18 SELINA

As Bruce hurried to his room to change, he could feel a mix of excitement and nervousness building up inside him. He knew that he had taken a bold step by bringing Selina into the Wayne Manor and offering her a chance for a better life. Now, he needed to discuss this with his parents and seek their understanding and support.

Quickly changing into more formal attire, he took a deep breath to steady himself before heading down to the living room. He saw his parents chatting happily with each other while sipping tea prepared by the maid.

"There he is," Thomas smiled as he spotted Bruce walking in.

Bruce cleared his throat and slowly made his way toward his parents before giving each of them a hug. His father rubbed his hair before chuckling and his mother gently pinched his cheeks. Seeing their warm reception, he heaved a sigh of relief─ his worries vanished in thin air.

Thomas and Martha smiled warmly.

"Take a seat, son," Thomas gestured at the sofa for him to take a seat.

Bruce nodded and sat next to his parents.

"I heard you brought a new guest," Thomas inquired, glancing at Bruce.

"Yes, her name is Selina Kyle, orphaned and homeless. She lives on the streets... Dad, I want to take responsibility for her," Bruce declared firmly.

Martha widened her eyes. She didn't expect Bruce to bring a street urchin into the Wayne manor.

But she saw Selina before coming here and after the bath and clean clothes, she looked completely different─ Selina is very beautiful. She instantly took a liking to the girl as soon as she saw her bright smile. There was no greed in her eyes... only a glint of weariness and gratitude. She wondered how a teenage girl who had been on the streets since childhood could have that look in her eyes. It was hard for Martha to put her finger on it─ she seemed mature, world-wise beyond her years. Yet, there was that glint of curiosity and playfulness that reminded her of Bruce...

Martha looked toward her husband and gave a slide nod.

"Alright," Thomas nodded in agreement. He knows that his son wouldn't just bring someone home or do something without a good reason. Bruce is a responsible boy. He has always been since his childhood, a sharp brain and more mature than other kids his age. Thomas trusts his son's judgment. Besides, this is the first time he has shown interest in someone of his age. Having someone of his age around will help him grow emotionally. And maybe he will start looking outside his own world.

Martha giggled, "Since you brought her here, she is your responsibility, okay?"

Bruce nodded with a smile, "Yes, mom."

"Oh, I need your help dad," He looked at his father, "Selina's sister Maggie... I promised her that I would reunite them together. Maggie is adopted. I need your connections to track her down. And I want to provide Selina with proper education as a start... she needs tutors and teachers to guide her..."

Thomas nodded with a chuckle, "Leave it to me. I will help you arrange everything─ tutors, teachers, and Maggie."

Bruce smiled brightly, "Thanks, dad! You are the best!"

Thomas patted Bruce's head with a proud smile─ his son was growing up.

"And thank you, mom, for that slide nod," He grinned.

"Haaa... Sharp eyes as ever, huh?" She chuckled.

The Wayne couple spent the rest of the day discussing Selina's arrangements. They decided to hire private tutors and teachers to educate her and enroll her in a reputed school.

[Dinner Table]

Later that evening, everyone gathered at the dining table... Bruce, Thomas, Martha, and Selina.

Selina wore a simple white shirt and black skirt. She nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, not knowing what to do. She has never attended such a lavish dinner before.

"Relax, Selina. This isn't your last supper," Bruce teased her lightheartedly. He knows she is uncomfortable attending a rich family dinner for the first time. But he felt a weird tingle in his heart, seeing her cute and awkward expression─ her flushed cheeks, nervous fidgeting, and occasional glances at him.

"That's the Mayor! I have never seen such food in my life. I have no idea where to start. And you want me to relax?!" Selina whispered loudly with a red face, embarrassed at Bruce's teasing.

Thomas and Martha chuckled hearing their conversation.

"Relax, dear, this is your home now. Don't worry about anything," Martha assured Selina with a friendly smile, "And don't hold back, or we will be sad, dear..."

"Hahaha..." Selina couldn't help but laugh awkwardly.

It has been a long time since she felt accepted and appreciated. All her life, she faced physical and mental abuse from her father, then beaten and bashed by people after getting caught stealing─ homeless kids have it rough. She never belonged to any place or group... but Bruce brought her to this lavish house. Everyone welcomed her with open arms. It wasn't something she was used to. Without knowing droplets of tears rolled down her rosy cheeks as she took a bite of the roasted lamb... it was so tender and juicy. She never tasted meat as delicious as this!

Bruce smiled, sensing her happiness and relief. Thomas and Martha noticed Selina's tearful reaction and exchanged glances.

'It must be hard,' Thomas sighed internally. 'I tried so hard to make sure the street kids are taken care of... It would seem, someone isn't doing their job properly. Orlando... You better prepare yourself for an answer.'

After the dinner, Bruce took Selina to give her a tour around the Wayne manor. They started from the garden and the greenhouse where she saw an assortment of colorful flowers. She saw beautiful butterflies fluttering around and even a small pond filled with fish. It was something she never saw in her entire life. Even in the night, the manor garden looks like heaven.

Selina's eyes went toward the treehouse that Bruce and Thomas built together when Bruce was only six years old.

"Is that a real treehouse? It isn't a prop or something like that, is it?" She asked with sparkling eyes. Bruce nodded with a smile, leading her toward it.

"Dad built it, but the design is mine," He boasted proudly, "It's too dark to climb now, maybe tomorrow morning."

Selina nodded excitedly, "Okay!"

"You wanna see something cool?" He asked mischievously.

She nodded curiously with a smile. Bruce led her deeper into the garage where the Batmobile his father made for him stands proudly─ sleek matte black body with LED lights shining underneath.

"Wow, it's... What is it?" She looked confused, excited, and a little clueless at the same time. "A Halloween-themed car?!"

Bruce almost choked upon hearing her words─ Halloween theme car?! He burst out laughing.

Selina pouted angrily, "What's so funny? Stop laughing!"

He wiped the tears of laughter and calmed down before clearing his throat.

"It's the most advanced car with insane armor-plated bulletproof body, stealth mode, retractable wheels, smoke bombs, machine guns, turbo engine, etc. Although the idea and blueprint are mine, Dad made it for me. Do you like it?" He boasted proudly.

Selina's jaw dropped─ a car with so many functions?!

"Cool," She mumbled absentmindedly.

"If you finish your studies and all, I will make you even a better car for you," He teased her lightly.

Selina stared at Bruce... 'A car especially for me? Is this a dream? Or am I dead already?'

Bruce chuckled seeing her dumbfounded expression and led her toward her room. The room next to his.

"What? You don't like cars?" He asked teasingly.

Selina snapped out and shook her head furiously, "No... That's not it... I just couldn't believe an eighteen-year-old boy like you could think of making such things..."

"Don't be surprised just yet," He opened the door to her room, "There is more to come. Here, this is your room."

Selina widened her eyes. It's much bigger than the apartment she shared with Maggie during their orphanage days. Her eyes went toward the bed and wardrobe... they looked so soft and fluffy. This room can not be compared to the makeshift cardboard beds that she slept in the past... filthy blankets and dusty mattresses!

Bruce walked toward the bed before jumping onto it.

"Try it," He called out to her with a grin.

Selina hesitated for a bit before walking toward the bed and jumping onto it.

"Soft!!" She squealed excitedly─ a genuine smile bloomed on her face. Bruce couldn't help but stare at her dazzling smile.

'Beautiful,' He thought subconsciously.

Selina blushed hearing Bruce's murmur─ did he say something just now?

"Did you say something?" She asked shyly.

He quickly averted his gaze and jumped off the bed, "Nothing... I said nothing... Anyway, I will let you freshen up and sleep early. Dad will help bring your sister here. So, rest up."

She nodded with a smile, "Thank you, Bruce..."

He flashed a bright smile, "Sleep well, Selina."

As he was about to leave the room, she called him...

"I do like cars, but I think bikes are cool too," She blurted out. Her cheeks flushed pink.

Bruce stopped in his tracks and glanced back at Selina with a chuckle, "Bikes, huh? I will keep that in mind..."

He left the room with a smile... Selina is really interesting!

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