Cinderella (A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes)

A/N: First of all, I apologize for the very loooong delay in posting this concluding chapter. I won't even give excuses. Second, it's finally done. :-) I hope that this OliciTale gives you that Cinderella HEA feel. Thank you so much for waiting for this and for reading through to the end. I appreciate it. I will also appreciate comments and reviews now that this fic has come to an end. Enjoy! :-)

Summary: Oliver has made his choice. But will Felicity finally make hers?

Chapter 4

The day before…

The sun began to set in a radiant, orange-pinkish hue beyond the skiing slope behind the mountains. The evening breeze was starting to get chilly as the sunlight faded. For the first time since the production crew had dressed her up in an elegant gold cocktail dress for the shoot on the veranda of the mountain lodge restaurant's deck, Felicity suddenly felt cold.

Maybe it was just because of the gradual drop in temperature. Maybe it was because her sleeveless dress was quite short for her liking. Maybe it was her choice of beverage – an iced latte – which she drank while she and the four other finalists had waited for the scheduled shoot of Oliver revealing his choice for the dream date. Then again, maybe it was her body's response to her stepfather's and stepsisters' disapproving glares, which started after they'd seen her filming her first-meet with Oliver from a distance. Perhaps it was a combination of one or more of these factors that caused her to feel uneasy and uncharacteristically cold that evening. Felicity stood on the deck of the restaurant once again, this time with the four other contestants (which included her stepsister Isabel), and wondered if the chill that coursed through her as they awaited Oliver's decision did have something to do with the nervousness of being picked or with the disappointment of not being picked.

The camera rolled at the director's signal, and all five of them were called to go out to the veranda where Oliver Queen was seated on an elaborately decorated arm chair, the skiing slope in the background behind him. They filed in and stood before him.

While the other eight pairs of the females' eyes were focused on the handsome movie star, his eyes were entirely focused on Felicity – who was shyly avoiding his gaze and keeping her face from flushing completely red.

The reality TV show's host cleared his throat, snapping Oliver out of his gaze and reminding him that the camera was rolling. After the host's short introductory spiel, Oliver spoke.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming. First, congratulations, ladies, for making it this far. I know the process of getting this far wasn't easy, and I admire your tenacity." He knew it was partly a lie, but he had to deliver the script nonetheless. He just wanted to get this shoot over with and spend more time talking with Felicity Smoak off-camera. "But," he continued, with a glint in his eye, "I'm afraid only one of you gets to join me for dinner next week."

Oliver knew exactly who she was. And he was glad that, in reality, he wouldn't have to wait another week to go on that dinner date with the beautiful blonde he'd set his sights on and get to know her better, because they were going to film the dinner date the very next day in Table Salt in Central City.

"So, Oliver," the host asked enthusiastically, "who is the lucky woman that gets to spend time with you on a romantic dinner date next week?"

There was no drum roll in the background. No climactic pause. The guys at editing will just have to do their digital tricks to hold the viewers in suspense later on, or maybe the network could cut the scene and go into commercial. Just a split-second after the host finished asking the question, Oliver replied confidently and resolutely.

"Felicity Smoak."

Her name came out of his lips quite naturally, and he liked how it rolled off his tongue so effortlessly. Judging by her reaction and the way her bright blue eyes sparkled at his response, he could tell that she liked it, too.

The other four girls obviously did not appreciate it. Felicity's step-sister Isabel croaked out an unpleasant squeak in utter shock and disappointment, walking out of the scene in contempt even before the director had the chance to yell, "Cut!" Laurel Lance, the mayor's daughter, tried her best to keep her composure; however, the look on her face mirrored the envy and frustration in her heart.

The director still had the cameras rolling as Oliver stood and approached Felicity, never once dropping his affectionate gaze on her. When he was just a couple of feet away, he took her hand and brought it up to his lips. He smiled after kissing her knuckles. It was a scripted move, he knew, but as far as he was concerned, his gesture was heartfelt and earnest. Looking up at her and seeing the fond smile that adorned her angelic face, he hoped that Felicity sensed his sincerity.

Today...

To say that Felicity was tired was an understatement. After last night's filming of Oliver's reveal on the veranda of the mountain lodge's restaurant, she went home to rest. She did get a few hours of sleep, and then she packed her things while the crew of H.E.A. Today back at the lodge packed up equipment and got ready to leave. As soon as everything was in order, and after an early breakfast, everyone, including Felicity, left Starling Town for Central City. She sat with Curtis and two other production assistants in a red SUV, which was part of convoy of two vans and a black SUV. They had to be back in Central City in time to film the dinner date episode at Table Salt that same day.

Of course, Oliver and Thea Queen had gone back ahead of them by helicopter as soon as they finished breakfast. Unlike Felicity, busy, famous people did not have to do long drives, sitting in cramped vehicles with the rest of the crew. She, on the other hand, tried to get a few more hours of sleep during the five-hour trip, but her seatbelt in the back row where they put her wasn't very comfortable against her chest, so it ruined any chance she had to catch some more Z's.

She felt like a zombie, sitting on the elevated chair, as the stylists worked on her hair and make-up. It was a good thing those professionals knew exactly what they were doing. The dark, round circles beneath her eyes disappeared and her previously disheveled hair, with the mark left by her ponytail hair band, was now elegantly cascading down her shoulders in fabulous, golden curls.

If only her mother could see her now.

Donna Smoak would have giggled with glee if she had gotten the chance to see her daughter's fantastic make-over. More than that, she would have been overjoyed to see her daughter's heartfelt wish coming true. All she ever wanted was for Felicity to be happy. She would have given her daughter the world, the moon even, which was why she agreed to marry Frank Bertinelli. She thought that marrying the well-to-do businessman would enable her to give Felicity the chance to live the good life, to get a taste of what being well-off felt like, to have a complete family again – something that she thought she would never be able to give her as a single mother.

If only her mother could see her now.

Donna Smoak would have wept if she had gotten the chance to witness how Frank and his awful, spoiled daughters mistreated her daughter not too long after she passed away. She would have regretted asking Felicity to learn to love the Bertinellis as if Frank was a real father and Isabel and Helena were real sisters. She would have also regretted asking Felicity to look after their welfare, considering that they were wealthy, entitled people who did not really have much meaning in their lives aside from the significance they get from material possessions and social status. She most definitely would not have asked Felicity not to abandon them for her sake. She most probably would have been the one to tell Felicity to walk away from it all and find freedom and happiness somewhere else.

Like the obedient, loving daughter that she was, Felicity had done everything her mother had asked her to do for her step-family. Donna had loved the Bertinellis with all her might, as gratitude for everything they'd done for her and Felicity, and Felicity had promised to honor her mother's memory by pledging loyalty and by serving them as best as she could. But Iris was right, Felicity realized. Gratitude did not have to mean servitude (or even slavery). She needed to live her life, go after her own dreams, and see where the path to freedom and success led her. All the more she recognized that she had been granted the chance of a lifetime by being on this episode of a popular reality TV show.

The stylists were almost done, and they were about to leave her alone in the dressing room that was set up in the trailer parked just outside Table Salt in downtown Central City. Felicity sat there in front of the brightly lighted mirror, musing. At that moment, she missed her mom tremendously. She started to get teary-eyed, but the make-up artist was quick to spot the moisture in her eye and dab it gently with Q-tips.

She wished her mother could see her now. "This is for you, Mom. I miss you so much," she whispered, as the last of the stylists left her trailer.

It was the fourth take, but the director still wasn't quite satisfied with Felicity's entrance into the dais in the middle of the restaurant where the dinner table was set up for her and Oliver's date. Oliver thought that Felicity's entrance in all four takes was just perfect, because she looked absolutely stunning and flawless. In his opinion, nothing more needed to be done to make it even more perfect. He was getting impatient, and it was beginning to show on his face and his body language.

"Hey, Ollie, relax," Thea called him out on it just before the fifth take. "It's only gonna take longer if you start getting stiff and annoyed. The camera will capture the tension."

"I know. I just… It's just…" Oliver sighed. "This all feels so… fake."

"But it is fake," Thea replied with a confused look and a smirk. A couple of seconds later, realization dawned on her, so she asked, "Unless for you, it isn't. Is it?"

Oliver was quiet. He wasn't sure what his answer was exactly. He was an actor, and he'd done similar scenes countless times before with other gorgeous women. But for some reason, with Felicity, he did not want this to be merely staged. He wanted things to be real for them. He wanted for this to be a real date. He wanted to really spend time with her and get to know her.

His silence only gave Thea all the more reason to tease him and pry into his thoughts and feelings. "You like this girl, don't you?" Thea asked a second time.

Still Oliver was still and speechless.

"Silence often means yes," she remarked, chuckling. "Oh, brother dear, you have it bad."

"Thea…"

"What? I'm right, right?"

He sighed. "I really want to get to know her."

"Ah… You do have a thing for this girl." The mischievous look on her face was priceless.

"I'm serious."

"I can see that." Thea laughed. Clapping her hands twice, she added, "Oh, this is like a fairy tale come true!" She approached him, saying, "I actually saw it coming. You and Felicity Smoak? You have what they call chemistry. The cameras never lie."

Oliver smiled, not disagreeing. "I truly hope we have more than just chemistry," Oliver said wistfully. "I know I've just met her like a few days ago, but… There's just something about her."

Thea smiled, hugging her brother's arm close to her chest. "I hope so, too, Ollie. You deserve someone special, and I can tell that this girl is. You've always told me that I'm a pretty good judge of character." She winked at her older brother as she let go of his arm.

Thea knew that it took a lot to get her brother to smile genuinely and to feel at ease. Being a world-famous celebrity, her brother always had to put up a façade, and his smile was often contrived or forced whenever he appeared in public. Seeing the wonderful effect that the blonde girl from Starling Town had on him, Thea could do no less than approve of her brother's intentions.

"Thanks, Speedy," Oliver said softly, grateful for his sister's show of support.

"No problem," she replied. "Just don't forget who gets the credit for letting your paths cross. It appears that I am in the correct line of work. My match-making abilities are impeccable!"

Oliver laughed. "I couldn't agree more," he said.

And just like that, he was right back in the mood to shoot his scenes with Felicity.

"Alright, folks! That's a wrap for Oliver Queen and this episode. Good job everyone!" the director called out. H.E.A. Today staff and crew applauded to affirm their guest celebrity and to reward themselves for their hard work in the last few days.

"Congratulations, big brother! You survived reality TV," Thea said cheerfully. "You still think this wasn't fun?"

Oliver grinned, his cheeks a little pinkish. "I hate to admit it, but you were right. The experience wasn't so bad. Thank you for asking me to do this."

"You are welcome," Thea replied, feeling good about her accomplishment. They should have placed bets. She looked at her watch and said, "We're done early. I think there's still time for a nice, quiet dinner. Don't you think so?"

"Huh? Thea, we just finished shooting an entire episode of a dinner date."

"Ugh, a dinner date where you really did not enjoy dinner as you should. Tell me, was that the kind of date that would impress the woman you're currently crushing on?" she teased.

"Guess not," he replied in acquiescence.

Smirking at her older brother, Thea asked, "So, where are you taking her?"

Oliver knew exactly who Thea was referring to, but he frowned and answered, "I don't think she'll be up for it. She must be tired."

"Where are you taking her, Ollie?" Thea asked again.

"I… I don't know. I haven't really thought about it."

"Well, good for you, you have a clever little sister who's always prepared for contingencies," Thea said proudly. "Mario's. Take her to Mario's. They close late. And I heard from her interview that she loves Italian." She winked at him and then walked away after patting his forearm suggestively.

After changing to more comfortable casual clothes in his trailer, Oliver made his way to Felicity's trailer and knocked on the door. A minute passed by, but there was no answer. He contemplated knocking again, but he found that the door wasn't locked. He took his chance and pushed it open. Switching on the light, he discovered that the trailer was empty. It looked like Felicity had already left, with all her belongings.

"Where did she go?" Oliver asked himself. He hadn't seen her since they shook hands after the last take, and then he had spoken with Thea. They hadn't even said their proper farewells yet, which he really preferred they didn't have to do. How could she disappear just like that?

He spotted something familiar tucked underneath the dresser to his right. It was one of a pair of her cute flat shoes, the one with the panda design on it. He picked it up and held it in his hands. It reminded him of the first time they'd met, when she had crawled underneath the table in his room at the mountain lodge to fix his Internet connection. It made him smile for a moment, but the smile soon faded when he realized that Felicity was gone and he had no idea where she went.

Coming out of her trailer, Oliver saw Curtis pass by. The tall guy with darker complexion noticed him and asked, "Is there a problem, Mr. Queen?"

Still a bit lost in his thoughts, Oliver replied, "Uh… yeah, I was wondering where Felicity Smoak went. She seems to have left her shoe."

"Oh…" Curtis came near and looked at the shoe that Oliver held in his hand. "Cute!" he remarked, shaking his head fondly. "I mean, I wouldn't wear one like it, but yeah. It's definitely her style. It's too bad she left it here. The other one is no good without it."

Frowning even more that the guy in front of him wasn't being helpful at all, Oliver asked him, "Do you have any idea where she might have gone?"

"Home, I guess? She is from Starling Town, which is at least a five-hour drive from here, sir. I caught her just before she hailed a cab about fifteen… maybe twenty minutes ago. She mentioned that she needed to get home fast. Something about her step-dad requiring her technical assistance. She said she needed to be back ASAP."

Oliver was running out of patience. It was good of Curtis to tell him where she might have gone to, but what he needed from him right now was information on her whereabouts at the moment. He just had to see her one more time before she left for Starling Town. He couldn't stand not knowing if he'll ever see her again.

"Did she mention how she was going to get back to Starling Town?" Oliver asked.

"Nope, not really." Curtis seemed just as disappointed as he was. "I had her file, but I've already surrendered that to the talent manager's assistant a while ago. Her address in Starling Town and her contact number should be there. You can probably ask Ms. Thea for it first thing Monday morning. I'm sure she'd be willing to share that information with you since, you know, you're related."

Monday morning. He didn't want to wait three more days because he was leaving for London on Tuesday to do a modeling job as an endorser for a men's athletics clothing line. He was also due to visit his stepfather, Walter Steele, and he wasn't going to be back Stateside until after two very long weeks.

As if a light bulb had just turned on in his head, Curtis blurted out, "Or, you could try the train station! She might have opted to take the bus, too, but she'd want to travel twice as fast since she said it was an emergency. So, I say, train station."

Oliver was thinking as he stared at Curtis. He could just give up for tonight, do it the hard way, and just visit her in Starling Town in two weeks' time after he returned from London. However, waiting that long to see her again was out of the question. He had to see her tonight. He had to know if there was any chance for him and her to get to know each other.

"Listen, Mister…?"

"Holt, sir. Curtis Holt. I'm Ms. Queen's production assistant, at your service."

Oliver nodded once. "Do you have a car, Curtis?"

"Uh, yes, Mr. Queen," Curtis answered, "but I doubt you'd be comfortable in it, considering you're-"

"Let's go get it then," Oliver cut him off, pulling him in the direction of Table Salt's parking area. "I don't have the time to sign for the studio's courtesy car or to request for a rental. You're taking me to the train station."

The train station wasn't really crowded, so it didn't take long to find Felicity. Oliver spotted her from a good thirty meters away. She stood on the platform, waiting for the train to come to a full stop. He had to get to her before it did, before the doors opened and she got on. So, he ran. Just as the train came to a complete stop, he reached her. He was panting heavily when he touched her shoulder, making her turn around.

"Oliver! What brings you here?" she asked in astonishment, and then she was biting her lip as she awaited his answer.

He thought she looked very pretty in just her baby blue cardigan top and tight-fitting black jeans. She hadn't taken off her make-up and contact lenses yet, but her nicely curled hair was already up in a ponytail. What he found most attractive was her blushing face. She was definitely just as pleasantly surprised to see him again.

"I believe this is yours," he told her, holding out the panda flat shoe.

Felicity smirked. "Oh! Yes, that is mine. I didn't even notice that I'd left it." She looked up to see him grinning at her. "Thank you. You really didn't have to come all the way to the station just to bring it. It's an old pair anyway."

"I wanted to. And it makes for a cute pair of flats. Reminds me of when I met you for the first time."

"Oh, yeah, that. I was down on all fours for you." She chuckled at the fond memory, but the fondness did not last long. As soon as she realized that she had once again put her foot into her mouth and that her brain-to-mouth filter had failed her again, she gasped in utter embarrassment. Her face flushed red as she apologized, "I am so, so sorry! I didn't mean to… What I meant was… Three, two, one…"

"Felicity, it's okay. I know what you meant," Oliver reassured her.

She took the shoe from him, and after regaining her composure somewhat, she asked, "You came down here just to give this back?"

"Not really. I was… wondering if you'd like to join me for a late dinner? Like an honest-to-goodness meal. Not like the one they made us eat in front of the cameras. Which wasn't all that great. To think it's Table Salt, and they're supposed to be top-notch cuisine and all. I won't take much of your time, I promise. I have a chopper waiting at the studio. I could take you back to Starling Town on it. If you'd like. Unless you easily get dizzy or sick. My chopper pilot takes extra precautions. Especially at night." He rambled uncharacteristically, and Felicity instantly thought it was cute.

"Usually, I'm the one talking in sentence fragments," she commented, now smiling and more at ease.

When she looked straight into his gorgeous blue eyes, she knew that he was also nervous but sincere. It felt good that she wasn't the only one (pleasantly) on edge at the moment.

"Well, I do need to get back as soon as possible. Frank called. He needs me at the lodge first thing in the morning. But yeah, I am quite hungry," she admitted, chuckling a bit.

"Then you'll have dinner with me?" Oliver asked, trying his best to keep his excitement under control.

"Oliver, I don't want to read too much into this, but… Are you asking me out on a date? As in a date, date? A real, not-fake-TV date?"

Oliver smiled, shifting his body weight from one foot to the other. "The implication with dinner being…" He heaved a sigh and boldly pushed on. "Felicity, would you like to go to dinner with me? On a real date this time."

Felicity grinned, ecstatic at his invitation. "Yes, yes I would," she replied, nodding gently.

They stood there on the platform gazing into each other's eyes, lost in the thrill of the moment. Everything else in the background faded into oblivion. They didn't even notice the train leaving.

Oliver broke the silence and said, "I hope you like Italian?"

"My favorite," she replied, still smiling. She took a step towards him and kissed him on the cheek. "Let's go get that lasagna and some red wine."

The kiss took him by surprise, but it only emboldened him to take his chances at pursuing this amazing woman. He picked up her duffle bag and let her free hand hold on to his free arm. "Follow me, Ms. Smoak," he told her, leading her towards the exit to the parking area of the train station.

A month after movie star Oliver Queen returned from London, entertainment news and gossip sites began announcing that the much sought-after Hollywood bachelor was no longer single. When paparazzi and reporters investigated why, they aren't surprised that he was more frequently seen in public with the beautiful blonde girl from Starling Town that had won, not only the reality TV show contest, but more importantly his loving heart.

A/N: Finally. I hope that you will leave a review now that this modern fairy tale is over. :-) Thank you for reading!