New Beginnings || New Limits [Prequel]

12| Suspicions

***

I wasn't sure what to expect when Walter called me up to his office, only that he wanted me there as soon as possible. Once I stepped out of the elevator I headed towards the direction of his office and felt as someone came into step beside me.

"Good morning lovely." A familiar voice greeted, and I didn't need to  look to my side to know who it was.

"Good morning Daniel." I replied dismissively as I hurriedly made my way to Walter's office, and on my way I noticed most of the women talking animatedly to each other. Which seemed odd as almost everyone was usually very professional.

Although I didn't turn to see his face I heard the smile in his voice and immediately realized my mistake. "See that's progress. Where are you headed?"

"I have a meeting."

I dared a glance at him, and immediately felt a small amount of irritation at his unwavering smile. Daniel seemed to always have a bright light shinning within him, something that I had never seen before and made him difficult to understand. "And who has the pleasure?"

For a moment I stopped and wondered why he was here at all. From my knowledge we had no meetings scheduled and he was seated in the waiting room. "Walter ."

"So you're on a first name bases with him?"

"Jealous?" I questioned as I came to a stop at Walter's large glass office door.

"Very." He replied with a dimpled smile that I was sure made most girls knees go weak, I simply rolled my eyes before pushing the door and entering Walters office. I stopped as I noticed that Moira and Oliver Queen were also in the room, Oliver's presence explaining why Daniel was also here.

"Diane, glad you could join us." Moira greeted as she pulled me into a hug. "This is my son Oliver, I thought it would be appropriate for you two to meet. Oliver this is Diane Crock."

I wasn't completely sure if he remembered me from all those years ago, his face gave nothing away. He still held himself arrogantly, however now it just seemed faked. All part of an act, maybe to hide all the trauma that he experienced on that island. Regardless we both leaned in to shake hands, and the instant that our skin touched we both held eye contact longer than necessary.

My reaction due to the calluses and scarring on his palms, patterns that came with the repeated use of a bow and arrow. Calluses and scars that I also had along my palms, ones I was sure Oliver Queen had noticed. "Nice to meet you Mr. Queen."

"Mr. Queen was my father." He replied cooly giving nothing away. "Call me Oliver."

At that moment my mind wanted to find answers, but there was only one. It couldn't be a coincidence that the moment that Oliver Queen returned to Starling a vigilante wielding a bow and arrow suddenly appeared. Especially when he carried the proof on his palms. The question left unanswered was how he would learn such a skill.

"Of course."

"Diane is head of the Applied Sciences division." Walter continued as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. Although I hadn't been working for Queen Consolidated for very long, Moira and Walter had taken me in as if I were a daughter. And I couldn't say that the idea wasn't comforting. "The Queen Consolidated's success of late is a result of its targeted diversification. Thanks to Diane we have been making impressive inroads in cutting-edge fields like bio-tech and clean energy."

"That's neat." Oliver replied dismissively as he turned towards Walter's secretary, Jenny, making his disinterest in the subject clear. "Excuse me? Can I get a sparkling water, or something cold, please?"