Chapter 5

Resolved

Pity. That is how Olivia now regarded Abby. Before her unfortunate discovery of Abby having sex with Harrison and Quinn, Olivia had trusted and respected her colleague. Now she pitied her. She regarded Abby sitting across from her desk, eyes full of anguish, sorrow, and even shame, pleading for understanding. Olivia had nothing to give her.

It had been a month since the incident. Olivia had put off having this conversation for obvious reasons and because she was still trying to extricate herself from working for Fitzgerald Grant. At the beginning of this new month, Olivia pledged to get her professional and personal houses in order beginning with this personnel issue. Her last order of business was a meeting with Fitzgerald Grant. Today was the day of reckoning when she planned to end, once and for all, her connection to him. The only good thing that had come out of her dealings with him was the discovery of the coffee he'd served her the night he'd kidnapped her. The coffee was bliss, her secret bliss, that calmed her each morning and once during the day when she had her second cup.

"How did this happen, Abby? From what I could tell you and Harrison held a mild disdain for each other. How did you go from that to engaging in sex acts with him and another person! I'm at a complete loss of understanding. Harrison is married for God's sake. If his wife found out…if anyone else found out… it would open us up to liability and scandal—" Olivia said until Abby interjected.

"Olivia, I don't need a lecture," Abby said, "I…what I did was inexcusable and I am ashamed of how you found us like that on the premises. All I can say is that our quarreling was a sort of mask for our attraction. After Abiba performed the massage, something changed in me…in us. It was like we saw each other differently and could no longer pretend with the childish arguments. I think Quinn saw our attraction and was herself attracted to it. One night we were all working late and—"

"Stop, Abby. I really don't want details of how it started and how it continued. This is what I will say. I cannot control what you do or with whom you do it with on your own time, but you will stop this unprofessional behavior on company property and company time. I am reducing your salary by 10% for 90 days and removing you from the bonus entitlement. If there are no more incidents during this probationary time, I will reinstate your salary to its original amount and put you back into the bonus entitlement. The same penalties go for Harrison as well. Do you have any questions?" Olivia said sternly before taking a sip of her coffee.

"No, Olivia. I can assure you that I am committed to Euphoria, Inc. Nothing like this will happen again. I know my words are just words so I will show you with my actions. Thanks for not limiting my access, Olivia. I am thankful to able to continue my work," Abby said before leaving the office.

Thirty minutes later after giving Harrison the same tongue lashing, she asked him a personal question. "Have you told your wife about this? If not, do you plan to?" she asked.

Harrison swallowed, glanced away and then glanced back. "No, I have not told her about it and do not plan to. It was a mistake, Olivia. I don't want my marriage or my job compromised because of a mistake. Abby and I…and Quinn are no longer….it is over. I appreciate your willingness to give me another chance, and I am grateful I still have the same access as before and can continue my job as before," Harrison said, before leaving.

The energy and power dynamic seemed to change when Abiba Mashalaba entered the room with Quinn Perkins in tow. Quinn wouldn't make eye contact and didn't say one word.

Olivia began. "As you both know by now, Quinn along with Abby and Harrison have been having a sexual relationship. They engaged in sexual rendezvous during work hours and on the premises. I have admonished my employees and given them certain penalties for their actions. In light of Quinn's involvement, I don't think she should work at Spa Bliss. I am open to negotiating the penalties since Quinn is an apprentice."

"Ms. Pope, I agree that Abby, Harrison, and Quinn manifested their mutual desire in a reckless manner. However, I don't agree with your punitive methods. In the end, it may have disastrous consequences especially if Abby and Harrison don't get to the root of whatever is between them and resolve it. I've talked to Quinn about what happened and she admits to sensing their attraction and using it for selfish sexual gain. She exploited their vulnerability. She needs more training not penalties," Abiba explained.

"I appreciate your opinion, Abiba, but I do not agree. Some situations call for further training and some call for immediate action to stop the behavior. You can continue to train Quinn, but not in the context of Spa Bliss," Olivia said, looking straight at Abiba with narrowed eyes.

There was a hint of a smile on Abiba's face which angered Olivia. She greatly respected Abiba but increasing felt like a child playing grown up around her. "Is something amusing?" Olivia asked.

Abiba chuckled before speaking. "Yes," she said, "actually it is. I was just reminded of my nephew and his first car. It was an old chevy that ran very well. The only problem was a rusty spot on the trunk area below the window. After a while, he forgot about the rusty spot. One day, he took me for a ride. We passed by a car with a rusty spot on the trunk area below the window. He said, 'Auntie, look at that rusty car!' I frowned at him and said, 'You forgot didn't you.' After he realized what I meant. He started laughing. We both did. We laughed at how quickly he forgot about his own rust and started criticizing the same rust in another car."

Olivia gave her a blank stare. "Thanks, Abiba. Quinn," she said. Quinn walked out still refusing to make eye contact.

Olivia stood in front of the large wooden door. The last time she'd seen this door she had been reeling from the pain pulsating behind her eyes. This was the place he had taken her to get to the bottom of her deception. This was also the place he'd served her that first cup of delicious coffee. Had she considered the wisdom of meeting him here of all places? Was it a bad idea given the fact this was the place he had expressed interest in getting to know her better and proclaimed how intriguing she was? Olivia had considered all those facts, but one fact outweighed them all. She had successfully called him off and offended him in the process. And he insisted that they meet here. She wasn't going to argue especially since she was settled on doing whatever it took to get out of working for him.

She pushed the doorbell. After a couple of minutes, the door opened and there he was partially dressed in his usual work uniform, a crisp white button down shirt rolled up to the elbows. He wore a tie, blue slacks, and black oxfords. He acknowledged her presence with a nod since he was on a call. She stepped around him as he closed the door. Olivia was surprised to see a dozen other people in the apartment milling around like worker bees.

"Well, thank you, for the support, Senator Benson…." Fitz said before disconnecting the phone.

Olivia laughed to herself. Here she was questioning whether or not she should meet him here. This was essentially his office and they seemed to be doing some sort of phone banking probably to big donors. Olivia wasn't sure.

"Thanks for coming, Olivia. They will be leaving soon to take the phone banking to another location. Then we can talk. First I want you to meet my kids," Fitz said, "Karen and Gerry, please come here."

Two teenagers walked over at their father's bidding. Olivia had seen them on television once or twice, but this was the first time she really saw in person.

"This is Ms. Olivia Pope. She has agreed to work on the campaign," Fitz said.

"It is nice to meet you, Ms. Pope," Karen said.

"Thanks for your service," Gerry said.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Olivia said. The introductions felt awkward to her. She felt out of place especially since she was not going to be working on the campaign. In fact she was there to end her connection.

After about 20 minutes, everyone was gone.

"Let's sit and chat. Have you made any progress with Sanders? I was thinking of some—" Fitz said.

"Governor Grant," Olivia said, lifting her hand, "I really need to stop you. Other than the first meeting with Sanders, I haven't worked with him. In fact, I haven't done anything with your campaign. I called this meeting today to ask you to reconsider. I neither have the time nor the desire to work on your campaign. I have been…pretending this last month."

Fitz crossed his arms and sighed. Would you like something to drink? Tea, coffee, wine?" he asked.

"Coffee would be nice," she said.

"I heard you've really…taken to my coffee," he said.

Olivia didn't quite know how to respond to that. How could he know that? Was he deliberately goading her? She followed him into the kitchen intent on continuing the conversation so she could make her exit sooner than later.

"I cannot work for you Governor Grant. I am here…I called this meeting to convince you to reconsider. I hope we can come up with some kind of agreement to resolve our differences. I hope you can understand my plight. I am a business owner and not a political operative," Olivia said.

The smell of brewing coffee filled the space. Fitz pulled out two cups and saucers, creamer, and sugar. "So you are saying you can't work for me, but you are willing to agree to some other way to make up for what you did?" Fitz clarified before loosening his tie.

"Yes, I think we can compromise. What can I do to resolve this quickly and quietly in a way that is mutually agreeable?" Olivia asked.

Fitz poured her coffee and placed it in front of her before taking a seat across from her. They sipped silently for a time. He loosened his tie all the way, but didn't remove it. This man was a complete puzzle to her like those 5000 piece puzzles with a nice landscape one would admire from afar as someone else's work and keep on walking. Unfortunately, she had crossed him and was having a difficult time undoing that. But why? Why was he giving her such a difficult time?

"I really don't know how we can compromise, Olivia."

"I have an idea that is in keeping with something you suggested the last time I was here, but it comes with a modification," she offered.

He leaned back and crossed his arms across his chest. "Please enlighten me because I know it can't be what I think you are thinking," he said.

She took another sip of coffee. "You said you found me interesting and wanted to get to know me. Well, if I have sex with you, will you consider this resolved and leave me alone?" Olivia said.

Fitz laughed out loud. "What? You must be joking. You told me you didn't do sex…what was it you are…asexual? I am very skeptical about this extreme change. I don't trust it, Olivia," he said.

"You don't have to trust it. We are not entering into a relationship. This is a transaction that's older than mud. Disregard what I told you previously. I think you find me…I know you are attracted to me. Let's have sex," she said.

"But what about you being asexual?" He asked.

"Disregard that too," she said.

Fitz leaned in and looked at her closely. "You are serious, aren't you?" Fitz asked.

"Very serious," she said.

"Okay, then we have a deal," Fitz said. He stuck out his hand and they shook on it.

"Let's schedule it sooner rather than later. We are both busy people so…"

"Right. Okay…but I have a problem. I don't have my schedule with me. How about I get back with you on a date and time. Is that okay with you?" Fitz asked.

"Okay, that sounds fine. I'll look forward to your call then," said Olivia.