The Way We Fall | Bruce Wayne

CHAPTER 15 - Pale Moonlight

"You alright?" Bruce asked as they walked, close enough for no one else to hear.

"Of course. He was just some know-it-all with a business proposition."

"And?"

"Maybe you're forgetful, but may I remind you that I'm a woman of my word. I don't abandon deals just to spring for new ones." She could breathe a little easier knowing he hadn't actually heard the conversation. He must've only seen the body language from afar.

The words thank you never escaped her mouth, though she was grateful that Bruce had sent him packing. At what cost, she wasn't certain. If the guy was bitter enough, he'd say anything to the press to get Wayne Enterprises in deeper waters than it already was. Surely Bruce knew it, too.

As the evening progressed, Bruce formally introduced her to many of Wayne Enterprises' major investors. Some were from Gotham, while most were from other major cities. Each encounter was the same. She collected names to remember, just in the hopefully unlikely event that partnership plans fell through.

The charity fundraiser seemed to be going well, though. Every large donor wanted to outdo the other. Sara guessed that they saw it as a status symbol. Regardless, if there was one good thing about the banquet, it was that it was actually benefiting people in need.

More and more people thronged around Bruce, raising questions about the embezzlement case. In the bustle of the evening, Sara had practically forgotten about the headlines. She thought back to the whole incident, an unsettling feeling of guilt rising within her. Excusing herself for some fresh air, Sara left the crowd in favor of an empty balcony.

It overlooked the inner city from a magnificent height. Much higher than she was accustomed to during her late night excursions. The cool breeze rustling her hair made her wish she was out there again. Weightless and free as she leapt from one rooftop to another. Without fear of being caught, or encountering the Batman.

Her head raised as she heard approaching footsteps. She turned to see Bruce walking over to join her beside the railing. Sara looked back down at the restless city below.

He leaned against the railing, gazing over the view. "No more run-ins with arrogant businessmen?"

"Not unless you include this one right now."

His head dropped in a chuckle. "I don't blame you for needing a break." He worked on loosening his shirt collar. "It gets suffocating."

"I thought you'd be used to it by now. Being the center of attention should be second nature to you," she spoke without looking away from the view.

Bruce was silent for a few moments, as if deciding on a response. Sara didn't look up to see an expression on his face.

"More like survival instinct," he said at last.

She didn't question what he meant. It'd be understandable for a young, impressionable orphan to have to learn to adapt to such a life. "It must've been hard."

Sara looked up at him now, seeing a puzzled look. "To inherit all this... All the expectations," she explained. "I could understand why you would disappear the way you did."

The latter statement seemed to turn him to stone. He resumed watching the slow-moving traffic below.

Bruce Wayne was a difficult man to read. One moment, he was the smooth billionaire that the city had grown to love and hate. The next, he was seemingly genuine and cordial. And somewhere in-between, a man of silent mystery and misery.

"In a way, I wish I could've done the same," Sara said, somewhat to herself.

He tilted his head to glance at her, waiting for the clarification that never came.

They stood together in silence, gently leaning over the balcony. After a few passing minutes, she looked to him briefly as he gazed out over the horizon. The pale moonlight illuminated his sharp features in a combination of shadow and subtle glow.

Sara gazed up to the sky. The brightness of the city hid the stars, yet the moon glowed in reflection of the sun's brilliance. Half in light, half secluded in darkness.

In the corner of her eye, she caught Bruce watching her. Even in the coolness of the night, his eyes were filled with warmth and captivation. The sight lit a spark within her, one that she hoped to quickly extinguish. The warning echoed in her mind. Mixing feelings with business...

A warm, gentle touch on her bare shoulder sent a chill down her spine and butterflies into flight. She turned to Bruce, recognizing the loneliness in his hazel eyes. And the longing. It threatened to draw her in like a moth to flame.

Sara averted her gaze, looking at anything else but him. He was going to say something before she beat him to it. "I'm not easily flattered, Mr. Wayne." And certainly not by rich womanizers, she reminded herself, her posture becoming rigid as she held in a breath.

He withdrew his hand, the absence of his touch leaving her shoulder cold.

Even as she looked up and saw the hope drain from his gaze, she wasn't going to be his next futile attempt at filling the empty void. Neither would she allow him nor anyone else to tarnish her reputation.

Clearing her throat, she stepped back."If you'll excuse me..." Sara headed back inside, looking for another glass of champagne.