Shadow Monarch in DC,Chapter 242: The Date Stalker

Chapter 242: The Date Stalker - 2

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The restaurant had that kind of hush that only the wealthiest places could afford, soft music lingering like a secret, chandeliers dripping light like molten gold, waiters moving without sound as though gliding rather than walking.

Arthur leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers brushing the rim of his glass. "This place," he said after a moment, tone casual, "belongs to Bruce Wayne. Best in Gotham, apparently." His eyes flicked around the room, crystal glasses clinking, silk dresses, and sharp suits "As you can see, only the city’s finest get through these doors."

Didi tilted her head, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "Do you like these kinds of places?"

Arthur gave a small shake of his head, the faintest smirk tugging at his mouth. "Not really. I don’t usually have the time to go on dates."

Her laughter was soft, the kind that was pleasant to hear. She raised her glass, catching the candlelight. "Then I appreciate that you complied with my request today."

Arthur sighed through his nose, a subtle exhale, before replying in that measured, weighty tone of his. "That’s alright, surprisingly I enjoyed my time."

The moment hung, comfortable in its own way, until the polished chime of the front door announced new arrivals. Two girls walked in, and the maître d’ approached with his usual polite distance. "Good evening, do you have a reservation?"

"No," one of them replied.. her voice calm, cool, with just the faintest edge of boredom. She flashed him something, a small gesture shielded from most eyes. Whatever it was, the man blanched, panicked, then adjusted his tie as if suddenly suffocating.

"Oh... right this way, madame," he stammered, nearly tripping over himself as he ushered them in.

Arthur had caught the entire exchange from across the room. His jaw flexed, a weary sigh escaping before he lifted his glass to his lips.

Didi, who had not missed the subtle shift in his posture, took a measured sip of wine. Her eyes flickered with quiet amusement. "Quite the pair, aren’t they?"

Arthur chuckled dryly, not even bothering to hide it. "Of course you noticed them as well." He leaned slightly in, lowering his voice though his expression remained relaxed. "Yeah... I’ll just act like I didn’t see them."

Her smile widened, playful. "It’s nice that you have people who care so deeply about you."

Arthur swirled his drink slowly, the crimson catching light like blood in crystal. He took a long swallow, then set the glass down with deliberate care. His gaze narrowed on her, a flash of steel in his eyes. "Yeah," he said, his voice low, almost a growl. "But that’s a major weakness."

Didi’s smile didn’t falter, if anything it softened, her eyes warm and eternal in their patience. She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin against her hand as though amused by the blunt cruelty of the truth. "A harsh thing to say," she replied gently. Then, as though she were speaking not just to him but to something in the air itself, she added, "but it is true."

The candlelight flickered between them, shadows stretching long against the tablecloth, while at the far end of the restaurant, under a gilded chandelier, two "ordinary citizens" sat stiffly at a table that was far too elegant for their disguises. Kara tugged at the brim of her borrowed hat, oversized glasses slipping down her nose. Raven sat opposite, looking like she’d rather be swallowed by the floor than participate in whatever this was, her own hat casting a shadow over her face.

Menus were handed to them, crystal glasses filled with water, the whole performance of fine dining. A waiter gave them a polite bow before retreating.

Kara leaned forward, whispering excitedly, "That was amazing. Seriously, what did you even show him to get us in like that?"

Raven flipped open her menu without looking at her. "This place belongs to Bruce. I’ve been here before. All the Titans got a special badge, it lets us into any Wayne-owned establishment. No introductions. No questions. No fuss."

Kara blinked, impressed, pushing her glasses up her nose with a grin. "That’s great."

Raven finally set the menu down, her eyes darting just for a second toward Arthur and Didi’s table across the room. She looked away quickly, but not before a faint, betraying flush touched her pale cheeks. "I’m... quite positive he knows it’s us," she muttered, voice quieter than a sigh.

Kara nearly snorted but caught herself, covering her mouth with her hand. "Seriously? Then why...ugh." She shook her head, then leaned forward with a stubborn gleam in her eyes. "You know what? I don’t care. We came this far, so I’ll just keep up the act and watch them carefully."

Raven gave her a flat stare, the kind that could kill conversation instantly. But instead of lecturing her, she just muttered, "Of course you will."

A waiter returned, pen ready, and asked smoothly, "Will you be dining this evening?"

"Yes!" Kara blurted before Raven could answer, smiling brightly, her disguise glasses slipping again. "We’ll take... uh... two of your specials."

The waiter blinked. "Which special, miss?"

Kara froze, cheeks coloring. "The... best one?"

Raven lowered her menu with all the gravitas of a queen tired of mortals. "We’ll have the house risotto and the sea bass," she said evenly, without missing a beat.

The waiter scribbled and gave a curt nod before walking off.

Kara leaned across the table, whispering like a child in class. "That was smooth."

Raven didn’t look up from her water glass. "This entire plan is idiotic."

Kara smirked, glancing again toward Arthur and Didi, lowering her voice to a near growl. "Romantic date or not, I’m going to find out what’s going on."

Raven just sighed, crossing her arms. "Unbelievable."

Laughter tinkled across the table soft, unforced, carrying a strange warmth. Didi leaned forward, resting her chin lightly on her hand as she laughed at something Arthur had said, her smile lighting up the dim, golden glow of the restaurant.

Arthur, however, wasn’t smiling. His posture was relaxed enough, but his eyes remained steady, his jaw set as though his thoughts were elsewhere. He let her laugh, his own lips curving only faintly, yet the seriousness in his expression never quite broke.

Across the room, Raven noticed immediately. She said nothing, her eyes dropping back to her glass, but Kara didn’t have the same restraint. She leaned forward, whispering under her breath with a note of irritation, "They look like they’re having a good time.."

Her hand pressed against the table a little too hard. A sharp crack ran across the polished surface, subtle but unmistakable.

Raven’s eyes flicked down, then shot to Kara, her voice a low, warning hiss. "Control yourself, Kara! Unless you want to make a scene and announce to him, ’I’m right here watching you.’"

Kara’s cheeks burned, and she instantly drew her hand back, whispering quickly, "Sorry..." She crossed her arms tightly, glaring at the table as though it had betrayed her.

Back at Arthur’s table, Didi was still smiling, but her tone shifted as she lowered her glass, her gaze sliding past Arthur’s shoulder. "Can you see that man over there? The one seated with three others."

Arthur turned his head just enough, scanning the room with a sharp eye. "The old bald man?"

"Yes," Didi replied smoothly, her voice softened into a conspiratorial whisper "I’ll let you in on a secret... something I shouldn’t be saying." She tilted her head, watching the man with a curious detachment. "It seems his time is running out as well."

Arthur’s expression tightened. His eyes narrowed. "You mean he’s..."

"Yes." The word slipped from her lips flatly, without hesitation, without sympathy. Just a truth casually delivered.

Arthur exhaled slowly through his nose, studying her face, then the old man again. There was no ripple in her demeanor, no change in her smile. For her, death wasn’t a tragedy, it was inevitability.

Before he could speak again, the low growl of an engine drew his ear. Outside, just beyond the tall glass windows of the restaurant, a sleek car rolled to a stop. Its lights spilled into the street, cutting against the flow of Gotham’s neon night.

Arthur’s eyes flicked toward it immediately, sharpened with instinct. Something about it pulled his attention like a hook.

Didi, however, didn’t even turn around. She sipped from her glass, unfazed. Her eyes remained on him, her voice calm, amused even. "Always alert. Always looking for the storm. Aren’t you Arthur."