Chapter 1:
Just last week was the anniversary of the day Felicity's mom died. She remembers the day clearly. Too clearly.
Three years and one week ago, her day had started out normal for her. Wake up, get ready for work, get her usual coffee at her usual coffee place. She is at home with her glass of red wine, sitting on the couch watching her favorite TV show on Netflix, wrapped up in her favorite fuzzy blanket that her mother had given to her as a house warming gift just before she moved to central city.
Her cell phone rings and she picked it up to see her dad's picture.
She answers it with a smile on her face only to have it fall moments later when her father tells her the news that her mother had been mugged.
Her mother was just getting out of the car when two guys came up to her and shot her.
They had taken her wallet but left her wedding and engagement ring.
Now Felicity was sitting at her desk secretly getting a head start on some of tonight's arrows work.
She's so engrossed in her work that she doesn't look up until she hears someone clear their throat.
She looks up with a smile on her face, thinking it's Oliver, only to to see her father looking down at her, and starts chocking on air she's so surprised.
She should be happy to see him. It's not that she hates her father, just that she is surprised to see him. Their relationship isn't that great so the fact that he's hear,and hasn't come to visit her since her mother died surprises her.
"You could at least pretend to be happy to see me Felicity." Her father says.
Oliver walks out of his office before Felicity gets the chance to reply.
"Can I help you?" Oliver says giving Felicity's dad his best playboy-billionare-business smile.
The strange man looks from Felicity to Oliver. "No. Thank you," Then he looks back to Felicity expectantly and as if on cue Felicity stands up.
"Um. Oli- Mr. Queen..." Felicity lets her sentence fall as if struggling for the right words to tell him.
"Hi. I'm Richard Smoak. Felicity's father." He says holding his hand out for Oliver to shake.
Oliver can't help his surprise at this. Felicity must get her looks form her mother because this man looks nothing like her. Then it comes to his attention that he really doesn't know much about his IT girl.
He quick puts his mask back into place and shakes Richard's hand.
"Nice to finally meet you Mr. Smoak."
"Like wise Mr. Queen," but his tone says other wise, earning Mr. Smoak a glare from his daughter. "Anyway I was hoping to take my daughter out for lunch."
Felicity suddenly springs into action. "Actually dad, I can't. Mr. Queen has a very important meeting in a few minutes, and we have reports to go over before hand." She says holding a manila folder in her hands.
"None sense Felicity. I'll be just fine with out you for a little while."
"Are you sure? Because-"
"Go. Have lunch with your father." Oliver interrupts tilting his head towards the elevators in encouragement.
"Okay." She says walking behind her desk to collect her jacket.
"Bye. Have Fun." She calls after her, completely missing how Felicity tenses slightly when Richard places his hand on her on her back to guide her to the elevator.