The Way We Fall | Bruce Wayne

CHAPTER 9 - The Manor

"I'm sorry, he's in a meeting right now. Could I take a message?" The secretary had said the same thing the last three times Sara called.

"No, it's alright. Thanks."

She flipped a business card between her fingers. Sara had been putting off contacting Bruce directly. Now she was getting worried. Not for him, of course. But for the negotiations.

Figuring he'd be busy all afternoon, she waited until the evening. Sara sat on her couch, phone in one hand and card in the other. Swallowing her pride, she dialed the number.

It rang several times before there was an answer. A tired voice answered. "Hello?"

"Mr. Wayne? This is Sara Carter from Gotham Tech."

"Oh, yeah, hey." He sounded like he'd been asleep.

Sara glanced at a clock. It was only seven. "You sound tired."

"I am."

"I know you've been in and out of meetings. I get tired after just one." She cleared her throat and straightened herself to return to business. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm calling about the partnership."

A few moments went by in silence, she thought he had fallen asleep.

"Right. I'm sure you've heard..." Bruce paused, possibly to yawn? "We'll have to discuss some new considerations. Can you meet at my manor tomorrow? Around... one or so?"

"At your manor?" Sara nearly fell off the couch. She wish she'd heard wrong, but she knew she didn't. "Wouldn't the office be more convenient?"

"I'm going to be there from eight to six. Booked the whole day. There's a meeting scheduled at one o'clock that I don't have to attend." His words continued in a yawn, "Well, the Board thinks I do, but that's why we have to meet here."

"And you don't think they'll know you're missing?"

"They will, but at least I won't be there to hear about it."

Sara wanted to decline. But there would be no other way to meet with him this week. And she couldn't wait until the next. Mr. Riley's voice played in the back of her subconscious. Was that the real reason why he didn't want to meet at the office? Or was he hoping to conceal something?

"I guess they can't fire you."

Bruce chuckled on the other end. "So, tomorrow at one?"

"Sure."

They exchanged farewells and Sara disconnected the call, allowing the billionaire to go back to sleep. She guessed an early bedtime was one of his many luxuries.

The informal meeting arrangement unnerved her slightly. She felt confident in an office setting. She felt professional. Sitting in an extravagant living room wouldn't give her the power she hoped for.

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Every so often, Sara checked her office clock. It was still only noon. She reviewed her notes twice and began a third time when Mr. Riley knocked on the door. "Come in."

He opened the door and leaned in briefly. "Were you able to arrange a meeting with Wayne?"

"Actually, we have one scheduled in an hour from now." She stacked the papers back together and slipped them into a folder.

Mr. Riley's brows raised. "Impressive. Let me know how it goes." He shut the door and walked back into his own office.

She wouldn't tell him it was at Wayne Manor. Not now, not later. It'd give the wrong impression, of course. And she couldn't have that.

—————

Sara drove to the Palisades on the far outskirts of Gotham. The drastic change of surroundings was another entrance to the unfamiliar. She couldn't recall the last time she had left the boundaries of the inner city. Skyscrapers were exchanged for green, grassy landscapes. It was almost hard to believe that such beauty existed anywhere remotely near the city. Though it wasn't quite near - it was a longer drive than she had initially expected.

She proceeded down a long driveway toward the enormous manor. The historic home exhibited exquisite architecture, not that she expected anything less. It was rather sad for one man to live in a place as expansive as this. But she figured he could care less.

An older gentleman awaited her arrival at the front steps. She parked her Mercedes and stepped out of the car to greet him.

"Hello, you must be Ms. Sara Carter." He spoke in an English accent. A warm smile welcomed her to the manor.

She shook his hand and followed the butler to the large front doors. "Nice you meet you, Mister..."

"Just Alfred is fine, miss." He opened the doors and she stood amazed at the brilliant entrance.

"I've never seen any place so beautiful." She spun slowly, observing the brilliant architecture.

"It's been in the Wayne family for six generations." He paused for a moment to allow her to take it in. "Master Wayne should be along shortly. You may wait in the parlor, if you wish."

He led her to the formal seating area. One of many, many rooms. It was all breathtaking, but despite the ornate decor and furniture, it felt rather empty. And cold. Their footsteps on polished tile echoed throughout, only emphasizing the obvious silence.

Sara sat on a luxurious red couch, her back rigid as she failed to relax on furnishings so priceless.