young shaking woman in front of him spouted out stuck.

"um...miss lunes, is it?" he asks politely.

marie nods, wiping the sweat from her hands on her slacks.

"miss lunes, i'm afraid i don't need anyone at the moment. despite jade's—" he gritted his teeth, "—well intended wishes. since her maternity leave, she shouldn't have insisted you come since i am not searching for a replacement assistant as i said when you burst into my room, this isn't necessary."

"oh, of course mr. wayne. t-that's understandable, it's just..." marie attempts to smooth down strands from her low bun, "jade was really confident that i could just replace her a-and i desperately need a job and despite my blubbering attempt at selling my skills, i'm still determined not to leave this building without something—"

bruce clenched his jaw and crossed his arms, "—i don't want to waste anymore of your time miss."

"of course it's just jade promised she would speak to you about me and my resume so i—"

"i think it's time for you to leave, miss lunes."

"well—"

"leave," bruce emphasizes while rising from his chair. the muscles protruding out of his expensive dress shirt added to his already towering presence. curse the tabloids for convincing marie he was a short king. how could she possibly plead for a job with someone with such commanding spirit as the man standing in front of her. "i will not ask again. i'm...sorry."