Chapter 11

Felicity was in a good mood on Friday knowing her date with Oliver was that evening. She refused to let anything upset her. She was working on a set of reports for Oliver and the board meeting on Monday when Richard White re-entered her office. He had shown an interest repeatedly in her as he had met with Oliver at least 3 other times that week. White just would not catch the clue that Felicity was not interested. She had tried to be polite and professionally but he was starting to get on her nerves.

Oliver was in a meeting in the board room and that left Felicity alone with White. She did not feel comfortable but was reviewing her training for self-defense. It made her feel slightly better. She kept her focus on the work in front of her so that she could be ready to leave as soon as possible. Oliver had told her to be comfortable for tonight. He said dinner and a walk was the basics of the plans for tonight. She smiled thinking of their plans. She was excited to be going out with Oliver but nervous as well. So far their time was theirs alone, would the press interfere? How would the others react? Would Laurel be upset?

As a tune from Michael Buble came over the radio in her office, Felicity was annoyed and shocked as Richard White pulled her to him. White used his strength and pulling Felicity off balance to fight against her. He held her and breathed her perfume deeply. She struggled and felt tears fall from her eyes. "You know you have wanted this all week, Felicity. I know you need a strong man to guide you. Queen has no clue and will never see the force that is needed with a woman like you." White whispered into her ear.

Felicity finally brought her nerves under control and used her training and had White on his knees once Oliver and Diggle entered the room. He was obviously in pain and she had retreated into Oliver's locked office. Oliver looked to Diggle who immediately began to lead Mr. White from the building. Oliver walked to his office door and spoke to Felicity, "Diggle's got him, Felicity. Let me in." He listened as the door lock released and he gently opened the door. "Are you okay?" he asked her as he pulled her close.

He felt her shiver slightly as she breathed deeply inhaling his cologne. "I'm better now. He surprised me. Grabbed me when I wasn't expecting it, caught me off balance. It took a moment for me to be ready to fight back. It was his attitude that was more shocking. That I wanted him to force himself on me, that I needed a man to control me. It was so revolting. I could never imagine anyone doing something like that to me. I just don't know how to describe how he made me feel, as if it was my fault."

Oliver moved her back to look into her eyes. "Never let a guy like that make you feel like his actions are your fault. He has no clue who you truly are or the strong person you are. Do you understand me? You are so much better than he has any clue of, okay?" She smiled up at him and nodded. He pulled her into a hug and felt the tension in her body release as she listened to his heart beat. He took a deep breath and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

Oliver let Felicity leave the office early that day. "I'll see you at 7." He whispered to her as he placed a kiss on her neck as she left. The goose bumps of his breath across her skin took the entire journey back to her home to fade.

Felicity was listening to a song as she dried and curled the ends of her hair. She had a green shirt and pair of dark slacks to wear. She had a new pair of green flats to wear that matched her shirt. Her contacts let her set her normal glasses aside for the night. "Long as we can stand together love will find a way." She sung quietly to herself as she finished her make-up.

Her doorbell rang as she gathered her necklace and earrings in her hand. She looked and let Oliver in with a smile. He presented her with a set of flowers. She blushed slightly as he looked at her outfit. A smile seeing his color made her blush again. She set the flowers in a vase with water, put on her jewelry, and smiled as Oliver led her out the door for their night.