The Wager

Chapter 1

"Mr. Queen the reporter from the Daily Planet has just arrived."

"Thank you Gretchen please send her in."

Oliver watched as a petite blond in business apparel made her way into the office.

"Hello Mr. Queen," she said reaching for his hand and giving it a firm shake. "My name is Chloe Sullivan."

"Good afternoon Miss Sullivan, please have a seat." He said smiling at her.

"Thank you." she replied sitting down in the chair opposite his desk and reaching into her bag to pull out her notebook and a pen. She pulled them to her and looked back up at him, "Shall we get started?"

"Right to business then. You're not one for pleasantries Miss Sullivan?"

"Not when there's a job to be done Mr. Queen." she said smiling at him.

"All right then proceed with the interrogation."

"Don't worry I promise to make this as painless as possible."

"That's what all the women say to me. In my experience only about twenty five percent of them were telling the truth." he told her.

"Well believe me Mr. Queen, I'm not like the other women you've met."

"You know, I really believe that." he responded leaning back in his chair and folding his arms over his chest.

"Good, now can we start?"

"Ask away."

"All right, well first question. Is there any validity to the rumors of a merger between Queen Industries and Wayne Enterprises?"

"Mr. Wayne and myself have had some discussions about combining or research and development departments."

"And how will a merger affect your current employees?"

"It shouldn't. This merger is meant to as a way to combine certain technological advances both companies have made."

"So then you have no plans to lay off any of your employees?"

"Absolutely not. We have every intention of keeping every employee exactly where they're at."

"Even though it would probably be more cost effective to lay off some of your workers and consolidate the two labs into one?"

"Mr. Wayne and I believe that our employees and their families are more important then the bottom line." he explained smiling slightly.

She smiled at him for that. She was defiantly an activist for the 'little guy' so the fact that these two men who had grown up with every advantage in the world intended to put their employees above their profit margin made her really respect them, at least in the business sense.

"Well Mr. Queen, thank you for your time. I think I've got everything I need."

"Really?"

"What?" she asked her eyebrows raised slightly.

"Well most reporters I get in here ask at least a few questions of a personal nature." He said slightly amused.

"What like boxers or briefs? Or maybe something about when you plan on finally settling down?"

"Exactly."

"Sorry, I'm not that kind of reporter. I much prefer sticking to the questions that are actually relevant."

He raised his eyebrows at that, "Well Miss Sullivan it was definitely a pleasure to meet you." He said standing from his chair and holding out his hand.

She quickly shoved her notepad and pen back into her bag before standing up as well and taking his hand shaking it quickly, "again thank you very much for the interview Mr. Queen," but as she tried to pull it back he held on.

"I hope the next time we see each other you'll feel comfortable calling me Oliver." he said smiling at her flirtatiously then letting go of her hand.

"Well we'll just have to see Mr. Queen." she replied turning and exiting the room.

He watched her leave feeling completely shocked. She was right she was not like the other women he'd met. She hadn't even seemed the least bit intrigued when he tried openly flirting with her. That had never happened to him before. He'd actually considered for a split second asking her to dinner but got the distinct feeling she would turn him down. That one little thought had peeked his interest even more. She would be a challenge and he was always up for one of those.

After her interview with Oliver Queen the day before she had gone straight home to type up her article in peace and quiet instead of the insanity of the bull pen. So she knew as soon as she arrived that morning Lois would bombard her with questions about the 'sexy billionaire playboy' as she called him. But when she neared her desk she realized there would be lots of questions from Lois, but not about the interview. On her desk sat an arrangement of two dozen long stem pink roses. She walked over to her desk slowly and gently pulled the card from the center of the arrangement. She glanced around her to make sure no one was watching then opened the card and read it…

Miss Sullivan-

I hope I am lucky enough to see you again

Oliver

Suddenly someone reached around her and snatched the small piece of paper from her hand.

"Well, well, look at my little cousin, bringing sexy billionaire playboys to their knees."

"Okay Lois first of all. You have got to stop calling him that." she said shaking her head.

"And second?"

"Second, I haven't brought him to anything. Guys like him just like the chase even if they have no interest in you, and the second they realize you're not interested in them they want you even more."

"You underestimate yourself Chlo."

"No I don't," she said turning toward her desk and picking up the flowers. "Will you please tell Perry that I've got his article ready and I'll bring it up as soon as I get back?"

"Sure, but what are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna make sure Mr. Queen realizes I'm no mans conquest." She answered storming away from her cousin.

"So let me see if I have this right. You met this woman yesterday when she came to interview you about the merger?" Bruce asked.

"Yes." He replied simply.

"And you sent her flowers to piss her off? Call me crazy but I really am confused as to what game your playing."

"It's simple, she's the kind of woman who's gonna storm over here and tell me she can't be bought with ridiculous flower arrangements."

"Okay…" Bruce said slowly.

"When she gets here all I have to do is turn on the charm, take her to dinner and within the week she's in my bed." Oliver said smiling mischievously.

"I really need to see him right now." A feminine voice said outside the door.

He looked over at Bruce, "Right on time" he told the other man before leaning over and pushing the intercom, "Gretchen, send Miss Sullivan in she's expected."

The doors burst open and Chloe marched in carrying the flowers over to his desk and setting them down.

"Miss Sullivan, Let me introduce you to Mr. Wayne."

Chloe turned toward the couch and smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry I didn't realize you were in a meeting I can come back." She said turning toward the door.

"Nonsense. It looks to me like you have something important to say to Oliver. So please continue. Pretend I'm not even here.

"Fine," she replied turning her attention back to Oliver.

"Mr. Queen…"

"Now now Miss Sullivan, I thought we agreed you would call me Oliver the next time you saw me."

"No Mr. Queen, you suggested. I never agreed." She said indignantly. "Now about these flowers…"

"What don't you like them?" he asked pretending to pout for a moment then smiling brightly at her.

"No it's not that it's just…"

"Are they the wrong color? I figured pink was a safe color at least when it comes to flowers."

"If you would just let me…"

"I get it. You don't like roses. I mean I understand some women prefer other kinds of flowers. Why don't you tell me what kind is your favorite so next time I can send the right ones." he said cutting her off again.

"Mr. Queen if you would just let me finish what I am trying to tell you."

"Of course Miss Sullivan. Continue."

"It was inappropriate for you to send these to me."

"Why, exactly?"

"Because I am a professional and you sending these into the bull pin for all my colleagues to see it undermines me in there eyes. I worked hard to be taken seriously and I don't need anyone or anything ruining that."

"Well I'm sorry Miss Sullivan. Let me make it up to you. Let me take you to dinner."

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

"Why? Are you involved with someone?" He asked smirking.

"No. I just have no desire to be another notch in your bedpost," she said clearly annoyed. "Now I'm going to leave these here with you and suggest that you don't bother wasting anymore of your time. I'm not interested." She said turning and walking out of his office.

He stared after her his eyes wide.

"Well looks like you've finally met your match." Bruce said standing up and walking toward Oliver.

"This only makes the game more interesting."

"You don't stand a chance."

"Bruce, you forget who you're talking to." He said smugly.

"You really think you can still pull this off?"

"Absolutely."

"Care to make a wager on that?" Bruce said smiling at the other man.

A/N Okay so I am still working on Right In Front Of You, I just felt like starting this one too. What do you guys think should I continue? Please review! =)