Penguin's Majesty

2. Tea Time

His eyes widened. "So sorry miss I didn't recognize you. It's been years since I last seen you. You were but a wee little one back then."

"It's alright. Alfred isn't it?"

"Yes madame. Well do come on in!"

"Thank you"

"Master B, Miss Isabelle Pennington to see you!"

"Tell her to go away!" Bruce yelled from wherever the sitting room is.

"Apologies Miss he's been in a foul mood since..."

"I understand, Alfred, I do. I may not have loved my parents but it still hurt."

"And why not?"

"They never loved me.

"But at the charity ball?"

"An act. A front put on by my parents. You see, they never really loved me. They didn't even want me. I was an unplanned pregnancy. They were never around. And they left the Butler and the maids to take care of me. The only people I had even close to parents, was Fergus Osborne and Harietta Jensen. My first Butler and maid that took care of me the first half of my life."

"I'm sorry miss, I didn't know."

"That's fine Alfred, no one knew."

"One moment please, I'll go fetch Master Bruce." Said Alfred.

Alfred walked away and I could hear their conversation.

" I don't want any company! I want my parents! I want to know who killed them!" Bruce said as I heard things being broken.

"I know Master B! But being angry and vengeful won't bring them back!"

"Tell her to go away and never come back. I don't need you, I don't need her, I don't need anyone!"

"You know that's not true master Bruce..."

"It is true Alfred and if you can't except that then.... THEN YOU'RE FIRED!"

"Very well then...master Bruce."

Alfred came walking back to me and said, "one moment Miss Pennington, I must gather some things...."

"Alfred Wait!"

"Master Bruce I'll be out of your hair momentarily."

"Alfred! Please! I didn't mean it! I'm sorry!" Bruce called after him crying..

Alfred walked toward him and embraced him in a hug. "I know Master B, I know.......  Now we have a guest to entertain."

"No I think I've seen enough..." I interrupted.

"I'm sorry you had to overhear and see that. Miss?...." Bruce stated

"Isabelle Jessylin Pennington. And I know I must have come at an extremely bad time..."

"Please miss! Won't you join us for tea?"

"You can stay!" Bruce said.

"I don't know..." I said quite unsure.

"Please?...." He said barely above a whisper but loud enough to hear.

"Very well then."

"Splendid! Alfred, two cups of tea please!"

"Please make mine, sweet."

"Of course Miss!" Alfred said as he dismissed himself to the kitchen.

"Please sit, make yourself comfortable Miss Pennington."

"Please call me Jessylin."

"Certainly, but why not Isabelle?"

"My parents called me that...  I don't want to be associated with them very much."

"I don't mean to pry, but why ever not?"

"It's a long story but I was neglected as a child and any time we went out they would put on a charade. They would play the loving and doting parents, while I would play the grateful and perfect daughter."

"I see, I'm sorry."

"It fine, please, don't pity me."

"Still..."

"No... I'm sorry for your loss. I know your parents loved you very very much. And to have lost them in such a way... if there is anything I can do. Please let me know."

"Thank you. It's nice to know I have a friend in these times.... we are friends, yes?"

"Of course Bruce I wouldn't be here otherwise. Although I do remember being jealous of you when I was younger but I was quite fond of you in my own way."

"Meaning?" He quirked his eyebrow.

"I liked you. Not romantically of course, but platonically."

Alfred came back with our tea and set the tray on the table. "Your tea master Bruce, Miss Pennington."

"Please call me Jessylin, or Jess if you prefer." I said taking the teacup from him.

"Yes miss Jessylin." He said handing the teacup to Bruce.

After that we continued talking for what seemed like hours. I looked at the time. It was now 4:00pm and I was sure I had been here for about 5 or 6 hours.

"Oh dear, look at the time! I do believe I may have overstayed my welcome! It's very late and I must be going."

"NO!" Bruce looked sheepishly, "I mean no you didn't overstay you welcome and your welcome anytime."

"May I borrow a phone?"

"Of course Miss." Alfred left and returned shortly with a small cellphone in hand.

"Thank you." I said and took the phone from him. I quickly dialed Robert's phone number.

"Hello?"

"Hi yes, Robert?"

"Yes?"

"This is Isabelle? Where are you?"

"We have kind of been caught up."

"Doing what?"

"A policeman has stopped us."

"Whatever for?"

"Questioning us on the disappearance of a man."

"Why?"

"Because we were seen near the scene of the crime."

"Again why?"

"Ma'am there are somethings that you should not be involved with..."

"How dare you tell me what I should and should not be involved with! You are my staff and your business is my business!"

"Sorry ma'am I have to go. I'll send someone to collect you."

"Well you can-" I was cut off by the buzzing sound indicating he had hung up on me.

"Are you alright miss?" Asked Alfred.

"Yes. I suppose I'll just see myself out."

"Are you sure? It's not safe for a young woman such as yourself to be out at night. Especially here, in Gotham."

"I'll be fine, trust me."

"Very well miss. Please do take care." Alfred said guiding me to the door.

He closed the door behind me, and I sighed looking out into the night.

'What am I going to do?' I thought solemnly.