I wrapped my fingers around the hot coffee mug, smelling the fresh brew while checking the seemingly countless emails in my inbox.
A newsroom didn't give you much downtime and I was making it my morning ritual to start by checking emails, drinking coffee and enjoying the calm before the storm.

"God this stuff tastes like shit." Bill, my cameraman interrupted my moment of zen.
I looked up at him. "Your coffee?"
He shook his head, looking in disgust at his multigrain muffin. "What is this shit anyway?"
I smiled. "A muffin."
"No, no. That is definitely not a muffin." He said as he tossed it into the trash. "Anyway, what's the plan for today?"
"We have to finish editing the crime stats story."
He nodded. "When's that airing again?"
"Day after tomorrow."
As an investigative journalist I had the luxury what most of my colleagues didn't - time to work on a story. Most of the time reporters had to throw their stories together in a day. Always on deadline.

"Cat!" My executive producer barked from his office.
I got up and walked into the neon-lit room, overlooking parts of Central Park.
"Why do I have the feeling I'm going to hate you?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Maybe because you'll be working a double." He said, not looking up from his computer.
"That would be why. Go on."
"Bruce Wayne is holding one of his famous fundraiser parties for Gotham's candidate for Mayor. I know you can't stand Wayne, but this is a great way to mingle with Gotham's finest."
I might have mentioned my distaste for the eccentric billionaire from time to time. What I hadn't mentioned is that I was at the same time fascinated by him. It embarrassed me somewhat that I found him so attractive. Nothing about what he was doing with his life was attractive to me. A playboy, showing off his wealth. A Wall Street guy. Shallow and spoiled. Nothing like his parents.
But whenever I saw him on TV I got a shiver down my spine. He wasn't even my type. Usually money doesn't impress me but maybe he had even me wrapped around his finger.
Two very good reasons why I didn't want to go. Especially because of my silly crush. I was usually very sure of myself but I had a feeling he was someone who could make me nervous.

"Can't you send someone else?" I asked.
He shook his head. "No can do."
I sighed. "Fine. When and where?"
"I'll text you the details. It's a black tie event, by the way. You might wanna find Bill a suit." He chuckled.
"Great."

"Reporting live in Gotham, Catherine Hunter, WCX 8 News."
"And you're clear," Bill said who was pissed ever since he learned he was sticking around longer than he wanted.
It was 5 pm and Peter's text had informed me that the fundraiser was at 8pm at Wayne's penthouse.

"Alright," I said while taking off my IFB, the little headphone that let me hear what the control room had to say. "See you at Wayne's in three hours."
He didn't respond but grumbled.

At my apartment I jumped into the shower and quickly got dressed up.
I picked a long, deep green dress, curled my hair and gave my make-up a little bit more glam all while trying to not overdo it. I was on assignment after all.

Running a little late as always, I jumped into a cab. The second I told the driver where to go I could feel my nerves. This was just silly. Why was I feeling this way? Turn it off!
Bill was already standing outside waiting for me.
"Ready to do this?" I asked
"No." He answered like a pouty little child.
"Great. Me too."

Everything about Bruce Wayne was grande and over the top. The second the elevator doors to his penthouse opened up it was like you were in a different world.

"Holy shit!" Bill said. "I've seen pictures but this is badass. How cool is this guy?"
"Yeah...awesome..." I rolled my eyes.

A blonde, overly friendly lady in a suit walked up to me.
"Miss Hunter, so glad you could join us. I'm Amber Conner, the PR manager for this event. Mr. Wayne will arrive shortly. Please feel free to set up wherever you want. We ask that you do all interviews prior to the start of the speeches in about half an hour. Who would you like to speak to?"
"Mr. Wayne." The name cam spouting out my mouth before I could even think.
Why did I say that? Sure he was on my list but the most important person was Donald Greenwood who could be Gotham's new mayor.

She looked at me a bit surprised by the determination in my answer.
"My apologies, Mr. Wayne doesn't give interviews. But I'm more than happy to connect you to some of our politicians."
I was hoping she didn't notice my embarrassment. I continued with a steady voice.
"If we could speak with Mr. Greenwood that would be fantastic."
"Certainly, I get him right away."
"Boy, I had no idea you even wanted to talk to Wayne." Bill chuckled.
I sighed. The evening went off to a great start.

The interview with Greenwood went fine. He ran on an easy platform - Gotham is crime ridden, I'm your savior. But I did believe him. He seemed earnest and even with his politician talk, I could hear his passion for the city.

"Champagne Ms. Hunter?" Alfred, Wayne's butler asked me. "Thank you but I'm on assignme... Ah what the heck, thank you I'll take one."
He smiled at me. He seemed like the grandfather you always wanted. But the whole concept of a butler disgusted me. A servant. He must like Wayne if he was sticking around for all these years.
"It's Alfred, isn't it."
"Yes miss, that'd be me."
"How is it working for Bruce Wayne?"
"It's an adventure Ms. Hunter." he smiled at me again.
Adventure, interesting term to use.
In this moment I could hear a helicopter flying close to us. My news instinct kicked in. What's going on?
"Ah! Master Wayne is here." Alfred said.
Of course, he is making a grande entrance with his helicopter. If I was by myself I would have rolled my eyes. "Excuse me Ms. Hunter," Alfred said while attending other guests.

The helicopter landed and out came Bruce Wayne with not one, but three models on his arms walking through the big glass doors of his penthouse.
Of course, this shouldn't surprise me. He held his speech as per usual it was short and to the point. Support Greenwood, he's a great guy bla, bla.
"But enough talk, let's toast to the new mayor of Gotham city: Mr Greenwood." He said, gulping down the whole glass of champagne at once.

My attraction to him was not as strong as my distaste for his show.
Greenwood started his lengthy speech. My eyes were still fixed on Wayne. And all of a sudden something changed in his expression. It was like he was wearing a mask and it began to crack. His eyes changed from cold and calculated to...open and sad. His smug smirk left his face for a serious look. Alfred handed him another glass of champagne and as he slammed that one as well and wiped his mouth with his hand, his gaze caught mine.

I felt like I was caught daydreaming at my high school crush. Look away! Look away now! But I couldn't - it was like he was locking me in his gaze. His eyes piercing through me.

"What else?" Bill asked me.
I jumped and took a deep breath like I was surfacing from water.
"Sorry! Didn't mean to scare ya. What else do you need me to shoot?"
"Um..." I looked back in Wayne's direction but he was gone. "Make sure you have footage of Wayne."
"Believe me, I have all the footage of him walking in with the hot chicks on his arm. Man, what I'd do to be him."
"You have mayo on your face." I noted while scanning the room for Wayne.

The evening came to an end, and Wayne was nowhere to be seen.
"So weird that Wayne just took off." I said almost more to myself.
"Probably having a threesome with those hotties. I know I would." Bill snorted.
That's the last thing I wanted to think about.
"Foursome. It would be a foursome, Bill."
"Whatever, you know what I mean."
While Bill was grabbing the camera gear, Alfred walked by. "Excuse me Alfred, is Mr. Wayne gone for the evening? I was just wondering if I could ask him a few questions."
"I'm sorry Miss Hunter, Master Wayne doesn't give interviews."
"I had to try." I smiled at Alfred.
"Very well."

On the cab drive back to the station, I couldn't stop thinking about his eyes staring right back at me from across the room. It wasn't until then that I realized that I didn't' have any idea what Greenwood said in his speech. Good thing Bill recorded it.
I walked into the newsroom.

"My my...look at you Cat." Alex said with a big grin.
I laughed. "Yeah, yeah... You can give me crap later. Now I gotta get this story on the air. This day has been far too long already."
My co-workers Alex and Jacob were really good guys. I knew Jacob had a serious crush on me but he was more like a brother to me.
His eyes were still studying me a little too closely for my taste.
"I love the dress," Darleen said.
"Thanks."

I got right to editing and an hour later was done with the story.
"Sent!" I proclaimed excited.
Peter came out of his office.
"Cat...Someone on the phone for you."
"Ugh! Who is it?"
"Bruce Wayne."
I felt my heart stop beating. The room began to erupt.
"Must have been that dress Cat." Alex said.
"Shut it." I said still in shock. Wayne never gave interviews, why would he CALL me? "Put him through to the edit bay."
Definitely didn't want to talk in front of everyone. They were too excited already.

"Catherine Hunter" I answered the phone professionally.
Thank God I can still say my name.

"Miss Hunter, this is Bruce Wayne."
"Mr. Wayne. To what do I owe the honor?"
"Alfred told me you wanted to do an interview. See, I don't give interviews."
"So I've heard."
"But my new PR manager tells me, it would be a good idea. So... Does tomorrow at 8 pm work for you?"
I was speechless for a second that felt like forever.
"Um...yes, that is perfect actually. Where would you like to meet, Mr. Wayne?"
"At my penthouse if that isn't too much trouble for you?"
"No that's fine." "Good. Oh and I have a condition though Miss Hunter. No cameras tomorrow. I want to run through the interview with you first."
Damn it. That was one of my pet peeves. "In exchange for exclusive rights?" "Absolutely."
"Deal. I see you tomorrow at eight."
"Good night Miss Hunter."

I hung up and felt my hands shaking. This was going to be so awkward.
I opened the door of the edit bay only to find the entire news crew waiting for me. "And?" Dennis asked.
"Exclusive interview." I said quietly, trying not to make a big deal out of this.
"Hell yes!" Darleen said.
"But... pre-interview tomorrow evening." I said.
"Is it going to be Mrs. Wayne soon?" Alex asked smiling from ear to ear.
I just rolled my eyes at him.