Author's Notes: 1) I would like to believe that I am part of the Olicity fandom and as such, we express our love and support for the fandom is many ways. For my part, I attempt to express my support by writing Fanfictions. I have never claimed to be a professional in writing, nor do I present myself as such. Many times, as I read through the other fics, other author's/writers share horror stories of encountering "rude" readers. While I believe very much in freedom of opinions, in the spirit of shared fandom love, I fervently wish that any criticisms would be constructive and positive generally for all author's/writers. It is after all hard enough to open yourself up to people who don't really know you personally. Maybe it was my time to encounter my very own "rude" reader, (who hides behind the anonymity of a 'guest' handle) but, once again in keeping with my very bright and sunny outlook at life, I will chalk this up to someone having a bad day and keep on the moral high ground. Plain and simple, if you DO NOT LIKE how my story is playing out, just STOP reading it, period….enough said on the matter.
2) On a happier note, this chapter is entitled "Public Speculation" and essentially focuses on the fundraiser. Like I mentioned in the previous chapter, this is not your typical fundraiser…so, maybe a few surprises are in store?
3) I'd like to thank everyone who left inspiring and positive comments as well as those who continue to follow and have considered this story a favorite. This story is nearing its conclusion and I hope all of you will be with me for the remainder of the ride.
4) I promised to post an excerpt of my next story, I will do that in the next chapter since this is a long one.
As usual, I do not own anything.
Read on and enjoy!
SPOTLIGHT
CHAPTER 7 – Public Speculation
They were 8 in total, "Auction Girls" as Thea had called them. Felicity had been ill-at ease finally finding out what actually happened in this type of fundraiser. She was so far removed from the quirks of high society that her imagination had definitely made her mind run away from her with all types of scenarios, none of them painting a very bright picture of positivity in her mind.
It had taken Thea and QC's PR head with the Head of the fundraiser to convince her that it was not only for a good cause but that she was the right 'girl' to represent that cause, some kind of shining example of what could be.
After her bout of panic, everyone had settled down and the fund raiser organizers had proceeded to do a general briefing. Thea and Felicity had been accompanied by a QC PR staffer, and most of the other 'girls' had PR staffers also with them. Glancing around the first time, Felicity was surprised to see that it was an eclectic group.
You had 2 teens, one of whom was Thea. One very pregnant woman who apparently was the wife of a local congressman, four of them including Felicity all worked with major companies based in Starling City and the eighth was a very lively and young at heart grandmother. If this was as sleazy as it had sounded when she was first briefed about it, she doubted very much if more than half the girls would be willing to partake. Most if not all of the girls were familiar faces who made the news regularly or were as accomplished as Felicity was in their own right in the business world.
They all represented a cause that was the rallying point for the fund raiser of the year. Felicity couldn't quite catch what all the other girls represented she had however taken note of Thea's cause which was funding for the youth after school activities and her cause which was educational scholarships. The organizers had tried to match each girls backgrounds with the causes they were assigned to ambassador at least for tonight.
When the organizers had gotten to the part where each girl would stand on the stage and talk about the cause, thankfully they had been given talking points but where encourage to speak as freely about the cause if they so chose to do so, she had first balked at the idea. Sure she had been more confident lately in public speaking, if by public speaking that meant presenting to colleagues or the QC board, or even being interviewed by the news or magazines. But, speaking in front of what would be a crowd of more than a hundred who were considered Starling City's elite was another thing all together.
But her ultimate challenge was to raise as much cash as possible for the cause. It had been explained to them that the fundraising was presented like an auction, with each girl through her spoken campaign for the cause also encouraging the crowd to part with more money for the cause. In the end, the highest bidder i.e. the person who 'donates' the most for the cause, is considered the sponsor of the cause.
The girl assign to ambassador that cause, together with the Director of the 'assigned' cause under the Office of the City Mayor, would continue to work hand-in-hand as the 'donation' is translated into a reality. In her case, the 'donation' is handed out to deserving scholars which they would all jointly select and award to final candidates.
By the time the briefing had finished, the girls had been ushered back into a room to do finishing touches for hair and make-up and it wasn't until an hour after the event has in full swing that the girls were finally ready to mingle.
While she had done her share of entertaining and hobnobbing with the rich and famous investors of QC, she was outside of her element in this expanded environment and was relieved to see a familiar face in Tommy Merlyn. As he spotted her, he immediately made a bee line for her, ignoring whomever he had been conversing with and giving her a wide smile as he looked at her ensemble.
"You clean-up well Lissy! I almost did not recognize you with all this," zigzagging a finger in the air in front of her body before enclosing her in a warm embrace, "wait 'til Oliver sees you, he'd probably lock you up somewhere. Did you really have to come in green? You know how the man is!" Tommy told her knowingly.
Felicity blushed at Tommy's comment, "Thea actually helped me pick out my dress. She picked the color. I just went with it."
Tommy raised a brow, "really, do you think…" Tommy asked the same question Felicity asked herself about Thea's color preference both of them silently thinking if Thea knew about her brother being the Arrow.
"Merlyn, longtime no see," someone tapped Tommy in the back.
Tommy turned to his side, "Casey," he held out his hand and they did the bro-hug thing, "it's been awhile."
"Hey man, I'm sorry about your Dad," Mark Casey said sincerely to Tommy before turning his attention to Felicity, his eyes appraising her. "Felicity, we meet again," as Mark leaned in to peck the cheek of Felicity.
Felicity jumped as she felt a hand on her lower back, which caused Mark to miss her cheek all together. The hand then started to brush patterns across her bare back causing Felicity to shiver for a second.
"Casey," Oliver greeted the man reluctantly stretching out his right hand while bringing Felicity closer to him by wrapping his hand around her waist to bring her closer to his side.
Mark Casey narrowed his eyes for a few seconds, taking note of the possessive stance Oliver had taken before his manners returned, "Oliver," taking his offered hand, "just like I told Tommy, it's been awhile."
Tommy in the meantime had tried hard to suppress a grin not only at Oliver's action but at Felicity's now pursed lip at the attitude Oliver was showing Mark. They had all tried some small talk about nothing in particular, thank god Tommy filled in the awkward silence recalling stories of their childhood pranks together.
Mark finally made his excuses and moved away giving Felicity and Oliver one last speculative glance before moving away.
"Well that was awkward, jealous much?" Tommy commented as he followed Mark's path.
Oliver grunted pulling Felicity infinitesimal, he leaned in to whisper into her ear, "you look breathtaking tonight and you are wearing my color."
If Felicity didn't have goosebumps earlier, she was definitely having them at this moment as the shiver of anticipation once again cloaked her. To right her suddenly uneven emotions, she took a baby step away from Oliver not willing to be apart from him too much and looked at him.
"Like I told Tommy earlier, Thea picked out the color," Felicity looked up at him blushing.
Oliver leaned back giving her a once over, "she definitely got it right. Felicity, I….."
"Oliver dear," his Mother's voice interrupted him, "Tommy, Felicity…." his Mother greeted as she stepped into the circle.
Oliver closed his eyes for a second to curtail his frustration at being disrupted again before he stepped away from Felicity to kiss his Mother on the cheek, "Mom."
Moira stepped away from Oliver then reached out both her arms toward Felicity, "my dear, you look lovely. I hope the organizers didn't overwhelm you when they briefed you earlier? It really is for a good cause."
Felicity blushed again remembering her first reaction, "it was quite a surprise yes, but except for the speech part and the fundraising part, I think I'll be ok."
"Well lucky for you there are a few millionaires you know who are present tonight who would gladly donate some cash," Thea popped up beside her grinning. Giving Felicity a mischievous smile she turned to Tommy and her brother, "Ollie, doesn't Felicity look just perfect tonight?"
Oliver bit the side of his cheek to keep him from responding to his sister's taunt. Instead he looked back at Felicity. "So what cause were you given for the fund raiser?"
"Educational scholarships," Felicity answered proudly.
Moira nodded her head, "well dear, I think there is no one else more suited to champion that cause."
Felicity turned back to Moira surprised at her praise, "oh, thank you, Mrs. Que….Moira."
Moira tapped Felicity's hand twice saying, "you're welcome my dear, Thea, which cause is yours?"
Thea grimaced, "after school activities for the youth, I still have to work on my speech. Wouldn't want all the donations to swinging Felicity's way, I have my pride after all."
"I'm sure you will do quite well, sweetheart." Moira encouraged her daughter before she made her excuse to leave.
Thea huffed, "well, I have to mingle, trying to raise funds after all. Tommy, I'm expecting you to spend lots of money today." She pointed to Felicity, "you should mingle too, don't let brother dear hog you all to himself. That outfit is begging to be shown off!" With that Thea left them.
Felicity looked at Oliver once again sheepishly before saying, "well as your sister said, I have to mingle."
Oliver glanced around the room that was quickly filling up, "I can help you, introduce you around," he told Felicity, not willing to let her out of his sight anytime soon.
"Hmmp, I'm sure that's what you have in mind, bro," tapping his friends' back getting a pointed glare in return.
In the end, Oliver did introduce Felicity to some moneyed individuals and was untypically lighter than usual. Of course she couldn't help but notice that Oliver and deliberately left out introducing younger men belonging to his and Tommy's age group reasoning that it was the older ones who are more likely to donate to her cause.
The actual fundraiser program had started an hour ago and thankfully, four girls had gone ahead so she had a better grasp of what she was getting into. Thea was up next and unlike the Thea she was familiar with, this Thea did her proud with her passionate speech about the perils of youth falling into the temptations of today's society. She even called a few people by name hoping familiarity would be to her favor. In the end, Thea raised almost US$450,000, the second highest so far after the very pregnant wife of the Congressman who obviously raised the most until that point.
The lovable grandma came next and but Felicity was suddenly distracted by her nerves realizing she would be up next. She tried to calm herself down with breathing exercises, an action Oliver, who still had to leave her side noticed. Oliver wrapped his arm around her shoulder and squeezed it then lowered his hand to her lower back to rub it. And as if it was all that she needed all along, she was finally centered.
Finally the host was introducing her and her credentials and as she heard her name called she gave one heavy exhale before she started to move forward to the stage but not before Thea gave her one very quick hug for support.
Felicity hadn't quite figured out how she would start out her speech so she decided to just speak from the heart. "Most of you don't know me, some of you may have heard about me since I work for one of the better known companies founded in Starling City, Queen Consolidated. When I was first asked to champion Education as my cause, I couldn't find a better fit. As some of you have heard, I graduated from MIT a few years ago. But years before that, I was just one of many typical teenage girls who had dreamed to be able to go to a good college. I come from a family that had limited means to provide me with an education. It was the avenue for a scholarship that opened the doors for me. Had I not been fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship, I could honestly and in all sincerity say I wouldn't be standing before you right now."
"Just like I have chased my dreamed a few years back, young boys and girls continue to have the same dreams. These are the same young people who may be our future leaders, the backbone of Starling City a few years down the road. It all starts with providing them the right tools and none better than Education will be the key. Every dollar is needed to sustain this program."
"I know you have already done it several times tonight, but once again, I hope you reach deep into your pockets for this program."
By this time the host had resumed his place in the Podium side by side with Felicity, his attention fully on the raised hands holding checks. After a glance at Felicity, the host sauntered down with his microphone collecting checks and announcing the amounts on the checks. Half-way through, the screen had showed a sub-total of almost US$200,000 which was a relief to Felicity, nervous that she wouldn't be able to live up to the expectations of the organizers.
The host had moved to the other side of the floor continuing with his collection drive finally stopping beside Tommy and Oliver, who had deliberately not raised their hands until the last minute.
Tommy volunteered his check first, which the host read out in the amount of US100,000. Felicity had mouthed a quiet thank you to Tommy and then it was Oliver's turn to hand-out his check. Thea for her part, played the little sister routine by trying to sneak a glance at the amount.
The host glanced at the check for a second and his immediate reaction was to look back at Oliver Queen then back at the check. Clearing his throat, the host finally announced, "ladies and gentlemen, this is a first even for me, having hosted this annual fundraiser for years. Oliver Queen from Queen Consolidated just handed me a check for US$1,000,000." Seconds later, flashbulbs had circled around them.
The buzz that followed the announcement was so loud that Felicity failed to notice both the host and Oliver stride to the podium until they were both beside her.
The host raised the checks in his hands once again and looked up at the screen making the final announcement for the total raised for the Educational scholarship cause in the amount of US$1,525,000. The announcement was immediately followed by a thunder of applause.
"Oliver, why did you do that," Felicity almost angrily whispered to him.
Oliver looked at Felicity his whole attention to her, "Felicity, not only do I believe in the cause but what you said in your speech, it was the right thing to do. I was going to donate anyway, the amount was the only thing I haven't decided on until the minute you finished your speech which was spectacular by the way for someone with a fear of speaking in public."
Felicity was looking up at Oliver, her eyes locked with him and his was with her. Both of them smiling locked in their own world oblivious to their surroundings until the clearing of a throat finally penetrated their haze. Oliver took a step back to face the host who apparently was directing a question to him.
"Mr. Queen, One Million dollars? Really? We all know that Ms. Smoak works for QC, but the amount is ridiculously unbelievable," the host finished still in a state of disbelief.
'There is nothing ridiculous about providing the means for the youth to reach their dreams, education is serious business. I regret to say that I did not appreciate the value of education during my time, thank god I have Ms. Smoak beside me providing me with the guidance I need. It was a scholarship that started Ms. Smoak off to being the irreplaceable individual she is today for QC. A million dollars for education scholarships is a million dollars well spent," Oliver answered the host seriously.
The host nodded calling on the chair of the committee to officially congratulate Oliver as head sponsor for cause and reminded both him and Felicity about the highlights of the cause.
After a few more words from the chair of the committee, Oliver took Felicity's elbow to guide her down the steps of the stage where flashbulbs once again blocked there way and reporters started to hassle them with questions.
Fortunately, Diggle and the in-house security hired by the organizers helped them detach from the frenzy that was now erupting around them. It had taken not only Oliver almost wrapping his arms around Felicity's whole torso to shield her from the mob that was surrounding them but Tommy himself had also gone over positioning himself infront of Felicity so that she was effectively sandwiched between the two billionaires.
Finally, the focus of almost everyone was once again directed to the stage as the last two 'girls' campaigned their causes. This allowed Thea with Roy in tow who looked totally spaced out that Felicity couldn't help but grin at his discomfort.
"Roy, never thought I'd see you in a monkey suit. You actually clean up well," Felicity teased Roy who just rolled his eyes at her.
Thea however had her own agenda as she went directly for Felicity wrapping her arms around the other girl, "Lissy, look at you! I called it when I said, you would probably beat me out in fundraising but I never thought my very own brother and his best friend would be the ones to help you do it."
Both Oliver and Tommy gave Thea remorseful looks but she just continued, "pooh huh, leave it. You guys owe me dinner….in Paris. Then we can call it even." She then turned her attention back to Felicity, "the night is not yet over. We are celebrating after this shindig!"
"Not happening Thea, at least not tonight," Oliver firmly told his sister.
Thea crossed her arms and lifted a brow at her brother, "and why not?"
Oliver wrapped his arm around Felicity once again pulling her infinitesimally to him, "I haven't seen Felicity for a few days. We are going to dinner after this," referring to the event.
"Great! You're treat Queen." Tommy told his friend.
Oliver grunted, "just Felicity and me. You," gesturing at Tommy and "you guys," pointing at Roy and his sister, "get your own dinner."
"Hey," Thea nudged her brother on the chest, "you're mean."
"Oliver, maybe they could….." Felicity started.
Oliver pulled Felicity even closer to his side and looked at her, "Felicity…please."
Felicity looked up at Oliver and bit her lip, and action that had Oliver's thoughts suddenly running away with him and wishing they could leave that very second, "I think for one million dollars, I can't say no to Oliver tonight, sorry guys."
Oliver used his other hand and positioned it at the back of Felicity's neck to bring her in for an embrace and whisper in her ear, "I missed you."
"Felicity dear," Felicity quickly stepped out of Oliver's arms as she recognized the voice of Moira.
"Moira," Felicity acknowledged her softly.
Moira first embraced her daughter and congratulated her then turned her attention to Felicity saying the same thing. Looking at all the people in the circle then turning behind her to reach out her hand, "Walter and I thought we could all go out to a late dinner tonight. That includes you too Roy and of course Tommy."
"Mom….." Oliver started to say.
Felicity placed her right hand on top of Oliver's that was still wrapped around her waist, "that would be nice Moira, Walter."
Moira smiled regally, "I think we can leave then since it looks like this event is winding down, sweetheart," turning to Oliver, "can you make sure the cars are ready so we can be on our way?"
Oliver by this time was starting to have a petulant expression on his face but Felicity lifted her arm and placed it on Oliver's chest above his heart to attract his attention as she leaned in, "I promise, we can have dinner tomorrow night."
Oliver's lips lifted up with what was his version of a smile, an action not lost on all the others that were part of the circle surrounding them. Tommy, Thea, Roy and even Walter and Moira all smiled at the non-couple in front of them hoping that after the very public display they were now making in front of society and the media, whether they consciously knew it or not, they would finally get together.
It took another twenty minutes but finally the Queens plus Tommy, Roy and Felicity alighted the steps of the hotel to the frenzy once again of the media and paparazzi. Much as everyone of the Queen's was a celebrity in their own right, most if not all of the attention of the flashbulbs where trained on both Oliver and Felicity. The fact that Oliver had Felicity tightly by his side the whole time shielding her face from the flashes and being very protective of her made the media more frantic to get the best shots.
Finally, Oliver and Felicity where inside the town car, following the parade of cars that contained Moira and Walter, Thea and Roy and the ever present Tommy. Felicity leaned her head back against the leather seat breathing heavily and closing her eyes.
"That was…..really different. I mean, good different," Felicity shared with Oliver, her eyes still closed.
Oliver moved closer to Felicity wrapping his arm around her neck while intertwining his other hand with hers. "You're remarkable Felicity. That dress, your speech, you were like a pro out there. I….I'm so proud of you."
"One million dollars! Oliver Queen, what were you thinking!" Felicity looked at Oliver, scolding him.
He lifted the hand that was locked with his to his lips, "I was thinking that I want to give you everything, everything Felicity. I've been wanting to have that talk with you for so many days but the timing was never right. This seems a good time as any since my Mother managed to high-jack our night again."
Felicity giggled at Oliver's frustration looking at him for a few seconds before she leaned in to give him a soft kiss on the lips. Before Oliver could respond, shocked as he was at Felicity's initiative, she had already pulled away.
"I promised you dinner tomorrow night, just us. At my place, this time I promise I won't fall asleep. I think, we really do need that talk. So much is changing for us." Felicity said as she leaned her head on his chest.
Oliver took the opportunity to wrap her even closer to him, "are we….am I moving too fast?" Oliver was feeling nervous as the conversation was turning a serious turn.
Felicity lifted her head from his chest, "Oliver, you're...moving, finally! That's all I really hoped for."
And as Oliver was about to lean in for a kiss, the town car pulled to a stopped with Diggle smirking, "we're here. Don't keep your Mom waiting."
Done with this chapter, next one will be about dinner and a date. Reviews, encouragements and constructive comments are welcome. Will have the next update in the next seven days.
