I am so sorry for the delayed update, my laptop crashed and I had to start all over again. I wrote and rewrote this chapter so many times…. A special Thanks to my reviewers and those who put this story on their alert list, your support means the world to me. This is my take on an alternate bratva universe, I don't have a beta so all possible spelling and grammatical errors are solely mine and I hope you guys do forgive me for the very many possible errors.
And most importantly… I don't own Arrow or any of the characters in it ….. I am merely borrowing them for entertainment purposes.
Excitement had worn off and panic was setting in, what just happened? I have never been kissed like that before, quite so desperate and needy. All of Cooper's kisses my first and only boyfriend had been nice and warm but Oliver's kisses made my body thrum with need. There was a fire in my belly that refused to die down.
I shouldn't be near him, but a rebellious streak filled me. I didn't care what others would think about this and it was about time I dropped the shield that I held between us. It was about time that I admitted to liking him, I didn't know when it happened but he had slowly crept into my heart. Walking away was no longer an option.
Our foreheads rested against each others, our breath mingling together. I stood there comfortably in his tight embrace, the hard planes of his body was pressed against mine. I felt his body heat through our clothes, he was a furnace! I felt his excitement push against my belly, I felt a flush rising in my cheeks but he didn't seem to be perturbed by it. He even seemed a little smug, I looked up into his eyes and found him staring at me heatedly. His pupils were wide blown with lust, it sent tingle down south, I guess this was what pure unadulterated attraction felt like. My lips seemed a little sensitive as I ran my tongue along them. He let out a groan that seemed to vibrate through my body.
"You better not do that again if you want to get out of here tonight." He warned dangerously in a low voice. I gulped, why did I want him to keep his words? I really didn't want to leave him tonight. The intensity of my need made me shiver against him.
"What if I don't want to?" I whispered earnestly, he looked taken aback at my boldness for a moment. A slow smile spread over his lips.
"You look surprised." I teased him. He looked adorable when confused.
"I thought you would be running for the hills by now." He replied truthfully, he seemed to be astounded by my forwardness but glad that I was with him.
"I …..I am not going anywhere." I told him firmly. I was tired of running away from him. I was tired of fighting these feelings that I had for him. It was draining doing this push and pull routine.
"Good, I have no intention of letting you go." His eyes searched mine for a moment, before his impulses took over. His control shattered and he pulled me in for another kiss. His hand held my neck in place and his other hand held my hip tightly against his.
Unlike the kiss before, this was one was filled with heat and lust. His strong arms held me in place providing me with delicious friction. My arms snaked around his neck pulling him even closer. Pent up frustration poured through his kiss, he was devouring me. He bit my lower lip before his tongue invaded my mouth. He shifted and held my hip tightly to his, looked like his excitement had considerably increased. I felt like I was on fire, there was too much heat! My clothes felt heavy on my skin. I couldn't help the moan that escaped me, I felt faint, all the blood in my body seemed to be rushing downwards.
I hadn't realized we had been moving until I landed on the bed on my back, with him on top of me. An involuntary gasp passed through my lips, his body held me in place. His hair felt soft and silky under my finger tips, I tugged on them slightly making him growl into my mouth.
I felt scared, the intensity that burned through my body was overwhelming but I was way past caring right now. He tasted like peppermint and strength, I tried to match his bold sucks but I had to be careful not to hurt him, he switched between nipping and sucking. His manhood twitched against my thigh making my stomach clench in anticipation.
A bolt of courage surged through me, my hands travelled down his chest and tugged at the seams of his white dress shirt. My fingers brushed against his skin as I pulled his shirt from his trousers, he broke our kiss to help me. We were both too impatient, I was sure a button or two flew across the bed as he yanked his shirt apart and tossed it aside. I ran my hands over his body, he was all muscle, perfectly built like god himself had sculpted him. He held himself above me for a moment giving me a moment to appreciate his body.
My eyes drank him in, an appreciative sigh passed through my lips before his lips descended on mine again. He settled between my thighs, we kissed in a frenzy completely lost in each other. The world could burn down to ashes for all I cared. My hands roamed around his naked back relishing the feel of his smooth skin under my fingers. His hands reached around my back and maneuvered the zipper down, how he managed to do that while his lips were still nipping and sucking on mine would be a mystery to me.
His lips separated from mine with a loud smack, I felt his lips ghost over the column of my throat, his teeth grazed against my throat before nipping and sucking at my collarbone. He placed feather light kisses at the top of my breasts that peeked above the dress. Wetness pooled down my nether regions, I felt him smirk against my skin as I moaned wantonly.
It was moving too fast but I couldn't find the will to stop what was happening. His lips captured mine again before I was stolen away by self doubts.
I felt his hands travel between our bodies, he swallowed the small whimper that I let out. His deft fingers travelled under my dress and tugged into the hem of my underwear. He paused for a moment, I knew he was giving me a chance to push him away but my body was keen for his touch. Stopping now would be too cruel. His fingers felt scorching hot against my skin, he placed a small calming kiss on my lips. I felt his heart thrumming wildly against his chest, his face was buried in the crook of my neck. I held onto him tightly, I was so close to flying off into bliss.
He stroked the pad of his thumb over the most sensitive spot on my body, his ministrations through the thin cotton panties I had worn today felt incredible. I found myself writhing against him. His hands suddenly disappeared from down there. He froze for a moment, he took a deep breath trying to reign in his emotions.
I had been so distracted that I hadn't heard the loud knocks on the door. Both of us froze, there was someone at the door. The sound of our harsh breaths reverberated around the room. I thanked my lucky stars, Oliver had locked the door if someone had walked in on us I would have spontaneously combust into flames in embarrassment.
"Mr. Queen are you in there?" Came a gruff voice from behind the door.
"Mr. Queen , your mother is looking for you." I could sense exasperation in his voice.
"I will be down in a minute." Oliver called out quickly. We heard the rude intruder walk away seconds later. Suddenly there was this awkwardness that surrounded the both of us. His body weight had me pinned to the mattress.
"We should stop here." He told me breathlessly, his short pants tickled my ear. His face was still buried n the crook of my neck. Shame flooded me, I should have had better self control. This should not have progressed past the first kiss. We lay there quietly against each other catching ours breaths. Would it have progressed further if we hadn't been interrupted? A thousand questions ran through my mind.
What did this mean? Was this just a onetime thing? Were we in a relationship now? I felt foolish, expecting a relationship from Oliver Queen just because we reached second base? He moved away from me, the sudden disappearance of his body heat made me feel empty. I got up and righted my dress. He was avoiding my eyes. He was looking at his discarded shirt, it was missing four buttons and it was definitely un wearable now.
"I am sorry about your shirt." I told him, my voice a hoarse whisper.
"Don't worry I have plenty more." He told me nonchalantly, why was he suddenly acting so cold? He pulled a fresh shirt from the closet and started dressing himself. I was more afraid than ever; I realized that I liked him a lot more than I had anticipated. I gulped down the fear I was feeling. I walked to the mirror in the corner. The image starring back at me was a horror show. The red lipstick was smudged across my lips, my lips were thick and swollen and my mascara had run down. My hair was all over the place, I looked thoroughly fucked. I realized my shoes were still in the garden.
"The bathroom is to the left." He told me, he must have noticed my hesitation.
"People will notice us missing, I will meet you downstairs?" He asked me indecisively; maybe he too was unsure of how to act around me.
"Yeah I will find you downstairs." I assured him. He paused before the door.
"I am so sorry Felicity this should have never happened." He delivered the words that I had been dreading, the lack of emotion from him made me want to punch him. Wasn't he the one who talked about not letting me go a few minutes ago? I watched him walk away, what was happening? How did we go from hot and heavy to cold and uncertain? Were we doing the push and pull once more?
I refreshed myself, I needed some answers from Oliver. I wanted to know why this was just a mistake to him? Luckily I had my purse still with me, I reapplied my makeup quickly I was not going to let Oliver dodge my questions. What had made him act so strangely? I steeled myself before I made my way to the garden.
I sighed in relief when I saw my shoes still lying there. How could I have not realized that I didn't have them on when I was being dragged away by Oliver? I realized that I become quite distracted whenever he was in front of me.
I walked inside the hall, everyone had their masks on. The dance floor was filled with couples swaying to the soft music. I tried to find Sara and Oliver among the crowd.
"There you are." I heard Sara's panicked voice behind me. I turned around and found Sara and Tommy rushing towards me.
"Where were you?" Tommy demanded before I could answer Sara.
"In the garden." I lied effortless, I was sure Tommy would do something incredibly stupid if he knew what had transpired between Oliver and me.
"One minute you were here and the next you were gone." Tommy was annoyed. He really looked out for me but I couldn't help but be irritated with him. He had no right in interfering with my social life, only I get to decide whom to be friends with. I couldn't believe he had punched Oliver.
"I got bored." I told him.
"Felicity you should call your mother." Sara told me apprehensively.
"Why what's wrong Sara?" I asked her. I felt cold, something terrible had happened, didn't it?
"You should call your mother Felicity." Sara told me cautiously. I saw Tommy shifting uncomfortably behind Sara.
"Just tell me Sara." I pleaded.
"Your uncle called, your grandmother was in an accident she is being taken to the hospital." Sara told me.
Oh God! How bad was it? How did this happen? Was nana behind the wheels? She was a terrible driver, who let her drive?
"Felicity sweetheart drink this." Tommy handed me a glass.
I gulped the water down; I needed to get home quickly. I am sure mom would be a wreck. I needed to call aunt Libby she would have more information.
"Felicity are you alright?" Tommy's concerned voice jolted me from my inner turmoil.
"Tommy can you please take me home?" I croaked miserably.
"Let's go." Sara tugged my arm.
"You don't have to come with me Sara, stay and enjoy the party." I told her, I knew she was so excited to be here.
"You really think that this party is more important than you." Sara huffed. I saw her phone ringing, it was Quentin. I was grateful that my mother had him in her life, he really was the most devoted and loving husband.
"We need you to get you to the airport, my dad is driving Donna there. He has managed to get tickets for the both of you on the next flight." Sara told me hurriedly.
I couldn't find Oliver, my eyes roamed about the hall searching for him. The talk that I desperately needed to have with him had to wait. Where was he?
With Tommy behind the wheels I was sure that I would make my flight. My nana was in surgery, a freak accident was not going to take out my nana, she was a fighter and she was going to survive this.
"I missed you so much."
"I missed you more."
Their make out session was nauseating; I wanted to stab my eyes out. Her hands were groping his ass. That's it! I did not want to watch them get their freak on in public.
"Mom."
"Mom."
"Mom." I had to yell to get her attention, he too was oblivious to the surroundings. He was a cop for God's sake! And they were in public!
"Oh sorry honey, it's been a while since I got any action." She told me unapologetically, at least Quentin had the decency to look embarrassed. I groaned, my mother and her inappropriate comments. A second later they were back to making out again.
"Really mom!" I whined.
"My hands didn't quite bring me the satisfaction that this one does." She told me shamelessly, Quentin turned beet red. Why did she have to do this to me?
"I think I will take the bus." I was annoyed. I was tired and cranky, it had been a tiring few days. Couldn't they wait until they got home?
"Sorry kiddo, get in now." Quentin told me apologetically. I heaved a heavy sigh as I got in the back seat of the car. It was good to be back in Starling city, the cold wind felt soothing on my face. Once I returned to Vegas I realized that Starling had become home, a home that I felt safe in.
My mom was filling in Quentin about our visit, nana had successfully made it through surgery and was well on her way to recovery. She had literally shoved us all out of her hospital room, she didn't want us hovering over her. That old crony was too stubborn for her own good. Aunt Libby had stayed back to look after her, I really wished she had let us stay until she got out of the hospital. She had broken her left femur and four ribs, she had been extremely lucky it had not punctured her lungs but the broken nose was the one she was the most pissed off about.
My phone buzzed, I felt excitement build again despite the repeated disappointment I have been experiencing since I left Starling.
It was Sara, she wanted an ETA. I felt my excitement deflate once again, Sara wanted to have a star wars movie marathon once I get home. A feeling of unease was gnawing at me, I just got one message from Oliver in my time away. An extremely cryptic message, he wanted to talk once I got back, he had something important to tell me. I had an ominous feeling about this. I had told him I would be coming back in a couple of days and after that I had heard no word from him.
I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I hadn't realized we were home. I trailed behind my mother, Quentin was getting our luggage from the trunk. We were greeted by a beaming Sara.
"I missed you Donna." She jumped into my mother's waiting arms.
"I missed you too baby." My mother cooed, as she smoothed down Sara's hair. As expected Laurel was nowhere to be found. I felt slightly relieved, I didn't think I could handle her snark in my current mood.
Sara pushed past my mother to engulf me in a strong hug.
"I am so glad you are back, I was bored out of my mind." She told me.
"Me too." I mumbled back, I was too tired to form an intelligible sentence.
She helped me to settle back in my room. I was busy sorting my laundry, I needed clean pajamas. I saw Sara scoffing at her phone.
"Something wrong?" I asked her quietly.
"It's Laurel, she is out and she wants me to cover for her." She told me irritably.
"Huh." I grunted as I plopped down on my bed. Wasn't it too late to be out? Quentin had gone back to the precinct, apparently a bank had been broken in and my mother was already in bed.
"What are you doing tomorrow night?" Sara asked me as she sat next to me.
"Why?" I asked her, what was tomorrow.
"Dad wants to do thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night." She told me excitedly.
"But thanksgiving is a couple of days away." I asked her, did I lose my sense of time.
"Yeah but Laurel wants to do thanksgiving with my mother and I want to visit her too." She told me patiently. I knew both of them missed their mother it was part of the reason why Laurel hated me so much. Sara wanted to be supportive of her father's new relationship but there were times that she resented the fact that her mother couldn't be with her.
"Don't worry I have nothing to do tomorrow." I assured her, it would be the first time I would be celebrating thanksgiving with a family, it made me look forward to tomorrow.
"Dad has already spoken to Donna about it, she is so excited to cook a thanksgiving dinner." She informed me, when did that happen?
My mom was cooking? Now that was something that I was not looking forward to.
"I have asked Sin to come over, I think Dad and Laurel are having a couple of friends over too." She told me. I nodded silently. Great! I would have to deal with Laurel and her snotty friends tomorrow.
"Mom I think you are over doing it." I grumbled as I struggled to push the almost full cart. My mom stood in front of the spices aisle, ticking off items from the long list she had made. I couldn't believe I got stuck with her, my feet were beginning to ache. Sara and Quentin were going to help her when she cooks, as in save the dish before she ruins it while I was stuck with helping her shop. My mom was excited to cook for a family, it has always been the two of us. I think she was looking forward to all the domesticity of it.
"I think we have everything." I told her once again. I looked at the cart, she had bought a lot of useless things. I rubbed my aching forehead, I will never ever play assistant to my mother again.
"I think you are right honey." She told me as she scanned the list again.
"I have been telling you this for the past half an hour." I growled.
"Calm down, you don't want stress lines to ruin your face." She told me exasperatedly.
"I don't think you have enough time to cook the damn turkey." I snapped. I was not looking forward to eating raw meat.
"You think so?" She looked horrified; I think I got my point through.
"Yes mom." I told her tiredly.
"Let's get out of here." She made her way to billing with me quietly trailing behind her. I did a small cheer, we had left this place much sooner than I had expected.
I felt tired and drained maybe some sleep would help. Once we got home, I decided to take a nap. Sara assured me that she would wake me up when dinner was ready. I checked my phone once again, still no word from you know who.
"Felicity wake up." I heard Sara's faint voice. My mind was still cloudy with sleep. She was trying to shake me awake. She was sitting beside me.
I sat upright, it was dark outside looked like I had slept the afternoon away.
"Are you feeling better?" She asked me, she looked concerned.
"Yeah, is everyone here?" I asked her, my voice came out as a coarse whisper.
"Sin is here, she is been asking for you." She told me. Sin was the only other person who didn't treat me like scum in school.
"What about Quentin's friends?" I asked her before getting out of bed.
"They couldn't make it." She told me, I was still felling tired in spite of the nap.
"Are you sure you are alright, you look terrible." Sara asked me warily.
"I am fine." I mumbled under my breath.
"Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes." She told me, she went down to set the table.
I got ready quickly, I pulled on the ugly sweater that Sara had picked out for me. She had begged me to try the sweater, she played dress up with me way too much than I liked. Why was I wearing Christmas colors on thanksgiving? I pulled my hair into a pony, my hair was becoming a problem lately I needed to do something about it, maybe cut it shorter?
I made my way to the living room, Sin was there watching some reruns on the TV. She gave me a warm smile as she saw me coming.
"You look like my neighbor's cat and not in a good way." She teased, she was dressed in black from head to toe. She too had been target of bullies before Sara had befriended her. She liked all things dark and loud, I found a kindred spirit in her. I sat down beside her on the couch.
"Way to kick a girl when she is down." I grumbled.
Laurel walked past us, she totally ignored the both of us. My patience was wearing thin, I didn't think I could put up with her abrasive behavior much longer.
"Bitch!" I heard Sin beside me. I couldn't help but give her an amused smile.
"I don't understand how Sara and you put up with her." Sin whispered beside.
"Trust me every day is a challenge." I told her.
"What's with the hideous sweater?" She asked me.
"Sara." I moaned in protest.
Sin laughed at my misery. Laurel once again walked past us to check on the front door.
"Wow she is all decked up." Sin commented in appreciation.
She looked stunning in her simmering red dress, but wasn't it a little over the top for a dinner? I have never done this before and I wouldn't know the exact dress code for such events. We saw Laurel walk back to her room.
"Doesn't she seem nervous?" I asked Sin, Laurel was looking flighty, I have never seen her waiting by the door before.
"Maybe she is worried about her friends coming over." She told me speculatively.
"Friends more like minions." I corrected her.
We heard my mom calling us to the table, the table was filled with dishes and surprisingly the smell coming from them was making my mouth water. Quentin looked exhausted, poor guy he probably had to do the chunk of cooking today.
We heard the front bell ringing.
"I will get it." I went to open the front door.
I hadn't realized how much I had missed him until I was peering into his baby blues, his cheeks were tinted red because of the cold. Even though he was all bundled up in warm clothes he looked hot. I could feel my heart racing, was he always going to have this effect on me?
It took me a while to form a coherent sentence.
"Oliver what are you doing here?" I asked him, I was confused, what was he doing here? Now was not the right time to have our talk. Why the hell was he holding a wine bottle?
I saw Tommy walking up to the front door, now what was he doing here? Did Oliver tell Tommy about us or whatever was going on between us?
"Hey Smoaky it's been a while." Tommy told me cheerfully, he made his way to the front of the door with hurried steps. It was nice to see that goofy smile of his.
"It's good to see you too Tommy but what are you doing here?" I asked them.
"I am here to provide him support." He pointed to Oliver. The said person was eerie quiet, he had not said a word. Oliver was acting as if he barely knew me, what was going on?
"Will you let them in its freezing outside." I heard Laurel snap behind me. I flushed in embarrassment.
"Sorry." I mumbled apologetically. I let them in, Tommy tapped my shoulder teasingly. Oliver was refusing to meet my eyes, anxiety filled me.
Laurel moved into Oliver's arms and gave him a sound kiss, I couldn't look away. When did this happen? There was sharp pain in the middle of my chest, my knees almost gave away. Wow, I couldn't understand what I was feeling right now? Pain? Anger? Disappointment?
I brought this on myself, I let him in and I let him hurt me. Why didn't I expect this?
"I didn't come all this way to see you two suck faces." Tommy complained irritably.
"I really appreciate you coming here Tommy." She gave him a hug that seemed to lift his spirits considerably.
"Did you have to invite them?" Sara let out a whine as she walked into the living room.
"I can hear you blondie." Tommy retorted with sarcasm. Laurel looked furious, if looks could kill Sara would be dead by now.
"I see you two make moony eyes all over campus and you have to do the same at home?" Sara was annoyed, apparently I have missed a lot when I was away. It serves me right, didn't Tommy warn me something like this would happen?
I felt Oliver's eyes on me, I looked up into them. I saw fear and guilt, was he scared that I will spill his secrets to Laurel? If he wants to rebuild his relationship with her, it was entirely up to him. Didn't he say what happened was a mistake? I was his dirty little secret, wasn't I? I don't think he would ever tell Laurel about us, what was I talking about? There was never an us!
I zoned out, I could hear their conversation in the back ground but I couldn't concentrate. I was the other woman; he made me the other woman. I thought he liked me, I let myself be charmed by him. How could I have been so stupid? I felt my eyes sting. What was he thinking when he kissed me? I felt dirty, I had been warned plenty of times and yet I made the mistake of trusting him. I felt crushed. I thought I knew him but how could I have been so wrong?
I walked away from them, there was a very real possibility of me going insane in their presence.
The food tasted bland on my tongue, maybe it was just me? I had to listen to my mom turn into a giddy teenager in front of Oliver Queen, it was embarrassing! She was thoroughly impressed with Laurel's boyfriend snagging skills. He was sitting beside Laurel and my mother and right opposite to me on the table. Quentin was grumpily chewing on his food. Quentin Lance was not a huge fan of the Queens or the Merlyns. Tommy was doing a piss poor job of flirting with Sin, she looked like she wanted tear him apart but that egged him even more.
I knew when he was looking at me, I could feel his hot gaze on my face. I kept my eyes trained on the food before me.
"Dad Oliver and I have something to say." Laurel announced, trepidation filled me I don't think I was up for any more blows today.
"You guys are engaged aren't you?" My mother squealed like a schoolgirl. I wanted crawl into hole right now.
"What? No?" Oliver thwarted that assumption quickly.
"You are not pregnant are you?" My mom blurted out making Quentin gasp in horror.
"No I am not." Laurel responded. She was blushing, it was probably the first time I have seen her do that.
"What is it Laurel?" Quentin demanded apprehensively.
"We want to move in together." Oliver told him, Quentin looked like he had chewed on a lemon.
"No." Quentin responded quickly.
"What do you mean by no?" Laurel asked confused, she knew better, there was no way Quentin was ever going to agree to this.
"Maybe you should give him some time to think honey." My mother told Laurel. She was trying to diffuse the situation before someone's head exploded.
"No matter when you ask me my answer is going to be the same." Quentin told them firmly.
"Why not dad?" Laurel snapped.
"Detective Lance…." Oliver began
"I don't want to hear it." Quentin cut him off.
"Why not dad?" Laurel repeated wanting an answer.
"Because I said so." He responded angrily.
"We both are eighteen years old dad, we would be going to the same college….." Laurel tried to reason.
"Unbelievable, it is not going to happen Laurel." He snapped loudly.
"Quentin." My mother was trying to calm him down.
"No Donna she is not moving in with him." He told her.
"Quentin let's not make any rash decisions tonight, give some thought to it." She told him.
"You don't have to teach me how to raise my daughters Donna." He snapped, a flash of hurt passed through my mother's face. I did not expect Quentin to say that.
There was stunned silence across the table, nobody knew how to react.
"I should get going, thanks for the dinner." Sin excused herself, my mother nodded mutely at her. Tommy followed her, he wanted to drive her home. He seemed relieved to be getting away.
A call from the precinct had Quentin rushing out of the house, my mother had abandoned the table as soon as Quentin left. I knew she needed a shoulder to cry on, I decided to check on her. My feeling needed to wait until later that night.
My pillow was drenched with my tears that night, my phone had been constantly buzzing I knew it was him but I just didn't want to listen to anything he had to say. Now he had the time to call me? I was flooded with messages from him, I deleted all of them without reading it. I was not ready to deal with him.
My world had been simple and uncomplicated before I knew Oliver Queen. I cried myself to sleep that night.
It has been a week since the disastrous dinner and I have been surprisingly alright, no tears, no feeling sorry for myself and so was my mom. Quentin was still in the dog house. His mopping around was becoming unbearable, he was relegate to the couch. Things were moving fast in the Oliver and Laurel situation, apparently they were moving in together soon despite Quentin's disapproval. Laurel's mother approved of her decision and there was no stopping Laurel Lance once she makes up her mind. Their on again off again dysfunctional relationship even made headlines in the local newspapers. How could I have been so blind? I have been successfully avoiding Oliver for the past week, all I had to do was stick with Sara, she was the best Oliver repellent that was available.
All of that changed on a Wednesday evening, I spotted Thea sitting in one of my tables in Big Belly, I knew Oliver was here I just needed to get out before he spots me. I walked into the locker room, it was time that I cashed in the favor with Carly. She was getting ready to take off.
"Hey Carly would you mind covering my shift?" I asked her hurriedly.
"Is everything all right?"She asked me with concern.
"Yeah! I have an important paper that I need to finish, a very very important paper that I totally forgot about." I pleaded. She let out a sigh, she pulled out her carefully folded apron from her locker.
"You are lucky, my brother in law is taking care of AJ." She told me. Relief flooded my system.
"Thank you so much." I gave her a quick hug before I rushed out through the back exit. My relief was short lived, I saw Oliver waiting for me in the back alley. My hurried steps came to a screeching halt
"I knew this would work." He told me coolly.
"Thea is in there alone." I accused, he used his sister as bait?
"No she is not, she is there with Raisa." He told me cheekily.
"Get out of my way Queen." I snapped. The grin he was sporting vanished from his face.
"I just need you to hear me out." He moved towards me, cutting the space between us in half. I held up my hand, I didn't want him any closer to me.
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say." I tried dodging him but he was blocking my way out.
"I just need two minutes, please." He begged.
"You are with Laurel, what happened that day was a mistake, Laurel should never find out about it, have I covered everything that you have to say?" I spat.
"Not even close." He bit back.
"What do you want Oliver?" I yelled, blood roaring in my ears.
"It was not a mistake." He replied softly.
"What does that even mean?" I really didn't understand him, he was the most frustrating person I have ever met.
"Laurel came to see me the day after the ball, she wanted to get back together. She is comfortable Felicity, I have known her my whole life. My future has been planned for me. Marry Laurel, take over Queen consolidated some day, have an heir, it goes on and on." He paused rubbing his hand over his face, he looked tired.
"I didn't realize how much I wanted you until I kissed you. I couldn't say no when she wanted to get back together Felicity." He confessed.
"I want to do this right, I will tell Laurel about us I just need some time Felicity."
"There is no us Oliver." I whispered shakily.
"We both know better Felicity."
"I can't do this to Laurel, I won't do this to Laurel." I replied stubbornly. She may have not been the best step sister out there but I lived with her. I knew this would ruin her.
"I am not the right guy for her." He told me.
"It's not my problem. Now get out of my way." I walked past him.
"She wants something that I can't give her." I heard him behind me, he trailed behind me.
"Again not my problem." I snapped, he gripped my forearm and turned me around. My eyes were swimming in tears.
"Come with me, my parents want to sail to China for the New year. Come with me, we can get away from here." Was he even hearing what he was saying? The tears that I was trying so hard to hold it in came rolling down.
"Do you even like me Oliver?" I asked him. It hurt everywhere, I just wanted curl up in my bed.
"Felicity."
"What am I to you Oliver?" I asked him. I needed to get this off my chest, I might as well do this now.
He thought hard before he answered.
"I think I like you." He told me, a few days ago this would have sent tingles down my body but now it hurt, it felt like someone was shredding me to pieces.
"No you don't Oliver. I am just a convenient distraction." I spat angrily.
"You have no idea how I feel." He roared back.
"Actually I do, you are scared of committing and you hide behind things and I will not be one of those things Oliver." I told him firmly.
"Come with me we can figure this out." He pleaded.
"I am not going to run away with you Oliver, you should know me better." I told him, he freed my arm from his grip. He knew there was nothing he could say that would change my mind.
"Felicity." His voice sounded so defeated, but I needed to stay strong.
"Stop running Oliver." I parted with one last advice.
My heart ached, my chance with him ended even before it began. We could have been good together and now we will never find out. Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak together that definitely seemed odd, why didn't I see it before?
The Gambit was setting sail in three hours, Oliver's offer was still in the back of my mind. I was never going to do anything about it. I had seen Laurel pick out her picture, she wanted Oliver to have something of hers during the journey.
Things were slowly getting back to normal, Quentin had begged for forgiveness. My mother and my new step father were back in their honeymoon phase. Laurel was apartment hunting, she wanted the perfect apartment money was never going to be an issue. Every time I bumped into Oliver I felt shooting pains in my chest, when was it going to stop? A month? Two? A year?
My mother was out with her friends, Quentin in the precinct and Laurel was out meeting Oliver. That left me and Sara, I was going to beg her for a doctor who marathon. I quickly made my way to Sara's room.
She was packing a bag, she hadn't noticed me walk inside her room yet.
"What are you doing Sara?" I asked her, she looked startled. I felt bad for scarring her.
"I am going to follow my heart Felicity." She told me, she raced around packing her bag.
"Sara I don't understand." She was making me nervous.
"You were right, I should have told him how I felt." She told me.
"Is this about your crush?" I asked her slowly, I didn't want to spook her. She paused to look at me.
"I love him Felicity, I have always loved him, I loved him even before Laurel did." She told me confidently.
No it can't be, she couldn't be possibly be talking about him could she?
"It is not Oliver is it?" I asked her cautiously. I prayed for a no, but I knew it in my gut it was him.
"I am so sorry but I need to tell him." She told me remorsefully.
This was so twisted, I felt the ground slip beneath my feet. How did I not see this before? Was I that oblivious? I wanted to throw up. All three girls living under this roof were under his spell.
"Don't do this Sara, please." I begged. I will get on my knees if I have to.
"I love him Felicity, I can't pretend anymore. Oliver wants me to go to China with him." She told me stubbornly, she looked determined to tell him how she felt. This was going to destroy this family.
"Sara Laurel will never forgive you." I told her, did she not realize the consequences for her actions?
"And I will never forgive myself if I don't tell him." She told me, she moved past me to the door.
What should I say to dissuade her? Oliver was such a coward; he had such a roundabout way of breaking things off with Laurel. His phobia of commitment was getting ridiculous, he should just tell Laurel how he feels instead of hurting her like this.
"I am truly sorry Felicity." She parted with a choked sob.
I heard the front door close. Sara had written a letter for Quentin it lay on her bed. A piece paper was going to tear this family apart.
I was not giving up, I called Oliver. I needed him stop this. What he thinking? This was cruel, Laurel did not deserve this.
I kept getting his voice mail, should I call Tommy? He was way too loyal to Laurel there was no way he could hide this from Laurel.
I needed to work fast, did Mr & Mrs Queen know about Oliver's diabolical plan? They adored Laurel, didn't they? How could they let this happen? I needed to get to the docks.
I was too late I was not able to stop Sara from going to China with Oliver.
When I got home I found a forlorn Quentin in the living room and my mother busy in the kitchen, looked like they had found Sara's letter. It lay discarded on the coffee table. Quentin looked up at me. His eyes were red rimmed, he painted the picture of a truly heartbroken and anguished father. I walked up to my mother.
"Mom" I called out softly.
"Did you know about this?" She demanded, she was pissed off. I have never seen her this angry before.
"No! I never knew she like him." I shot back.
"Don't lie to me Felicity." She accused. It stung that my own mother wouldn't believe me.
"I swear mom I am as shocked as you are." I told her, I sounded hurt and my mom realized that too, her anger drained away.
"What are we going to tell Laurel?" She looked and sounded distressed.
"Where is she?" I realized that Laurel was not home.
"She is sleeping over at her friend's place." My mother told me, we had some time before the bomb exploded.
Quentin could not take the day off and that meant Laurel was still in the dark about Sara. Quentin had decided that they would tell Laurel as soon as he got back he did not want my mother to do it alone.
The clock was mocking me, I swear it was intentionally moving slowly, I could see my mother pacing in the kitchen. Laurel was in the living room reading something; she looked so peaceful I really did not envy her. Oliver Queen was truly a dick and a coward.
I let out a sigh as soon as I heard the door bell ring, Quentin was home. Laurel moved to get the door. Sadly I was wrong, there was a tall dark stranger on the other side of the door. My mother had sensed my alarm and joined us in the living room.
"Miss Lance?" The stranger greeted Laurel.
"Yes and who are you?" Laurel asked him, she didn't recognize him and neither did I. My mother moved to stand beside Laurel her motherly instincts kicking in.
"I am Walter Steele, CFO of Queen consolidated." He wore a somber look on his face. Anxiety churned in the pits of my stomach.
"What are you doing here Mr. Steele?" My mother asked him. He hesitated before answering her.
"I have some bad news." His thick British accent seeped out.
"What is it?" Laurel asked him, she was frightened.
"The Gambit was caught in a storm and unfortunately it was destroyed in the storm." He worded it delicately.
Oh no this was not happening, Oliver couldn't be dead, Little Thea? Oh my God Sara! No no this couldn't be happening, this was nightmare. I just needed to open my eyes and everything would be alright again.
I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them, I could still see Mr. Steele standing there. Why was he still standing there? Sara, Oliver, no please God this can't be true. My cheeks were wet with the onslaught of tears, No! This was just a nightmare I was going to wake up in a minute.
Why couldn't I wake up?
"Four were killed but they were able to save Oliver, Thea and Miss Sara Lance, they are being airlifted to the nearest hospital." Walter told us in his baritone voice. I was able to heave a big sigh of relief, I know it was terrible. Four people were dead but Oliver was alive, Sara was alive, Thea was alive.
"I need to call Quentin." My mom rushed to her room.
"I am sorry I just heard you say Sara Lance." Laurel asked him, I had momentarily forgotten that Laurel did not know Sara had taken off with Oliver.
"I am truly sorry but Miss Lance was found aboard." Realization had dawned in Laurel's eyes, she stumbled back. I moved forward to hold her, she did not push away, she remained in my hold. She truly did not deserve this. Damn you Oliver Queen! You are truly a pathetic jerk!
Walter looked like he knew what was going on, after all Oliver's philandering ways were not a secret to the world. He shot Laurel a sympathetic look.
Oliver and Thea Queen were being treated in some European country, their location was a closely guarded secret. They were under the care of their uncle, the tragic story of the Queen family was all the media talked about for months.
I tried to gather information, some legally and some not so legal methods but all I could find out was that the uncle was not blood related but a friend of Robert Queen. Nobody saw the Queen siblings for months, there were conspiracy theories that they too were dead. My heart lurched whenever somebody said that.
I tried calling him, I knew it was futile effort but I kept trying. I can get back to hating him once I knew he was alright.
Sara had moved to Coast city with her mother, I visited her whenever possible but every time I was there I was treated with disdain by her mother. She though my mother was the reason why Sara got hurt, she thought it was my mother's bad parenting which was truly unfair. Sara was distant too, my motivation to visit her was growing far and few.
Laurel threw herself into her studies, we blatantly ignored each other at home. She was pitied everywhere, sometimes I truly felt sorry for her. I tried to include her but she was far too proud to take my help.
I made it to MIT, I should have been over the moon but there was a hole in my heart that made me feel hollow despite the joyous occasion. Laurel was starting law school, Quentin and my mother were proud and so was I, I truly admired her spirit she did not crumble down instead she had carved a life for herself. Sara was being home schooled, Quentin was the only one who seemed to know what was happening with her.
I was so ready to begin the next chapter in my life, whatever happened with Oliver needed to be erased from my memory. Sometimes I felt this deep pang of pain, nobody was ever going to know how I felt about him. It was like it never happened maybe that was good thing. Maybe it was a short chapter in my life that was meant to teach me some valuable life lessons.
Whatever lie ahead I was ready for it….
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