Separate

"Sure," Aaron replied. "I saw a few friends. I'll be fine."

"Perfectly understandable," Iman said, eyes crinkling. "I'll catch you later then."

"Later."

With that, Aaron was alone. He sipped on the wine. It was expensive and too bitter for his tongue. He licked his lips and drank the rest of it in one swing. A waiter came around and scooped up his glass before he could start searching for a place to put it. Next time he found a wine glass, he asked for apple juice. The light yellow colour would fool anyone into thinking it was wine.

The hum of city music played and he focused on that. The unnecessary slang, the upbeat melody, and the fast, nonsensical lyrics. He eyed the people. High socialites with expensive dresses, coats and brands, speaking poshly and without reservation. They exhibited confidence and assurance ordinary folk simply didn't. He saw many familiar faces. Todd and Noah, the two men who he met during the Ivy excursion, and his supervisor. They seemed uncomfortable for all intents and purposes, unused to the uppity personalities of the Tanya Fox's associates. It was amusing to watch from the sidelines and as the **** settled in it became a spectacle he wished he could watch on a television.

He heard the loud, pompous steps of high-heels approaching him. It was a pretty redhead whose features were pleasant rather than haughty.

"Hi," the redhead greeted, smiling. "I am Linda Page. I presume you're a Wayne employee?"

"Yes."

Linda smiled gingerly. "A toast, then, to Mr. Wayne."

Their glasses clanged. Aaron was a tad confused. What happened to Bruce Wayne?

"To think he'd lose so much of his fortune. Going from a billionaire to a millionaire must be tough." Linda looked at him curiously. "Has it had an effect on your work the past few years?"

"Oh, no," Aaron replied without thinking. "Not at all."

"I work as a nurse and for us there's been quite the difference. The Fox family is now managing the Wayne fortune and their daughter Tamara has been advocating for investment in the health industry. It's done wonders."

Aaron took a slow sip of his drink. "I see."

'Right. Wayne lost his fortune. I totally forgot about that.'

When the news broke out, not a single person in the building took it well, particularly the old heads. Without Bruce Wayne, what would they do? Would the people at the top start making shitty decisions again? The oldest folk at his workplace would always preach about how Bruce Wayne saved their company; how after Thomas Wayne's **** there were seeds of corruption and unfairness. The moment the Wayne heir returned to Gotham, everything changed and the company began making strides in industries that actually mattered. Health, science, aerospace, engineering–you name it and Bruce Wayne invested in it earnestly.

Aaron caught someone coming behind Linda Page. Dark-skinned, beautiful, black hair smooth and straight. He didn't recognize the woman until she spoke up.

"Hello, Mr. Reigner. Ms. Linda Page." She smiled pleasantly and at the tone of her voice Linda shifted away with a bright expression. Aaron did his best not to make a face.