Gotham: Jemma's Diary (v1)

Chapter Six - Wayne Manor

As we turned into a driveway, I felt as if I'd known the place. 

The car drove down the long path, heading for the rather large building ahead of us. A mansion, even.

"What is this place?" I murmured, looking out the window at the beautiful garden they had. You could tell whoever lived here took pride in their hedges and floral arrangement.

"Wayne Manor." The girl responded as the car pulled to a halt. 

"Wayne Manor?" I repeated as I followed the girl out, "What's that?"

She ignored my question as we rushed up the concrete stairs towards the big front doors. I couldn't help but take notice of the wood the doors were made out of. The intricute design engraved in the chocolate-y colour material was really something.

I don't know why I'd felt so drawn to this place. 

"Good evening, Ms Kyle." A man said, holding the doors open for us. He stood there, dressed smartly with a kind smile on his face. He hadn't much hair, but the ones he did have were grey. He didn't appear to be old or elderly, though. Maybe half way through his lifetime? "Ah, this must be the lovely Jemma we've been hearing all about. Alfred Pennyworth, nice to meet you." He said, introducing himself.

I nodded slightly, following the girl 'Ms Kyle' up a flight of stairs and into a spacious room.

The room just looked so beautiful to me; a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, the walls caked with book cases, a luxury fireplace built into a wall near the centre of the room. 

All the old furniture, the old ornaments... Just so many treasures!

"Ms Valeska," a young boy called, striding towards me as he held out his hand, "I'm Bruce Wayne, I'm glad you came."

I watched him with cautious eyes as I shook his hand. He looked roughly the same age as me, maybe younger, yet he seemed mature in the way he spoke and dressed. Though he was dressed in all black.

"Please, sit." He smiled, offering a place for me on one of his velvetine couches, "Do you know why you're here?"

I shook my head, sitting down as the other girl sat on the arm of the couch opposite.

"I knew your brother, Jerome." Bruce stated, and my eyes darted to him. Well, everyone knew my brother, Jerome. "We had... some memorable events together. Like when he tried to kill me. The first time, in front of more than a dozen guests at a Charity Fundraiser. And then another time where he decided to kidnap me and take me to the circus. And the list goes on-" He continued, sitting beside me on the cushiony couch.

"My brother did bad things, I'll admit that." I said, leaning back, "But I loved him dearly. And I aspire to be like him, he's my role model; my one true purpose of living. So whatever your deal is with him, take it out on the past. I won't hear anyone speak negatively about him." I declared, watching him intently. 

The room was silent for a moment, my words lingering in the air as a threat, before Bruce spoke up again.

"My intentions aren't to offend you, Jemma." He said, moving slightly closer to me, "I just want to make sure you don't have the same intentions as your brother did." 

Huh?

I tilted my head, looking at him with a different expression, "What do you mean?" I questioned, confused by what intentions he thought I had.

"Your brother wanted to kill me." He simply stated, "He failed. I fear you may be here to carry on that dream."

I cackled, throwing my head back in laughter momentarily before readjusting myself and catching my breath, "No, of course not, Bruce. I hadn't even known that's what my brother wanted to do."

Bruce leant away, seeming taken aback by this, "Oh," he furrowed his eyebrows, "Well, that's a relief. I'm sorry to have bothered you by bringing you here today, please accept my apology."

I smiled, "Of course."

Smiling back, he added, "Jemma, I want you to know, if you ever need some support or a place to crash, my doors are always open. Here, let me give you my number." He said, handing me a small card from the coffee table.

"Thank you," I replied, taking the card as I took a quick look at the number written down before shoving it into my pocket.