A/N:
I'm really liking how this story is turning out and I hope you're enjoying it as much as I enjoy writing it. I'm here for this story even if I'm no longer reading blogs or watching Scandal. Please leave a review at the end as I don't assume that you're still reading.
I'm probably going to be using the lyrics of Stand by You for my chapter titles from now on just because I love this song to pieces. Also, my knowledge of the corporate world is limited so bear with me. As to the writing, ALL mistakes are MINE. Anyway, it's late at night and I just got done writing this. Enjoy!
Chapter Nine
Put Your Empty Hands in Mine
Hands, put your empty hands in mine
And scars, show me all the scars you hide
And hey, if your wings are broken
Please take mine so yours can open too
'Cause I'm gonna stand by you
-Stand By You by Rachel Platten-
The next morning
"Tiffany, what are you doing here?"
"Jon, I thought you'd be glad to see me."
Jonathan adjusted his tie and tried a relaxed smile. The woman was a loose cannon and he had every reason to feel wary around her, especially after the stunt she'd pulled on him the other day. But he had to play his cards right in order to gain control of the situation.
"Now I think I deserve some recognition…the video turned out great," Jonathan closed the door behind him and pulled a chair for her to sit.
"What do you want, a medal or something?" Tiffany complained, ignoring his gesture. She helped herself to a cup of coffee and sat down behind his desk, leaning back leisurely. "The kiss was too short."
In response, he sat on the edge of his desk, facing her with a wicked grin. "Now, who's fault is that?" I think I did wonders considering Fitz was not a willing participant here—he nearly chuckled but managed to keep a straight face.
Tiffany took a sip of her coffee and grimaced. "Fitz loves me. He always has. He's just a little distracted right now by that goldigger. But that will change; he just needs to be reminded of what we had together."
"Really? And may I ask how you intend to do that?" He asked, his voice polite almost uninterested. He stole a glance at his watch and realized he only had five minutes before the board meeting.
Tiffany gave him a look that made him feel as though he'd asked a stupid question she couldn't even bother to answer.
He took a deep breath. What he had in mind was rather risky but desperate times called for desperate measures. "Listen, I only got a few more minutes. Board meeting for the merger is about to start. " He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I've been thinking… I have something… I have a proposition to make."
Tiffany looked supremely bored. "Okay. What is it?"
"Here's how it is. Dear old Uncle Jerry has been wanting Fitz to settle down and have a family since the dawn of time. Fitz married Olivia to make his old man happy. What do you think he wants now? What's the one thing that money can't buy?"
"Nothing. There's nothing money can't buy."
"Oh, c'mon, Tiffany. Humor me."
"What do I know? Just get to the point!"
"An heir. Money can't buy Jerry Grant an heir."
"Yeah, so you think you're the rightful heir, I got that."
"I'm only after what's rightfully mine. My father got cheated out of his rightful inheritance, you know that right?" He paused wanting some form of approval. Tiffany looked as if she could care less. "Anyway, what I mean is that Jerry Grant wants to make sure there is a grandchild before he kicks the bucket."
Tiffany lifted one brow. "Ok…what's your proposition?"
"Marry me, Tiffany."
Tiffany laughed a sparkling little laugh. "Wh-what? Marry you? Me? You and Me?" She tilted her head back in laughter. It was an empty tinkling sound that filled the air like a piano out of tune.
Jonathan grimaced. He certainly hadn't expected her to laugh. "This will be a marriage of convenience, of course. You do realize that, don't you?"
Every trace of laughter suddenly disappeared from her face. "Are you shitting me?"
"Nope." Jonathan was getting annoyed. This was taking too long; he was going to be late for the meeting but once the idea had formed in his head, he couldn't help himself. It was a half-baked plan at best, but also at the same time, he truly had nothing to lose and everything to gain. "Think about it. Can you imagine the look on Fitz's face when he realizes we're engaged?"
Tiffany smiled wickedly up at him.
"I gotta go, the meeting." He picked up his briefcase and headed for the door. He put his hand on the doorknob but did not turn it. "Just think about it, will you?" He asked looking at her through the corner of his eye.
xxx
Jonathan cursed under his breath; his little encounter with Tiffany had caused him to arrive at the board meeting a couple of minutes late. Much to his dismay, he found that Fitz had the floor. Not only that, but he also caught his uncle's disapproving glance as he realized that the only seat available was next to the loud humming of the air conditioner.
Fitz looked at Jonathan for half a second and continued his speech without missing a beat.
"In the business world, bigger is not always better, just ask Mc Donald's and their decision to get rid of their super-sized menu options back in 2004." Fitz made eye contact with every one in the room except for Jonathan. Some board members nodded their heads in appreciation. "And while there have been successful mergers in history, and yes, an example that comes to mind is the great success of ExxonMobil, these are an exception and not the rule. If we look at failed corporate, we can't help but conclude that as many as 70 to 90 percent of mergers will inevitably fail. Indeed, mergers are more likely to fail than marriages. But even such daunting prospects failed to deter big corporations from trying anyway."
At this point, Fitz distributed reports to all board members. "Let's take a look at what other corporations have done and see where other mergers have gone wrong. " He said, directing everyone to turn to a specific page. "Examples clearly abound. The merger of Quaker Oats Company and Snapple Beverage Company is my favorite example because its distribution problems are so similar to our proposed partnership with Doyle Energy. As you know, Quaker successfully expanded its horizons by entering the beverage field with the acquisition of Gatorade and later expected the same great results with Snapple. Except that there were major differences in the consumer base and in the distribution of Quaker products and Snapple. Indeed, such differences became more apparent when Quaker attempted to use mass production distribution efforts and distribute Snapple repackaged and to be sold at Costco and other major retailers. The problem was that Snapple's consumer base consisted of health conscious consumers who purchased their product at their local organic supermarkets, Subway and deli sandwich shops. This consumer base was not interested in seeing their favorite beverage paired with Gatorade or packaged for bulk purchases. Snapple sold best at convenience stores one bottle at a time. The end result was that Quaker's repackaging and distribution methods of Snapple robbed the beverage of its uniqueness and healthy image. Snapple was no longer the healthy, all natural alternative; instead, it became one of the many products on the shelf."
Shortly after Fitz's presentation was over, it was Jonathan's turn to speak. His speech was short and punctuated. Fitz smiled to himself. It was clear that most board members were listening politely but not fully agreeing with the speaker. And then, Jerry quickly motioned for a vote regarding the merger. At this point Cyrus came forward to request that the meeting be adjourned until tomorrow morning.
"May I ask why?" Jerry spat, frowning. This was highly unusual.
Fitz breathed a sigh of relief. He really enjoyed seeing the look on his father's face.
"On account of two board members missing." Cyrus paused staring at Jerry. "Both Olivia Grant and Leila Grant have made requests in writing to participate in the vote."
Jerry cocked his head and pursed his lips but said nothing. This was absolutely unbelievable! "Meeting adjourned," he mumbled rather reluctantly. Everyone promptly left the conference room except for Fitz and his father who were locked in a staring contest.
"You're really determined to stop this merger, aren't you son?" Jerry observed almost with pride.
"It's the best for the company." Fitz said sincerely. For the hundredth time, he wondered what kind of backroom deal Jerry had made with Doyle.
"Okay, tell you what, let's get together." Jerry nodded, his demeanor friendlier. "I want you and Olivia to meet us tonight for a dinner party."
"Sure thing," Fitz agreed, gathering his papers and getting ready to leave the room. "What time?"
"Seven."
"Okay," Fitz mumbled and headed for the door.
"Fitz?"
Fitz turned around.
"Jonathan will be there too." Jerry smiled mischievously, cocking his head. "He's bringing a date."
xxx
Fitz held the phone closer to his ear. "Liv. Listen to me. They played us both. Jonathan and Tiffany. And I have proof."
"Fitz " Olivia mumbled and then silence. She took a deep breath. She didn't want to see him or talk to him; even though most of her anger had faded away and all that was left was a sense of loss and betrayal. But did she even have the right to feel this way when she knew that this was all a charade?
"I'm coming to the shop after six and we'll go home together. "
Home. What a fool she'd been thinking his home was their home. She was going to her fake home with her fake husband. Fake. Fake. Fake! Everything was fake!
"Then we'll get ready to go to my parents' house. They're having a dinner party."
"Liv?"
"Okay, fine. Don't be late." She grumbled her response and ended the call.
LATER
Fitz arrived at her shop a little after six to find Olivia at the counter counting bills from her moneybag with such concentration, she could only give him a quick look and a nod as a way of a greeting.
Once she finished counting, she recorded the amount in a piece of paper and stuffed it in the sales receipts envelope.
She looked up when Fitz produced one of those old walkman tape players, set it on the counter and pushed play.
"Now I think I deserve some recognition…the video turned out great."
"What do you want, a medal or something? The kiss was too short."
"Now, who's fault is that? I think I did wonders considering Fitz was not a willing participant here."
"I have something… I have a proposition to make."
"Yeah, so you think you're the rightful heir, I got that."
"Marry Me, Tiffany."
Olivia shook her head in disbelief. "How did you get this?"
"I have my sources."
She gave him that said, I'll- wait-till-you- tell –me.
"I have a guy. He goes by Huck. You'd be amazed at the things he can do. "
She shook her head again at the irony in the situation. Another marriage of convenience? And those two were an unlikely pair as any.
"Those two are a piece of work," Fitz stated echoing her thoughts. "I can't believe they had this conversation in Jonathan's office. I guess we got lucky as it could have happened elsewhere." He said, bringing her up to speed regarding everything concerning the merger, including how he'd managed to secure his mother's vote of confidence. "Even with her vote and yours, it's a coin toss, really."
"Fitz…I'm sorry I doubted you." Olivia said after a moment.
He pursed his lips and gave her a thin smile. "I would reacted the same way if I'd seen what you saw."
They stared at each other for a long moment; they were both remembering the kiss they shared last night kiss before they got interrupted and hell broke loose. Were they ready to explore that now?
She looked into his eyes and his face told the story of a love that defied all reason. In the next breath, she chewed her lip and looked away. She was afraid she was seeing things, what she wanted to see, what she hoped for.
Of course he loved her, they were friends, weren't they? And that was all there was to it.
With such thoughts circulating in her head, she lowered her gaze and snatched her purse from a shelf underneath the counter. "I nearly forgot I told dad I would see him after work. Can we stop for a few moments and say hi?"
"Of course," Fitz replied with a sad smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Later that evening.
Fitz feigned surprise to see Tiffany arriving at his parents' house as Jonathan's date. He and Olivia had arrived a little earlier and were gathered in the sitting room with Jerry and Leila.
Tiffany greeted Leila and Jerry with polite half-hug. "Thank you for inviting me."
"Tiffany, Jonathan," Fitz greeted them coolly, and Olivia followed suit with a nod of the head.
"Thank you all for coming," Jerry led everyone to the formal dining room.
Almost as soon as everyone was seated, the maid brought to the table shrimp and bacon; an award winning appetizer and a surefire combination guaranteed to steer the conversation to food and drinks.
Following the oohs and ahhs over the appetizers, the group was suddenly silent.
"Glad you could all make it tonight," Jerry said smiling, his gaze shifting around the table to finally settle on Fitz and Olivia. "Fitz, Olivia, How's married life treating you?"
"We're fantastic," Fitz quickly replied. His gaze shifted to his bride who was sitting on between himself and his father. He reached for her hand, resting his on her thigh.
Shock waves went up her leg, awakening nerve endings sleeping beneath her skin. She held his gaze, brown melting into blue. She saw need in his eyes, the same need that burned deep within her.
Leila watched her son and his bride, her chest swelling with pride. "Have you decided yet on a destination for your honeymoon?"
Olivia smiled at Leila and exchanged a glance with Fitz. They both felt it was her turn to say something. "We're torn between Jamaica, Australia or the Italian islands," she beamed looking at her in laws and then at Fitz.
"I vote for Venice." Leila candidly replied. "It's magical. Ah, there's no place like Venice for beautiful sunsets. You won't regret it, "she added the last sentence looking at Olivia.
"Yeah, right, isn't that where you went for your honeymoon?" Tiffany asked in a pinched tone that tried too hard to sound nice.
Leila's smile faded. "Yes, yes."
Tiffany opened her mouth to say something else but Fitz cut in. "I've gotta say though, it's not the place but who you're with that truly matters." he began, making eye contact with Olivia and his parents. "I truly feel like I'm the luckiest man alive. I know a lot of men claim that," he added with a small chuckle, "but they really have no idea. They don't have Olivia by their side, accepting them for who they are and keeping them grounded," he concluded, gallantly sweeping up her hand and kissing her knuckles.
Olivia nearly melted at the gesture and lowered her gaze as they continued to hold hands under the table.
"Sounds like you're the perfect match, then," Jonathan sported a sly smirk. "The perfect romance in any guy's book, getting the girl without having to wear a tuxedo," Jonathan and Tiffany shared a chuckle.
Fitz decided to ignore the last part of the man's comment and smiled, giving Olivia's hand a squeeze and looking into her eyes. "Well, cousin, you got that right, we're the perfect match indeed."
Jerry cleared his throat. "I say, it's about time we got to the main course," he said just as the maid brought a tray to the table with every one's order restaurant style. "And I must tell you boys, I'm proud of you both and I got to admit, I don't say that very often," he continued as everyone was served their meals. "Fitz, you really gave us food for thought with your presentation. I wonder what the board members-
"Boys, boys, please no more politics tonight," Leila cut in. "Tonight is about celebrating Fitz and Olivia in their union. And if I haven't said it before, I want to take the opportunity to say it now," she paused for effect. "Olivia, welcome to the family, my dear. I hope that you grow to see me as a friend. I'm always here, whatever you need."
Olivia smiled back, "Thank you, Leila. That's very sweet of you."
"Let us say Grace." Leila spoke again. Everyone bowed their heads. "Dear Lord, we thank you for bringing us together as a family and we ask you to bless this wonderful meal we're about to enjoy."
"Amen." Everyone echoed before digging into their plates. The conversation continued with Jerry managing to sneak in a few more comments about politics, completely ignoring his wife's wishes.
About half way through their meal, Tiffany asked to be excused to use the powder room. She'd been gone a while before Jonathan voiced his concern.
"I'll go check on her," Olivia gladly volunteered. This was her chance. As luck would have it, she intercepted Tiffany just as she was coming out of the the bathroom.
"There you are. So what did it feel like throwing yourself at Fitz like a common whore."
Tiffany's face went bright red. "Wh-what?"
"Did you feel cheapened? Disgusted at yourself even? Especially when he rejected you? Or maybe you still can't believe Fitz doesn't dance to your tune anymore?"
"You're a golddigger bitch," Tiffany shot back with untold venom in her words.
"That's enough! I don't give a damn what you think of me and I will make sure the world knows exactly who you are. " Olivia's command shocked Tiffany to the core. "Mark my words, I will watch you fail tonight. Tonight is the night you'll be exposed like the disgusting slithering snake that you are. You've humiliated me once too often and it will never happen again."
And with that, Olivia pushed past the woman and returned to the table beside Fitz.
For a moment, Olivia watched Tiffany lean in closer and murmur something in Jonathan's ear. She knows something. Jonathan stared at Tiffany in disbelief and bent over to murmur something back in the woman's ear. Even though Olivia couldn't make out his words, she could tell from where she was sitting that Jonathan's words were dismissive and that Tiffany wasn't happy with his response.
"Liv, you're absolutely gorgeous tonight," Fitz murmured, leaning closer drawing her attention back to himself.
Although he could tell she was a little tense, she accepted the compliment with a smile. Without breaking eye contact, he reached for her hand once again, resting it on his thigh. He was close enough for the muscles of his thigh to be pressed against hers but it was his hand that was keeping her sane. Her 'talk' with Tiffany had left her wired up and it was just sheer torture to continue to sit there and smile and listen to the small talk around the table. She could feel the tension in her body build up and shot a glance at Fitz.
There was desperation in that look, he thought. The waiting game was killing her. She needed him alright. Indeed, there was an edge of something darker; did she think he wasn't available for her?
There was no way he could think of anything or anybody but her. He was hers. One thousand percent. His hand gripped her more tightly, drawing her closer.
"I'm here. I'm here for you. We'll get through this together," he said quietly.
His hand was her anchor; warm and strong, it cradled hers and she began to feel she could continue to sit there and pretend that everything was cool. The tiny movements of his thumb as it stroked her palm were a constant message of reassurance. He might not be saying much, but he was there. Totally there. Totally focused on her needs and focused on soothing her.
"We have an announcement to make," Jonathan spoke proudly. He paused, his gaze shifting around the room to gain momentum. "Tiffany and I are engaged to be married."
Olivia and Fitz exchanged a look, thankful that at last the ball had started rolling.
Jerry Grant was quite pleased with the news and offered his most sincere congratulations although he did
"Congratulations," Leila smiled politely at the couple. But she was not good at hiding her feelings, and it showed. Her gaze quickly shifted to her son and his bride and was satisfied to see their interaction in that moment. A second later, she caught Olivia's gaze and the two women exchanged a smile.
"Thank you," Jonathan beamed. He hesitated for a moment and then taking care of appearing conscientious, he turned to Fitz with an almost apologetic expression. "I know that you and Tiffany were an item years ago, so I hope our engagement does not cause unnecessary strife in our relationship, cousin."
Fitz nearly laughed at the man's audacity. He knew his 'considerate' behavior toward him was just for show. "You need not worry, Jonathan. My relationship with Tiffany is a thing of the past. And I'm repeating myself here I know, " he turned to Olivia with a charming smile. "I'm now happily married to the most wonderful woman in the world, which makes me the luckiest man alive," he pecked Olivia's kissable lips with exquisite satisfaction.
In response, Olivia wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back soundly on the lips, reveling in her own boldness, in her pleasure at the touch of his lips on hers. Emotion burned in his chest and he kissed her deeply, thoroughly, ignoring the 'ahem' of the other people present as their kiss extended beyond his wildest expectations.
xxx
Shortly after dessert was served, Leila excused herself from the table, stating that she was feeling extremely tired but that everyone was welcomed to stay as long as they wanted.
"Don't worry, we understand," Olivia quickly replied.
"I'll walk you to your room," Jerry stood. "Everybody stay. I will be right back."
Jerry was gracious to his wife in front of everyone but as soon as they were both out of earshot, he turned to her with a malicious glare. "What's gotten into you lately, woman? " Leila stopped moving as they reached the top of the stairs that led to the bedrooms and turned to face him with a taciturn expression. "You're mighty proud of yourself, aren't you? Giving Fitz your shares." He mentally slapped himself. The bottom line was that he'd failed to see this coming: Fitz winding up with Leila's shares. All these years, he'd been able to count on his wife's shares; she had never gone against him.
"Jerry." She shook her head in disapproval. "When are you gonna stop?"
"Stop what?"
"Your pitting Fitz against Jonathan, this never ending competition. You of all people should know better. That's exactly what your father did. Don't you remember what it did to your brother?"
Jerry looked at his wife in frustration. A little competition never hurt anybody. His brother Robert had always been a sissy. He couldn't take the heat and became a worthless alcoholic.
"He became an alcoholic," Leila echoed his thoughts. "But it didn't have to be that way, did it?"
"Robert was weak. He sought refuge in a bottle; he didn't have what it takes. I tried to help him time and time again and he could never pull himself together. Heck, I even took his son under my wing. Luckily, Jonathan is nothing like his father, the boy has ambition," Jerry said proudly. "And in all fairness, Jonathan deserves a shot to run the company my father built from the ground up."
"You can tell yourself whatever you want….but you've run Grant Enterprises for the last twenty years and made it what it is today. Jonathan is not your son…Fitz is and what you're doing is wrong."
Jerry raised a brow, mildly amused. "And you tell yourself whatever you want. Coddling Fitz has produced nothing so I'm not doing it anymore. I'm done coddling him. If he wants Gran Enterprises to be his, he has to fight for it and…and frankly, may the best man win." He went on, proudly. "Don't look at me like that, Leila. This all sounds a lot like real life, if you ask me."
In the meantime, Fitz and Olivia confronted Jonathan and Tiffany with the tape.
The audacious pair looked at each other in shock.
"What do you want?" Jonathan spoke, gritting his teeth.
"Ah, glad you asked," Fitz said in a jovial tone that he knew would annoy his cousin. "It's very simple. We're not asking for much," he said wrapping an arm around Olivia's waist.
"The merger. It cannot pass," Olivia firmly stated.
Tiffany huffed, "Or what?" drawing closer to Jonathan.
"The tape will find its way to my father's desk first thing in the morning." Fitz said. His face lit up as he thought of something even better. "Or better still, it will certainly find its way at the meeting tomorrow morning."
Tiffany and Jonathan gave Fitz deathly stares. Jonathan's lip quivered and his face balled into an angry fist.
"And don't even think about it. I have copies, many copies." He exchanged a meaningful glance with Olivia. "One of is under lock and key in with Cyrus.
"And If anything happens to Fitz," Fitz began with unbeatable confidence, her gaze fixated on Jonathan. "If even one hair is harmed on his head, I promise you, Cyrus will get that tape to the District Attorney in a heart beat."
"Imagine when everyone gets to listen to the tape," Olivia ventured. "Imagine the look on Jerry's face and Leila's when they hear about your fake engagement and your role in the doctored video."
"I wonder what will Doyle think of his little girl's sudden engagement."
"So now you two are threatening me…threatening us?" Jonathan shot back in anger.
"More like blackmailing us that is," Tiffany retorted. She looked at Olivia trying to intimidate her with an evil stare but she met her gaze squarely, not giving her the ounce of weakness the other woman was looking for.
The silence that fell was so think it could be cut with a knife. Apparently, both the silence and the knife were sharper than Jonathan and Tiffany who struggled hard to formulate a coherent response.
"You're blackmailing us!" Tiffany reiterated.
"Call it whatever you like. But you better step out of our way," Olivia commanded. "You do that and we will keep our mouths shut about the tape."
