Mad Love

Chapter 16

Bruce Wayne's POV:
"Sir, the guests will be arriving quite shortly. Would you like me to set out anything else?" Alfred asked, guest list in hand.
"No, just have the refreshments out on a tray and give the guest list to one of the security officials." I replied tiredly, this was the first time I had offered to host the annual fundraiser for the city and it was going to be very exhausting.
"Right away sir." Alfred exited the main entryway, leaving me to wait on the security to hurry up before the guests arrive. Fundraisers are basically criminal magnets and I didn't want to risk getting attacked by some crazed lunatics who end up killing everyone at the party. I was a very cautious man when I needed to be. A security official ran in with the guest list and stood by the door. He then gave me a nod and I turned on my heel towards a mirror that hung near the entryway. I straightened my tie and flattened my hair.
The first guests arrived moments later, it was Officer Gordon and his wife. They were both wearing masks of some sort. Shoot! I forgot that this was a masquerade themed party, oh well. I greeted them, trying to act more awake than I was. A few more people came, I recognized a few of them despite their masks but as usual, it was always the same group of people plus a few new ones that the mayor decided to add at the last minute. I walked over towards the security guard and looked at the guest list, on it that I recognized was the mayor, one of the many lawyers that I had met a few years ago, and an a few old business associates. But then there were people like Selina West whom I had never heard of before. I then turned back to the party. I had hired a pianist, violinist, and a cello player for the fundraiser and they seemed just as tired as I was. Just then a certain guest caught my eye. A beautiful young woman wearing a black dress with silver lining her waist and lower part of the dress, she also wore a black mask which made her all the more mysterious. She carried a brown satchel and must've noticed me staring because she strolled over to me.
"Lovely party." She said. She had a faint New York sounding accent and spoke with such confidence.
"I don't think we've met." I replied.
"Perhaps not, it's never too late to meet new people."
"I'm the host, Bruce Wayne." I held out my hand.
"What a beautiful house. I'm Har-Selina! Selina West." She laughed and shook my hand.
"Would you like a drink?" I asked, leading her towards Alfred.
"Oh, no thank you. I can't drink." She seemed a little anxious but I brushed it off as her just playing coy.
"Why not?" I asked jokingly.
"Um...I'm not- I mean, I choose not to drink it cuz uh...alcoholism runs in the family and I don't wanna risk it so..." She was acting pretty odd, maybe it was her first time being at a large party such as this, or maybe she was just nervous around men.
"Would you like to dance?" I asked her. She laughed.
"There's not much to dance to, I'll be right back." Who was this woman? She was like no one I had ever met.