THE HOTEL INCIDENT
Fitz is a 35 year old surgeon. He just met Olivia inside the elevator of Regent hotel. He was there to see one of his best friends Cyrus. Who just called him thinking he was having a heart attack. It turned out to be false alarm. Which was very funny because, Fitz was a brain surgeon not heart surgeon. Cyrus was there for a conference. Cyrus' company, an international shipping company was reshuffling their staff worldwide. Fitz was on his way to see Cyrus when he met Olivia in the elevator looking all tired and a little pale.
Fitz had to ask."Are you OK? You look really pale"
"I will be fine, thanks anyway". Olivia said, without giving him a glance.
"I don't know why you're thanking me yet, but I have something for your headache". Fitz said, very certain she must be having headache.
"How do you know I'm having headache, are you a doctor or what?" She asked, now looking at him.
Fitz, Smiling, trying to get a hold of her gaze, said. "Actually I am a brain surgeon but anybody can tell. The way you closed your eyes and keep rubbing the sides of your head, hard day?" He inquired, giving her some tablets. "You can take two now and take another two in the evening, and you will be fine."
Making a strange face, Olivia jokingly demanded. "Can I please see your ID or something, just to be sure. I need to get married and have kids before I die if you know what I mean"..
Fitz couldn't stop smiling, thinking, this is my kind of lady. Wow her eyes are beautiful. She looks really tired. A nice bath and this tablet, with some sleep she's going to look like heaven.
Olivia, now feeling suspicious and uncomfortable with the way he was staring at her, asked "what are you contemplating about?" Waving her hand in front of his face, she continued. "Maybe I should go, thanks, bye". She folded her arms waiting for the elevator door to open.
The elevator door opened, as she stepped out; Fitz followed her, grabbed her by the arm, then letting go immediately, showing his driver's license to her.
"I'm sorry this is my ID. I was thinking about how pretty you look." He immediately realized how cliche that sounded, now embarrassed and trying hard to remedy the situation he mumbled, "I'm sorry for saying that. It's just that,…..eh sorry let me just go, bye." Feeling like a moron, he turned around to walk away, Olivia then stopped him.
"It's OK, thanks for the drug. I'm Olivia Pope by the way". She said extending her hand forward for the drugs.
"Fitz, Fitz Grant." reciprocating the gesture, he inhale gently and asked. "What are you doing here?" Feeling stupid for asking, he continued "Well I know this is a hotel but….."
"I'm here for a confff…."
A young guy interrupted Olivia before she could finish the word conference. "Miss Pope, a call for you. From one Mr. Jake Ballad." Said the young guy.
"I've been waiting for that call; I have to go thanks again." She said and left.
Olivia was gone before Fitz could opened his mouth. He checked his watch and it was time for his appointment with with Cyrus. Fitz looked behind him whether he could see her but couldn't. He walked away talking to himself; who is Mr. Jake Ballad, could he be her husband, no I don't think so, the guy said 'miss', fiancé maybe? Well, I don't expect her to be single either; he had to stopped himself "Fitz, get yourself together".
Olivia was now inside her hotel room lying down on her bed hoping the headache would go away but it was proving difficult. She has been having this headache for almost a year now and has been to the hospital to consult. But the doctors kept saying nothing was wrong, she just needed some rest. Some drugs were given to her. After taking them, she would be fine for a few weeks, and then the headache would continue . She would like to go for another checkup again, but doesn't really has the time for it. Olivia just remembered the drug the guy in the elevator gave her and decided to try it, talking to herself what's the worst that can happen? She then called her mom to greet her; it has been two weeks and she hasn't spoken to her.
"Hi baby, have you been confirmed yet?" her mom asked in a very sweet voice, she loved just listening to her voice.
"No mom, I am going to find out in a few days. How is everybody over there?"
Trust her mom to detect she was tired just from the sound of her voice."You sound tired, are you OK? Don't tell me that headache is still disturbing you. You need to consult again, or don't you think so?"
"No, mom it's not the headache, I'm just tired. We had a very long day at the conference. I just need some rest and I will be fine. You worry too much." She lied about the headache. Her mom has been saying over and over that she should see somebody about the headache. "You better get your rest then. Your sister Linda is coming over."
"What is Linda coming over for? Hope she is not having problem with her husband again? sorry don't answer that. OK bye mom, I love hearing your voice."
Lately her sister and the husband has been fighting. What they were fighting over, nobody knows. Every time they do, she would run straight to their mom.
CHAPTER 2
Two days later, Fitz came back to the hotel to check on Cyrus. He decided to stop on the floor where he parted ways with Olivia, to see if he could know how she was doing. Whether the headache persisted or just to see the guy that gave her the message of the almighty Mr. Jake Ballad. He smile at almighty Jake Ballad, saying to himself "Fitz jealous much". Maybe the guy could tell him where to find Olivia. he looked back and forth, he couldn't see either. As he was pressing the button on the elevator to enter, he over heard.
"Mr. Grant, em, , Mr. Grant. " Fitz froze for some seconds before turning around.
"Mr. Grant, right? Yes I'm right." Olivia asked then answered her own question.
"Yes you are right, Olivia Pope, nice to see you again, you look healthy today." He said walking toward her.
"Yes and all thanks to you, I'm sorry the way I left the other day." Giving him a handshake. His palm was very soft, Olivia thought.
"Yeah, Mr. Jake Ballad must had been very important." He said in a low voice, then noticed she heard him.
Olivia not understanding what he was talking about, but yet laughing at his facial expression. she later on asked "what? What are you talking about?
"Nothing, do not mind me, I'm glad you are OK." With a smile, Fitz responded.
Olivia was checking him, trying to figure him out. For some reason he looked tense and very handsome. Well last time she was having a terrible headache, she didn't have the time to checked him out. He looked simple and relaxed he was wearing a T-shirt and a jean, his hair well shaped, curly and short. Olivia was the one now staring. last time he was the one.
"I will give you a penny for your thought." Fitz interrupted her thought.
She was back to reality, and didn't get him at first, then it came to her attention she was staring and he was staring at her too."Sorry, what are you doing here, are you on this floor also?" She asked.
With a grin on Fitz's face, certain she was admiring him. Not that he was bragging, but very aware he was one handsome looking guy, he said "No, I came to see a friend. I'm just walking around. Are you going somewhere?"
Olivia Pressed the elevator button, and then answered, "Yes, actually I'm going out for food."
"No room service in your room? Don't you like the food here?" Fitz asked, trying to make small talk before the elevator door opened.
"Is not that, I'm just craving for a particular type of food. Is not that common here. There's a restaurant just about the corner. Actually is owned by a lady from my town." Why all the information, she asked herself.
Wanting to go with her, Fitz said "I'm sure I've never eaten your town food before."
This was a request for an invitation, Olivia thought, but she was contemplating whether to invite him or not. He might not even like it, is not like the other dishes. it seemed as if Fitz read her mind.
"You don't have to invite me if you don't want to." But his face was pleading for her to invite him.
In her mind she was thinking, "yes I don't want to invite you because I don't know you, but you look like the dish I'm going to eat so why not."
She said instead. "Is not that, I was just thinking you might not like it. Its not that common around here."
"Well that's for me to decide and for you to find out, don't you think so?" He said it with a charming smile.
"Yap, Mr. Grant will you like to join me for an uncommon food adventure?" Olivia teased, extending her hand to him smiling.
Fitz took her hand and kissed it lightly. It was just a casual gesture but she felt her body shivering. she withdrew her hand very fast that made her angry for sending the wrong message, or was it the wrong message? She could see him smiling but trying to suppressed it.
"I will be delighted, and please is Fitz, do not add the Mr."
She smiled and shook her head implying OK. They went inside the elevator, while in the elevator they started small talk. She told him about her job and how she would like to work here in Washington and that she was here mainly for that. She might be one of the head of operation here in case she was confirm. she told him of her love for the capital, how she has always fantasized living in DC. saying she doesn't care what others are saying about big towns. Olivia kept on talking until she had to stopped herself. she talks a lot when nervous.
Fitz was just staring at her. He wanted her to keep talking, she looked amazing talking. The only thing was, she didn't want to look him in the eyes. He got the impression she might be a little bit nervous, but when he turned his head she would try to check him out. The thought of her being nervous was flattering to him.
Olivia noticed she was hearing just her voice. "There I go as always, talking as if…"
Fitz interrupted her and said "No, do not stop. I love hearing you talk. I mean what you are saying is very interesting. Its good that some people are still in love with this capital like it was before. You know, not many people have positive things to say about DC and you can't really blame them."
"That's true, but there is, and always many positive things about this capital you know. Like it led to our independence and stuff. Its just that many people tend to see the worst in everything than the good." she replied.
They were now outside to get a cab. The car pulled at the side and Fitz led her into the car. Olivia gave the driver the direction. The driver told them he knew the place and the food there was amazing. The driver wasn't from her town, but he has a friend who always went there to eat. And one day he decided to try it and he loved it.
They came to the spot and said bye to the driver. Fitz insisted on paying the car driver, saying he was intruding. Olivia was like "yah, yah you win pay the driver, but I'm paying for whatever thing you're going to eat". She stepped outside the car and as Fitz was paying the driver, she overheard the driver and Fitz…
"You guys make a lovely couple." The driver said.
"No, we are not couple, I'm still trying to see if I can make a move." Fitz replied quietly.
The driver was surprised, and made a face "Dude, what you waiting for?"
"Shh, shh she might hear you, it's somehow complicated I just met her, and she might not be staying here for long"
The driver trying to speak as low as possible "Dude you got it bad."
Fitz rolled his eyes and said "Tell me about it."
Olivia pretended as if she did not hear them. The whole situations made her very nervous. They got in to the restaurant. As they were entering Fitz placed his hand behind her waist to ushered her inside. She felt her body tensed up. she closed her eyes and tried to get herself together, then she heard her name.
"Olivia you didn't tell me you'll be coming, wow! how is everybody doing back at home?" Vera a lady from Olivia's town said.
Speaking in a shaking voice, not knowing why exactly, Olivia answered
"Well it was short notice, I did not have time myself, but answering your question everybody is fine.
"I wanted some food items from home." Disappointingly, Vera said
"So how did you expect me to carry everything you wanted, were you going to pay for my luggage? She said, teasing her.
Vera smiled, hugging her and replied."with all the money you are working, you can't help a sister out."
Olivia intentionally forgot about Fitz, trying to released the tension building inside her. But Vera brought her attention to him for her to introduce him.
Fitz stood there quietly, enjoying the way they were displaying their affection to each other.
"This is Mr. Grant, I mean Fitz. I just met him and he said he will like to try some of your food." She said it in a nonchalant manner, as if she just met him at the door when entering. Not even a glance toward him.
"Nice to meet you, I am Vera she did not mention my name. I think I have a food you may like, since this is your first time." Vera said and left.
Fitz got Olivia's attitude but tried to overlooked it. He became quite and observant. Olivia was now feeling terrible the way she treated him. Was it because she overheard him and the driver? Or was it due to the way he made her feel inside just for the short moment they've met?
Fitz seemed to enjoy the food or maybe pretended to. She asked him how it was, he said it was OK and that he liked it.
"It tastes like one Mexican dish I've eaten before."He smiled at her.
They left the restaurant both quite, not knowing what to say to each other. Fitz decided to break the silence.
"Did I say or do something wrong? I'm saying this because of the way you introduced me to Vera, and you became so cold toward me inside the restaurant". He said, holding her arm.
She shifted away from his touch
"please don't touch me." She replied harshly.
"Why? What have I done? please tell me. I'm sorry for whatever thing I've done. I did not mean to."
Knowing she has no excuse for her attitude, feeling bad and scared for her feelings to a stranger, she said. "Sorry for my attitude. You haven't done anything, is me, I'm not feeling fine, I have to get some sleep."
"Is just 2:30pm, I wanted to spend some time with you, I just want us to be friends." Fitz pleaded, like a little boy.
"I'm sorry not today. We've exchanged numbers, you have my number and I have yours, maybe another day."Olivia said and left in a hurry.
She went to her room and immediately called her secretary at home, Abby. Her good friend she always confined in, and told her everything, and how she rushed out of the elevator. Abby laughed like crazy.
"Abby its not funny, why are you laughing? This is serious no man has ever put me out of my comfort zone like this, is scary." She informed her best friend.
"Oh I wish I was there to see. It's a miracle, and about dame time. I did not believe there was a man on this earth that can turn you on. So are you going to see him or call him at least?" Abby asked
"I don't know what to do. The way I treated him at Vera's restaurant and the way I rushed out of the elevator any man with the right senses will not want anything to do with me." Olivia responded.
"Excuses, excuses, excuse, you just want to die alone, you promise that any man that will make the hormones in your body jump, you'll go after the person, now I dare you to go after him." Abby dared her.
"No, I did not say that, I said any man that is worthy of my hormones I will go after him." She corrected
"Denial, denial, denial is a river in Egypt you know. Sometimes I wonder if you have any hormones at all."
Olivia smile at Abby's comment and said to her "I'm still your boss. I can fire you. Of course I have hormones. I menstruate every month."
"Yeah right, show me want you gat boss. I dare you to go after him." Abby said laughing. Adding that it was a challenge, and if she did, she was going to give her one shoe they were both fighting over to buy, but Abby flirted with the sale's man then got the shoes.