[3rd person POV]
Alfred bustled around the Wayne Manor on a sunny Sunday morning, preparing for the upcoming party. The event was a celebration of Bruce's remarkable recovery after his recent incident. He knew the Wayne family and their guests expected nothing but the best, and it was his duty to ensure that every detail was perfect.
As he arranged the tables, he couldn't help but reflect on the tumultuous events that had unfolded over the past week. The breakout in the Arkham Asylum, and Bruce's encounter with Selina Kyle had brought about significant changes. The girl's resilience and potential had caught Bruce's eye, and Alfred couldn't deny that she had an air of uniqueness about her.
He also considered the reunion of Selina with her sister, Maggie, a touching moment. Their story was a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by so many children in Gotham City. Alfred felt a sense of pride that the Wayne family could make a positive impact on their lives.
Returning to the present, Alfred meticulously set the dining table for the brunch. The crystal glasses gleamed in the morning sunlight, and the silverware sparkled.
He glanced at the watch.
"They are 3 hours late," He mumbled under his breath.
Alfred knew that punctuality was of utmost importance when hosting such gatherings, so he couldn't afford any delays in the wine delivery. He decided to personally check on the matter to ensure everything would be in order for the evening.
With a quick glance around the dining area to make sure everything else was in place, he made his way to the rear entrance of the manor. He stepped outside, the warm sun washing over him. The garden was in full bloom, with colorful flowers and vibrant greenery creating a picturesque setting for the party.
He pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed the number of the wine delivery service. As the phone rang, he admired the flowers in the garden, meticulously cared for by the gardeners. The roses, daisies, and tulips added a touch of elegance to the already grand atmosphere of Wayne Manor.
The call was answered promptly by a representative of the delivery service. Alfred maintained his characteristic calm and polite demeanor as he inquired about the status of their delivery.
"Good morning, this is Alfred Pennyworth from Wayne Manor," he began, his voice steady and professional. "I had scheduled a wine delivery for today's brunch. I was wondering about the status of that order. We seem to be running a bit behind schedule."
The representative on the other end of the line quickly checked their records and offered an explanation, "I apologize for the delay, Mr. Pennyworth. There seems to be a minor logistical issue with one of the vehicles. It's currently en route and should arrive at Wayne Manor within the next hour."
Alfred nodded, acknowledging the explanation, "Very well, thank you for the update. We'll expect the delivery within the hour. Punctuality is crucial for our event."
The representative assured him that they would expedite the delivery to ensure it arrived on time. Alfred thanked them and ended the call.
Returning his phone to his pocket, he was about to walk back inside, satisfied that the matter was being addressed. Before he could take another step, his eyes fell on Selina who was about to climb up the treehouse. He quickly walked over to her...
Alfred cleared his throat and approached Selina as she prepared to climb up to the treehouse.
"Ah, Miss Selina," he began, his voice carrying a tone of mild concern. "I must inform you that the treehouse hasn't been used in quite some time. It might not be safe up there."
Selina paused and turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "Oh, don't worry, Alfred. I'm fixing it up. It's going to be a surprise for Bruce."
Alfred raised an eyebrow, "A surprise, you say?"
She nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, I thought it would be a nice gift for him. He mentioned that he built it when he was a child, so I wanted to make it special again. Last time we tried to enter, the door came off, so, trying to fix it up. Although I know it's kinda childish to do it. We are all grown up after all..."
He couldn't help but smile at Selina's eagerness to contribute to the Wayne family in her own unique way, "That's a thoughtful gesture, Miss Selina. Just be careful while you're up there."
Selina flashed him a mischievous grin, "I've climbed far trickier places than this, Alfred. I'll be just fine."
"I will send someone, just in case," He insisted, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"If you insist, " She agreed before beginning her ascent.
As Alfred watched her skillfully maneuver through the branches, he couldn't help but be impressed by her agility. She is like a cat, he thought to himself as he went back inside.
[Selina's POV]
Selina made her way up to the treehouse, and after inspecting the door, she managed to pry it open. A cloud of dust wafted into the air as the door swung open, revealing the interior of the treehouse.
"Cough... Cough..." She coughed as the dust invaded her nostrils.
After a brief pause, she stepped into the treehouse. She carefully surveyed the area, her eyes falling on the old wooden furniture and the toys scattered across the floor. Her gaze landed on a faded photograph sitting on top of a small table. She picked it up and studied the image, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The photograph showed a young Bruce Wayne, dressed in a school uniform, posing alongside his parents.
"Huh? What's this?" Her eyes fell on Bruce's old Batmobile toy he made when he was just a kid. With curiosity, she picked it up and inspected it closely. She couldn't help but marvel at the detailed craftsmanship. It was clear that someone had put a lot of effort into building the toy.
She looked around, noting the faded wallpaper and the cobwebs covering the ceiling. It was clear that no one had set foot in the treehouse in a long time.
"Well, Selina," She took out a big handkerchief and wrapped it around her nose, "Time to clean this mess up, it's time for a new look, " She muttered to herself.
She grabbed a broom from the corner of the room and began sweeping away the dust and dirt.
A few hours later...
"Alright, things look clean enough," She wiped her hands on her shirt. Her clothes were covered in dirt and dust, but she didn't care. All that mattered was that the treehouse was now clean and the only things that needed to be fixed were the rotten wooden door and a few planks.
She glanced at her watch.
"Uh oh, gotta run," She mumbled, realizing that she had spent too much time cleaning the place. It's already 4:00 PM. There are only a few hours left before the party. She swiftly climbed down the tree, jumped off, and made her way back to the manor.
As she entered the manor, she saw Alfred who was talking with two men.
"Ah, Miss Selina. May I introduce you to our delivery service team," Alfred introduced the two men as he handed her a piece of paper, "Would you mind checking the delivery items with them? Oh!" He noticed that she was covered in dust, "I guess you are on your way to clean up?"
She nodded, "No worries, Alfred, I will check the items and then take a bath, okay?"
Alfred smiled, "Thank you, Miss Selina. You're a lifesaver."
She grinned, "No need to thank me. I'm just doing my part."
With that, she went to the backyard and met with the delivery team.
"Nice to meet you guys," She greeted the two men with a smile, "Now let's see what you have brought, shall we?"
The two men nodded and began unloading boxes of wine from their truck.
Selina watched as the boxes were placed on the ground. She took out the piece of paper Alfred had given her and began checking the inventory against the boxes.
As the two men continued to unload the wine, Selina noticed a slight discrepancy in the inventory.
"Hey, I think we're missing a box," She said, pointing to the empty space on the inventory sheet.
The two men glanced at each other, confusion evident on their faces.
"That's odd. We're supposed to deliver 10 boxes of wine, not 9," One of them replied.
"Shit! How could you mess up with the delivery, man? You know it's going to the Mayor's house tonight," The other man retorted.
Selina sighed, "Don't just stand there like morons. Run back to your shop and bring me a new box. The party will start in a few hours, and we can't afford any delays."
The two men exchanged worried glances before hurrying back to their truck.
Selina shook her head in disbelief. These types of mistakes happen all the time.
[Meanwhile, Bruce's room]
"Finally," Bruce breathed a sigh of relief as he locked the room. He looked and kissed the wine bottle he had hidden under his arm.
He had successfully smuggled a bottle of red wine from the cellar without Alfred noticing it. He opened the bottle and smelled it.
"Ahh~ Delicious," He smiled as the smell of the wine filled his nostrils.
Ever since he was reborn in this world, he had been dying to taste some good wine. Since he was a kid back then, he never got the chance to drink alcohol, but now... Now he could finally indulge in his passion.
Bruce sat on the bed, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He could feel his heart racing with anticipation.
Slowly, he brought the bottle to his lips and took a sip.
The wine's flavor exploded in his mouth, sending waves of pleasure throughout his body. He savored the taste, letting it linger on his tongue.
Suddenly, his eyes shot open as Selina burst into the room, startling him.
"Selina!?" He almost choked as the wine spilled on his shirt.
"Woah, woah, Bruce, chill out! I just came to tell you that your mother is calling you downstairs," She chuckled.
He stood up, wiping his shirt, "What? Why did you barge into my room without knocking?"
"Nevermind me," Her eyes went toward the red stain on his white shirt and his right hand behind his back. Then she noticed the cork, lying on the bed.
"Bruce... Were you drinking wine?" She asked suspiciously.
He froze for a second before replying, "No, I wasn't..."
"I want a sip," Selina smirked, walking towards him, "Let me have a sip of that wine."
"You nuts, not now. Meet me on the roof after the party ends," He hid the wine bottle in the secret space under his bed.
Her smirk grew wider, "Okay, it's a deal then. Don't forget it, Bruce."
"Whatever, next time knock... now get out of my room," He grumbled.
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