Nemesis to Lover(Closed for momadness x SerenaUShields)

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica Kinsworth was no ordinary woman. She was a powerhouse business woman, CEO of Kinsworth, Inc. based in Metropolis. With her no-nonsense attitude towards her employees, it was quite obvious when the blonde was seen in action that she was every bit the powerhouse a strong company like hers needed running it.

Veronica had a keen eye for seeing just how different things could benefit her company in the long run. And her choice of Gotham City as the home of her latest branch of Kinsworth, Inc. was no different. She quite enjoyed having competitive runs and as Gotham was also the home to Wayne Industries, she definitely had plenty of competition from the other company. And when she'd received an invitation to the annual charity ball where only Gotham's elite were invited, she couldn't pass up the chance to add a bit more competition between the two companies and in the name of a good cause at that.

So here Veronica was at the ball, in a dark blue floor length gown with spaghetti straps and a slightly lighter shawl around her shoulders and her mid back length brown hair hanging in loose curls compared to the uptight bun she normally wore at work, with a glass of champagne in hand as she mingled with some of the other attendees while also keeping an eye out for her business competitor, Bruce Wayne.

 

[SerenaUShields]

It hadn't been hard for Veronica to pinpoint Bruce amongst the crowd once all the reporters had gathered around him. She happened to pick up a couple of mentions about her own company but gauging the expression on his face, it seemed that whatever he had said about her company wasn't in ill will like how some business men in Metropolis had upon hearing their latest competition was owned by a woman. In the meantime, she would attempt to keep him in her sights to approach him later. For now, she still had her own mingling to do.

Such as with the small group of obviously rich older men who she was currently speaking with. The poor things likely thought she was being sent as a representative of someone else.

"My dear, just how is it that a beauty like yourself happened to end up coming alone?" One tall man, who like the other two with him seemed to feel that he had a chance of wooing Veronica.

"What can I say, gentlemen?" Veronica smiled politely. "I've just been so busy with the last minute preparations for my company's branch launch here in Gotham, I never had the time to get out and meet anyone I could've asked to escort me."

"Excuse me, but you said your company? Has it opened its doors then?" Another man, a bit shorter and heavyset man standing next to her, who didn't even bother to hide the hunger with which his gaze was clearly undressing her mentally.

"Why yes it has. Just this week actually. The main branch is in Metropolis." Veronica had to hold back a smirk as she watched the wheels turning in their minds.

The final man, older a bit than his companions widened his eyes."But the only big company that matches that description is...Kinsworth Incorporated."

"Exactly, gentlemen. My company. Veronica Kinsworth, CEO of Kinsworth Incorporated at your service." Her gaze narrowed at the heavyset one, just as she also noticed Bruce moving towards the second floor. "And I would appreciate it if you would keep your hands to yourself. I may still be new in Gotham, but I will not hesitate to embarrass you if that is what it takes to get my point across." She nodded her head at the three men. "Now good evening gentlemen." With that, she turned and swapped her own empty flute for a fresh one as she headed in the direction that she had seen Bruce go.

Veronica smiled as she walked out on the terrace behind him. "It seems I'm not the only one who needed to escape the gaping crowds."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica shrugged a bit when he mentioned her admirers. "Yet those same men seemed to have assumed that I was but a lowly representative for someone else and standing in for that someone else."

She took a sip of her drink before she continued." And with that assumption, they deemed themselves worthy of having the right to gaze at me as if they were a pack of hungry predators and I was their unsuspecting prey. The whole time thinking I didn't notice their hungry gazes or their wandering hands. I may be new in Gotham, but I did not get where I am by sleeping around to gain clientele."

She smiled a little. "I made quite sure to get that point across to them while ensuring that should they try something, it will be at risk to themselves. Not sure if my impression on them after that is a good one or not but better than having them think they can get one over on me."

She then nodded at his guess. "You would be right on the mark. And thank you, both for the compliment and the welcome. You are also correct in that an introduction on your end is not required."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica listened as Bruce explained to her about each of the three men with whom she had been conversing earlier until they had made her uncomfortable. "Donations aside may give them some leeway, but I didn't think it also gave them the right to sexually assault or harass women. Surely they can't have the police that far in their pockets where the police would turn the other way if such a report were to be made?"

She took another sip of her drink. "And what of this Batman I've been hearing about? Vigilante or not, I doubt he would willingly let such an atrocity go unpunished. Superman definitely wouldn't." Of course with her coming from Metropolis, it wouldn't be that surprising that she'd even minutely compare the hero protecting Metropolis to the one of Gotham.

She smirked a bit when he mentioned that he had donated more money than the three men. "My previous rant aside, I have a feeling that just because you've donated more, that even you have more sense than those men down there where women are concerned. But then again, you could likely have any woman you want with just your looks alone let alone with the right amount of charm in your words while they have to resort to other means. They're likely completely jealous of you."

She sipped from her drink again and smiled proudly. "Well then, I hope you're ready because I do intend to give you a run for your money. Though since you've toured my facility, I do believe it is only fair that I request a tour of yours, to even the playing field of course."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica smiled. "I don't dare to think Batman would put sexual harassment situations over the higher super villains. But I doubt he'd willingly just let it happen or brush off someone calling for his help in such a case just because the perpetrator donated to charity. She had taken notice of his constant glances down to where Harvey Dent stood with the red haired woman and made a mental note to ask Bruce just how well he knows the attorney at a later time.

She wasn't surprised at his offer to personally escort her on a tour of his facility. He was a businessman after all and she could understand how he might be more wary of letting her take a normal tour as if she were anyone else as she could theoretically persuade the tour guide to take her into spots she wasn't supposed to see in ways that other men would not. Not that she would do such a thing, but as he didn't know her too well and they were still in competition, she wouldn't complain. "I'd consider it an honor to be getting personally escorted by you, even if we weren't in competition with each other."

She was a little shocked between the lights going off, the men coming in, and Bruce taking off like he did. All she could do was hope that he was taking a chance and getting help somehow. Though she had tried to remain out of sight, one of the men had seen her and managed to push her towards everyone else.

As people started handing over valuables to the men, she looked around for for Harvey Dent, wondering as to why with his status he wasn't attempting to make some sort of deal with the robbers or something, only to find his attention still seemed to be on that red head, which was odd especially with what was currently going on. And wait, was that a slight smirk on the woman's face too? Definitely not good. Veronica then looked around for signs of the police potentially making their way in or even Batman.

But then she saw him, Batman up on the balcony, her gaze making direct eye contact with him. Granted, it hadn't been long since Bruce left but he did show up quite quickly that she shrugged it off as maybe Bruce had happened to find Batman patrolling or something. Either way, she was grateful he was there.

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica had been too busy trying to watch Batman take out the thugs that she hadn't noticed Pencil Neck and Hammer Head getting closer until it was too late and Pencil Neck was pressing a gun to her temple.

She watched as Batman stopped in place at the sight of the gun pressed to her temple. She did her best to keep her calm and not let her fear show, though inwardly her heart was racing at being so close to the barrel of a gun.

She waited, and when she was sure Pencil Neck's attention was more on Batman than on her, she took a risk and reached back to give a good hard jerk to the guy's balls. The moment he released her, she pulled away quickly, just in time for Batman to knock him out.

Veronica moved to stand back with the rest of the crowd as she caught her breath, smiling a bit at the approving gesture from Batman. She caught the bag with ease and turned to start passing things out back to the other people.

Once everyone had their valuables back, she moved to see if maybe there was some sign that Bruce was indeed okay, heading for the doors and outside. When she got outside, she was relieved to see that Bruce did in fact seem to be alright. She told herself that her relief at seeing him okay was because competing with his company wouldn't have been as fun if something had happened to him.

Not once did it bother her at the fact that Bruce had disappeared only for Batman to appear minutes later. An officer had come up the stairs wanting to get her statement but she shrugged him off, telling him to check on those inside first before looking back in Bruce's direction. "Bruce!"

 

[SerenaUShields]

It seemed Veronica took his excuse for leaving and didn't question it. "Is your security detail made of guys who used to be of the secret service?" She chuckled though she wouldn't be surprised if his security detail was indeed made up of such guys. "I won't even fault you for not taking me with you. I would've only slowed you down."

She glanced back at the building. "Though I wonder if Batman has some sort of link to the police radio feed because he showed up within minutes of you leaving."

At his question about her well-being, she unconsciously rubbed the part of her temple that the gun had pressed against. "As okay as anyone can be after having a gun held to their head, I guess." She also checked her nails, specifically on the hand she had used to jerk Pencil Neck's balls with and grumbled a bit at finding one of her tips was missing. She sighed before smiling. "I think I earned Batman's approval though with how I got away from Hammer Head's partner."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica blushed a little proudly after being complimented on her ball grab. "Don't other guys normally wince at hearing about that sort of thing being done to a guy?" She glanced at Bruce.

She was about to tell him goodbye as well when he stopped and offered to give her the tour of his company now. "I think I will take you up on that offer Mr. Wayne. I don't exactly have anything else planned for this evening. And after that terrifying ordeal, I could use having something to distract me while I get over the shock."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica smiled graciously as Bruce offered his arm and led her through Wayne Tech. She noticed the hunger in the guard's eyes as they passed him on their way to the elevator, waiting until they were on the elevator to say anything. "You know, the way that guard looked at me, you would've thought I was that red head that the prosecutor seemed so enthralled with earlier in the evening." She lightly joked.

She watched as he had to enter a keycode and do a retina scan to access the next part before listening as he explained about the number of projects they had going.

She was a bit impressed at first when Edward Nigma showed what was obviously some dedication and initiative by approaching Bruce. The man was clearly wanting to move up in the world.

However, she was a bit unnerved at Nigma's words to her combined with what otherwise would've been a gentlemanly gesture and was all too happy when Bruce finally led her away from that area.

Back on the elevator, she couldn't help but chuckle a bit herself. "Don't tell the poor man that the hand he kissed was praised earlier for rough manhandling. I have the feeling he would probably be turned on by that somehow." As Bruce led her to the corporate office, she relaxed a bit. "Though if it wasn't for the fact that he seems quite devoted to you and had unnerved me a bit within the same timespan, I might've tried to steal him from you to work for me. He does seem possibly quite dedicated to his work and taking initiative like that is usually quite the admired trait."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica listened closely. "Sounds like he could potentially be a problem. Provides quite the predicament. He's intelligent and innovative enough to keep on but that same intelligence comes with frightening ideas that would be ample cause to let go."

She paused for a moment. "However, letting him go might be worse in the long run because he could easily become more unnerving and wreak havoc, not just on the company but on Gotham itself."

She was very impressed with the layout of his office. She noticed the televisions with stock market reports and security. "Well, seems I might have to really up my game if you have these sorts of things available to you in your office."

She took a seat on the love seat and smiled. "I'll take a scotch."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica thanked him when he handed her the scotch before sipping from it. Of course the woman took pride in her appearance. She preferred the press show her as always looking immaculate if she could help it.

She listened to him as he gave off business related cons for being in Gotham. Of course he'd know all of that, especially being a Gotham native. She chuckled. "If the possibility of meeting the Batman was my reason for opening a branch of my company in Gotham, by that logic, I might as well close the doors on it since that objective has been met tonight."

She sipped her drink. "But what better way to alleviate the high unemployment rate here than to create more opportunities for employment. Granted the higher up employees in my company have certain standards that they've met. Degrees and all that. But I tend to invest in my employees. They invest their time and energy into producing quality products, in return I invest in providing them with the means to move up in the world."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica snorted a bit at hearing about the companies who had been in the buildings before hers. "Then maybe they need to get out of the business world. Everything about owning a business is a challenge. From the planning before opening to keeping up with what works with the customers to handling the location. But that's the difference between the good business owners and the great ones. The good ones close up and move on when things in one area get too tough. The great ones adapt, accept that there sometimes are losses no matter how unwanted, and keep going."

She sipped her drink and walked with him onto the balcony.Quietly, she listened as he explained everything about the city's corruptness and the brief tale about the sunken ship belonging to his company.

Veronica turned to him. "I don't see it as you think I can't do it. You've made it quite clear that you don't think that way. You're letting me know what I'm up against so as to keep the playing field even. It's an admirable thing." She lifted her drink to her lips once more as she let her eyes look him over. His good looks did have that boyish flair to them but it was obvious he still had pride in how he looked in public.

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica chuckled. "Well of course you would be all for your company. I wouldn't expect anything less." She looked out over the cityscape while sipping her drink. "This city needs us to inspire hope in its people. To show them that success can happen legitimately without help from all the corruption."

She went quiet out of respect while he answered his phone call. Silently, she enjoyed her scotch as she waited.

She nodded in understanding at his apology. "I understand. You can't help when problems come up."

She then listened to his explanation of the dinner welcoming home returning troops. Her cheeks became dusted with a light pink when he kissed her hand, the action having given her a warm feeling. She smiled softly. "Let the press have their fun. I would be honored to be your date for the dinner."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica nodded as Bruce helped her into the back of the limo. "As do I, Mr. Wayne." She smiled and waved as the limo drove off, before instructing the driver as to the address of her home.

She sat back silently and enjoyed the ride. When the limo pulled up in front of her home, she thanked the driver and headed on inside where she was greeted by her own butler, Bailey.

"Did you have a good evening, Miss Kinsworth?" He asked of her.

"I did Bailey. Even with a little hiccup. I shall be attending a welcome home dinner for the returning veterans tomorrow evening Bailey." Veronica replied as she started up the stairs. "Good night Bailey."

"Very well Miss. Pleasant dreams."

The next morning, Veronica walked down the stairs and was met by Bailey with a protein shake.

"Thank you Bailey." She sat at the table and pulled out her phone to make a call to get her manicurist to meet her at the office to redo her nails.

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica's day passed smoothly. It was once she got home that the chaos started as she frantically searched her closet for the right gown to wear. It wasn't until she was slipping in a sleek yet form fitting off the shoulder black gown that she realized that there was obviously something about Bruce that had her acting like a frantic teenager. Calmly, she sat to fix her hair and make-up.

When Bruce arrived to pick her up, it was her butler, Bailey, who answered the door. "Evening, Mr. Wayne. Please come in and have a seat in the sitting room." Bailey gestured to the room just across from the staircase. "I shall inform Miss Kinsworth of your arrival." Bailey walked off upstairs soon after.

It was no more than ten minutes later when Veronica finally walked down the steps. Her dress accentuated her curves and her hair was pinned in an elegant updo that left little doubt of how beautifully her tresses would fall once the pins were removed.

 

[SerenaUShields]

When Bruce's gaze turned on her, she felt proud at her choice of dress for the evening. "Thank you. You are quite the handsome presentation yourself." She smiled softly.

When he started on about her pieces, she chuckled. She wasn't surprised that they'd caught his eye. "We'll have plenty of time to discuss my collection. But we should get going. We wouldn't want to be late, now would we?"

She took the last two steps from the staircase and looked to Bailey. "Don't wait up Bailey."

"Of course Miss Kinsworth. Enjoy your evening." The butler bowed to both of the moguls before walking off, presumably to retire for the night.

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica gave the press her fake smile reserved for the press. Inwardly she chuckled at how quick to the point and blunt they were.

She nodded to the mayor when he greeted them. Bruce's answer that the vets were the real heroes impressed her.

When they were seated, she waited a moment before answering his question. "I used to go to quite a few in Metropolis, but that was before Lex Luthir started dominating the events. I got a bad feeling about him."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica applauded with pride after Bruce had revealed the gift his company was giving the veterans. Talk about a show of appreciation. That would be one less thing the military families would have to worry about and if anyone deserved such a gift, it was the families of those who put their lives on the line to protect the country.

She smiled and left with him, heading for the limo. "Somehow, I still feel that our showing up at this dinner together will outshine the dinner itself because the press love to push gossip."

She chuckled as he asked what she would like to do next. "I would offer to show you my office, but I feel it pales in comparison to yours." She then thought for a moment. She then eyed him playfully. "So, are you putting moves on me in attempt to buyout my company?" She joked

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica couldn't help but giggle when she realized he'd been joking about possibly trying to buyout her company.

She watched as he answered his phone before her own phone rang. Quickly, she answered her phone. "Hello?"

As she listened to the person on the other end, her face turned from a smile to a frown. "Yes. Thank you. I'll be there as soon as I can. Goodbye."

She hung up her phone and wrung her hands in distress, not quite allowing herself to break down. "Bailey's been attacked while trying to stop a robbery. Many of my Egyptian artifacts were stolen. I...I'll have to put the tour of my office on hold. I need to get to the hospital to see how he's doing. As well as arrange for somewhere to stay until the police release my home."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica was absolutely shocked that he would be so willing to allow her to stay at his manor . "That really means a lot Bruce." She nodded. "Exactly. Those very pieces."

She was distracted for a time with her worry over Bailey before his question brought her back to reality. "He is. He's been there all my life. More of a father figure than my actual father was." She murmured.

"He basically raised me. I was really just the trophy child to my parents. Only seemed to notice me when they needed to parade me about. Bailey though...he was there when I needed help with homework or to pick me up when I fell."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica shook her head. "I honestly wish I could say I did. My parents insisted I take some of their collections to decorate. And I might've taken the Egyptian collection out of spite because it was one of their favorite sets. They definitely spent more with it than they did with me." She sighed.

She shook her head when he offered to recommend some private investigators. "No thank you. I honestly couldn't care less if I ever saw those pieces again. They're no where near as important to me as Bailey."

"My parents were just rich. No big company or anything. Just inherited wealth. Kinsworth Inc is my baby. But I even owe its existence to Bailey. He was there every step of the way while I worked my butt off through school and through my company's humble beginnings." She stared out the window the rest of the way to the hospital.

While Bruce waited for her in the waiting room, she went on to find out about Bailey's condition. And was let up to see him.

"Bailey, you're wonderful." She told him as she sat by her butler's side. "But next time someone wants to steal those old pieces of Mom and Dad's....let them. Nothing's more important to me than you."

"As you wish Ms Kinsworth." Bailey laid in the bed, bandaged up with an arm in a cast, his eyes watering.

"Get some rest. The doctors said you'll be here for a couple of days. I'll come see you sometime tomorrow." She gently kissed Bailey's forehead and left his room, heading back to Bruce with a relieved smile on her face.

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica smiled as he offered to take her to her place to pick up some clothes. "I'd like to get some clothes from home. I do still have to work through all of this." She was feeling a little better now that she knew Bailey would be alright.

She let him lead her back to the car and slid in with ease. She chuckled a little. "I know you didn't mean for this to happen when you said that. It just happened." She didn't blame him for the coincidence that everything happened.

She looked down at her hands for a moment while she thought out what to say next. "Bruce...I...I want to say thank you. I don't know what I would've done upon hearing what happened at home if it wasn't for you." She looked up at him with a sincere smile.

"And...I also want to thank you for possibly saving my life even if you didn't know that's what you were doing. Sure we don't know whether or not that break-in would've happened if I'd still been at home. But erring on the high possibility that it would've...I could've ended up in as bad condition as Bailey...or worse."

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica had to bite her tongue when Detective Kelly made the cynical remark. She was grateful when Detective Gordon had questioned her instead.

She explained how she'd been wih Bruce at the time of the attack and how when she first found out about the incident, she'd asked Bruce to take her to the hospital first to check on Bailey. She also explained how she'd taken Bruce's offer for her to stay with him.

Then she asked for permission to go and grab clothes for herself and Bailey and was relieved when she got the go ahead. By the time she'd made it back outside with a suitcase for her and one for Bailey, Bruce was joining them again.

When Bruce asked if she was ready to go, she nodded. "I'm going to need a cleaning crew in there once it's free of the police." At least she had been able to see Bailey had put up quite a fight.

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica chuckled. "Not sure how much of the mess is their doing and how much is from Bailey's struggle to fight the robbers off. I won't have the cleaning bill sent to the station though."

She found the little diner Bruce took her to adorable and just the little change of pace she needed after the hectic night.

She smiled at the elderly woman. "I think I'll give the Mac n cheese and fried chicken a try, please?"

 

[SerenaUShields]

Veronica listened intently to his words before smiling softly. "I don't mind it at all. I agree it is difficult to find someone to spend time with that's not after the money or the status. I find myself enjoying the time we've spent together since our meeting."

"I've told you about how important to me Bailey is. He and I aren't like family, we are family. And no one could ever tell us different. Were I to get married, Bailey is the one I would ask to give me away because he's earned that." She chuckled. "To be honest, you are one out of a small group of genuine people that I would happily want to be around."

When the food had come out, and she had tasted it, she felt as if she was in heaven. The mac n cheese was just the right amount of cheesy and the fried chicken was perfect.