Chapter 17 Expectations

"Are you sure you need to get home now?" Ryeanne asked. Lindsey, Blaire, Juliet, and Ryeanne were all at the mall together. They were hanging out as a group since they didn't get to see each other during Spring Break last week. Kelsey and Abigail were going to join them. But Kelsey had a Decathlon meeting that ran late and Abigail had a last minute audition for something.

"Yeah, my grandparents gave me a new curfew after I didn't come home on time from vacation with Damian," Lindsey said.

"What were you two doing that made you late getting home?" Juliet asked.

"We went and visited my parents graves," Lindsey said. "It was really emotional and we stayed there longer than I even thought possible."

"And that made you late?" Juliet asked.

"No but the traffic on the way back after we had lunch did," Lindsey shrugged.

"That's a bit cruel," Blaire said. "They couldn't even let you off with because of traffic."

"It's okay though," Lindsey said. "They're only working out for me."

"Well let's get you home," Ryeanne said. "We can do this again with the other girls some other time."

"I had so much fun today! I'm so glad you were all here," Blaire said. "I love the new clothes you guys said I had to get."

Lindsey followed the girls to Blaire's car. They all talked as Blaire drove to the manor. Once they reached the gate, Lindsey punched in the number for the gate and Blaire drove her to the door.

"WE'll see you tomorrow, Lindsey," Ryeanne shouted as Lindsey exited the car.

"Finally Friday!" Juliet shouted. "Maybe we can all go shopping tomorrow after school since it's the weekend. Is your curfew the same for the weekends?"

"Don't know," Lindsey shrugged. "I'll ask and let you all know tomorrow."

"Bye, Lindsey!" the girls shouted as she closed the door and walked to the door.

As she entered the house she was automatically stopped by Diane, the Head Caretaker.

"Diane, you scared me," Lindsey said, as she jumped. "I didn't see you there."

"I didn't mean to scare you, Lindsey," Diane said politely.

"Was there something you need to ask me?" Lindsey asked

"Lindsey, your grandparents would like to speak with you in the dining room," Diane said as Lindsey walked into the manor. Diane took her Lindsey backpack and bags from her.

"They do?" Lindsey asked. It's been a while since her grandparents had wanted to talk to her. "What about do you know?"

"I don't miss, but I have a hunch," Diane said.

"Are you going to tell me?" Lindsey asked.

"It's best you see what they want before I say anything," Diane said.

"Okay, thank you, Diane," Lindsey said before walking to the dining room.

"Grandma, Grandpa?" Lindsey called as she walked into the dining room.

"Lindsey there you are!" Grandma Holling said as she saw her granddaughter. She jumped up and ran over to hug her.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" Lindsey asked.

"Why don't you come and sit down and have some pie?" Grandpa Holling asked from the head of the table. "We can talk while we have pie."

"What kind is it?" Lindsey asked walking to the right side of Grandpa Holling, the opposite side of the room to where the door was. Grandma Holling sat on his left.

"Lemon meringue, you're favorite," Grandpa Holling said as he cut a piece for Lindsey.

"Yum!" Lindsey said as Grandpa Holling placed her piece in front of her. Lindsey took a bite before moaning. It was better than she remembered.

"Well now why don't we talk?" Grandma Holling said. "We wanted to talk to you about what you're going to do after you graduate."

"Oh! Well I haven't really thought about it," Lindsey said. "I guess I should start thinking about where to go to school and what for."

"Well we're already talking to the Board at Gotham University," Grandpa Holling said. "They're always willing to have the Elite join the attendance of the students. You will always have a place at Gotham University."

"That's nice, but I don't know if I'll stay in Gotham," Lindsey said. "I know that Damian and I have already talked about going to the same college. I was thinking about going to New York for college."

"But why would you want to go back to New York?" Grandma Holling asked. "Surely you have better friends here, you have Damian, and your Grandfather and I are here. Gotham University is an amazing school. And it is one of the best schools for business in the country. It would make the most sense."

"Business? Why would I study business?" Lindsey asked. "I don't know what I want to study, yet."

"You're going to take over the company when we retire," Grandpa Holling said. "We're getting old Lindsey. We want to spend our last days in comfort and not running a company. So you're going to take over the company. To do so, you're going to have to know how to run a million-dollar business. It only makes sense that you study business."

"Why would I take over Holling Oil?" Lindsey asked. "It's not something I want to do."

"You are obligated as our only granddaughter," Grandma Holling said. "With Hailey past away, you are the only choice we have to keep the company in the family."

"I don't want it," Lindsey said. "Give it to one of the people on the board. I don't want a company. I don't want that responsibility."

"It doesn't matter what you want," Grandpa Holling said. "You are obligated by our only heir to inherit the company. This is why you came to Gotham, isn't it?"

"No, it's not," Lindsey said. "The only reason I came here was because this is where my parents wanted me to be. They left me in your care so you could support me until I turn eighteen."

"And we will support you until you take over the company," Grandma Holling said. "That way we know you will be able to support yourself. We don't want you to end up like your mother, working to help support your spouse and child. Not that you will need to support Damian, he's wealthy enough to support you and your future children."

"What does Damian have to do with any of this?" Lindsey asked. "We may not even stay together that long. Let alone have children together."

"Ever since the two of got together, so many companies have been making contracts with us," Grandpa Holling said. "And we have a contract with Wayne Enterprises that will be coming to fruition soon. You're relationship is good for business."

"Is everything you do a business deal? Does everything you do have to do with your damn company?" Lindsey said getting angry.

"You don't need to talk like that, Lindsey," Grandma Holling said. "We're only trying to look out for your future."

"A future that I don't want," Lindsey said. "I only want to live my life."

"And we want to help," Grandma Holling said.

"Not if you want to control my life," Lindsey said.

"Lindsey, please," Grandpa Holling said. "Be reasonable. This is a family business. We always expected Hailey to take over the business. But now that she's dead, we have to make another decision."

"My mother was never going to take over the company," Lindsey said. "She never wanted it."

"And look where that got her," Grandma Holling snapped.

Tears came to Lindsey's eyes. Grandma Holling automatically looked taken aback.

"Lindsey, I didn't mean-"

"I'm done," Lindsey said as she stood up.

"No, we're not, Lindsey," Grandpa Holling said.

"Yes, we are," Lindsey snapped. "I will not be taking over the company. I will choose what I want to do. And I will be like my mother."

And just like that she stomped out of the dining room, before running to her bedroom. Lindsey opened her backpack and took out her homework. She was finishing up, when there was a knock on her door.

She turned to see who it was. She sighed when she saw it was her Grandmother.

"I'm so sorry about what I said earlier," she said as she entered the room. "I just don't want to loose you like I lost my Hailey."

"You're doing the exact same thing to me that you did with my mother," Lindsey said.

"There's more to the story than what your mother told you, dear," Grandma Holling said. "And I don't want you to think I'm the bad guy."

"I know, Grandma," Lindsey said.

"So please listen to us and do what we ask," Grandma Holling said.

Lindsey stood up abruptly. Grandma Holling looked at her granddaughter taken aback. Lindsey stormed to her closest, grabbing a duffle bag. She started stuffing clothes into the bag.

"Lindsey what are you doing?" Grandma Holling asked.

"I'm packing a bag," Lindsey said. "I'm leaving."

"Lindsey, please," Grandma Holling begged.

"I'm not leaving for good," Lindsey snapped. "I legally have to come back. I'll leave until you and Grandpa come to your senses and realize I won't be taking over the company, I'll go to the college of my choice, and study whatever I choose."

"Lindsey, please. Be reasonable," Grandma Holling said.

"I am. And I think a few days apart will do us good," Lindsey said.

She threw the duffle bag on her bed. She turned to her desk, grabbing her homework and stuffing it in her backpack. She grabbed her parents' rings which were still on her nightstand, slipping them into her wallet.

"You don't have to go, Lindsey. You're grandfather and I can," Grandma Holling said.

"Can you call Samuel around to have him drive me?" Lindsey asked as she walked out of her room.

"Where can you go?" Grandma Holling asked. "You have no where to go, Lindsey."

"Damian will let me stay with him," Lindsey said. "I'm sure of it. Wayne Manor has enough rooms."

"Lindsey-"

"Enough!" Lindsey yelled. "I'm done talking about it! Bye, Grandma."

Next thing Lindsey knew, she was sitting in the back of a car driven by Samuel.

"I'm only going to say one thing, Lindsey," Samuel said. "It was exactly like this with Miss Hailey. They will so exactly what they did with her."

Lindsey didn't say anything. She just turned her head to look out the window. She didn't want to think about what her grandparents did with her mother. What was going to happen to her.

"Lindsey, we're here," Samuel said.

Lindsey looked out the front window to see the gate to Wayne Manor. Samuel pulled up so Lindsey could talk into the speaker.

"Yes?" Lindsey heard Alfred say through the speaker.

"Alfred it's me-"

"Lindsey, are you here to see Damian?" Alfred asked.

"Um, actually I was wondering if I could stay a few days," Lindsey choked out. "I'll explain inside."

"Of course, Lindsey, come on in," Alfred said.

The gate opened and Samuel drove Lindsey up to the door. Alfred was waiting outside. Lindsey grabbed her duffle and backpack.

"Let me know if you need anything, Lindsey," Samuel said as Lindsey left the car.

"Lindsey, you've been crying," Alfred said when she got close enough. "Is everything alright."

"I got in a fight with my grandparents," Lindsey said. "I need to get out of the house. This was the first place I could think of."

"Of course," Alfred said. "But I should tell you, Damian is out with his father right now. They should be back soon. Shall I set you up on a bedroom? Take your things?"

"I can do it," Lindsey insisted.

"No, you can wait in the living room for Damian," Alfred said. "I can take your things for you."

Alfred took Lindsey's bags and took them up stairs. Lindsey started walking to the living room when she saw a hallway behind the living room. Damian never took her down that way. It was always the opposite direction, towards the movie room.

Lindsey saw an open door along the hallway. She looked inside. It looked like a library. The walls were lined with bookcases full of books. A large table stood in the middle with papers stern all over it. To the left of the door was a fireplace with a sofa and a plush chair in front of it.

Lindsey walked into the library and looked around. So many books. The books lining the walls seemed to be arranged in a certain order. Lindsey walked up and read some of the spines of the books. There were so many great titles. Fahrenheit 451, To Kill a Mockingbird, Moby Dick, War and Peace. There were some modern books too, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, there was even the first Twilight book. Lindsey laughed when she didn't see the others in the series. She imagined Bruce reading the book with a disgusted look on his face.

Lindsey turned and saw an upright piano in a corner of the room opposite of the fireplace. She couldn't help but wonder who played it. Damian didn't seem like the person to sit through lessons. It was probably Dick, if Lindsey was being completely honest with herself.

Next to the piano was an old grandfather clock. Lindsey went up to the clock. It was a wonderful piece. It seemed to be as old as the house. It didn't seem to be running any longer. Lindsey reached up to the clock to feel the groves in the wood. The work on it was unlike any she had ever seen before. She reached around the clock, feeling more of the woodwork when suddenly the grandfather clock swung out away from the wall.

Lindsey jumped back. She looked at where she was touching and saw a hidden button. Damian had once told her that there were servants' hallways throughout the walls of the house. This must be one of them. Lindsey walked in only to realize it was an elevator. Had Bruce updated the hallways?

Lindsey looked around the elevator for buttons. There was nothing in there except another door on the opposite wall. The doors closed behind Lindsey causing her to turn around. Her heartbeat sped up when the elevator started moving down.

Where was this thing going? What could possibly be below the Manor?

The elevator stopped, and the doors open.

Lindsey's mouth dropped. It was a cave, but not like any cave Lindsey had ever seen before. She entered the cave, her feet moved on their own accord. It was like she had stepped into the future. There was so much technology mixed into the stone walls. There were so many levels going up. Lindsey tilted her head all the way back to try to see what was up there.

Instead her eyes caught sight of the bats hanging from the rocks. She turned her eyes forward to look at the tech instead of the small creatures. There seemed to be a computer going from the ceiling to the single keyboard. Sitting in front of the computer was a high-backed chair on a railing. She sat in the chair and stared up at the computer. There was so much happening on the screen. She didn't understand a lot of it, but she was okay with that.

Lindsey couldn't help but wonder why Bruce Wayne had a huge computer in a cave below his house. Why would he need something like this?

Lindsey stood up and started walking to see what else was in the cave. Before she could get further, there was a noise sounded like a garage door opening from a different direction of the cave. She turned to look but didn't see anything but a tunnel. A runway led into the tunnel. She began walking to see what was down the tunnel when she saw a light coming from it. A motorcycle was coming from that direction and someone was riding it. The motorcycle stopped on a platform near the computer, and Lindsey.

"Ha!" the man on the bike said as he jumped off. "I knew I would beat them here!"

The man wore a brown jacket covering a tight black shirt with a red bird emblem. He had two guns in holsters strapped to his waist. He was a big man, with huge muscles. He didn't take off the helmet. Suddenly, he turned around towards Lindsey. And automatically, she knew why he didn't take off the helmet. It was the Red Hood. As soon as he saw her, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at her. She automatically raised her hands.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?" he asked. His tone was so threatening and deep.

Lindsey was scared for her life.