Chapter 7

Business Personal

Olivia's favorite time of day was the morning. The transition from night to dawn, the light blotting out the darkness of the previous night, brought a newness that she began counting on when she was a young girl. It had been years since she needed the light to block the dark blot of pain she had experienced then. Now the morning gave her a daily chance to do everything right whether it was a day at work or a day alone reading. Today there was work to do.

Olivia loved routines just as much as she loved mornings. He morning routine was the most elaborate. It began with her alarm of birds chirping. She never hit the snooze button. There was no need for snoozing as she always set her clock to alarm at the exact time she needed to rise. After silencing the alarm, she removed her sleep mask and placed it inside the drawer of her bedside table. She stood beside the bed and reached for her yoga mat, after folding back the blindingly white sheets and comforter. She rolled out the mat on the floor and stretched her extremities and core for exactly 15 minutes. Upon stowing her yoga mat, she walked to the bedside table on the other side and reached for the glass filled with 12 ounces of tepid water garnished with a lemon wedge. After squeezing the lemon over the water, she drank it in 6 slow draws. Thereafter, she made her bed and opened her curtains. By then, like a preset clock, her system was ready for its routine bowel movement. Olivia continued, taking a hot shower, the last 5 minutes of which ended with frigid cold water. Next, she brushed, flossed, and rinsed her teeth and mouth followed by the moisturizing routine for her face and body. The last items on her agenda were her hair, the application of very light makeup, and getting dressed.

On this particular morning, her routine was interrupted before she could begin making the breakfast she had each morning, spinach and egg white omelet with a small cup of steel cut oats. While eating, she would read each of the morning newspapers and check the e-mail and bank accounts. Olivia didn't make coffee until it was time to leave, intending to sip it most of the morning. When she was done, she would make another batch.

As she removed the skillet from the cabinet, there was a knock on her door followed by a ringing of her doorbell. Olivia set the skillet on the stove and stilled herself. No one ever visited her at home. She didn't have friends to show up unannounced. There was no immediate family living in New York to bother her with impromptu visits. Olivia racked her brain as to the source of the 6:45 intrusion. The doorbell rang again, this time followed by a male voice that said, "This is Pete Manchester from Capital Couriers with a package for Ms. O. Pope. Please ma'am. I have an I.D. I would leave the package, but the client requests a signature."

Olivia frowned but walked slowly to the door to investigate. She peeked through the peep hole and saw the image of a white man with red hair and glasses. He wore a polo shirt with a logo she couldn't quite make out and khakis.

"Who is the sender?" Olivia asked, leaning against the door.

"Oh, Ma'am thanks for answering. I don't have a name, but there is a number you can call to verify. Can I give it to you? You can call it right now. Just let me know when you are ready for the number," Pete said eagerly.

Olivia padded back to the kitchen and grabbed her phone. That's when she had a strong sense this package involved Fitzgerald Grant, though she wasn't 100 percent sure.

"Okay, I'm ready. Give me the number," Olivia said.

"555-1258," said Pete.

"Thank you. I am dialing now," said Olivia.

"Good morning, Olivia," said Fitz.

"Hold on," she said, curtly, her suspicions confirmed.

Olivia opened the door to Pete, a relieved expression on his face. He presented her with a clipboard and pointed to the first line. "Sign here please," he said.

Olivia signed as "Anne Shirley."

"Thank you," he said. The courier turned and picked up a cylinder shaped tin. An envelope was taped to the top. Olivia took it from him and shut the door. She set the tin on the foyer table and peeled off the card.

Your presence is requested

tonight, 6:30 pm

at my condo.

A little pick me up. Enjoy.

FG

Then she opened the tin. It was filled with 4 bags of her favorite coffee beans. She breathed in its heavenly, earthy scent. She couldn't contain the smile that appeared on her lips. All thoughts of breakfast went out the window. She wanted to taste some of this coffee. That was when she remembered her caller on the phone.

"Fitzgerald?" she said, picking up her phone, "Are you still there?"

"Yes. I'm here. I hope I didn't disrupt your morning too much, Olivia. Last night you told me to send you the time and location so I arranged the courier. Should I send a car for you this evening?" he said.

"How did you know where I lived?" she asked.

"Maybe I'll tell you tonight," he said.

Olivia could hear the smile in his voice. This angered her.

"Governor Grant, I—" she said.

"Fitzgerald…" he said.

"Your call last night and this gesture of yours this morning…even the tone of your voice is dripping with patronizing self-satisfaction. I think we have established that I deceived you to protect my own business interests. As a politician, you can understand that. I cannot work for you so I offered you what I knew you wanted—"

"Sex, Olivia. You think that is what I want from you?" Fitz said.

Olivia didn't immediately answer. She couldn't for the exasperation that racked her. Walking back to the kitchen, she placed the coffee tin on the marble counter and began preparing her morning brew.

"I hope you like the coffee," he said after a while.

"Yes, thank you. I searched for the coffee but was unsuccessful. I didn't have the full name," she said.

"You should have called me, and I would have told you it would be next to impossible to find it in the states since I had it shipped from Indonesia. I visited there with some other governors and enjoyed the best tasting coffee I'd ever sipped. The farmer promised to send me a fresh supply whenever I wanted, provided I pay for the shipping. What you have in the tin is the last of my supply," he explained.

Olivia wanted to grind the new beans but she wouldn't have time. The small stream of coffee brewed from the grounds she had left dripped into her coffee tumbler. The calmness she usually felt in morning was replaced by discomfort.

"What do you want from me, Fitzgerald? If it is not sex, then what is it?" Olivia asked, impatiently.

"I want to get to know you. Despite your subterfuge, Olivia, I like you. It is simple. No ulterior motives involved," he said.

She smiled for the second time that morning. "You like me and want to get to know me. We will have dinner tonight and that will be it?" she said.

"We won't know the answer to that question until tonight. I hope now you don't think I'm being patronizing or self-satisfied," he said.

"I must end our call because I have to get to work. I'll see you this evening, and I have my own driver," she said before disconnecting the call.

"At the end of the day, this is a business. We are trying to make a profit. Limiting capacity at Spa Bliss is not advisable especially since we are doing very well, better than projected…and we haven't been open for 60 days!" argued Harrison.

"I agree with Harrison. With all due respect, Abiba, we should wait until at least 90 days have passed before we consider this," said Abby.

Olivia took a sip of coffee and looked to Abibia. "Abiba, do we have the survey results from the clients? Are they complaining about our services?" she asked.

"The satisfaction surveys are solidly good. As I said at the start of this meeting, the problem is with the access. Spa Bliss is too accessible. We need a screening process before we accept clients," Abiba explained.

Before Olivia spoke she took another sip of coffee and observed everyone in the room. Abiba's argument wasn't compelling enough for Olivia to give any further thought to the request. It seemed that Abiba knew this by the look of resignation on her face. She wasn't making a good a case in the way Olivia had come to expect from her. Olivia sensed there was another reason Abiba wanted to reduce the client base, but she couldn't identify it or why Abiba seemed not quite herself. On the other hand, Abby and Harrison were confident, the paragons of professionalism. No one would have guessed they had received a reprimand for engaging in reckless sexual behavior.

"I called this meeting to address your concerns, Abiba. I even pushed the meeting up to today instead of waiting until next week, but you haven't presented any plausible reason for reducing capacity that can be measured. There is no reason to reduce capacity unless there is something you haven't shared…" Olivia said.

"No, that is all," said Abiba.

Abby and Harrison looked relived and vindicated. The meeting continued with more routine business. At the end, Olivia wondered if she should speak to Abiba alone but decided against it especially since Abby lingered after everyone else filed out. Olivia noticed and remembered how they used to chat after meetings, sometimes grabbing lunch. They hadn't done this since Olivia reprimanded her.

Once everyone left, Abby set in the chair facing Olivia's desk. "Olivia, we haven't spoken in a while. How have you been?" Abby asked, "If you don't mind me asking.

Olivia looked up from her computer screen somewhat surprised by the wistfulness in Abby's voice. "Me? I've been the same as always. You know me, Abby, I'm like clockwork," said Olivia.

"That's good? Are you doing anything tonight? Would you like to get some dinner together? We could do Michaela's on 4th or Dominick's on Broad Street.

"I have a da… er…meeting this evening. Let's get lunch tomorrow instead," Olivia offered. Despite catching herself, she could see that Abby caught her slip by her widened eyes and forward lean.

"You have a date, Liv? When did this happen? I know we haven't talked but a date? Wow," Abby said, "that's great."

Olivia saw the excited look on Abby's face. Why does the thought of me on a date make her this happy? Olivia thought. Though the thought ran through her mind, she already knew. Few people understood why she, purveyor of sensual delights, didn't have a significant other or lover. Olivia suspected that those who cared to speculate probably thought she had adventurous sexual tastes that were shrouded in secrecy. She rarely thought about it. She didn't have to except twice a year, once on her birthday when her parents visited and a second time during Christmas when she made her obligatory visit to them. Abby and occasionally her driver, Ben, would chide her about her love life or lack thereof.

Olivia began straightening items on her desk that were already organized and in their assigned location. "I didn't quite squash the incident with Governor Grant like I thought so to finally put it to bed…" Olivia said, hesitating and frowning at her unfortunate choice of words, "resolve it. I'm having dinner with him tonight at his request. I am confident that, after this meeting, I'll be done with him."

Olivia glanced up to Abby's expression that couldn't be described as anything but delighted.

"You like him. I cannot believe it, Liv," said Abby with a grin she hadn't had in her boss's presence since the reprimand.

Olivia considered Abby as if she were a child who still believed in the tooth fairy. "And how did you arrive at that conclusion, Abby," Olivia said, before sighing and crossing her arms across her chest.

"I don't have as much evidence to support my conclusion since you never discussed your plan to thwart the moratorium with me. I've never spoken to the Governor Grant or seen you two together, but I can tell you are nervous. You double down on your anal tendencies when you are nervous or unsettled…organizing your desk. Then you slipped and almost called it a date and noticed the pun you made about 'putting it to bed'. I know you, Liv. Everything you do is intentional so—" said Abby.

Olivia frowned. "Abby, despite your recent gross lapse in judgement, I respect your opinion. You've shown an admirable dedication to Euphoria. We've worked together closely and it is natural, perhaps even essential, that we have a certain collegiality. I hope you don't mistake that for friendship. We are not friends. My personal life is off limits to you and anyone else I work with. Your comments have crossed the line. If it happens again, I'll have to revisit the terms of your reprimand," she explained, firmly.

"I-I'm sorry, Olivia. I…," Abby said, with a look of shock, but she adjusted quickly. "Yes, certainly, Olivia. It won't happen again. D-Do you mind if I take these brochures to submit your changes."

"No, please, please take them," Olivia said, with a slight smile as if she was trying to soften the blow of her gut punch.

"Do you think you hurt Abby's feelings when you responded to her in that way? asked Dr. Chase.

Olivia moved the wad of trident gum—The flavor was cinnamon—from the left to the right side of her mouth and between her back molars. She chewed, comforted by the secession of small pops from the gum. She didn't like chewing gum in front of others, but she needed it now.

"From the way she looked, yes, she was hurt by it, Dr. Chase, but Abby knows me. I'm not that person…friendly and gushing, engaging in girl talk. We are both single. She dates but isn't serious with anyone. Both of our families live outside of New York and neither of us of have close friends. Truthfully, I don't have any friends. She does but doesn't mention them often. We are both committed to our jobs," said Olivia.

"For someone who isn't close to you…not your friend…you sure know a lot about her," said Dr. Chase. "How did you feel when she said you liked the governor and begin to justify her reasons?"

"First, I thought it was an incorrect assessment. Then I knew it was inappropriate to say what she said. Then I was compelled as her superior to address it—" Olivia said.

"Not what you thought or knew, Olivia, but how did you feel?" Dr. Chase pressed.

Olivia stopped chewing and spat out her gum in the small waste bin. "I don't see how that has anything to do with why I am here. My exchange with Abby was business," Olivia said.

"The reason for your visit today is personal then? Your date tonight with the governor is personal? In what way? Was it personal or business when you were going to have sex with him? Now that you are not having sex is it personal?" he asked with genuine curiosity, his pen poised and ready.

Olivia was totally flummoxed. "I don't know, Dr. Chase," she said, "That is why I am here."

Olivia would have given a mint to have a piece of trident gum now. She stood outside of Fitz's townhouse. It was nearly 7 and she had waved Ben away. She'd agonized over whether to be punctual or fashionably tardy. After an hour of deliberation, she'd decided on fashionably late so as not to give the appearance of over eagerness. Standing at his door, she wondered if being on time would have been more appropriate to show that she was treating this like a business meeting of sorts. A gush of air spilled from her lungs and she took a couple of breaths.

Shit, Abby was right about one thing. I am nervous, she thought.

Olivia didn't entertain Abby's other assertion that she liked Fitzgerald as there was no way she could like someone she didn't really know.

But what is 'like' anyway? I have many likes. And isn't any well-adjusted person predisposed to like everyone unless given a reason not to? Like is a default emotion, right? Liking someone is really quite benign almost lukewarm? So to say I like him is like saying the earth is a planet. It's quite obvious, Olivia thought.

She changed from one foot to the other realizing she'd have to ring the doorbell soon. Besides the fact time was moving, she couldn't stand in heels on concrete indefinitely. Her attire was bland in her opinion. It was a simple sheath dress that fell right at her knee. The only nice touch were the gathers at the neck that met just above her cleavage. When she leaned forward, there were no worries of revealing anything not that she was endowed enough in the chest for that to matter. The dress was a deep, vibrant purple so it wasn't bland in color only in style.

Olivia took a step forward onto the mat. She raised her hand to knock, but the door swung open as if she'd tricked some secret unlock code. That is when it happened. Something inside of her opened when the door opened and she saw Fitz standing there in a dark suit and crisp with shirt, no tie, brandishing a bouquet of purple freesias that perfectly complimented her dress. She got goose bumps as if a breeze had snuck under her jacket. It wasn't a chill, but a frisson. The unfamiliar sensation caused her breath to catch in her throat

"Good Evening, Olivia. Fashionably late I see… I couldn't stand behind the closed door any longer waiting for you to knock. These are for you. I hope you like freesias," he said, pushing them to her.

Olivia took the flowers from his grasp, but she couldn't lift her legs, unfortunate when you had the sudden urge to run. It was as if she had agreed to take a ride on a roller coaster and upon rolling away from the attendant, was now having second thoughts. Now she was ascending to the top before the first drop at the point of no return.

Fitz smiled down at her and took her hand. She willed herself to say, "Thank you," and let him lead her inside.