Olivia woke up earlier than usual. She brushed her teeth, showered and went to the kitchen for breakfast. She first poured herself some coffee.
She then made some eggs and toast and settled on the couch with a magazine to glance on, while she ate.
Abby woke up and came into the living room yawning.
"Morning"
"Morning" Olivia replied.
"You're all showered so early" Abby replied collapsing on the couch, still sleepy.
"Yeah, I just felt like it" Olivia said smiling.
"Hey, it's just an interview for just another job, okay? Just get all tensed. If you don't get this, there are a lot more options" Abby said.
Olivia smiled at her best friend, her rock, who has been through her highs and lows. When, Olivia's mother passed away at the age of 12 due to pancreatic cancer, Abby stayed with her for a month at her house. She comforted her, took care of her. Olivia could never forget that.
"Thanks Abby, I love youuu" she said and hugged her friend.
Abby returned the gesture.
"Okay, I'm gonna go get ready for college"Abby said.
Olivia nodded in response. God it is going to be difficult juggling the job and her college. Today was thankfully her day off, so she could go to the morning interview.
It was 8:30AM when she decided she had to pack her credentials and stuff and decide on her clothes.
She first cleaned her room, put the worn clothes for wash and then headed to put all her required documents into her handbag.
Now, she had to decide what to wear.
She looked through her cupboard and sighed. There was nothing that screamed simple or formal.
She ran to Abby's room "Abby I don't have anything to wear"
"Oh come on Olivia, you have loads of clothes, just pick something out" she screamed from her bathroom.
"No I don't know what to wear" she replied.
"Okay hold on, let me help you out" Abby said and came out of the bathroom.
Both of them scanned through Olivia's cupboard and after trying out 2 outfits, the 3rd one just seemed perfect. They settled on black jeans, a cream full sleeve thin material top. She didn't want to seem too formal or casual. This was perfect. Paired with some nude heels and open hair, she was good to go.
"Phew!" Olivia exclaimed!
It was already 9:30AM.
"Shit, I need to leave. I want to reach early" Olivia said and ran to get her bag.
"Yeah it's 20mins away, you'll reach on time" Abby said.
Olivia took her bag and headed out of Abby's apartment to get a cab. Thankfully, she got the first cab and hopped on.
After a 25 minute ride, she finally reached her destination. It was a huge glass pane led building. She entered doubtfully, wondering whether she got the address right. But all her doubts were put to rest when she saw the huge steel board "GRANT & Co."
As she stepped inside, she saw the just how big this place was. It was like a steel cage, a beautiful one. The floor was pure Italian marble, there were two staircases at the centre curving up to one single point at the top. A huge modern chandelier hung from the landing of the staircase.
"Woah" she thought.
Clueless where to go next she looked around and saw a reception counter and approached a neatly dressed woman. She kind of felt out of place.
"Hi I'm Olivia Pope, here to meet "
"Hi, . Give me one second to confirm the meeting from the main office." She replied and dialed a number on the phone.
" is here for an interview with , request for clearance" she said into the phone while Olivia waited with a small smile on her face.
"Oh, okay. I'll inform her that" the woman, whose name was Emily as Olivia read from her badge.
" , you need to go to the 22nd floor for your interview. And I'm told to inform you that, had to leave to attend to an emergency and so, his mother, the Chairman of Grant & Co, Susan Grant will be meeting with you."
Ugh. As if the existing pressure wasn't enough. She thought.
"Oh, alright. Thank you" Olivia said and made her way to the elevator.
She reached the 22nd floor and after confirming her details with another receptionist she was finally taken to the Chairman's chamber.
She entered to find a blonde haired,neatly dressed older woman talking to someone on the phone sitting on a grey couch on the other side of the room.
She instantly became conscious and nervous. This is it, she thought.
Karen put her phone down after a minute and got up to greet the petite woman in the room.
"Hi, , I'm Susan Grant" she smiled.
Olivia relaxed a little. She didn't seem so bad.
"Hi, . Nice to meet you" Olivia replied confidently.
After half an hour of gruelling questions about her educational background, experience of tutoring Susan began to ask her two final questions
" ,"
"Please, call me Olivia" Olivia requested.
Susan chuckled.
"Okay, so Olivia, I'm sorry but you're a college student, you're young, you're barely starting your career now, why should I hire you when I can find a more experienced person for my granddaughter?"
Olivia knew she would be asked this question. She had already prepared herself for this.
"I do agree, I may not have the experience required to be a good tutor, but I want to simple say that because I'm young and recently finished dealing with these subjects I would be able to connect to your granddaughter at the same level as anybody else my age. Anybody older would teach her like just another student in their class, which for a 15 year old might seem a little boring. I think that's also the reason why your ad has been on the website for almost 4 months"
Smart. Bold. Susan smirked. Olivia was right, they had brought in 4 different tutors all vastly experienced and great in their subjects,but Karen couldn't adjust to any of them.
"Another question Olivia"
"Why does a young college student like you, need a job? Is it just for job experience, some pocket money or out of interest?"
"Interest." Olivia lied. She was definitely interested in teaching Karen, but that wasn't the main reason for her to apply for this job. She would in no way tell them the real reason.
"Good to know. Sadly, our time's up! My secretary will get back to you. Nice to meet you, Olivia. You're a smart woman" Susan said extending her hand forward.
"Thank you, . I hope to hear from you" Olivia shook Susan's hand and walked out of the office confidently. She had a good feeling, she was going to get through.
She went back home and told Abby the whole thing.
"Oh shit! Why didn't it flash to me when you said Grant?! You're going to be working for The Fitzgerald Grant" Abby exclaimed, excited.
"Huh?" Olivia asked unsure about what she was saying.
"And they still haven't accepted me as their tutor, by the way" Olivia added.
"You're gonna get it, I know for sure!" Abby replied.
"That aside, i can't believe you don't know about the Grant family. They're the largest steel manufacturers in the country!"
"I've never heard of them" Olivia replied with a low voice, she felt dumb for not doing her research.
"And you're going to teaching Karen right? That's Fitzgerald's daughter. He's divorced and super hot." Abby said excitedly.
Olivia rolled her eyes. "And also a 50 year old man I bet" she said.
"Not 50, he's 39. He married his high school sweetheart Amanda while in college"
"But they divorced 5 years ago, saying they 'grew apart'. But I'm pretty sure somebody cheated. Him probably. Women love him, and he certainly loves them back" she said and opened up his page on her phone to show Olivia.
Olivia looked at that picture on Abby's phone. Okay, he definitely was good looking. But there were a lot of pictures of him with many beautiful women. Just another rich playboy, She thought.
"But he has a lame name" Olivia said, beginning to laugh.
"That I agree" Abby joined her laughing.
2 days passed.
Olivia and Abby had gone out to eat lunch at a local diner, when Olivia's phone rang. Unknown number.
"Hi ,it's Melody here, I spoke to you on the first day."
Olivia instantly realising who she was replied "Oh yes, Melody Hi" she signalled to Abby pointing at her phone saying "Grant" silently.
Abby smiled widely with her eyes big.
Abby watched as Olivia answered in words.
"Uh huh, okay. Thank you very much" Olivia said and put her phone down.
"You got it!?"
Olivia smiled excitedly.
"Yes, I start tomorrow!" She chirped.
"Yayyyyyyyy!" Abby exclaimed putting her hands around her friend.
"I knew you would get it"
"They said they'll mail me the address and I have to be there at 6pm tomorrow. Thank god I have some time to study and relax after college!"
"Yes! I told you it will all work out" Abby said.
Olivia smiled in response.
"What would I do without you Abby" she said and they continued to eat their lunch in peace.
