Thankyou for making it to chapter 2, here you will be introduced to Faber and Dick's testy relationship.

Chapter 2

December 11th

Faber despised having to be in the same proximity as Gotham's elite. Though she could be categorised with them financially, she was in no means regarded as 'elite' by them. If anything she was an inconvenience to them, as she was the only living Loralle, and at sixteen had inherited her parents' majority share in a pharmaceutical company founded by her Grandfather, Loralle & Co. She was at boarding school when her parents passed, but returned to Gotham for university when she turned eighteen to study biochemistry and medicine to follow in her parents' footsteps. Faber was nothing short of a genius, and nineteen had discovered a medicine that inhibited hearing loss - important for people in a city where sirens blare 24/7. Faber wanted to help people, and these charity events were a chance for Faber to use her excessive fortune for good.

The grand ballroom of the opulent Gotham City Plaza Hotel shimmered with an air of elegance and extravagance as the city's elite gathered for the annual charity gala. Adorned in their finest attire, the wealthiest denizens of Gotham mingled beneath chandeliers dripping with crystal, their laughter mingling with the soft strains of classical music that filled the air. The room was a sea of designer gowns and tailored suits, each guest vying to outdo the others in a display of affluence and sophistication. Champagne flowed freely from silver trays carried by impeccably dressed waitstaff, while tables groaned under the weight of gourmet delicacies prepared by world-renowned chefs. Faber stood by the bar, a glass of champagne in hand, her honey coloured hair in a loose braid which draped over her shoulder. She wore a tight strapless cherry red gown which clung to her hourglass figure. Faber was a thing of beauty, off limits to anyone who tried - though that didn't been she ignored her desires.

At the center of the room, a stage had been erected, bathed in soft, golden light. A hush fell over the crowd as the host of the evening, a well-known philanthropist and socialite, took to the podium to address the gathered guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests of Gotham," the host began, his voice carrying effortlessly over the murmurs of the crowd. "Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate our own good fortune, but to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than ourselves."

Applause rippled through the room as the host spoke of the charitable endeavours supported by the gala, from funding inner-city youth programs to providing aid to the homeless and disadvantaged. Faber couldn't hide her disgust as she watched the corrupt business men of Gotham display acts of concern. It was all a show. Then again, she was no different.

Being thrust into this world a young woman with no sense of protection, men had tried to coerce Faber to giving up her wealth in many ways. Some acted passively, the occasional blackmailing with fake gossip, but others took pride in invading her personal space behind closed doors threatening to do much worse than hold her a bit to hard. And so she learned to fight. She learned to be colder, smarter, stronger than any man in the room. She was not going to fear any man, they would fear her power too much to eve risk taking it.

As she stood by the bar, a familiar voice caught her attention from behind her. "Mr Wayne," she said turning to see Bruce Wayne, Gotham's enigmatic billionaire, a striking figure in his impeccably tailored suit.

"Miss Loralle, a pleasure," Bruce replied, his voice deep with seductive undertones with each word he spoke. Faber looked beside Mr Wayne to see Dick Grayson. She no longer had to force her cold exterior, but still she forced a smile.

"Dick," she said her grin now naturally wide. Dick simply rolled his eyes. "So nice to see, as always."

"Likewise," Dick said bluntly.

Bruce caught the tension, and in the efforts of not letting it get awkward said, "I hear you are still making great waves in the medical world with your discoveries, is it your masters you are close to finishing?"

"Yes, and thanks to your generosity I am able to continue research with my lab on campus you help fund, it's practically my home"

"Well, I know a good investment when I see one"

"And where will you be investing, or rather donating, your money tonight?"

"Each of the charities are fighting for inspiring change, and so it feels wrong to leave one out," Bruce said, his voice one of a noble business man.

Faber couldn't help but take joy in Dick's obvious discomfort and boredom. "t seems so long since you dropped out of Gotham U, what exciting things are you doing now?" She asked.

"I must say I am doing quite exciting things that I am do not feel privy o disclose with you," Dick begrudgingly replied.

"Spoken like a true business man," she said between a clenched smile, "excuse me I must mingle with some of my other medical research sponsor, I hope we can continue this conversation" (lies)

Faber continued small talk, unamused by any of the other billionaires of Gotham. Bruce Wayne was perhaps the only one she could tolerate, he was generous and easy on the eyes. She had never had a bad encounter with him, in fact he did help her navigate a lot of Gotham's oligarchs when she was fresh meat on the scene. Though he was nearly twice her age, she did not mind his helplessly flirtatious nature at the start of their acquaintance, but it was never more than that, he was now just a friendly face in crowd of snakes.

After anonymously donating a large sum of money that was in fact a large Mr Kingston's recently stolen twenty million dollars, Faber reminisced on the balcony as she looked upon Gotham and imagined the good his money would do for the city, as it was more than Kingston would ever dream of donating. Much to her dismay, se noticed Dick Grayson in her periphery.

"You're ruining my view Dick," She seethed.

Dick scoffed, "I was here first, so if anything you're ruining mine."

"I do not like you."

"Glad the feeling is mutual." Dick Grayson looked sharp in a charcoal suit, tailored to perfection. Faber could not deny his undeniable good looks, but she new she was real catch out of the two.

"Uh, do you try to act smug when you talk or are you just naturally a complacent prick? I've always wondered."

"Is that your way of saying you think about me, I am flattered."

Faber narrowed her eyes at Dick, a flash of annoyance crossing her features. "You wish, Grayson. Trust me, you're not worth the brain cells."

Dick leaned casually against the balcony railing, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Ah, but here you are, thinking about me nonetheless."

Faber rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to roll them right out of her skull, "Goodnight Grayson, I hope not to see for a long time."

Dick chuckled, the sound smooth and rich. "Sleep well, Faber. And don't worry, I'll make sure to keep my distance... until the next time fate decides to bring us together." With a playful wink, he turned on his heel and strolled away, leaving Faber seething with irritation and begrudgingly amused by his persistent presence.

Faber was a competitive person, she liked to win, losing was never an option for her, she had already lost too much in her life. She was the top of her classes, until Dick Grayson decided to take some of her classes during their second year at Gotham U, and in said classes her number one place was quickly replaced. That is where her hatred began, as although Faber was naturally smarter than most of the population, so was Dick Grayson. Perhaps she was a sore loser, but Faber hated being beaten, especially by men. And although their indifference sparked over virtually nothing, they could not get along, and eventually, though Faber would never admit it, she did love her verbal sparring matches with Dick Grayson on the off chance she encountered him.

There's Chapter 2 for ya! Would love to hear opinions of Faber the OC!