Love is Merely Madness ~ Book 1 ~ Batman Begins

Chapter 12: A Token of Gratitude

Chapter 12: A Token of Gratitude

Disclaimer: read chapter 1

"Patient Interview #4. This is Doctor Knightly with Patient #6056, also known as Edward Nashton," Kathryn faced Edward through her black-framed glasses with a friendly smile. "Good morning, Edward."

"Kit-Kat," Edward greeted with a smug look on his face. He still wore his straight jacket, just like the last couple of times. "You look like a ray of sunshine today."

"Yes," Kathryn admitted, allowing her grin to show as she wrote her notes on her clipboard. "Is that a problem?"

Edward shrugged. "Not at all. I love it when people are cheerful..." He smirked. "If you have it, you want to share it, but once you share it, you no longer have it. What am I?"

"A secret."

His smirk stretched, creating a dimple on his cheek. "Got anything to share, Doctor?"

Kathryn shook her head, "No. We are here to talk about you. Remember?"

Edward's wicked chuckle sent chills down her spine.

"Oh, come on! Not one itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, juicy secret? What's wrong, Doctor? Don't you trust me?"

"Mmm," Kathryn continued writing, paying no mind to Edward's plea.

"I'm red, but I'm not a strawberry," Edward cited. "I'm a shape, but I'm not a square."

Kathryn laid her file down, raising a brow at Edward.

"I'm part of your body, but I'm not your mouth. I'm a suit in a deck of cards, but I'm not a spade. I'm used to saying 'I love you,' but I'm not a diamond."

"I notice you are less barbaric with the riddles, Ed."

"The answer?"

"A heart."

"The same heart that is wrapped around your neck."

Kathryn gazed down at her necklace, quickly tucking it under her shirt.

Edward shook his head, clicking his tongue in disapproval, "Now. Now. Let's not be modest, Doctor. We both know that you didn't buy it out of the blue and the gem..." his mouth twitched, "a bit out of your price range."

"What do you know about my price range? Are you a jeweler? The diamond could be a fake."

Edward chuckled. "It's not about the money but the heart in it, Doctor. Judging by the clothes..." he gestured to her outfit beneath the lab coat- a red patterned skirt and a black blouse, which he guessed came from a thrift shop, "that's all you. The makeup, the hair, and the small cleavage-" Kathryn crossed her arms, self-conscious and offended. "-cries for attention. You had been provided for all your life. It took a lot of guts to leave mommy and daddy, leave the Sunshine State to deal with little ole me."

Kathryn had a grim look on her face, not approving Edward's observation. He was supposed to be smart. What he said was entirely inaccurate.

"I haven't been spoiled," she shouldn't be arguing with him. This wasn't his business anyway. She must be the professional one, but this man was good at pushing people's buttons and twisting the conversation around.

"My parents didn't give me what I wanted as a kid," Kathryn explained, carefully ensuring she didn't slip any personal information. "I was forced to be independent; keep my nose in a school book and my fingertips on a keyboard every day like you." Edward raised a brow at that. It seemed like they had something in common. "If anything, they spoil my-"