Chapter 2
Oliver's POV
Standing in front of the mirror in Verdant, making sure his outfit looked OK. It was only black jeans with a white shirt and black boots but he wanted to make a good impression. However to even his surprise he didn't want to impress Laurel he wanted to impress Rachael. He felt like a tool for not recognizing her earlier that afternoon but he couldn't imagine the beautiful woman in front of him this afternoon being the same girl he knew when he was a teenager. Sure she was cute back then but he never expected her to change so much. She used to be very shy and quiet with light brown hair straightened to within an inch of its life and she always looked at the ground hiding her eyes as if looking around the world would make a major difference to her and when she did look up her eyes were dull and lifeless except when talking about something she was passionate about but she barely ever talked so you never saw that. Today Oliver saw not the same shy girl, he saw a tall woman around 5 ft. 8 without heels on, with naturally wavy dark brown hair and with beautiful hazel eyes that burned with life. She had honestly went from a shy quiet timid deer that would run from a direct glance to a lioness that will fight to protect her den. At least that is what the news reports I could find on her show. I turn to read another report when I hear the door open behind me.
"Damn Ollie I know when we were teenagers we were dicks who barely talked to girls like Rachael but not recognizing her now I thought you were better than that." Tommy says smirking as her walked over to where I stood. I turn to face him a scowl on my face.
"What do you know about her? I mean she and Laurel looked pretty close so I am assuming you will know something, well more than a guy who spent 5 years on a desert island would."
"Well" Tommy started "She is Laurel's best friend. She works at her father's company and absolutely hates it, so in her spare time she campaigns to help Starling City where it needs the help like the Glades. Started to open small shops so people could work there to earn a decent living and not turn to crime, opened a couple of apartment blocks in the Glades so people had safe houses. Donates almost all her wages to charities or gives them to families who need the money. Basically a rich girl who doesn't like being rich so decided to help those who need the help. Very Robin Hood as in take from the rich give to the poor. But I have a funny feeling that is isn't her business resume you are after exactly."
I start to counter his comment but he doesn't give me a chance continuing with
"I can tell you she is single but you are probably the last guy she would go near in the whole of Starling City seeing as what you did to her best friend. And how could you stand up against her list of ex-boyfriends. Which include myself a very brief fling which meant nothing to both of us, Lex Luthor who even she admits was purely to piss of her father and of course Mr. Bruce Wayne who she fell really hard for knowing he wasn't right for her but ultimately got her heart broken and hasn't really dated since him and that was over a year and a half ago nearly two years actually. Ollie if you really want to date her you are going to have to get through Laurel and that should be a ring of hell in itself. I had to pass Rachael's list when I started dating Laurel and I got on well with Rachael, know that Laurel won't let Rachael fall the same way she has in the past. They are good at picking up the pieces when the other falls and I personally feel sorry for the poor bastard who has to take their wrath. Don't let it be you." With this warning Tommy and I walk up the stairs to the main section of Verdant, I see Diggle waiting at the front door. I had no idea why I was so nervous about this dinner but I knew that it all had to do with Rachael I just have no idea how.