"You think you understand me that well?"
Alex glanced sidelong at Catwoman, his lips curving into a faint, teasing smile.
"N–No!"
Catwoman immediately stiffened up, a tension running through her body like a lamb facing a hungry wolf.
Heaven help her—after seeing those godlike abilities Alex had displayed before, she still hadn't recovered from the shock.
The man had left a deep mark on her psyche, one that she couldn't shake off.
Now, just being near him made her heart race and her palms sweat.
At that moment, Catwoman couldn't help regretting coming over to say hello.
She'd just escaped from this devil's grasp!
So why—why on earth—had she walked right back up to him?
But she couldn't deny it.
This man was a complete mystery—an intoxicating one.
Against her better judgment, she wanted to understand him. She wanted to get closer.
Even if it meant forgetting how dangerous he truly was.
Women, after all, could be terribly irrational creatures.
Watching Catwoman trembling like that, Alex couldn't help being a little dumbfounded—and a touch amused.
Why did he suddenly feel like the Big Bad Wolf?
"I'm short one female companion here," he said finally, his voice calm but commanding. "You'll do. Barely."
He drained his glass and set it aside, making his decision sound like a royal decree.
He didn't even ask her opinion.
Just pure, effortless dominance.
Barely?
Catwoman's jaw tightened. The nerve of this guy!
How arrogant could one man be?
I'm "barely passable"?
Did he have any idea how many men would crawl across broken glass for her attention?
"Should I thank you for giving me this great honor?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"No need," Alex said, shaking his head.
She felt a flicker of satisfaction—until his next words dropped like a dagger.
"Because how you feel isn't something I particularly care about."
You bastard!
Her teeth audibly ground together.
And yet—she didn't storm off like last time.
This time, she stayed.
Honestly stayed.
Playing the role of Alex's "plus one," she even shared a dance with him on the floor.
---
"Bruce Wayne's here!"
"It's Mr. Wayne!"
"The young master has arrived!"
The room erupted into excitement.
Everyone turned toward a charming, handsome man who walked in with easy confidence and a disarming smile.
Even among Gotham's elite, he stood above the rest.
Bruce Wayne.
"Everyone, have fun tonight!"
"I've provided endless drinks, so please—enjoy yourselves!"
Bruce put on his best carefree-playboy act, raising his glass and greeting the guests with that practiced grin.
Alex couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
This guy's acting is Oscar-worthy.
Seriously—if Bruce Wayne ever stopped fighting crime, Hollywood would be lucky to have him.
"Boss," Catwoman said suddenly, catching Alex glancing in Bruce's direction, "don't tell me you came here because of him?"
She couldn't wrap her head around it.
Why would someone as mysterious and terrifying as Alex bother with a rich pretty boy like Bruce Wayne?
Sure, Bruce was rich—but that was about it.
Compared to Alex? Not even in the same league.
"Don't poke your nose into things you don't need to know."
Alex reached over and flicked her forehead.
"Ow!"
Catwoman clutched her head, glaring at him.
It didn't even hurt, but still—how dare he?
Alex ignored her completely. He knew exactly how much strength he'd used.
Enough to make a point, not enough to bruise.
"Excuse me for a bit," Alex said lightly, setting down his empty glass.
"As for you…" He gave her a faint, mocking smile. "Maybe see if there's anything around here worth 'borrowing.'"
"You are here for Bruce Wayne!" Catwoman said with conviction.
Bonk!
Another flick to the forehead.
"I said that hurts!" she protested, pouting.
But Alex didn't even look back. He simply strode through the crowd toward the center of attention—toward Bruce Wayne.
---
"Come on, everyone! Raise your glasses—tonight we—"
Bruce Wayne's charming grin froze mid-sentence.
Him!
That man.
The one who'd haunted his thoughts for days.
Bruce had mobilized Alfred and every resource at his disposal, even had Detective Gordon run background checks.
And now, the man he'd been searching for had walked right into his party.
Fate?
Destiny?
Bruce almost laughed. Maybe both.
Either way, this was the perfect chance to learn who this stranger really was.
He masked his thoughts quickly, slipping right back into his playboy persona.
After a few polite words to nearby guests, he casually approached Alex.
"I don't believe we've met," Bruce said smoothly, his tone warm and friendly. "You're not from Gotham, are you?"
"No," Alex replied simply, "I'm not."
"I see. Then where are you from?" Bruce asked, subtly probing.
"From a place…" Alex tilted his head thoughtfully, then smirked. "You couldn't possibly imagine."
"Is that so? And what kind of place would that be?" Bruce's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"You seem awfully interested in me," Alex said, one brow arched in amusement.
Bruce chuckled. "Careful, friend. That sounds creepy. I'm a perfectly straight man."
"Alright," Alex said, smiling faintly. "Let's end the pointless small talk."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out the fragment, holding it out toward Bruce.
"Bruce, I need your help."
Bruce didn't take it. His gaze flicked to the strange object, brows furrowing.
"What is it?"
"That," Alex said evenly, "is exactly what I need you to find out."
Bruce's expression cooled. "No offense, but I think the real mystery here is why a complete stranger walks up to me with that kind of confidence, asking for a favor like we're old friends."
A faint, mocking smile played on his lips.
"Maybe you can enlighten me?"
Alex's grin deepened.
"Because if you don't help me," he said lightly, "the entire city of Gotham will find out that you're Batman."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For 60 advanced chapters, visit my Patreon:
Patreon - Twilight_scribe1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~