TRUST & DISTRUST

Bruce took care of everything with Sophia's mother's transfer and she had to sign some documents. The legal process was somewhat long. After that, Bruce took her to the Wayne Enterprise's R&D to give her the job-related papers. Then, he gave her a tour around the facility and explained where she was allowed to go and where she was restricted from entering.

Sophia was in awe after seeing the size of the facility and the cutting-edge equipment within the building. Bruce took her to the section where she'll be working, the tech department's programming sector. She would work as a programmer at the bottom.

"You'll start as a trainee... Slowly get to know the system, and later move up to different positions as long as you give satisfactory output. Alright?" He said, placing the file on the table.

Sophia stared at him and gave a slight nod, "Alright."

"So, you hungry? It's been a long day after all," Bruce walked out of the office as Sophia followed him behind. "Sorry for dumping all the paperwork at the same time. Must be exhausting, right?"

"Not at all. I'm actually glad that we got to finish up everything today," Sophia replied, "My life has been a mess, so I think it's pretty good that it is ending like this today, without anything to worry about or wait for anymore."

"Well, now that it's sorted out, let's go and grab some food," Bruce locked the gate as they walked outside toward the garage. "And no Uber this time." He pointed toward a black Porshe 911 GT3, "Your car... Or you could choose the other one..." He pointed at the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT in white. "So, choose."

She stood and stared at the cars in awe. Bruce was observing Sophia's expression as he wanted to see the result he wanted from her. She was shocked.

"You are kidding me, right? 911 GT3 and AMG GT... I mean, I never dreamt of touching such expensive cars and you are giving me one?!" Sophia spoke in shock, "This can't be happening. I've a VW Polo. This is..."

"Don't think that I'm giving you some extra benefits. As an official employee of Wayne Enterprise, you'll get to choose one car among those two and you will also get an apartment, plus other insurance and medical benefits... As you climb up the ladders, those benefits will also increase..." Bruce explained.

"Of course. I didn't mean to complain, but this is shocking, alright," Sophia scratched her cheeks as she approached him.

"I've no idea which one to choose," She bit her lips and looked at Bruce with expectant eyes.

"Well, take the AMG GT then. I think you'll match it better," Bruce smiled, "Your work starts next Monday so you got a week to get used to the car. And since we are going out for dinner, you drive. What do you say?" He took out another key and held it before her.

"Haha, right," she chuckled nervously and took the key, 'I'm driving Bruce Wayne and we are going out on a dinner date!!! Yeeeessss!!'

-----

Sophia, who never dreamt of even touching a car like that, was now behind the driver's seat. With shaking hands, she started the car and slowly left the garage.

"Have you ever driven on a track?"

"Oh... Eh? No."

"Hmm, how about we go out on a spin this week? I got some canceled meetings and no work to do over the weekend."

'Should I jump out of this car and roll on the ground to express my joy... Okay... Be a lady, Sophia!' Sophia tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "Sure! I'd be happy to join you! Where and when?" She finally was able to speak in a coherent sentence without making herself sound weird.

"There's a race track not far from here. Wanna go there after dinner? It's empty and you could drive as fast as you want," Bruce casually asked her.

Sophia nodded. She might act calm on the outside, but her insides were jumping in happiness.

'First work, then an AMG GT, an apartment and all types of benefits, then dinner, then driving!!' She smiled. 'Sophia... Calm down.'

Soon, they reached their destination, Maggie's Diner.

As they entered the restaurant, Bruce stopped in his tracks, seeing his mother and Maggie sitting in the VIP section.

"What's wrong?" Sophia asked.

"There's my mom and my girlfriend's sister," Bruce answered honestly.

"I knew it. You got a girlfriend, right?" Sophia whispered in a joking tone and raised her eyebrows at him. "Why don't you introduce me? Is this why you shifted our conversation inside Uber?"

Bruce felt sweat on his forehead.

"Yup! But we are in a polygamy relationship. I have five girlfriends and everyone knows about everyone, except for my mom," Bruce spoke truthfully without seeing the reason to hide it.

"You are bragging in front of me, right? What if I tell your mom?" Sophia whispered. She was confused as to why he was being so honest with her. Any man in his position would lie through their teeth to avoid such a situation and try to get laid with her after providing so many benefits and even helping her beyond that.

"You won't. I trust you," He smirked.

"Why? I mean... We don't really know each other much... I mean, we just met like what two days?" She scratched her cheeks.

"Just gut feeling," Bruce stated and took her hand, "Let's go. I'll introduce you to them."

.

.

[Meanwhile...] [Atlantis]

Aquawoman sat in her room, remembering that fateful day when she felt utterly powerless against that man. She was under the sea, which was supposed to be her domain, and she had her best trident, yet, that man broke it like a twig and even threatened her from doing what she did ever again. She felt such bloodlust from him that made her almost pass out as soon as she escaped with her people.

"Argggg!" She slammed her fist on the wall, "I was so darn powerless. How did a human gain such power? And who was that woman, controlling all those plants as if they were her limbs?" Aquawoman trembled.

It was the first time for her to feel fear and humiliation, at least after she became the queen.

It has only been a few days since that incident and she was struggling, considering the various methods on how she could solve this situation. Considering the fact that he was holding back, she feared what would happen if he were to break into Atlantis. Would that human go into a blind rampage and kill everyone? She trembled at that thought.

But was he a human at all?

"I was too hasty with my decision. I should have gathered knowledge about the surface world before proceeding with my plans," Aquawoman sighed, 'Now... I've angered the man and don't know what to do! There are other powerful entities like him. If they were to attack Atlantis... Should I just drown the city before they could gather forces?'

She shook her head as she recalled his cold eyes.

Suddenly, she received a call through a secure line.

"Amazon?!" Aquawoman exclaimed with a raised brow. She answered the call. On the screen was Queen Hippolyta of Themiscyra. She was beautiful with pale-white skin, crystal-like blue eyes, and crimson red lips. "I guess, you have a good reason to call me at such a delicate time."

"Darkseid is coming. The mother boxes are resonating. His parademon army and Furies will arrive within a few years," Hippolyta, wearing her golden Amazonian armor and crown, responded in a deep and severe tone.

"What?!" The shock in Aquawoman's eyes was apparent. "Wait a moment. I'll check the box myself." She rushed out and made her way to the sealed chamber where one of the three prime-mother boxes was resting. Upon entering, she noticed the pulsating energy waves radiating from the object. She transferred the call to the device on her right arm, "We are not ready to face him. Not when the older Gods are gone."

"That's why we need to forget our thousand years old grudges and become one again. But before that, you need to stop what you are planning on doing. Flooding the world won't help you," Hippolyta warned, "Although the old Gods are gone, there are forces beyond our belief. Humanoid Aliens from a faraway planet called Krypton. One is capable of destroying Earth with a single blow. One such existence is right here on our Paradise Island. And there's him... I'm sure you met him before..."

Aquawoman clenched her fist with anger dripping from her face.

"He's even more dangerous than both of our forces combined. Trust me on this one. And throw away that anger. His name is Bruce Wayne, Batman, I'm sure you have heard of him. He says he can cure you all," Hippolyta exhaled, "I hope, you will reconsider my offer once again. Internal war right now is not the right choice and I'm sure you don't want to lose that cure, right?"

"Cure, you say? Very well, I'll talk to him, face to face..." Aquawoman grinned.

"Be mindful of your tone. You may not want him as an enemy. Your recent actions may have brought your demise, already... Your actions will not just harm humans, it will destroy the whole world... I'll let him know about your decision..." Hippolyta stated and then disconnected the call.

"This changes things... I guess I need to stop my plans and reach out to him directly first..." Aquawoman recalled his words. "Cure us, huh?! I don't know what game you are playing, but I'll unmask you in front of all."

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