Chapter 8 – Big Belly Burger
I had the day off work so I thought I'd do lots of writing
So here goes the next chapter, I'd just like to say a huge thank you for your reviews follows and favorites. You guys are amazing.
Enjoy and if you do be sure to leave a little love.
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"He wants to set up a meeting!" Oliver beams as the limo speeds away into the setting sun.
"I just can't believe it, a meeting to talk about going into business with Palmer Tech".
As I gaze out of the window, I can't help but smile to myself.
"That's amazing Oliver".
"I don't know what you said to him out there Felicity, but whatever it was, it worked!"
I twist my body around to face him.
"It wasn't me, it was all you. You're the one he's thinking of investing with."
For the second time today I find his hand resting on mine. When I glance up in surprise, I notice he's staring at me intently, his face both thoughtful and sincere.
"I'm serious Felicity; this means the world to me. Thank you."
I give him a soft smile.
"You're welcome".
He grins and his face lights up with genuine enthusiasm
"Well, the days not over yet. Where do you want to go? It can be anywhere you choose."
Then he quickly corrects himself realizing what he's just said,
"Or I could just take you home? Whatever you want, it's entirely up to you".
I think about it and realize that I don't want to go home yet either. Believe it or not despite the fact I'd spent the day at a golf course, I was actually having fun.
"Big belly burger?" I suggest
"Big Belly?" he repeats, trying to mask his amusement. He nods to John as the limo changes course.
"Hey Big Belly do the best ice cream in the entire world, true story".
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We spend the rest of the evening eating ice cream, talking about everything and everything. No subject was off limits, no question was too invasive and no story was too ridiculous to tell.
"So that's when I found out my roommate was gay" Oliver concluded.
I snort with laughter into my chocolate ice cream,
"Oh I'm glad you think that's funny. I'd been walking around butt naked for a good year and a half in front of him".
I couldn't speak, I was literally laughing too hard.
Grinning in spite of himself, he pushes forward a spoon full of strawberry ice cream and stuffs it into my mouth,
"There I hope you choke".
When I finally come up for air, he's staring peacefully out of the window, lost in thought.
"Why is Ray Palmer such an important client to you?" I finally ask.
"I mean it's not like you need the money, so why go after him?"
Oliver stiffens up, and for a second I'm worried that I've over stepped some sort of invisible mark, but in the end he drops his head and taps his fingers on the table.
"Ray Palmer is successful" he says quietly
"The kind of guy everyone looks up to, he's generous, kind, a real hero to the people of Starling City. I want to be more like him Felicity and I figure if I'm associated with him that can only mean good things for me and the business right?"
My lips part in surprise, I can't think of anything to say immediately. I wish I hadn't brought it up and spoilt his good mood.
"It's my own fault," he says in that same soft monotone voice.
"I've slept with too many girls, partied too much and drank way too much. Hell I don't remember the majority of my twenties".
"But your changing Oliver and that's what's important. Everyone has a past, good or bad it's about what you do to change that in the future".
He shrugs innocently and smiles.
"Thank you Felicity for everything".
He's so close to me in that very moment I think he might kiss me.
"Was everything to your satisfaction?" a squeaky voice interrupts, belonging to the waitress.
Oliver moves back and nods his head.
"I should get you home" he whispers softly
"Yeah.. I should get home" I mumble.
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Rays golf day was the last big event I and Oliver had until the gala in the Caribbean, so he and I didn't see each other for the next week and a half. We texted back and forth a few times,
Mostly just courtesy texts, asking if had my passport ready and if I was excited. That sort of thing.
I did however see a lot of his minions. Fancy-looking people in fancy looking suits buzzed in and out of my apartment like locusts, humming with activity and job lists in the days leading up to take off.
One woman took my measurements while another delivered new suitcases and offered me a spray tan. Some brought shoe boxes and asked weird questions like if I could windsurf or scuba dive.
By the time the last minion swept out of the living room the night before we were to depart, I sank into the sofa feeling like I'd maybe gotten a little bit in over my head.
"Are the minions gone yet?" Sara calls from the next room. She had been about as impressed with Oliver's entourage as I was.
"They're gone," I call back.
A second later, she joins me on the couch with two glasses of wine.
"You know, I understand the importance of this weekend for Oliver's company I really do. And I'd never claim to comprehend the logistics involved in two businesses going into a partnership."
"But?" Sara prompts
"But I do not understand what that has to do with me having a spray tan or new shoes".
She nods her head wisely
"I lost focus about the time one of them started lecturing me on the benefits of kale"
I giggle hysterically
"Sara in all seriousness though. What the hell am I doing here? I don't want to be responsible for all of this!",
She looks at me trying to hold back fits of laughter
"With great power comes great-"
"Sara don't you dare quote Spiderman to me, I'm been serious".
Sara scoots closer to me on the couch and pops her arm around my shoulder.
"Liss, you're going to be fine. Everything going on here, you're not responsible for any of it. Oliver asked you to come along for the ride and pretend to be his girlfriend. Drink some cocktails, make Ray Palmer laugh with your charm and whit" she winks.
"And just think, it's all going to be over in 48 hours. It's going to be a total breeze."
"Sure a breeze" I echo taking a sip of my wine.
"All I have to do is convince a resort full of the wealthiest people in the word that I'm supposed to be there. That I'm a mover and shaker, just like them".
Sara considered this for a moment and a huge grin appeared on her face
"Try not to talk too much".
I laugh and smack her with a pillow. She chuckled and dodged, but her eyes grew thoughtful as they landed on my empty unused luggage.
"Did I tell you he's flying us there on his own little plane? How crazy is that?"
"Wow, no you didn't" Sara's eyes grow wide
"Can't exactly road trip to the islands, can you? But it's a private jet won't that make the whole experience better?" Sara whispers
"No the thought of been trapped in a confined space for all those hours alone with Oliver Queen makes me queasy" I shudder.
"Hey I can think of plenty of girls who'd be more than happy to trade places" Sara grins.
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