CHAPTER I:

The Formidable Olivia Pope

She had seen, heard and held thousands of beating hearts but she had also seen, heard, and held few of it slowly fading away. Holding it in her hands made her feel endowed with God's power to give life. But it also made her feel capable of tearing it apart. Olivia Carolyn Pope is very much capable to keep it beating and keep it from crashing but she is also aware that with one little mishap, she could lose a life, including hers.

"Cutting time, 0600H" Stephen announced from the other side of the table.

She was on her element. She was in her sanctuary. Just like any other day, she was saving yet another life. At exactly six in the morning, Olivia held her scalpel and the world around her completely faded in the background. It seemed that her hands have a life of its own – dancing in her own rhythm. Her movements were deliberate, her every steps were calculated, and she never strayed from her line of vision. And in no time, a person's heart was literally on her hands.

With perfect posture and graceful hands, anyone in the same room as hers would be entranced. But, by now, the people around her seemed to be unfazed and they seemed to be familiar with the persona in front of them. As she continued to keep her focus on the field and without words being uttered, her assistant knew what to do, her scrub nurse knew what to give, and no one dared to interrupt her. Not even a call – well except from two people: Dr. Cyrus Beene and Harrison Wright. And at that moment, her special ringtone for one Cyrus Beene started blaring. Her team, who are already familiar with the tone, began to relax – because a call from Harrison was never good.

"What?!" She shouted after tapping her chest, activating the wireless call receiver placed underneath her gown. But she, as well as her team, continued their work nonetheless, like a well oiled machinery.

"Well, Hi. Hello. How are you?" A man's voice boomed from the speaker system.

"What do you need?"

"Always the charmer, Liv"

"Cy –"

"Are you with him?" Cyrus asked in a softer voice.

"I'm with my team, Cyrus" She subtly warned him. "And no, I am not."

"Oh." Silence.

"What do you need?" Olivia asked again, meaning business. "I am in the middle of surgery, so unless someone is dying, I'll hang up." She threatened while eyeing her circulating nurse to turn off her phone completely. She wasn't supposed to answer any call to begin with. Olivia had a special system in receiving calls during long procedures. If it's not Cyrus or Harrison, calls were redirected to Harrison and it was Harrison's job to take her messages. It was his job to handle immediate concerns while she's left undisturbed inside the operating room. As for personal messages – well there's not much of such. If it's something Harrison could not handle, that's the only time he would call Olivia – which should be never. He was left with no choice but to fix matters on his hand and hold the fort until Olivia finishes – because calling Olivia while she's already busy saving lives only meant one thing: miracle is needed.

As for Cyrus Beene, she just had too much respect for the man to ignore his calls. She also knew that a call from her mentor in the middle of the day is something she would never dare to miss.

"Wait! Your father wants to talk to you"

"I don't work for him," Olivia immediately answered keeping her focus on the beating heart in front of her. "We're doing this on-pump," She announced to her team. "Prepare to cannulate." She calmly but assertively ordered, and again, her team moved in synchrony.

"He needs a favor"

"Cy, I don't work for him." Silence. "Cardioplegia ready!"

"We need you, Olivia. New Haven needs you"

Olivia frowned. She can't help but wonder what the situation was. If she was intrigued, she didn't show it and kept her focus on the task in front of her. There was deafening silence inside the room, only the sound of monitors and anesthesia machine can be heard.

"You're about to anastomose," Cyrus said, more of a statement than a question. He knew her student too much. "I'll leave you be. But meet me at our spot today." Now, that got Olivia's attention. The situation might really be extreme for Cy to come down to New York to meet up with her.

"I already asked Harrison to clear your schedule in the afternoon." He said with his voice meaning business. "You have to get her out of there by nine, Stephen!" He shouted. Not expecting any answer, Cyrus ended the call allowing Olivia to finish her nth open heart surgery.

"Damn!" Stephen uttered in fascination. Hearing Cyrus Beene's commanding voice still gave him chills and he knew that he's the only one who can get away with giving orders to Olivia. He subtly looked at her friend's direction, concern written all over his face but effectively hidden by his mask. He knew Olivia since medical school days and have seen how she could act cold from the outside to hide her emotional turmoil inside. Just as what he expected, he saw no signs of emotion or reaction as she finishes the job.

"Oh well, early happy hour for us!" He giddily said and winked at Quinn Perkins, the neophyte resident who had been following Olivia ever since she got matched. "Our afternoon schedule has just been cancelled, Baby Gladiator." He answered sensing the young woman's confusion.

"Is that even possible?!" Quinn said in disbelief and Stephen just smirked to himself.

"Cyrus Beene make impossible happen. Exhibit A," he answered while pointing his hand towards Olivia. He was the man behind Olivia Pope.

"Focus, Quinn." Olivia warned - not looking up but very much aware of her surrounding. "And stop flirting with my intern, Stephen."

Silence.

Every so often Quinn would look up and watch the great surgeon in front of her. It was still surreal for her – to be assisting the great Olivia Pope. One year into the surgical residency program in New York Presbyterian Hospital, she had never expected to rotate under her. Dr. Olivia Pope is known for having exclusive team of elite doctors and medical specialists working under her cut throat supervision. She is known to be ruthless but well respected nonetheless. One thing she's famous for is the fact that she could fly solo during procedures – never needing a resident nor intern to assist her. Every Sunday, before her busy week starts, she would always meticulously prepare and meet with her team of cardiologists, pulmonologists, radiologic technologist and medical specialist. They would endlessly discuss every case until their ready to start the week ahead.

But inside her operating theatre, she could conduct long procedures with just her trusted anesthesiologist, Stephen Flinch, her scrub and circulating nurses, and her reliable topnotch retractors – courtesy of her all-around medical specialist, Huck. Having had spent years volunteering in third world countries, she learned to do things on her own. While Quinn was still in medical school, she had already read Olivia Pope's name and tehcniques in some updated editions of medical textbooks and surgical journals. She had expected to meet a woman on her 50s or 40s at least – she had even mistaken her as her chief resident when she first saw her during her panel interview, which earned a laughter in Olivia's co-panelists. Olivia, on the other hand, maintained a poker face and continued reading Quinn's impressive curriculum vitae. So imagine Quinn's surprise when she learned that Olivia was the youngest member to the hospital's prestigious roster of surgeons. Hence, for Quinn, it was an opportunity and privilege she'll forever be thankful for. Being able to witness the greatness that is Olivia Pope and sharing an operating room with her was beyond imaginable.

"I am a resident, Dr. Pope." Quinn softly and hesitantly corrected but Olivia appeared not to hear.

"Time check!" Olivia asked and released a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"0800H" Stephen shouted. "You never fail my dear friend. Always, on the dot."

"Well, good job everyone!" She announced as she stepped back and removed her Gammex gloves and surgical gown. Quinn was left on her own with stunned face while Olivia just continued her stride towards door. Not knowing what to do and as if asking for help, Quinn looked at Stephen, who just shrugged in return. Once Olivia reached the threshold of the operating room, she turned and eyed Quinn.

"You know how to close a chest, right?" She asked but didn't wait for a response as she left an astonished Quinn.

"You have 30 minutes, Perkins, so better start closing up," Olivia shouted as she walked along the hallway wearing a smirk behind her mask.

Ending Quinn's state of shock, the nurse handed her the needle holder with chest wires. Like an autopilot, Quinn started apposing the patient's chest rib by rib, just as how she remembered Olivia does it for the past weeks.

-o-

Later that day, Olivia found herself in Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York. It was sunny autumn afternoon but the ocean breeze made it pleasantly windy. She was sitting on the bench by the beach path only some feet away from the ocean. Wrapped in her black ensembles and spotless royal blue lapel double- breasted trench coat, she basked in this rear opportunity to experience the sun, still up and brightly shining.

"You actually came," Cyrus greeted, sounding surprised, as he sat beside Olivia.

"Well. Hi. hello. How are you?" She countered as she smiled and offered his mentor his favorite cup of coffee.

"You're looking good. You always do."

"Thank you. You, on the other hand, look terrible"

"You're enjoying this"

"Wouldn't miss the chance of seeing you struggle from desperation."

"You're not one to lie. Not even a white lie to soothe one's heart." Olivia only smiled. A rare smile, smile only few people witness and even fewer could elicit. Olivia had always been reserved and guarded – always had her walls up.

They sat there for a while, seemingly contented with the silence, drinking their coffee and enjoying the sound of the waves and seagulls. Both of them were absentmindedly looking towards the ocean – just like what they always do when they visit this place.

Cyrus finally looked at the woman beside him. She was still staring at the ocean, enjoying the unexpected moment to have peace and quiet. He tried to remember the last time she saw her. It was six months ago – they were at the exact same place. But Cyrus wished to all deity that this time, it will end on a different note. Last time, harsh words were uttered and Cyrus' old heart was left hurt and broken by seeing Olivia continuously suffer from her parents' sin.

Silently watching the very polished woman beside her, Cyrus still can't believe that he actually witnessed Olivia grow up to be the elegant and undeniably beautiful woman she is now. Just like her mother, he thought. He can't help but have overflowing sense of pride in knowing the real women beneath the beauty, perfectly sculpted face, designer clothes and expensive jewelries. Olivia, on the other hand, didn't have to look at the man beside him. The mere thought of his presence in New York calmed her and gave her reassurance that whatever happens in her life, she would always have someone with her. Cyrus Beene was more than just her mother's partner in practice, he was her person – he was her family.

Cyrus was one of the first people who held Olivia aside from her father when she first came to life. He saw her wail as a baby in her mother's arm far so many times – her loud shriek was engraved in his memory forever. He heard her uncontrollable laughter and sass as a toddler. He fascinatingly indulged with her inquisitive mind even if she was just a child. He patiently entertained her never-ending questions every time Maya would bring her to the hospital – Maya's way of bringing out Olivia's early interest and knowledge on medical field. Cyrus would keep her company in the doctor's lounge while her mother finishes her daily rounds or was stuck in a long procedure. He watched her as child with full of life and laughter but he also witnessed a complete 180 degree turn in Olivia's predisposition.

He witnessed Olivia broke into pieces when she finally learned that her parents were actually good at pretending in front of her. He had witnessed how a kiss between a man and a woman, having an extra-marital affair, could damage a kid's life forever. From then on, Cyrus witnessed her rebellious phase but would always successfully break down her walls - even after she was shipped to Switzerland by her parents.

Cyrus was the only constant person in her life away from home. Her parents were too busy avoiding each other – too angry to have decent conversation but was too proud to let each other go. While her father busied himself climbing the political ladder and while her mother spent most of her time in the operating room after trying to end her relationship with Dominic – for Olivia's sake, she said, Olivia learned to stay away as much as possible. Sending her to Switzerland initially served as punishment for Olivia's constant defiant attitude. It was supposedly only temporary as her parents tried to repair their marriage, not wanting Olivia, who was already in distraught, to be caught in the middle. However, it regretfully backfired to her parents. Young Olivia experienced how peaceful life can be on her own and away from her parents. She would always find an excuse not to go home – from riding and skiing lessons during spring and winter breaks to spending summer at one of her monarch friends lavish estates. Her parents would alternately visit her but she barely speaks with her mother, only intently paying attention when she mentioned details about her procedures. Every time Maya visits, Olivia would take advantage of the opportunity to stay in her extravagant hotel room but their interaction was very limited. It was different with her father though. She wasn't sure if she pitied him for her mother's transgressions, but even though she never had interest in politics, she would make an effort to keep their conversations going. Olivia made an effort to bond with her father. She would bring him around her campus and even show him her progress in riding and swimming to which his father gave his undivided attention.

She had always been a daddy's girl but even Olivia could see the gradual change in her father's behavior. It seemed like every time he would look at her, he's always in awe but also detached at the same time. It was obvious that the mere sight of her reminds him of her unfaithful mother. That made her hate her mother – and even more, herself. Her parents can only do so much to repair the emotional damage they've caused Olivia. As years go by, Olivia became distant and could only care less of her parents' whereabouts. But despite her avoidance from her parents, Olivia maintained a constant communication with Cyrus, who actually cared about her well being. He would check up on her and even went out of his way to attend some of her games and special school events. Breaming with pride, Cyrus would always patiently wait for Olivia with Edelweiss in his hands.

Olivia learned to leave her juvenile days behind and focused on making the most of her time in secluded village of Ollon. From being the mischievous child that she was, Olivia slowly bloomed and matured with much class and intelligence – princesses and future queens highly value her friendship and sons of dictators, monarchs and world leaders fawn on her. And after seven years living freely abroad, she was able make connections and build genuine relationships with future leaders of the world. However, the inevitable had come, Olivia had to go home and continue her education in her country. She was initially against it and was supposed go to University of Oxford but she cannot refuse an offer of full scholarship in Harvard.

Cyrus was the first one to welcome her back and helped her settle in Cambridge while her parents were wrapped up in their own marital problems – mostly because his father refused to sign the divorce papers. He watched her become the independent woman that she is now but he could also still see the girl who secretly asked for her parent's validation.

"How bad is it, Cy?" Olivia broke the silence, ready to begin the looming conversation. Cyrus didn't miss her serious tone and dive in to the issue.

"Really bad, Liv. I came all the way here you to see you, didn't I?"

She scoffed in disbelief. "Yeah, I wondered why you stopped visiting. Though I have a few ideas."

"Olivia. You know my stand on that subject. It is how I felt before and it is still how I feel now. You of all people should know that!"

"I'm an adult,"

"So as your parents but they still manage to ruin you" He groaned as he bent forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "I'm sorry. But he's been asking for you to come back." He swayed back the conversion. "This time he really means it. He may not give you a choice."

"I am not going back to Connecticut! I can help you with anything but going back there is not an option."

"It is the only option now, Olivia!" Cyrus hissed. Olivia looked at him and saw just how troubled he was. "I wouldn't be telling you this if there are. I know how you hate that place but we are losing investors and you might lose the hospital your mother tirelessly built. She fought tooth and nail for years to have her name on that institution. She is the institution!" He explained. "Let us accept it. Your father may have the best political mind and he may be the best businessman there is in America but he can only do so much to manage the hospital. He is not one of us. He is not a doctor. Without your mother's skills and reputation, it is nothing."

"So you need a poster child" She laughed sarcastically. "This is all what this is about."

"No. They need their daughter."

"They don't need me Cy. You know that. They never did."

"They need you, Olivia." He repeated. "Cleveland and Cambridge are after us. I can only do so much to hold the fort. Comeback home."

"My mother's name is still worth something Cy." She immediately changed the subject.

"Patients are coming in for her skills not her name. And people already know her condition."

"Hire someone else," she scoffed.

"That's is not easy! She's not easily replaceable by anyone except you! You're the only one who is at par with her! Hell, you already surpassed her!"

"I am not my mother," she softly said. Cyrus surprised with her calm demeanor. Looking at her, he immediately knew that her thoughts went somewhere else. Cyrus could see that she's is no longer referring to Maya Pope as the Nobel Prize winner for successfully pioneering heart transplant but as woman who broke their family.

"Why is my father still doing it? As if he needed more money. He could just hand it over to them and live peacefully somewhere with her. Far away from that place." She softly.

"Olivia. Your father wanted your mother's legacy to continue."

"He has her. He don't need anyone. Legacy be damned."

"Your mother is no longer with us, Olivia"

"Don't talk about her as if she's dead. She stayed didn't she, he must be happy now."

"You're wrong. More likely, your father didn't give up," Cyrus sighed and looked at her. "She had an Alzhiemer's, and Dominic abandoned her. You know she's gone and will never be back. She's there but she's not. So will be the hospital if you don't listen to me," the old man matter-of-factly countered. Cyrus let out an exasperated sigh and continued. "You're the best cardiothoracic surgeon, Liv. Investors will flank in if you just take your mother's practice. Continue her legacy."

"I don't want her legacy"

"Just do it for your father then. I know your mad at him for blindly loving your mother. But we both know how important they are to you."

"I'm happy Cy," she softly said. "I'm actually happy." She repeated, now looking deep into her mentor's eyes.

"Is this about Edision?"

"Cyrus'"

"Your father knows, Liv."

"You told him?!"

"No. But you're not exactly good at hiding it. He had eyes everywhere."

"I ended it."

"I heard that before"

"It's for real this time"

"Again, I Heard that before."

"For what's its worth, He's served her the papers."

"That's the same thing your mother told me when we learned about her affair with that son of a bitch. But that time, it was her who is serving your father a divorce paper. My goodness Olivia! All these years you've hated your mother, but look what you're doing!"

"It was different. I am not my mother!" Olivia began to raised her voice.

"Olivia - "

"Edison doesn't have a kid!" She whispered but frustration evident in her voice.

"You really don't get it do you?" Cyrus stared at her in exasperation. "Liv," he tried to continue but he was just too hurt seeing her in this situation. "I actually thought you were able to get past your issues with your mother. But damn she really did a great number on you."

"Cy-"

"Your predicament is actually worse, you know?" Cyrus rhetorically asked. "You're a mistress. Do you know how cruel it is to see you tarnish your name in hell after you fight your demons all these years?"

"You're being overly dramatic, Cyrus."

"Leave him,"

"I already did."

"So you're going to bail on him tonight?" he probed catching Olivia off guard.

"How'd you know?"

"So when you told me you ended it, you were actually lying?" Cyrus ignored her question. "My child, you even learned how to lie."

Dumbstrucked and speechless with how the conversation had turned out, Olivia just tidied her dress as she raised her chin, and looked straight ahead – her demeanor cold and her walls are back up.

"You know, I actually knew I couldn't convince you." Cyrus resigned.

"Then why come all the way here?" Olivia defensively asked.

"Because I love you like my own daughter and I came here to warn you" He immediately answered in the blink of an eye. "Your father is planning on something big, Olivia. He might actually sell most of the stock but I'm not sure what his agenda is because he had also hired some people to tail on you." He stopped and subtly motioned for the couple of ordinarily looking guys in the area.

"It's not the first time Cy. I can manage."

"I know deep down - you value that hospital more than anyone." He said as he poked into her chest. "You're right. Eli can readily hand it over to anyone. The hospital isn't profitable to anyone right now. If you don't come back, we might actually lose it to anyone this time around." Without another word, Cyrus slowly stood up and breathed deeply as he savored the scene in front of him. He looked down at Olivia who seemed to be needing a hug but Cyrus knew her too well.

"I believe you," he simply said and patted her shoulders. "How twisted it may be, I do believe you, Liv." And without another word, Cyrus slowly walked away – gratifying and troubled years evident on his shoulders.

-o-

Against her better judgment, Olivia found herself in a secluded restaurant away from her usual scene in Manhattan. From the moment she gave him an ultimatum, Edison had been asking to talk with her outside the hospital. Ever since Olivia started an affair with Edison Davis, they never really went out in public until now – or so she thought, ironically. It had always been stolen moments – in hotel rooms, in empty hospital locker room or operating room lounges (after long procedures), in their out of town trips for 'annual surgical conferences', but never at their own places – definitely not Edison's. Afraid that her thoughts and decisions will be clouded with her emotions and desires, she demanded for them to talk in public.

She knew Edison ever since she started residency program and he was the chief resident at John Hopkins Hospital Department of General Surgery. They actually started a romantic relationship and was living together until Olivia decided to take her cardiothoracic fellowship at Cleveland Clinic while he decided to stay in Maryland. Edison knew her worth and instantly asked her hand for marriage, to which she refused. For Olivia, it was too soon – she was too young. But for many people, she was just unavailable – never one to be tied down. Two years later, she learned from her friends that Edison got married and she was expectedly indifferent. She then sought further advance training in Germany, Switzerland and Japan and never expected for their paths to cross.

However, some twisted thing called fate happened. After collaborating with her friends and finishing her surgical missions around the world, Olivia accepted the New York Presbyterian Hospital's offer – an offer had to refuse. She immediately became the newest and youngest attending cardiothoracic surgeon in Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute. However, unbeknownst to her, Edison was the newly appointed chief of section.

They had been cordial at first but tension between them started to build up. Even during residency, Edison has always been critical on Olivia. He gave her a hard time but nothing she can't handle. More often than not, Edison would be left speechless, unable to make comeback from Olivia's intense urgings. But Edison can no longer deny how he was still attracted with Olivia – for him, she was the one that got away. For Olivia, she just liked the attention. Olivia always had an effect with men. Since she was sixteen, she was always aware and confident of her sexual prowess. She would desire for affection but in the end, she never fail to leave guys craving for more. She's not one to run after men, but in rare times a guy caught her attention, Olivia knew just how to seduce and wrap them around her fingers – she was a temptress.

Edison was no different – if anything else, he had it worse believing that he almost had her. So when sexual tension between them was no longer controllable, Edison gave in and flirted with her relentlessly but Olivia became a ball of emotion. At first she thought it was just satisfying their libido, but after one too many pillow talks, secretly holding hands in public and and subtle touches when no one is looking, Olivia cannot control her emotions. Before it became serious, Olivia ended their affair. But just like all the guys who fell in love with her, Edison was left wanting more.

"Meet me tomorrow night," Edison whispered to her while they were sitting side-by-side during their weekly conference. "I already left her. I told you I'm filing for divorce." Olivia tried to look unfazed but something insider her was ignited. Maybe it was part of the psychological damage brought by her parent's relationship. For Olivia, it was emotionally stirring for Edison to willingly leave his wife for her. Was it actually some twisted revenge she was looking for? Was this even worth it? Because she was sure of one thing – it wasn't love.

An hour after arriving at the French restaurant, there was still no sign of Edison. She was about to leave when the small group of people caught her attention – more particularly, the man who just arrived and caused the groups' cheerfulness. Something within Olivia stopped her from leaving and she convinced herself to wait for Edison for another hour. She tried to brush off how she initially marveled on how attractive and godly the man across her was. Here she was waiting for Edison but was secretly eyeing another man.

To endure the night, Olivia requested a bottle of Cheval Blanc 1947 for her own entertainment. Half an hour of restraint had passed and Olivia was still intrigued by the masculine man. While enjoying her nth glass of the red liquor, she saw the most intense pair of blue eyes almost piercing through her soul. At first, she thought it was just the wine's effect on her, but Olivia knew her alcohol tolerance – it's higher than the walls she built. Years of fighting the cold weather of Switzerland with her secret stash of whiskey and years of spending her summers partying all over Europe with every booze she could imagine, Olivia was definitely far from drunk. Unconsciously, the man had elicited a seductive smile from her and a friendly toast.

She brushed it off the first time, but boy she was in trouble. They would constantly find each other sharing sultry gazes filled with undeniable desire for each other. They found themselves in intense staring contest and Olivia found herself not wanting to look away. Her phone suddenly chimed signaling a text has arrived. It was from Edison.

"I'm sorry." It simply stated but she knew very well what it entailed.

What did she expect? Olivia had thought this through. She had decided to end it long ago. But she can't explain why the moment Edison actually gave her hope, she irrationally agreed to meet up with him. She can't help but recall her conversation with Cyrus and remember the hurt and disappointment in his face. Not wanting to breakdown in a crowded restaurant, Olivia decided to leave. But before she could gather her Chanel purse, she was locked in her placed and stared deeply at the handsome man towering over her.

"Hi" He greeted - his baritone voice sent chills through her spine. At that very moment, she was intoxicated not with the excessive amount of alcohol she had consumed but with mystical sight before her. It had been years since she last tasted drugs, but now she was definitely felt high on her desire for the man who was constantly in her thoughts that night.

"Hi." She softly answered trying to hide her emotion – but her voice betrayed her. She kept her gaze at the tall, handsome, well dressed intruder. She can't help but notice the years he had ahead of her but it didn't matter to Olivia. Here he was, standing confidently and all suave. One look from him and he made Olivia felt what she never had felt with any man before.

-o-

Author's note: Stay home and stay safe everyone!