T R A P P E D 2

2. Rising To The Occasion

*~Alexandria~*

Alex's Outfit

My heels clicked against the marble floor, as I walked through the lobby of Wayne Enterprise, heading towards the receptionists desk. I've had a very trying year and all I wanted to do was mope around and wallow in my sadness, but I refused to do so because I didn't want anyone to know how sad and heartbroken I was. Instead, I smiled through the pain and busied myself with working, school, and parenting; but behind closed doors...I'd cry my eyes out and think about the one and only person who hurt me the most. The person that I loved so much, but also hated with every breath in me.

"Good afternoon, Miss Wayne." The receptionist, Peggy, smiled.

"Hi Peggy. Is my dad here?" I asked.

"Yes he is. I'll call him and let him know that you're on your way up." I thanked her and made my way towards the elevator, pressing the button and waiting for it to arrive. My dad had been up my ass about taking an internship at his company, only because he wanted me to take over one day, whenever he decides to retire; which will probably be no time soon but whatever.

"I'll probably be riding with my dad, so you can go ahead and grab you some lunch if you'd like." I said, turning towards Frost. After the situation with Joker, both Frost and Blue were there to help me pick up the pieces of my shattered heart, and they both vowed to never leave my side. Aside from him dating my best friend, Frost also vowed to protect me from any and everything, which is why I somewhat hired him to be my security detail; or a bodyguard, if you will. He didn't like the idea of me paying him, but I didn't like the idea that he drove me everywhere and was putting his life on the line for me; so whether he liked it or not...he was receiving a weekly check of five thousand dollars.

"I'll make sure you're with you're safe with your dad before I leave." He said. I cocked my head to the side, looking up at him, as he stood there with a straight face. Over the past year, Frost had opened up a lot more and it was clear that he was happy...especially with Blue in his life. The two started dating a few months after Joker disappeared, but for some odd reason...they tried to keep their relationship a secret. It wasn't until I caught them making out in the kitchen, damn near about to rip each other's clothes off, when they realized that I had caught them before they went any further. They revealed that they were finally an item and I couldn't have been more happy for them, because they both deserved to be happy. After all...who doesn't?

When the elevator finally arrived, we stepped on and I pressed the button to the top floor, sighing heavily as the doors closed and whisked us up to the top. When I stepped off the elevator, I was immediately greeted by a few works, as I smiled and greeted them back...making my way towards my dad's office.

"You can go to lunch now, Frost. I got it from here." I told him.

"Alright. Call me if you need me." I nodded as I knocked on the door and entered my dad's office, seeing that he was on the phone with someone.

"Let me get back with you on that, Bob. My daughter just walked in." He said, hanging up the phone.

"You didn't have to end your call because of me." I told him, as he stood up and walked around his desk, pulling me in for a hug. Our relationship has gotten a lot better, especially since he finally kicked Talia' ass to the curb. Apparently, she was one of the reasons why I was locked in Arkham, and on top of that...she told my dad to "cut the cord" and let whatever happens to me happen. I couldn't say that I was surprised, only because I knew Talia had it out for me. That was nothing new, but finding out that my dad told her to kick rocks? Now that shocked the hell out of me. He finally chose me over her, regardless of her being pregnant with his child, and didn't give not one fuck about doing so. Don't get me wrong, he's still doing what he has to do and providing for both her and my little brother, but he refuses to let Talia come anywhere near Wayne Manor if I'm there.

"That call isn't nearly as important as you are. How are you? How's school going?"

"Honestly? It's hard. I have trouble concentrating, plus the baby is teething and she keeps me up all night and all day. Blue takes her for like an hour or so, just so I can get some homework done, but other then that? I'm drowning in homework and formula."

"I know that it's hard, but you got this Alex. You've survived a lot of things, so trust me when I say that you'll make it though this. I believe in you and it's time for you to start believing in yourself." He said. I gave him a small smile, appreciating his words of wisdom, but at the same time...I didn't believe a word that was coming out of his mouth. Sure, I was strong and I survived a lot of things over the years, but I honestly believed that I was about to reach my breaking point.

"Thanks dad. I really appreciate it." I murmured. "But um...enough about me. You ready to grab some lunch?"

"In a minute, but first...have you thought about going forward with this internship?" See what I mean? Up. My. Ass!

"Dad...I really appreciate the opportunity, but I already have a lot on my plate as is. I don't think an internship would be what's best for me at the moment."

"I understand that, but this internship can and will open plenty of doors for you." He stated.

"No, me having the last name Wayne will open those doors. I really don't want any special treatments because I'm your daughter, which is why I want to work at the pace I've been working in. I have a legit set schedule and if I add an internship to that...I'm afraid that I'll crash and burn. I can't do that to myself and I won't do that to my daughter." The look on his face told me that he was impressed with what I was saying, which was weird because I thought he'd be disappointed.

"I'm really proud of you, Alex."

"You are?"

"Of course I am. After what happened between you and Joker, I was afraid that you'd shut down completely, buy you didn't. Instead, you rose to the occasion and came out stronger than ever. On top of that, you are going to school and being the best mother you can be to my precious granddaughter, and I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you." He said, making the tears swell up in my eyes. Ugh, I chose the wrong day to wear expensive makeup.

"Thanks dad." I said, getting up and embracing him in a hug. "Can I be honest about something?"

"Absolutely."

"I'm not as strong as you and everyone else thinks I am. When I'm alone at night, I find myself crying because I'm still so hurt at what Joker did to me. I should be over it by now, because I'm sure he's not even thinking about me, but I can't help it. He hurt me really bad."

"How do you know he's not thinking about you?" He asked me.

"Because I just know." I shrugged. "But I really don't want to talk about him, so can we just go? I'm starving."

"Alex...there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by his assistants voice.

"Mr. Wayne? There's a Dr. Arkham on line one and he wishes to speak to you at once." I furrowed my eyebrows, as I looked up at my dad, who avoided eye contact with me.

"Let him know that I just stepped out for lunch, but I will call him back as soon as I return." He said.

"Dr. Arkham? As in...Arkham Asylum?" I questioned.

"It's a long story, but we'll talk about that another time. Let's go grab lunch." He stood up and buttoned up his suit jacket, walking from behind the desk as I stood up after him. Something was up with him and I wanted to know what it is. Why the hell was he talking to Dr. Arkham for? Was it about me? Surely not, because I haven't been in trouble in the longest, so what the hell was going on?