Someone is always watching

Chapter 13

AN: This chapter is a bit longer than the others, I wanted to fit the lunch in one chapter, but I guess it's going to be extended to a second chapter, enjoy the awkward Wayne family dinner table.

Sunday around noon, Wayne Manor

Nerissa's cab pulled over right in front of the stairs leading to the front door of the Manor. She paid the driver and got out of the car carrying her pet carrier, her purse, her camera in its bag and the most expensive red wine bottle she could find. The car left Nerissa standing in the huge driveway ready to climb up the large stairs. Wayne Manor was known for its gigantic size and Gothic architecture, according to history books it was at least 200 years old, the Wayne family being one of the founding families of Gotham. Nerissa has been here twice before in her life, once when she was around 10 or 11, her parents were invited to a gala, but it was no place for a child, she threw a tantrum at home and the hired babysitter of the night didn't know what else to do so she brought her to her parents, the second time was when she was 16, a day before they went on the plane, she waited in the car both times. She takes a deep breath and rings the doorbell. A few seconds later she is greeted by none other than the timeless looking Alfred Pennyworth. He had suggested sending a car to pick her up, but she insisted on coming by her own means.

"Miss Clare, it is so good to see you, please come on in."  

"It's good to see you too Mister Pennyworth." she smiled awkwardly clutching at the handle of the pet carrier. "I hope it's okay that I brought her with me, she's still not fully healed and I don't trust anyone with her." she handed Alfred the wine bottle. Damian did say Thirteen was welcome too so it shouldn't be a problem. 

"Oh, you shouldn't have. And it is quite alright, do not worry about your feline friend. May I take your jacket?" she removed her jacket and handed to Alfred who noticed she was wearing long sleeves, it was a hot day, he didn't say anything. "You should let her out, you will see, she will not spend the day alone." 

"Uh, sure, but what if someone is allergic to cats or what if she breaks something?" she was crouching near her cat freeing  her from the carrier and holding her in her arms, Thirteen immediately jumped and trotted towards someone going down the stairs, it was Damian. 

" -tt- Do not worry, no one is allergic, and she will spend the day with Alfred who is well trained." 

"What?" she said in surprise why would he say Alfred was well trained? It was super rude.

"Alfred, the cat." corrected Damian, petting Thirteen, when he saw the horrified look on her face. 

"Oh, that makes more sense, how are you Damian?" 

"I'm good thank you for asking, I hope you're alright yourself. Pennyworth, where is father?"

"In the study Master Damian, why don't you lead Miss Clare to him, while I fetch your brothers." 

Nerissa followed Damian into a door leading to a wide corridor, where paintings were hung, under each painting was the name of the person in the portrait, generations of Waynes. They stopped at one door, Damian knocked and went in, she followed.

"Father, this is Nerissa Clare, Pennyworth said to bring her to you."  Bruce was sitting behind a massive wooden desk, he looked up from the computer screen and smiled at Nerissa and Damian. He stood up and went around his desk to shake her hand and made a motion to Damian to leave.

"It's good to see you again Mister Wayne." 

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Clare, and please call me Bruce. Have a seat we have a lot to discuss before lunch." he ushered her to the three place black leather Chesterfield couch and took a seat next to her on the individual chair.