AN
Ok, so don't kill me. I have had this idea floating around in my head for EVER and I finally have the guts to put it in writing…(partly because I have 4 active stories already…and partly because I wanted to avoid you guys yelling at me to finish what I have already started) HAHA….
I will say…this will be more of a slow burn story (as if my others aren't already…) and I would greatly appreciate any feedback you can give. I am pretty certain I will go ahead and make this a full blown story and I haven't come across anything in the scandal FF world like it…that being said, if you know of something or this sounds familiar in any sense, let me know so I can at least make sure to give that writer their props and credit them.
Think of Fitz in this story as a Christian Grey…WITHOUT the BDSM lifestyle cause….YEAAHHH…I can't write shit like that. LOL! NOT in my DNA…but hey, to each his own so…I feel like this story will already be scandalous ENOUGH without adding all that and I'm eager to find out your responses when everything starts to unfold….
ALSO, please be advised that this story is rated M for a reason. If cursing, sex, ect offends you, you should steer clear of this one. Just a heads up! If you have never read of one of my stories, I SHIP OLITZ! ALWAYS AND FOREVER….(and I can be a bit long winded in my AN…hehe) You wont find any Olake here.
I OWN NOTHING! SR now and forever will own these awesome characters. If I did, it would be OLITZ NATION 24/7!
Also, I really hate proofreading so if I missed something, my bad!
Without further ado…
Happy Reading!
CH 1
OPOV
When people look at me, they think I have it all. How do I know this? Because I have heard the rumors. They think I am the total package and I lead a perfect life.
Boy, they couldn't be more wrong.
I am 18 years old. Yep, I'm a grown up legally, but I seriously have been doing this all on my own for quite some time now. My dad died in the line of duty when I was 8 and my mom died when I was 12 in a place crash. They were divorced, but my mom had remarried so I have been in sole custody of my step father, David, since then and to be honest, he was anything BUT a father. He missed my mom probably as much as I did and he kept his promise-basically, he took care of me and made sure I stayed alive.
Don't get me wrong. He didn't abuse me in ANY way. He made sure I was totally taken care of as far as clothes, food, money, a roof, and anything else I needed. That much, I can honestly say, was great. I guess what I'm trying to say is…I miss having a FAMILY.
I sit sometimes and think about holidays, birthdays, milestones, and everything else I've had to celebrate alone. It's not like he wasn't there…he was just really attached. If I'm being completely honest, the only person I have that I consider CLOSE family is my best friend Abby.
My graduation was today. I graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA, and still didn't get valedictorian. I guess it could be worse, but Abby got the valedictorian, so I couldn't bring myself to be the least bit upset with her. Everyone was there with their families. When I crossed the stage to get my slip into adulthood, I wasn't the least bit surprised at the applause I received. What shocked me more was that when I looked out into the crowd, I saw David standing by the door smiling and waving. It made my heart melt that he actually showed up.
After everything was said and done, I got tons of invites to hang out and party to celebrate becoming "grown". To be honest, there was only one thing I could think of all day. I was on a mission, so when Abby finally dropped me back off at home, I sprinted to the mailbox like it was water in a desert.
Nothing….Nothing came. I wanted to drop to my knees and scream! Seriously?
Ok, so I'm trippin out here….Let me explain.
FLASHBACK- 1 WEEK AGO….
I got accepted into several colleges, but the one I most CERTAINLY wanted to attend was Georgetown. I got accepted pretty easily and being as though I was technically an ORPHAN, I applied for several scholarships. Being a small town girl from Georgia, I didn't exactly come from a huge pile of money or tuition accounts. My parents had left insurance money, but it wasn't very much and honestly, David pretty much used it to make sure I had everything I ever needed.
ANYWAY….
I was super excited when I got a response from one of the scholarships. It was being awarded by some huge company in NY and was being judged by an essay that had to be written on life and my view and standpoints on it so far. I was so happy that I begged and pleaded with David to go ahead and send in the down payment for my room and board. He did so happily, and I thought everything was good to go.
NOT SO MUCH…
About a week later, I received another letter stating that there had been a mix up and I was NOT the winner. Georgetown was NOT trying to hear my plea for a refund, and so now, I am broke and miserable because I know I can't afford college with what I have now. The day I received the letter about the mix-up, I was immediately on the phone being transferred from person to person and eventually given an address to the company's scholarship department to explain my situation. I found out the name of the company owner and decided to speak directly to him.
EASIER SAID THAN DONE!
The reply letter I was given was anything but personal, stating pretty much that the company was known for giving several million dollars in scholarships and the one I mentioned in my letter to them was one paid in full. It also included instructions on how to apply next year. It was ALL I could do NOT to scream. I remember sitting on my bed fighting the burning tears that threatened to trickle down my face.
"EARTH TO OLIVIA!" Abby exclaimed. She really was one for the dramatics.
"Hunh…what?" I asked as I wiped a lone tear.
"What are you gonna do? You know my parents wouldn't mind helping out and you could always get a job. I am NOT leaving your ass down here in Podunk Georgia while I go off to GT. This is our DREAM, LIV!"
Abby was right. Ever since we were kids, we knew what we wanted to do. We had both agreed to attend Georgetown and study POLISCI. Abby could fight with a stop sign, and I truly enjoyed listening to and following politics. We applied at the same time and even got our acceptance letters on the same day.
"I know. I don't know….I'm not going to ask your parents for money, Abs." I sighed. This was so damn frustrating! Why couldn't they just give me my damn award and let me go? I couldn't bring myself to ask the Whelan family for that much money. Sure, they treated me like I was one of their own, but it just didn't feel…RIGHT to me.
"You can't give up. You are NOT giving up. Olivia Carolyn, you are NOT giving up on this. What's the guy's name again? The owner?" Abby asked.
There it was. I swear, Abby was never one to back down from a challenge and she clearly saw this as a straight up duel.
"Fitzpatrick something or another." I said halfway as I tucked loose pieces of hair behind my ears. I made no attempt to move and grab the paper with his name on it, and when Abby saw this, she huffed and puffed and moved to get it herself.
"Hmmmm. I bet Conner could probably find something on this…" she trailed off.
"Abby,-" I was too late.
"Hey Conner! No, I'm good. No, she's good too. Listen, I need a favor. Yeah, I know…YES, I KNOW! That was ONCE, and you only got probation so just chill…."
Abby could convince a priest to buy a condom. I sat there with my legs folded Indian style in my computer chair watching her work her magic.
"Yep. Love you too. I need a number. What? NO, a PHONE NUMBER. Geez, really? Ok, I'm sorry! Just do it….yep. INCOMING…Yeah, that's him…" I watched as she maneuvered her cell phone to talk to him and text him a picture of the owner at the same time.
"Yeah, hang on…it's Fitzpat….NO, Fitzgerald. Grant."
I glanced up through my long wet eyelashes. The name sounded so official. I saw there getting angrier by the minute….I bet in my mind that the fucker had more money than he knew what to do with and was probably on an island someplace with his feet propped up while his idiotic staff screwed people into the ground.
After ordering pizza and being usual teenagers, Abby's phone rang. It was Conner and he apparently had the information. I couldn't help but giggle….Conner would make a fine secret spy one day.
Abby jumped in delight as she waved the slip of paper containing the number in the air. She gave it to me and I read it out loud.
"Fitzgerald Thomas Grant. 917-555-1447." I smirked to myself as I grabbed my own Android. I typed the number into the phone and froze. This was clearly a more personal issue, but what choice did I have? I inwardly wondered how on point Conner was (even though his reputation preceded him) and hoped to God I didn't have the wrong person. Sure, he had changed the grades of every athlete on the football team and sure, he had broken into the school's automated phone system to grant everyone an extra day off here and there, but this seemed…different.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" Abby asked as she stood with her hands on her hips. I smirked at her. At 5"9 and barely 120lbs, her stature and red hair could and had made many of men bow down. She was the definition of gorgeous and fierce all in one package.
"I'm thinking…" I said as I switched gears and started a blank text.
OP: Hello, Fitzgerald. I think we need to talk.
I waited and endured several minutes of laughs and criticism from Abby saying I was as dumb as a box of rocks for sending a damn text.
Whatever.
Just as I went to sit the phone down and focus on something else, I got a reply. My heart sped up as I read it.
FG: Okay….who is this?
I wanted to jump up and down and shout to the hills. Huck had really come through. Who knew?
OP: My name is Olivia. Pope. I really need to speak with you. It's urgent. May I call you please?
I sat staring at the phone as if it were going to do a magic trick. I didn't have to wait long, because sure enough, my phone started to ring and vibrate and I spotted that 917 number on the screen.
"Hello?" I asked trying to keep my voice calm.
"Miss Pope." His voice sailed through the phone like warm chocolate being drizzled on something and I momentarily forgot what the hell it was I was doing.
"Miss Pope? Are you there?" The voice sounded again. I jumped back to reality. Surely, I hadn't been silent this whole time.
RIGHT?
"Yeah, um…yes, I'm here. Thank you for-"
"Look, I don't have much time on my hands. I have a meeting to go to so can we just make this quick?"
SOB! Really? Ok, you want quick? Here goes nothing…
"Of course. I apologize." I sat up straight in my chair and fixed my hair as I spoke, subconsciously feeling like he could see me right now. "I am…well, WAS the recipient of the Grant scholarship this year. I was very excited, but you can imagine my disappointment when I was told shortly thereafter that there had been a mix up and I was NOT the winner. Of course, the correction couldn't have come at a worse time since I already sent my life savings to Georgetown to secure room and board. I feel as though the mistake is something your company should be held accountable for, as I did absolutely nothing wrong." I finally finished and released a breath I didn't even know I was holding in.
I glanced up at Abby as she gave me the thumbs up.
Fitzgerald Grant cleared his throat before continuing. "Well, I can understand your frustration here. I will take time to look into this…situation, and get back to you. Is this a number I can reach you at?"
I breathed a sigh of relief when he asked for my contact number. I thought he was going to just drop the whole thing off on someone else.
"Um, Yes. This is my cell." I said as sweetly and calmly as I could.
"Great. I will definitely have something for you before long, Olivia."
"Liv." I slapped my hand over my mouth just as quickly as it came out. For whatever reason, I felt comfortable enough to correct him. REALLY!? FML…
"Excuse me?"
"Uh, it's Liv. Please, call me Liv."
"Ok, Liv. Well look to hear from me soon."
And just like that, he ended the call.
Present day- Post Graduation
I slumped down against my front door. I hadn't heard a damn thing from Grant and now, I was officially a graduate with nowhere and no plan to go anywhere.
As if it were timed out, a doorbell sounded. I stood and straightened my clothes ready to tell whoever had the nerve to interrupt my self-loathing fest to go suck a root. Absent mindedly, I opened the door.
"What!?" I stood there with my mouth open.
"Um, Miss Olivia "Liv" Pope?" the gentleman asked.
I moved to close my door a little more, not wanting to risk Mr. Pretty Boy getting the best of me and coming in uninvited. What can I say? I watch crime shows…sue me…
"Maybe. Who's asking?"
The brownskin man smirked when he realized my defenses were active and straightened his tie.
"My name is Harrison Wright. I am the head of security for Mr. Grant. I was sent here to discuss the situation you are now faced with. May I come in?"
Oh yeah, he definitely turned up the charm. Too bad for him, I wasn't he least bit impressed. Being young and "beautiful" as the guys would describe me, I was already immune to this bullshit.
"And WHY should I buy that?" I hissed at him.
He smiled as if my comment didn't mean a hill of beans to him and replied, "Well, Mr. Grant figured you might say something to that effect. He instructed me to have you call him if you had any questions or concerns."
I looked at him as if he had two heads and slammed the door. RIGHT in his face.
I took a few deep breaths and then it dawned on me….no one knew about this except Abby and myself. I grabbed my phone from my back pocket and quickly found his number, hitting the call button almost instantly.
After 2 rings, his sexy rugged voice yet again sailed through the airways to my ear.
"Hello, Liv."
"Mr. Grant. There is a man at my front door saying you sent him. Care to explain?" I didn't waste time on niceties.
"Yes, that's Harrison. Harrison Wright. He is my head of security and does pretty much whatever I need. He's a good guy, although I'm a bit lost as to why he's currently standing outside. Did he cross you the wrong way?" he asked.
"No, he just- WAIT. How did you-"
"He was instructed to keep me informed of every detail regarding this meeting. I apologize, but I couldn't be there myself for….obvious reasons."
I shook my head, running my hand through my hair as I spoke to him again.
"You know, you could have just told me your decision over the phone." I know my voice sounded irritated, but I didn't care at that moment. Like seriously, who the hell does this?
"Maybe, but this way seemed more…amusing. I will speak with you soon, Liv." And with that, he hung up.
SMUG BASTARD! Really?
I shook my head and reopened the door to find Mr. Secret service with his damn feet propped up on my railing as he sat in a rocking chair.
"The air here really is clear. Is it always this quiet?" he asked nonchalantly.
"I guess. You can come in."
Harrison strolled into my front door with all the confidence in the world. He actually smelled really…important, and his suit was killer straight. He looked like he didn't have a hair out of place and a care in the world.
Some security.
"Have a seat. I feel bad for you having to come all the way down here to handle this." I told him as I fixed two glasses of Lemonade. I didn't know where David was and Abby was due back in about an hour, but as I already told you, I basically raised myself so I wasn't really worried about anyone interrupting us.
"It's fine. No worries, pretty lady." He said smoothly as he wrapped his lips around the glass. The lemonade was a secret family recipe (yep, it's that deep) and I could tell he hadn't had anything like it by the look on his face. He licked his lips in the most non-perverted way and smiled at me.
"so, what's this about?" I couldn't contain my wonder any longer.
"Ah, right. Mr. Grant reviewed the situation at hand and asked me to come down and give you another offer. We are well aware of your family and financial situation and I want to express my deepest sympathies to you."
He actually looked sincere. I'll give him that…
I nodded my head and he continued.
"As you know, Mr. Grant resides in New York. He is currently in Washington D.C. on business and asked me to extend an invite to you to discuss a…um… proposition with you. Before you ask, NO, I don't know what the proposition is and quite frankly, I don't really care too much but I will tell you that it would behoove you to go."
"And why is that?" I asked with my arms crossed.
Harrison smirked again and I wanted to smack him. Why did these guys come off as full of themselves to me?
"Well, let's just say that your story really touched him and he wants to make amends. He couldn't be here himself, as I'm sure he informed you, but he really wanted to. It would be in your best interest to at least see what he has to offer."
I re crossed my arms and stood. For whatever reason, I felt more in charge when I towered him.
"And what if I don't like whatever he's offering?"
Harrison finished off his lemonade and stood, reaching into his coat pocket and removing a card with his number on it.
"I doubt you will leave there unhappy. You have more power in this than you could ever imagine."
SAY WHAT?
"Hunh?" I couldn't help the dumbfound look that crossed my face. For some reason, I couldn't shake the shivers that went down my spine when he said this. I fixed my face and nodded, grabbing his business card, and escorted him to the door.
"I'm afraid we are on a time schedule. You only have tonight to make your decision because Mr. Grant would like you to meet with him tomorrow evening in D.C. If you were to say yes, I will be here at 8AM tomorrow to collect you and your bags and escort you back to him directly."
I continued to nod. Something about all this seemed very odd, but who was I to condone his ways of making amends?
"I will have an answer for you in the next hour or so. Thank you, Mr. Wright." I extended my hand to him and he grabbed it and kissed it like a perfect gentleman. Usually I would get grossed out by such a cheap way of trying to woo a girl, but he seemed so sincere….
"It's Harrison. An hour works for me. Good evening, Miss Pope."
Once I saw him get into his luxury Mercedes and drive away, I couldn't help myself as I ran to grab my phone from the kitchen table tripping over the coffee table as gracefully as I could. My fingers couldn't dial quickly enough.
"ABBY! You will NEVER guess what just happened!"
AN:
So, I'm going to stop there. What do you think? I might update again tonight since it's new and I have so many ideas floating in my head for now…should I continue? What is Fitz up to? Isn't Harrison a cutie!? I wanted him to come off as the suave gentleman he is….Abby is a hoot, and Liv….well, I can't blame her for being suspicious. Keep in mind that although Liv is mature for 18, she will still show her age sometimes….
What would you do in this situation?
What is it that Fitz wants to offer? Hmmmmm…(yep, it's just as scandalous as you probably can imagine!)
Please review, follow, and favorite (if ya like it!) constructive criticism is always wanted and welcomed.
As always….
Happy Reading!
