Adrenaline!

Untitled Part 9

By the time Wednesday of the following week rolled around, Felicity was finding it harder and harder to say no to Oliver's invitation. Oliver would come to the garage in the afternoons and their banter would continue with him trying to get her to say yes to the fundraiser. But today was different. While she and Roy had been working on the rims, Oliver walked into the garage office with a box in his hands. Coming back to the door he called her over.

"Felicity can I see you in the office for a moment?", he asked, as John walked over to Roy giving her a wink as he passed.

Felicity wiped her hands on her towel before heading over to the office. "Shut the door please.", Oliver said as he stood behind his desk.

Felicity cautiously closed the door. Her and him in close quarters with the door shut, not a good combination.

Felicity stayed close to the door, wanting to keep some distance between them as Oliver looked at her with a grin. "I like the coveralls.", he said indicating her baggy, zip up coveralls she had on over her clothes. She blushed slightly.

Oliver indicated the box on the desk. "This is for you. Think of it as a bonus for all of the hard work you have been putting in here at the garage. You've done a great job Felicity.", he said sincerely.

Felicity looked at the box in wonder. It was rare that she got gifts and this one was big. Stepping toward it she pulled the bow on top before lifting the lid. Pulling back some tissues paper she gasped as she saw what was inside. It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Wiping her hands on her coveralls, she took the dress out and the skirt fell all the way to the floor. It was a beautiful emerald green strapless dress that was fitted at the waist and then flowed out from there to the floor. It had tiny crystals sewn on the bodice and skirt that caused it to sparkle in the light. Felicity looked at Oliver in surprise, her eyes questioning. Oliver stepped around the desk and stood next to her.

"I saw this the other day when I was with my sister, and I just knew it would look gorgeous on you for the fundraiser.", he said smiling softly. He had known when he saw it that she would look breathtaking. "There is a pair of shoes in there too. Thea said you can't have a coiture dress without the right shoes.", he chuckled.

Felicity looked at the dress in awe, and then sadly put it back in the box. "Thank you Oliver but I can't accept this.", she said. She eyed the dress wistfully before placing the lid back on top.

"Felicity I want you to have it. Even if you don't agree to go to the fundraiser, you deserve it. You have been working day and night to get my car ready. It is the least I can do.", he said earnestly.

Felicity gave him a soft look. He was slowly wearing her down, but she had to stay strong. His friends would laugh if she showed up at the fundraiser. She was just a mechanic. She didn't run in their circle. "I'm sorry Oliver, I just can't." She turned and walked out shutting the door behind her. She looked at Roy. "I am going to head home. I am not feeling too well.", she lied before walking out of the garage. Roy watched her go with a frown before heading to the office. Roy slammed the door behind him and looked at Oliver.

"What did you say to her man?", he asked angry.

Oliver looked up in surprise. In all the time he had known Roy he had never seen him this worked up. "I didn't say anything Roy. I bought her a dress I thought she might like and mentioned maybe she could wear it to the fundraiser. That is all.", he said, annoyed. Why did she walked out?

"Oliver I don't like to meddle in Felicity's business, or yours for that matter but can I give you some advice?", he asked, crossing his arms.

Oliver looked up. "Sure.", he said uncertainly.

"Felicity is one of the smartest women I know. But when it comes to love and relationships she can be adorably naive. You need to think about all of this from her perspective. You are a billionaire playboy, the tabloids words, not mine, and she is just a car mechanic. At least that is how she see's herself. I've known Felicity a long time man, and she is scared. She is afraid that she won't fit in with the people at this fundraiser. Now I personally think she would kick ass and take names, but I am not her."

Oliver listened to Roy as he had a moment of clarity. Roy was right and he could see why she would be feeling insecure, but he wanted her to know that he wanted her there on Friday. No, he needed her to be there.

"Now, if it was me....", Roy continued. "I would go talk to her and convince her to go.", he said. Roy grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and wrote something down, handing it to Oliver. Oliver looked at the piece of paper confused.

"It's her address.", Roy said.

"Thank you Roy.", Oliver said before grabbing the box and heading out to the car. He told John he would be back shortly and left. John walked over and fist bumped Roy.

"I sure hope he can talk some sense into her.", Roy said with a smile.

Oliver drove slowly to Felicity's apartment. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door, but no one answered. He knocked again a little louder, thinking she might be in the shower or the bathroom. But still no answer. Growing worried, he looked around to see if she might be walking up the sidewalk. Maybe she had stopped at the store. There was no one. Oliver thought about waiting for her. But he had also learned that sometimes she needed her space. Walking to his car, Oliver grabbed a piece of paper from his portfolio he kept in the back seat, and wrote her a note.

Felicity,

No matter what you decide this dress was made for you and only you.

Oliver

Oliver placed the note in the box and then placed the box on her doorstep. He walked back to car and drove back to the garage. He had wanted to see and talk to her but maybe it was better this way. Sometimes he had to have a little patience.

Felicity had enjoyed the movie she had spontaneously decided to see. It was a romantic comedy and it had gotten her mind off of everything for a couple of hours. Walking up to her apartment she gasped as she saw the box on the doorstep. She looked around to see if Oliver was still here. Opening her door, she hurried inside and set the box on her table. Pulling off the top, she saw the note, and picking it up read it with a soft sigh. The man did not play fair. Maybe she should just take a chance and go. She replaced the lid and got ready for bed, knowing she was going to spend another restless night dreaming of Oliver, and that damn tie.