Love and Art
Chapter One: Meeting Mr. Grant
Ring Ring Ring
"Ugh!" Olivia groaned at the ringing house phone on her nightstand, waking her up from her peaceful sleep. She blindly reached over to the phone, keeping her head buried in her pillow. "Okay Okay." Olivia finally popped her head up from the sheets, looking at her nightstand reading eight in the morning. "Christ." She mumbled, before answering her phone.
"Hello." Olivia answered, trying to clear the sleep from her voice. She didn't know why, the person calling her should it was eight in the morning.
"Hello, may I speak to Olivia Pope."
"This is she."
"Hi Ms. Pope, this is Mr. Grant's office with a curtesy call, reminding you of your two o'clock meeting with Mr. Grant."
"Uh yes thank you." Olivia rolled her eyes. She'd had this meeting on her calendar for two weeks she was not gonna forget.
"Have a nice day ma'am."
"You do the same." Olivia hung up the phone, ready to fling herself back on her bed, when she heard a knock on the door. Knowing her roommate wasn't gonna get up to answer the door, Olivia groaned again and dramatically hopped out the bed. Without grabbing her robe to cover her long-sleeved t-shirt she was wearing, Olivia clumsily walked out her room and down the hall to the steps. She could barely see, because the curtains were closed, keeping the morning sunlight out.
"Okay I'm coming." Olivia said, opening the door without looking through the peephole, a habit she was trying to stop. Olivia swung the door open, and mentally cursed herself for not checking to see who was there first.
"Hey baby."
Olivia sighed, "Roger what are you doing here?" Olivia now regretted not grabbing her robe, as Roger eyed her up and down. Nearly salivating at the sight of Olivia's bare thighs in her shirt and knee high socks.
"What, a man can't come see his girlfriend?"
"A girlfriend yes, but not an ex-girlfriend."
"Oh come on peaches, I said I was sorry. I know you didn't mean that." Roger tried to pull Olivia into him, but she pushed him off her and took his hands off her waist.
"Yes I did Roger. I mean it this time okay, this isn't like the times before. I'm not changing my mind this time."
"Come on baby, why you doing me like this? You know I love you girl."
"Yeah and you have a heck of a way of showing it."
"Well why don't I show you now." Roger pulled Olivia to him a second time, this time managing to grip her face in his hands and kissed her.
"Roger." Olivia said, trying to pry her face from Roger's. "Roger- stop. Stop I mean it." Roger stopped kissing her, but still kept her trapped to him, with his arms around her waist.
"When you gonna stop teasing me peaches?" Roger whispered against her mouth.
"I'm not teasing anyone, and stop calling me peaches." Olivia tried not to smile, but she eventually felt the corners of her mouth turn up. He knew she hated when he called her that. Roger smirked back at her, knowing he was knocking down some of Olivia's wall. "Roger have you been drinking?"
"Nope." Roger said, leaning his head down to rest on Olivia's shoulder.
"Really? Because you can barely stand and you're putting all your weight on me. Plus you've been slurring your words since you got here and your breath smells like an entire bar."
Roger groaned, knowing he had been caught. "Peaches."
"You said you were gonna stop drinking."
"That was before you kicked me out of your house in the middle of the night."
Olivia sighed again, "Okay Roger you need to go home. I told you I wasn't doing this anymore." Olivia pushed his head off her shoulder, and he stumbled back before leaning on the doorframe.
"Come on baby, you gonna make me go home alone like this?" Roger asked, "I came here in a cab, but I think I gave him all my money. I don't even know how much I gave him."
Olivia eyed him with her best evil eye. She knew she was gonna give in, she didn't have the heart to shut the door on him. If something happened to him going home, she'd feel responsible and never forgive herself.
Without giving him an answer, Olivia rolled her eyes, and walked away from the door. Roger smiled, as he followed in behind her. After he shut and locked the door behind him, he walked up behind Olivia on the steps.
"Uh-uh, no. You sleep down here." Olivia pushed him back in the direction of the living room. "The couch is very comfortable."
"Come on peaches. I won't try anything, I promise. We can just cuddle." Roger pleaded, knowing he was lying.
"Forget it." Olivia threw a blanket and pillow at him, from the closet. "Goodnight."
"It's morning baby!" Roger yelled up the stairs, before he heard Olivia's door shut behind her. A little after she left, he tried to go up to her room, but unfortunately for him, Olivia was smart enough to lock her door.
X
A couple of hours later, Olivia woke up to the smell of coffee, instantly waking her. Not because she wanted any, but because she hated the smell of coffee, it always made her gag. Checking her clock, she say it was almost eleven. They always started late in her house. Most people would be out the door by now, but since she didn't have a regular nine to five job, her schedule was more laid back.
After brushing her teeth and washing her face, Olivia put on a pair of running shorts, and made her way downstairs. She had hoped Roger had went home, but she knew he hadn't. And since there was coffee making, she knew her roommate had seen Roger.
"Good morning." Olivia said, as she walked into the kitchen to make some tea.
"Don't you good morning me, what is that lazy ass bum doing on our couch. You said you wouldn't take him back this time." Olivia roommate and twin sister answered back. Alex was Olivia's older fraternal older twin sister. Sam was the loud and vibrant one of the two, as where Olivia was more laid back and quiet. Everyone could see the resemblance for them to be sisters, but no one every guessed that they were twins born just minutes apart.
Alex and Olivia were both the same 5'2 height, and both had a caramel colored complexion, with dark brown hair and big brown eyes. Olivia had naturally thick and loose curly hair, were as Alex had thin and straight hair. Olivia had light freckles covering her face and Alex's were covering her arm.
"Lexi please don't start."
"No it's too late for all that okay, because I started when I walked down the steps and saw that asshole drooling on my new silk pillow. I thought you were done with him Liv."
Olivia sighed, "I am done. He just came here this morning, and he was drunk and-"
"Oh what a shocker, what else is new? The man stays drunk, he lives at the bottom of a whiskey bottle." Alex said. She hated Roger and would always hate him. To her he was nothing but a no good drunk and not good enough for her sister.
"Olivia you said you were done with him. You said you were done, when he showed up at the center drunk off his ass, shouting and cursing at the kids. Olivia you almost lost your job! Do you not remember all the shit he's put you through?!"
"Yes I remember Alex." Olivia kept her voice calm, she was never really one for confrontation. It was always Alex's job to be the hot head.
"So why is he here then?!"
"He had no money, he gave the cab driver all him money to bring him here. He doesn't have a car, not that I would've let him drive. I mean what was I supposed to do, throw him out on his behind."
"That's exactly what you should've done." Alex replied, with no trace of sympathy for Roger.
"And that's why you're the evil twin." Olivia laughed. "Besides he's not a bad guy Lex."
"He's a lazy drunk Olivia."
"Yeah and daddy had the same problem."
"But daddy accepted that he had a problem and got help, and has been sober ever since. Don't you dare compare him to dad, because they're nothing alike.
Alex poured her coffee in a travel mug. "I just worry about you Liv, you know that."
"I know." Olivia walked around the island and wrapped her arms around Alex in a side hug. "And I love you for it. But could we please stop. I'm supposed to be in a good mood this morning remember. I have my meeting today."
"Fine." Alex gave in, "You have your meeting with Grant today?"
"Yep." Olivia replied, pouring her coffee into her favorite oversized mug, and hopped on one of the bar chairs with her feet curled up on the chair.
"You nervous?"
"Of course I am. But I'm excited too. I really don't wanna screw this up. If I can get this guy to agree to put m paintings in his gallery, do you know what kind of publicity that could get me? I'd finally be able to show my art in some of the major galleries instead of just the little local one's here. I mean not that I'm not grateful, of course I am. I mean without Valerie, I would still be trying to sell my art on the streets."
"Who is this Grant guy anyway? What is he like an agent?"
"Yeah sort of. He discovers new artist and artistry. He sort of takes them under his wing and promotes them. He gets you at out there to the major leagues. I just hope he likes mine."
"Don't worry he will. Everyone we know knows how talented you are, and so will he. And if he doesn't, he's and asshole." Alex said, making Olivia laugh, causing some of her nerves to ease. "Just do me a favor Liv." Alex said seriously.
"What?"
"Please don't wear those baggy, ratty old overalls to your meeting."
Olivia rolled her eyes, knowing exactly which pair of overalls her sister was talking about. "I wasn't planning on it Lex."
"I'm just saying, you wear those things everywhere."
"I won't wear the overalls."
"Thank you." Alex checked her watch, and noticed she had to leave. "Alright I have to get to work."
"Shouldn't you already be there? It's after eleven." Olivia asked.
"Yeah, but I woke up a little later than I should have. So I called Mark and told him that my car wouldn't start."
"Lex there's nothing wrong with your car."
"And he doesn't need to know that. There's some croissants next to the stove, and I made some fruit salad. I know you don't eat breakfast, but you need to eat. " Alex grabbed her gym bag off the floor, "I have practice tonight, so I might not be home until late. Don't wait up." Alex kissed Olivia's cheek, before making her way out the kitchen.
As she was walking out the kitchen, Roger showed up, almost bumping into her. Alex groaned and rolled her eyes. She never felt the need to hide her distain for Roger. She didn't like him and made damn well sure he knew.
"Hey Alex." Roger said, trying to shield his eyes from the light.
"Roger." Alex said evenly. "Bye Liv, I love you." Alex spoke, without taking her eyes off Roger.
"Love you too." Olivia said, before Alex walked out the kitchen. She made sure to bump into Roger's shoulder, and slam the front door on her way out, to make his hangover headache worse.
"I see she still doesn't like me."
"And she never will." Olivia replied, "Not that it matters, you won't be around anymore." Olivia got off the chair to get Roger and aspirin and orange juice.
"Liv please not this again."
"Roger I told you I was serious this time." Olivia gave him the pills and juice. After he took the pills, Olivia put a croissant in his hand and started walking him to the door. "I can give you cab fare."
"I don't need your money Olivia." Roger snapped.
"How do you plan on getting home then?"
"What do you care?" Roger roughly grabbed him coat off the back of the couch and slammed the door on his way out.
X
After painting for a little while, then getting her portfolio ready for her meeting with Mr. Grant, Olivia took a shower and got dressed. Trying to listen to her sister, Olivia opted to not wear her favorite pair of jeans. Which just happened to be baggy with small holes and paint splattered on them. She wore a dark blue long sleeve dress that stopped just above her knees. She put on a pair of black tights to fight off the cold and a pair of black ballerina flats. Olivia didn't wear much makeup, not that she needed it anyway. So she just put on some simple nude lipstick. After she pulled her hair into a messy bun on top of her head, because she didn't feel like doing it. She knew she wasn't vogue cover material, but she thought she looked nice.
After she grabbed her portfolio, keys and purse, Olivia headed out the door to Mr. Grant's office. It took her twenty minutes to get to his building, and another ten to find parking. She really hated New York sometimes. Only when she got ready to get out her car, did she realize she forgot her coat and scarf. Another habit she was trying to break.
When Olivia walked in the building, she was immediately intimidated, and her nerves crept back.
"Hello, I'm uh here to see Mr. Grant." Olivia told the man at the front desk. He was a large man, with a bad taupe and breath.
"Fourteenth floor." The man said quickly before going back to his Sudoku.
"Um, that wouldn't happen to be the top floor would it?"
"Yeah."
"Cheese and sprinkles." Olivia whispered to herself, she was extremely afraid of heights. Olivia walked over to the elevators, and pushed number fourteen. Her stomach dropped a little more each time she gained a level. When the doors opened on the fourth floor, Olivia felt out of place. The entire floor looked expensive. The men walked around in expensive designer suits, and the women wore fashion dresses fresh off the runway.
"Can I help you?" The woman behind the desk pulled Olivia from her thoughts.
"Uh yes, I have a two o'clock with Mr. Grant. My name's Olivia Pope."
After checking her computer the woman turned back with a smile. "Yes, Ms. Pope Mr. Grant is expecting you. Come with me please."
"Are you sure he's ready? I'm like forty minutes early."
"Yes ma'am he's ready. Unless you need a minute."
And keep Grant waiting on me, no chance. I'm not taking any chances for this guy not to like me. "Uh no no, I'm ready."
X
"Jeffery I'm not having this conversation with you again. We had this conversation three months ago, and you promised me you'd taken care of your problem. Now before I signed a contract with you, I told you I didn't do drama or personal issues. And Jeffery you high off your ass on cocaine and God knows what else, at your gallery party is a big fucking problem."
"Fitz man I-I know. Look I-I can get better I can stop anytime I want, I'm not hooked man."
"Jeffery look at yourself. Take a good look, then look me in my face and tell me that lie again. Of course you're hooked! You're a fucking junkie Jeffery I can see it a mile away. And that Jeff is a problem."
"Fitz man please don't do this. You were the only one to give me a break man please I need this. This is my career we're talking about man please."
"Yeah I know, which is why I'm so pissed off. Because I pissed my money away on you. You promised me results, and I have nothing." Fitz reached over to his side and grabbed a stack of papers. "As of now, your contract with Grant Art Inc. is now terminated" Fitz then put the stack of papers in the shredder next to his desk. "Please give your ID badge to Lauren on your way out."
"Fitz wait man you can't do this okay! We- I signed a contract, I've got two years left on it! You can't do this."
"Actually I can, the very moment you were in defiance of the morale clause in your contract. You're done Jeffery."
"Wait no Fitz!"
Almost immediately, to big muscular men in black suits appeared in the office. They both grabbed a part of Jeffery and began to drag him out the office.
"Fitz please reconsider! I need this man please. Fitz!" Jeffery fought the men off as best he could, but it was useless. The men were twice as big and three times as strong. Jeff swung his arms and kicked his legs, screaming for Fitz to give him another chance. No one had noticed that the door had opened and someone came in, until Jeff swung his arm again, and smacked Olivia in the face, knocking her down.
Fitz who had been calmly sitting at his desk, saw Jeff hit Olivia and knock her to the floor. In an instant he was on his feet racing to Jeff. He quickly and very subtly punched him once in the gut, effectively silencing Jeff screams.
"Get him out of here." Fitz growled, before turning back to the floor. Olivia was sitting up straight, while Lauren kneeled down beside her. "Are you alright Miss?"
"Uh yeah, no harm done." Olivia said rubbing her cheek.
"Lauren go make sure he returns his ID badge."
"Yes sir." Lauren said, before scurrying off while Fitz took her spot next to Olivia.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
Olivia didn't answer, only stared. She had seen only a few pictures of him online, but they did nothing for him. Actually seeing him live, and in person was a totally different thing than through a computer screen. The man standing in front of her had to have been the most handsome man she'd ever seen. We're talking Michael Ealey handsome. Olivia stared, trying to memorize his chiseled face, deep blue eye and wavy hair. She could only imagine what was underneath what she assumed to be a very expensive suit. Probably even designer.
"Miss? Are you alright?" Fitz asked again, after Olivia only stared at him.
"Uh yeah, he doesn't hit that hard." Olivia chuckled, then took Fitz's outstretched hand to help her up.
"Please have seat." Fitz motioned to the couches, before going over to his wet bar. Fitz filled a cloth with a few ice cubes. "Here, this should take some of the sting out." Instead of giving the icepack to Olivia, like she thought he would. Fitz sat down beside her, moved a piece of stray hair from her face, and gently put the ice pack on her right cheek.
For one minute straight, they just stared into each other's eyes, neither one wanting to look away. It was just something so captivating about the other that they couldn't seem to break the connection. They would've went on for hours, had Fitz not got ahold of himself.
"Uh." Fitz cleared his throat. "So perhaps we should get to business."
"Yes, that's fine."
"So Ms. Pope, I understand you're a painter."
"Olivia please, just Olivia. And yes, but I also do stone and clay sculpting as well, I've done a couple of special order busts and sculptures for some of Val's clients. But mostly painting, I really only do sculpting when I need to blow off steam, or someone's made me mad. And you didn't ask me any of that, and I'm rambling. I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Fitz chuckled, barely breaking a smile. "So is selling your paintings at Valerie's shop your main source of income?"
"Oh Christ no, I'd starve." Olivia laughed, making Fitz chuckled slightly. She noticed he didn't smile very often. "I actually work at a youth group center as an art teacher. Mostly paintings, but we do work with clay and molding bowls and pots and things. It really just a great way to keep them off the streets. And it's also an after school and summer program."
"So you've come highly recommended from Valerie. She says you're one of the top sellers she has at her boutique."
"Wow really? I had no idea."
"Very humble."
"Well I really don't care for the money, I just want to be able to share my art with the rest of the world so I'm not the only one staring at it. But it is nice to be able to pay my rent."
"Well let's hope I'll be able to help you with that. Do you have your portfolio with you, may I see it?"
Olivia quickly passed her portfolio over to Fitz, which was almost as big as the table. She prayed to God that he liked her paintings, she had been waiting so long to get to this moment in her life. And if things didn't come out smoothly, she didn't know what she was gonna do.
The entire time Fitz was looking at the portfolio, his face never changed. Olivia didn't know whether he like what he saw, or if he was completely turned off by it. She knew some of her portraits were nudes, and very realistic ones, but maybe it wasn't the type of art he was interested in promoting. What if it was a little too risqué for his clientele.
After about five more agonizing minutes, Fitz finally acknowledge Olivia was in the room and sat the portfolio down. "Wow." Was all he said.
Wow? Wow? What the heck is that supposed to mean? Wow it was terrible and you hated it? Or wow it was the best paintings you've ever seen and you were moved to tears?
"This is really good Olivia. You are an amazing artist." Fit clarified.
"Really?!" Olivia's face lit up like the fourth of July.
"Yes really."
"Why are you so surprised? Hasn't anyone every told you how talented you are?"
"Yes, but I don't know, hearing it from you makes it so much special." Olivia said honestly.
Fitz smirked, "Well I'm glad I could put a smile on your face."
Olivia blushed, and tugged on her ear. A habit she'd had since she was a kid. Every time she was embarrassed, nervous, or getting fussed at by her parents, she would tug on her right ear.
"So obviously I would like to sign you, I have the contract all drawn up on my desk. You could take it with you, have a lawyer look over it for you. Make sure your happy with, and understand the agreements in the contract. "
"Wait what?" Olivia asked in confusion.
"Is there a problem?"
"No just. I- I thought there was a little bit more to this. I thought I'd have an interview, background check, blood test something. I didn't think it'd be this easy."
"Well Ms. Pope, I'm a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. I don't let gems slip through my fingers." Fitz replied, staring intently into her eyes. "But I could make it more complicated if you'd like."
"No no, that's quite alright. Holy crap, I can't believe I'm gonna sign with Grant Art. You don't understand, this has been a big dream of mine since I was in college. Thank you! Thank you so much!" Without thinking, Olivia lept forward into Fitz' lap, squeezing her arms tight around his neck.
It only took her a moment to realize what she was doing, and she quickly retracted her arms from his neck. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me I- I'm sorry."
"It fine really, you apologize too much. Now should we get to the contract now?"
"Yes, absolutely! Before you change your mind."
After giving the contract to Olivia and telling her she had a week to sign, Fitz took her on a tour of the office on the thirteenth floor; which looked nothing like the fourteenth. This one was more inviting and homey. There was more warm neutral colors as opposed to the white and grey walls on Fitz's floor.
Art hung on all the walls, most likely from all the artist he had on payroll. Paintings and sculptures and pictures of landmarks and ordinary people hung on every wall. Olivia could only imagine of her art someday being on the wall.
"This is sort of the living quarters for some of my artist. It's not really suitable for living, but on some mornings I some in and see they have pulled all-nighters on a piece and crashed in one of the studios." Fitz said, pointing to various rooms. "This floor is really for creative ideas and a work space. You are required to set aside at least five hours of your day for your work. I don't require you to work here, but it's just convenient for some who don't have the space at home. You do however have to show me your daily progress if you choice to work elsewhere. Do you have a studio?"
"Uh not really. I do have a room in my brownstone though. It's only me and my sister living there, so I took the third bedroom and made it my art room."
"You have a sister?"
"Yes a twin sister actually."
"Really? Does she look exactly like you?"
Olivia chuckled, that was always the first thing she got asked, when people found out she was a twin. "No, fraternal."
"Hey Fitz," A tall red head called out, as she made her way over to Olivia and Fitz. "Hey, I finished another one." She tried to uncover her canvas for Fitz to look at, but he only sighed.
"Red, what did I say. I don't even need to look at that to know that it's not up to par with your previous work. It's only been two days since you came to me with the other."
"I know, but this one is better I really think your gonna like this one."
"Abby I don't want to like it, I want to love it. Now I know that you've been going through some things with your family, and I get that, which is why I've been giving you a break. But I need the old Red back, I need the spitfire Red back. Put some of that grievance on a canvas and get back to your old self, or else I' gonna have to cut you loose."
"Wait wait-"
"Now I don't want to do that, and you know I don't want to. But unless I start getting some results it's gonna happen Red. I can only give you but so many breaks." Fitz turned back to Olivia, and put a hand on her shoulder. Sending shock waves through both of them. "Uh Red this is Olivia hopefully one of our new ones around here. I want you to show her around and invite her to the party tonight."
"Yes sir." Abby rolled her eyes, Olivia could see she was annoyed.
"Well Olivia it was nice meeting you, and I hope to see you soon and hopefully with a signed contract." Fitz squeezed Olivia's arm affectionaly, needed some reason to touch her. Olivia watched as he got back on the elevators going back up to the top floor. What was it about him that was so captivating?
"So I guess we can start with the studios down the hall. If you end up signing, you'll get one of those, it'll either be here or in the building next door. He normally keeps the new and good artist in this building. And unofficially he keeps the not so great artist in the other building, the ones who haven't been giving results. So if I don't shape up soon, I'm gonna find myself in the other building. It's like the ultimate blow to the ego and pride to be sent over there. So try not to get sent over there."
"Okay." Olivia said, trying to keep up with Abby's long strides. "Red is it?"
"Abby, but you can call me Red if you want."
"Okay, uh quick question. Mr. Grant mentioned a party?"
"Yeah, every once in a while well have a little get together to celebrate an artist's accomplishment. This time it's for Jenna."
"Is it mandatory? I'm not really the party type."
"No not really, but you should come. It's a great way to meet everyone else, and trust me you want them to like you. It's like a family around here but it also can be a little mayhem around here, and it's everyman for himself."
Olivia sighed, she really wasn't the party type, but she had every intention on signing the contract. So maybe it was a good idea for her to meet her new 'family.'
If you read Unconventional Love, don't worry I will still be writing those chapters as well. As always let me know what you think, and be respectful when you do so.
Catch You Later…