Chapter Text
« Frack, frack, frack, frackity frack ! »
Felicity Smoak, MIT class of 09, wasn’t one to swear and panic. Growing up in Vegas around casinos at least taught her how to keep her cool and a clear head. But today wasn’t just any day. She had just arrived in Starling City the night before, and was expected at Queen Consolidated for an interview in 20... scratch that, 17 minutes. Her flight had been delayed and she only made it to her hotel well past midnight. Exhaustion had taken over and she had forgotten to set her alarm clock. This meant she was currently busy getting dressed after the quickest shower in the history of showers. She didn’t bother with her hair, just put it in her usual ponytail (hey at least it looked professional), grabbed her makeup supplies and rushed out of her hotel room.
At least her taxi was on time. Inside she used the precious minutes it took to get to QC to apply some light makeup. She didn’t look as neat as she would have hoped, but since she was applying for a position in the IT department, and not the public relations, she gathered it should not prejudice her. Someone was clearly on her side as traffic was smooth and she managed to enter the building a full 3 minutes before 10. She hurried to the front desk, barely taking the time to catch her breath. A twenty something gorgeous woman with long, blond silky hair gave her the head to toe glance, clearly taking in her quite disheveled appearance.
“… May I help you?”
“Hum yes, I know I’m late, I’m here for the interview, I know there were several candidates that were to be seen this morning. IT Department.” Felicity quickly explained.
“Oh, indeed, there is an assessment going on right now. I’m afraid you might be indeed late, but it’s on the 15th floor. The lifts are over there, and just ask for Mrs Pembrook.” Blond-hair handed her a visitor badge and pointed to a direction on her right.
“Thank you.” Felicity wasted no time and rushed to the end of the building, quickly scanning her badge while looking in her messenger bag for her resume. Not watching where she was going, she couldn’t see the gentleman who was just as much in a hurry and the two collided just in front of the main elevators.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention!” She knelt to pick up some of her possessions that had scattered on the floor.
“Neither was I, obviously.” It wasn’t the words, but the voice that made her look up. She found herself staring into eyes so blue she forgot for one moment what she was doing there in the first place. The more-than-handsome man smiled at her, handing her a pen that had escaped during their collision as they both stood up.
“Hi, I’m Oliver Queen,” he said as he shook her hand.
“I know who you are, you’re Mister Queen.” She couldn’t help but blush a little, because even if she knew who he was, she didn’t know he would be even more handsome in the flesh. Actually, in the muscle would be more appropriate. Not only did he have the face but also the body of a Greek God, which really wasn’t fair for the rest of the male population.
“Nooo, Mr Queen is my father.”
“Right, but he’s gone. I mean no, he’s not gone, gone; he’s not dead. Right? Oh God, I sure hope he isn’t. I did my research before I applied for a job here and I’m positive he was still alive then. Anyway, I just meant that I know he went to visit the branch in Russia. Not that I spy on your family or anything, I just wanted to be prepared for my interview. For the IT department. Which I’m late to, actually.” As usual, the words rushed out of her mouth before she could control them and she mentally cursed herself.
Oliver quirked an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Alright… I shall let you go then. Have a good day, and good luck.” He pressed the button to call the elevator for her and with a wink and a smile, he walked towards the entrance of the building.
Felicity stepped inside the elevator, pushed the button for the 15th floor, and gave herself one last check in the mirror before stepping out. She walked towards one of the receptionists, showed him her badge and asked where she could find Mrs Pembrook.
“Well, I’m afraid Mrs Pembrook is not available right now, she is interviewing candidates. Did you have an appointment?” A somehow young man, with an easy smile, answered her.
“I know, I’m here for one of those interviews. Felicity Smoak.”
“I’m sorry Miss Smoak, but the assessment started at 10. I cannot interrupt it.”
“But… I am just like one minute late? I’m so sorry, I’m usually always on time, my plane was delayed, I just flew from Boston for this interview! Are you sure I can’t just explain to Mrs Pembrook myself?” she begged, wondering if dropping on her knees would help. That might send the wrong message, Smoak.
“I wish I could help you but I have strict orders. I can’t let you through.” The young man, David, according to the name on his tag, gave her a sympathetic look. “I can put you on the list for the next recruitment if you want to?”
“God knows when that will be… thank you.” Felicity walked back towards the elevator, feeling completely defeated. Of course she had applied to other companies, but she really liked QC and their applied sciences division. She was hoping to start in the IT department and maybe get promoted quickly. She had the brains, the skills and was hard-working. She also really liked Starling City and was looking forward to moving there.
She was interrupted in her thoughts by the sound of a quarrel. She had made it to the main hall on the ground floor, which was rather empty as most employees were already in their office. Oliver Queen himself seemed to be having an argument with a woman, who looked like his mother. Not wanting to be caught in the middle of a family drama, she quickly stepped back, not willing to interrupt them, but the elevator door had just closed, so she ended up stuck there. She could only hope they would not notice her and quickly finish their conversation.
“Oliver, this is serious. Your father is considering retiring but he cannot do that if there is no one to take charge!”
“He has a VP who is more than capable of taking charge! Walter is great, you know that, and he has all the skills and abilities for this. I don’t see where the problem is!” Oliver answered, the frustration clear in his voice.
“That is not the point, this is Queen Consolidated. A Queen must be at the head of it! And it will be yours one day. It’s more than time for you to start taking your responsibilities seriously.”
“I am serious!” Oliver petulantly raised his voice at his mother, who, for her part, seemed to stay calm and collected.
“Really? Oliver, how many assistants have you had in the past 6 months?” Moira Queen's eyebrow raised in question and even Felicity could read the hints of displeasure in her tone. “How many lovely female assistants, should I say?”
“Mom… what do my assistants have to do with all of that?”
“It’s symbolic, Oliver. It shows that you do not take things seriously. One day this will end up badly for us. One of those girls will sue for sexual harassment”
“I do not harass them, who do you think I am?” Oliver exclaimed, indignation written across his features.
“I know you don’t. But if you keep acting like this, it is bound to happen. You are the heir of a very wealthy family, Oliver. When there is that much money at stake, some people do not hesitate to twist reality.”
“Listen, mom…”
“No, Oliver. You need a new assistant. Since I can’t trust you with that, I’m going to ask the HR myself and you won’t have a say. For the rest, we’ll talk about it when your father gets back from Russia.” Moira squeezed her son’s arm, and turned around to leave. That’s when Oliver seemed to notice Felicity, who was still standing a few feet away from them.
“I already have one,” he quickly said.
“You already have a what, dear?” Moira stopped and looked at her son expectantly.
“An assistant.”
“How can you already have one? Shelly resigned yesterday afternoon. How did you even recruit her? What are her qualifications? The HR haven’t even had the time to send you candidates’s resumes!”
“Well, she tried for a position in the IT department, but was late for the assessment, and I think you’ll see that she is even overqualified for the job.“
It took Felicity a couple of seconds to understand what he was saying. Surely he doesn’t mean…
“I can even introduce you right now. Miss?” Oliver looked at her with insistence and she could read in his eyes the plead for her to play along.
“Yes, this is me. I am Miss.” She closed her eyes. Of all the times to babble…Get a grip, Smoak! “ I mean, I am Felicity. Felicity Smoak. And yes, I did try for a position in IT but long story short, my flight was delayed, I missed my alarm clock and was one minute late. One mi-nu-te.”
Moira gave Felicity the full head to toe look, her eyes narrowing as she observed her. Felicity shifted on her feet, knowing fully well that she looked rather... average with her flat shoes, simple low ponytail, and a plain, full buttoned blouse that showed zero cleavage. Although, judging by the conversation she had just overheard, maybe the lack of cleavage was actually a good thing.
Felicity fiddled with her purse strap, uncomfortable under the matriarch's cold stare. Being scrutinized by Moira Queen herself was an experience she hoped only happened once in a lifetime.
“Very well… have you let the head of HR know that there is no need for them to look through candidates for you?”
“I was just going to. I was actually waiting for Miss Smoak so we could go there, sign her contract and get her started as soon as possible. Right, Miss Smoak?”
“… Right, Mister Queen.” She glared at him behind his mother’s back.
“Alright then. I will see you for dinner, don’t forget the Merlyns are coming. Don’t be late.” Moira turned around and left them, alone for the second time that day, in the entrance hall.
“What was that exactly?!” Felicity whispered furiously.
“You were late weren’t you? I know that if you’re late, they don’t let you in. And seeing you 5 minutes later only means you couldn’t get through. Am I right?”
“Yes. One minute late. One…”
“Mi-nu-te. I know. So what do you think? I need an assistant to get my mother off my back and you still need a job don’t you?” He shrugged and looked at her with a smirk.
“Do you know I went to MIT? I worked really hard and it wasn’t so I could fetch coffee!” she huffed, keeping her voice low.
“But you still need a job. You can start as my assistant and then it will be easier for you to move to another department.”
Damn it, he has a point. A job is a job. And she really wanted to work for QC. She could save money and apply as soon as another position opened. Come on Smoak, the whole point of coming here was to take risks and start a new life. She took a deep breath.
“OK.” I’m so going to regret this.
“OK?” Oliver sounded surprised, probably not expecting her to agree that easily.
“Yes, but let’s be clear: this will only be temporary. And you will write references when I apply for another position.”
“It’s a deal, Miss Smoak. Now if you don’t mind, we really need to sign your contract.”
“Lead the way, Mister Queen. And that contract better mention that bringing coffee won’t be expected of me.”
“… we’ll negotiate the terms,” Oliver answered while guiding her through the lobby.
Oooh… I can assure you we will, Mister Queen.