CHAPTER 9
Tension is high at the office and Oliver tries to avoid Abby as far as possible.
He realised once he saw her reaction to his interaction with Felicity, that she must have felt hurt….he basically rejected her the one day and the very next day made an advance at Felicity, but he didn't realise it was that bad until she snapped at him in front of a customer, resulting in a 'this is not professional behaviour' speech from boss man Dig.
'Deal with it' was all Dig told him and even though he feels like he didn't do anything wrong, he had no other choice but to talk to Abby. Needless to say, even though he apologized for possibly leading her on, which in fact he never did, and they agreed to be civil, she is still acting like an 'Ice Queen' towards him and he hates the feeling of tip toeing around her.
This is his work space. A space he always feels comfortable in, and now he can't. If he wanted drama he would never have moved out of the Queen Mansion.
He takes a sip of his morning coffee in his favourite spot, on one of the benches overlooking the air field watching the sun rise. It is still early on a Sunday morning and he takes in the peace and quiet before the SASAL groups arrive for their competition training.
He hasn't heard anything from Felicity since Wednesday when he offered to take her up again so she can decide if she wanted to take up 'formation skydiving' as a hobby. He already has everything ready should she decide to come, but after her reaction on Wednesday, he knows something wasn't quite right with her. He suspects there's more to her 'bucket list' than what she's willing to admit, but although she might be a complex gal everything inside him is screaming to know the woman behind that secret. He still secretly hopes she will change her mind and show up.
The thought of Felicity's secret makes him feel a sudden burst of discomfort. If they continue to spend time together it won't be long before she puts two and two together and figure out he's her late CEO's estranged son and then obviously know the past he's been trying so hard to distance himself from.
He's ashamed of the person he was, but trying to change the image that is burned in everyone else's mind is easier said than done.
His deep thoughts are interrupted when a small chubby hand grabs a hold of his leg. He looks down into the big brown eyes of his favourite toddler and she giggles at the 'mock surprised' reaction he gives her. He places his empty cup next to him and scoops her up in his arms as he blows raspberries in her neck making the little girl squeal with delight.
It's not long before they are joined by her parents, now laughing at Sara's hysterics in her uncle 'Liver's arms.
Oliver puts her down on the lawn in front of him, giving him and the toddler a chance to breathe from the excited greeting, when he sees Abby peeking out of her office window and disappear just as quickly again, hoping that Oliver didn't see her. He still feels bad for what happened, but he doesn't have time for childish games and decides to ignore it.
"Have you not sorted that out like I told you?" Diggle asks almost in a whisper as he subtly points his thumb in the direction of Abby's office.
Oliver sighs, not wanting to have this conversation this early on a Sunday morning, but he can't well not answer Dig.
"Yes I did sort it out, but she seems to need time. We have agreed to be civil so no more public snapping in front of the customers."
"Good." Dig says and checks his watch for the time.
"So when do we meet this mystery lady?" Lyla asks, probably to break the unnerving silence caused by Diggle's short answer.
"That's the million dollar question. I invited her back today because she genuinely seemed interested in joining the SASAL, but I haven't heard back from her. I'm not sure if she's coming."
Lyla places her hand on Oliver's shoulder and gives him a sympathetic smile, but no words are added. Lyla knows all about his past, but she's never judged him. Ever since he joined the club they have taken him into their home, made him part of the family. He will always be grateful towards them for that.
Their moment is interrupted by the little girl jumping up and down waiting for Oliver to sweep her up again. Once she's satisfied being in her little safe 'tower' ogling everyone around her from an impressive height she starts playing with the scruff on his face; gently swiping her little fingers to and fro against the hairs on his face and giggling at the sensation.
"Would you mind keeping an eye on her, while I go set up for the jump? Her play-date will be here in about an hour to pick her up." Lyla asks rubbing little circles on Sara's back.
"Sure, I'm just hanging around here anyways, so she's no trouble." he answers back giving the toddler a kiss on the cheek, igniting another giggle because of the tickling of his scruff.
Lyla laughs out loud, places a kiss against her daughter's head and starts walking away.
"What?" Oliver asks.
"I'm walking away before you change your mind."
Oliver shakes his head, not really knowing what's awaiting him.
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Maybe 'trouble' wasn't the right word choice. The two year old turned out to be filled with a lot more energy than he anticipated for such a small person so early on a Sunday morning.
"Uncle 'Liver!" she calls running as fast as her little legs can carry her. "Catch me!"
Oliver already feels drained and it hasn't even been a full hour. How does Lyla and John do this every single day?
Sara comes to a complete stop to search for her missing 'tag' partner and suddenly forms a deep frown on her forehead. She walks over to him and gently pats his leg.
"You tired?" she asks, the frown still sitting in place on her little face.
Oliver cannot hide the grin on his face. That question was filled with disapproval and for a moment she looks and sounds just like her father.
She puts her hands on her hips turning her head a little to the side as if she's inspecting him, trying to figure out if he's lying to her.
He kneels down to her level and gives her a bright smile.
"Sara honey, why don't we take a bit of a break and drink some water." he suggests, hoping she'll go for it so he can just get his breath back.
She nods excitedly as if he just pitched the best idea since vanilla ice-cream to her. "Yes! Sara thirsty too!"
Without another word she runs directly to the water cooler trying to reach the paper cups. He rushes over before she pulls the cooler over, sighing to himself how he thought this was going to give him a break.
He pours them both a cup of water when the doorbell rings.
"That must be your play date Sara!" Oliver says much too delighted at the prospect of someone relieving him of his duties.
Sara hands him her cup, which he has to take because it wasn't a question of 'will you please hold my cup', it was more like 'take it or clean the mess', and she runs for the door.
Oliver barely has enough time to put down the cups and runs after her. She's in his care and even though it might be her play date, it can also be a complete stranger.
"Sara! Come back here!"
He yells after her, almost running over, the person who is a complete stranger to Sara, but to him, it is the blonde who has since Wednesday occupied his dreams instead of the usual nightmares.
"Felicity!?" he cannot believe his eyes. "You came?"
"Hi Oliver." she says blushing, holding the two year old in her arms who is completely mesmerized by the blond curls softly flowing over Felicity's shoulder.
"I'm sorry for barging in like this." she starts, fully focused on his eyes, man he loves her eyes. "I realised I didn't have your personal number and the club was already closed by the time I tried to phone yesterday, and I didn't know what to do, so I talked to my friend Curtis and he…."
"Felicity," he places his hand on her shoulder like he did with their previous meeting, and softens his gaze, "you're here, and that's all that matters."
