Straight Shot ➳ Oliver Queen

09. Speculation

C H A P T E R    N I N E

SPECULATION

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If there was one thing Tommy was known for, it was his lavish and outrageous parties. Upon Oliver's return home, Tommy has promised him a "welcome home" bash, and it seemed as though Tommy was staying true to his word. Unfortunately, I had promised Oliver I would be attending said party and I was also true to my word as the limo came to a halt in front of the warehouse's entrance.

"Thank you," I said kindly to the man who had opened the door of the limousine, which Tommy had hired to drive me to the party, even though I insisted on calling a taxi. The chauffeur closed the limo door behind me and I tucked my gold clutch purse under my arm, examining the warehouse building the party was being held at. Lights flickered through the windows and the music could be heard from Central City.

There weren't many things I enjoyed about being a billionaire's daughter and best friends to two billionaires, but I did enjoy the perk of being able to walk past the line pouring from the building and entered the building immediately after arrival.

"Right this way, Miss Mitchell." One of the bouncers said without a single glance at the clipboard with a list of names in his hand. He led me through the entryway of the building and suddenly, I became immersed in the party atmosphere and I could barely hear myself think over the blaring music and loud conversations going on in the room. I was surprised there was enough oxygen for how many people were in the room. I immediately began the chore of finding Tommy or Oliver, weaving through the crowds of people.

There were balloon arches in various places and dim lighting, paired with flashing strobe lights. A millennial DJ bobbed her head minimally to the beat of the music. The women dancing to the music were scantily clad and the guys ogled them. There were so few people that weren't holding some sort of alcoholic beverage in their hand that they stood out like sore thumbs.

I blended into the scene as I had replaced my clothes I wore today with a black cocktail dress and pumps. I had opted for a smoky eye look, which was out of the ordinary for me since I wasn't accustomed to wearing much makeup.

I continued politely pushing through the crowd offering the occasional "excuse me" until I reached the bar. "Have you seen Tommy Merlyn or Oliver Queen here recently?" I asked the bartender after he caught a tequila bottle he had been entertainingly flipping. He shook his head and I turned around to continue looking, finding myself face to face with a man I didn't recognize. He had light brown hair that was cropped short and blue eyes and was dressed in a white t-shirt under a dark brown leather jacket. He glanced at my empty hands.

"How is it that a beautiful girl like you hasn't been offered a drink yet?" He questioned, his words beginning to slur together. I could smell the alcohol on his breath and there was a glass of a caramel colored liquid in his hand. He signaled the bartender for another drink and the bartender nodded, grabbing a clean glass from the shelves of liquor behind him.

"I'm okay. Thank you, though." I told him in an attempt to be polite before trying to walk past him. Before I could get away, I felt his hand grasp my wrist, preventing me from leaving.

"Why don't you stay for a while?" He leaned in closer to me so his lips were next to my ear. I could feel his hot breath on my neck. "We could... have a chat." He offered suggestively, his hand snaking to my waist.

"Really, I'm fine. I really should be going." I insisted, slipping his hand away from my body.

"This guy bothering you?" I heard another voice say jokingly from behind the man. I smiled as I spotted Oliver over the other man's shoulder.