The Dark Truth

The Ball: Chapter 23

The rest of the week up until the ball was rather normal. No joker, no freak accidents, and no nightmares. Just me, work, and getting ready for the ball I've been anxiously awaiting. I have been a bit worried about Harley though, I haven't heard from her in a while. It's now Friday and Bruce insisted on me not working today, but instead going to pamper myself. And that's how I ended up in gabbys salon. This was the most high class salon in Gotham and I was honored to have the owner, gabby, do my hair for me. "So, Lizzy was it? How long have you known Bruce?" I shrug as I think about gabbys question. "a couple of weeks now. to be honest I don't like him spending money on me like this." I feel her mess with my hair a bit more. "well he loves it, and hes going to love you for the dance." she spins me around and my hair is in a messy but cute bun. I gasp at how I look and smile, "thank you so much!" me and gabby hug, I can tell we'll be fast friends. as I leave I get a text from Bruce telling me he'll be at my house at seven. I swear that man is spoiling me way too much. by the time I get home from makeup and nails its six and all I have to do is slip on my dress. I walk to my bedroom and puts on my dress and look in my full body mirror. I feel like a princess and I do a little twirl. the dress flows beautifully as if its silk blowing through the wind. I put on black heels and switches my purse for a black clutch. the doorbell goes off and I walk to the elevator to see Bruce asking for permission to come up. I let him and finish putting in my black peacock feather earrings. by the time im done the elevator opens to show Bruce in a nice suit and a black masquerade mask. "whats with the mask?" I make it so its even and he smiles at me, that's when I notice the black box in his hands. "its a masquerade ball. heres a gift from me." I smile as I take the box from him and open it to find a lace looking mask with peacock feathers to match my dress. "its beautiful, but you've gotten me so much already. " bruce takes the mask from me and puts it on me. "well heres one more." his hand lingers on my cheek and I feel my face going red. one thing plays over and over in my head. "why did you kiss me?" I see a smile play on bruces face and he looks away a bit. "is it a crime to like you? your intelligent, beautiful and have so much ahead of you." Bruce leans in and kisses me gently. his lips are soft as a pillow. he tasted of coffee and I felt like I was in heaven. he pulls away and takes my hand. "shall we go?" I nod my head yes and we head down the elevator, to his car, then the ball.

we pull up to Bruce Wayne's house, or should I say mansion, and their is already a good few people there. I nervously play with my dress as I look out the window. I feel Bruce's hand entwine with mine and I look over at him. "its okay, you look beautiful; and I promise this is going to be a night you never forget." I nod my head okay and the driver opens my door for me. I step out and Bruce does as well. we entwine arms and head up the many stairs to the entrance of the house. as we get to the doors an older man is standing their greeting everyone. once his eyes hit Bruce he lights up. "Master Bruce, lovely ball this has turned out to be. and who may this beautiful young lady be?" he has an accent and talks very formal. I blush and hold out my hand to shake his, "I'm Lizzy Hyde sir." the man looks to Bruce then smiles at me and shakes my hand. "Alfred pennyworth, its a pleasure to meet you." Bruce smiles at me and nods towards Alfred, "this has been my butler for years, he took the place of my father when he passed. " I smile as Bruce speaks, he seems so normal talking about Alfred. Alfred leans over as if telling me a secret and says "he was a hellish child to deal with, I could show you some baby pictures sometime. " I giggle and Bruce coughs awkwardly and starts leading me into he house. "okay Alfred, he sure knows how to embarrass me." as we enter the house filled with people I see its bigger than I expected. I almost feel like I don't belong. before I can comprehend what is happening I'm being hugged from behind. "I'm so glad you could make it!" I turn around to see Selina. "what are you doing here?" shes in a black dress that is short, but sheer goes down the rest of the way and a feline looking mask. "what a girl cant get out and have some fun? and you look beautiful by the way." I thank her and look around to see Bruce has excused himself to talk with a few people. "want to go get a drink?" I nod my head and we walk over to the bar like area. we both get Champaign. after a few minutes of talking nonsense we hear speakers come on. we look up at the staircase to see Bruce standing there with a drink in hand. "ladies and gentlemen, I'm so glad you could all make it. if you don't know this is a fundraiser for the Arkham asylum." you hear a few cheers and me and Selina clap. "I'm here tonight with a doctor from the asylum, she herself have seen how bad its gotten their with her few days of working their. Lizzy, would you please come up. " Bruce holds his hand out toward me and I smile at everyone as I walk up to him. once I get up their next to him he kisses me lightly to which I kiss back. I hear a few gasp in the crowd and I feel like ive made a mistake. Bruce whispers in my ear as he rubs my arm soothingly, "ignore them." I nod my head okay and take the mic from him. "thank you all for coming tonight. despite me only working in the asylum for a week I can testify that the place has gone downhill from its former glory. with this fundraiser I'm sure we can.." the mic cuts pout and I look to Bruce for an explanation. suddenly a laugh I know all too well rings throughout the ballroom. "sorry to interrupt such a beautiful speech but I think the entertainment is here." I'm slowly backing away when I warm wall. wait, walls aren't warm. I turn around to be confronted by the joker.