Hello Everyone! Thank you so much for all the new faves/alerts, and reviews, they mean the world to me. I hope you're all gonna enjoy this chapter.

Hip Karma definitely deserves a huge shout out again as she had to go through this twice. Thank you for her :)

REPLY TO THE GUEST REVIEWS:

Anastasia: Thank you for the nice feedback, it makes me very glad how much you're enjoying my story :)

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Amber: Thank you so much for the nice review, it means a lot to see you appreciate the work we do. I believe everyone enjoys Oliver having competition, almost nothing is better than the jealous part of him.

The door of the elevator opened, and there she was, Felicity Smoak. She was more than stunning wearing the dress that I had chosen for her. Her eyes mirrored many emotions, slight panic, and anxiety, reactions that I was used to from people who were often intimidated by me. But above all of those there was an undeniable light in that look. The kind of shining, I rarely saw nowadays in anyone's eyes.

"Good evening, Miss Smoak," I smiled at her, lightly taking her tiny hand to place a soft kiss on the top of it. I could feel her shivering as my lips touched her smooth skin.

As our eyes met she gave me a look that I couldn't entirely translate. She frowned, and there was a flash in her look what I wasn't used to. I could almost see the nervousness turning into suspicion, slight confusion. I wasn't certain what caused her to give me that look.

"Good evening, Mr. Wayne," she replied with a slightly shaky voice, slipping her hand out of mine. Her eyes remained on me, searching for something, almost interrogating. It certainly wasn't something that I was used to.

"Call me Bruce, please," I said, placing my hand to the small of her back to lead her to the table. I could feel how tense she was under my touch. There was nothing surprising about that though.

"Thank you," she said softly as I pulled the chair out for her, and lightly pushed it under her as she sat down.

I took my place in front of her, waving to Alfred that we were ready to have the champagne, and the meal. He walked to the table, placing the glasses in front of us, taking the bottle from the wine cooler, pouring the champagne with his usual professionalism. Alfred had just finished when Felicity's glass was already empty again. She had drunk it up at once, making both Alfred and I supress a small laugh.

"I'm glad to see you enjoy the champagne," I said, holding back my amusement. "I hope you like lobster as well," I said as Alfred placed the plate in front of her first, then in front of me before pouring more champagne for her.

"Why did you want to meet me, Mr. Wayne?" She asked, surprising me with how straightforward she was. I raised an eyebrow as she used my surname again. "Bruce," she sighed softly as she realized her mistake.

First I wanted her to relax, and make sure she understood I meant her no harm but it seemed she had other plans. I was used to taking the lead but it was interesting to see how someone as delicate as Felicity could try and take over.

"You wish to waste no time, do you now?" I smiled at her, taking a sip from my glass. I loved to see I had an affect on her, that I could make her blush with something as simple as a smile.

"I apologize if it was rude of me to ask that directly," she said, dropping her eyes to her hands for a second before glancing back at me. "But I'm on the top of a skyscraper with a man who I know nothing about, at least no more than Google. I believe it's only fair if I want to know about your intentions."

"You're right," I nodded, moving my gaze to Alfred who enjoyed this more than he should have. I could tell he already liked her style. It wasn't everyday someone talked to me this way. "I understand you're currently spending your last days at Queen Consolidated."

I did my own research on her of course. Felicity caught my attention a few weeks ago when I saw her by Oliver Queen's side. Oliver was an old friend of mine. It was a little bit strong to say that we were friends but we had known each other for years. I wasn't certain why I was curious about her but I had the urge to find out what a pretty, intelligent looking woman like her was doing with Oliver.

However, my research not only didn't take me closer to solving the case of Felicity Smoak, it took me even further from an answer. I found she was indeed a very smart young woman, coming from a poor neighbourhood. Her mother, a cocktail waitress. About her father though, I could find nothing. Gradually Felicity had worked her way out from her humble beginnings and graduated as first in class from MIT in 2009. She got a job not long after finishing school, With offers from many prestigious organisations including Wayne Enterprises, Felicity Smoak had chosen Queen Consolidated, and worked in the IT department until last year when she was moved next to Oliver after he took over the company.

I was wondering if there was something going on between them. But I was always good at figuring people out, and she didn't seem to be a bimbo who would think sleeping with her boss would get her where she wanted to be. She also didn't seem to be the type of woman who would date someone like Oliver Queen, an arrogant selfish egoistical bastard, classic playboy. Why was she with him then?

I was intrigued by this woman. I found more than interesting that she was working for someone like Oliver while she was also working with the Arrow. I didn't know much about that part though, only that she was in contact with him at one point.

"Yes, after Oliver... I mean, Mr. Queen lost the company to that... Isabel Rochev, I was fired as well, with two weeks severance pay" she nodded, drinking half of her champagne.

She was holding back a lot of information there, I noticed. She most certainly was more than Oliver's assistant, and there was something more about Rochev as well, knowing Isabel, she must have slept with Oliver, and it had caused tension between the two women.

"I have a proposition for you, Felicity," I said slowly, watching her taking a bite of the lobster, and making a face. She didn't like it. "I'd like you to be my personal assistant."

Her face turned scarlet red as those words left my mouth. She put her fork down, reached for her glass, drank the last of her champagne, and stood up, ready to take off.

"Thank you for the nice time, Mr. Wayne. I appreciate the effort but you may keep your offer for someone who would be willing to do such things," she said, clearly having to force herself from raising her voice.

I didn't understand what her problem was. She seemed to be incredibly offended by my offer, and I couldn't get what the reason for that was. She worked as a personal assistant for Oliver, my reputation wasn't worse than his. I wanted to set up a new company here, in Starling, away from the stockholders of Wayne's Enterprises, sort of a subsidiary, and I needed someone who knew their way around the city. Of course, I was also curious about the vigilante. My obsession for mysteries didn't vanish in the last few years.

"I apologize if I offended you, it wasn't my intention. I merely wanted to offer a position which could be beneficial for both of us," I explained, taking a hold of her arm before she would have a chance to stomp away.

"Listen, Mr. Wayne. Whatever you heard about me, it isn't true," she glared at me, pulling her arm out from my grasp. "I know the rumours have it that I slept my way to the top but I'm not that type of a woman... And I don't mean actual sleeping of course but sexual activity with my current boss... which I didn't have."

I understood now. She thought I wanted her to be the kind of personal assistant that also starred in a cheap porn film. That certainly wasn't my intention but I couldn't say I was surprised by the rumours. I thought myself that it was a possibility she had a closer relationship with Oliver.

"You misunderstood me, Felicity, I heard great things about your... talents," I said, not wanting to let her know the main reason of my interest was her relationship with the Arrow.

"The only you could have heard about my personal assistant abilities was that I suck at them... excuse my language," she added, glancing at Alfred who was most likely having the time of his life by the look on his face. "I believe it's only logical of me to think you have unprincipled reasons to meet me after you bought me these," she said, pointing at her dress, and shoes. "and have me on this roof with champagne, and lobster."

I found it rather entertaining how she had this disgusted face as she said the last word. I was going to make her stay, and order something that she'd eat as well. It was easy to tell that only that small amount of alcohol was going to her head.

But she was right, most likely anyone who wasn't blinded by the whole idea of having a date with a billionaire would find it suspicious that I'd go to all this trouble when I could have asked one of my HR team to interview them. I liked that she saw that, even if it made it more difficult to make her believe I was simply in need of an assistant.

"You're right but there's something I'd like you to understand. The position that I'm offering you requires someone who can be trusted as there are highly confidential cases involved. I need someone who I can rely on when it comes to those issues, someone who knows their way around the city, and knows the people here. I'd like to start a company here," I said, trying to convince her that I didn't have dirty thoughts on my mind. Which wasn't entirely true anymore of course because I could definitely see why Oliver kept her close.

"That's all?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, still not buying my story. "Because if so, I can give you some names who would be way more qualified for such job."

I couldn't believe she continued to turn me down. She was practically a day away from being unemployed, still she wasn't willing to take a job at a very similar company to where she currently worked. This was surely one stubborn woman.

"I also need technical support," I added, hoping if I offered her something closer to her actual qualification, she'd at least give it a thought. As I hoped, it worked, and I could tell she was contemplating the idea. "Let's sit back, and finish dinner. Would you like me to order something for you?" I asked, not forgetting about that funny face she pulled even by the mention of lobster.

"Yes, please, I hate fish," she pulled her nose, letting out a relieved sigh that she didn't have to try and eat at least some of it. "And may I get some more champagne, please?"

Alfred smiled at me, nodding that I did a good job with keeping her here. Now I'd only have to see if she was only willing to listen to me, or if she actually would take the job as well. I was certainly hoping for the latter.

I stopped my bike in front of the abandoned skyscraper. I tracked Felicity's phone, and this was the address it showed. I bet they were on the roof, it would be typical of Bruce to try and seduce her with something like that. I looked around and saw a black limousine parked in front of the building. It must belong to him.

"Evening," I said, knocking on the window of the car. The driver was startled for a moment but he must have recognized me. It wasn't always a burden to have my face all over the news.

"Good evening, Mr. Queen," he said, staring at me, most likely wondering what I wanted.

"Did you bring Felicity Smoak here?" I asked casually.

"Yes, Sir. She has a meeting with Mr. Wayne," he nodded, opening the door of the car, and lighting a cigarette as he got out.

"I assume they are at the roof, right?" I moved my eyes to the top, seeing there was some light there.

"I suppose, they didn't share the plans with me," he shrugged slightly, taking a drag of his cigarette.

"Thanks," I nodded, starting towards the building.

I didn't know what Bruce wanted from her but whatever it was, it wasn't going to happen. Felicity had enough on her plate. She didn't need someone like Bruce to cause her even more trouble. The elevator was moving too slow for my like but unfortunately, I couldn't just jump over the buildings as I'd usually do.

The door opened in front of me, and as suspected there they were, having a candlelit dinner. He must have really wanted her if he was willing to do such a parade. Felicity was laughing, her face flushed as she tried to catch her breath. Jealousy hit me as hard as a train. I rarely ever got a chance to hear her laughter, or see her as carefree as she looked now.

"I'll be damned if it isn't Oliver Queen," Bruce moved his eyes to me, without showing the least sign of surprise.

"Oliver," Felicity looked at me shocked, her mouth hanging open as she saw me. There was a strange light in her eyes as she stared at me in disbelief, her voice not what I was used to.

"Felicity," I gave her a hard look, letting her know I wasn't happy about her little detour with Bruce.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered, giving me the 'I'm not happy with you' look.

"Good evening, Mr. Queen," Alfred, the old butler stepped up to me, giving me a good reason to ignore her question. His face didn't give anything away either, butlers were always good at that, keeping a straight face.

"Good evening, Alfred," I nodded to him, walking to the table, waiting for him to get me a chair as well. Felicity looked gorgeous in her dress. She must have gotten it from Bruce as I knew for a fact she didn't earn enough to be able to afford clothes like that.

I watched her finish her champagne with a single move. That was the strange light in her eyes. She was drunk. I wasn't even surprised Bruce would go that low. I knew his type well enough to be aware if he wanted something, he'd do anything to get it. I had been the same before.

"What a pleasant surprise," Bruce said with a fake smile on his face, drinking his champagne. Alfred handed me a chair so I took my place between the blonde and Wayne. "To what do we owe the honour?"

"I heard you were in the city, and it's been such a long time since we met, I thought I'd drop by," I answered, taking the glass of champagne the butler offered me. "And why have you graced us with your presence?"

"It's confidential," he answered, still with a smile on his face what was way too forced.

"Of course," I nodded, returning the smile, stopping myself from just taking Felicity by the hand, and leaving. "I see you certainly found the perfect company for your stay," I glanced at Felicity whose hands were in tight fists. I could tell she wasn't happy with my sudden appearance but honestly, I couldn't care less about her opinion at the moment.

"Indeed, Felicity is very pleasant to be around," he answered, sending her a smile, making her blush from head to toe. I thought she'd be smarter than to fall for someone like him.

"What did you say she was doing here again?" I raised an eyebrow, almost rolling my eyes seeing Felicity act like a school girl. However, the reason for her silly act must have been the alcohol. Under normal circumstances she'd recognize how fake this whole evening was.

"I didn't," Bruce said. "But as you seem to be keen on the subject, I'll tell you that I offered a position to Felicity at my new company."

"Too bad she's my employee," I smirked at him, drinking up my champagne.

"Last time I checked you weren't able to afford to have paid employees," a grin appeared around the corner of his mouth, laughter hiding in his eyes.

My jaw tightened at his words. No, I wasn't able to pay anyone but Felicity belonged to me, end of story. She couldn't have had a job somewhere else, definitely not by the side of Bruce Wayne.

"Can I have a word with you, Felicity... in private?" I took her by the elbow, realizing we almost completely forgot about her being there as well.

"Sure," she rolled her eyes as she stood up, and followed me a few steps away from the table.

"You aren't taking that job," I stated firmly. This wasn't up for discussion. The last thing I wanted was for her to be around people like him.

"Excuse me?" She frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. I could tell she was starting to get even more worked up, her mouth a straight line, and she had that stubborn look on her face that I loved and hated at the same time.

"I'm rephrasing, I'm asking you not to. Is that better?" I asked, irritated that she even contemplated the possibility of doing it.

"Not if you say it that way, Oliver," she glared at me, breathing heavily as her face turned even more red with anger.

"Has all the booze clouded your mind so much that you can't see what he's trying to do here?" I growled. She had clearly left her common sense behind tonight.

"No, Oliver, but unlike you, I have to think of how I'm going to be unemployed in only a day and believe it or not, I need the money," she explained heatedly, clearly thinking I wasn't well aware of the situation we all ended up in because of me.

"I don't trust him," I raised my voice frustrated, just wanting her to understand this was anything but a good idea. "Don't take it!"

"Give me a reason not to," she moved her eyes to mine. I knew what she wanted to hear. She wanted to hear that I needed her, that I couldn't stand her spending her time with someone else but I couldn't say those words to her even if that was the truth.

"He took you to the top of a skyscraper to have a candlelit dinner, getting you drunk, calling it a job interview, isn't that enough of a reason?" Her eyes darkened. She bit her bottom lip, nodding slightly as she took a deep breath.

"Alright," she said with a strange voice. "I'm taking the job, Bruce."

I couldn't believe what I just heard. I couldn't believe she decided to accept this nonsense even though, I asked her not to. I turned around, and stepped into the elevator before I could say something that I'd regret.