The Way We Fall | Bruce Wayne

CHAPTER 25 - Fleeting Attempt

"All's he's concerned with is the partnership. He could care less about where I am," Sara said, sitting on the small couch across from Bruce's desk. The 'office,' if it could be called that, was more of a smaller elegant library with a brilliant wood desk and leather chair in the center. It's tidiness told her either Alfred was meticulous for maintaining neatness and order, or that it was hardly ever used.

"He might not care now, but he will. And eventually, he'll need a better answer." Bruce sat in his chair, his gaze upon her but appearing pensive.

"The main problem right now is the deal. If I'm not in Gotham, I can't exactly meet with you to complete the drafts. Logically, that would stall the entire process."

"Mr. Fox can meet with your board to finalize."

Sara lifted a hand to rub circles into her temples. "I don't think that's enough for him. He believes that working directly with you will give us some sort of advantage."

"Then I'll meet with him." Bruce believed the solution to be simple.

"You sure can try. But Mr. Riley seems to have the idea that I have a... way of persuading you." She wanted to withdraw the words even as she said them aloud.

He blinked, processing her words, just as she anticipated. A look of amusement arriving on his features. "Is that right?"

"Of course it's ridiculous." She waved a quick hand in dismissal. "Though there's no convincing him otherwise. I'd suggest giving reassurance of some sort. Something to tell him that you're not changing your mind."

He shifted his posture in the chair. "I'll schedule a meeting for next week. I'm guessing he'll start to get irritable by then."

Sara laughed dryly. "Bold to assume he isn't already." As a moment of quiet fell over the room, she glanced around the office. Mr. Riley made it seem like all would fall apart in her absence. How could she handle being gone for weeks?

"Your boss should be the least of your worries. Let him blow some steam. I'm sure you'll be able to pick up where you left off soon enough."

His words were intended for comfort, but they had a rather opposite effect. Stepping away from her position wasn't as easy as he thought it was. Not for someone like her, who had to climb up the merciless ladder of business. Something he'd never understand. The confidence in his demeanor revived the temper that had long resided within her.

"It's not as simple as you think. Some of us can't afford to just vanish and then return like nothing ever happened." She gave him a pointed glare and considered another question. Something that had occupied her mind long enough. "I've been meaning to ask... How'd you manage being dead for seven years?"

His eyes flickered back to her. A solemness fell over his face. Like he knew where she was leading.

"Must've been nice to be able to step away from all this for so long," her tone dripped with blatant sarcasm when he didn't respond. A bitterness returned within her that she hadn't realized wasn't truly gone. It had tried to rear its ugly head once, when she made mention of Bruce's long disappearance at the banquet. She didn't dwell on it then, instead turning to sympathy for the young billionaire. But now, it seemed to have a different relevancy. "All the responsibilities. All the luxury."

Bruce didn't reply. His gaze turned steely as his body stiffened.

"If you were able to vanish so well, then maybe I could learn a thing or two."